Hi friends!
I was already thinking about doing this because there was a folklore tag floating around, but I wanted to do sometimes spanning Taylor’s discography AND THEN miracle of miracles we were blessed with evermore and I was like “that’s it, it’s a sign” and decided it was time to do this post!
And then this post proceeded to take me way more time than I anticipated but it was so fun to make I’m not even mad.
I wanted to match up books by lyrics and a little bit of ~vibes~ so most of these will be books I’ve already read but a few books on my tbr or 2021 releases might make a special appearance 👀
If you’re looking entirely for 2021 recs based on Taylor Swift I highly recommend checking out Tea Time Lit’s 2021 Book Recs Based On Your Favorite Taylor Swift Album (the recs are top tier and should be on everyone’s TBRs). They also did the folklore and evermore tag which I highly recommend checking out!
I’ve also included links to Goodreads and TheStorygraph so you can quickly add any books that catch your eye to your tbr or if you want to read the full description!
This song has a lot of “pick me” energy and is very angsty teenage vibes which I was very much into when I was 15 but now I’m kind of like “oh no” but also still 👀 Really any book with a girl pining after her best friend would be a good rec for this song, but this was a recent read and fit perfectly!
One Way or Another by Kara McDowell
Paige’s anxiety makes it almost impossible for her to make a decision so when she’s faced with the choice of spending Christmas with her best friend (and long time crush) Fitz or going with her mom on a dream trip to NYC there’s no way she can choose. So the universe chooses for her and the story splits into two timelines.
Most books I pick up especially in YA have badass heroines who are just trying to figure it out and these came to mind when I listened to this song and especially this line!
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (Goodreads | TheStorygraph)
After her mother’s death, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews needs to get away and an early college program at UNC–Chapel Hill offers the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus. A flying demon, a secret society calling themselves “Legendborn,” and a mysterious “Merlin” who fails to wipe her memory.
The attack reveals a hidden connection: there was a Merlin at the hospital the night of her mother’s death. Bree will do whatever it takes to find out the truth. With the help of Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn, Bree infiltrates the society as one of their initiates only to discover they’re the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and they’re on the brink of war. Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.
Blazewrath Games by Amparo Ortiz (Goodreads | TheStorygraph)
Lana Torres has always preferred dragons to people. Lana longs to represent her native Puerto Rico in the Blazewrath World Cup, a tournament where dragons and their riders fight for glory in a dangerous relay, and when Puerto Rico’s Runner—the only player without a dragon steed—is kicked off the team, she’s given the chance. The last thing she expects is to land in the middle of a deadly international conspiracy.
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow (Goodreads | TheStorygraph)
Tavia has always had to keep her siren identity a secret. But when a black woman is killed and her murderer walks free because she is thought to be a siren, Tavia’s silence gets a lot harder to keep. Effie has always felt a little different, haunted by that fateful day in the park and only finding comfort in the water. As their world starts to unravel, these girls will have to rely on each other (and a hefty dose of Black Girl Magic) more than ever before.
✨Related Post: My Review of A Song Below Water
This is iconic early TSwift so of course I had to include it and I knew I wanted to rec a book where the MC was rightfully upset with an ex and then it hit me. I read this book last spring and Lina doesn’t waste any time moping about being left at the altar. Instead, she’s angry and turns to making the most out of her career.
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
Lina throws herself into her wedding planning business after being left at the altar in hopes of forgetting it ever happened. The last thing she expects is to see Andrew, her ex-fiance, and his brother, Max, who she believes is responsible for the break-up a few years later at the most important job interview of her career. And things go from bad to worse when she’s expected to work with one of the brothers on her pitch for the job. Of course, she picks Max, with full intention of ignoring him and doing all of the work herself, but apparently he has other ideas.
✨Related Post: My Review of The Worst Best Man
For this song, I contemplated picking a book that had a central music theme but that seemed too on the nose (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and then this book came to mind and it just fit. Music is an undercurrent in this book because it’s what first connects Xiomara to her love interest, but also poetry is its own form of music and this story is told in verse. Not to mention the sneaking around parallels nicely to this story.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Xiomara learned a long time ago to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. She has plenty she wants to say, but no one seems to want to hear it especially not her mom who is determined to make Xiomara obey her and the church. So she pours all her frustration onto the pages of a leather notebook in the form of poems meant only for herself. But when she’s invited to join her school’s slam poetry club she can’t stop thinking about performing her poetry. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.
