The Ripped Bodice

I've attended a few author signings and bought my fare share of books here. The space is run really well with so many great books and merch. Their website shows their events calendar and they have so many fun things happening in the space.

Convenient to the 33 bus line, and lots of downtown Culver City’s best restaurants, this bookstore is a must visit for bibliophiles that love romance. Elsewhere that might warrant an eye roll but at The Ripped Bodice, you’re in romance heaven. There’s everything here from beautiful, classic Jane Austen editions with gilt-covered pages to the newest, hottest romances topping charts at all major media outlets. There’s great attention paid to LGBTQIA+ books, both those about those who are and by authors who are. There’s a cute event space, there are stickers and gift items for the special bibliophile in your life (or for you!), and there’s no high pressure sales here. Just fellow bibliophiles, there when you need them. Or to finally ring up your purchase that’s far more than you planned to spend. This isn’t a place you leave empty handed!

if you are in the culver city, CA area (whether you’re a book lover or not) this NEEDS to be a stop during your visit. this shop is so beautiful with an array of books and bookish merch, my wee heart was EXPLODING! the people who work at the shop were so sweet and kind, and did such an amazing job hosting the event i went to. i wish they had a shop where i live cause i’d be here 25/8 if i could!!

A cute small mom and pop book store owned by two sisters with a sister store in New York. They section off the store in historical romance, Science Fiction/ Fantasy Romance, general romance, and sexual health & wellness including LGBTQ awareness and health. Keep in mind everything outside of the last section is all fiction. They also carry a small array of non-book items like stickers, candles, and bookmarks. Their variety is very expansive, their story extremely clean and tidy with an aesthetic appearance, all the way down to pink colored printing paper. Their “blind date with a book” section is also lots of fun if you want to read a book without really knowing the full synopsis. A great addition to the neighborhood!

11/10 Smut society and romance society MAKE HASTTTTT!! This place is so incredibly beautiful and amazing and you feel welcomed. It’s finally a bookshop where you know you’re gonna get a book that actually DELIVERED unlike your last date (or relationship). I specifically asked the workers there for their recommendations based off genres that I like that are very niche and walked out with eight books. Let alone the stickers and stationary selection. They have in addition to apparel is without a doubt the top-tier quality I have been looking for in my dreams. I highly recommend coming here and if you don’t, you will regret it for the rest of your life.

Fantastic space filled with a thoughtfully curated selection of books. One of the very best bookstores I've ever been in. It's beautiful and magical and the staff are kind and helpful.

Super cute, aesthetic romance bookstore! They have a good selection of paperback romance books along with some fantasy books. There was also a section dedicated to blind date with a book, which was very fitting for their romance theme. I really loved their merch section full of cute totes, trope teas, bookmarks, stickers, and candles inspired by your favorite characters.

I love visiting here when I’m in LA. The decor is lovely, staff friendly, and the host occasional events for book lovers.

The Ripped Bodice is such a delightful bookstore! It's fun, spicy, and full of charm--exactly what you'd hope for from a shop dedicated to romance. The staff curate the selection so well, with everything from lighthearted rom-coms to sensual, steamy reads. It feels like a safe, welcoming space where romance is celebrated unapologetically. It's also a great spot for gals (and anyone who loves a good love story!) to find new favorites and discover diverse authors and voices in the genre. The vibe is warm, inviting, and just a little bit cheeky, which makes browsing the shelves an experience in itself. If you're a romance reader--or even romance-curious--you'll have so much fun here. Highly recommend!

i saw alex aster here and i can die happy. also missed my chance to see kate golden but the ripped bodice crew is so lovely and straight forward. adore the fact that they hold onto your copy full of goodies for when you're ready to pick up in person!

I love supporting small businesses and this is the spot! I actually ended up coming here for a unique bachelorette scavenger hunt (had tons of fun!). As you walk in, quickly to your left is a small decorated stage with a giant book and chair; perfect for a photo opp! Staff was super friendly and offered to take some photos for us. The store has wonderful trinkets and gifts, along with tons of amazing books of course! The book selection is geared more towards romance. The book prices are decent too! I love that they have a selection of books from an author that is local and the books are signed (such a nice touch!). This store is worth a visit!

