6 BookTok Books That Need To Become TV Shows

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Lots of popular books from TikTok’s ‘BookTok’ community haven’t been adapted for TV yet, but six of them would make excellent series. Since TikTok started, readers have been using it to share what they’re reading and recommend books, which has helped many novels gain a wider audience.

Movie and TV producers are increasingly turning to popular books from BookTok for new projects. Because these books already have a built-in audience, producers are confident they’ll attract viewers. We’ve already seen this work with adaptations like We Were Liars and The Girlfriend, and highly anticipated projects like the fantasy romance Fourth Wing also originated on the platform.

Despite the popularity of BookTok recommendations, several highly-rated books haven’t been adapted for television yet. Here are six that would make excellent TV shows.

6. The Push by Ashley Audrain

Genre: Psychological Thriller/Psychological Drama

Ashley Audrain’s novel, The Push, gained popularity on social media platforms like BookTok and Bookstagram, and for good reason. The story centers on Blythe Connor, a new mother struggling with difficult experiences from her own upbringing, who is determined to provide a happier childhood for her daughter, Violet. However, when Violet begins to behave strangely, Blythe’s husband downplays her worries, leading Blythe to doubt herself and her past.

As a huge movie buff, I immediately thought this novel would make an incredible miniseries. It deals with themes that will always resonate, and the suspense builds so gradually, it’s really effective. While it’s been labeled a thriller, I’d actually call it more of a psychological drama with thriller elements – it’s not about jump scares. It reminded me a bit of The Bad Seed, exploring how trauma and messed-up family dynamics can ripple through generations.

People are asking whether Blythe is truly suffering from severe postpartum depression, or if her worries are being ignored simply because she’s perceived as overly emotional. Unlike older portrayals on screen, The Push has the potential to resonate more deeply now that we’re having more open and understanding conversations about mental health.

5. Like Fire We Burn by Ayla Dade

Genre: Sports Romance

With the current success of sports romance stories, Like Fire We Burn has strong potential as a TV series. The story follows Aria Moore, who returns to her hometown of Aspen after two years away, still heartbroken from her split with hockey player Wyatt Lopez. When she takes over her family’s bed and breakfast, things get complicated when Wyatt shows up as a guest. Despite her efforts to start fresh, Aria finds herself falling back into old patterns.

The book’s beautiful depiction of the Colorado mountains and snowy landscapes would look fantastic on TV. Colorado also has a thriving local acting scene, making on-location filming a possibility. Plus, winter settings are popular for romance stories, so viewers would likely embrace the Aspen location.

Aria and Wyatt’s relationship has enough twists and turns for a whole TV series, not just a movie. With sports romances being so popular right now, a show called Like Fire We Burn would likely attract a lot of viewers.

4. If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

Genre: YA Drama

BookTok has shown everyone that young adult (YA) books can be just as meaningful and powerful as books written for adults. Critics often dismiss YA fiction, but the BookTok community has highlighted many stories that are complex and emotionally resonant. A great example of this is the romance novel If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin.

Autumn and Finn used to be inseparable, but now they actively avoid each other at school. Though they’ve both settled into their own groups, Autumn often wonders what would have happened if their friendship hadn’t ended. Everything shifts when August arrives.

If He Had Been With Me is a hugely popular and deeply emotional book on BookTok. Its captivating story quickly draws readers in and stays with them, even through incredibly sad scenes. Many readers have said the book made them cry, but they still found it worthwhile. With such a powerful story, it would be amazing to see If He Had Been With Me adapted into a movie or TV show, so even more people can experience it.

3. Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Genre: Romantic Coming-Of-Age

Morgan Rogers’ debut novel, Honey Girl, is getting a lot of attention, and for good reason. The story begins with a classic premise: Grace, a high-achieving PhD graduate, spontaneously marries a stranger in Vegas. But the book quickly expands beyond a simple romance, delving into important themes like burnout, societal pressures, and mental wellbeing.

Following a life-changing surprise, Grace realized she was unhappy and decided to move to New York City to be with her wife, Yuki. This meant starting over in a completely new place, without any existing friends. She quickly built a new social circle and deeply fell in love with Yuki, but she couldn’t escape her personal issues forever.

Honey Girl is a fantastic story that would make a great TV series. Set in New York City, it features a diverse cast of characters and explores themes of identity and self-discovery. The coming-of-age story will especially appeal to young adults navigating the challenges of modern life.

2. Written In The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Following the surprisingly strong reception to Heated Rivalry, it’s clear audiences are craving more queer romance with a little heat. So, if you’re asking me what BookTok adaptation deserves a shot next, it’s gotta be Alexandria Bellefleur’s Written in the Stars. And honestly, let’s not stop there – the whole universe, including Count Your Lucky Stars and Hang the Moon, is just begging for the big screen treatment. It’s a winning formula!

The story Written in the Stars begins with a terrible blind date between Darcy Lowell, a practical numbers person, and Elle Jones, who believes in astrology. Darcy tells her brother the date went well just to avoid being set up again. Things become more complicated when her brother starts working with Elle. Darcy proposes they pretend to date, and surprisingly, real feelings begin to develop.

The Written in the Stars series has interconnected romantic stories – the secondary couples in one book often become the main focus in the next. This complex web of relationships, like the love story between Darcy and Elle and Elle’s bond with Brendon, makes it perfect for a TV adaptation, offering plenty of storylines to explore.

1. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

Genre: Epic Fantasy

While Fourth Wing is already being developed for television, very few books popular on BookTok have the potential to reach the same level of success as Game of Thrones. It’s not about whether these books are well-written; Game of Thrones was exceptional in its vastness, detailed world, and complex political storylines. However, The Jasmine Throne is the most promising candidate to become the next big fantasy adaptation in that style.

In The Jasmine Throne, the story unfolds within the harsh and controlling Parijatdvipan Empire. Driven by endless greed, the empire faces growing discontent among its people, who are beginning to consider revolt. A deadly plague is also sweeping the land, and the empire’s expansionist policies are only exacerbating these problems. This paints a picture of the richly detailed and intricate world created in The Jasmine Throne.

Princess Malini, known for her fierce nature, was banished from her kingdom by her brother and locked away in the old temple of Hirana. At the same time, Priya, a priestess who has dedicated her life to serving the royal family, feels a strange pull towards Hirana. These two women, both with complicated pasts and motivations, join forces with a shared goal: to overthrow the empire. Neither is purely good or evil, making their choices and actions morally ambiguous.

Plus, The Jasmine Throne is the first installment in the new Burning Kingdoms series, launching a sweeping fantasy saga rooted in the rich traditions of Indian epics. Many believe this series has all the elements to achieve the same level of popularity and success as Game of Thrones.

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2026-03-18 06:30