✨Related Post: My Review of The Poet X
These two books immediately came to mind for this song because in American Royals all of the characters find themselves pulled out of their comfort zones and risking quite a bit for love and happiness and I feel like this song could be the theme song of this book (for the romance side of things at least). And then for To All the Boys I couldn’t help but think of how Peter pulls Lara Jean out of her bubble and makes her want to try so many new things (a close second for this book was Sparks Fly).
American Royals by Katharine McGee
Beatrice has always known that her duty as future queen wins out over everything else, but she dreams of a world where love and duty can coexist. Samantha may be the spare heir, but she’s tired of sitting on the sidelines. Nina wants Jefferson, but it’s not that easy in a society that will never approve and a scheming ex determined to see them fail. Daphne will marry Jefferson, there has never been any doubt in her mind, until he breaks up with her and starts dating Nina. This is a story of what happens when they decide to fight for what they want.
✨Related Post: My Review of American Royals
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Lara Jean has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it.
But when her letters are mysteriously mailed out, she comes face to face with her old crushes, including her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. In order to prove she’s over Josh, Lara Jean claims she has a new boyfriend, Peter Kavinsky aka another letter recipient. The last thing she expects is for him to agree to fake dating let alone the possibility of fake dating leading to something real…
For this song I wanted to pick recs regarding innocence and power imbalances and I guess the aftermath of being taken advantage of at a young age. I thought of With the Fire on High because it explores the difficulties and triumphs of being a teen mom with Acevedo’s tell-tale poise. I haven’t read Grown yet (it’s coming up on my tbr so stay tuned) but from everything I’ve heard it felt like another good rec for this song because Enchanted is also just trying to chase her dreams, but the guy who’s supposed to get her there turns out to be not what she hoped.
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Emoni doesn’t have time for her high school’s new culinary arts class (or the cute new boy) or the money to pay for the class’s trip to Spain. Her talent with food and her dreams of becoming a chef come second to caring for her daughter. But maybe there’s a way she can have both.
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
Korey Fields is dead. And all signs point to Enchanted Jones, an aspiring singer working with Korey, who woke with blood on her hands and no memory of the night before.
Before there was a dead body, Enchanted was struggling with her tight knit family’s recent move to the suburbs while trying to find her place as the lone Black girl in high school. But then legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots her at an audition. And suddenly her dream of being a professional singer takes flight.
Enchanted is dazzled by Korey’s luxurious life but soon her dream turns into a nightmare. Behind Korey’s charm and star power hides a dark side, one that wants to control her every move, with rage and consequences. Except now he’s dead and the police are at the door. Who killed Korey Fields?
An obvious choice for this would have been any star-crossed lovers romance or a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but instead I wanted to go with something inspired by this line and the mentions of family and this book immediately came to mind. Basically, I wanted an excuse for childhood friends to lovers AND an excuse to recommend this book yet again.
99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Darcy Barrett has undertaken a global survey of men and can categorically say that no one measures up to Tom Valeska. That’s the problem with finding her dream man at age eight and peaking in her photography career at age twenty—ever since, she’s had to learn to settle for good enough.
When Darcy and Jamie are left with strict instructions to renovate and sell their grandmothers cottage, Darcy plans on being halfway around the world before the project begins. Until she finds Tom standing on her porch ready to get to work.
A close second for this book was “You Belong with Me” because of Tom’s engagement and Darcy constantly comparing herself and her relationship with Tom to his fiancée’s but ultimately this is childhood friends to lovers and it’s about their history but also her brother not wanting them to be together because it could ruin everything.
✨Related Post: My Review of 99 Percent Mine
This is one of my fave songs so it only makes sense that I would end up pairing it with one of my fave reads of 2020. As soon as I revisited these lyrics I knew I wanted to match these because this book is lovers-enemies-reluctant-partners and there were countless times I would read a line and think ~taylor swift vibes~ mostly because of the yearning and the heartbreak.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
The year is 1926 and Shanghai is split between the Scarlets and the White Flowers, rival gangs who’s longstanding blood feud runs the streets red and leaves the city ripe for chaos. At the center of this feud is Juliette Cai, Scarlet heir who has returned from America to assume her role. Her opposite? Roma Montagov, heir to the White Flowers and Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.
