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Monday, 5 January 2026

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25 Hidden Gems You Likely Missed in 2025: BookTok & Bookstagram's Best-Kept Secrets

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25 Hidden Gems You Likely Missed in 2025

BookTok and Bookstagram exploded in 2025, but even among millions of videos, true gems slip through the cracks.

These 25 underrated reads earned passionate niche followings without hitting mainstream bestseller lists. Perfect for readers craving fresh voices and that "everyone needs to know about this" feeling.

Romantasy & Young Adult Secrets

1. Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor: A deliciously dark fairy tale retelling. BookTok loved its morally grey fey characters and twisty romance. Shop on Amazon

2. Needy Little Things by Chanel Dorcus: Queer love meets roller derby in this fast-paced novella. Bookstagram raved about the sharp social commentary. Shop on Amazon

3. Learning to Fall by Peach Morris: With only 143 Goodreads ratings, this fun, banter-heavy queer sports romance is a crime to miss. Shop on Amazon

Literary & Contemporary Standouts

6. You've Found Oliver by Dustin Thao: An emotional contemporary exploration of grief and second chances. Bookstagram's tearjerker of choice. Shop on Amazon

7. A Girl Within a Girl Within a Girl by Nanda Reddy: Mind-bending structure and explorations of identity. A hit with the "BookTok philosophers." Shop on Amazon

Horror & Thrillers

11. The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes: Atmospheric horror featuring a queer psychic vs. vengeful ghosts. Shop on Amazon

12. Into the Fire by G.D. Wright: Bookstagram propelled this thriller to an Amazon Top 10 with its intense suspense and dark secrets. Shop on Amazon

Nonfiction & Unique Voices

16. TreeNotes by Nalini Nadkarni: A forest ecologist's seasonal love letter to trees. Nature lovers on Bookstagram are obsessed with its quiet wisdom. Shop on Amazon

20. More Weight by Ben Wickey: A 10-year graphic novel project that results in an emotional masterpiece. Shop on Amazon

Disclosure: Amazon links are affiliates. Buying through them supports the blog at no extra cost to you!

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