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Tucked behind a bubblegum pink storefront on Culver City’s Main Street in Los Angeles exists a safe haven for romance readers of all types. The Ripped Bodice, a bookstore dedicated to the popular genre, is a little corner of the world where, once inside its twinkling doors, lovers of romantic books are encouraged to indulge, free from any shame that might exist in other literary circles when it comes to romance and its many offshoots.
The bookshop, which also has a location in Brooklyn, New York, was opened in 2016 by sisters Bea Hodges-Koch and Leah Koch. As lifelong romance readers, the two were highly aware that, despite the many devout fans of the genre, there didn’t exist a brick-and-mortar devoted exclusively to it. And soon after establishing both their shops, the sisters had their suspicions confirmed: Other readers had also felt the lack of representation for far too long. Leah Koch took some time to speak with me further.
Were you surprised by the Ripped Bodice’s level of success, or did you just know that these readers needed to be serviced in this way?
We thought we would be extremely successful, because there’s just so much hunger and thirst among romance readers to be taken seriously and just treated better and catered to. And when you cater to a community that historically everybody ignores, they respond very passionately and loyally.
Sisters and owners Leah Koch (left) and Bea Hodges-Koch (right) at their Brooklyn, New York location of The Ripped Bodice.
Do you think these perceptions are changing?
I think these days, in particular, younger people do a much better job of questioning the stories that they’re being told and the roots of why somebody thinks something, which is good.
Romance has gained a huge following on TikTok. Do you think that this has kind of helped to establish the genre and its followers as more of a mainstream interest? And, is the app an overall good thing for the reading community?
I think that there’s real positives, and I think that there’s real significant negatives. Positive-wise, it’s a book club that’s been refashioned for this generation. Young people are able to connect with people all over the world, as opposed to just sitting in a living room with their neighbors. That has some amazing benefits. I was so much older when I realized how many people liked romance novels. So just realizing a larger community exists at a younger age, and seeing people that they think are cool are also into books and reading, I think it’s fantastic, and has really translated into tangible sales. And then you have one really big negative, which is that algorithms are racist. That’s going to feed into what these people are reading and the books that they’re excited about, and that’s a problem.
For anyone that’s still hesitant to view romance as a serious literary genre, what would you say to dispel this bias? And, does romance offer societal benefit?
People enjoy them and they make people happy. I could talk for hours and say much more “deeper things,” but honestly, these days, isn’t that enough? On a pretty basic level, like, this is something that a lot of people enjoy; therefore, it has value.
And generally, when I’m presented with some version of “I think romance novels are dumb,” my first question is: “Why?” And the answer is generally: “Because somebody told me so.” I’ve heard the same story so often, which is that somebody in their life, usually their mom, aunt, or grandma, liked romance — and somebody in their life, usually their father, grandfather, uncle, would make fun of them for it. My response to this is usually that you don’t, you don’t really have to understand something to respect its value to people who enjoy it.
Speaking of people enjoying it, what are the general reactions you get to people walking into your store?
Lots of squeals. People cry on a semi-regular basis. But generally, it’s people knowing that they’re in a space that is completely devoted to this thing that they like and it’s a really fun environment.
When you’re thinking about servicing this demographic and picking titles that you know they would enjoy reading, what do you look for, and what are the cornerstones of a good romance novel?
The main thing is creativity. I’m really looking for somebody who’s doing something creative and new, and that can be on a big scale or a very small scale. I love the tropes of the genre, it never gets old to me, but I like authors putting a fresh spin on it.
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For Leah Koch and so many others like her, the escapism that literature has always provided is really no different with this particular genre. If anything, romance, with its addictive plotlines and explorations into one of life’s greatest emotions, is actually for anyone and everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned romantic or new to the territory, you can read on to find out some of Koch’s and the Ripped Bodice’s latest favorite romance reads to shamelessly indulge in this Valentine’s Day and beyond.
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When Alexei Lebedev comes out to his family and they disown him, he decides to take a hike up the stunning Pacific Crest Trail as his mind reels over his family’s reactions, his own residual traumas and even his relationship to religion. Suddenly, he sees a poisonous snake headed toward a handsome guy on a trail near him. Alexei took the hike to clear his mind, not to meet the good-looking and recently heartbroken Ben Caravalho. But there are plenty of romantic exchanges between the pair, and their attraction heats up as the incline gets steeper. Kelly has referred to her 2023 queer novel as “similar to ‘Wild,’ but make it gay.”
