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    Smitten

    4.9 (23 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Services - Smitten

    Cards and stationery

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    Reviews With Photos

    Erica G.

    What an awesome addition to the Ventura Downtown area ! Great selection of books . Also many unique items for gifting to those book lovers. Great customer service. No area to sit and read but you can read at a cafe nearby or park. Their pricing is fair.

    Storefront
    Melissa L.

    Being a book girly I was eagerly awaiting the opening of Smitten Bookstore in downtown Ventura. The day had finally come and I was so happy to see this spot open and already thriving within the community. I love everything about this spot and I brought a friend who was equally as excited at how awesome this shop is. Not only do they have an amazing selection of books, they have stickers, tarot cards, bookmarks, some home goods items, and artwork. The feeling I get when I walk in here personally is girl power! (all genders/non-binary welcome) the vibes are let's advocate for our basic human rights people! A shop that's fun spirited but also has powerful messaging and support of all persons is a shop I will come to support again and again. It also doesn't hurt that the decor is super adorable and welcoming. Loved the different neon signs and the library bookshelves lining the store. The book selection was impressive and definitely right up my alley. If you are a book tok person, you will find a lot of the most popular recommendations here. It was great to see some hot "it" books but also a lot of books and authors I haven't heard of before but am sure I would love based on the curation of the store. I like spicy books and there were plenty of those too! Hehe. I walked out with a book, some stickers, a birthday card, and the owner threw in an adorable bookmark for free. The owner was so welcoming and sweet. She clearly loves what she does and is passionate about this community and book lovers everywhere. She was such a vibe and I loved hearing how she's already got authors lined up to come to the shop for meet and greets. She told us she's also working on starting a book club and has a back space in the store that will be set up for book signings, poetry readings, etc. We are so lucky to have a new bookstore in Ventura like this in the area and we love to support local so please come in and enjoy this wonderful new business. 10/10 would recommend.

    Love these socks
    Vanessa D.

    Book lovers unite! This is the perfect little bookstore for those who adore fantasy, romance, gothic romance and fun Knick Knacks. This store is organized perfectly and I love the staff recommendation tags for certain books. The staff that helped me was so nice. I really enjoyed this store and will be back!

    Courtney F.

    I've been wanting to start buying from bookstores directly rather than target or Amazon and came across this lovely gem while in Ventura. It's an independent, woman owned business, that has a solid variety of books but mostly romance. Loved the ambiance and the person working was so friendly. For sure would rather spend my money on books here than a target, and support a small business

    Book clubs during the month
    Shawna R.

    The cutest little book store in downtown Ventura called Smitten and the name lives up to it. They have a collection of books from best sellers, to local authors and a few others in between. With genres in romance, fantasy, fiction and so much more. They also have small gifts inside as well. When I went to checkout the cashier was super friendly, great service. She told me this place has only been open for a few months (opened in feb) and they also have monthly book clubs and book swaps as well as other events too. I followed them on social to be in the loop. The books are retail value as well, but if it helps a small business I'm all for paying full price!

    Delta C.

    I stumbled across this Super cute book shop. The staff were friendly and helpful. I like the variety of books offered,pricing was reasonable.

    Felice B.

    Fun fun fun! Sweet name and cheeky, feisty, & fun gift shopping. Books are carefully selected, organized by theme, and the personal reviews make it lovely and peaceful to find your next read. Really good feeling shop. Great lighting; breezy and bright. Colorful and eclectic but not too overwhelming.

    Upcoming events

    Such a fun book store in downtown Ventura! I loved this place and was able to get some new released books. I always love supporting local bookstores! The staff was extremely helpful! They also have a lot of events coming up. Will definitely comeback again! One of my new favorite book stores!

    Decor

    Love this bookstore! Such cute vibes. Their events are fun as well! Can't wait to go to more. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area. Great spot to get gifts for others or pre-ordering new books as well.

    Their cute display!
    Joanna M.

    I came here today on a whim since we're visiting from out of town. This place is perfection. They have a great selection of books and are priced fairly. Best part is you get to support an indie bookstore! The woman working today was so kind. She let me browse around and get lost in stacks of books. I don't need more but I always support local bookstores. I'll definitely come back if I'm ever in town again!

    The cash register with the best cashier who is so friendly!
    Jessica N.

    This is my second time going to this bookstore and I love it here. They have an amazing section of romance books. Plus the owner had her first book event today! It was amazing to talk about books with other book lovers. I highly recommend coming here and spending money on some books.

    Cards and sticker - linen spray from the refill stop next door (see my review)

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    4 months ago

    Lovely little bookstore. A great selection of books and events. Customer service is wonderful as well.

