Goldsboro Books Reviews 

So happy with the fantastic service I have received when shopping with Goldsboro Books, very quick delivery, I was over the moon to get the last Jill Halfpenny signed book in stock arrived in perfect condition packaged extremely well no issues at all one very happy customer 😁😁

Update 3: so i reached out for replacements on books sent to me with manufactures defects and the replacements sent to me also have the same defects which means this company does not check its books before sending them out at all. So your response to my review stating that you check your books before they go out is a flat out lie… i really hope you get it together Goldsboro because at this rate your production team as well as your quality control staff are likely to bury the company.
Update 2: Another defect sent to me… This is the 3rd book (all different books) i have received from goldsboro that has the same flaw where the signature page tip-ins are not bound into the book properly and you can see through to the spine… i really want to give this bookmaker a chance but over half the books i have received have the same flaw… I want out of the subscription contract. This is not fair and not what i signed up for.
Update 1: Initial review was a one star but Goldsboro that has since gotten back to me and made things right! The books that arrived with defects are being replaced! It was strange to hear that my initial email was filtered to their spam folder when they got back to me but i am thankful that they check their spam/junk inbox!

Goldsboro offers an impressive variety of genres of both new and rare used books, almost all are signed, and always first edition, first printings. The books are beautiful mint condition copies. Dust jackets are protected by mylar covers. Deliveries are timely. The website is easy to navigate. I have been purchasing my collection for the past 30 years (yep, from before they even had a bookstore)! Customer service is excellent! Oh, don't forget the book clubs!!!

Goldsboro is one of my favourite companies overall, and certainly top of the leader board for books. Known for limited runs signed by the author, their books appreciate in value which turns a hobby into an investment. Their service offering was of such a superior calibre that I have signed up for multiple subscription boxes. Why?
The curation of their books is outstanding.
The books arrive really quickly and in pristine condition thanks to their best-in-class packaging. Their dust jackets even come with protective plastic covers. Their customer service is exemplary and their people are friendly.
I have been introduced to authors I really enjoy thanks to their selection. Also, their GSFF collection has delighted me. Absolute highlight of my month to get a box from them. The cherry on the top is their generosity. I was thrilled to receive a complimentary book with each new subscription. Often the books arrive with custom bookmarks too. Other more mainstream providers could really learn a lot from this highly professional company.

I was introduced to Goldsboro by my ChatGPT Book LLM which correctly predicted their genuine passion for books, and focus on quality would delight me. I have been sharing my positive experiences with my book club friends, and ChatGPT!

Have ordered a few books from Goldsboro books and they are consistently excellent. Books are delivered tracked, quickly and always packaged very well so the book doesn't become damaged. Would recommend them every time.

Goldsboro Books remains, without any doubt, the best bookshop I have ever found. It has the rare ability to feel like a local, familiar shop despite being right in the centre of London. Every visit feels personal, warm and genuinely enjoyable, and that is entirely down to the remarkable people who make Goldsboro what it is.

I have to highlight Laila in particular. She has transformed my reading life in a way I didn’t expect. Her ability to understand a reader’s taste, guide them into new territory and open the door to genres they may never have considered is extraordinary. She remembers customers by name, engages with sincerity, and has that rare gift of making each person feel like the most important part of her day. Very few people possess that skill, and it is one of the reasons Goldsboro feels so special.

Belle and Chiara share that same instinctive talent. They blend a uniquely enjoyable retail experience with genuine thought and care in everything they do. Their conversations are effortless, warm and full of enthusiasm, and the happiness they bring to each interaction is a reflection of just how exceptional this bookshop is. They make every visit a pleasure, not because they have to, but because they truly love what they do.

And then there is Pavla, a manager of real distinction. She is engaging, knowledgeable and completely focused on the customer experience. Her leadership is evident in the atmosphere of the shop and in the way the whole team works together. She leads the very best people to deliver the very best experience, every single time.

At Goldsboro, you never feel like a customer. You feel like part of a book‑loving family, one committed to finding the right book for each member of that family, every time you walk through the door. It is more than a bookshop; it is a place where passion, expertise and genuine human connection come together in a way that is increasingly rare.

