I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

Gr 9 Up–For some, the holidays are all about joy, traditions, and quality time with family. But for Lyric, a high school senior and beauty content creator, the season looks a little different. Focused on growing her online presence to help support herself and her beloved grandmother Viv—the only family she has—Lyric is determined to make the most of her latest brand collaboration. While filming near the town’s brightly lit Christmas tree, she tries to make her ex-boyfriend jealous by impulsively grabbing the first person she sees: Juniper. New to town from Chicago, Juniper gets swept up in the moment. Their spontaneous photo goes viral, and soon the internet dubs them #relationshipgoals. As brand deals begin to pour in, Lyric sees an opportunity—not just for herself, but for both of them—to lean into the fake dating narrative and make some serious money to fund their post-high school dreams. Lockington delivers a cozy winter romance that’s both heartwarming and emotionally layered. Told in dual perspectives—Lyric’s in prose and Juniper’s in verse—the story explores trust, abandonment, and the impact of past trauma. The characters are messy, flawed, and frustrating at times. While working through their emotions, they discover that sometimes anger can be a form of healing.