Bad Girl Books Reviews 

11
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.3

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Company details

  1. Book Store
  2. Bookbinder
  3. Gift Shop

Written by the company

Bad Girl Books is a Romantasy-only gift store and bookshop in Oxford, UK! It's a small independent business run by Starlin, offering romantasy books, bookish gifts and merch, a Book Club Subscription box, handmade bookbinded books, pop-up events across the country, and more! Any reviews on Trustpilot are hugely appreciated to help boost the website visibility and let people know that they can trust placing an order here :) xx


Contact info

4.3

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

11 reviews

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4-star
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2-star
1-star

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4.3

All reviews

(11)

11 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A bookish hub!

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.

4 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lovely romantasy bookshop

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

4 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

amazing independent bookshop

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!

4 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Everything retail should be

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!

6 July 2026
Unprompted review
Bad Girl Books logo

Reply from Bad Girl Books

That is such a kind review, thank you!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The perfect bookshop to explore your spicy side!

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! 📚🌶️

4 July 2026
Unprompted review
Bad Girl Books logo

Reply from Bad Girl Books

Thank you, Adrienne! We're so happy you loved the shop and the gift section, too!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I can't wait to visit again!!

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!!

5 July 2026
Unprompted review
Bad Girl Books logo

Reply from Bad Girl Books

We're so happy you were able to stop by and had such a great time! See you soon :)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Helpful Feedback About the Ticketing Process

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.

4 July 2026
Unprompted review
Bad Girl Books logo

Reply from Bad Girl Books

Hi Becky,

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such thoughtful and constructive feedback.

We're so sorry that you couldn't visit the shop as planned, especially after arranging childcare and travelling into Oxford. We completely understand how disappointing that must have been.

We've taken your feedback on board and have already updated our event messaging to explain more clearly that, while tickets help manage visitor numbers, they don't guarantee immediate entry at the selected time during busy periods.

Thank you again for your understanding and your kind wishes. We really hope we'll have the opportunity to welcome you back soon and give you the experience you were hoping for. If you'd prefer to avoid queues, we'd definitely recommend visiting on a weekday if possible. 🩷

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The BEST book box and unmatched customer care

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!

1 June 2026
Unprompted review
Bad Girl Books logo

Reply from Bad Girl Books

Thank you so much, Natasha! I am so happy you love the book box and enjoy all the custom products designed and hand-packed into each month's box. Can't wait for you to see next month's book!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A personal favourite

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!

18 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

✨Gorgeous romantasy book box ✨

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!

5 May 2026
Unprompted review

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