Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start with Cameron Lund
If you are new to Cameron Lund’s work, the best place to begin is with her debut novel, The Best Laid Plans (2020). Starting here introduces you to Lund’s signature style: a highly relatable, sex-positive, and humorous look at teenage life that centers on deep friendships and emotional honesty. Reading her books in publication order allows you to see her growth as a writer, particularly in how she handles structure and pacing.
However, because both of her novels are complete standalones set in different communities with entirely separate casts of characters, you can easily start with whichever premise appeals to you more. If you love the classic best-friends-to-lovers trope blended with a candid conversation about the social pressures surrounding virginity, start with The Best Laid Plans. If you prefer high-drama social circles, the fake-dating trope, enemies-to-lovers tension, and dual timelines, then Heartbreakers and Fakers (2021) is the perfect entry point.
Cameron Lund Books in Publication Order
Cameron Lund’s bibliography consists of two contemporary young adult novels published by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Teen. Because they are standalone stories, the publication order is the most straightforward way to track her work:
- The Best Laid Plans (Published: April 7, 2020)
- Heartbreakers and Fakers (Published: June 15, 2021)
Deep Dive: The Best Laid Plans (2020)
Lund’s debut novel, The Best Laid Plans, follows high school senior Keely Collins. As graduation approaches, Keely makes a surprising realization: she is the very last virgin in her close-knit group of friends. Feeling left out of the conversations and pressured by the unspoken expectations of her peers, she decides she wants to change that. When she meets Dean, an attractive college student who shares her passion for filmmaking, she thinks she has found the perfect guy. However, Keely is terrified that Dean will lose interest if he finds out she has zero experience.
To solve her dilemma, Keely hatches a plan. She convinces her lifelong best friend, Andrew, to enter into a temporary, strictly platonic agreement to help her gain some experience so she will feel confident when she is with Dean. What starts as a logical transaction quickly becomes complicated as real feelings, jealousy, and the history of their long-standing friendship blur the lines of their arrangement. The novel was highly praised for its refreshing, sex-positive stance and its honest portrayal of teenage girls' agency and desires, earning a nomination for the 2021 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults award.
Key Themes and Tropes in The Best Laid Plans:
- Friends-to-Lovers: The heart of the story lies in the transition of Keely and Andrew’s dynamic from childhood best friends to something deeper.
- Sex Positivity: The book actively challenges the shame and double standards that teenage girls often face regarding virginity and sexual choices.
- Coming of Age: Keely’s journey is as much about finding herself and understanding what she wants as it is about romance.
Deep Dive: Heartbreakers and Fakers (2021)
Lund’s sophomore novel, Heartbreakers and Fakers, shifts focus to the drama of high school popularity and social reputations. The story centers on Penny Harris, a popular girl who seems to have it all: a spot in the elite social crowd, a handsome boyfriend named Jordan, and a loyal best friend, Olivia. But Penny's perfect world shatters the morning after a wild summer party. She wakes up on Jordan's front lawn with no memory of the night before, only to find out she drunkenly kissed Kai Tanaka—her longtime nemesis and, worst of all, Olivia’s boyfriend.
Suddenly dumped by Jordan, abandoned by Olivia, and cast out by her peer group, Penny finds herself a social pariah. When she notices Jordan and Olivia turning to each other for comfort, Penny and Kai (who is also desperate to win Olivia back) form an alliance. They decide to fake-date to make their respective exes jealous and win them back. However, as Penny spends time behind the scenes with Kai, she discovers that her nemesis is not the person she thought he was. She is forced to confront whether the popular life she is fighting to reclaim is actually worth saving, or if her true happiness lies with the boy she used to hate.
Key Themes and Tropes in Heartbreakers and Fakers:
- Fake Dating: A classic romance trope executed with modern YA sensibilities, as Penny and Kai put on a public show while sorting through real feelings.
- Enemies-to-Lovers: Penny and Kai have years of animosity to overcome, making their gradual trust and romance feel earned.
- Dual Timelines: The story utilizes alternating past and present timelines to unravel the mystery of what exactly happened at the party and how the characters arrived at their current state.
- Accountability and Self-Discovery: Penny must look past the superficial outer shell of high school popularity and take accountability for her mistakes to grow as a person.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Cameron Lund's novels, it helps to understand her background and writing style. Born in New Hampshire, Lund eventually moved to California, where she studied film at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her background in film is highly evident in her writing; her novels feature cinematic pacing, visual storytelling, and sharp, witty dialogue that feels like it belongs in a modern teen movie. Additionally, as a singer-songwriter, Lund brings a lyrical, rhythmic quality to her prose that enhances the emotional resonance of key scenes.
Readers who enjoy the works of Jenny Han (To All the Boys I've Loved Before), Meg Cabot (The Princess Diaries), and Emma Lord (Tweet Cute) will find themselves right at home with Lund's books. Her stories are set in contemporary suburban high schools and address real-world teenage issues—including consent, friendship boundaries, academic pressure, and social media reputation—while maintaining a lighthearted, hopeful, and comedic tone.
Comparison: Which Book Should You Pick First?
If you are still undecided, here is a quick breakdown to help you choose your first Cameron Lund read:
- Choose The Best Laid Plans if: You want a cozy, character-driven story about best friends, film-buff culture, and an empowering, frank discussion about teenage intimacy. It is perfect for fans of slow-burn romances where the characters have years of history together.
- Choose Heartbreakers and Fakers if: You prefer high-energy drama, social cliques, enemies-to-lovers banter, and the fake-dating trope. It is ideal for readers who enjoy stories about personal redemption, correcting mistakes, and seeing a popular character discover what really matters in life.