Story perspectives

Romance Readers Unite at Sydney's Popular Book Pop-Up

1/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Books With Jess pop-up shop in Sydney drew a large crowd of romance readers and showcased merchandise.
The event highlighted the growth of online book communities on Booktok and Bookstagram, which gained popularity during the 2020 pandemic.
Participants were mainly women in their 20s and 30s seeking specific tropes.
Jess*, a 25-year-old teacher, described her path from Wattpad fan fiction to becoming a romance reader, consuming 200–400 books annually.

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Story summary

The Books With Jess pop-up shop in Sydney drew a large crowd of romance readers and showcased merchandise.
The event highlighted the growth of online book communities on Booktok and Bookstagram, which gained popularity during the 2020 pandemic.
Participants were mainly women in their 20s and 30s seeking specific tropes.
Jess*, a 25-year-old teacher, described her path from Wattpad fan fiction to becoming a romance reader, consuming 200–400 books annually.