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    1 year ago

    Such an adorable store! The associate was so sweet and insightful as well with recommendations!

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    2 years ago

    This place is so cute and fun! So many fun, unique products! Service was good and it was nice to have her give us recommendations for books!

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    Ask the Community - Smitten

    Hi I am planning to visit, what's the parking situation for the location?

    Main Street is blocked off to street parking but they are little lots to park or metered parking around the corner.

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    Review Highlights - Smitten

    This is the perfect little bookstore for those who adore fantasy, romance, gothic romance and fun Knick Knacks.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Timbre Books - Main room, near the door

    Timbre Books

    (39 reviews)

    Timbre Books is a thoughtfully curated independent bookstore in the heart of Midtown Ventura. It's…read morecalm, inviting, and easy to browse at your own pace. The book selection feels intentional, with a good mix of familiar titles, indie presses, and unexpected finds. I've picked up several great reads here for my Caracol Book Club and always feel good about what I bring home. Pricing feels reasonable and consistent for a shop this well curated. The staff pick recommendation cards are genuinely helpful, and the loyalty rewards program is a nice bonus. I also love the seating in the back. It's the kind of spot where you can actually slow down. Journal, read, and sip a coffee from the neighboring coffee shop, Singing Sun, without feeling rushed. In addition to books, there's a solid selection of stationery, greeting cards, and small gifts, plus gift cards that are easy and practical. They also host author events and community gatherings that feel thoughtful and well done. Whether I'm browsing for myself or picking up a gift, Timbre is consistently a good experience. Ventura is lucky to have an independent shop like this.

    ~ A BOOKLOVER'S HAVEN ~…read more Timbre Books is everything I've ever wanted in a bookstore. When you walk in, you're greeted by a bright, airy, modern, and warm space. There are a couple of two person tables near the front, next to big, dreamy windows, perfect for working or reading. To the right, there's a wonderful selection of children's books and cozy reading nooks. It was heartwarming to see kids sprawled out, reading and lost in their own worlds. There's also a table towards the back with charming cards for purchase. Their book selection is impressively diverse and thoughtfully curated, with many titles featuring staff recommendations and reviews. I especially enjoy horror/psychological thrillers and nonfiction memoirs, and there's plenty of those, as well as the newest, hottest books from social media (booktok). They have a rewards program and a monthly newsletter that's thoughtfully crafted giving us the scoop on new arrivals, events, and book recommendations. Their book club meets monthly and has a laid-back, low maintenance vibe making it perfect for busy people who just want to casually discuss a book. I happened to visit during one of these meetings, and it was so wholesome to see people sharing baked goods, laughter being heard, and enjoying each other's company. The atmosphere here feels like a true community, and it gives you those warm, fuzzy feelings. When I mentioned it was my first visit, Mirna quickly made me feel welcomed by sharing details about the store, answering my questions, and suggesting some of her favorite books based on my interests. It's great that the staff have diverse tastes and can offer varied recommendations! Overall, Timbre Books is a unique gem in Ventura, and I'm excited to come back and join the next book club! *HOT TIP: There's plenty of parking available in the lot behind the store and on the street. *HOTTER TIP: Before heading in to browse/read, don't forget to grab a coffee from the charming coffee shop two doors down!

    The Calico Cat Bookshop - Inside.  Very small but some great stuff here.

    The Calico Cat Bookshop

    (33 reviews)

    $

    I am so happy to repost this review with a 5 star review. Years ago I tried to patron the Calico…read morewith my children and the cashier was anti-child. I recently visited Ventura and stepped into the Calico and started chatting with the owner. I told them about my experience and they knew who I was talking about and said that she had been let go years ago and they work most of the time now. so Yay!! Their collection is large, obscur, and some fun rare finds. It's a great space, kids are welcomed again, and he even has a cool kids collection.

    I love all bookstores, no matter what, all of them…read more This one was slightly harder to love. First the positive: it has a great name. But alas, no cats. Second, I did find about four or five books here (used) that I have not been able to find elsewhere, so that is a big positive. The organization of the books here leaves something to be desired. Some of the books are in alphabetical order. But many are not. That is a bit maddening. There is also no obvious organization of the books by subject matter. But it is a small shop so it is not that difficult to snoop around. If you are looking for the latest pop novels, this probably won't be your happy place. But if you are looking for classics or hard to find books, this just could be your happy place. If you are willing to overlook the somewhat chaotic organization of the books, you could spend some time here and find some real nuggets. The prices seemed fair to me.

