We recently had the chance to connect with Leah Taylor and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Leah, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My day usually kicks off in a middle school classroom full of preteens who think they’re either already grown or still babies—sometimes both in the same five-minute span. I’m wrangling seventh graders through math problems, breaking up arguments about who “looked at who first,” and sneaking sips of coffee while explaining why “no, you can’t go to the bathroom for the fourth time in ten minutes.”
There are good parts, though—those little lightbulb moments when a kid finally gets a new concept, or when they tell me a random story about their dog and think it’s the funniest thing in the world. It’s exhausting, hilarious, and takes every ounce of patience I’ve got… but it’s also a reminder that these kids need someone to show up for them every day.
Once the school bell rings, I switch hats completely. I head straight to Shelf Love, my romance-only bookstore. Walking through the doors feels like stepping into another universe—away from middle school drama and into a space filled with books, stories, and grown-up conversations (well, most of the time).
At the store, I’m juggling everything from restocking shelves and chatting with customers to planning events and wrangling indie author consignments. One minute I’m setting up a display for dark romance, the next I’m answering a reader’s question about the spiciest small-town romcom on the shelf. Sometimes I’m elbows-deep in organizing an author signing, other times I’m just sitting with a cup of coffee, talking with a customer who came in looking for their next comfort read.
It’s busy, it’s unpredictable, and sometimes I feel like I’ve worked two full-time jobs in one day—but it’s also the dream. Teaching fills my days with purpose, and the bookstore fills my evenings with passion.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Leah C. Taylor, USA Today Bestselling Author, middle school teacher by day, and the proud owner of Shelf Love, the first romance-only bookstore in West Georgia. My brand has always been about creating space for connection—whether that’s in my classrooms helping kids grow, in my books giving readers an escape, or in my bookstore where romance readers and writers can come together to celebrate the genre we love.
Shelf Love is more than just a bookstore—it’s a community hub. We carry one of the largest selections of signed indie romance books in the Southeast, and we host everything from book clubs and release parties to author signings and workshops. I’m also the founder of Romance Atlanta Writers and Readers (RAWR), a signing event that not only brings authors and readers together, but also supports causes close to my heart, like the local humane societies.
Right now, I’m working on expanding Shelf Love’s reach with more author events, collaborations with other romance-only bookstores across the country, and projects that highlight indie authors who deserve the spotlight. At the end of the day, what makes my story unique is simple—I believe everyone deserves a chance at love, on and off the page, and I’ve built my brand around celebrating that truth.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
For me, bonds between people usually break when trust cracks. Not always in big, dramatic ways—sometimes it’s the little things that pile up: promises broken, conversations avoided, not showing up when you’re needed most. I’ve learned that silence can be just as damaging as shouting. When people stop talking, stop listening, or stop choosing to fight for each other, that’s when the distance creeps in.
But I’ve also seen bonds restored—both in my own life and watching the people around me—through honesty, vulnerability, and sheer stubborn love. When someone is willing to admit they messed up, when forgiveness is given without strings, and when both sides choose to lean back in instead of pulling away—that’s when healing starts.
I think what really restores bonds is intentional effort. Time spent together. Words spoken, even when they’re hard. Choosing again and again to stay connected. That’s what keeps relationships—whether it’s family, friendships, or love—alive.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There are definitely times I’ve thought about giving up. Owning a small, indie bookstore—especially one that’s romance-only—comes with this constant pressure in the back of my mind that at any given moment, I could fail. That’s a hard truth to live with. Every day is a balance of love for what I’ve built and fear that one bad month, one missed opportunity, or one unexpected expense could tip the scales.
And to be honest, people have told me flat-out that I’ll end up shutting my doors. That it’s “too niche,” or that “There’s already to many in our town.” Hearing that cuts deep, because it echoes the doubts I already wrestle with at 2 a.m. But instead of letting it end me, I’ve tried to let it fuel me. If failure is always a possibility, then so is success—and I’d rather keep fighting for the chance to prove them wrong than walk away wondering what could’ve been.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what really matters to me is helping people feel seen and supported—whether that’s in my classroom, my bookstore, or the indie author community.
I’ve always been the one who shows up, even if it means putting in extra hours or carrying more than I probably should. With Shelf Love, it’s not just about selling books—it’s about creating a space where indie authors have a real shot at being discovered, where readers can find their next favorite writer who might otherwise get overlooked. My friends know how much I believe in lifting others up, because I’ve been there—hustling, doubting, wondering if anyone will take a chance on you.
So they’d tell you what matters most to me isn’t just success for myself—it’s seeing others succeed too. If I can open a door, make a connection, or just remind someone that their work matters, then I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For a long time, I think I was doing what I was told to do—or at least what was expected. Go to school, get a stable job, pay the bills, keep life moving. Teaching fit that mold: it’s meaningful work, steady, and safe. And I do love being in the classroom, but it never felt like the whole picture of me.
The bookstore, though—that feels like the path I was born to walk. Shelf Love is where all the pieces of me come together: my love of stories, my passion for supporting others, my stubborn belief that indie authors deserve a spotlight, and my dream of creating community. It’s risky, it’s scary, and some days I wonder if I’ve lost my mind—but deep down, I know this is the thing that can carry me into what I was meant to do.
So right now, I’m straddling both worlds. One is the life I was told to build, and one is the life I was born to chase. And little by little, the bookstore is showing me that I was never meant to play it safe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ShelfLoveAtlanta.com
- Instagram: @shelfloveatlanta
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelfloveatlanta
- Other: TikTok @Shelfloveatlanta
Image Credits
Shelf Love
