You know, sometimes you get this idea and you can’t get it out of your head, no matter how complicated it is to realize? Well, that’s me (Marie) with this blog post about YA book recommendations based on your favorite TV shows. It’s an idea I had in my mind for a little while now and I really wanted to recommend to you all some awesome books in this new, fun way.
Obviously, I lost a little bit of my mind with it all and asked for my sister and co blogger’s help with this. You’ll find in this book list some TV shows we love, some she’s watched and I haven’t… and most of it all, some GREAT YA Books we definitely recommend. They might not be a perfect fit, but we found some of the same vibes, atmosphere, characters or storylines in between the shows and their books, so… I hope you’ll enjoy these recommendations!
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YA Books To Read Based On Your Latest Favorite TV Show
If You Liked Emily In Paris, You Should Read…
Oh Emily in Paris is HUGE. It’s really terribly cliché and, well… just plain TERRIBLE at times (and I’m saying this as a French person), but you can’t help binge-watching it, for some reason. Not going to lie: we binge-watched the second season for, reasons we can’t quite explain. Emily in Paris is about Emily, working abroad in a marketing firm in the City of Lights (and Love) for a year.
If you’re looking for a YA book like Emily in Paris, we’d recommend reading A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea and Tomorrow. While it doesn’t have the same messy, love triangle and cliché vibes, it has this main character experiencing abroad for the very first time as she’s shipped away by her family to England for the summer after a break-down. It has a fun cast of characters, a soft romance, adventures and adorable friendships and you will have a great, fun time reading this!
Read my book review of A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea and Tomorrow ☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Bridgeton, You Should Read…
Everyone praised Bridgerton, it’s another show that’s gone, well… viral. We watched the first season and are really curious about the next one COMING SOON! Set during the Regency era in London, it’s about eight close-knit siblings, attempting to find love in this complex society.
If you liked Bridgerton, we’d recommend reading Dangerous Alliance. This highly entertaining historical romance stars Vicky, a young lady who must enter society and marry before her family is destitute. It will not be as steamy as Bridgerton, but it has all of the fun banter, historical high society and big dresses scenes you should love!
Read my book review of Dangerous Alliance ☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Outerbanks, You Should Read…
Filled with action and mystery, Outer Banks has at its heart a group of close-family-like friendships. It’s about uncovering the dark secrets of the past and it’s thrilling, addictive to watch, too!
If you’re looking for a YA book similar to Outer Banks, we’d recommend We Were Liars. This is a fast-paced book you won’t be able to stop reading, with close relationships and a whole lot of mystery and secrets and… it’s also set on an island.
☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Riverdale, You Should Read…
Mysterious and very (VERY) strange at times, Riverdale follows a group of teenagers in Riverdale, a small town filled with sinistre and crime. While at times, it’s very confusing, it’s also strangely addictive, especially in the first seasons. Let’s face it: we kind of gave up at the end.
If you’re looking for a YA book like Riverdale, we’d recommend Broken Things. Five years after their best friend was killed, Mia and Brynn are still the main suspects in her murder… and, as new clues surface, they will get caught back into the mystery of their friend’s disappearance. This book has the same creepy, mysterious vibes as Riverdale!
☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Gossip Girl (The Reboot), You Should Read…
Ah, the rich kids of Gossip Girl. We watched the show when it first released and there’s a reboot happening lately with a new cast of characters, in the same Manhattan private school setting and with our Gossip Girl still at work. As always, it’s filled with drama, forbidden relationships and shattered reputations… and lives.
If you’re looking for a YA book like Gossip Girl, we’d definitely recommend trying Anna K., a retelling of Anna Karenina. Anna K.’s at the top of the Manhattan society, surrounded by her friends, messy scandals and more.
Read my book review of Anna K. ☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Dynasty, You Should Read…
Dynasty is about a very, incredibly rich American family. It has a whole lot of drama, a whole lot of messes to clean up (or not and more) and we love it SO much okay.
If you’re looking for a YA book like Dynasty, we’d recommend The Inheritance Games. In this book, Avery’s life changes all of a sudden when she learns she’s the only heir to a billionnaire’s fortune. A billionnaire she doesn’t know, at all. It’s an exciting mystery with a lot of drama, a rich family, a big manor and it’s as thrilling to read as Dynasty is to watch!
☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Virgin River, You Should Read…
Virgin River is about a nurse leaving Los Angeles for a small town after losing her husband in a car crash. She’s having a hard time opening up, but as she slowly settles in, things change… It’s an emotional, very character-driven show!
