There’s something dangerous about spending too much time on Bookstagram. One minute you’re just liking pretty book stacks and cozy coffee shots, the next—you’ve added ten books to your cart because someone said, “This book destroyed me.” Been there, done that.
But do popular books on Bookstagram always deliver? Sometimes yes. Sometimes… not even close. Here’s my honest round-up of the books Bookstagram made me read—the hits, the misses, and the ones I can’t quite decide on.
Top 3 Bookstagram Hits:
- Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
- The Wicked King by Holly Black
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
✅HITS — Totally Worth the Hype
Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
This one wrecked me in the best way. Everyone said it was slow-burn and full of feelings—they were right. I devoured it and immediately wanted more. Chloe Walsh made me cry, swoon, and laugh all through the book. Easily one of my favorite emotional reads ever. Read my full review here.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
Going into this after a lukewarm reaction to The Cruel Prince, I was a little hesitant. But The Wicked King delivered everything I didn’t know I needed. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Jude and Cardan was layered, intense, and deliciously toxic. The power plays? The betrayal? The plot twists? Absolutely addictive.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
This book completely hooked me. The pacing was sharp, the tension nonstop, and I couldn’t stop turning pages. The world expanded in all the right ways, the stakes felt real, and the emotional moments hit harder this time around.
Yes, it still leans on familiar tropes (hello, Xaden = Rhysand energy), but I didn’t mind—I was all in. And that cliffhanger? Absolutely brutal. I’m still not over it. (Also, can we talk about how Onyx Storm left me hanging? Because… wow.)
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Heart-wrenching, powerful, and unforgettable. This story about two sisters surviving Nazi-occupied France had me sobbing. Vianne’s quiet strength and Isabelle’s fierce bravery were inspiring, and Kristin Hannah’s writing brought every page to life. Read on Goodreads.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
This book balances swoony romance with real emotional weight. Alexis and Daniel are adorable, but it’s the exploration of toxic family dynamics and emotional abuse that really elevated the story. It made me feel everything and left me smiling for a few days after reading it.
❌ MISSES — Looked Good on Instagram, But…
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
I really wanted to love this book. I gave it not one, but two tries—and finally pushed through to 80%. There was a moment when I thought it might turn around, when things started picking up… but that spark faded fast.
I kept putting it down and forgetting where I left off, which is usually my sign that a story isn’t connecting. By the time I realized I was reading out of guilt instead of enjoyment, it hit me: life’s too short for books that feel like a chore. This one just wasn’t for me.
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
I tried to read this book three times. Three. The pacing was painfully slow, and the plot dragged to the point where it felt like a chore. Yes, the ending had emotion and a plot-twist, but it wasn’t enough to redeem the long, difficult journey it took to get there. Not for me.
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
This book didn’t land for me, despite the hype. The chemistry between the characters felt forced, and while I liked the dark mythology aesthetic, for me the plot really lacked depth.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I had high expectations going in, and maybe that was the problem. Evelyn’s character and her choices often irritated me, and while the mystery surrounding her interview was intriguing, I predicted the twist. It’s not a bad book—it just didn’t live up to the hype for me.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
I kept waiting for the suspense to grab me, but it never did. The pacing dragged, and the twist—which everyone raves about—felt more underwhelming than jaw-dropping. It had all the ingredients of a great thriller, but the execution just didn’t work for me.
🤷♀️ MIXED FEELINGS — It’s Complicated
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
While Iron Flame was amazing, and Onyx Storm… well, the ending redeemed the whole book for me—Fourth Wing was, how should I put it? Average.
Here’s the thing: I DNF’d this book the first time I picked it up. But on my second try, it pulled me in more than I expected. Violet’s journey, the dragon bonds, and the plot twists kept me entertained—even though the book is full of familiar tropes. Xaden felt like Rhysand 2.0, and the hype definitely oversold it, but I still had a blast reading it. It’s a flawed fave.
Flawless by Elsie Silver
My cowboy romance debut! It gave me all the cozy small-town vibes I hoped for, but the plot didn’t really pick up until the final 20% of the book. And, sorry, but I didn’t fully buy the chemistry between Rhett and Summer. That said, I get why people love this series, and I’ll definitely keep reading.
Mile High by Liz Tomforde
There were parts I genuinely liked—Zanders was sweet, the banter was fun, and Stevie felt real. But 600+ pages? It didn’t need it. The middle dragged, and the repeated focus on body image started to feel forced. Still, the found-family vibes were charming. And just like with the Chestnut Springs series, I’m definitely continuing the Windy City series—I’ve heard it really picks up later.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
The writing? Gorgeous. The concept? Hauntingly original. But the execution felt slow, and the emotional payoff wasn’t as strong as I wanted. I loved the themes and the ending, but the journey there felt more aesthetic than impactful.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
At first, I thought this book was sweet and nostalgic—a tender friends-to-lovers story filled with second chances. But after talking it through with fellow bookstagramer, my feelings shifted. The turning point in Elliot and Macy’s story, and especially how it was handled, started to bother me. It felt like something serious was brushed aside too quickly, without the emotional depth or consequences it deserved.
I also struggled with the timing of their reunion—it happened so early that I hadn’t connected with their past yet. Instead of feeling that emotional punch, I felt… nothing. And for a story built on heartbreak and healing, that was a miss for me.
Still, I think it’s a great book to discuss. It raises important questions about forgiveness, love, and timing—and even if it didn’t fully work for me, I’m glad I read it.
Final Thoughts
Popular books on Bookstagram can be magical, disappointing, or somewhere in between. I’ve found favorites I now recommend to everyone, and I’ve also questioned if I read the same book as everyone else. But even the misses gave me something: a lesson, a twist, or a great conversation with another reader.
What’s a book you read because of Bookstagram? Did it live up to the hype?
Let’s chat in the comments or on Instagram!
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