If you’ve ever been on Bookstagram or BookTok, chances are you’ve seen that viral football video.
You know the one, where sports announcers sound like they’re narrating a steamy audiobook while two women react like it’s the Super Bowl of Smut. That video has over 9 million views on TikTok, and it introduced the internet to Two Bookends, real-life best friends (Jenn and Kristi) turned romance book club by content creators.
But behind the laughs and lip gloss, there’s a story of slow, intentional growth, major bookish love, and two women building a community around what they truly care about.
From Thriller Readers to Romance Queens
Before they were fangirling over fictional men and starting a book club that now has 85+ members, they were just two longtime friends reading thrillers and sending each other Colleen Hoover memes during COVID.
It started simple:
- A shared love for The Ravenhood Trilogy by Kate Stewart
- A lot of late-night TikTok scrolling
- A realization: “We could totally do this.”
Over a pazookie and cocktails at BJ’s, Two Bookends was born. The name is as genius as their banter.
Going Viral Multiple Times
That football video? It was filmed in five minutes. Sick day. No glam. No plan.
They didn’t expect it to take off. But it did, across Instagram, TikTok, and even platforms they weren’t on.
What started as a fun side project exploded into a recognizable brand with over 90K Instagram followers and growing.
And yet, they’ve kept it grounded.
Building a Book Club into a Business
When I first invited them on the podcast, they told me, “We’re not monetizing our book content.”
Spoiler alert: They totally are. (And yes, I’m in their Patreon.)
But here’s what I loved: They’re doing it slowly. Intentionally. With zero interest in selling out.
Instead of slapping affiliate links or random brand collabs everywhere, they built a one-tier Patreon book club that:
- Highlights their favorite indie authors
- Guarantees author engagement
- Lets readers vote on monthly picks
- Includes fun perks like live chats, reader threads, and even giveaways
They started with a book they already loved, Dream On by Jennifer Hartman, and used their connections to bring the author in for Q&As and local events.
Behind the Content: How They Actually Do It
Wondering how they shoot hilarious, consistent content while juggling kids and carpool? Here’s the secret:
“We hit record. We let it roll. We post.”
They batch film 1–2x a month, often during coffee-fueled car chats or chaotic sleepovers with their kids.
Editing is done in-house. Ideas? Usually born from a good sound clip and a lot of caffeine.
And yes, the bloopers are often better than the planned content. (One unfiltered mom rant hit 1M+ views!)
Why They Said No to Brand Deals
At one point, they were offered a brand ambassadorship, but they turned it down.
Why?
“We didn’t even know what our brand was yet.”
Instead of chasing every opportunity, they spent time figuring out their values:
- Stay authentic
- Build trust with followers
- Only partner with brands that fit
They didn’t start this for money. And that’s exactly why it’s working.
Favorite Romance Reads (Yes, We Got Recs)
These two are deep into the romance trenches, and here are some of their most-loved authors and books:
- Dream On (first book club pick)
- Still Beating (dark, emotional, unforgettable)
- Catch the Sun
- The Miles High Club series
- Mr. Series (hello, billionaire grump)
- Meghan Quinn for rom-coms that are actually funny (think: Adam Sandler meets spice)
- Abby Jimenez for emotional, well-written, with subtle crossovers between books
- Butcher & Blackbird (dark romance with humor? Yes, please.)
Want to Start a Bookstagram or BookTok?
Their biggest advice is to “Be you. People can smell fake a mile away.”
And remember:
- You don’t need fancy gear. Just hit record.
- Don’t stress if something flops. Post it anyway.
- Stay connected to what you love. That’s your superpower.
