I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
When snow falls, sparks fly in this irresistible queer romance from Schneider Family Book Award and Stonewall Honor winner Mariama J. Lockington-for fans of She Gets the Girl and Jennifer Dugan.

High school senior Lyric has always found Christmas to be the hardest season. While other kids got presents and family time by the fire, she was in and out of foster care. An up-and-coming make-up influencer and aspiring cosmetology student who loves a bold lip, Lyric definitely isn't looking for romance-not when opening up to someone feels a lot like asking to get hurt.

Christmas is Juniper's favorite time of year. At least, it was, until her moms' separation. They're back together now, and Juniper hopes they'll stay that way. Because if they're happy, that means Juniper can leave for her gap-year trip after graduation (the one she has yet to tell her parents about, and can't really afford without their help).

When a chance meeting brings these two opposite personalities together, they should clash . . . only they don't. Instead Lyric strikes a deal with Juniper: pose as her fake girlfriend in a series of holiday-themed social media posts and they can split the money from her beauty sponsorships. But soon the lines between what's real and what's not start to blur. Could it be that sparks are flying both in front of the camera and behind it?

Told from dual perspectives, one in prose and one in verse, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm is a cozy and modern love story from acclaimed author Mariama J. Lockington that's perfect for the winter holidays or all year round.
1146474035
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
When snow falls, sparks fly in this irresistible queer romance from Schneider Family Book Award and Stonewall Honor winner Mariama J. Lockington-for fans of She Gets the Girl and Jennifer Dugan.

High school senior Lyric has always found Christmas to be the hardest season. While other kids got presents and family time by the fire, she was in and out of foster care. An up-and-coming make-up influencer and aspiring cosmetology student who loves a bold lip, Lyric definitely isn't looking for romance-not when opening up to someone feels a lot like asking to get hurt.

Christmas is Juniper's favorite time of year. At least, it was, until her moms' separation. They're back together now, and Juniper hopes they'll stay that way. Because if they're happy, that means Juniper can leave for her gap-year trip after graduation (the one she has yet to tell her parents about, and can't really afford without their help).

When a chance meeting brings these two opposite personalities together, they should clash . . . only they don't. Instead Lyric strikes a deal with Juniper: pose as her fake girlfriend in a series of holiday-themed social media posts and they can split the money from her beauty sponsorships. But soon the lines between what's real and what's not start to blur. Could it be that sparks are flying both in front of the camera and behind it?

Told from dual perspectives, one in prose and one in verse, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm is a cozy and modern love story from acclaimed author Mariama J. Lockington that's perfect for the winter holidays or all year round.
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I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

by Mariama J. Lockington

Narrated by Rae De Vine, Shayna Small

Unabridged — 6 hours, 52 minutes

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

by Mariama J. Lockington

Narrated by Rae De Vine, Shayna Small

Unabridged — 6 hours, 52 minutes

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Overview

When snow falls, sparks fly in this irresistible queer romance from Schneider Family Book Award and Stonewall Honor winner Mariama J. Lockington-for fans of She Gets the Girl and Jennifer Dugan.

High school senior Lyric has always found Christmas to be the hardest season. While other kids got presents and family time by the fire, she was in and out of foster care. An up-and-coming make-up influencer and aspiring cosmetology student who loves a bold lip, Lyric definitely isn't looking for romance-not when opening up to someone feels a lot like asking to get hurt.

Christmas is Juniper's favorite time of year. At least, it was, until her moms' separation. They're back together now, and Juniper hopes they'll stay that way. Because if they're happy, that means Juniper can leave for her gap-year trip after graduation (the one she has yet to tell her parents about, and can't really afford without their help).

When a chance meeting brings these two opposite personalities together, they should clash . . . only they don't. Instead Lyric strikes a deal with Juniper: pose as her fake girlfriend in a series of holiday-themed social media posts and they can split the money from her beauty sponsorships. But soon the lines between what's real and what's not start to blur. Could it be that sparks are flying both in front of the camera and behind it?

Told from dual perspectives, one in prose and one in verse, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm is a cozy and modern love story from acclaimed author Mariama J. Lockington that's perfect for the winter holidays or all year round.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A Junior Library Guild Selection

“Alternating between Lyric’s prose chapters and Juniper’s verse ones, the story moves at a steady, slow-burn pace that effectively keeps the pages turning. Lockington carefully and sensitively explores themes of dealing with anger, grief, and fear of abandonment. An emotional, engaging story of love and growth.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Award-winning Lockington is back with this YA romance told in hybrid prose and verse, both of which sing with grace and power. In addition to the girls’ chemistry, a stand-out feature of the story is the strong side character relationships, from Lyric’s grandma to Juniper’s moms. Lyric’s passion for makeup and beauty as a means to escape poverty is beautifully rendered, while Juniper’s love of nature and insecurity about the future will resonate with teen readers.” —Booklist

“Via Juniper and Lyric’s alternating POVs—respectively rendered in poetic verse and intimate prose—Lockington crafts a heartwarming love story enriched by the characters’ well-rounded emotional depth.” —Publishers Weekly

“Lockington delivers a cozy winter romance that’s both heartwarming and emotionally layered . . . A great sapphic romance for readers who enjoy a good will-they-won’t-they with depth and festive charm.” —School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2025-07-03
In Lansing, Michigan, two high school seniors have clear goals—but they need money to make them a reality.

Following a traumatic incident with her mother, who suffered a breakdown, 8-year-old Lyric Watkins was placed into foster care; Grammy Viv gained custody two years later. Grateful for the stability, Lyric works as an online beauty influencer to help with bills and save up for a local cosmetology program that will allow her to stay close to home. Lyric’s classmate Juniper Jones longs to take a gap year and “do something wild and wonderful,” traveling the country and being in nature, where she’s happiest. However, after reuniting following a separation, her moms are on shaky ground, and Juniper is afraid her plans will fall apart along with her family. When Lyric, seeking content for her BeautyStarz social media account, runs into Juniper by the Capitol Christmas tree and asks her to pose for a photo, she doesn’t expect it to go viral. The two Black girls decide to make the most of its success by fake dating to earn enough to fund their respective dreams. Their calculated plan quickly spirals into something far more complicated as the line between pretend and reality blurs. Alternating between Lyric’s prose chapters and Juniper’s verse ones, the story moves at a steady, slow-burn pace that effectively keeps the pages turning. Lockington carefully and sensitively explores themes of dealing with anger, grief, and fear of abandonment.

An emotional, engaging story of love and growth.(Romance. 12-18)

Product Details

BN ID: 2940194747764
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication date: 10/14/2025
Edition description: Unabridged
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