List of Books

[Michael]

Hello everyone. OK, so this is the Lists of Books topic in the Books Similar to Scandal section of the group. Here, you can give a list and a brief summary on why you think that a book you have read or are reading is like the hit show (one of my guilty pleasures) Scandal. This is NOT the folder for just everyday chit-chat about the show, such as: did you see last night's episode or I can't believe Liv would do that to Mellie or Fitz is so stupid for spying on her, etc. This is where you come, give us a book title, maybe even link to the book here on Goodreads and give an explanation on why you think it is like Scandal.

Again, the book or books in question don't have to be a carbon copy of the show but should mirror at least one aspect of the show.

[Michael]

I'll go first. Disclaimer: this is a bit of self-promotion.
I believe my book A Negotiation of Wounds (Negotiation Series, #1 is similar to the show Scandal in a few different ways. In Negotiation of Wounds a young Hollywood couple start to undergo a divorce. But when they procure two cutthroat lawyers--Preston and Timothy--they discover that divorce in the public eye is far more ruthless than they ever imagine.

Like Scandal, a game is played based on power and perception. Whatever the public perceives to be the truth is where they will pledge their allegiance. The backroom deals and seedy activities that go on behind the scene will often leave you shaking your head and going "I can't believe that just happened." The lawyers will do whatever they have to even if that leads to the bedroom.

[Michael]

After watching the way that Scandal is going, I think I have to add another book or book series that seems to be all about the "conspiracy" aspect of the show. For me, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest are quite similar to Scandal (a little moreso than the first book in the Millenium series) because of the seemingly overreaching conspiracy and cover-up of facts involving this one lone woman and her father. Again, don't want to spoil the books for anyone who hasn't read them by now, but Lisbeth, like Olivia, has a controlling father who seems to have manipulated everything in her life for years without her knowing about much of it. I think that there is a slight illusion when both series first start that these women are in control of at least a little bit of their lives and have some strength when, in fact, both series end up being about the women actually finding and figuring out how to have the strength that we the audience perceived they originally had.

[Ashley]

I'm kinda sad to see that this group isn't active. I looked at this group when I was looking for books to read similar to Scandal after binge-watching the show on Netflix.

I came back to say that I just read the Kathleen Turner series by Tiffany Snow. In reading it, I found similarities to Scandal in the sense that the main character is caught between two different men. One is a high-powered partner at a law firm and the other is an assassin. The characters are always getting mixed up in some sort of trouble which makes them suspenseful, page-turning reads. I would go into reading the stories by suspending your disbelief, however.

[Jaimie]

The only reason i joined this group was to find books similar to Scandal. Does no-one have any other suggestions?

[Michael]

Jaimie wrote: "The only reason i joined this group was to find books similar to Scandal. Does no-one have any other suggestions?"

It is frustrating Jaimie. I've been trying to get as many people to join as I can, but so far no luck. Hey, remember to invite your friends and hopefully we can get this fire kindled.

[Jennifer]

The Phoenix Candidate by Heidi Joy Tretheway

After an unforgettable night with a mystery man, Congresswoman Grace Colton is woken up with a surprise call. Grace has been put on the short list as a potential running mate for two powerful politicians. She is a straight shooter who has known great loss after losing her husband and child. When she meets her possible running mate, Senator Shep Conover’s consultant Jared, she is shocked to see the face of her one night stand and a man she cant get out of her head. Grace is adorably innocent and in need of some fire in her life, and let’s just say Jared kicks it up ten notches!

Off the Record by K.A. Linde

Liz Dougherty is a sophomore in college at the top of her class. She gets the chance of a lifetime when asked to cover a last minute press conference held by the very attractive oung senator Brady Maxwell. Liz isn’t prepared when she is chosen to ask a question, and she ends up asking him a difficult question. She catches Brady’s eye and the two discover even though they don’t agree with politics, they share a passion for romance. Brady is powerful, smart and can’t get enough of Liz’s spunk. Liz is challenged not only by Brady’s alpha maleness but also by being with a man who’s in the spotlight.

Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert

First Daughter with Katie Holmes is a cute college romance dealing with a daughter stuck in the spotlight because of what her father does. This book reminded me so much of that movie but with a bit more kick. Charlotte McClain has just had the best spring break ever, for the first time in her life feels as though she can finally be herself. Charlotte meets Mason, who is irresistible in every way and cares for Charlotte only for her, and not her money or the life she’s keeping secret from him. Even when Charlotte goes back home and her mother sets her up with another politician’s son, she can’t get Mason out of her mind. To her surprise, Mason is actually attending the university near her and won’t let Charlotte go without a fight. He cares for the true her, but will she let out her true self?

[Hannah]

The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes!! It's YA, but Tess's (the lead character) older sister is basically Olivia Pope, and Tees herself ends up running her own Pope & Associates accidentally at her school. Tons of political drama because it's set in DC, love triangles for everyone, I am telling you. If you love Scandal this is *the book* for you. And there's a sequel in the works, and probably a third because YA is always in a trilogy these days.

[Libby]

Hi, I know this is a super old thread but I am new to Scandal and while I'm voraciously looking for books to scratch that political intrigue & intense romance itch I would totally recommend the Embassy Row trilogy by Ally Carter -- All Fall Down, See How They Run, and Take the Key and Lock Her Up. It's on the younger side of YA, but Ally writes angst in a way that just really clicks with me. ☺️