The BookTok B*tch*es

Gill Huller & Lola Donnelly
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Gill & Lola discuss all things books and Booktok, from what we're reading to our opinions on indie authors and audio books. We may have some controversial views but our opinions are from our hearts and we won't sugar coat it! Join us regularly for a discussion where we voice our thoughts and occasionally push the boundaries! Our views are our own and we do not care if you disagree!!!

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    The Hidden Struggles of Authors Under the Big Five Publishers. Realities No One Tells You and So Much More!

    ❤️ What does it really take to become an author when the odds are stacked against you?  What really happens behind the scenes of writing a book and why do some stories stay with us long after we've turned the final page? 📚 Gill, Lola and guest, Author Lauren Grace pull back the curtain on the messy, hilarious, and brutally honest reality of books, publishing and finding your voice. 💜 In this honest conversation, we dive into the realities of indie publishing, finding your authentic voice, handling rejection and why the stories that challenge us are often the ones we need most. 📚 Lauren shares her journey of writing through dyslexia and health challenges, Gill reveals why she refuses to follow the crowd, and Lola brings the energy and they all give their unapologetically honest opinions. 💚 From traditional vs indie publishing to bestselling authors, genre obsessions, reading slumps, rejection, resilience and the stories that change us, nothing is off limits. 📚 Whether you're a reader, writer, or simply love hearing the real stories behind the books you can't put down, this episode will leave you inspired, laughing and looking at authors in a whole new way. 📚 If you've ever doubted yourself, chased a dream that felt impossible, or wondered what really happens behind the scenes of becoming an author, this episode is for you. 🩵 🎙️Hit play and you'll never see the world of books the same way again.

  2. Jul 28

    How Miscommunication Fuelled BookTok Drama and Why We're Moving Back to Books

    Your vulnerability is your strength.  A conversation that proves even the most chaotic weeks can lead to the deepest connections. ❤️ When life throws you into the drama, how do you find your way back to what you love? Lola and Gill share how recent chaos on booktok led them to rediscover their passion for books, friendship, and community and why stepping away might be the best thing for your mental health. 💚 In this emotional yet empowering episode, they unpack the importance of prioritising your peace, avoiding digital drama and staying true to your reading journey. Whether you're tired of endless online conflicts, struggling with a book slump, or just navigating the noise of social media, Lola and Gill remind you why your love for reading should always come first. 📚 This episode is perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by online drama or looking for fresh motivation to rekindle their love for books. If you're tired of the noise and craving genuine connections, this lively chat is your reminder that your mental space matters most. Get inspired, relax and get back to the stories that truly matter. 💜 Hosts Lola and Gill bring their genuine personalities, humour and heartfelt insights, making this episode a must-listen for book lovers everywhere. Whether you're a casual reader or a serious booktoker, you'll find reassurance in their words and inspiration to keep loving what you do. Remember: it's your story, don't let anyone else write it for you. ❤️💚💜

  3. Jul 21

    Back from a week off and the shit hit the fan!!!

    Most Booktok communities are built on support, yet some recent drama has turned it into a toxic battlefield. Are you tired of the online chaos, manipulative tactics, and false accusations ruining your passion for books? Then this episode is for you. Join Lola and Gill as they peel back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes chaos that led to their epic book talk fallout. From toxic friendships, misleading criticism, and chaotic pre-orders, they share raw, unfiltered stories that expose the dark side of social media book communities. Discover how unchecked ego, manipulation, and the culture of drama threaten the joy we find in reading and what it takes to protect your mental health amid the chaos. You'll learn: How to identify and avoid toxic online behaviors that poison book communitiesThe critical difference between constructive criticism and personal attacksWhy rushing a book to publication can ruin its chances and how to spot chaotic prerelease processesThe importance of maintaining integrity, honesty, and respect, even in heated momentsPractical tips for safeguarding your peace when social media becomes overwhelming        This episode is perfect for authors, beta readers, ARC reviewers, or any book lover tired of the drama and ready to reclaim the love of reading. Whether you've faced similar conflicts or just want to understand the darker side of online book communities, you'll leave empowered to set healthy boundaries and cherish your passion. Lola and Gill, are fierce advocates for honesty and bring their real experiences and hard earned insights. Their journey through betrayal, manipulation, and online warfare offers lessons for anyone navigating social media in the book world.  The stakes are high: ignoring toxicity risks losing your love for books and your mental wellbeing. But with awareness and resilience, you can turn these challenges into an opportunity for growth and authentic connections. Listen now to find out how to survive and thrive in the tumultuous world of booktok. Because in this chaos, the real magic is preserving your passion and integrity. Don't miss this eye opening, no-holds-barred episode.

