A plagiarism scandal is shaking the BookTok community over indie author Laura J. Robert’s novel, “Beverly,” which has been accused of copying R.J. Lewis’ 2016 book, “Obsessed.” Both novels feature a central female character and her romance with a childhood friend. Videos praising “Beverly” were removed by several creators after these allegations surfaced. Some users have highlighted similarities in text and suggested Robert may have used AI to alter Lewis’ work. Speculation also arose about the authors potentially being the same person due to the mirrored initials.
This controversy reflects a shift in BookTok’s tone, moving away from lighthearted discussions to a more contentious environment, as noted by creator Lola Oluremi. Previous incidents have also stirred division, like author Ali Hazelwood leaving Instagram after backlash for her comments about Katniss Everdeen’s romantic choices in “Hunger Games.” Additionally, Victoria Aveyard criticized authors using generative AI without naming them, leading to mixed reactions and speculation.
The situation escalated as Robert’s social media presence vanished, and “Beverly” was removed from Amazon, approaching turmoil for Lewis, who described the plagiarism claims as an indie author’s “worst nightmare.” She has contacted Amazon for a copyright infringement case, urging BookTok followers to recognize and cease supporting “theft” in literature. The scandal highlights ongoing tensions in the community over authenticity and creative integrity, as both authors and fans grapple with emerging issues in the evolving landscape of digital literature.
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