A book can go viral in a week and still sit badly with the people who buy it. BookTok has pushed many titles onto bestseller lists, and it has made some reading habits feel like group events.
Hype also raises expectations, and expectations are hard to meet. The nine books below come up often when readers talk about disappointment, based on reader discussions on Goodreads and roundups from outlets like BuzzFeed. Taste is personal, so treat this as a list of common complaints and not a verdict.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
This dragon rider romantasy from 2023 became a fixture on BookTok almost overnight. Some readers say it didn’t hold up for them. BuzzFeed’s roundup of overrated books includes reader complaints that the first half felt poorly structured and underdeveloped.
The sequels draw similar reactions. On Goodreads, one reader said Iron Flame bored them enough to quit, even though Fourth Wing had made them excited for the series. Another reader thread described the series as getting progressively weaker after book one.
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Hoover’s 2016 novel found a huge second life on BookTok, and a 2024 film adaptation kept it in the spotlight. Even so, it keeps turning up in overrated lists. In one Goodreads thread, a reader put it in the overhyped column.
The criticism isn’t always about the story itself. Some readers feel the book’s popularity set up a more nuanced reading experience than the one they got, and others dislike how it was marketed as a swoony love story. If you go in expecting a heavy drama, you may fare better.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Published in 2021, this fake dating story set among graduate students was a TikTok staple. It’s light and quick, which is exactly why some readers found it thin. One Goodreads commenter listed it among popular romances they found underwhelming.
Its tropes are familiar, and that’s the point for many fans. Yet when a book is presented as a must read, familiarity can feel like a letdown. It works best as a cozy, low stakes pick, not a life changing one.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
The premise is hard to forget: two teenagers learn they will die within a day and spend it together. The book, published in 2017, earned plenty of tears on BookTok. Some readers, though, called it a serious disappointment given the hype.
The complaints tend to focus on pacing and the central relationship. One reader felt the romance was rushed. The ending still moves many people, so the question is whether the journey earns it for you.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
This 2019 romance between the son of the US president and a British prince has a devoted fanbase and was adapted into a film in 2023. It’s witty and warm, and plenty of readers adore it. Others in a Goodreads discussion found it boring and overrated, saying it took weeks to finish.
A common reason is length and political detail, which can slow the romance down. If you’re after a fast, tight love story, the pacing might test you. Readers who enjoy banter and a long, winding plot tend to have a better time.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Black’s 2018 young adult fantasy about a mortal girl in the faerie court is a long running BookTok favorite. Its reputation is strong, which makes the reactions of skeptics stand out. One Goodreads reader said they nearly quit the first book because of how much politics it contained.
The heroine and the hero start as enemies, and the slow build isn’t for everyone. Some readers say later books in the trilogy are better, while others never get that far. It’s a series where patience matters.
Lightlark by Alex Aster
Lightlark launched in 2022 with an enormous promotional push online, and the author had a large TikTok following. That visibility set a high bar. One Goodreads user called it possibly the most overrated book they had ever read.
Not everyone agrees, and some readers defend it as underrated. The split shows how much hype can shape the first impression. If you pick it up, it helps to ignore the marketing and judge the world building on its own.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Powerless is a young adult fantasy from 2023 that spread quickly through BookTok. Fans love its tension and enemies to lovers setup. Some readers, however, felt the series was too young adult for them, even while understanding why its audience loves it.
That’s a fair note on audience. The book is aimed at a certain age group and a certain taste for fast, emotional plotting. Adult readers expecting complex themes may find it simpler than the buzz suggested.
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
This dark romance became a TikTok sensation, often recommended with a nod to its spicy content. It’s also a book that comes with heavy content warnings, including stalking. One reader in a Goodreads thread named it as the worst overhyped book they had read.
Another reader took the opposite view and said the story underneath is better than people give it credit for. That gap tells you something. If you’re curious, check the content warnings first and decide whether the tone fits what you’re looking for.
