It’s likely that you’ve heard about BookTok if you’re both a TikTok user and voracious reader. As suggested by the name, readers belonging to this diverse community discuss and debate anything related to literature, authors, and the best or worst books they’ve recently read. Most interestingly, it recently became one of the largest book-focused online groups, thanks to “#doorframelean” garnering millions of views. Read on to find out why.
What’s It All About?
Even if the #doorframelean trend hasn’t appeared on your “For You” tab, you’re probably familiar with the occurrence that gave rise to the challenge. In essence, a love interest leans seductively against a door frame before leaning in for a swoon-worthy kiss on the lead character. The leaning is frequently utilized to build tension even if the kiss doesn’t materialize.
@doesntknowwhatshewants The last and the best take 🤪😳🫣 // ib: @Laura ♡ @Sue Rose #booktok#asianmexicancouple#mixedcouple#internationalcouple#romantica#relationshipgoal#couplegoal#heleanedagainstthedoorframe
The classic romantic move has been around and practiced for years – it’s even appeared in films, television series and especially, romance novels – which is where BookTok comes in. According to readers on BookTok, “The Sharing Knife” by Lois McMaster Bujold and “Archer’s Voice” by Mia Sheridan are two works that contain some hot doorway leaning. Luke Danes from “Gilmore Girls” has a kissing moment in a doorway, and Benedict Bridgerton is supposed to have the leaning move down pat in Netflix’s “Bridgerton.”
By acting out the scene with their partners for TikTok, users have been bringing this made-up manouevre to life. Some people have found it to be as sensual as they had imagined, while others find it to be far more giggle-inducing than they had anticipated.
The Outcomes
The iconic romance novel trope of the love interest leaning against the door frame, before kissing the main character was first recreated “IRL” by TikTok user @elite.reading on 12th Feb. Although it may not be as popular in real life as romance fans would want, it’s still a classic move, which is why the trend was started. The fact that movies and TV series frequently end with a passionate kiss makes the move ideal for producers who want to fulfil all of their most heartfelt, romantic fan fiction wishes. As of right now, the hashtag #doorframelean has received over 14.7 million views.
@elitereading I just found my new favorite thing 🫠 #booktok #doorframelean #fyp #bookish #bookboyfriend
Some TikTok couples, like @noahandlori, are adorably thrown off guard by the passionate make out move and can’t help but burst into nervous laughter. The action almost seems to bring back the butterflies from their first dates, and it’s endearing to see.
@noahandlori The way my soul left my body 🫠 #booktok #trend ib: @elite.reading #doorframechallenge #doorframelean #husband #couple #couplestiktok #couplechallenge #husbandwife
User @sherlainedjss, meanwhile, was unable to even finish a kiss before collapsing to the ground. How hilariously cute!
@sherlaine_gntn my knees literally said “jell-O much?” 🤤 #booktok #fyp #foryou #lovewins #lgbtq
Whether or not we comprehend it, the doorframe lean is a timeless manoeuvre that is undoubtedly here to stay. As in rom-coms and bodice-rippers, nothing screams “main character energy” more than making out with your crush against a door frame. Perhaps, the rise of this trend will make the move significantly more prevalent in relationships. In case you haven’t hopped onto this trend, you definitely should, because it’ll be sure to give you all the butterflies and spark up some spicy romance!
