For years, educators and parents have worried that young people were reading less. Then came BookTok.
The book-loving community on TikTok has become one of publishing's most powerful forces, transforming forgotten novels into bestsellers overnight and introducing millions of young readers to books they might never have discovered otherwise.
In an age dominated by endless scrolling and shrinking attention spans, any platform that encourages reading seems, at first glance, like an undeniable success.
But alongside its celebration of literature, BookTok has also raised an uncomfortable question: what happens when the books going viral romanticize violence, manipulation and abuse?
One of the platform's fastest-growing genres is dark romance.
Unlike conventional romance novels, dark romance explores relationships built around moral ambiguity, power imbalances and taboo themes.
Control, obsession, stalking and violence are often presented as central elements of intimacy rather than warning signs.
For many readers, these stories are understood as fantasy, deliberately exaggerated and detached from real life.
Yet critics argue that the genre sometimes crosses a troubling line by portraying abusive behaviour as desirable rather than disturbing.
Among the most widely discussed titles is Haunting Adeline, the first novel in HD Carlton's Cat and Mouse series.
Hugely popular on BookTok, the novel contains graphic depictions of stalking, coercion, sexual violence, torture and murder.
One of its most controversial scenes depicts the protagonist being raped at gunpoint by her stalker, with the narrative suggesting that fear and violence become intertwined with sexual attraction.
Critics argue that such portrayals risk blurring the distinction between consent and coercion, particularly for younger readers still developing their understanding of healthy relationships.
The popularity of these novels has made them highly visible in bookstores, libraries and online retailers.
After encountering enthusiastic recommendations on TikTok, many teenagers -- and even younger readers -- seek them out without fully understanding the nature of their content.
Mental health professionals have expressed concern.
Clinical psychologist Johanna Rozenblum has warned that teenagers should not come to view these fictional relationships as acceptable or romantic.
Adolescence is a formative period during which ideas about love, intimacy and personal boundaries are still taking shape.
Stories that repeatedly frame manipulation, obsession or abuse as signs of passion may influence how some young readers interpret relationships in real life.
The concern is not that fiction directly causes harmful behaviour.
Rather, repeated exposure to narratives that glamorize coercion or emotional control may gradually normalize unhealthy relationship dynamics or make them appear less alarming.
Yet BookTok itself is not the problem.
The platform has also helped revive interest in reading, introducing countless readers to literary classics, contemporary fiction, memoirs and thoughtfully written young adult novels.
Many books promoted through BookTok feature complex characters, imaginative storytelling and meaningful themes that encourage empathy, critical thinking and a lifelong love of literature.
The issue, therefore, is not whether young people are reading, but what they are reading -- and whether they are prepared for the themes those books contain.
Parents, educators and readers all have a role to play. Before purchasing a book simply because it is trending online, readers can consult reviews on platforms such as Goodreads or check independent content warnings.
Parents should take an interest in the books their children are reading rather than assuming that every popular title is age-appropriate.
Understanding common publishing labels can also help.
"YA" refers to Young Adult fiction, while "NA," or New Adult, is generally intended for older readers and often contains more mature themes.
Even adults are not immune to the emotional impact of graphic content.
Violent or psychologically disturbing fiction can be unsettling regardless of age, making content awareness important for all readers.
BookTok has undoubtedly transformed reading culture for a new generation. It has proven that social media can inspire young people to pick up books in an era dominated by digital distractions.
But virality should never become a substitute for discernment.
The next time a novel dominates your feed, it may be worth asking not only whether everyone is reading it -- but also why.
