In Love at First Set, Lizzie, our favorite disaster bi, is doing her best to (not) fall in love with her best friend’s sister, Cara, who also happens to be her horrible bosses’ daughter… oh, and a runaway bride on top of that. To say it’s complicated would be the understatement of the century.
Lizzie and Cara’s love story is a perfectly imperfect one; the story of two flawed people finding each other and falling in love during a time in their life where neither one was looking for it. It only makes sense that Lizzie’s playlist from that time would be full of complicated, but fun, songs. Perfect to listen to when you’re pining for the hot girl in your best friend’s guest room… or while cruising around with your windows down this summer, your pick.
So, without further ado, here are LIZZIE’S TOP FIVE SONGS TO LISTEN TO WHILE FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND’S SISTER (WHEN YOU DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT BE)
- “Goodnight N Go” by Ariana Grande
You know that spinny, flirty, buzzing feeling you get when you lock eyes with your crush across the room and realize they’re looking back? That.
This song is especially good for those nights when you know you should head home and play it safe, but you just don’t want to. While Lizzie struggles to maintain some semblance of control over the butterflies that are swirling in her belly, you just know she listens to this song on repeat.
- “Delicate” by Taylor Swift
Lizzie has a bad habit of feeling like she doesn’t measure up—something that she has to deal with throughout this book as she learns to embrace her own “Reputation Era.” When Lizzie realizes that her feelings for Cara might not be as one-sided as she thought, she lets herself dream about what it might be like if she gave in… even though things are “delicate.”
- “Table for One: by AWOLNATION
Lizzie is conflicted. Really conflicted. So, she keeps up this game of push and pull, even though she desperately wishes she didn’t have to. She’s not sure where this could go—or if she should let it go anywhere (even though she desperately wants it to). I had this song on repeat while I was drafting a particular scene in Love at First Set but I’ll leave it up to you to decide which one!
- “Peace” by Taylor Swift
Yes, Taylor Swift does get two entries on this playlist, and not just because I get to see her later this month and am ridiculously excited, but also because they just fit, okay? (Trust me on this one.) This song really captures the essence of Lizzie’s fears about herself—her self-doubts about how she measures up, her worthiness for love, and her ability to love someone the way they deserve despite her chaotic past. This song would 100% be on repeat in Lizzie’s head as she works up the courage to finally make her move—not the half-assed ones she’s been hiding behind all along, but actually decides to put herself out there.
- “Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby” by Cigarettes After Sex
Lizzie is a natural caregiver, even though sometimes she does come off a little bit prickly. This song is perfect for those moments when her softness and love shine through, when she can be herself around Cara, soaking up those quiet moments where the rest of the world—and its problems—don’t exist, and they’re finally allowed to just be.
You can grab this book and see for yourself exactly which moments these songs correlate to!
Love at First Set by Jennifer Dugan is available from Amazon and Bookshop.
Read an excerpt from Love at First Set.