The Ripped Bodice is a cute independent book store. The store has very cozy vibes. It is specialized in Romance genres. They also carry a varieties of historical romance,fantasy romance and other subgenre. The staff were very friendly and professional. They shared with me their love of many books they read. I liked the cute tote that came with my purchase. They also gave me a lovely sticker for book lovers. My goal is to support small and independent businesses. I will be back for more books

Since I was in LA for the Festival of Books and the Ripped Bodice booth was insane with long lines, what better idea than to go to the actual bookstore. That is exactly what I did and I could not be much happier than I was that day. I am a huge fan of romance novels and because this is what the store specializes, so many books were featured throughout the store. i wanted everything. They have a great selection on different sub-genres of romance novels which is a plus because you can find what you are interested in by browsing the store. Upon walking in, I noticed the beauty of the store. The decor is amazing and so romantic. You are transported to the pages on your favorite romance novel by Lucy Score, Ana Huang, Emily Henry, Sarah J.Maas, or Abby Jimenez. The walls are adorned with wall art that include pages of a book and floral designs. There is a huge selection of merch, too. You can buy tote bags, bookmarks, pens, pins, hats, t-shirts, and of course, BOOKS. My favorite items are the Blind Date with a Book. The book is wrapped up and given little information on the theme of the book and you get to choose which one is your favorite. Highly recommend because you get to be introduced to authors you may not know. Prices are pretty typical and normal than any other store. Plus, if you are a true reader, prices don't scare you and if you are like me, you would spend your last dollar on a book. Staff was amazing too and noticed I had come from the festival so I was able to chat with them about that which I thought was really cool. I didn't get to browse as much as I wanted since I was hungry, so I will def be back for more and to possibly attend the next event. Plus, the store is so cute so would love to take more photos when I am there.

I love bringing my wife and daughter. They love to read and there is something for everyone to enjoy here. The book store is beautiful and the focus on romance genres is nice.

I am a huge romance book lover. TikTok and Instagram convinced me that I needed to go to this bookstore because it is curated for readers like me. Because I am a big yelper, i saw nothing but good reviews. I was very excited to finally get a chance to visit this location. The selection is immense. There were so many books I have never seen or heard of before. The pricing is very standard, not too expensive for a book. There are many available signed copies of books available. There are also bookmarks and stickers, which I was a lot of. Though this bookstore looks like a romantic book lovers dream, I do not think I will come back. When I walked in, my boyfriend and I were not acknowledged. The workers didn't even say excuse me when they were walking by me nor asked if I needed any help. They only conversation I had with them was when I was leaving to pay and then I didn't even have get a thank you. I was very disappointed.

I would live here if I could. The layout is so cute and the selection is amazing. The workers gave great recommendations and I loved all the descriptions of the books.

I love love love independent bookstores! Don't get me started on ROMANCE indie bookstores, it's a double win!! The layout is incredibly cute and creative. It's perfect for those who adore romance books like me. They have most of whatever romance you may be looking for. The only tricky thing about going here is the parking. It can be a hit or miss, but that's just what LA is unfortunately. Luckily the times I've been here, I found metered street parking. The workers are incredibly kind and helpful. I wish I can buy so much more merch (stickers, bookmarks, and of course the tote bags). I can't wait to go back again.

Ooo do I love this bookstore! An inclusive in every sense of the word bookstore that focuses on the romance genre. This is an excellent place for gifts particularly for the bookworm in your life. I particularly love their book clubs. Haven't been in a hot minute but I definitely want to come back. They are free to attend and you can sign up for them on their website. One of their book clubs actually made me excited about attending future book clubs because of how entertaining the discussions were.

if you are in the culver city, CA area (whether you're a book lover or not) this NEEDS to be a stop during your visit. this shop is so beautiful with an array of books and bookish merch, my wee heart was EXPLODING! the people who work at the shop were so sweet and kind, and did such an amazing job hosting the event i went to. i wish they had a shop where i live cause i'd be here 25/8 if i could!!

I recently went on a book crawl and The Ripped Bodice was one of the stops. I have been hearing about this place so I was happy to finally stop in. This is an independent bookstore that specializes in romance novels. It's very cutesy and such fun to browse and walk through. You can easily get lost browsing through all the colorful books and looking the fun decor and other merchandise. I typically don't read a lot of romance novels but it's hard to not buy something when you're there! I ended up buying one book and the girls working at the counter were very nice and knowledgable about the author. Definitely stop by The Ripped Bodice the next time you're in that part of Culver City. There are lots of places to eat or get coffee/tea nearby and pick up your next favorite read.

This cozy little bookstore seems to specialize in romance novels, which gives it a really fun and niche vibe. Beyond the books, they offer a delightful selection of gifts like stickers, postcards, and other cute finds. One of my favorite touches was the "blind date with a book" display--such a creative and fun idea! Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

If you enjoy a cozy book to read with a little romance this store is for you. They do have a small selection of other genre but this place does cater more in Rom-Com category. Sadly I didn't purchase anything but definitely coming back to get a few things.

This is such a cute bookstore! I came here while waiting for my appointment for the Museum of Jurassic Technology nearby. This store's selection spans from romances in period pieces, fantasy, lgbtq+, poc focused, and so on. Their staff are so friendly and it's fun to hear how much they love the books they have in stock. This store feels so inclusive and female friendly! It's hard finding space where you feel so cozy and safe while also aesthetically so cute and pink! I highly recommend anyone to check this place out and help support small businesses .

Cute shop with a great curation of books! Brought my wife here as a surprise and she enjoyed perusing! I saw they have book clubs and readings--the shelves have little recommendations by staff which is so cute.

This bookstore is GORGEOUS, so much fun, and has such a kind and helpful staff! It's full of light, arranged with care, and could have any romance book you're possibly looking for. It was very eclectic, and also had a wide range of stickers, keychains, reading accessories, and merchandise. I loved visiting and can't wait to go again!

So many romance books and everything is very organized by trope and subgenre! Loved it so much

LOVE LOVE LOVE I've been here twice for their last two midnight release parties and I can guarantee I'll be at every one in the future. This adorable romantic indie woman forward bookstore is truly one of a kind and I'm so happy it's near me! The decor is cozy but magical. They have every book you could dream of. The employees are so sweet and have the best recommendations. And the parties and events they put together are so lovely and diverse that brings people together. Thank you for helping me find my community!

Such a cute store geared towards romance books. I love the decor with the books and book pages suspended in the air and i wish the whole store was covered. The place transports u to ur imagination. I love the concept of the blind date with a book. Friends have been egging me on to put myself out there and so i took a chance on going on a blind date with a book! I love how the books for the blind date are covered with a sticker introducing each one. So u can get a glimpse of what the book is about but still be surprised. Such a unique way to get people interested in buying and reading the books. They also sell merch. Everyone was super nice. Parking hard to come by. Metered parking upto 2 hrs or park across the street and pay.

I absolutely LOVED checking out this bookstore dedicated to the genre of romance! So many genres within this genre, it was so fun browsing and of course shopping. Staff were so helpful and welcoming. There's truly something for everyone here. I bought 5 books and closed my eyes while I paid. I had a little too much fun shopping here! Can't wait till my next visit. Highly recommend!

Wow. What a cute bookshop!!! This is THE destination to be at for all romance loving book nerds! They have books that are sweet love stories to spicy romance! They have a great selection of romance books and a small section of regular fiction. There's also a tiny used books section and an autographed section. The store has some cute stickers, keychains, hats, etc.! Books are regularly priced based on their sticker price for the most part. I was super intrigued by their special sprayed edge books in the glass shelves! Anyways, LOVED visiting this store. SO. CUTE.

For all the romance novel readers out there!!!! I am not one but stepping foot into this amazingly wonderful book and gift shop could easily convert me. I just appreciate so much how well decorated this place is, with so much thought and creativity put into it. And they don't just limit to romance novels, they have picture and children's books too! Do yourself a favor and check this place out for yourself!