If you make Goldsboro your home from home for books, you will have found a place where the welcome is sincere, the knowledge is exceptional, and the experience is always something to look forward to.

I've been ordering from Goldsboro Books in London for a few years now. I always purchase my signed, first edition John Connolly, Charlie Parker Thrillers from Goldsboro.
I have never had any issues with placing orders or receiving the book just after the release date. The latest book arrived only today. Well packaged in a sturdy box with bubble rap around the book itself.
Thank you to all the Goldsboro team from a very happy customer.

Pre ordered a book in January. When you pre order, you expect the item as soon as its released. Instead they didnt ship it til a week after release and I received it 13 days after release.
Might sound minor but it was very frustrating and I won't be buying from them again.

Recently discovered this little gem of a bookstore on a trip to Brighton and I must admit I was amazed by the business itself and the beautiful books they stock.
As someone who has spent many hours in many book shops and library’s, I have never seen such beautiful books that are so special to have in your hand. I bought two titles on the day and have already ordered online again for myself. I have a feeling I will be treating myself regularly to books from here in future. Wish there was a branch in Ireland, I’d visit so much!

Shout out to Belle at Goldsboro for amazing customer service support. I contacted Goldsboro via email with a question/request, and Belle responded lightning fast, and was incredibly helpful.

I love Goldsboro Books and their amazing customer service people like Belle is one of the reasons why!

Holy cow! I just received my shipment..I should've taken a picture of how smooshed the box arrived. It was totally crushed in on at least 1/3 of the box.

I was so nervous.

But you packed it so carefully with bubble wrap, everything was PERFECT. Like, seriously perfect.

Also, I've never held a Goldsboro edition before. I love, love, the protective cover as well. Everything is so stunning. Absolutely gorgeous.

Thank you! I can't wait to see more!!

In the wonderful world of books there are Standards, there are Gold Standards - then head and shoulders above those there are Goldsboro Standards.
As a regular Goldsboro customer for many years I am delighted to say their standards are as high now as they were when I purchased my first-ever signed edition and was delighted as much with the presentation and packaging as I was with the overall customer service.
I have previously told them that my late father used to say that the first thing anyone ever sees about your home is the front door and if that is well-presented and maintained then their perception of everything thereafter can only be positively enhanced.
At Goldsboro not only is the on-line customer care second to none, but equally on the occasions I have enjoyed visiting their delightful shop in London’s Cecil Court, being met by friendly, ever-helpful frontline people like the lovely Laila Halil has only helped underline the valid and valued service they provide.
This has made me return many times in the past and will see me return many more times in the future to the place where everything is quite literally Signed, Sealed and Delivered to Goldsboro Standards!

Goldsboro has become one of life’s real little treats for me. I get so much joy from popping in to browse the shop - or that proper kid-at-Christmas feeling when my monthly subscription book turns up in the post.

I started my subscription with them back in August and honestly couldn’t be happier. I’ve also ordered a few books outside the subscription, based on their recommendations, and every one I’ve read so far has been brilliant. They really know what they’re doing when it comes to picking a good read.

I’ve seen a few negative reviews about Goldsboro’s customer service, but in my experience it just comes down to patience. Sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for!

When you visit the shop, you can see the sheer amount of stock the team are handling - it’s incredible for a small independent place. They work their socks off to bring readers these amazing limited, signed first editions from both big-name and up-and-coming authors.

I’ve had a couple of small hiccups with orders, but these things happen. Each time, the team sorted it quickly and were really helpful and polite about it.

The staff in store are always friendly, chatty and clearly love books themselves, which makes such a difference. On a recent visit I even saw the owner helping a gentleman pick a new series based on what he liked, it was genuinely lovely to watch.

Anyway, a bit of a long and flowery review from me, but as someone who loves reading, collecting and good customer service, I’d say don’t hesitate to shop at Goldsboro. Stick with them. You won’t regret it.

