If you’re looking for your next swoony, summery YA read, then it’s time to talk about K. L. Walther books—a one-way ticket to adorable romances, chaotic friend groups, and Taylor Swift references in literary form. 🫶📚
As soon as I found out that K.L. Walther is powered by dogs, novels, and Swiftie anthems, I knew she was going to be a favorite. And now? I’ve read every single one of her books. Multiple times. No notes.
So here’s a list of every book out so far (and a couple new releases) from K.L. Walther so you can decide which ones are the books for you! (Spoiler alert: you’ll love every last one of them)
Best Way to Read K. L. Walther Books 💘✨
Whether you’re new to her work or building your collection, this is your cheat sheet to TBR bliss. 🌟
📚 The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther
Goodreads Rating: 3.90
My Rating: 5/5
Meredith’s family’s annual game of assassins at Martha’s Vineyard during a summer wedding is the perfect chance to honor her sister’s legacy, and finally join the world again. But when she forms an alliance with a cute groomsman, she’s at risk of losing both the game…and her heart.
Meredith Fox has been going to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer as long as she can remember. But this summer is the first one back since the death of Meredith’s sister. It will all be overwhelming, but even more since the entire extended family will be together for her cousin’s big wedding.
Unfortunately, Meredith’s longtime boyfriend unexpectedly dumped her two weeks before the wedding, leaving her dateless. Luckily, she has the perfect distraction. Her family has a tradition of playing the ultimate game of Assassin every summer. And, this year, it will take place during the week of wedding festivities.
But her target just happens to be a very cute groomsman. She’s determined to not let herself get distracted, not let herself be lost in another doomed relationship. But as the week progresses, she can’t help falling for him. This may cost her not only the game, but also her heart 😭
This story is the perfect mix of the full family and friends island retreat vibes from We Were Liars combined with the scheming and fast-paced gameplay of Today Tonight Tomorrow.
This book has everything you could possibly want in a rom-com: flirty banter, rivalry infused romance, complex family dynamics, and plenty of perfectly placed pop culture references. Packed with rivalry, romance, and the emotional depth that sneaks up on you, it’s one of the most iconic K. L. Walther books to start with.
🎓 What Happens After Midnight by K. L. Walther
Goodreads Rating: 3.74
My Rating: 4.5/5
Lily Hopper has two more weeks until she’s officially finished with boarding school. With graduation quickly approaching, Lily is worried that she’s somehow missed out on the fun of being in high school. So, when she receives a mysterious note inviting her to join the anonymous senior class Jester in executing the end-of-prank, Lily sees her chance to put her goody-two-shoes reputation behind her.
When Lily realizes the Jester is none other than Taggart Swell, her ex-boyfriend, she’s already in too deep to back out. Lily might’ve dumped Tag, but she still has major feelings. Plus, his brilliant plan to steal the school’s yearbooks, targets none other than Lily’s prom date: the Senior Class President, Daniel.
As the group of pranksters hide cryptic clues across campus for Daniel to find, Lily and Tag find themselves in close quarters. As the exes dodge Campus Safety guards, night owl teachers, a troop of freshmen, and even Daniel himself, new sparks fly. But old hurts and painful secrets refuse to be ignored. And with graduation on the horizon, Lily can only hope that breaking the rules will help mend her heart.
This K. L. Walther book is a perfect YA rom-com with mystery, heart, and enough Taylor Swift references to turn your reading session into an easter egg hunt. (I spotted 56 titles—beat that, Swifties! 👀🎶).
💞 Maybe Meant to Be by K. L. Walther (previously published as If We Were Us)
Goodreads Rating: 3.62
My Rating: 5/5
Two best friends. Two boys. One complicated year.
Everything at the prestigious Bexley School believes that Sage Morgan and Charlie Carmichael are meant to be…that it’s just a matter of time until they realize they are actually in love.
When Luke Morrissey shows up on the Bexley campus, his presence immediately shakes things up. Charlie and Luke are drawn to each other the moment they meet, giving Sage the opportunity to steal away to spend time with Charlie’s twin brother, Nick.
But Charlie is afraid of what others will think if he accepts that he has much more than a friendship with Luke. And Sage fears that things with Nick are getting too serious too quickly. The duo will need to rely on each other and their lifelong friendship to figure things out with the boys they love.
