If opening TikTok instantly adds five new books to your TBR, welcome. You are among friends. Reading is magical, but buying every book you want is not always realistic.
The good news is there are so many legit ways to get free books online that you can stay well fed on romance, fantasy, and BookTok favorites without destroying your budget.
Let’s talk about the best ways to read more and spend less.
Use Libby to Read Free Library Books Online
Libby is basically the main character of free reading apps, and BookTok readers know it. If you have a library card, or can sign up for one online, you instantly unlock access to free ebooks and audiobooks from your local library. Libby lets you borrow digital books legally and at no cost, making it one of the best ways to read popular BookTok books without buying them.
The app works on phones, tablets, and ereaders, and you can even send ebooks directly to your Kindle. Libby’s catalog includes romance, fantasy, thrillers, YA, and new releases, which makes it perfect for readers who want to keep up with trending TikTok books. While popular titles may have waitlists, Libby is still one of the most reliable ways to build a massive TBR and read more books for free.
Why Readers Love Libby
- Free ebooks and audiobooks anytime
- Popular BookTok books and new releases
- Works with Kindle phones and tablets
- Romance fantasy thrillers and YA galore
Yes, there can be waitlists. Think of it as slow burn reading.
Prime Reading Gives You Free Kindle Books
If you pay for Amazon Prime, you might as well squeeze every last benefit out of it, especially when it comes to reading. Prime Reading gives you access to a rotating library of free Kindle books at no extra cost, including romance, fantasy, thrillers, and popular series starters. These free ebooks with Amazon Prime can be read on any Kindle device or through the Kindle app on your phone or tablet.
Prime Reading is perfect for readers who want instant access to books without waitlists, making it a great option for mood reading or discovering new authors. While the catalog changes regularly, it is an easy way to read more books online for free using a subscription you may already have.
What You Get With Prime Reading
- A rotating selection of free ebooks
- Romance fantasy and thrillers
- Kindle and Kindle app access
- Zero guilt impulse reads
It is perfect for discovering new authors or grabbing something cozy to read right now.
Is Prime Reading the Same as Kindle Unlimited?
Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited are different services, even though both offer free Kindle books. Prime Reading is included with an Amazon Prime membership and gives readers access to a smaller, rotating selection of free ebooks, magazines, and short reads. Kindle Unlimited is a separate paid subscription that offers access to a much larger library of ebooks, especially in romance and fantasy. Prime Reading is best for casual readers who already have Prime, while Kindle Unlimited is better for heavy readers who want unlimited access to a wider selection of books.
Read Free Classic Books With Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is one of the best resources for free books online, especially if you love classic literature, gothic romance, or older fantasy stories that inspired modern BookTok favorites. The site offers more than sixty thousand public domain ebooks that are completely free to read, download, and share. You can find classic novels, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction from well known authors, all available in multiple formats that work on Kindle, phones, tablets, and e-readers.
Project Gutenberg is perfect for readers who want legal free ebooks, build a digital library without spending money, or explore timeless stories that still influence today’s romance and fantasy trends. Because there is no sign up required, it is one of the easiest ways to start reading free books instantly.
Why Project Gutenberg Is Worth Using
- Over sixty thousand free books
- No sign up required
- Works on Kindle and other e-readers
If you love seeing where modern romance and fantasy tropes started, this is your place.
Get Free Books Early With NetGalley and ARC Reading
If you want to read books before they are officially released, ARC reading is where it gets exciting. ARC stands for Advance Reader Copy, and these are free ebooks provided by authors and publishers in exchange for honest reviews. One of the most popular platforms for this is NetGalley, which connects readers with upcoming releases across romance, fantasy, YA, thrillers, and nonfiction.
NetGalley allows readers to request free digital ARCs that can be read on Kindle, Kobo, or directly in the NetGalley app. Some books are available instantly, while others require approval from the publisher. Even new readers can get approved, especially if they keep their profile updated and leave thoughtful reviews. This makes NetGalley one of the best ways to get free books online legally, especially if you love discovering new authors or staying ahead of BookTok trends.
ARC reading is perfect for readers who enjoy sharing opinions, writing reviews, or contributing to early buzz around a book. It is also a great way to build a massive TBR without spending money while still supporting authors in a meaningful way. For BookTok readers who love being first to a story, NetGalley and ARC reading are absolute game changers.
What Is ARC Reading
ARC reading stands for Advance Reader Copy reading. An ARC is a free digital copy of a book that authors and publishers share before the official release date. These early copies are given to readers in exchange for honest reviews, usually on platforms like Goodreads, retailer sites, or book blogs. ARC reading helps authors build early buzz and visibility, while readers get access to new books before release without paying for them. For BookTok readers who love discovering upcoming romance and fantasy titles early, ARC reading is one of the best ways to read free books online while still supporting authors.
Why Readers Love NetGalley
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Access to free advance reader copies before books are released
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Early access to upcoming romance, fantasy, and BookTok trending books
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Ability to read free ebooks legally while supporting authors and publishers
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Works with Kindle, Kobo, and other ereaders
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Opportunities to discover new and indie authors before they go viral
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Helps readers build a massive TBR without spending money
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Perfect for readers who enjoy writing reviews and sharing book opinions
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One of the easiest ways to get free books online through ARC reading
Read Free Fanfiction on Archive of Our Own
Archive of Our Own, often called AO3, is one of the most popular places to read free stories online, especially if you love romance, fantasy, and character driven plots. AO3 is a fanfiction platform where writers share their work for free, which means readers can access millions of stories without paying anything or creating an account. Many BookTok readers use AO3 to find slow burn romances, enemies to lovers dynamics, found family stories, and alternate universe takes that feel just as immersive as traditionally published books.
AO3 is especially loved for its powerful tagging system, which lets readers filter stories by fandom, relationship type, tropes, word count, and content warnings. This makes it easy to find exactly the kind of story you are in the mood for, whether that is a short comfort read or a long fic that feels like a full novel. For readers looking to read free romance stories online, explore popular tropes, or fill the gap between book purchases, Archive of Our Own is a go to resource that offers endless reading without spending money.
Final Thoughts on the Best Ways to Read Free Books Online
Reading more books does not have to mean spending more money. There are many legit ways to get free books online, including library ebook apps, free Kindle book programs, ARC reading platforms, and fanfiction websites. Whether you are using Libby for free ebooks and audiobooks, Prime Reading for free Kindle books, NetGalley for advance reader copies, Project Gutenberg for public domain classics, or Archive of Our Own for free romance stories, these resources make it easy to read without a budget. By using these tools, readers can build a large digital library, discover new authors, and keep up with BookTok book trends while reading free books online legally.