Before it got popular through social media, The Ripped Bodice was always a nice and chill local bookstore that I love going to. The employees have always been kind, whether or not they greet you at the door, the ambiance and community speaks for itself. I love that they've been doing a lot more events and it shows how important they are within this city and the romance community.

I spontaneously stumbled across The Ripped Bodice during a walk and was sold once I discovered it was a quaint, women-owned, and romance novel-obsessed bookstore. It's painted pink outside with a wooden sign, and once you open the door, you're immersed into a wonderful world of all types of stories that bring out the hopeless romantic in you. The friend group working at the counter are super bubbly and cheery together. They made the atmosphere a lot more vibrant as you browse the shelves. Books are priced pretty comparably to those of typical bookstores, usually $15-$20 or $17 on average. You really may find yourself getting lost here with all the incredible stories. And who knows? You might just fall in love with the many glorious characters in these books!

my friend's go-to bookstore for all things romance! we come here every time we're in town! service is always friendly and the place is so cute! They also have a small, nice selection of all general fiction! (which is how I was able to receive this tote ((for purchasing "Poor Things"))

Obsessed with this bookstore! Definitely my favorite bookstore I've ever been to. If you love romance & fantasy, this is the bookstore for you! They have a great stock of books, including special edition copies, signed books, & sprayed edges. They have tons of cool stickers, bookmarks, candles, and tote bags, and their decorations were so whimsical. The vibes were so inclusive and there was great representation. Employees were also so kind and enthusiastic! Will be a customer and will keep coming back!

This was a super cute book store full of all the best romances. It was designated by section which made it super easy to find what you were looking for. I really enjoyed the amount of local authors and new authors they try to highlight. I had a hard time picking a book ! Nice setup for the book promotion displayed at the front of the store.

Drove 50 miles to come here only to find the store closed during business hours. Waited another hour just in case they forgot to change their hours on their website and on the store posted sign. No such luck. What a disappointment and frankly, bad business.

All time favorite bookstore! I have spent hours just walking up and down the shelves, and can't leave without buying a blind date with a book. Also as an Austenite, I am obsessed with their Jane Austen section. One of my favorite spots in LA!

Absolutely in LOVE with this store!!! Extremely sex-positive and queer friendly. They have a great selection of romance books from contemporary to sci-fi and fantasy. Currently visiting LA and was lucky enough to find time to visit this little gem. Megan and Binta were both exceptional at helping me find exactly what I was looking for. This is a must-visit for any romance reader!

Go here! It's a clean, cute, little place for the book lovers. And it's got that twee sweet small indie bookshop vibe. I picked up a few books and snagged many stickers for friends back home. Everyone loved their gifts. Well worth the trip! The staff is helpful without being intrusive. The shelves are full of not only romance. Helpful books on gender and sexuality exploration and expression, stickers, bookmarks, and other standard bookshop kitsch are also available and reasonably priced. If you're in the area you should definitely take a few mins of your day to browse the aisles and mayyyybe pick up something steamy for your reading pleasure.

Oh how fun! Local bookstore that is unapologetic about reading romance, however refined or smutty you may desire! Also the whole store is just so cute and well decorated and very inclusive. Also once a month there are donation-encouraged comedy shows and this past month had a hilarious cast of 4 comedians. For one woman's set, I was in tears. Thank you for the wine and dessert bites, Ripped Bodice. I can't wait to see what witchy concoction you have brewing for October.

What a cool place! This is a perfect store to buy books and gifts for yourself or loved ones. I could spend hours perusing these colorful shelves, but because I wanted a very specific genre, I accepted help when I was offered it by a member of the staff, and I'm so grateful for their assistance. If you've ever dreamed of checking out "The Shop Around the Corner," then The Ripped Bodice can make this come true.

Ahhh, this place was soooo stinking adorable!!! After seeing a tiktok about this place I had to make a detour to it! A romance novel lovers dream They had so many books to choose from!! It's a smaller store but, clean and beautiful. A MUST SEE! Parking is on the street or in nearby parking garage (first hour is free, which was all the time we needed!) The employees were SO KIND! And had amazing recommendations for any Trope you wanted! I wish they had a used romance book section (as everything was full price) but that's okay we love to support local female owned businesses

I stumbled upon the ripped bodice while exploring Culver City. Although I am not a romance novel enthusiast, this bookstore has an extensive selection of romance novels. It is beautiful, perfect for browsing and relaxing. Friendly staff.

