*** No Cash Establishment *** The Ripped Bodice is a woman and queer owned bookstore devoted exclusively to the romance genre (opened in March 2016). This independent bookstore started as a Kickstarter campaign and is believed to be America's first bookstore dedicated exclusively to romance novels. The bookstore was even featured as one of questions on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The Ripped Bodice opened a second location in Brooklyn, NY in August 2023. [Parking]: Most of parking structures in Downtown Culver City (ABM Parking at The Culver Steps or Cardiff Parking Garage) offer free parking for the 1st hour. No parking validation from The Ripped Bodice so no additional free parking beyond the 1st hour. [Atmosphere]: You can tell that every corner of the store has been curated and decorated with thought and care. Before entering the bookstore, there is a vending machine selling pins. Near the front entrance, there is a small stage with chairs where the bookstore hosting book signing events. [Selection]: The bookstore specializes in but is not limited to the following genres: romance novels, LGBTQ, sexual health & wellness, fantasy/paranormal, erotica, historical romance, etc. The bookstore also sells merchandise like romance-themed stickers, notebooks, tote bags, and other romance-related items. There is also a bookshelf featuring books autographed by their authors and a bookshelf dedicated to the Heated Rivalry series. [Conclusion]: A really unique and cute bookstore that is an absolute must-visit for romance book lovers. read more

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Amazing selection of books, found a great heated rivalry inspired hat that I just HAD to take home :) Lots of cute stickers and accessories and goodies inside, definitely stop by! It's worth the visit :) read more

What a cool lil bookstore! A romantic bookstore to be exact! I had heard about this pink bookshop and needed to go in search of it! I am so glad I did! So many fun goodies in there! Cool merch from sweaters and tshirts, to baggus and book sleeves and stickers and bookmarks! But the book selection is where it's at! So many great authors and titles! So much fun to meander through and find a good one that's been on your list for a while. When I walked in I was greeted and was left to my devices to roam, which I appreciated. Once I was at the register everyone was super friendly asking if I found what I was looking for and chit chatting about my selections! I would highly recommend this lil gem of a bookshop! They even have a vending machine outside, which wasn't complete when I was there but how fun is that! read more

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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 read more

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This is a fun stop if you are in Culver City, especially if you like reading romances. My friend is dipping her toe in this genre, so it was a must visit. The store is feminine. Reflective of both the genre and its most female fanbase and female ownership. They have a good selection with a variety of genres. The staff person who helped my friend seemed really knowledgeable and made several good recommendations, in addition to books, they have some great tchotchkes like crazy stickers, bookmarks, cards, and candles. They also had a small stage for book signings. The space has a relaxed, friendly vibe. The Ripped Bodice is centrally located on a corner in a shopping, dining area. There is metered parking just outside and a parking garage about a block away. Go find a new read and stroll down the block to grab a drink or nosh while you delve in. Recommended. read more

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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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

The Ripped Bodice - Outside sign - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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I discovered The Ripped Bodice at The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Really cute Merch and great setup. So I decided to Pre-Order The Heart You Kept by TL Swan from there because they had an incentive (small gift). I thought, this is perfect, they're local to me so I can pick the book up and avoid shipping charges. When the book was released I was not notified that my order was ready. So I called them 5 days later and they said I could pick it up the next day. A day later I pick it up but there was no incentive. I was told the publisher didn't send enough for all the books. I am unsure of the logistics between publisher and bookstore but you would think when a Pre-Order is based on an incentive you would make sure there are enough for all the books (Some mention while supplies last). I understand mistakes happen, it's just disappointing it happened on my order when it's my first time visiting the store. The staff did inform me that whoever manages orders will reach out with an alternative to compensate for the missing item. read more

The Ripped Bodice - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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. read more

The Ripped Bodice - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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! read more

The Ripped Bodice - yes i drove all the way to culver city from la habra for this - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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! read more

Great space! Lovely employees. Wide selection of books. I'll definitely be back! This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon browsing and buying books read more

As an avid romance reader, I frequently shop and attend events at this shop and have always had a good experience. This review is to show appreciation for how they handled a situation that happened at the line up during a recent event. A belligerent man was in line ahead of me and started saying very vulgar and racist things. I texted my husband to call the store and notify them. Within minutes, two booksellers were "checking tickets" and when they asked the man to stepped out of line because he did not have a ticket to the event, he just stepped to the side but wasn't leaving the area. They then took care to "crowd control" the line and escort the line away from him and lead him away from the event. Thank you for handling the situation in a respectful way for everyone! read more

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. read more

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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. read more

The Ripped Bodice - Nice quote in front right when you enter - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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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. read more

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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. read more

The Ripped Bodice - Blind date with books - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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. read more

The Ripped Bodice - The entry - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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 . read more

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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. read more

The Ripped Bodice - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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Visiting The Ripped Bodice has been on my list of places to visit for a while, so I was so excited to finally be able to go. Loved the store aesthetic but definitely echo the sentiments of others - the customer service is lacking and not warm. No greeting when I walked in (which I can live with) & no quick info session on the layout of the store or asking if I was searching for something in particular (which I also can live with - I eventually figured it out & found most of the books I was looking for). Reason for three stars is when I asked the person at the counter if they had a book I was looking for, I was only told "No, they're sold out." I waited for a moment to see if she had anything else to add, but nope. No follow-up offer to order the book or anything. Given the vibes at that point, I just purchased what I had found so that I could leave since it felt like I was inconveniencing her by even asking about the book. It's very unfortunate because I love to supporting local bookstores and I wanted so badly to love this store. After looking online, it looks like I can order books through them but I'm debating trying another local store instead. Maybe I'll go back another time but I can't help but feel disappointed with the service in general. read more

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! read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

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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!! read more

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

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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")) read more

The Ripped Bodice - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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! read more

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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. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

The Ripped Bodice - The stage! - Bookstores Near Me - Culver City, California

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more