If you’re looking for a YA book like Virgin River, we recommend reading One True Loves. This book tells the story of Emma: years after losing the love of her life, she’s settling in back home and trying to rebuilt her life. Just like in the show Virgin River, our main character will slowly rebuild herself and find love in unexpected places, too.
☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Sex Education, You Should Read…
In Sex Education, the main character Otis’ mother is a sexologist… using this experience, with one of his friends, Otis decides to give advice to his classmates about relationships and sex. Funny and real, this show tackles so many important topics (sex, relationships, but also friendships) with heart and honesty.
If you’re looking for a YA book like Sex Education, you should try reading Fresh! This book tackles relationships, sexuality, the first year of college and tackles so many important topics with this same honesty, with a bit of fun, too, just like on the show!
Read my book review of Fresh ☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Good Trouble, You Should Read…
Following the adventures of Callie and Mariana from the TV show The Fosters, Good Trouble follows these two young adults as they move to Los Angeles and, little by little, tackle adult life and everything that goes with it. It focuses a lot on friendships and finding yourself.
If you’re looking for a YA book like Good Trouble, we recommend Almost Adults. We’re kind of cheating here since this book is a bit more adult than YA, but if you’re looking for a good crossover kind of read, this one’s it. It perfectly tackles this messiness of adulthood AND has great friendships and we loved it!
Read my book review of Almost Adults ☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Pretty Smart, You Should Read…
Pretty Smart is one of these fun sitcoms you binge-watch in like, a day. Forced to live with her sister and three roomates, Chelsea quickly finds out that happiness isn’t that easy to find… or isn’t exactly where she expect it to be, either. It’s a little quirky and yet a lot of fun, you grow fond of this cast of characters and their friendships!
If you’re looking for a YA book like Pretty Smart, you should read Foolish Hearts. Emma Mills nails YA stories with an incredible cast of characters you’ll fall for and, just like watching the show, you’ll have so much fun reading this endearing story.
Read my book review of Foolish Hearts ☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Never Have I Ever, You Should Read…
Never Have I Ever is a show we loved binge-watching just as well. It’s quirky, fun and so, so endearing just as well. It’s the story of Devi, an Indian-American teenager, finding her own way through high school, first loves, friendships and more. We LOVE this show!
If you’re looking for a YA book like Never Have I Ever, we’d recommend Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry. This book tells the story of Quinn, a list-maker, suddenly blackmailed into doing a list of all of her worst fears. Just like the show, it’s about getting outside of your comfort zone, new adventures, it’s fun and endearing and you’ll quickly grow fond of these amazing characters!
Read my book review of Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry ☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Young Royals, You Should Read…
Prince Wilhelm is kind of a bad boy… and one of the sons of the Queen. In order not to tarnish the royal family’s reputation (and his brother’s impending coronation as king), he’s sent to boarding school. When his brother suddenly dies in a car crash, he finds himself becoming the next king… Young Royals is such an entertaining show, with forbidden relationships, a whole lot of messy drama happening and more!
If you’re looking for a YA book like Young Royals, we’d recommend If This Gets Out. While this book is about an internationally known boys band, we’re getting similar themes of forbidden queer relationships, outside pressure to live a certain life to certain terms, and more.
Read my book review of If This Gets Out ☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked Shadow And Bone, You Should Read…
Ah, Shadow and Bone. Everyone in the bookish community knows this show and the book it was based on. When Alina, an orphan mapmaker, unleashes an extraordinary power, she could change everything about the world she lives in. It’s a thrilling, suspenseful, addictive show to watch with a unique world-building.
If you’re looking for a YA book like Shadow and Bone… we could recommend the series it’s derivated from, Shadow and Bone, but we’re picking another obvious, great choice: Six of Crows. If you loved Kaz’s part in the show, you’ll love the scheming, exciting adventures these characters hop on!
☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If You Liked The Crown, You Should Read…
The Crown is another show we’re REALLY looking forward to coming back this year. It’s about the Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. It’s an intriguing mix of personal intrigues and political schemes that shaped the 20th century. It’s dark, at times, dramatic, but most of all it’s so compelling to see real events fictionalized, unfolding in front of your eyes.
If you’re looking for a YA book like The Crown, we’d recommend reading The Luxe. A bit more on the witty, fun side, this young adult series takes you in the 19th century, in a world where rich society girls are trying to, well, survive. It’s filled of the addictive drama you’ll get in the show and, while it’s not that political at all, it’s just as entertaining!
