Books with Music Recommendations

If I didn’t have to worry about school and money, I would honestly spend my time going to concerts because there’s something about the energy of a crowded place where everyone shares the same love for the musician and music.

I’ve only seen 5SOS in a big concert setting, and the way that they connected with us in the crowd was one of the best feeling because I had spent years listening to their music and watching their videos; then being so close to them and seeing them play live was the best thing ever. *fangirling moment is over for now*

I think that’s why I like these books so much because either the MC has the chance to travel with an artist or the MC is able to connect with other character because of their mutual love for music. The books below have both scenarios!

The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak

“Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara—even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD…for four hours. She’s totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she’ll never see him again.

Except, Stella’s life has suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry – lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favorite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver — dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band — when her sister could be dying of cancer?”

The Heartbreakers is the first book in The Heartbreakers Chronicles. Each book follows a different MC and features a particular boy from the band. The Heartbreakers is honestly one of my favorite books from this list. It has all of the expectations of band life and traveling on the road, and to make things even better, Oliver is very loosely based on Harry Styles.

Love Song by Sophia Bennett

“She’s the new assistant to the lead singer’s diva fiancée, and she knows it’s going to suck. She quickly learns that being with the hottest band on the planet isn’t as easy as it looks: behind the scenes, the boys are on the verge of splitting up. Tasked with keeping an eye on four spoiled rock stars, Nina’s determined to stick it out – and not fall for any of them …”

I had read this book shortly after I read The Heartbreakers and was expecting a similar story line. I don’t like it quite as much because the main love interest is engaged, so that complicate things. It’s a good book, but at the time I wasn’t digging it. I think if I were to reread it now, I might like it more. It does have a happy ending despite all of the drama.

Love Songs & Other Lies by Jessica Pennington

“It’s summer romance and second chances, the songs that stay in your head, and the boy you’ll never forget.

Two years after rock-song-worthy heartbreak, Virginia Miller is looking forward to a fun, carefree summer. Her friends just landed a spot on a battling bands reality show, and Vee is joining them for her dream internship on tour. Three months with future rockstars seems like an epic summer plan. Until she learns she’ll also be sharing the bus with Cam. Her first love, and her first heartbreak. Now Vee has more than just cameras to dodge, and Cam’s determination to win her forgiveness is causing TMZ-worthy problems for both of them. With cameras rolling, she’ll have to decide if her favorite breakup anthem deserves a new ending. And if she’s brave enough to expose her own secrets to keep Cam’s under wraps.

Breaking Vee’s heart was never Cam’s plan. All he wanted senior year was a new life, in a new town, uninterrupted by the tragedy he left behind. Then Vee swept him into a whirlwind of friendship, musical adventure, and a love he didn’t expect or want. Now, he has a second chance to make it right. But things get complicated when ratings-crazy producers, cameramen, and fans are involved. Can he rewrite their love song with the whole world watching?”

If y’all are looking for a book that goes into a deep backstory while being able to follow the present story that is being told this is the book you need to read. This story switches between Cam and Vee’s POV giving both sides of the story (both past and present). It follows the highs and lows of their relationship, and their journey of reconnecting.

When It’s Real by Erin Watt

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I have a new review on my blog! It’s a beta read, so I didn’t get into a whole lot the of juicy details. But I gave enough to leave you wanting more 😂. Link in bio! • • • • • #bookstagram #yabookstagram #booksandmusic #booksandfairylights #5sos #kingofscars #vicious #bookphoto #openedbook #booklove #bookreview #bookblog #bookblogger #yabook #yabooks #yabookblog #newbookreview #vynil #shelfie #betareader #ireadya #yabookstagrammer #bookcommunity #bookish #bookishphoto #fangirl #bookmark #booksaboutmusic #bookishlover #review

A post shared by Lauren Bodiford (@lauren.bodiford) on Feb 20, 2019 at 10:59am PST

“Under ordinary circumstances, Oakley Ford and Vaughn Bennett would never even cross paths.

There’s nothing ordinary about Oakley. This bad-boy pop star’s got Grammy Awards, millions of fangirls and a reputation as a restless, too-charming troublemaker. But with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley needs to show the world he’s settling down—and who better to help him than Vaughn, a part-time waitress trying to help her family get by? The very definition of ordinary.

Posing as his girlfriend, Vaughn will overhaul Oakley’s image from troublemaker to serious artist. In return for enough money to put her brothers through college, she can endure outlandish Hollywood parties and carefully orchestrated Twitter exchanges. She’ll fool the paparazzi and the groupies. She might even start fooling herself a little.

Because when ordinary rules no longer apply, there’s no telling what your heart will do…”

I had read this book post Royals Series by Erin Watt, so I was ready to see a different side from this duo. This book is one of those YA/NA books where it kind of switched back and forth through out the story. I loved this story because it’s about a regular girl acting as a musician’s girlfriend to help take care of her family. This is one of my sister’s favorite books because I think she has read it 4(?) times of the past 3 years.

Kill the Boyband by Goldy Moldavsky

“Just know from the start that it wasn’t supposed to go like this. All we wanted was to get near them. That’s why we got a room in the hotel where they were staying. We were not planning to kidnap one of them. Especially not the most useless one. But we had him-his room key, his cell phone, and his secrets. We were not planning on what happened next. We swear. From thrilling new talent Goldy Moldavsky comes a pitch-black, hilarious take on fandom and the badass girls who have the power to make-or break-the people we call “celebrities.”

Y’all, I’m not going to lie, but I did not like this book. It’s not that the writing was bad; it’s just I was expecting it to be, I thought it would a fun book like those above. But in this story, the guys in the band hate each other and are only together in this band because they are required since they won a competition and have to work together. Then one of the guys in the band gets murdered while another is kidnapped by one of the MC’s friend all while the MC and one of the less stuck up band members run into each other and fall in love all in the course of one night in a hotel.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

“She’s got it all figured out.

Or does she? When it comes to relationships, Remy’s got a whole set of rules.

Never get too serious. Never let him break your heart. And never, ever date a musician.

But then Remy meets Dexter, and the rules don’t seem to apply anymore.

Could it be that she’s starting to understand what all those love songs are about?”

It should be no surprise that I am a huge Sarah Dessen. This love story about letting life happen captured my heart within the first couple of chapters.

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

“After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.”

This is a great summer read, although it is about country singers… It’s a fun story about friendship, love, and new adventures!

I think the next recommendation post will be about new adult books!!!

Happy reading until next time,