iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%75+47.6Reliability 28%67+18.9Replies to reviews 8%80+6.6Momentum penalty41−5.9Experts Score= 67Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.67SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#28 of 32 bookstoresiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 13%
4.8★★★★★304 Google reviews
92%five-star reviews
4.48★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
6.7%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Garden Wall Bookshop 4.8 out of 5 based on 304 reviews, with the owner replying to 89 percent of them. Customers frequently praise the store’s friendly staff, inclusive book selection, and dedicated space for local artists and children. However, some low-star reviews criticize the staff for being rude or unwelcoming, particularly toward families with young children, and note that prices are high.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 304 reviews (92% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 304 Google reviews (204 with written comments, 18 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 89% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 21, 2026.
Service: Bookstore serving Madison, Wisconsin.
Data from Google, last updated November 3, 2026.
Score profile vs other bookstores
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: replies to reviews and satisfaction; weakest: momentum.
Garden Wall BookshopBookstores median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Garden Wall Bookshop: 75/100 on this factor. Category median: 80.B
75
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Garden Wall Bookshop: 67/100 on this factor. Category median: 84.B
67
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet.–
–
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet.–
–
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Garden Wall Bookshop: 41/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.C
41
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Garden Wall Bookshop: 80/100 on this factor. Category median: 38.A
80
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
304 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars27992%
4 stars145%
3 stars21%
2 stars10%
1 star83%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 204 written reviews
94%praise
Praise12194%
Complaints86%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
6topics
Staff & attitude9271%
Would recommend2217%
Price & value65%
Quality & results43%
Speed & response43%
Honesty & trust11%
What customers talk about
We read 204 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“The new, friendly owners have given it such beautiful signage including a gorgeous mural on the side of the building.”
“This place is not welcoming and the new owner was not friendly at all.”
“Absolutely recommend this store to any fellow book lovers”
“Will not be back.”
“If you have the chance to stop by this store it is so worth it!”
“Community involvement The owner does a great job with this business.”
“The staff were super helpful and quickly exchanged the misprinted copy for a correct copy.”
“It was honestly shocking, considering we were also customers and were simply using the children’s space as intended.”
People customers mention
Verona21 reviews
Kismet7 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
AAmyLocal Guide · 75 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
Fantastic service! If they don't have a book you want, they will order it for you. The store has a lovely layout. It's easy to walk about and find a good book. They even sell mystery books, wrapped in gift wrap! The new, friendly owners have given it such beautiful signage including a gorgeous mural on the side of…
AAshleyLocal Guide · 23 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 weeks ago★★★★★
I can't recommend this bookshop enough. The selection, atmosphere, and unexpected finds make it a real gem. Shopping here is always a delight and I come around whenever I can. If you're in Verona, make the stop here. You won't regret it.
CCJLocal Guide · 8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Cool bookstore in the heart of Verona. 2 story building with the upstairs having all kids books.
EEllenLocal Guide · 42 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Super cute shop. Lots of books, a sitting area, an adorable kids area, and a surprisingly large collection of art/tchotchkes/jewelry from local artist. The kids area has a little play section in it and a kids sized chair that my kids love. Lots of unique enamel pins as well, we love those too.
RRyleeLocal Guide · 83 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
My daughter and I love what the new owner has done with the space! The blend between books and local artists/vendors is awesome!
JJaniceLocal Guide · 13 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Stumbled across this cozy nook while I was in town for work! I loved the vibe of the entire bookshop from top to bottom. I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of Fishbone Cinderella since it was only recently published. Had to grab their display copy! I loved that the upstairs had displays for local artists. If…
Fantastic service! If they don't have a book you want, they will order it for you. The store has a lovely layout. It's easy to walk about and find a good book. They even sell mystery books, wrapped in gift wrap! The new, friendly owners have given it such beautiful signage including a gorgeous mural on the side of the building. This is a very pleasant place to go look for a book.
Response from the owner · a week ago
Thank you, Amy! We really
appreciate your kind review. And, yes, we do special orders for customers. They usually arrive in about a week. We hope to see you again, soon!
K
kaitlin walker8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews kaitlin has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I can't recommend this bookshop enough. The selection, atmosphere, and unexpected finds make it a real gem. Shopping here is always a delight and I come around whenever I can. If you're in Verona, make the stop here. You won't regret it.
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Thank you, Ashley! We really appreciate your kind review and hope to see you again soon!
C
CJLocal Guide · 8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews CJ has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Super cute shop. Lots of books, a sitting area, an adorable kids area, and a surprisingly large collection of art/tchotchkes/jewelry from local artist. The kids area has a little play section in it and a kids sized chair that my kids love. Lots of unique enamel pins as well, we love those too.
Response from the owner · a month ago
Thank you, Ellen! We appreciate you and hope to see you again soon!
R
Rylee DavisLocal Guide · 83 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Rylee has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My daughter and I love what the new owner has done with the space! The blend between books and local artists/vendors is awesome!
Response from the owner · a month ago
Rylee, thank you! We really try to provide a curated selection of books. And, our local artists/artisans bring a cute, quirky, and beautiful presence to the shop. We hope to see you again soon!
J
Janice KaoLocal Guide · 13 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Janice has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Stumbled across this cozy nook while I was in town for work! I loved the vibe of the entire bookshop from top to bottom. I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of Fishbone Cinderella since it was only recently published. Had to grab their display copy! I loved that the upstairs had displays for local artists. If I’m ever in town again, I will definitely stop by!
Response from the owner · a month ago
Janice, we appreciate you! We're glad that we had the book that you were looking for. We hope to see you again next time you're in Verona!
J
Jackson WellsLocal Guide · 11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jackson has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
One of the best bookshops in Wisconsin! They always have a great selection of recent releases and their fantasy / sci-fi section is well stocked.
I recently bought a book from Garden Wall that had a good chunk of pages printed in the wrong order. The bookshop didn’t do anything wrong, misprints happen! I caught the error a week after purchasing the book, and brought it back for a replacement. The staff were super helpful and quickly exchanged the misprinted copy for a correct copy. (They then checked the rest of their titles to make sure the rest were printed correctly.)
Truly some of the nicest and professional booksellers I’ve ever met work at Garden Wall.
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank you, Jackson! We truly appreciate you and your kind review. Thank you for bringing the misprinted book back to us. We were able to notify other customers and get the corrected book into their hands. We hope to see you again soon!
J
James KorthalsLocal Guide · 73 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews James has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
The people at Garden Wall Bookshop are really friendly and helpful. They have a good selection of books, and can order pretty much whatever book you want. All the local artist work they have on sale is really cool to look at too.
Response from the owner · 4 months ago
Thank you, Michael! We really appreciate your positive review!
