Bad Girl Books Reviews 

Travelled 2 hours to visit this shop and had purchased a Gift Card for my friend to use while we went. Both left very disappointed.
Firstly, and I think most importantly, the pricing. I cannot understand the prices. £5 for a flimsy, cardboard bookmark that you could make on Canva and some basic card? Then there was book I really liked the look of and was prepared to purchase. To find it was £30. On Kindle, it is free for Kindle Unlimited or £4 to purchase. Paperback was £8. I want to support small businesses but this just seems silly and closing off customers to potentially new authors and more trade? I saw the owner replied to say they have hundreds of items under £10. To which I say is overpriced chocolate, bookmarks and stickers. Hardly worth the price. The totes were £10 which seemed cheap while there but when I got home, I realised that actually, that is still on the pricey side for a cotton bag.
Secondly, I saw someone else say this and feels like it sums it up perfectly, it seems like a pop-up shop experience. Hardly any actual stock, only one copies of some books.
It was hard to manoeuvre around the store too. Wheelchair users will not be able to access the actual book section without assistance and I imagine they would feel extremely upset as they would take up most of the space.
Staff were extremely friendly, helpful and polite. I liked the range of products and the uniqueness of it all, but overall, I would not return and I certainly would not part with anymore money.

The atmosphere was amazing and the staff were super friendly. However it’s SUPER overpriced, two baguettes hair clips were almost £30!! There was a book for £75 crazy work

Starlin and the team have created a beautiful hub for all bookish fans in Oxford. The range of items is perfect. They have everything from bookish stickers and apparel all the way to deluxe special editions. There's something for every budget and every reader. While the theme is predominantly Romantasy themed, it is worth a look for every single book reader. Definitely my new favourite place to visit.

Lovely romantasy bookshop, just what was missing from Oxford! I visited on opening day and the staff were really welcoming and helpful, and there was a great choice of books and trinkets

This is an amazing independent bookshop near the centre of Oxford. It’s split in two parts: one of bookish/fun gifts (mugs, cards, bookmarks, post it notes, tea, cups, candles etc) and one part with all the books. The focus is romantasy, and the shop stocks so many independent authors that you don’t see on the high street. It was great to find so many books I had not read before. Opening weekend was crazy and had long queues, but once in the shop I was able to look around and shop comfortably. I look forward to going back in the week or when the summer festival dies down a bit. I definitely recommend visiting!

This store is everything retail should be - a beautifully curated passion project by its owner, Starlin Marot. She brings her expertise and buying skills together to offer us a world of romantacy and escapism, not just books, but through personal advice and recommendations, gifts and themed accessories. We will be back!

Such a lovely independent bookshop! I loved the wide selection of special editions and beautifully sprayed-edge books, alongside plenty of paperbacks. Nice to find a niche selection of books that you wouldn't find in other high-street bookshops!

There's definitely something for every reader and every budget! Also nice to see such a large gift section too, RIP my wallet. So happy to support this newly opened small business! 📚🌶️

I loved my visit to Bad girl books store! It had so much variety of romantasy books and cute unique gifts perfect for home and booktok lovers, plus the staff was incredibly helpful and so nice I would 100% come back and visit again!!

I was really excited to visit on opening weekend and had booked a ticket in advance. From the booking process, I assumed the ticket was for a specific entry time, so I planned my day, arranged childcare, and travelled into Oxford expecting to be able to go in at that time.

Unfortunately, when we arrived, we were told the ticket didn't guarantee entry at the booked time and that there was still around an hour's queue. As I had childcare to get back to, I wasn't able to wait and had to leave without visiting.

I completely understand that opening weekend was exceptionally busy, and it's great to see so much excitement for the new bookshop. My only suggestion would be to make it clearer during the booking process that ticket holders may still need to queue and that the ticket doesn't guarantee entry at the selected time. That would help people who need to arrange childcare, travel long distances, or plan their day more effectively.

I'm looking forward to visiting another time when things are a little quieter, but I hope this feedback helps make the experience clearer for future visitors.

I absolutely love this book box subscription and the customer care of Bad Girl Books in general! This book subscription rivals some of the top ones in the market right now with hand picked thoughtful themed items each month and incredible paperback book selections for indie or lesser known authors. It’s so hard to find a good paperback box for us paperback girlies that has the same level of care as special edition hardback boxes. The selection is always 10/10! I’ve found so many new authors and even sub genres of romantasy that I never would have found otherwise.

The delivery and packing is always speedy and if there’s ever any delays at all then Starlin will personally reach out via the mailing list to keep everyone updated, I mean, you really can’t ask for more than that. I’ve had bigger name boxes that haven’t shipped for literal months before with no update on the delays or ETA.

The items included are also always a great surprise and selection. Often from small businesses too. I’ve had the boxes for four months now and we’ve had everything from tote bags to themed candles to hats and even a gorgeous book sleeve. All my friends and family are obsessed with the boxes and they don’t even read! They love knowing what that months theme is and what item was included.

BGB also has an online store and is opening up a physical location in Oxford in July. If their subscription customer care is anything to go by then everyone will be in the best hands!! When the physical shop opens. I truly can’t recommend them enough!

I’m so impressed with all the support for indie authors and small businesses I saw at the most recent bad girls book event!!

I love supporting small businesses so by shopping with bad girl books, it made this so easy🥹✨

The most welcoming inclusive community with a wide range of events, merch and books for everyone. So nice to be able to celebrate our interests out loud and not hide them!

Gorgeous romantasy book box with unique reads and thoughtful gifts ✨

If you’re looking for a Romantasy subscription book box, this is your one! I spent months looking for one, only to find they were either US based with extortionate shipping fees or the waitlist to join was miles long.

It must’ve been fate, because I am so glad I stumbled upon Bad Girls Books! Not only does each month contain an interesting book (with lots of 🌶️ , 18+ only, be warned), but you also get incredibly thoughtful trinkets to go along with the month’s book.

This month (May), I got an indie stand-alone in a Romantasy sub-genre I simply never would’ve picked up for myself, getting me out of my book comfort zone. Also in the box was a delightful wicker burning candle, a tasty mango lollipop - love heart shaped - and a stunning rose necklace, made of stainless steel too, so it won’t rust.

As someone who’s always been an avid reader but fell out of touch with the book world after uni and the start of my career, this book box is helping me discover my love for Romantasy all over again. Plus, it’s getting me to try new reads that I wouldn’t naturally gravitate to myself.

I couldn’t leave this review without mentioning how sweet the business owner is. Whenever I’ve spoken to her on instagram, she’s been nothing but lovely.

More still…she’s created group chats to allow people to discuss the monthly books or other books they’re reading. As someone who lives far away from my friends, it’s lovely to have a place I can go to chat with over bookish people! Just one other aspect that shows the time and care that’s gone into creating, not only a book box, but a community.

I’m so happy to finally have a monthly book box that is both interesting and thoughtful. I could not recommend enough!