Matching Romance Novels with Madonna Songs

Pairs with: This Use to be My Playground

With its heavy baseball theme, this book matches up perfectly with this song and the idea of going back in someone’s history. Samantha and Ellis are two women who take a road trip together to find out more about the life of Sam’s late grandmother. As they travel, they find themselves unable to ignore the attraction growing between them.

Pairs with: Human Nature

It’s not really a romance list from me if there isn’t at least one Beverly Jenkins novel. I am picking this one for this song because Spring embodies theme of unapologetically living her life the way she wants. Her past and present may not be deemed “acceptable” by the rigid standards of society, but she is an independent woman with no regrets. Plus she has a very “modern” stance to safe sex and not wanting kids, which is awesome to see in a historical romance novel.

Pairs with: Die Another Day

Personally, this James Bond theme is superseded only by Tina Turner’s Goldeneye. It being a Bond theme is the reason why it pairs well with this book about two married spies, their personal assistant, and what happens when all three adults stop ignoring the attraction that has been brewing among them. Be sure to have a glass of water and fan at the ready for all the steam headed your way.

Pairs with: Papa Don’t Preach

When I was brainstorming this list, I immediately thought of this book when it shuffled to this song. While Lady Georgiana didn’t end up with the father of her baby, she was still a proud and independent single mom, determined to do whatever it took to take care of her child. Seeing that type of perseverance, especially in a historical setting, is a unique thing and stands out, much like Madonna did when she released this song.

Pairs with: La Isla Bonita

Understandably, this song evokes images of a tropical paradise with the romantic partner of your choice. So it seems to go hand in hand with the latest release from this author, both for the cover design and the fact that the Feyi, the heroine of this novel, gets swept away to a tropical location as part of her romantic journey.

Pairs with: Bad Girl

Please note that I don’t think a woman owning her sexuality is bad and I don’t think Madonna does either. However, I think this song was a release of sorts for how everyone saw her when she chose to embrace all facets of her sexuality and how that may affect potential romantic partners. Which matches up perfectly with Jessica, the courtesan from this book who agrees to take part in a scheme to corrupt moralist Mark, since the money from that will allow her to retire, before falling in love and fearing that she may still end up ruining his reputation by association.

Pairs with: Causing a Commotion

This song is an opposites attract song if I ever heard one, that doesn’t outwardly state it like another early ’90s banger. And Lu and Tru are almost complete opposites who balance each other perfectly. Plus, they cause many a commotion during their adventures to try to stop the titular character from getting married and it’s a riot to experience.

Pairs with: Beautiful Stranger

“Haven’t we met? You’re some kind of beautiful stranger” perfectly encapsulates the way Emmy feels the first time she sees Talia after so many years away from home. There’s also the bit about Emmy swallowing her pride and accepting her love for Talia. That’s it; that’s the comparison.

Pairs with: Open Your Heart

Kris is very upfront and forthcoming that one of their reasons for going on the show is to find someone to settle down with and when she’s matched up with D’Vaughn, she’s overjoyed. I picked this one since Kris spends a good portion of the book convincing D’Vaughn to do just what the song says, and open up her heart to her.

Pairs with: Like a Prayer

Okay, real talk…I was thisclose to picking Priest for this for obvious reasons. But I choose a more recent addition to the hot priest trope for this song; so, the touch of controversy is still there. And, considering that this music video likely still has the uber conservative clutching their proverbial pearls, it would go hand in hand with this oddly specific trope.

Pairs with: Me Against the Music

Okay so yes, technically this is a Britney Spears song that Madonna just guest stars on, and technically ballet is not exactly the same thing as the dancing referenced in the song and video. But I still couldn’t resist matching this up to this age gap romance novel about a dance teacher who reunites with a former ballet student once he is all grown up.