The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna

Episode: Interview with the Owner of Lovestruck in Seattle
Released: September 29, 2025
Guests: McKenna Martin (Owner, Lovestruck Seattle)
Theme: Spotlight on Lovestruck Seattle – Community, Romance, and Bookstore Dreams

Episode Overview

On this special episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Jon Ryan (NFL veteran and romance fan) and Sarah Colonna (comedian and thriller enthusiast) interview McKenna Martin, owner of Lovestruck Seattle. Lovestruck is a beloved local popup dedicated solely to romance novels, now transitioning into a permanent brick-and-mortar store. The conversation explores McKenna’s unexpected journey from popup to packed-out success, her passion for building community, and the vital role of genre-specific bookstores today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Birth of Lovestruck and Viral Opening Day Hype

• Jon explains his instant Instagram obsession: As a former Seattleite and romance reader, Jon found Lovestruck the day it launched, seeing viral videos of the grand opening crowds.
• Massive turnout stories:
  • "Her store was lined up around the block the very first day. I'm talking like hours of waiting time for these people..." (Jon, 01:52)
• McKenna’s reaction:
  • She expected ~100–200 to RSVP but saw 500 confirm interest pre-opening.
  • "The first person in line was at 8:30, and we hadn't even opened until 11... I honestly got very nervous. I didn’t want to go outside…” (McKenna, 05:44)

[05:44] - McKenna’s Genuine Shock and Joy

"It was literally... all the way past the library. So it was a very, very long line all day."
— McKenna Martin

Independent Bookstores & The Romance Niche

• Jon praises the “romance-only” concept, highlighting bookstores’ struggles, especially post-pandemic.
• Inspiration from The Ripped Bodice (LA): The first romance-focused indie bookstore in the US led McKenna to bring the idea north:
  • "I was like, well, maybe someone has this idea. And then I finally was like, well, I want to do it, so I'm just going to do it and we'll see how it goes." (McKenna, 10:38)

[11:30] - From Pop-Up to Permanence, Fast

"It was day one that we were like, I guess this is our life now."
— McKenna Martin

Community Partner Programs and Store Expansion

• Seattle Restored: Helped McKenna quickly secure a space and test the concept.
• Kickstarter: Funding the 1400 sq. ft. expansion from the popup’s mere 342 sq. ft.
  • “We only had two weeks, though, with the keys... how fast we had to make it happen.” (11:00–11:50)
• Excitement and stress over building, decorating, and stocking the new space.
  • "It's much different... so many little details and things... But it's also a little intimidating. It's just like, there's so much we can do..." (McKenna, 16:01)

[17:46] - Big Strides

"We're going from 342 square feet to 1400 square feet. So, yeah, big difference."
— McKenna Martin

Books, Merch, and Local Love

• Gift shop roots: McKenna’s “Palm Creative” brand brings bookish merch to Lovestruck.
• Plans for more local business collaborations and artist pop-ups.

Reader Experience & Curation Philosophy

• Criteria for the shelves:
  • Books must deliver a "happily ever after" (HEA), but subgenres (fantasy romance, LGBTQ+, YA, and more) are growing fast.
  • "For the most part, it has to be like a happily ever after."' – McKenna (21:58)
• Sourcing: Mix of indie and traditional authors, with heavy attention to local Pacific Northwest writers and customer recommendations.
  • “Now knowing our customers a bit more, it’s a lot easier.” (22:40)
• Viral indie success: TikTok discoveries are influencing buying decisions.
• Popular titles: Emily Henry, Carly Fortune, “First Time Caller” (noted as this summer's bestseller with a distinctly Seattle vibe).

[24:07] - Philosophy on Book Discovery

"I wanted to make it feel comfortable for everyone to come in and find, you know, a little bit of love wherever they find it."
— McKenna Martin

Building Community and Events

• Core goal: Create a “third space” for readers – not just a store, but a hangout for book lovers and book clubs.
  • "What we all need is like a sense of community... what you're building right now is building a community. And I think that's so cool." (Jon, 28:28)
  • “We had someone come in the other day that said they were there for the grand opening and met a group of people and they're now in a book club together. And I was like, that is so sweet.” (McKenna, 29:31)
• Event plans: Author signings, expanded space for book clubs, pop-up artisan markets.

Book Formats & Reading Habits

• Hosts and McKenna discuss the merits of physical books, Kindle, and audiobooks:
  • McKenna prefers physical copies but uses audiobooks during the busy setup phase.
  • On non-favorite books: All three admit struggling to “give up” on a book before finishing.
    • _“I'm the exact same way. Even if I'm halfway through, I'm like, is this really... am I enjoying this? And I'm like, but I have to finish it now." – McKenna, 25:57

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On opening day nerves and success:
  "I honestly got very nervous. I didn't want to go outside, so I was like, oh no. Like, this is… so crazy."
  — McKenna Martin [05:44]

• On the need for romance:
  "Nothing bad ever happens in romance books. If you just like, put your head in a romance book for five hours, the world is a better place inside your head when you're done with it."
  — Jon Ryan [12:16]

• Bookstore criteria:
  “For the most part, it has to be like a happily ever after. That's kind of the vibe of romance.”
  — McKenna Martin [21:58]

• Mission alignment:
  "What we all need is like a sense of community… what you're building right now is building a community. And I think that's so cool."
  — Jon Ryan [28:28]

• On serendipitous connections:
  "We had someone come in the other day that said they were there for the grand opening and met a group of people and they're now in a book club together. And I was like, that is so sweet."
  — McKenna Martin [29:31]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:41–02:08] — Jon and Sarah set up the episode, discussing Lovestruck and the fifth Monday bonus content.
• [04:22–07:30] — McKenna recounts Lovestruck’s opening day mayhem and her shock at the turnout.
• [09:01–11:30] — Inspiration from The Ripped Bodice; blending books and merch; the fast pivot from popup to full store.
• [12:38–15:13] — Favorite romance authors (Emily Henry, Carly Fortune); Seattle love; influences on book curation.
• [16:01–17:46] — The challenge and joy of building a bigger space via Kickstarter.
• [19:11–20:45] — Plans for community events and author signings; importance of creating a safe, enthusiastic reader hub.
• [21:29–24:07] — How Lovestruck curates its ever-evolving selection.
• [25:29–27:08] — Reading habits, the problem of staying with a book you don’t love, and honest reflections on quitting.
• [27:08–29:39] — Expanded store offerings; the future vision for solace, connection, and literary joy.
• [30:18–31:42] — Print vs. digital vs. audio: team preferences and adaptation to modern reading life.

Store Info for Seattle Listeners

Lovestruck Seattle (Opening October 25th, 2025!)
8535 35th Ave, Wedgwood, North Seattle
Instagram & TikTok: @lovestruckinseattle

Takeaways

• Lovestruck is more than a romance store: It's a microcosm of literary joy, creative grit, and Seattle’s indie spirit.
• Community is king: Bookstores can succeed by being centers for connection as much as for commerce.
• Romance thrives on optimism: Amid a complicated world, spaces like Lovestruck foster the “happy ever after” for readers in real life.

Follow Lovestruck Seattle on Instagram and TikTok for opening updates and event announcements.
For live events and more from Jon & Sarah, visit sarahcolonna.com and follow The Book Lisp on Instagram!