Trope Bookshop, also known as “the Smut Bus,” is a romance bookshop on wheels in Charlotte, NC, owned by Katie Mitchell. Trope is the product of a second chance romance with reading +  #Booktok + corporate burnout. Katie opened the doors of the bus, affectionately known as Green Girl, in October of 2023. 

Katie fell back in love with reading during the COVID lockdown, and that combined with discovering the world of Sarah J Maas inspired the idea for Trope Bookshop. Initially, Katie dreamed of a store front for the romance-only bookstore, inspired by the work of The Ripped Bodice, but the cost of real estate was simply too much. Katie’s friends encouraged her to keep the dream alive, so she began to look into mobile options. A few weeks later, she acquired the “Green Girl” and began renovating. 

Trope Bookshop is a place where all love is welcome, encouraged, and sold, from classic rom coms to enemies to lovers, to romantasy, to Katie’s personal favorite, Mafia Romances. Katie hopes that when customers visit the book bus they find a warm, welcoming, and fun experience shopping for their next book boyfriend.

Since opening, Trope has launched a Smutty Bookclub that meets once a month, partnered with other local Charlotte businesses for indie author book signings, and more. Follow Trope on Instagram @tropebookshop to see all their upcoming bus stops and field trips around the Queen City.