Utah County now has its first ever romance-only bookstore

Utah is getting another romance-only bookstore, but this time in Utah County.

After almost a year of planning, two friends and part-time teachers at American Fork High School — Whitney Beckstead and Kara Allen — on Saturday opened Lagg Romance Bookstore in Lehi.

“Because we work in American Fork, we feel very connected to this northern Utah County community,” Allen said. “We really wanted to serve Saratoga Springs too.”

It’s one of a handful of independent bookstores in Utah County, along with Poppy Books and Gifts in Spanish Fork and HideAway Books in American Fork. Another, Planted in Pages, also opened Saturday in Provo, where Mosaics is located.

The new romance-only bookstore sits in an old house on Lehi’s Main Street that used to be a boutique. The inside features white “BILLY” bookshelves from IKEA and decorative accents in the store’s signature pink-and-orange color palette.

“We just felt like this was a good spot that kind of hit all our people,” Beckstead said of the shop’s location.

Besides the Barnes and Noble in American Fork, “there was nowhere for us to go buy books nearby,” Beckstead said. The store, she feels, will help serve a “huge need.”

Its opening Saturday made it the second romance-only bookstore in Utah. The first, Lovebound Library, opened in Salt Lake City earlier this year and recently expanded their space.

While Lagg focuses on the romance genre, it’s broken up into different sections by subgenre. There’s a young adult room, a fantasy-romance (or “romantasy”) section, a contemporary romance area and a dark romance section.

Upon entry, a door mat with different colored bows greets customers. Books of course line the space, which also features a portrait of Marilyn Monroe and other bookish merch, including stickers, bookmarks, candles and even clothes.

“That’s part of what sets us apart, is having the things that you want to go with a book — like cozy socks and blankets,” Allen said.

Once customers walk in, Lagg, they’ll see the store’s full name painted on the opposite wall, above some shelves: “Like a good girl.”

Allen said for the co-owners, the saying has multiple meanings, aside from its romance-book connotations.

“I grew up Mormon and was always trying very hard to be a good girl,” Allen said. “What I really like is the idea of that being expanded.”

For patrons, she said — whether you’re picking a title from “our cute little YA section,” or whether you’re opting for a “clean” book — “you are a good girl.”

As teachers, the pair are aware that a few of the titles on their shelves were recently banned from public schools statewide, including some books by fantasy romance author Sarah J. Maas. They say they aren’t worried, though.

“I know people get afraid of the sex in books, but in my opinion,” Allen said, “the safest way to first experience sex is in a book. You’re completely in control. You can close the page at any time, you can walk away. You have 100% consent.”

“My goal is to just help [teens] develop into a lovely human being,” Allen added. “And many of the things in these books are part of human life.”

The duo on Friday was excited to open their doors to the public the next day, with the help and support of their community.

Eventually, the “book besties turned business besties” — as Allen and Beckstead call themselves — plan to use the upstairs area of the shop for book clubs.

When it comes to recommendations, they each have their favorites. But their preference is to getting to know readers first before suggesting titles.

“Then you can find a book that actually speaks to them,” Beckstead said. “What makes books so important and powerful is the connection to you.”

Editor’s note • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.