I came in here on a whim and was so pleased with my experience. Paola helped me pick out a book. I asked for a romance that will make me cry and she came THROUGH. I will definitely be back when I'm in the area and need some books to add to my TBR stack.

Love this charming book shop. I don't read romance, but I still come here every time I'm in the area because it's such an awesome, creative store. I like to see what T-shirt's and tchotchkes or cards they have for sale. Plus there's always info about authors and other community events.

I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I loved this bookstore. There's a great variety of romance to more rated R to even educational. My friends had a lot of fun recommending books to each other, sitting and chatting (though I'd love to see more seating), and browsing the merch and decorations.

It's sooo much fun shopping in The Ripped Bodice. Most of the books are romance or romance-adjacent (for example, romantasy, feminist classics, girl-power children's books) and there are lots of gifts available for book lovers. The store is attractive, and the location is walkable to a public parking lots and many other shopping and eating options. It's fun to go with a group of friends or alone. The staff is extremely knowledgeable; however, they don't reach out to you unless you approach the counter, in my experience--that's my one complaint.

I came here for a bookstore event and was so pleasantly enchanted by the entire store. It's a shop dedicated to romance books, and there are sections for fantasy romance, contemporary romance, LGBTQ+ romance, etc. There was an extensive "blind date with a book" setup where I picked up one based on the description and was pleasantly surprised when it was a book I hadn't read or bought yet (I sometimes worry that I will get something I already own when I buy blind dates). I was in early for the event, so I saw the store before it was transformed into the event space. The workers moved wheeled bookshelves against the wall so that they could fill the space with folding chairs facing the oft-instagrammed stage with comfy-looking armchairs and a microphone system. The event itself was amazing, and I was surprised that the store didn't require you to buy a book of equal value to the event's book (I already owned a copy) to get in the signing line. I ended up buying a bunch of books anyway, so that point was moot, but if you were worried about that, it's not frowned upon to bring a book from home. Loved this place!

I recently went to The Ripped Bodice for the first time ever. I liked the decor in it. I like the romance theme of it. I thought there was a good selection of books. What stood out to me were some of the celebrity memoirs they had on shelves.

The Ripped Bodice is simply a romance reader's dream! I was so absolutely in love with this place after wanting to come for months and my expectations were exceeded! I originally went in looking for "A Court of Wings and Ruin", when I seen the book was not on the shelf I asked one of the three sweet employees if they had any copies and one of them went to grab the copy from upstairs for me along with bringing more for the shelves! I wish I would have gotten their name but it was a very nice gesture. The store's placement being within walking distance to the Culver City Steps adds to the already charming location making this a fun stop on a beautiful day of exploration. The price of the books is not bad at all and I was able to snag some bookish accessories too. Will be returning and I can't wait for my next visit

This is the most wonderful bookstore I have ever been to. The staff was so friendly, the selection is incredibly. Love supporting independent bookstores!

Although the place was smaller than I expected, the people were nice and I had a lot of fun. The selection was varied although, some books weren't in stock (not surprised). They had some value deals with their blind dates with a book.

My daughter took me on a mini tour of local bookstores. The Ripped Bodice was by far the most unique and original. You don't even have to like the romance genre to appreciate it.

You will find something new and interesting here between the romance books (sweet to spicy, light to dark), awesome stickers, nonfiction books, journals, tarot, and more! You have to see the pride flag made out of book covers. Outstanding. The staff are kind and will answer any questions you have.

Cute bookstore focused on romance books. I loved that you can take your time and browse. The decor is amazingly cute. The staff were super helpful and friendly. Would highly recommend to all romance readers to visit!

Great variety of Romance Novels picked up some merchandise and a few blind dates with a book form the middle isle of the shop all in all I am happy with my purchases Thanks