    Bart's Books - Books - all in alphabetical order by authors

    Bart's Books

    (486 reviews)

    $$

    If you're ever in Ojai, make sure to stop by Bart's Books, it's one of the town's many charming…read morespots and absolutely worth a visit. This unique bookstore is set in a former family home that's been thoughtfully converted into a literary haven. Each room has its own character: the kitchen is dedicated to cookbooks, while the formal dining room displays collectible titles that can only be viewed from outside. The living room features an inviting mix of bookshelves filled with a wide variety of reads. Outside, you'll find rows and rows of books lining shelves beneath awnings, creating an open-air browsing experience that's both unusual and delightful. I was curious how they manage the setup during rainy weather, and was told that because of the valley's conditions, rain tends to fall straight down and doesn't impact the books under the awnings. There are so many hidden gems here and you could easily spend hours exploring. They offer a combination of new and used books ranging from a dollar on up. Parking is convenient, with several public lots nearby as well as street parking available

    Bart's Books is such a beautiful and unique stop, the world's largest outdoor bookstore, serving…read morethe area since 1964. The open-air setting feels peaceful and inspiring, with so many cozy corners to sit and read while surrounded by plants and shelves filled with both new and used books. A truly beautiful bookstore! The prices were great, and the staff, true book lovers, were incredibly helpful with recommendations. With a huge collection of over 130,000 books, it's easy to spend hours wandering and discovering. It's overwhelming for some. I immediately asked for help and was happily guided to two different areas with books I expressed interest in reading. Definitely worth a stop if you're in town, a serene, special place that feels timeless. They buy or trade books Mon-Fri (10-6), usually up to four boxes a week. You can get a same-day offer or next-day evaluation, and large/rare collections may need an appointment. A great way to pass books on for others to enjoy.

    The Bookworm

    The Bookworm

    (68 reviews)

    $$

    A small but mighty bookstore. After years of driving by this spot, what finally brought me in was…read moreseeing them on social media. I stumbled upon a post they did which was in solidarity with a group of people and seeing that our values were aligned I knew this was a local small business that I needed to be supporting from here on out. I came midweek to shop and look around, and I had a great experience. It's a smaller bookstore, but they did have a lot to choose from! I was especially happy to see that they keep up with new and trending authors/books that come out. But of course, they also had a broad selection of every type of book you could think of. Being a smaller independent bookstore they don't have mass quantity though so if you find a book you like you should grab it because they only have a copy or two of each. I found that the pricing was comparable to anywhere else but again when you shop here you're supporting local small businesses so even if it was a little pricier, it would be worth it to me. They had a cute child's/kids section in the back so it would definitely be a great place to bring your little one to look around or read a story. The vibes are welcoming, but I also appreciate when staff leave you to look around without standing over your shoulder. The gal working behind the register was super nice and checked me out with quickness, that I was in and out without issue. Nice people work here, they have a decent selection and overall it was a cute little shop that I will be back to support again soon.

    When so many bookstores are shutting their doors, The BOOKWORM is thriving!! It's easy to see why,…read moreIt's a warm, welcoming environment, plenty of parking and a LONG history with the community. So many books - special orders on request. Planned future events :Ask the Expert - Book Clubs Edition with award-winning author Raven West on the new community radio station Camaradio 101.3FM

    Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Is it though? 6/7/24

    Barnes & Noble Booksellers

    (138 reviews)

    $$

    I want to thank Rachel at the Ventura CA/Ventura Gateway store for helping me with an in-store pick…read moreup order I made online. She was able to go above and beyond in helping me 10 minutes prior to the bookstore closes. Took care of my special order request very professionally which that made my day. I am very grateful for people like her.

    GETTING HERE: Barnes & Noble is located really close to the 101 freeway in Ventura. You can access…read moreit from several directions as it's at Main and Telephone Roads. You can look for the Michaels and Sprouts and you'll be a hop, skip, and a jump from all the boooks! REVIEW: Bumping up to 4 starts because for the years and years I have been coming to BN, even before shut down, they are always fully stocked with books and other items. I love it here! I can easily spend 2 hours here perusing the aisles of all the goodness BN carries. (I just recently came for some Harry Potter merch and a planner for next year.) Service is not what it was once was, sadly. But I am old so I remember the good ole' days with fondness. Today, it's basic enough. Thankfully, one doesn't get screamed at across the store of "Welcome!" as it happens in other businesses. Most employees I saw were behind the registers when I was looking around. I did see one employee on the floor, but she was laser focused on something. Prices are on the higher side, thanks to the current state of the economy. However, I feel that the books and other items are of good enough quality to somewhat warrant the $. Be sure to check out upstairs. Also, just a thought, grab a snack or one of the Starb cookies on your way out. It's OK. It's good. It's books. It's BN. :)

    Smitten - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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