Welcome to booktok bestie, you're going to love it here.

Are you someone who used to devour books faster than publishers could print them? That was me. But around the time I turned 26, life got in the way. I went from chowing down hundred of thousands of words a weekend, to going six months without picking up a single tome.

However, last year I finally decided to open the ACOTAR series after a strong recommendation from a friend. Shortly after, I was immersed in Fourth Wing. Then, Manacled (iykyk). It was a slippery slope that rekindled a love of reading that I thought might have lost. And my experience is certainly not unique.

In fact there is a whole community of people - who have been brought together via made-for-adults fiction - who live on what is affectionately known as the 'booktok' side of TikTok. While, booktok is a space for all books, you'll find the most popular recommendations are far-off fantasies or cruisey and sometimes sexy bedtime reads.

If you're new to booktok or even if you're been there for a while, you're probably looking for your next read. Thankfully, the booktok community is always ready with recommendations. Whether you're a dark romance lover or you prefer something lighter on the smut and spice, these are our favourite steamy booktok-recommended reads.

 

A Court of Thorns and Roses

If you're not well versed on fantasy, start here. This is the series that helped so many revive their love of reading on a rainy afternoon. Set in a fantasy universe, Feyre is pulled into the sinister but enchanting realm of the Faes. Here, she becomes entangled in the second stage of a 500 year old war.

 

Fourth Wing

A fantasy realm, dragons, a secret war and of course, romance, Fourth Wing is the tale of an elite academy of fighters. Our main character Violette has the hallmarks of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and struggles to make her mark in world that values only brute strength. It's an underdog tale set with the perfect number of twists and turns.

 

Divine Rivals

Perfect for anyone who adores the enemies to lovers trope. Two rival journalist find connect against the back drop of an ancient war. It's not just Booktok recommended, it also has 4.24 stars on Good Reads.

 

She Who Became the Sun

Author Shelley Parker Chan is a non-binary Asian/Australian author puts a historical spin on fantasy. Set in 1300s China under Mongol rule, a young girl assumes her brother's identity to find safety. Described as Mulan meets The Song of Achilles.

 

It Ends With Us

Love it or hate it, Colleen Hoover books are among some of the most recommended reads on Booktok. It Ends With Us has become so wildly popular that it's being made into a movie. If you're a book before movie type of person, it's time to pick this one up.

 

The Song of Achilles

A new retelling of the story of Achilles and the Trojan war, this tale follows the romantic relationship between Patroclus and Achilles. It's a New York Times Best Seller for a reason.

 

Throne of Glass

In a land where the King rules with an iron fist, a prisoner must complete a series of challenges to earn her freedom. This is first book in another series by Sarah J Maas, author of the ACOTAR series. If you haven't this is considered a booktok must-read.

 

From Blood and Ash

For lovers of fantasy romance, when supernatural creatures attack, maiden Poppy is forced to trust a mysterious guard named Hawke. It is the first book in a series and comes highly recommended from fans of Sarah J. Maas.

 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

It's 1741 France, here a young woman makes a bargain to live forever but she will be forgotten by everyone she meets. Addie goes for centuries living an invisible life until nearly 300 years later, a young man remembers her name.

 

The Serpent and the Wings of Night

A tournament run by the Goddess of Death should be no place for a human. So, mortal-born Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a rival in order to survive. It has a 4.34 rating on Good Reads.

 

Nora Goes off Script

Nora is a romance screen writer. After her husband leaves her, she writes the best script of her life, but she never expected her work would throw her up against actor Leo Vance. A tale about a single mum, finding love after loss.

 

Daughter of No Worlds

With a 4+ rating on Good Reads, Daughter of No Worlds is a Carissa Broadbent story of a reclusive fighter against the backdrop of war, magic and a deadly set of games.

 

Twisted Lies

If you've read Anna Huang, you know exactly what you're in for. If you prefer a main character who errs on the side of morally grey, then add this to your TBR (to be read) list. It has 4.22 on Good Reads.

 

Powerless

At the time of writing, this book has spent 22 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers List. A society split in two, the Elites and the Ordinaries. When our main character is thrown into a brutal set of trials, she must fight to stay alive.

 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

If you could go back in time, would you change anything? A back alley coffee shop in Tokyo serves its customers more than just coffee. A story of how four strangers are presented with the ultimate 'what if?'

 

Haunting Adeline

Dark romance readers only. This one is definitely one of the most recommended books on booktok, but please read the content warnings before you dive in. That's all we'll say.