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The Ripped Bodice is an independent brick-and-mortar bookstore devoted to the celebration of romance novels. The store is proudly Woman and Queer Owned. Sisters and owners Leah and Bea Koch opened TRB on March 4, 2016 following a successful Kickstarter campaign to bring their dream of a romance-only bookstore to life.The Ripped Bodice features a vast and diverse selection of romance fiction. In addition to books, the store has a wide selection of gift items with a focus on supporting independent, woman owned businesses.
From Google. Shown as written by the reviewers.
Ivy Barrera (ivy99)
October 2025
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.
Kirsten Alana Photography
June 2025
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!
Magda
November 2025
What a dream book store! Incredible selection of books and cutsie book related items! The interior is gorgeous, well organized & displayed books, and the staff is super friendly. They also have events here!
Legacie Sadlo
November 2025
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!!
Yasamean Zaidi-Dozandeh
August 2024
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!