Robert is well-known in the genre for her racy romances full of cheeky characters, queer representation and some ancient lore peppered in here and there. The first book in her “Crimson Sails” series, “Hunt on Dark Waters,” is a fantasy romance awash with spicy pirate love. Evelyn, a witch with a penchant for pickpocketing, finds herself in another world after falling through a portal into the sea. She’s pulled from the waters by a gang of pirates and their telekinetic captain. Evelyn has to make a choice: Join the crew, or die. And Bowen, the captain of the Cŵn Annwn, is looking to bargain for more than just her loyalty.
Slaughter’s novel is the perfect cozy Southern romance, where peach cobbler, bingo and the grocery chain Piggly Wiggly all play a part in a sweet friends-to-lovers story. Aja Owens is a new transplant to Greenbelt, South Carolina, and the last thing she was expecting was to fall for a man at the Piggly Wiggly — while having a panic attack, no less. And for Walker Abbott, the only thing he’s back home for is a visit to his aging grandmother, not a new relationship in the frozen food aisle. But Walker’s Gram happens to be one of Aja’s favorite bingo partners, and so the two strangers end up meeting again. A mutual attraction is growing increasingly unavoidable, so a sex-pact is jokingly forged in an effort to keep the two from an emotional entanglement neither feels ready for at the moment. Will exceptions be made in this slow-burn romance story?
Perfect for anyone craving a little historical romance á la “Bridgerton,” this book from romance juggernaut Hall checks all your boxes. Our heroine, Viola Carroll, is believed to have died, but she’s still very much alive. She takes this opportunity to finally live free of the societal expectations that came with her title and wealth. In pursuing this new beginning, though, she’s had to let go of her once closest friend, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. But when they meet again years later, Viola sees how deeply that separation has affected Justin, and she becomes determined to transform him back into the happy man he once was — all while the feelings she’s had for the duke, feelings that she's long kept buried, bloom ever more strongly.
"The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" by Sangu Mandanna
This novel, which author Emily Henry hailed upon its release as “one of my coziest reads of the year,” is a found-family romance about a lonely witch named Mika Moon, one of the few witches left in Britain who spends most of her time avoiding other magical ilk. This is because the more witches who gather together, the more likely their power will be harder to conceal. Mika grew up as an orphan, so she tells herself she’s used to the solitary life. Her most active link to the outside world is a silly social media account where she plays at being precisely what she truly is: a witch. But one day she’s asked to travel to the Nowhere House to become the instructor of three young witches. She agrees, and finds herself living in a bustling home full of peculiar characters, including Jamie, the house’s attractive but brisk librarian. His main concern is to protect the children, and he doesn’t see Mika’s teachings as anything but a possible jeopardization of their safety and quiet lives. In Jamie’s view, Mika poses a threat to Nowhere House… albeit a bewitchingly attractive one.
Williams’ swoon-worthy book is about Eva Mercy, a single mom and bestselling author of erotica novels, and Shane Hall, a reclusive award-winning writer. Fifteen years after Shane and Eva had a fling, he shows up unexpectedly in New York for a literary event where Eva’s in attendance, and sparks fly. And a hidden truth lies between them: Eva and Shane have been secretly writing to one another within their written work for years. They can’t deny their chemistry — and over the next seven days, during a steamy Brooklyn summer, the two reconnect. The book was a Reese’s Book Club pick and an instant New York Times bestseller, and The Washington Post named it one of the best romance novels of 2021.
The plot of Danan’s second novel almost begins like a joke you might hear: A rabbi and a porn star team up to fill seats in a synagogue. Fans of Danan’s books will likely recognize Naomi Grant as a side character from “The Roommate,” but she’s front and center as the main love interest here. She's a former adult star who also happens to have an advanced degree in sex education, and she co-leads a popular sex-positive online platform called Shameless. By chance she meets Ethan Cohen, an attractive rabbi for a Los Angeles synagogue, at a conference. Ethan’s congregation is on the slim side, and he’s been tasked with bringing in more congregants, ideally younger ones, or possibly losing his position. He believes that Naomi’s background might provide the right enticement to pull in some more followers. She somewhat reluctantly agrees, and the pair end up creating a seminar series on modern intimacy that raises a few temps and keeps them in close proximity to one another.