  4. Jul 6

    📖 🤫 🔓🔒Spine Cracking, TikTok Jail & The Truth About Fantasy Series Endings!

    Welcome to the ultimate home for chaotic bookish banter and unfiltered reality checks! 📚✨ Lola, Gill, and newly added guest Julie are diving headfirst into the vibrant, wonderfully weird world of modern book lovers. From the trauma of landing in TikTok jail to the deeply controversial debate over cracking book spines, they aren't holding anything back. Whether you are secretly flipping to the last page first, crying over heartbreaking character deaths, or aggressively defending your favorite fantasy series like A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass, this is your drama-free safe haven. Expect big laughs, raw honesty, and a side of pure literary chaos. What we’re unpacking this week: 📱 BookTok Reality: The evolution of TikTok trends, navigating algorithms, and how to build a positive community while dodging the drama. 🤫 Guilty Pleasures & Rituals: From midnight release nostalgia and Stephen Fry's Harry Potter audiobooks to the wild world of fanfiction. 📖 The TBR Pile: Real talk on current reads, spanning hefty classics like The Count of Monte Cristo to dark contemporary thrillers. Life is way too short for boring books or curated perfection. Embrace your quirks, support your fellow bookworms, and join the chaos! 🎧📚

  5. Jun 30

    Bookish Chaos and Bold Truths

    Welcome to the podcast where Gill and Lola dive into the weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating world of reading. From calling out frustrating book endings and debating if audiobooks count as reading, to sharing the hilarious realities of Twilight marathons and unspoken Bookstagram rules—they cover it all. If you love sharp wit, honest book reviews, and a little bit of literary chaos, you’ve found your new favorite escape. Because life is way too short for boring books or dull podcasts! ❤️ 👇 Tap the link below to hang out and stream our latest episode!

  6. Jun 24

    ​🤫 Secrets From the Book World: Shallow Characters, Publishing Chaos, and Red Warnings 🥵

    Welcome to the podcast where Lola and Gill take you behind the scenes of the book world. From exposing toxic trends in the publishing industry to sharing hilarious stories from beta reads and author mishaps, they dive deep into what truly makes a story unforgettable. Whether they are calling out shallow characters, discussing dark romance content warnings, or breaking down why Hollywood so often gets book-to-screen adaptations wrong, this is your home for honest, real-world book talk. No fluff, no filters - just two passionate readers giving their unfiltered opinions on the books we love (and the ones we drop). 👇 Join the conversation and check out our latest episode below!

  7. Jun 16

    Spammy Authors & Real Talk: Cutting Through the Noise of Book Hype ❤️

    ​Ever started a book expecting absolute magic, only to get trapped in a squabble of clichés? 🥱 ​In this episode, Lola and Gill are spilling the tea on what completely turns us OFF from today’s books—and how to stop wasting your weekends on absolute duds. From the cringe-worthy prologues that ruin the surprise to the truth about how "positive" AI reviews are actually doing more harm than good, they are cutting through the social media noise to bring back genuine authenticity. ​What’s inside the episode: ​🚫 The Red Flags: How to spot a scammy, badly edited book before wasting your time or money. ​📩 The Pet Peeves: Dealing with unsolicited book links, spammy author messages, and overhyped tropes. ​📚 The Reading Stack: Deep dives into recent hits from John Marrs and Riley Sager, balanced with a nostalgic trip down memory lane with childhood classics like Narnia and Beatrix Potter. ​🎭 Real Talk: The unfiltered ups and downs of writing, editing anxieties, and why some authors' review tactics backfire spectacularly. ​Whether you're an avid book blogger or just a reader looking for a story that actually makes you feel, this unapologetic conversation is your ultimate manual for building a reading list you love. ​No fluff. Just real, chaotic bookish banter. 🎧👇

  8. Jun 10

    We are back!! Stirring the Pot: Backlash, Trolls, and Unfiltered Critiques and Why the Hype Machine is Drowning Out Genuine Voices ❤️❤️