But when people start dropping dead from clawing out their own throats, including gangsters on both sides, Juliette and Roma must set aside their bloodied history and work together. If they can’t stop this madness, or the rumored monster at its root, then there will be no city left for either to run.
A close second for this book was my tears ricochet because of “I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace / and so the battleships will sink beneath the waves / you had to kill me, but it killed you just the same / cursing my name, wishing I stayed / you turned into your worst fears”
✨Related Post: My Review of These Violent Delights
First, I’m sorry I just couldn’t resist 💀 But for real this song made me think of Cemetery Boys because of the obvious haunting themes, but also the whole idea of everything you thought you knew being flipped on its head and learning how to survive even when it’s hard.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Yadriel’s traditional brujx family refuses to let him prove himself as a brujo simply because he’s trans and they don’t believe the ceremony will work. So Yadriel, with the help of Maritza (his best friend and cousin), takes it upon himself to complete the ceremony on his own. But when things go awry and he accidentally summons the ghost of the local bad boy, Julian, instead of his cousin he finds himself dragged into Julian’s unfinished business.
✨Related Post: My Review of Cemetery Boys
I was originally thinking of another song for this book, but as soon as I saw these lyrics I knew this was the right fit partly because of the obvious crown and kings and queens remarks for a story about running for prom queen but also the line about the cynics because the whole point is the town not wanting to see Liz as prom queen.
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Liz Lighty just wants to get through her senior year at her small midwestern high school where she’s never felt like she fits in. The thought of running for prom queen in her prom-obsessed town never even crossed her mind because she she believes she’s too black, too poor, and definitely too awkward. But when the financial aid at her dream school falls through, her only option is winning the scholarship offered to the prom king and queen.
✨Related Post: My Review of You Should See Me in a Crown
Okay so obviously part of the reason I picked this book for this song is all of the colors BUT I also feel like it captured the feelings of yearning and the way that Alex and Henry’s relationship develops.
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Alex Claremont-Diaz thought everything was clear in his life. He’s the first son of the first woman president of the United States. He’s a soon to be graduate with a future in politics. He’s the brother of June, best friend of Nora, and long standing rival of Henry, the Prince of Wales. But when one of their arguments takes a turn for the worse (taking an disturbingly expensive cake down with them) their teams decide it’s time to stage an intervention. And so begins what’s supposed to be a photo-op, a fake friendship to appease the public and smooth over any ruffled feathers, but soon Alex finds himself wanting to see Henry on his own terms. One spontaneous, somewhat intoxicated kiss and identity crisis later Alex finds himself falling into bed with Henry. It’s supposed to be casual, physical, no-strings attached fun, but all too soon it becomes more than that. It becomes something worth risking their futures for.
✨Related Post: My Review of Red, White and Royal Blue
This book immediately came to mind for this song because it perfectly captures what happens between Rachel and Jason (with a few caveats of course) but the general vibe of she knows it’s a bad idea to spend time with him let alone date him not only because she’s not supposed to date as a trainee but also because of his role as K-Pop golden boy.
Shine by Jessica Jung
What would you give for a chance to live your dreams?
For seventeen-year-old Korean American Rachel Kim, the answer is almost everything. Six years ago, she was recruited by DB Entertainment—one of Seoul’s largest K-pop labels, known for churning out some of the world’s most popular stars. The rules are simple: Train 24/7. Be perfect. Don’t date. Easy right?
Not so much. As the dark scandals of an industry bent on controlling and commodifying beautiful girls begin to bubble up, Rachel wonders if she’s strong enough to be a winner, or if she’ll end up crushed… Especially when she begins to develop feelings for K-pop star and DB golden boy Jason Lee. It’s not just that he’s charming, sexy, and ridiculously talented. He’s also the first person who really understands how badly she wants her star to rise.