"The Rakess: Society of Sirens" by Scarlett Peckham
Peckham’s “Society of Sirens” series follows three “libertine ladies” who plan to use their less-than-pure reputations to their advantage, all in the name of equal rights and steamy nights. Seraphina Arden is passionate about many things, including wine-spiked debauchery, great sex and women’s rights. And she plans to raise money for equality by publishing a scintillating memoir about her love affairs – one of which will, once public, ruin a man she despises. Suddenly caught up in the mix of Seraphina’s activism and activities is Adam Anderson, a widowed Scot with kids. He’s not looking for a wild affair, but the pair have an undeniable attraction and fall hard. But things get complicated when it’s revealed that Adam’s livelihood depends on that very same man whom Seraphina plans to ruin.
14 Books That Will Improve Your Sex Life, According To Sex-perts
"The Erotic Mind" by Jack Morin(01 of14)
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The late Dr. Jack Morin was a San Francisco-based sex therapist who focused on not just the factors that make great sex, but also the development and evolution of relationships. His book, “The Erotic Mind,” is an analysis of 1,000 different climactic sexual experiences. The subject matter alone is enough to titillate even the most timid of readers, but Morin goes further than just a voyeuristic look into people’s most intense encounters. He examines what made these experiences fulfilling emotionally and physically, then offers back to his reader the insight needed for their own self-discovery into what they find sexually fulfilling.
“This book is great for anyone who wants to understand what makes their erotic life rev up or stall out. It isn't a how-to book; it's a judgment-free exploration of the variety of erotic responses humans can experience. It is sprinkled with stories from ‘The Group’ people who shared their peak experiences with the author. If you've ever wondered how to combine intimacy and lust in relationships, you might find some answers here.” — Wendy Sellers (aka The Puberty Lady) a Michigan-based therapist with a focus on educating children and parents in preparation for puberty and adolescence. (credit:Amazon)
"Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence” by Esther Perel(02 of14)
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Esther Perel is a psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author, with a practice based in New York City and a knack for understanding modern love and erotic intelligence. Her book, “Mating in Captivity,” is an international bestseller that, according to the publisher, examines the “paradoxical relationship between domesticity and sexual desire,” and the ways to maintain that desire. Utilizing her decades of experience as a relationship and couples therapist in addition to various case studies, Perel’s book is like a honest breath of fresh air when it comes to matters of the bedroom.
“Perel's work is a must-read for anybody seeking to better understand why desire fades in long-term relationships. Every couple dreads that moment of realization — the one when it dawns on you that you’ve got the sexual blahs. Perel highlights the critical factors at play, helping readers to understand why humans have trouble wanting that which they already have. Readers are challenged to consider how intimacy begets sexuality, how security saps erotic vitality, and how fire needs air. Lovers are enlightened on the importance of erotic independence, investing in one's erotic plot, and how couples can feel more alive. Perel helps readers to focus on how to want what they already have.” — Yvonne K. Fulbright, an author, relationship expert and AASECT-certified sexuality educator. (credit:Amazon)
"Come As You Are" by Emily Nagoski(03 of14)
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Regarded as one of the latest and most essential reads on sexual wellness, and also the only book that was suggested by nearly every sex therapist that HuffPost reached out to, “Come As You Are,” by sex educator and author Emily Nagoski, focuses on women’s sexuality using relevant and recent data. Nagoski dives into science, anatomy, hormones and so many other varied components that play a role in sex — all in a way that’s accessible for any reader. She’s also recently published a follow-up book, “Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections,” which focuses more on maintaining a sexual relationship with your partner that evolves instead of drying up.
