Today we are celebrating Bea Hodges-Koch and Leah Koch as our Entrepreneurs of the Day! Bea and Leah founded The Ripped Bodice bookstore. 

In a literary landscape that often sidelines the genre, The Ripped Bodice is rewriting the narrative around romance fiction, and doing so with heart, humor, and a whole lot of happily-ever-afters. The Ripped Bodice is a proudly women and queer owned brick-and-mortar bookstore in the U.S. dedicated solely to romance novels.

Founded by sisters Leah Koch and Bea Hodges-Koch, The Ripped Bodice has become more than just a retail space. It’s a community hub, a cultural statement, and a love letter to the romance genre and to everyone who has ever found themselves in the pages of a love story.

The story of The Ripped Bodice began in the unlikeliest of places: a Kickstarter campaign. In 2015, Leah and Bea turned to the crowdfunding platform to gauge whether readers were ready for a bookstore that celebrated romance in all its forms. The answer was a resounding yes.

With thousands of backers and a groundswell of support, The Ripped Bodice opened its doors on March 4, 2016, in Los Angeles. The bookstore was instantly embraced by the literary community and romance fans alike.Growing up reading romance novels, the sisters wanted to build a space that gave the genre the respect and celebration it deserves, while also creating a home for people who love love. 

The store’s name is a cheeky nod to the covers of classic historical romances, but its shelves are filled with a wide and diverse range of romance novels. From LGBTQ+ love stories and paranormal plots to historical epics and contemporary rom-coms. The focus is on inclusivity, with a deliberate curation of books by authors of color, queer authors, and independent publishers with the goal to uplift marginalized voices in romance.

It’s not just about books (though they are the main attraction). The Ripped Bodice also offers a unique selection of gifts, home goods, and accessories with a focus on supporting independent, woman-owned makers. Think feminist candles, enamel pins, art prints, and more. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or picking up a present for your favorite bookworm, the store has something special for everyone.

In August 2023, The Ripped Bodice expanded across the country, opening a second location in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The East Coast store retains the same whimsical charm as the original: pastel walls, chandeliers, cozy reading nooks, and staff who are equal parts booksellers and matchmakers (of the literary kind).

With the success of both locations, The Ripped Bodice has cemented its status as a destination for not only romance readers nationwide, but authors as well. Each location hosts special events multiple times a month, from book clubs to book launches to author Q&As; the Ripped Bodice is more than a store, it’s a gathering place. 

Leah and Bea’s work doesn’t end at the register. Each year, they publish The State of Racial Diversity in Romance Report, a data-driven look at diversity in romance publishing. The report has become a vital tool for holding the industry accountable and pushing for lasting change.

The sisters are also developing TV projects based on romance novels through a partnership with Sony Pictures Television, aiming to bring more love stories to screens everywhere.

Born and raised in Chicago, Leah and Bea grew up sharing books and a deep appreciation for the genre that would one day shape their careers.

Leah, who moved to Los Angeles to attend USC, fell hard for the city’s sunshine and stayed. She loves contemporary romance, especially lesbian romances. When not reading she enjoys crafts of all kinds, watching women’s soccer and the antics of her three cats.

Bea went to the East Coast and attended Yale and NYU, where she penned her graduate thesis “Mending the Ripped Bodice.” She later published Mad & Bad: Real Heroines of the Regency, a nonfiction celebration of rebellious historical women. Bea’s favorite romance subgenre is historicals and her favorite thing to do in the world is hang out with her dogs, Hamilton and Fiona.

When asked what advice they had for women who wanted to start their own business, the sisters said, “Trust your instincts, even when they’re louder than the advice you’re getting. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision but aren’t afraid to push back. And don’t wait until everything’s perfect — start messy, learn fast, and keep going.”

What makes The Ripped Bodice so special isn’t just its niche focus or beautiful aesthetic—though both are undeniable. It’s the way it embraces the radical joy of romance. In a world that often dismisses the genre as frivolous or formulaic, The Ripped Bodice boldly proclaims that love stories matter.

Whether you’re seeking swoony paperbacks, meaningful representation, or a literary community that welcomes you with open arms, The Ripped Bodice offers all that and more.

Because here, love isn’t just on the page…it’s in the air.