From Dyslexia to Book Club Queen: How BookTok Sparked a Romance Reading Revolution

Amelia Lord grew up thinking she could not enjoy reading because she is dyslexic. For years, she avoided books, feeling unsure of herself. That changed when she discovered BookTok, a community on TikTok where people share their love for books. Amelia noticed that many BookTok videos talked about romance novels, and she became interested. She made a New Year's resolution to read just one book, choosing a romance story. To her surprise, she loved it and quickly bought more romance books. Reading became a new hobby that brought her joy and confidence.

After moving back to Wales and becoming a mother, Amelia found herself with fewer friends and less time for her old hobbies. Books became her way to relax and connect with others. She started the Booked Up Book Club at the play café where she works. The club is designed to be warm and welcoming, with soft cushions, flowers, and pastel decorations. Each month, members pick a romance book to read and discuss. They also enjoy quizzes, games, and craft sessions. Amelia was nervous about starting the club, but it quickly became popular. Some members had never read much before, but now they read regularly and look forward to meetings.

Amelia's love for romance books is shared by others in the UK. Aimee Cummings opened Love Stories, Cardiff's first bookshop dedicated to romance novels. Aimee has always loved reading romance and decided to open her own shop after studying psychology and social sciences. She researched the market and found that romance is one of the fastest-growing genres in publishing. In Edinburgh, Caden Armstrong opened Book Lovers Bookstore, the UK's first romance-only bookshop. Caden wanted to create a safe and creative space for people to enjoy romance fiction and support diverse authors. Both Aimee and Caden believe that BookTok has helped more people feel comfortable expressing their love for romance books. They want their shops to be places where readers can connect, share recommendations, and feel part of a supportive community. The rise of romance and 'romantasy' books shows that more people are finding joy in reading and building friendships through their shared interests.