    Tired of book influencers pretending every single book is a masterpiece? 🥱 💥 Leaning into the chaos and the truth. Lola and Gill are shattering the book hype madness and exposing the toxic side of online book communities. 🎙️ The unfiltered breakdown: From Lola dealing with the public backlash over her Alchemized critique to Gill calling out personal attacks disguised as opinions. 📚 Real reviews only: Questioning why social media algorithms amplify unearned hype while actual gems fly completely under the radar. If you've ever felt silenced for sharing an honest opinion in a world full of fake reviews, consider this episode your ultimate antidote. It's time to stir the pot. 👇

  9. May 26

    An Honest, Slightly Messy Guide to Book Culture! 🤣

    Looking for a book podcast that actually tells it like it is? 🎧 📚 Reclaiming the book world from copycats. 🎙️ Lola & Gill talking Harry Potter divides, cancel culture, and BookTok’s biggest pet peeves. 🎧 No edits. No perfection. Just raw opinions. If you're tired of the same recycled reviews and online perfection, this is your sign to join the rebellion.

  10. May 18

    Enemies to lovers is broken (and other bookish rants!) 🫣

    Tired of the copy-paste BookTok drama? 🥱 Let’s talk about the actual reality of the book community. In this episode, we’re ditching the algorithm and getting completely honest about: 🤫 The Jargon Secret Club: Navigating ARCs, buddy reads, and the pressure to say "yes" to every book. 🫣 The "Enemies to Lovers" Rant: Why modern TikTok tropes are missing the mark (and missing the true chemistry). 🎬 Casting & Adaptation Dramas: The internet didn't hold back, and honestly, neither did we. 🛡️ Protecting Your TBR: How setting boundaries and saying "no" to endless review requests will save your mental health. Because let's face it—life is too short to read books you hate just because an influencer told you to. What’s one book trope you’re completely ready to bin? Drop your hottest take below and let’s argue! 👇

  11. May 12

    Book Boyfriends, Harry Potter & Reading the last page of a book 😱😱😱😱

    This week, Lola and Gill dive into their ongoing chaos — the awkward moments of jumping on top of each other during the chat, the chaos of our unread TBR, and the bizarre obsession with really real characters. Lola's lament about how fantasy characters are too perfect, while Gill obsesses over the more flawed, more real characters, illustrates why we're all here: craving something authentic in a world full of curated perfection.  And speaking of chaos, our conversation on book boyfriends — from the overrated control freaks to the beloved flawed good guys - revealed a stunning truth: We crave imperfect, real people (or characters) who reflect ourselves, not the idealized heroes the genre sometimes pushes. Lola's disdain for the "perfection" of typical love interests, contrasted with her love for Gibsie’s (from the Boy’s of Tommen series) raw honesty, highlights that genuine humans are way more attractive than flawless fiction. That brings us to a bigger point: most of us are tired of the perfect and the untouchable. We want the real, the messy, the flawed. Whether they're the minor characters who feel like neighbors or the villains who feel too human, it's that authenticity that keeps us hooked. And yeah, the chaos isn't just in the books, but in how we share thoughts, make jokes, and support each other through the chaos of reading and life. The support from our listeners, the messages about our first episode, remind us why we do this: to connect, to scream about the books we love (or hate), and to be unapologetically ourselves. Because at the end of the day, what makes Booktok so addictive, chaotic as it is, is the genuine, imperfect love we have for stories and each other. We hope you enjoy this episode and please get in touch with what you want to hear about.  *you may want to wear headphones while listening to it as there is some swearing!

  12. May 5

    Introduction to us and some of our opinions!

    Ever wondered why some books instantly click and others don't? It's all about connection - and the characters you care about. Drop a ❤️ if you've ever struggled to finish a book because it just didn't feel real. We talk about how emotional attachment makes all the difference - and why poorly written scenes can turn you off quicker than you'd expect. It's not just about the story, but how it's told. When characters feel real and the writing resonates, books become hard to put down. But when they don't... well, you know. Are you picky about what makes it onto your TBR, or do you read anything that sounds good? Let us know in the comments! Remember, no book is perfect — but knowing what works for you makes all the difference in loving your reading list. Love what you read, without the Booktok pressure.

  • 12 Episodes

About

Gill & Lola discuss all things books and Booktok, from what we're reading to our opinions on indie authors and audio books. We may have some controversial views but our opinions are from our hearts and we won't sugar coat it! Join us regularly for a discussion where we voice our thoughts and occasionally push the boundaries! Our views are our own and we do not care if you disagree!!!

Information

  • Creator
    Gill Huller & Lola Donnelly
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Gill Huller & Lola Donnelly
  • Show Website
    The BookTok B*tch*es

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