BookTokis a great place to find something to read, and the books that go viral on the platform conjure an incredible amount of excitement. It goes without saying, then,that the sequels and spinoffs of beloved BookTok releases are even more highly anticipated. Sadly, they don’t always live up to the hype. This is often because the first installment sets the bar too high, making it difficult for even the most well-crafted story to reach the same heights.
Of course, sometimes a follow-up slows down or takes an unpopular turn, causing viewers to respond with less enthusiasm than before. Whatever the reason,some book sequels and spinoffs just don’t live up to their predecessors— and on BookTok, that’s noticeable from the amount of hype a new release receives. Those in the middle of a series get the chance to bounce back, but others aren’t so fortunate.
10 Spicy Romance Books That BookTok Recommends
TikTok is the perfect place to find book recommendations across genres, but this side of TikTok is especially good at finding spicy reads.
8Ruthless Vows By Rebecca Ross
Previous Book(s): Divine Rivals
Divine Rivals’BookTok popularity rivaled that ofFourth Wing,butthe buzz surrounding the romantasy series died down with Rebecca Ross' sequel.Ruthless Vowsconcluded the author’sLetters of Enchantmentduology, and while it was impressive enough to land a 4.05Goodreadsrating, it didn’t replicate the viral success — or 4.19 Goodreads score — of its predecessor.Divine Rivalswas one of the most talked-about new releases on TikTok in 2023, but its sequel had a much quieter debut, despite hitting shelves just eight months later.
This could be becauseRuthless Vowsleft nothing more to look forward to for Kit and Iris, leaving no theories or hopes to discuss ahead of another book. However, there may be other factors that contributed toRuthless Vows’making less noise thanDivine Rivals.For one, the first book depicts the beginning of Kit and Iris' relationship, which means more will-they, won’t-they tension for readers to enjoy.Ruthless Vowsalso could have fleshed out the intriguing world ofDivine Rivalsfurther, but it glosses over a lot to reach its ending.
2023
7Bookshops & Bonedust By Travis Baldree
Previous Book(s): Legends & Lattes
Travis Baldree’sLegends & Lattesis one of the most well-knowncozy fantasy booksout there, and its positive reputation is deserved. Living up toLegend & Lattes’legacy was never going to be an easy task, soperhaps it’s no surprise thatBookshops & Bonedustfalls a bit short of its predecessor. You wouldn’t know it from the prequel’s 4.20Goodreadsrating, which is actually higher thanLegends & Lattes'. However, whileLegends & Lattesgot rave reviews across the board,Bookshops & Bonedustwas received more critically online.
This is likely a matter of preference, but there’s one obvious reasonBookshops & Bonedustreceived more criticism upon its November 2023 release. Although the prequel follows a cozy fantasy novel, it contains numerous elements that don’t fit the “cozy” descriptor. Those going into it expecting more ofLegends & Lattesmay have been surprised to find battle sequences in addition to warm, comforting vibes. This might appeal to some readers, but for those looking for cozy novels, it proved disappointing.
2022
6Reckless By Lauren Roberts
Previous Book(s): Powerless
Powerlessby Lauren Roberts is one of BookTok’s most popular romantasy novels, which makes sense given the author’s origins on the platform. Due to the success ofPowerless,Reckesswas one of the most-anticipatedfantasy books coming out in July 2024. Despite the hype surroundingReckless’release,it didn’t quite matchPowerless’success. Perhaps this isn’t surprising, as trilogies often lull in the middle, and the excitement of Roberts' world isn’t as fresh in the second installment.
While the romance is better than ever in Roberts' sequel, it doesn’t deliver on many of the developments teased inPowerless.
However, the other reasonRecklessboasts a 4.12Goodreadsrating compared toPowerless'4.24 score is that it doesn’t do much to move the plot forward. While the romance is better than ever in Roberts' sequel, it doesn’t deliver on many of the developments teased inPowerless.Its bombshell ending doesn’t make up for the fact that it barely addresses the rebellion or conflict between the Ordinaries and the Elites. With any luck,Roberts' trilogy will bounce back and cover these plot points inFearless.
2024
2025
5Leather & Lark By Brynne Weaver
Previous Book(s): Butcher & Blackbird
Butcher & Blackbirdwas a massive hit on BookTok after its 2023 debut, butLeather & Larkreceived less attention in 2024. Although the book boasted a similar averageGoodreadsrating — 4.03 compared toButcher & Blackbird’s4.09 — it just didn’t see the same viral excitement as the 2023 release. This might be because it follows two different leads than the first installment inThe Ruinous Love Trilogy, jumping from Rowan and Sloane to Lachlan and Lark. Main characters can make or break a story, and it’s hard to deny that Rowan and Sloane are more entertaining.
