What happens when a tiny bookshelf grows into a thriving bookish community? 📚

In this episode of The BookTok B*tch*es, Lola and Gill are joined by Tamsin to get behind the scenes of ScribeFest and Scribe & Sign. ❤️

From Tamsin's leap from construction into the world of books, to creating warm, accessible spaces where authors and readers can genuinely connect. 💜

They talk indie authors, book festivals, travelling bookshops, social media pressure, the power of personal connection and why readers are craving more human experiences around the books they love. ❤️

Expect honest opinions, plenty of laughs and a whole lot of bookish passion - plus a reminder that you don't need a huge budget or a big platform to build something people want to be part of. 💙

If you love books, authors and the stories behind the people creating the community around them, this one's for you. 📚🎙️

Dark romance. Splatterpunk. Extreme horror. Thriller chaos and absolutely zero patience for boring book talk. 😍

In this episode, Lola, Gill and Joshua Reads dive into the books they can't stop talking about, from Saving Noah and Hashtag Missing to Ingest Me and Crawl Space. Also the wildly different reasons a book can earn five stars, six stars, or a hard "do not recommend casually." 📚

Joshua gets brutally honest about being recruited by Gina the Book Whore, his infamous 6-star vomit scale, his obsession with extreme horror and why Al-written reviews are a line he refuses to cross.

Gill brings the thriller-girl perspective, talking forensic crime, audiobooks and the book making her crave more story and less smut. Lola gets into her fascination with splatterpunk, literary gut-punches and the weirdest corners of masculinity and incel culture. 📚❤️

Expect strong opinions, questionable reading choices, emotional damage and the kind of unfiltered book chat that goes from five-star recommendations to absolute chaos in seconds.

If you want polished, predictable book reviews... probably keep scrolling.

If you want honest opinions, dark recommendations and three readers completely unafraid to say what they really think then press play. ❤️

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. ❤️

❤️ What does it really take to become an author when the odds are stacked against you?

What really happens behind the scenes of writing a book and why do some stories stay with us long after we've turned the final page? 📚

Gill, Lola and guest, Author Lauren Grace pull back the curtain on the messy, hilarious, and brutally honest reality of books, publishing and finding your voice. 💜

In this honest conversation, we dive into the realities of indie publishing, finding your authentic voice, handling rejection and why the stories that challenge us are often the ones we need most. 📚

Lauren shares her journey of writing through dyslexia and health challenges, Gill reveals why she refuses to follow the crowd, and Lola brings the energy and they all give their unapologetically honest opinions. 💚

From traditional vs indie publishing to bestselling authors, genre obsessions, reading slumps, rejection, resilience and the stories that change us, nothing is off limits. 📚

Whether you're a reader, writer, or simply love hearing the real stories behind the books you can't put down, this episode will leave you inspired, laughing and looking at authors in a whole new way. 📚

If you've ever doubted yourself, chased a dream that felt impossible, or wondered what really happens behind the scenes of becoming an author, this episode is for you. 🩵

🎙️Hit play and you'll never see the world of books the same way again.

Your vulnerability is your strength.

A conversation that proves even the most chaotic weeks can lead to the deepest connections. ❤️

When life throws you into the drama, how do you find your way back to what you love? Lola and Gill share how recent chaos on booktok led them to rediscover their passion for books, friendship, and community

and why stepping away might be the best thing for your mental health. 💚

In this emotional yet empowering episode, they unpack the importance of prioritising your peace, avoiding digital drama and staying true to your reading journey. Whether you're tired of endless online conflicts, struggling with a book slump, or just navigating the noise of social media, Lola and Gill remind you why your love for reading should always come first. 📚

This episode is perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by online drama or looking for fresh motivation to rekindle their love for books. If you're tired of the noise and craving genuine connections, this lively chat is your reminder that your mental space matters most. Get inspired, relax and get back to the stories that truly matter. 💜

Hosts Lola and Gill bring their genuine personalities, humour and heartfelt insights, making this episode a must-listen for book lovers everywhere. Whether you're a casual reader or a serious booktoker, you'll find reassurance in their words and inspiration to keep loving what you do.

Remember: it's your story, don't let anyone else write it for you. ❤️💚💜

Most Booktok communities are built on support, yet some recent drama has turned it into a toxic battlefield. Are you tired of the online chaos, manipulative tactics, and false accusations ruining your passion for books?

Then this episode is for you.

Join Lola and Gill as they peel back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes chaos that led to their epic book talk fallout. From toxic friendships, misleading criticism, and chaotic pre-orders, they share raw, unfiltered stories that expose the dark side of social media book communities. Discover how unchecked ego, manipulation, and the culture of drama threaten the joy we find in reading and what it takes to protect your mental health amid the chaos.

You'll learn:

• How to identify and avoid toxic online behaviors that poison book communities
• The critical difference between constructive criticism and personal attacks
• Why rushing a book to publication can ruin its chances and how to spot chaotic prerelease processes
• The importance of maintaining integrity, honesty, and respect, even in heated moments
• Practical tips for safeguarding your peace when social media becomes overwhelming

This episode is perfect for authors, beta readers, ARC reviewers, or any book lover tired of the drama and ready to reclaim the love of reading. Whether you've faced similar conflicts or just want to understand the darker side of online book communities, you'll leave empowered to set healthy boundaries and cherish your passion.

Lola and Gill, are fierce advocates for honesty and bring their real experiences and hard earned insights. Their journey through betrayal, manipulation, and online warfare offers lessons for anyone navigating social media in the book world.

The stakes are high: ignoring toxicity risks losing your love for books and your mental wellbeing. But with awareness and resilience, you can turn these challenges into an opportunity for growth and authentic connections.

Listen now to find out how to survive and thrive in the tumultuous world of booktok.

Because in this chaos, the real magic is preserving your passion and integrity. Don't miss this eye opening, no-holds-barred episode.

Welcome to the ultimate home for chaotic bookish banter and unfiltered reality checks! 📚✨ Lola, Gill, and newly added guest Julie are diving headfirst into the vibrant, wonderfully weird world of modern book lovers. From the trauma of landing in TikTok jail to the deeply controversial debate over cracking book spines, they aren't holding anything back.

Whether you are secretly flipping to the last page first, crying over heartbreaking character deaths, or aggressively defending your favorite fantasy series like A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass, this is your drama-free safe haven. Expect big laughs, raw honesty, and a side of pure literary chaos.

What we’re unpacking this week:

📱 BookTok Reality: The evolution of TikTok trends, navigating algorithms, and how to build a positive community while dodging the drama.

🤫 Guilty Pleasures & Rituals: From midnight release nostalgia and Stephen Fry's Harry Potter audiobooks to the wild world of fanfiction.

📖 The TBR Pile: Real talk on current reads, spanning hefty classics like The Count of Monte Cristo to dark contemporary thrillers.

Life is way too short for boring books or curated perfection. Embrace your quirks, support your fellow bookworms, and join the chaos! 🎧📚

Welcome to the podcast where Gill and Lola dive into the weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating world of reading. From calling out frustrating book endings and debating if audiobooks count as reading, to sharing the hilarious realities of Twilight marathons and unspoken Bookstagram rules—they cover it all. If you love sharp wit, honest book reviews, and a little bit of literary chaos, you’ve found your new favorite escape. Because life is way too short for boring books or dull podcasts! ❤️

👇 Tap the link below to hang out and stream our latest episode!