I knew I wanted to include these books on this list (I will probs never stop talking about them) and I couldn’t help thinking of them when I got to this song. All Too Well is probably my favorite Taylor Swift song because something about the lyrics and the song itself gives me all the emotions and so did these books. All of these characters have been through a rough time between personal relationships and family loss and they’re trying to figure out how to move on and learn to cope.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert: Goodreads | TheStorygraph
Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan, and a list. After a near death experience she decides it’s time for her to “Get a Life.” But Chloe needs help. Redford ‘Red’ Morgan might be a handyman with tattoos and a motorcycle who hides his art, but when she enlists Red in her mission to rebel, Chloe learns just what lies beneath that rough exterior.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert: Goodreads | TheStorygraph
Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. When brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it’s an obvious sign they are destined to sleep together. But a video of the heroic rescue goes viral with half the internet shipping them—and Zaf’s sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Dani’s plan is simple: fake a relationship in public, seduce Zaf behind the scenes. The trouble is, grumpy Zaf’s secretly a hopeless romantic—and he’s determined to corrupt Dani’s stone-cold realism.
✨Related Post: My Review of Get a Life, Chloe Brown and Take a Hint, Dani Brown
This song always gives me such warm and fluffy vibes and captures that feeling of first love and when things are easy and uncomplicated and that’s the feeling both of these books gave me. Even when things were hard or didn’t go as expected these stories were both so sweet and I highly recommend to anyone who just wants some serotonin.
I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Skye Shin dreams of being a K-Pop star. Mostly because she loves dancing and singing, but also to show her mother that fat girls can dance. So she enters You’re My Shining Star a K-Pop competition and nothing can stop her from winning. Not even a fat-phobic judge and competitors refusing to partner with her. And definitely not a crush on the uber attractive, semi-famous model Henry Cho.
✨Related Post: My Review of I’ll Be the One
What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Arthur knows from Broadway musicals that New York is where dreams come true, but nothing could have prepared him for Ben and a real life meet-cute in a post office. What starts as a brief encounter turns into a city-wide scavenger hunt highlighting the wonders of technology and the universe. A series of do-over dates, misunderstandings, and fights with friends (and each other) surprisingly leads to a life-changing summer for Arthur and Ben.
✨Related Post: My Review of What If It’s Us
This song is all about new beginnings and that feeling of falling in love again despite past hurt and I knew immediately I wanted to rec How to Fail at Flirting for this one. It’s all about recovering from an abusive relationship and being willing to risk falling in love again for both of the main characters so it only made sense to pair it with this sweet, soft song about that feeling of starting over. I recently read The Princess Trap and as I was reading I knew I needed to add it as a rec for this song because the hero was burned by relationships before but as soon as he meets the heroine he knew she was different and there’s actually a line about “the last 8 months” so yeah.
How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams
Naya has spent the last three years focusing on her career and avoiding relationships after finally ending things with her abusive ex-boyfriend. But after a little push from her friends leads her to meeting a handsome stranger maybe Naya is finally ready. But first she’ll have to remember how to flirt. And what to do when she catches feelings. And what to do when those feelings are for a man who could wreck her career…
✨Related Post: My Review of How to Fail at Flirting
The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert
Cherry Neita is thirty, flirty, and done with men. As far as she can tell, they’re overrated, overpaid, and underperforming – in every area of life. But a girl has needs, and the smoking-hot stranger she just met at the office seems like the perfect one-night stand…
Prince Ruben of Helgmøre is reckless, dominant, and famously filthy. The outcast royal is rebuilding his reputation – all for a good cause – but he can’t resist a pretty face. And bossy whirlwind Cherry’s got the face, the body, and the attitude to make Ruben’s convictions crumble. Even better, when she propositions him, she has no idea who he really is.
But when paparazzi catch the pair, erm, kissing in an alleyway, Ruben’s anonymity disappears faster than Cherry’s knickers. Now the press is in uproar, the palace is outraged, and Ruben’s reputation is back in the gutter. There’s only one way to turn this disaster around – and it involves Cherry, some big fat lies, and a flashy diamond ring. On her left hand.
This song immediately made me think about fake dating and just those books where the characters aren’t really looking for romance or aren’t taking the situation seriously but obviously that changes by the end. This first book rec I haven’t read yet (it comes out in May so add it to your TBR and preorder!!), but it was the first book to come to mind with this song partly because of fake dating and then the line “I can make the bad boys good for the weekend” made me think about how the love interest is described. The second rec comes from the “love’s a game” line because the entirety of book of dares is treating it like a game and when it becomes a bit too real they both get scared.
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan out May 4
Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Preorder
Tutoring the school’s resident bad boy was already crossing a line. Pretending to date him? Out of the question. But Ace Clyde does everything right—he brings her coffee in the mornings, impresses her friends without trying, and even promises to buy her a dozen books (a week) if she goes along with his fake-dating facade. Though Karina agrees, she can’t help but start counting down the days until her parents come back. T-minus twenty-eight days until everything returns to normal—but what if Karina no longer wants it to?
Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?
This series felt like an obvious choice for this song because nothing about it is straightforward especially the romances, but something about the world and the love interests keeps the main characters coming back even when they know they would be better off leaving or being with someone else. Not to mention there is a lot of talk of wishes and magic and just ~yearning~
Caraval series by Stephanie Garber: Goodreads | TheStorygraph
This story follows sisters Scarlett and Tella as they flee their abusive father for the chance to attend the legendary Caraval. But as soon as they arrive Tella is kidnapped by the elusive Legend and the only way to save her is for Scarlett to play, and win, the game. But things aren’t always what they seem and it friends become enemies just as quickly as enemies become friends, but that doesn’t stop either sister from taking the risk of falling in love. With every unraveled mystery, two more appear and the two sisters strength, love, and relationship will be tested before the game is over.
I picked this book for this song for multiple reasons. First, the title because this is the last book in the trilogy and it’s the one where things finally come to a head and readers as well as characters are finally given some answers about questions that have been haunting the story since the beginning. Second, Rose finds that she has a reputation and it’s not what she expected it to be since she’s only now learning the truth about her powers. Third, her connection with Arco who is described as golden and he sees Rose for who she is even when she has trouble seeing herself.
Wayward Witch by Zoraida Cordova
Rose Mortiz has always been a fixer, but lately she’s been feeling lost. Then, Rose discovers her father’s memory loss has been a lie. As she rushes to his side, the two are pulled through a portal to the land of Adas, a fairy realm hidden in the Caribbean Sea. Soon, she begins to discover the scope of her powers, the troubling truth about her father’s past, and the sacrifices he made to save her sisters. But if Rose wants to return home so she can repair her broken family, she must figure out how to heal Adas first.
✨Related Post: My Review of Brooklyn Brujas series
This is not a book you’d expect to have a soft romance but it does and I can’t wait to reread just to experience it all over again. Also Nax has a terrible reputation as a trouble maker and potential traitor so this song felt like a good fit for his budding romance!
The Disasters by M.K. England
Nax has always dreamed of flying, and he’s a damn good pilot, but that doesn’t stop him from flunking his pilot’s exam and getting kicked out of space academy. As he waits to return to Earth, he meets Rion, Case, and Zee who are headed back for their own reasons. Until the station is attacked and miraculously the teenage rejects manage to escape unscathed. The downside? They are blamed for the attack and suddenly find themselves at the focus of a galactic wide manhunt. After a nearly fatal crash, almost getting caught, and a few fights they meet an unlikely ally who helps them prove their innocence while unraveling a genocide plot.
Okay I’ll be honest I picked this book for this song mostly because of the above lines because this story is all about Lula’s choices and what she feels like she had to do, but in the end she’s strong enough to make the necessary sacrifices. Also, the rising from the dead and list of names lines felt parallel to this story of casiumertos and Lady de la Muerte.
Bruja Born by Zoraida Cordova
Lula Mortiz may be a bruja with healing powers, but after her family’s battle in Los Lagos, she feels broken in a way she can’t seem to fix. Then tragedy strikes when a bus crash leaves her friends and her boyfriend, Maks, dead. Lula invokes a dark spell to bring Maks back but when all of the bodies from the crash go missing she realizes something is wrong. Lula has unwittingly raised an army of casimuertos–creatures between the living and dead–and they’re hungry for freedom…which they can only achieve if Lula dies.
✨Related Post: My Review of Brooklyn Brujas series
This song not only makes me think of summer romance but also hate-to-love and all its iterations, I had quite a few books I’ve already read that I almost included but when I was looking through my 2021 releases these all jumped out as not only books I wanted to feature but also books that fit the vibe of this particular song.
I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre out March 2
Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Preorder
Arch-nemeses Emma, a die-hard romantic, and more-practical minded Sophia find themselves competing against one another for a coveted first-prize trip to a film festival in Los Angeles . . . what happens if their rivalry turns into a romance? For fans of Becky Albertalli’s Leah on the Offbeat, full of laugh-out-loud humor and make-your-heart-melt moments
Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler out May 11
Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Preorder
Lara’s had eyes for exactly one person throughout her three years of high school: Chase Harding. And he’s talking to her now. On purpose and everything. Maybe even flirting? No, wait, he’s definitely flirting, which is pretty much everything Lara’s wanted.