AlthoughLeather & Larkstrives to replicate the compelling central romance and witty banter ofButcher & Blackbird,it comes up a little short. It’s still worth a read, but those expecting to fall for Lachlan and Lark might find themselves less invested in their romance than that of Rowan and Sloane.The main story is also slower than the one inButcher & Blackbird,and that doesn’t help. Fortunately, there’s still one more novel inThe Ruinous Love Trilogy. Scythe & Sparrowcould return the series to the first book’s glory
15 Most Popular Books On BookTok
BookTok has become the go-to place to find book reviews and recommendations, but what are some of the most popular novels on the platform?
4It Starts With Us By Colleen Hoover
Previous Book(s): It Ends With Us
Colleen Hoover’s booksare everywhere on BookTok, andIt Ends With Usis undoubtedly the most well-known. This is especially true after its 2024movie adaptation starring Blake Lively. And althoughThis Ends With Usis a controversial novel, it’s successful for a reason. Despite the criticisms of its marketing, the book resonates with people — certainly more than the next book in the series:It Starts With Us.It Starts With Ushit shelves six years afterIt Ends With Us,and while all of Hoover’s books generate excitement, this one didn’t accumulate the positive reviews to go with it.
Despite the criticisms of its marketing, the book resonates with people — certainly more than the next book in the series:It Starts With Us.
Even diehard Hoover fans found themselves disappointed with this follow-up toIt Ends With Us,and that explains the second book’s 3.87Goodreadsrating — a surprising jump down fromIt Ends With Us'4.15 one.Among the biggest criticisms ofIt Starts With Usis that it doesn’t dig into the overarching themesor characters deeply enough. Whatever your feelings onIt Ends With Us,it doesn’t have those problems. That’s why it’s such a viral phenomenon. And apparently, it’s one that’s incredibly difficult to follow.
2016
3The Housemaid Is Watching By Freida McFadden
Previous Book(s): The Housemaid, The Housemaid’s Secret
Freida McFadden’sThe Housemaidtook the internet by storm in 2022, and the book is still getting plenty of attention on BookTok. Its first sequel,The Housemaid’s Secret,more or less lived up to the twists and turns of its predecessor. However,the same can’t be said of McFadden’s third installment, despite it being one of themost-anticipated thriller books of June 2024.The Housemaid Is Watchingmarked a low for the beloved thriller series, which passed the 4.20 mark onGoodreadswith its first two books but jumped down to 3.90 with this one.
The Housemaid Is Watchingmight be proof that there are only so many times you can repeat a similar concept before it gets stale. However, the book might have done better if it hadn’t had such a slow start. The early chapters of the book fail to capture the suspense that makes the earlierHousemaidnovels great. While Millie’s new circumstances are interesting,they could have been better utilized in this 2024 release.
2The Atlas Complex By Olivie Blake
Previous Book(s): The Atlas Six, The Atlas Paradox
The Atlas Sixreceived a lot of praise on BookTok in 2020, and it’s one of the better dark academia novels to make the rounds on the platform. Olivie Blake’s world and characters are fascinating, and this made readers excited to see what the author had in store for them. Unfortunately, whileThe Atlas Paradoxworks as a sequel, the series falls off during its last book.The Atlas Complexis a disappointing conclusion to the hit BookTok series, and its 2.90 averageGoodreadsrating reflects that.
It’s possible the first two installments set the bar too high forThe Atlas Complex,but the third book fails to deliver a satisfying ending to this story.
It’s possible the first two installments set the bar too high forThe Atlas Complex,but the third book fails to deliver a satisfying ending to this story. The structure and plot don’t feel as strong as they do in the previous books, as this one focuses way more on the characters — potentially to its own detriment. And even with an increased focus on the characters' thoughts and feelings,The Atlas Complexdoesn’t utilize their relationships to the best of its ability. It also leaves too many questions unanswered at the end.
2020
1House Of Flame And Shadow By Sarah J. Maas
Previous Book(s): House Of Earth And Blood, House Of Breath And Sky
All ofSarah J. Maas' fantasy bookshave great reputations on BookTok, butCrescent Cityhad the pleasure of coming out after the platform blew up. And while all threeCrescent Citybooks generated excitement before and after their releases, the most recent one was the weakest of the bunch.House of Flame and Shadowcame out in January 2024, and it concluded Bryce Quinlan’s story. As a finale, some readers found it underwhelming — and to be fair, everything from itsACOTARcrossover to the final battle sequence could be more exciting.
Sadly, Bryce’s story was the strongest at the beginning, asHouse of Earth and Bloodremains the strongestCrescent Citybook. Neither of its sequels fully live up to its potential, thoughHouse of Breath and Skycould at least be excused for being the middle book. Bryce as a character is more compelling early in the trilogy, and the story and world feel fresh and exciting inHouse of Earth and Blood.The other two installments are far from bad books, but Maas has definitely done better. That’s part of the reasonACOTARis so much bigger onBookTok.
House of Earth and Blood
House of Breath and Sky
House of Flame and Shadow
