Nobody Wants These Book Recommendations
Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes
Like every other hopeless romantic on the planet, I fell hard for Nobody Wants This on Netflix. True to my archetype, I’m over the moon to have a Hot Rabbi to pair with my Hot Priest. This show was so brilliantly written. You giggle, squeal, and hide behind pillows in all the best ways. The balance of “cheesy” with rawness was so magnetic, I’m sure this will go down in the books as one of the best romantic comedies of all time.
Anywho! I could go on and on about this show, but instead let’s dive right in to the books I think capture the feelings or themes of this show. As a testament to the creators and writers of the show, each episode addresses its own theme/topic while continuing to move the storyline and relationship forward. So naturally, I have a book rec for each episode!
PILOT
Happy Place By Emily Henry
The best part of Happy Place is the unprecedented instant chemistry and next level banter when the love interests meet for the first time.
(This is coming from a Happy Place hater. You can save yourself the time from reading the entire book and just read that scene here. They used it as a promo with an “exclusive” for Entertainment Weekly in advance of publication, but it’s like putting the best parts in a trailer. A MISTAKE.)
A SHIKSA WALKS INTO A TEMPLE
Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
Bo in Out on a Limb, goes out of his way to pursue Win and make room for her in his life. [Plus their chemistry is off-the-charts, and rivals Joanne & Noah’s.]
EITHER AURA
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Romantic Comedy hinges on the anxiety of starting a relationship that feels fated in the face of fundamental differences and incompatible futures. (And they are hyper-aware of their relationship and connection à la this show and Andrew Garfield & Amelia Dimoldenberg.)
OBLITERATED
The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
After finishing the pilot, I literally googled to see if the show was based on this novel. Naomi is the co-founder of a sex-positive start-up and Ethan is a hot Rabbi... need I say more? The Intimacy Experiment is my general recommendation for the entire series.
This is the second book in a series of interconnected standalones, and I actually read this one first. But I also STRONG RECOMMEND The Roommate.
MY FRIEND JOANNE
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
In Wildfire, Russ & Aurora have to figure out their relationship in a summer camp setting. It’s a binge-worthy, steamy romance!
[This book is still on my tbr but C of @bck.reads binged it in two days!]
THE ICK
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
In Love on the Brain, Bee is now working with Levi, a man who treated her horribly in graduate school (ick!). But boy does he make it out of the ick-zone. [My favorite Ali Hazelwood.]
WAGS
The Right Move by Liz Tomforde
The best WAGS are written by Liz Tomforde. But we had to go with The Right Move because basketball! Unlike Noah, Ryan wins over Indy’s parents in the most swoon-worthy way!
[I’ve only read the first two Windy City books so far, and Mile High is my favorite.]
REBECCA’S BOX
The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez
In The Next Best Fling they keep it “fun” as opposed to defining the relationship as Noah and Joanne did in the show, but it’s because Marcela is convinced Theo is still hung up on his ex. The sibling tension rivals the sexual tension in this one (just like this episode).
MY GIRL BINA
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
How to End a Love Story, has the most resistant mother-in-law ever written. Naturally she’s against the star-crossed lovers who are clearly meant to be.
BAT MITZVAH CRASHERS
The Reluctant Countess by Eloisa James
Let’s be honest, this episode could also be called “The Reluctant Mrs. Head Rabbi.” The Reluctant Countess is filled with culture clashes, a woman who lives too boldly for the comfort of her love interest and his family, and the refusal to make a lover choose.
BONUS OVERALL REC
American Royalty by Tracey Livesay
American Royalty follows the undeniable pull between an English Prince and an American Rapper. They can’t fit in each other’s worlds, but they also can’t stay apart.
BONUS YA OVERALL REC
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
Sebastian is a closeted gay Mormon & Tanner his out bi boyfriend. Autoboyography follows star-crossed lovers navigating religious and familial differences.
This was my favorite Christina Lauren until I read The True Love Experiment last year!
Have you read any of these novels? Do you have any other recommendations to pair with Nobody Wants This? Let me know!
Hyperfixation du jour: finally
I’ve watched this more than you’d guess.
If you want to purchase any of the books mentioned in this article, please consider using my affiliate link with my favorite independent book store, The Ripped Bodice, or using my referral link to libro.fm for an audiobook!