Booktok books, hit or miss?

Booktok books, hit or miss?

I will cut the unnecessary part out here where I launch into a tedious paragraph about the history of BookTok. We all know what booktok is, we’ve all read at least one ‘booktok’ book, and you either loved it or you didn’t. I’ve had mixed experiences with Booktok books ranging from ‘This One’s a Keeper’ to ‘Do I have the wrong book?!’, so I’ve complied my own opinions here on the booktok classics so you can hopefully either find a new favorite read or avoid an unnecessary purchase. 

Heartstopper: Hit

I love Heartstopper, and Alice Osman never fails to put a smile on my face. All the characters are so endearing (except Ben) and the romance in this will make you squeal with excitement. It’s perfect for any season, whether you’re on the beach or curling up under blankets with a mug of cocoa. Booktok did not disappoint in making this series popular.

A Court of Thorns and Roses- Hit

Booktok rarely misses with fantasy novels, and ACOTAR is no exception to this rule. Page-turning action, loveable protagonists, and an intoxicating romance make ACOTAR a must-read. 

From Blood and Ash- Miss

I can’t explain it, but From Blood and Ash feels like ACOTAR’s whiny younger sister who wants to be like ACOTAR but can’t quite figure out how. It’s not bad, but the writing doesn’t meet the same quality standards as the other booktok books had set, and if you’re looking for a book with From Blood and Ash's plot, ACOTAR already holds that spot.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo- Hit

This book was everything you could dream of and more from a book about old Hollywood. Evelyn is charming but flawed in a way that makes the reader sympathetic to her. The story is gripping and full of emotions. It immerses you in the old Hollywood lifestyle that Evelyn lived, and the author does a beautiful job of painting each relationship with nuance. I cannot recommend this book enough. 

It Ends With Us-Miss

I never have understood the hype around this book, and I probably never will. I found the main character too quirky to be likable and too basic, which made the whole text lack the emotional investment I would usually have in a book. The sensitive material in the novel, which is supposedly a huge plot twist, seemed way too predictable to me, and, honestly, it felt like it wasn’t handled with all the tact it deserves. There are some merits to the novel, and it is supposedly good for more entry-level readers but I would never recommend it.