Except she’s haunted by a memory. A memory of a confusing, romantic, strangely perfect summer spent with a girl named Jasmine. A memory that becomes a confusing, disorienting present when Jasmine herself walks through the front doors of the school to see Lara and Chase chatting it up in front of the lockers.
Make Up Break Up by Lily Menon out February 2
Goodreads | Storygraph | Preorder
Annika Dev and Hudson Craft have rival relationship apps, which wouldn’t be a problem if they’d gone their separate ways after that summer fling in Las Vegas. But then Hudson moves into the office right next to Annika’s.
As the two clash again and again Annika finds herself drawn into Hudson’s world. Could it be that everything she thought about Hudson is completely wrong? Could the creator of Break Up teach her what true love’s really about?
Anyone who’s read this series probably knows why I picked it for this song, but it sounds like something from either June or Day’s perspective because despite all the drama and complications they still don’t regret each other and they find themselves willing to give up so much for each other.
Legend series by Marie Lu (Goodreads | TheStorygraph)
June is the Republic’s prodigy, destined for military greatness while Day is the Republic’s most wanted criminal. So when June’s brother is killed and all signs point to Day as the killer June sets out for vengeance. But when secrets are revealed, the lines start to blur between enemy and friend. June and Day eventually turn to the Patriots for help only to find themselves at the center of a deadly game. With nowhere left to turn they stand and fight. Finally, peace talks are in motion, but a new plague outbreak in the Colonies threatens everything they fought so hard for.
✨Related Post: My Review of Legend series
I was originally thinking of a second chance romance for this song, but this lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers felt like the perfect fit and the whole vibe of two people once in love keeping each other at a distance, but also not completely giving up.
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
Nicholas Rose is the perfect fiancé. Or so Naomi Westfield thought when she agreed to marry him, but something has changed and now she can’t stand him. Their wedding is fast approaching and Naomi just wants out, but if she ends things she’ll have to pay Nicholas’s overbearing mother back for the wedding. When she realizes Nicholas is also unhappy, and has seemingly been trying to sabotage their relationship for months, she decides two can play at that game. All bets are off and reckless hijinks and outright battles ensue and now that they’re no longer pretending, well maybe they don’t hate each other after all.
Another lyric that made me choose this book for this song “you said it was a great love, one for the ages / but if the story’s over, why am I still writing pages?”
✨Related Post: My Review of You Deserve Each Other
Most YA books feature teens being underestimated by adults and that is first and foremost why I picked this book for this song because both of the main characters are constantly underestimated and questioned about what they know about politics just because they are young. But I also picked it because of the romance and the fact that they make each other feel seen in a way they never felt before.
Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli & Aisha Saeed
Jamie Goldberg is cool with volunteering for his local state senate candidate—as long as he’s behind the scenes. When it comes to speaking to strangers (or, let’s face it, speaking at all to almost anyone), Jamie’s a choke artist. There’s no way he’d ever knock on doors to ask people for their votes…until he meets Maya.
Maya Rehman’s having the worst Ramadan ever. Her best friend is too busy to hang out, her summer trip is canceled, and now her parents are separating. Why her mother thinks the solution to her problems is political canvassing—with some awkward dude she hardly knows—is beyond her.
✨Related Post: My Review of Yes No Maybe So
I thought of this book because of the exploration of mental illness and addiction and pursuing your dreams even if it’s hard and also the whole idea of saying things we regret when we’re angry because Penny is definitely guilty of lashing out when she’s upset or anxious and saying things she eventually regrets even if she doesn’t always admit it.
Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi
For Penny Lee high school was a total nonevent. When Penny heads to college in Austin, Texas, to learn how to become a writer, it’s seventy-nine miles and a zillion light years away from everything she can’t wait to leave behind.
Sam’s stuck. Literally, figuratively, emotionally, financially. He knows that this is the god-awful chapter of his life that will serve as inspiration for when he’s a famous movie director but right this second the seventeen bucks in his checking account and his dying laptop are really testing him.
When Sam and Penny cross paths it’s less meet-cute and more a collision of unbearable awkwardness. Still, they swap numbers and stay in touch—via text—and soon become digitally inseparable, sharing their deepest anxieties and secret dreams without the humiliating weirdness of having to see each other.