“I suggest this book for all to read. Dr. Nagoski offers research, examples and exercise for all to explore what women's experience of sexuality looks like. Not every piece of the text will fit for all, and the idea that sexuality exists within the context of the air we breathe as we grow into ourselves is priceless.” — Hilleren
“[It’s] revolutionary in the sense of how it reframes female sexuality and normalizes the different aspects of it by including discussions on female and male sexual anatomy, desire/arousability, stress/trauma, societal norms and orgasms. The book also includes worksheets that I find are very helpful to use with my clients and are very reflective for anyone reading the book!” — Gerdts (credit:Amazon)
“The Come As You Are Workbook: A Practical Guide to the Science of Sex” by Emily Nagoski(04 of14)
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“This is Nagoski’s companion book to her well-received first book ‘Come As You Are’ in which she colloquially explains the scientific measure the Dual Control Model, first introduced by researchers Dr. John Bancroft and Dr. Erik Janssen, [which] presents the framework that sexual desire is the combination of excitation and inhibition processes, which need to be in balance for a person to feel erotically turned on. This follow-up book by Nagoski is user-friendly and filled with both education and journal prompts that allow the reader to really take a mindful dive into what contexts they need to fully feel: desire, pleasure and arousal.” — Sari Cooper, certified sex therapist, relationship expert and director of The Center for Love and Sex in New York City. (credit:Amazon)
"She Comes First" by Ian Kerner(05 of14)
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Clinical sexologist Ian Kerner is here to demystify what too many have wondered — how to make sure that “she comes first.” His sex book guides the valiant in their quest of mutual climaxes, and contends the best way to achieve this is on the “tip of the tongue.” Kerner passionately believes the key to a female orgasm is more likely to happen with oral sex and that it’s much more than foreplay, but rather the foundational base to great sex. With techniques and methods for the ultimate in sexual efficacy, think of “She Comes First,” as like an easy-to-read user’s manual to the vagina and sexual intimacy.
“It is a practical and accessible read for men and women who choose to be with a female partner.” — Nasserzadeh (credit:Amazon)
"Shameless: A Sexual Reformation" by Nadia Bolz-Weber(06 of14)
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Nadia Bolz-Weber might make a surprising author for a sex book considering she’s an ordained Lutheran pastor. But she’s not here to shame you out of your kinks. Bolz-Weber is well known in progressive Christian circles as being welcoming, honest and not at all interested in “antiquated ideas about sex, gender, and our bodies,” according to her publisher. Knowing how damaging puritanical prejudices can be, Bolz-Weber wrote “Shameless: A Sexual Reformation,” to do just what the title suggests — provide a renovated understanding of sex that’s free from judgment. Her book crafts a journey that acknowledges the occasionally destructive, guilt-based and archaic views that Christianity has surrounding sex. And using bluntness and humor, Bolz-Weber provides a healing path for intimacy for those who have been impacted by any religion-related shame.
“Did you grow up in the midst of purity culture? Have you been steeped in religious training that emphasizes the ‘thou shalt nots’ and ignores sexuality as part of every individual's wholeness? Well, it's time for a personal reformation, and this book will help you knit together the spiritual with the sensual and sexual.” — Sellers (credit:Amazon)
"Pleasure Activism: the Politics of Feeling Good" by Adrienne Brown(07 of14)
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Author and activist Adrienne Brown's book “Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good,” aims to make pleasure and social justice harmonious. By practicing “pleasure activism,” and pulling from what Brown calls “Black feminist tradition,” she guides her readers to find a base for their sexual identity in healing. It’s composed of essays, poems, interviews and artwork from feminist trailblazers and thinkers like Sonya Renee Taylor, Alexis Pauline Gumbs and more. The essay topics are as vast and multifaceted as sexuality is, with subjects from “sex work to climate change, from race and gender to sex and drugs,” each providing a way of viewing the politics surrounding sex and our bodies in a positive and empowering way.
“I read this book with my clients because it addresses how systems and society sometimes place a dictatorship on how people express their sexuality; how good and how radical it must feel for the female client to see how her performance anxiety was tied to unachievable standards to overperform and please males' bodies? Lastly, by tying race and historical events relating to transpolitics, it adds another layer to how achieving pleasure is a means to achieve justice in a world that constantly pushes against and benefits from the suffering of marginalized communities.” —Victoria Gerdts, a Los Angeles-based sex therapist with a focus on sexual advocacy for LGBTQIA+-affirmative, feminist/multicultural and disability justice. (credit:Amazon)
"Guide to Getting it On" by Paul Joannides(08 of14)
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Research psychoanalyst Paul Joannides’ illustrated book, “Guide To Getting It On,” was first published in 1998 and continues to be a resource guide for, you guessed it, “getting it on.” The aim of the book is to help not only heighten intimacy, but also increase your own level of sexual pleasure. It easily breaks down sexual anatomy, orgasms and even the ways to best articulate your desires with yourself and your partner, among other things. And, in the most recent edition of this book, you’ll find updated studies and factual information on everything from female orgasms to premature ejaculation and plenty of insights on various kinks.