Previously published under the title If We Were Us, this book is one of my all time favorites! Not only does this book have one of the cutest romance plots imaginable, it has two banter-filled relationships that are sure to make you smile!
This isn’t your typical best-friends-to-lovers story. It flips the trope on its head and gives you two heartfelt, layered love stories told through the lens of enduring friendship. Think Heartstopper meets private school drama with a side of twin chaos. One of the most underrated K. L. Walther books, IMO.
🏃♀️ While We’re Young by K. L. Walther
Goodreads Rating: 3.65
My Rating: Pre-order level hype: 💯
Four friends. One day off. A whole heap of trouble. A whirlwind romance inspired by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off about four friends whose hearts are broken and mended over the course of an epic senior skip day.
Grace, Isa, and Everett used to be an inseparable trio before their love lives became a tangled mess. For starters, Grace is secretly in love with Everett, who used to go out with Isa before breaking her heart in the infamous Freshman Year Fracture. And, oh yeah, no one knows that Isa has been hanging out with James, Grace’s brother. And if Grace finds out, it could ruin their friendship.
With graduation fast approaching, Grace decides an unsanctioned senior skip day in Philadelphia might be just what they need to fix things. All she has to do is convince Isa to help her kidnap Everett and outmaneuver James, who’s certain his sister is up to something.
In an epic day that includes racing up the famous Rocky steps, taste-testing Philly’s finest cheesesteaks, and even crashing a wedding, their secrets are bound to collide. But can their hearts withstand the wreckage?
Told through multiple POVs (and done so well, you’ll actually love them all), this book explores the bittersweet in-between senior year and adulthood. Its Booksmart energy meets The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the standout K. L. Walther books of 2025.
💒 A First Time for Everything by K. L. Walther (Coming June 3, 2025)
My Rating: 🫣❤️🫠 (aka five stars)
Madeline has always been extremely close to her family. When her older brother gets engaged without including them (or even giving them a heads up!), she is in shock. Mads has never been the biggest fan of his fiancee, Katie. So in order to remain one happy family, she is determined to bond with Katie before the big day. Only, this includes reluctantly agreeing to be a bridesmaid.
During a late-night bridesmaids-only game of “Truth or Dare” Mads gets cornered into revealing she has never been kissed or even been on a date. This spurs the other girls to unite on a quest to find Mads the perfect plus-one for the wedding. Next thing she knows she’s navigating a series of disastrous dates that include some major misunderstandings and mishaps.
All of a sudden, Mads finds her heart tugged in different directions. To Connor, the boy next door who knows her best. To Marco Alvarez, the former classmate who knows how to push all her buttons. And to some of the new suitors who surprisingly aren’t all bad.
There’s a reason that competitive reality-show style dating is such an addictive plot to follow. A First Time for Everything focuses on Mads as she attempts to find the perfect date to her brother’s wedding. This book has all the disastrous dates you would expect and the drama of navigating the dating world in such a chaotic method.
An aspect of this book that is especially enjoyable is the involvement of classic rom-com tropes during all of the dates. After all, don’t we all want to be in a love triangle between our best friend/childhood neighbor and our infuriating, but chemistry-compatible enemy? With every new date, we are introduced to a multitude of addictive tropes and wild situations.
From disastrous blind dates to a potential love triangle (hi, childhood bestie vs. infuriating-but-hot enemy), this book is bursting with rom-com energy and big family feels. It’s funny, sweet, tropey in the best way, and possibly my new fave of all the K. L. Walther books. The book is currently set to be released for June 3, 2025!
🎒 Ready to binge-read them all?
Grab your tote bag, tell your friends, load up your e-reader, or speed-walk to your local library—K. L. Walther’s books are calling, and your heart will not be the same. 💘📖✨
This reading guide was written by our Bookly Pro Reader, Adylin.💙
Keep Track of Your TBR and Reading Progress With Bookly 📱📈
Whether you track your reading progress in a spreadsheet, journal, notebook, or app, just remember to do it!
Bookly will help keep you accountable, track your books, improve your reading habits, and help you increase reading speed while understanding what you read.
Start developing a reading habit with Bookly, and watch that TBR pile shrink with each day! 😎 And while you’re at it, don’t forget that Bloo, your reading assistant, will always be by your side and help you improve! 💖
Download Bookly 👉 https://bookly.onelink.me/t5hz/x4sel69s
