3806 Main Street, Culver City, CA

We took the coastal highway from San Francisco south all along Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Morro Bay, and all the way through Malibu, heading to Los Angeles on a road trip we’d been planning for years. After a quick stop at the beach just outside the city, where we carefully edged down a steep trail to bask in the cold waters of the Pacific as houses clung to cliffs overhead, Amelia and I finally entered Los Angeles proper and headed to one very specific bookshop she was very excited to visit. Before the hotel, before we ate, before anything else, we wanted to see The Ripped Bodice, a shop renowned for celebrating all things romance. And wow, did we made the right choice.

The shop’s interior explodes with exuberance. Set against walls of white are colorful banners, crafty decorations, and artistic displays using books everywhere you look, from the stage up front replete with hanging garden-boxes full of paper flowers to the massive tree in the back of the shop made of pages from books. Mixed between were book cover posters, books hanging overhead, and huge rainbow collages in the shape of an LGBTQ+ flag on the wall. And of course, loads and loads of romance books.

Yes, it's a romance bookstore, but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to find kids books, YA, history, nonfiction, sci-fi, poetry, etc., because romance is not a narrow genre. Romance is a part of life, and insinuates itself in all areas of our human existence. So while there are plenty of straight-up romance novels, you’ll find plenty of other genres too, like romantic poetry, biographies of people who fought for equality and civil liberties, erotica, sexy horror, sensual mysteries, and books examining the cultural evolutions, psychology, and history of human romantic relationships. Truly, for a shop that covers “one genre,” they cover almost everything imaginable.

But again, it’s the vibe and appearance of the store. It’s so meticulously curated and developed with care and passion. You can tell the people here love not just books but sharing them with customers, making it a vibrant experience. There are so many little details that set the store apart, from the figurines and framed images covering all the nooks and crannies to the displays and shelves, which look like antique furniture pulled from some Victorian romance novel. Even the bathroom in the back was full of post-it notes from customers leaving loving messages to others visiting the store. I left one as well, and the whole experience made me so happy to just be there.

While we didn’t get to visit even a small fraction of the great bookstores Los Angeles has to offer, we definitely got to visit one of the best. You won’t be disappointed when you go. This is the definition of a destination bookstore.

Atmosphere — A vibrant shop decorated to the nines, creating a unique experience. It almost seems like a “center for the romantic arts” than just a bookshop. Very cool style.

Quality — The books are all high quality.

Quantity — They have a lot of books here, with a huge amount of gifts, clothes, and cards as well. I’d say a solid 70/30 split of books and gifts.

Diversity — This shop covers a very wide range for “just a romance bookstore” and offers romantic titles that step into historical fiction, sci-fi, YA, erotica, poetry, and loads of nonfiction too. This is no one trick pony.

Affordability — The books were all very fairly priced.

Amenities — There is a salon in back, so you can get your hair perfected while reading a new purchase, as well as a bathroom.

Location — In Culver City right of Venice Blvd. near Media Park. We found a parking spot within one block, fairly easy.

Customer Service — The staff were very friendly and helpful!

Overall — This shop is really fun, and everyone I talked to before and since seemed very jealous that I got to visit. It is developing a very admirable reputation and I can tell you, believe the hype. This shop is a delight and I can’t recommend it enough, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t even read much romance fiction!