#BookTok: Hot or Not?
Here at the shop, we’ve seen a resurgence for some backlist titles that have been getting some love over on the book-loving side of TikTok. You know them, you (might) love them. Consider this your very own #FYP - scroll on to see what Team OTB thinks of some of #BookTok’s top titles.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Jen M.
This book hit all my favorite tropes; enemies to lovers, secret relationship, a love for The Great British Bake Off (this may not be a widely accepted trope but I loved it), and even a sprinkle of some fake dating. This is very much a comfort read for me and I ship Alex and Henry together forever. If you love romance, this one is a solid read.
Shannon
This novel is a perfect hug in a book. Loveable idiots who need to communicate, hilarious and supportive side characters, and such eloquent writing that you can see the rom-com playing out beautifully on the screen within your mind. It’s also wonderful for queer representation and/or a gentle start into the genre of romance novels.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Abby
I read this in one sitting, glued to the page! I love an unreliable narrator and Rich People Problems™ and this novel has those in spades! I haven’t reread it since so I imagine it can feel a little melodramatic at points, but I still remember the twist and how it killed me.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Jen M.
This book broke my heart and I was so mad at it. The story was interesting but had one of the biggest plot holes I have read in a long time. I mean if people can’t remember her when they no longer see her, then what happens when they are hanging out and the person needs to go to the bathroom. Does she follow them? It just kept creeping in my brain. Also, I think I have an unhealthy relationship with bad guys in fiction (Spike, Crowly, Cole from Charmed) that I was rooting for the demon, Luc. He was just too good to not love and the ending made me extremely upset.
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Jen M.
History nerd alert, and I loved this retelling of Achilles and Patroclus. Madeline Miller can craft a sentence like no one else. She did a great job weaving together something fresh and new in a story that has been told since forever. I loved this book, but I think Circe should get more love then SOA in my opinion.
Angie
I’m so happy this book is making a comeback thanks to BookTok!! I actually think I liked SOA better than Circe (sorry, Jen).
Abby
I like to say I’d reread this book once a year if it didn’t absolutely WRECK me the first time around. When I finished it, I was sobbing silently in my freshman dorm room. Luckily, my roommate wasn’t home because I don’t know how I would have explained that.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
Angie
Hmm. I liked Honey Girl a lot! But I think that marketing this as a romance was an injustice to the book. The romance didn’t *feel* like it was front and center, and that’s ok (but don’t say it’s a romance!!!!)
Shannon
I definitely agree with Angie on the marketing front for this book. The family drama at the forefront of this one had me putting it on the “Did Not Finish” pile pretty quickly.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Shannon
I absolutely devoured this book on a plane ride home. I was actually disappointed to hear that we were approaching our final destination because I didn't want to leave my mandated reading bubble. If you're looking for a beach read this summer, look no further. You've got enemies to lovers, fake dating/marriage, "there's only one bed," and oh-so-much delicious snarkiness.
Emma
So I’m not normally a romance reader, but this book was so sweet from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. The characters are relatable and “real” and there’s truly nothing better than an enemies-to-lovers storyline with a quintessential “only one bed” gimmick. I was surprised by the plot-line and fully engaged in the relationship the main characters had. Recommended poolside, beach, or airplane reading!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Jen M.
For the way people were going off on how spicy this book is, calling it “fairy porn,” I was expecting a little more spice. Like a lot more. And I just want to punch Tamlin in the face, like all the time. Their relationship was abusive and I hated it. And yes, in later books we find out that Feyre was not meant to be with Tamlin, but people freaking don’t talk about that when they talk about ACOTAR and I wish they did. I have a love/hate relationship with this series.
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Emma
This was one of those books that I initially thought “am I too old for this?” since the main character is a young high schooler, but I was almost instantly taken in with the intrigue, murder, and character development. I desperately want to be Stevie Bell and have a mystery to solve on a Vermont compound with my new friends. I was sincerely gripping the covers until the end and I may have stayed up a little too late into the night to finish it. And then immediately went and found the other two books in the series and finished them all in less than a week. If you have a free weekend and feel like treating yourself to an incredibly written and well-constructed series, pick these up. Seriously.
Blog contributions by Abby Bennsky, Emma Kiely, Shannon McCarthy, Jen Miller, and Angie Sanchez.
Photo contributions by Abby Bennsky, Shannon McCarthy, and Angie Sanchez.
Edited by Shannon McCarthy.