☂️ Buy the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
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What are some of your favorite TV shows, lately? Did you read any of these books? We’d LOVE to hear from you in comments!
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I’ve literally watched 12 out of 14 shows, so this post was made for me!
AH YAY! We watched most of these because of you, haha, so THANK YOU! 🥰
This was a fun list! I loved both Bridgertons – the books and the show. I have wanted to watch Outer Banks and you just gave me even more reason to watch it!
Ahh thank you so much! Maybe I need to try reading the Bridgerton books sometime! 🙂
They’re so fun! I listened to them. They’re not as steamy as the show either.
Ohh that’s good to know! I’ll have to read them sometime, I’m curious to see if I’d like them! 🙂
I love the idea of this post so much! 🥰 I haven’t watched the second season of Emily in Paris yet, but hopefully soon – I watch it with my friend and it’s such a guilty pleasure for us 😂 A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea and Tomorrow sounds really great and cute!
I really need to both watch Dynasty and read The Inheritance Games, I have heard great things about both of them 😄 I’m also loving the combo of Never Have I Ever and Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry!! I love the show, it’s so much fun and really want to read the corresponding book 🥰
Ahh thank you so much, Caro! I get it, it’s such a guilty pleasure for me, too 😂
I hope you’ll love Dynasty, it’s such a fun show and The Inheritance Games was a great book, too! Thank you so, so much, so happy you enjoyed this!! 🙂
Love this post! I loved six of crows and I have added some of these on wish list.
Ahh yay! I hope you’ll enjoy them 🙂
Ooo Almost Adults looks really good! These are great pairings; can’t wait to pick some of them up!
It’s SO good! I’ve been wanting to read more books featuring young adults trying to figure things out and this was a perfect read. I hope you’ll enjoy it 🙂
This is such a fun post! I laughed out loud at Riverdale, what is that show anymore?! I love to hate it now and for some reason still find myself watching it because I’m like what could they possibly do next. 😂
The Luxe series! I remember reading that years ago! That was a fun series!
RIGHT? This is a very messy show and I don’t get it 99% of the time 😂😂 YES! I read The Luxe a long time ago and remember really enjoying it!
Thank you so much, Meghan!
So messy! I don’t know why I keep watching, but I just can’t stop? 😂
You’re welcome! 💞
It’s messy, but a bit addictive, we can’t help it 😂
This is such a cool idea! I don’t watch a lot of TV and haven’t actually seen most of these shows (and the ones I know I’ve only seen a few episodes of lol) but I get the vibes! So while I’ve only seen a tiny bit of Riverdale, Broken Things sounds like my kind of book! And maybe, because I did enjoy The Inheritance Games, I should watch Dynasty? 👀
Oh thank you so much, so happy you like it!! I’d love to hear your thoughts on Broken Things, I don’t know that many people who read this book aha 🙂
What a fantastic post! This is giving me ideas for reading and things to watch!!
Ahh thank you so much!!
nyx and marie, i absolutely adore this post!!! i have seen a lot of shows in this list, but have not read many of these books. i finished a cuban girl’s guide today and i can clearly see why it would be paired to emily in paris. although, like you said, the book definitely offers more depth to the characters. nonetheless, the setting of england was SO atmospheric and in some scenes, i genuinely felt like i was in a small town in england indeed.
we were liars was *massive* when i first joined the book community but for some reason, i never read it? i thought it would be too triggering for me at the time, but i might give it a chance now. plus, i do enjoy a fair share of outer banks. also, i really do need to read excuse me while i ugly cry! never have i ever is one of my fav shows so i definitely have the perfect motivation to pick this one up now.
great job with this post, girls!!!!
Ahh thank you so much, Lais, SO happy you enjoyed this post and our recommendations! I hope you’ll give We Were Liars a try someday and that you will love it! I personally adored it when I first read it. Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry is AMAZING! I loved it so much as well 🙂
Thank you again! We appreciate it SO much!
This was so much fun! I definitely need to check out these shows and books! 😀
Ahh yay! I hope you will 😀
This is such a fun idea for a post! I’ve never seen anything like this, and I can’t imagine how tricky it must have been to come up with books for each show.
Oh thank you so much! It was a bit tricky to do, but we’re pretty happy with the result 😀 Thank you so much for reading, Mary!