I have always used Goldsboro for all my signed books. Great website, easy to order what I need. What I love more than anything is loyalty - I have purchased all 5 signed Thursday Murder Club Novels, and I like that they email their customers who have bought the series before.

I cannot recommend them enough. Books aren't delivered on release day, but these books are signed and not a 'typical' book release so I understand that timing varies as per when they receive their stock.

Would happily use them forever and I really need to visit this shop in person one day soon when I am next in London.

I had ordered two books over a month ago. None received. No communication even though I had sent numerous emails asking for updates. Then yesterday I receive a email telling me they have issued a refund for one of the books due to a flood! I don't believe that excuse at all. Avoid !!!! Will never shop here ever again. Better off with hatchards

Always wonderful - it's a real treat to visit this bookshop in Cecil court. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and an excellent range of modern limited edition hardback books and rare first editions.

I love Goldsboro Books. I am a subscriber and I purchase other books with a nice discount because of I’m a subscriber. Books are sent with dust wrappers and have always reached me in mint condition.

Ok, yes customer service could be better , however the once I have talked on the phone they were great. Reaching out by email tends to take a long time to get response, I have sent an email regarding a book I purchased in August which I haven’t received yet, nor have a received a reply to my email. With that said, this is a small independent business and I’m sure it’s extremely hard work.

Earlier this year, I pre ordered a signed copy of a book that was due for release in September. I didn’t expect to receive the book on the day of publication but I did expect some kind of communication to let me know the status of my order. When I have tried to email the company I have had no response. When I tried to track my order there is no information available. It is such a shame because this company has some excellent reviews but sadly my experience has been poor. I purchase a number of books on a monthly basis but due to my experiences with this order, I will not be purchasing from this company again. I just hope that my book arrives at some point!

I just want to respond to your reply. As I stated in my review, I didn’t expect the item to be delivered on the date of publication but I did expect you to keep me informed regarding expected date of dispatch. I did use the Shopify link to track my order but the only information that it gave was that the order was placed. That had not been updated. If it had, I would never have needed to contact you in the first place. I find it interesting that it seemed to take me to place a review here for you to act on my order because immediately following my review, I received emails from you responding to my initial email and confirming it had been dispatched. I would appreciate you not trying to excuse the way that this matter has been handled. I rarely complain about anything but the fact that I have in this case speaks volumes! I most certainly will not be ordering from you again.

Edit: more excuses. I could hear your team fine on the phone. They could not hear me allegedly. Your staff member in Brighton was dismissive and rude. Not me. Do better in future.

In May 2024, I pre-ordered a numbered special edition title due for release in October 2025. In June 2025, I placed a second pre-order for another numbered special edition, released 27th August 2025.

For the 2024 order, my book was delivered around three weeks after publication. While late, it at least arrived. For my more recent order, however, I have had no correspondence at all since placing it. I emailed and received no reply. I sent a direct message which was ignored. When I telephoned, I was hung up on repeatedly, and when I left a message I was finally contacted—only to be told I “shouldn’t expect Amazon service.” When I called your Brighton shop, the staff member I spoke to was unhelpful and, frankly, rude.

This is unacceptable. Customers are not expecting Amazon-level turnaround, but they are entitled to the product they paid for—especially when it was pre-ordered months in advance. The repeated excuse of a “heavy publication period” (which I have also seen cited in many of your historic reviews) is not a valid reason for such poor communication or delays. Using platforms like Shopify obligates staff to monitor and dispatch orders in a timely way; it is not the customer’s responsibility to chase repeatedly.

Pre-ordering demonstrates patience and loyalty to a small business. It is precisely because customers are willing to wait that we expect better communication, transparency, and fulfilment when release dates pass. The service I have experienced instead has been dismissive, disorganised, and far below reasonable expectations.

I recently made my first order at Goldsboro Books. The book, which I know was new, was indeed the best new copy I have ever received. The packing was amazing, really well packed including a dust wrapper protector. There was no way that the book could have been damaged in transit. All in all I found the service outstanding and would have no hesitation in recommending Goldsboro Books!