BookTok drama, dark romance chaos and an honest conversation about how the boundaries between author and readers are blurred through the accessibility of Booktok. This episode is for readers who want the unfiltered truth behind the reviews. 📚

Gill and Lola are back with their usual chaos, but this time the conversation cuts deeper. What happens when authors start guilt tripping readers for anything less than five stars? 🤪

Gill and Lola dig into the toxic side of BookTok culture, including the pressure creators feel to praise books publicly, the risk of overhyping a book before you finish it and why constructive criticism should never be treated like betrayal. They also talk about the reality of reviewing as a reader, how to protect your peace online and why access between authors and readers can get messy fast. 🫤

You'll also get a full reading update from both hosts, including Gill’s latest thrillers and crime reads, Lola's current dark romance fixation and the books that have them both hooked, bored or completely horrified. From mafia spice and miscommunication tropes to a book so graphic Lola had to describe it as toe fungus and bodily fluids, nothing is off limits. 😮

We break down the tension between indie authors, ARC reviews, five-star expectations, and the unspoken rules of reviewing online. If you've ever wondered why some books explode on BookTok while others quietly disappear, or why a single message from an author can change the way you see an entire series, this conversation gets into it. 🙂

They also look ahead to ScribeFest, their upcoming live-ish podcast recording, special guest Joshua Reads, and the growing list of authors, readers, and BookTok friends joining the chaos. Add in a Verity movie update, a Dracula audiobook tease and a few unhinged side quests about bookcases, cursing children and dark romance on motorcycles and you've got an episode that is equal parts hilarious, candid and dangerously relatable. 📚

Perfect for readers who love spicy takes, honest reviews and the kind of BookTok banter that feels like gossip with your smartest, funniest book friends. ❤️