The Ripped Bodice: A Romance Bookstore
Hi! Yes, it’s true; I am back to my typical LA blogs.
Thanks to my friend Delaney, I finally left my home this past weekend. My first stop was The Ripped Bodice in Culver City.
When it first opened in 2016, The Ripped Bodice was the first romance bookstore in the country.
Now, there are several, including Meet Cute in San Diego. However, The Ripped Bodice is the OG, and I wanted to spotlight this wonderful place.
While I don’t consider myself a romantic person by any means, I do love a good romance novel. A few standouts I have enjoyed include The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary and Beach Read by Emily Henry.
That said if you love bookstores, books, and, more specifically, romance novels, The Ripped Bodice is the place for you!
Every type of romance novel you could think of lines the shelves in perfect order.
There are period romances, contemporary, queer, and mass-market paperbacks (you know, the ones that you have sniveled in disgust at one point.)
Even if you aren’t a fan of romance books, I can guarantee you’ll have a good time. The walls are decorated with book pages, flowers, art, and more.
Yes, the store is whimsical and overly feminine, but it’s cozy and inclusive.
The Ripped Bodice also sells literary-themed items such as pins, candles, jewelry, and tote bags. The store is small, but there is so much to see. I enjoyed perusing the aisles and looking at all the fanciful book covers.
Looking for something witchy for yourself or a friend? The Ripped Bodice has you covered. There are tarot cards and spell books for all.
Best of all, The Ripped Bodice is queer and woman-owned! This did not come as a surprise to me. The attention to detail in the store is impressive.
Even the receipts and toilet paper in the bathroom are pink. They also had free pads and tampons, which was a lovely touch.
Although I have sworn off buying books because of a lack of storage space, I could not resist a blind date with a book! The Ripped Bodice had a small selection of these.
I love this concept and went for the one above. It was less than $6, and buying it thrilled me. My friend Delaney also purchased one. We are pictured with our unwrapped books below.
Delaney and I laughed and swooned at The Ripped Bodice. It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday evening. We love smut, and who can blame us?
Know before you go:
If you want to experience The Ripped Bodice for yourself, the location and hours are listed below.
There is plenty of paid parking available; I will list the lot I parked at below as well
The Ripped Bodice regularly hosts events and book clubs; you can learn more about them here
For more information, check out their website and follow them on Instagram
