Sometimes your 1-star books are actually your best teachers. They show you what you love, what you don’t, and why other people might love something you hated. Plus, they make great conversation starters at book clubs!
Here’s my personal list of 1-star books you should try anyway, served with a warm hug and a side of humor:
📚 1. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
(A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3)
Why I gave it 1 star:
The pacing dragged, the war scenes felt endless, and I there was not much of Rhysand and Feyre to read about.
Why you should read it anyway:
- It’s the epic conclusion to one of BookTok’s most beloved series.
- The world-building is INSANE.
- Great for understanding how fandoms work.
Verdict: Read it to understand the culture, not necessarily for pure joy.
Click the link to open up the book on Goodreads:
📚 2. Tears of Salvation by Michelle Heard
(The Saints #5; Underworld Kings)
Why I gave it 1 star:
Plot twists that felt more like plot tumbles. The ending? Let’s just say I needed a long nap after finishing it.
Why you should read it anyway:
- A badass powerful bratva is soft and loving to the heroine and only her
- Action, drama, and amnesia trope
- wattpad vibes
Verdict: I should stop taking book suggestions from random insta reels just because the one line summary looks good. But maybe you don’t?
Click the link to open up the book on Goodreads:
📚 3. The Aspect of Essence by Samantha Amstutz
Why I gave it 1 star:
I’m still not 100% sure what happened. It was hard to get into this story.
Why you should read it anyway:
- Sometimes abstract books force you to think differently.
- Great for practicing tolerating ambiguity.
- You might be the one person who actually “gets it.”
Verdict: Read it with zero expectations.
Click the link to open up the book on Goodreads:
📚 4. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout
(Blood and Ash, #2)
Why I gave it 1 star:
The tension was so thick I needed a fan. The romance felt forced. And I may have tossed my e-reader gently across the room.
Why you should read it anyway:
- It’s wildly popular on BookTok for a reason.
- You’ll understand the “romantasy” hype better.
- Great for analyzing why some readers love what you hate.
Verdict: Read it to understand the psychology of fandom.
Click the link to open up the book on Goodreads:
📚 5. Born for Lace
(The Cradled Common, #2)
Why I gave it 1 star:
The plot felt like watching paint dry… while listening to elevator music. Romance? More like rom-anceless.
Why you should read it anyway:
- Sometimes a bad book teaches you what you do want.
- It’s short, so the suffering is brief.
- You’ll appreciate good chemistry in future books so much more.
Verdict: Read it as a “what NOT to do” masterclass in romance writing.
Click the link to open up the book on Goodreads:
📚 6. Forged in Blood
(Broken Bloodlines, #1)
Why I gave it 1 star:
The characters felt flat, the world-building was a mess, and I spent the whole book asking, “Who wrote this??”
Why you should read it anyway:
- First books in series often have teething problems.
- You might find a hidden gem in the later books.
- It’s a great reminder that even “bad” books can have passionate fans.
Verdict: Read it with curiosity, not judgment.
Click the link to open up the book on Goodreads:
Why Reading “Bad” Books Is Actually Good for You
Reading 1-star books:
- Expands your taste (you learn what you truly love).
- Builds empathy (you understand why others love what you hate).
- Sharpens your critical eye (you become a better reader and reviewer).
- Makes your 5-star books feel even sweeter.
So next time you see a book you rated 1 star, don’t be afraid to give it another chance. Maybe this time, it’ll click. Maybe it won’t. But either way, you’ll learn something.
Final Thought (With a Side of Warmth)
Books are subjective. What’s a 1-star for me might be a 5-star for you. And that’s beautiful. The reading world is big enough for all our hot takes.
So go ahead—revisit that 1-star book. With a smile. With curiosity. And maybe a cozy cup of tea nearby. ☕
Something funny while you’re scrolling through: