DiscoverReading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel PodcastWhen Reviews Turn to Bullying: The Belladonna Blowup & Author Tagging Debate
When Reviews Turn to Bullying: The Belladonna Blowup & Author Tagging Debate

When Reviews Turn to Bullying: The Belladonna Blowup & Author Tagging Debate

Update: 2025-11-11
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This week on Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we’re diving into one of the biggest recent dust-ups in the book world and yes, it involves an Instagram rant, author tagging, and a whole lot of mess. Francesca teams up with Victoria from Bibliolifestyle for another episode of Novel Hour, where the question of the day is: What happens when a review stops being criticism and starts being harassment?

Here’s what went down: An Instagram influencer tagged Belladonna author Adalyn Grace in a scorched-earth review calling the book “trash” and telling the author she “sucks.” It quickly spiraled into a mess of stories, screenshots, and revenge-review threats. And while everyone’s entitled to their opinion, we’re breaking down why tagging authors in negative reviews crosses a serious line.

We also cover:

  • New book releases for early November (from dark holiday romance to political thrillers)
  • What we’re reading now (yes, it includes superhero aliens and a 1910 Cornwall murder)
  • What we’re watching (Wife Swap, Great British Baking Show, and Interview with the Vampire)

📺 Watch the full video replay on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/TRKWNcbOpeo

📚 Books Mentioned:

→ Belladonna by Adalyn Grace: https://rstyle.me/+LWW0a-7cQGJ7qSPy3uQ4cg

→ Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite: https://rstyle.me/+KIpPj_4IpKeZKPKndjGSIw

→ Days at the Torunka Cafe by Satoshi Yagisawa and Eric Ozawa: https://rstyle.me/+QdQhgQs4Bt2zD7Z3hyTUDA

→ How About Now by Kate Baer: https://rstyle.me/+yeaAdVrTmkLnMLyGHVE0lg

→ Helm by Sarah Hall: https://rstyle.me/+kiY89FtOJSYwjVtDpW_Ctg

→ With Friends Like These by Alissa Lee: https://rstyle.me/+S2XJ21tV0hMJc2_BP46fZA

→ Town & Country by Brian Schaefer: https://rstyle.me/+uBojTXFbDvjWeTLLEWsCLw

→ Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen: https://rstyle.me/+_mFennuH8KIc0YC96o8k1w

→ Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger: https://rstyle.me/+QiNa4tKvKJruNpMbZnSl5w

→ Coldwire by Chloe Gong: https://rstyle.me/+33DppyjGW-NQmpzQilMOIA

→ The Scandal You Started by Nylah Monroe: https://rstyle.me/+_ezfkTbFDNBV50I3fM45Qw

→ These Violet Delights by Madeleine Roux: https://rstyle.me/+OdeVsYaV8xDi6MA8BpNGmw

→ Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi: https://rstyle.me/+3aVKzKWfsjfrSctHgmH1Aw

→ He Knows When You're Awake by Alta Hensley: https://rstyle.me/+aQo8_ys8S-aVSWQ-dKCt_g

→ All Superheroes Need Photo Ops by Elizabeth Stephens: https://rstyle.me/+NZBJil4QnlZnvWWkDtMWIA

Sources Mentioned:

→ Kevin T. Norman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQqEJ5eCS2X/?igsh=MTVjaTdwZm15bDBleg%3D%3D

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When Reviews Turn to Bullying: The Belladonna Blowup & Author Tagging Debate

When Reviews Turn to Bullying: The Belladonna Blowup & Author Tagging Debate