14 Books That Made BookTokers Forget They Were Reading

If you need to get back into that reading spark, these books are the ones to reach for.

BookTok has made quite a presence on TikTok, with new recommendations popping up left and right. But there are certain titles that top the BookTok recommended lists for being books that people were so invested in, that they forgot they were even reading in the first place. From fantasy to romance, these books will quite literally pull you into a different world, each with its unique flare and charm.

1. Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

Gallery Books

If you love the second chance romance or best friends to lovers tropes, this book is the perfect one for you. Macy Sorensen and Elliot Petropoulos were childhood best friends, though their relationship turned into something deeper throughout their teenage years. However, decades later, they're practically strangers. When Macy runs into Elliot by chance, they begin to re-examine their relationship and uncover the truth of what happened that one night. 

I agree with the BookTokers when they seriously could not put down this book after reading the first page. The "present-past" narration of the storyline definitely adds to the depth of the characters. Heartbreak, laughs, tears — this books is an all-in-one package.

2. The Inheritance of Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Little, Brown

From romance to mystery to fantasy, The Inheritance of Games has it all. Out of nowhere, billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves his entire fortune to Avery Grambs. But Avery has no clue who Tobias is, much less knows why she has his fortune. In order to receive this money, she has to move into the Hawthorne House, where the four Hawthorne grandsons live. With the grandsons having the expectation that they would be receiving the fortune, Avery has to navigate this puzzling and dangerous reality.

The premise is already so alluring, but the thing that TikTokers say pulled them in even more? The characters. From the intelligent, witty, and unpredictable brothers to Avery, the characters will definitely draw you into their world. 

3. Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

Square Fish

Jase is no stranger to power — in fact, he's the son of the Ballenger empire patriarch and next in line to rule this settlement. But a new queen brings about a fresh era with rules the Ballenger empire aren't exactly fond of. When the queen sends Kazi, a renowned street thief, to look into the settlements' crimes, Kazi is met with an empire that's different from what they seem. She begins to develop a relationship with Jase, which brings about a series of unexpected turns, twists, and secrets. 

If you loved the Remnant Chronicles, you're in for a ride with Dance of Thieves. It's set in the same universe with refreshing characters, plots, and quotes that you'll definitely end up bookmarking.

4. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Square Fish

Kaz Brekker is a legendary criminal, but nothing compares to this particular heist that could change the course of his entire life. But he can't do it alone. So, he recruits a team of diverse talents, from a spy to a sharpshooter to a thief. Together, they'll work together to pull this off — if their teamwork allows.

Despite this book being released in 2015, it's recently gotten a surge of popularity through BookTok. The plot is already creative and imaginative in its fantastical glory. Mix that in with the banter, writing style, and romantic storylines? BookTokers say this book will lead you on a roller coaster of emotions, and it may even end up on your list of top fantasy series of all time.

5. From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata

Mariana Zapata

From Lukov With Love is a romance story meets the harsh reality of ice skating. Jasmine Santos isn't exactly the ice skating prodigy and after 17 jarring years, she's ready to fold her dreams on the sport altogether. That is until an unexpected offer from Ivan Lukov comes into her hands. Ivan is an ice skating king in the sport world, having won countless championships and medals that the world can count. But he's also an arrogant jerk who's been nothing but mean to Jasmine. If Jasmine wants a chance at achieving her dream, she'll have to see Ivan in a new light, and that just might change the course of their entire relationship. 

For all my slow-burn romance lovers, this book is the one for you. It gives powerful female heroine vibes, friendly banter, and a sprinkle of that lovely contemporary spirit.

6. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

Tor Books

Addie LaRue is cursed: She's immortal, and everyone she meets is bound to forget her. She lives as Addie LaRue for centuries, living out glamorous adventures and cherishing memories that only she remembers. But, on one fateful day 300 years later, she meets a young man who happens to remember her name. 

This book is the epitome of a glorious heart wrench. V.E. Schwab's writing style will tug your heart in all the right directions at all the perfect times. It's a rather leisurely read, so grab your favorite tea and get ready to truly dive into Addie's life.

7. The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

Ballantine Books

Nuri and his wife Afra live a simple, desirable life. Nuri is a beekeeper, while Afra works as an artist in Aleppo, Syria. But when war strikes their hometown, they are forced to leave and undertake the harsh journey through Turkey and Greece toward Britain. With the war making Afra blind, Nuri and Afra must rely on each other and their hopes of a rather uncertain future to travel through this broken world.

Nuri and Afra's journey will definitely have you shedding a few (or a lot) of tears. BookTokers say this book is more than just a story about a couple's refugee journey. Rather, it's the story of love and just how far it will take them in survival.

8. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Hanover Square Press

If you had the chance to travel back in time, what would you do? What would you change, or not change? Before the Coffee Gets Cold explores these questions through the lens of four visitors, each who yearn to revisit their past. From young love to family hardships to the secret of happiness, each story will tug your heart strings in one way or another.

Despite Before the Coffee Gets Cold being Toshikazu Kawaguchi's debut novel, it certainly doesn't deter from the fact that it's a complete page-turner from the start to the end. Weaving in fiction and fantasy and Japanese culture, Kawaguchi puts a unique twist on the concept of time travel.

9. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Ballantine Books

In Malibu, 1983, Nina Riva's annual end-of-summer party is just beginning. Except the Riva family is holding a lot more in their hearts than it might seem. Nina has just been abandoned by her husband, Hud has a deep secret he's keeping from his brother, Jay is desperately waiting for a certain girl, and Kit harbors a couple of secrets of her own. By midnight, everything will change and in their own ways, and the Riva family members will change forever.

Now, this wouldn't be a true BookTok-inspired list if Taylor Jenkins Reid wasn't included. I know The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was booming on BookTok, but I have to say that Malibu Rising really blew my expectations out of the water. Like many TikTokers, I expected a simple beach read about a family, but the Taylor Jenkins Reid's writing style and depth of characters really shaped this book to one of the top 10 historical fiction books on my list.

10. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Avon Books

It's no secret that Piper Bellinger has a wild child side to her. But as a celebrity and influential figure, her reputation takes a hit. When Piper ends up behind bars after a bit too much to drink, her stepfather sends her off to a small town in Washington to run her late father's dive bar. There, she ends up meeting Brendan, a gruff sea captain who's nothing but critical toward her Beverly Hills status. Will this man truly capture her heart? And what does that mean for her future? It Happened One Summer has all the answers.

Tessa Bailey has a way of writing what could be cliché situations into captivating situations where you're constantly itching to flip the pages. Piper is lovable, sweet, and a bit air-headed, but the dynamics of Brendan's energy totally make this book a must-read.

11. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Berkley Books

Poppy and Alex are best friends — or, they were best friends. Up until two years ago, they would take a week-long vacation together every summer, despite living miles away from each other in their normal lives. But one night changed everything. After years of not seeing each other, Poppy begins to realize just how much his friendship meant to her. So, she decides to muster the courage to ask him to go on vacation with her. They have one week to iron out their past — if they can even be truthful with each other.

Rom-com lovers, get ready to swoon over this book. It's quite a slow-burn type of romance, but coupled with the friends-to-lovers aspect, this book will have you turning its pages like no other.

12. The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe

Putnam

Nora O'Malley has grown up as her con artist mother's protege. But what happens when the daughter of a con artist gets taken hostage in a bank heist? And to add onto that, Nora's ex-boyfriend walked in on her with her girlfriend a day before this whole heist situation. What will happen to their relationship? Let The Girls I've Been answer this question.

YA thriller fans, The Girls I've Been is the perfect read for you. The pacing of the book is fairly quick, with humorous and thrilling bits sprinkled in throughout the chapters. 

13. The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Berkley Books

Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen were one of the best literary co-writers in the market, with their co-written titles topping almost every bestselling list. But their partnership goes sour after an unspoken predicament. Three years later, they're forced to work together once more to complete the final book in their contract. Together, they have to work together to finish this manuscript and, hopefully, mend their relationship along the way.

The Roughest Draft is fun, beachy, non-dramatic, and the perfect read to say goodbye to summer. Fun fact, co-authors Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka are actually married in real life. A co-written book about co-authors? I'm in.

14. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Atria Books

Lily is the definition of a girl boss. She grew up in a dysfunctional home, but that hasn't stopped her from pursuing her dreams of starting her own business. So when she crosses paths with Ryle Kincaid, it seems like fate is just starting to work in her favor. But as their relationship progresses, she's starting to see remnants of her past, including Atlas Corrigan, her first love. And when she opens her eyes to reality, her relationships and identity might be changed forever.

BookTokers say this book seriously shattered their hearts and put it all together, and I couldn't agree with this statement more. With her classic "CoHo" writing style, Colleen Hoover does a beautiful job crafting Lily's story around what it means to find love by exploring her past, present, and future.