“This text is phenomenal for providing clear and direct information for anyone. Readers will learn about topics they may not have considered including sexual behaviors, websites and social practices. The ‘Guide’ continues to be updated as the world culture changes and is an invaluable resource to practitioners as well as anyone interested in sexuality terms, definitions and practices.” — Jennie Hilleren,AASECT-certified sex, marriage and family therapist based in Minnesota. (credit:Amazon)
"Girl Boner" by August McLaughlin(09 of14)
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Fed up with the ways female sexuality and pleasure are sold, journalist and host of “Girl Boner Radio” August McLaughlin set out to equip women with true sexual empowerment and female enjoyment in her book “Girl Boner.” McLaughlin explores how labels are thrust on women and how culture treats sex, without a nuanced or accurate understanding of female desire. She offers a different perspective, one which provides a more inclusive and sex-positive place for everyone, by utilizing honest narratives, tips, journaling prompts and even a guide into seven different types of orgasms.
“[It’s] an empowering book for younger women to deconstruct the societal messages around their sexuality and own.” — Sara Nasserzadeh, author, sex therapist and advisory board member of the World Association for Sexual Health. (credit:Amazon)
"The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and the Vagina" by Dr. Jen Gunter(10 of14)
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Dubbed as Twitter’s resident gynecologist by her followers online, Dr. Jen Gunter is an esteemed OB/GYN and fierce advocate for women’s health. Her encyclopedic book “The Vagina Bible” tackles all things, well, vaginal and in her introduction Gunter boldly states that she has a “vagenda:'' to inform, educate and empower women with vaginas and vulvas. In her book she provides accurate advice and facts about things you might not know, are curious to know, or are common misconceptions about all topics from pubic hair to the HPV vaccine.
“It is an informative read which debunks many societal misinformation about the female genitals and reproductive organs in an accessible language.” — Nasserzadeh (credit:Amazon)
"Coping With Premature Ejaculation" by Barry W. McCarthy and Micheal E. Metz(11 of14)
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Together, Barry W. McCarthy and Michael E. Metz authored “Coping with Premature Ejactulation” to provide recent scientifically based and “multidimensional methods” on overcoming premature ejaculation, a condition that impacts approximately 20-30% of men in the sexually active age group, according to the National Institutes of Health. They discuss the ways in which not only the physical, but also the biological and psychological, can impact men and their sexual performance, as well guide premature ejaculation sufferers on how to maintain healthy partner relationships.
“[This is] for men and their partners who want to learn more about how to manage the emotional, physical and relational aspects of premature ejaculation.” — Nasserzadeh (credit:Amazon)
“Boyslut: A Memoir & Manifesto” by Zachary Zane(12 of14)
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“[This]is the book you want it to be. [Zachary] Zane’s irreverent, sassy writing about his own experiences with bisexuality, modern hookups and being a boyslut (a term coined by Zane) allows the reader to recognize that life has no time for inhibitions. While the book is not a panacea to curing sexual shame, I recommend this book for my queer and kinky clients who need to see that you can navigate shame and still have fun, amazing sex. And if all else fails, it’s a fun read and conversation starter for your next get-together.” — Libby Ebert, a Chicago-based relationship and sex therapist at Embrace Sexual Wellness. (credit:Amazon)
“Magnificent Sex: Lessons from Extraordinary Lovers” by Peggy Kleinplatz & A. Dana Ménard(13 of14)
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“[This book] combines modern, in-depth research to find key themes that repeat across relationships that have great sex. From kinky clients to those who have a dead bedroom, ‘Magnificent Sex’ is a great all-rounder book to reframe what sex can look like and chip away at the sad, incorrect belief that bad sex in relationships is inevitable. If you take nothing else away from the book, please remember that sex does not need to decrease in quality in long-term relationships but instead can be the perfect playground for exploration.” — Ebert (credit:Amazon)
“The Body is Not an Apology” by Sonya Renee Taylor(14 of14)
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“Sonya Renee Taylor breaks down the body shame that blocks people from authenticity and full expression of their physical/spiritual/psychological/political selves. She takes the reader through the building blocks of radical self-love, including: body ownership and examining all the ways in which folx have learned how to question, criticize, hurt and disown their own bodies due to sexist, heteronormative and white-centered concepts of beauty. Taylor identifies herself as a big, Black, queer person who has created a manifesto to help all people feel like their bodies are worthy of being a nourishing home. Her writing reflects the biopsychosocial-spiritual framework I utilize to honor the multiple intersectional variables impacting people’s sexual and relational functioning.” — Cooper (credit:Amazon)