✨Related Post: My Review of Emergency Contact
I know this song is supposed to be about fate and kind of the idea of soulmates, but when I was reading the lyrics for this post I couldn’t help but thinking of this book. In general I liked the idea of those unknown connections and that’s what I wanted to capture with this rec. Clap When You Land frequently talks about the passage of time, secrets, and the things that tie people together even when you least expect it.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Camino spends her days in the Dominican Republic waiting for her father to fly in each summer from New York. Yahaira spends her summers in New York waiting for her father to return from DR. Neither knows the other exists. Until the unthinkable happens and they are forced to face their father’s long buried secrets. Together.
✨Related Post: My Review of Clap When You Land
First, I wanted to pick a book with queer rep preferably sapphic because this song was an immediate queer anthem. Second, the book has mentions of mistakes and rumors and implied cheating or at least miscommunication that leads to a falling out that the mc wants to fix. This was one of the first books to come to mind because the story starts with the mc making a big mistake that she spends the rest of the book trying to make up for. And the reason that she made that mistake was to avoid her feelings for her friend which she also spends the book trying to repair that relationship.
When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey
When a boy winds up dead on prom night it’s up to Alexis and her friends to use their magic to try and undo their mistakes. When things go from bad to worse they learn more about their magic (and the potential backlash) than they ever knew before.
✨Related Post: My Review of When We Were Magic
Again I haven’t read this book (May seriously can’t come fast enough) but it immediately came to mind when I read the lyrics to Willow because of everything I’ve heard about it specifically the fake dating scheme all to help Noah save his blog but then he starts to fall for Drew and has to make some choices about what he wants.
Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee out May 4!
Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Preorder
Noah Ramirez thinks he’s an expert on romance. He has to be for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily ever afters. There’s just one problem—all the stories are fake. When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, Noah’s world unravels. The only way to save the Diary is to convince everyone that the stories are true, but he doesn’t have any proof. Then Drew walks into Noah’s life, and the pieces fall into place: Drew is willing to fake-date Noah to save the Diary. But when Noah’s feelings grow beyond their staged romance, he realizes that dating in real life isn’t quite the same as finding love on the page.
I knew I wanted to choose a romance that was about returning home and I considered a second chance romance, but ultimately I decided to go with this book because this song kind of has a reluctant to trust, reluctant to love vibe that I get from hate-to-love stories especially ones that have history like these characters.
Sweethand by N.G. Peltier out March 30
Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Preorder
After a public meltdown, Cherisse swore off guys, preferring to focus on growing her pastry chef business. Cherisse hopes her younger sister’s wedding will distract her mother, but her matchmaking keeps intensifying.
Cherisse tries to humour her, but turns out for the first time in ages, she and Keiran King, the most annoying man ever, are on the island at the same time. Avoiding him is impossible, considering Keiran’s the best man to her maid of honour.
Keiran doesn’t know what to make of Cherisse now. They’ve always butted heads, even while he secretly harbored a crush on her. Now they both have to figure out if they can survive the countdown to wedding day, without this turning into a recipe for disaster.
This felt like too perfect a fit because it feels like it’s telling the story of Alex trying to save her family and having to journey to Los Lagos which felt like Wonderland meets the Underworld in terms of vibe and nightmarish challenges.
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova
Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo she can’t trust, but who may be Alex’s only chance at saving her family.
✨Related Post: My Review of Brooklyn Brujas series
💫Have you read any of these? Did this add any new books to your tbr based on the song rec?
Just A Little Lit Nerd 
this post is amazing omg I love that you went back all the way to the OGs!!! No hate to folklore and evermore but the old albums def have more of my faves I think. Also the choice for Haunted hahahaha
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Yay! That makes all the effort worth it honestly 😍 And I love the new albums but her OG stuff just hits different so I wanted to do the whole range not just folklore/evermore and I honestly couldn’t resist picking CB for that song because it was the first thing that came to mind and it just made sense 😂
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marissa!! this is SUCH a good list & i loved seeing how you matched these books + songs! i’ve added so many things to my TBR because of you 🤍 thank you for the shoutout too !!
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Ahhhh thank you!! ❤ It means so much to me when people find new books through my recommendations 🥺 And of course, as soon as I saw your lists I knew I needed to mention them in my post!
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