25 Hidden Gems You Likely Missed in 2025: BookTok & Bookstagram's Best-Kept Secrets
BookTok and Bookstagram exploded in 2025, but even among millions of videos and reels, true gems slip through. These 25 underrated reads earned passionate niche followings without hitting mainstream bestseller lists. Perfect for readers craving fresh voices, unique stories, and that "everyone needs to know about this" feeling.
1-5: Romantasy Hidden Gems
1. Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor
YA romantasy author Jordyn Taylor (The Fall of Rome duology) delivers a deliciously dark fairy tale retelling. BookTok loved its morally grey fey characters and twisty romance. Perfect for fans of Holly Black.
2. Needy Little Things by Chanel Dorcus
Debut sensation Chanel Dorcus blends spicy romance with sharp social commentary. Roller derby meets queer love in this fast-paced novella. Bookstagram raved about the audiobook narration.
3. Learning to Fall by Peach Morris
Peach Morris' queer roller derby romance captured hearts on TikTok with its fun banter and authentic sports rep. Only 143 Goodreads ratings? Criminal.
4. Meet Me at Blue Hour by Sarah Suk
K-pop idol enemies-to-lovers from Sarah Suk (I Hope This Doesn't Find You). BookTok's summer obsession for its swoony vibes and music industry drama.
5. The Rebel Girls of Rome by Jordyn Taylor
Jordyn Taylor's historical fantasy sequel exploded quietly on Instagram. Gladiator girls vs. empire—fierce friendships and forbidden magic.
6-10: Literary & Contemporary Standouts
6. You've Found Oliver by Dustin Thao
Love, Theoretically author Dustin Thao's emotional contemporary about grief and second chances. Bookstagram's tearjerker of choice.
7. A Girl Within a Girl Within a Girl by Nanda Reddy
Nanda Reddy's genre-bending exploration of identity and memory. BookTok philosophers loved its mind-bending structure (168 ratings!).
8. All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson
Newbery Honor author Renée Watson's poetic coming-of-age story. Quiet Bookstagram favorite for its lyrical prose and Black girl joy.
9. The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Pulitzer winner (In the Heights) writes a gripping novella-in-letters about a teen mom's disappearance. Massive emotional impact, minimal hype.
10. Guatemalan Rhapsody by Jared Lemus
Debut short story collection where every story shines. BookTok literary fiction fans called it perfect (under 500 ratings!).
11-15: Horror & Thrillers That Creeped UP
11. The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes
Queer psychic + glamorous publicist vs. vengeful ghosts. Bookstagram's atmospheric horror pick with unique lore.
12. Into the Fire by G.D. Wright
Bookstagram propelled this thriller to Amazon Top 10. Dark secrets, intense suspense—everyone's talking about it now.
13. Be Mine by Lizzy Barber
Cult-like wellness group gone wrong. Lizzy Barber's twisty psych thriller had BookTok gasping.
14. Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
Hostage thriller that's also a heartbreaking love story. "Different, striking, beautiful" per Bookstagram.
15. Eye of the Monkey by Krisztina Tóth (trans. Ottilie Mulzet)
NYT under-the-radar pick. Disorienting, brilliant translated fiction haunting BookTok's literary crowd.
16-20: Nonfiction & Unique Voices
16. TreeNotes by Nalini Nadkarni
Forest ecologist's seasonal love letter to trees. Bookstagram nature lovers obsessed with its quiet wisdom.
17. Madame Queen by Mary Kay McBrayer
Harlem racketeer Stephanie St. Clair's wild true crime biography. BookTok history buffs went wild.
18. Becoming Ghost by Cathy Linh Che
National Book Award finalist poetry. Vietnam refugee family's story—stunning but overlooked.
19. The Passenger Seat by Vijay Khurana
Tense wilderness road trip thriller. NYT staff favorite that Bookstagram wilderness lovers devoured.
20. More Weight by Ben Wickey
10-year graphic novel project. Massive, emotional—NYT called it their under-the-radar masterpiece.
21-25: Final Five Must-Reads
21. Isola by Allegra Goodman
LitHub favorite. Atmospheric family drama with Italian island mystery vibes.
22. Perfect Victims by Mohammed el-Kurd
Raw memoir blending personal story with political fire. Bookstagram activists couldn't stop sharing.
23. The Queen of Swords by Elena Garro
Rediscovered Mexican classic. Tarot-inspired literary fiction—BookTok rediscovery hit.
24. The Life of Chuck by Stephen King
King's non-horror gem from If It Bleeds. BookTok called it his best recent work.
25. Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
Northern Ireland's tense, beautiful literary debut. Bookstagram's quiet obsession.
Why These Books Matter
BookTok/Bookstagram thrives on hype, but real magic lives in these under-the-radar stories. Diverse voices, fresh formats, unexpected twists. Add 3-5 to your 2026 TBR—you won't regret it.
💎 Which hidden gem are you grabbing first?
Drop your pick in comments + tag a friend who needs this list!**
Which BookTok trend do you want next? More romantasy? Thrillers? Let me know!
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