Something unexpected has happened in my house recently. My teenage daughter and I have discovered a whole new way to bond, and it all started with a corner of the internet I had only vaguely heard of until now: #BookTok.

Bonding Over #BookTok

It turns out that my spooky, book-loving heart has finally found common ground with the next generation through a shared passion for dark romance novels. My daughter introduced me to Slash or Pass (review to follow!) and the infamous Haunting Adeline (also review to follow), and suddenly, I’m falling headfirst into this world of masked men, horror-tinged love stories, and the “why choose” trope.

Now, I’ll be honest—when she first mentioned these books, I thought, “Are they really for me?” But once I started reading, I realised how intelligent and layered they are. Yes, they’re dark and twisted. Yes, they’re sexy. But at their heart, they are stories that explore human interaction, emotional trauma, and desire with honesty and rawness. These are books written by modern women, for modern women, and they feel like an unapologetic reclaiming of literature that once shied away from taboo topics.

And here’s the best bit: I get to read them with my daughter.

I never had this growing up. In the 90s, teenage girls like me were expected to keep quiet, play nice, and never talk to adults about sex, relationships, or anything remotely taboo. Adults didn’t share, and teenagers weren’t encouraged to ask questions. Everything felt secretive, hush-hush, and wrapped in shame. Looking back now, I see how unhelpful that was.

Parenting as a Millennial feels different. I want my children to be informed, aware, and emotionally intelligent. Reading these books together gives us the opportunity to talk about relationships, boundaries, and red flags in a safe, fictional space. My daughter can explore her curiosity, and I can guide her through the darker themes with honesty and openness. We talk about why certain characters behave the way they do, what’s healthy (and what’s not), and how stories can be thrilling without necessarily being realistic templates for real life.

It feels empowering

It feels empowering—for both of us. She learns that she can ask me anything without judgment, and I learn that being a mum doesn’t mean being distant or authoritarian. I get to be her safe place while still being the spooky, slightly eccentric mum she rolls her eyes at now and then.

Bonding over #BookTok has opened up a new chapter in our relationship. I see her growing into a thoughtful young woman who’s not afraid to ask questions, and she sees me not just as Mum, but as a fellow bookworm who gets it.

And really, what more could a spooky mum ask for? 💀📚🖤

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