If you’ve ever read a book with a built-in playlist, you know that they usually have the best songs that relate to the story. Better yet, if you’re anything like me, you look for the books with soundtracks so you don’t have to make one yourself. Well, my friend, here are four of the best series and books with built-in playlists. Additionally, two of the novels written about actually don’t have an attached playlist, but are musicals. Get your music app out, this one’s going to be good.
Please read the CWs/TWs before purchasing any of the novels below.
Icebreaker (The Maple Hills Trilogy) by Hannah Grace
If you haven’t read or at least heard about this amazing first installment in its series, let me be the one to introduce it. Anastasia Allen has one goal: a shot at Team USA for her figure skating. When Anastasia’s skating partner faces difficulties, she looks towards the hockey team captain for assistance. Not without a cost, though, as Nate Hawkins needs her just as much as she needs him. The two find themselves growing in ways they never thought possible. This book has an emotional testimony about abusive friendships, partnerships, and strength. To say the least, this book may have those spicy scenes we all love, but it holds so much more!
You can find the list of songs that Hannah Grace delicately picked out in the first pages of her novel. Don’t forget that this is a trilogy, so when you read the other books, you get different playlists. Each one is specific to their book, and all are wonderfully made. You can find the songs for the Icebreaker novel on Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere you listen to music!
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
If you’re like me, you had the mind-boggling question as to why The Queen of Hearts is so, well, heartless. This heart-throbbing, tearful, and wonderful tale about Cath and the court’s jester, Jest, explains just the very reason The Queen of Hearts became he villainous ruler she is. Cath was just a girl who wanted to open a bakery with her best friend, and Jest… he wanted her, most of all her heart. While they have their secret meetings and relationship, everything seems to fall into place, but what happens when love just isn’t enough to save their story? This amazing novel was turned into a high school musical and play, with the author, Marissa Meyer, in the front row. This musical is not one you can see live, but you can find it on YouTube.
You can find the songs to this perfect concept musical on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. While it’s not exactly a playlist, it wonderfully tells the story! I hope you enjoy it as much as me, but then again, I’ve watched the musical over three times now. Fun fact: the actual musical is there for you to enjoy on YouTube!
Butcher and Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy) by Brynne Weaver
Two rival murderers, a game filled with gore, and a ritual that ends in gruesome love. What more could a thriller romance need? Sloane and Rowan work together against dangerous killer enemies, but as their friendship develops, so do their feelings for each other. This puts a strain on their lines of work, making them even more threatening. This scorching, action-packed novel thoroughly blends dark comedy, erotic romance, and a pack of true love. Butcher and Blackbird is the first novel in The Ruinous Love Trilogy, so remember to check for all of the playlists that come with these three steamy books. It has also been confirmed by my goddess, Brynne Weaver, that we will see Sloane and Rowan live as there is a movie in the works.
This is also a trilogy, so make sure to find the playlist that fits! Each book has a specific playlist, but you can always create your own! You can find Brynne’s playlist for Butcher and Blackbird directly on Spotify and Apple Music, and additionally on YouTube. Have fun, little birds!
King of Wrath (Kings of Sin) by Ana Huang
Let me tell you, as soon as you read this book, you’ll have the same obsession with Dante Russo as I do. This billionaire CEO, who thrives on control, never wanted to get married. Well, until he was threatened with blackmail, that thrusts him into an engagement with a woman he doesn’t even know. He may be a rich, hot, and plan dates, but he’s also a man who is in serious need of a reality check, and Vivian Lau is just the girl to wake him up. She will be the one to bring him to his knees… literally. Vivian is a strong, determined woman who isn’t afraid to put Dante in his place from the beginning. Her fear of not meeting her parents’ expectations and of disappointing or disobeying them causes her to limit herself. She is everything they say, well-mannered, obedient, and loyal, but at some point, loyalty seems more like manipulation. Luckily, Dante is there to help her, just as she is there to help him.
I hope you love this book as much as I do, but even better, I hope you enjoy it while listening to the playlist. I have to admit, this is my favorite Ana Huang novel, and the song choices enhance that feeling. There are currently five books in the Kings of Sin series that you can read (also with playlists formulated for them). You can find her playlist on the first pages of her book, on Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere you enjoy your tunes.
Hooked (Never After) by Emily McIntire
James has one goal, but when the person he is trying to destroy has an alluring daughter, things get a little more complicated, for this girl could be the end of him. Of course, revenge is the end goal, so his idea is to seduce her and use her. When lines get blurred, betrayals are made, and James starts to see Wendy as more than just a pawn in his revenge. Wendy’s life is more than undesirable as she is usually kept in the dark, but one night out changed everything. As her relationship with James grows, and she begins to fall for the famous Hook, she can only see what created the monster he claims to be.
This is the first novel in the Never After series, a collection of modern takes on Disney’s most notorious villains. Don’t worry, I did the hard part for you. You can find the songs within the novel on Spotify and YouTube to stream as you please. This may be one of the most fitting playlists that could’ve been written for a book. I mean, how much better could it get than when you’re listening to Lost Boy by Ruth B. and reading about a hot version of Captain Hook?
The Odyssey by Homer and Emily Wilson
I guarantee you had to read, watch, or at least discuss The Odyssey in an English class or school in general. I am a huge fan of this mysterious, long journey as Odysseus treks across a great ocean after the Trojan War. I was even more thrilled at the fact that the amazingly talented Jorge Rivera-Herrans created EPIC: The Musical. With nine mini-albums, this fascinating take on the historical story captures not just the most alluring voices, but also teaches different ways Odysseus endured his triumphs. I’ll be honest with you, this musical will somehow make its way on my 2025 Spotify Wrapped at the end of the year.
You can find EPIC: The Musical‘s Concept Album on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, or anywhere you stream your songs! Don’t forget that these concept albums are not built through an actual musical; however, you can find animations by various artists on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
I hope you enjoy at least one of these amazing novels and their playlists, especially the musicals. I mean, I’m a musical girl, so of course I had to include them. Either way, I sincerely hope you find that perfect playlist that completes your book reading experience.
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