Not that DMV
Stories that feature DC, Maryland, or Virginia. (Statehood for DC!)
created by KatieV
last updated November, 2025
Comments
literally thought there was a new romance trope out there about the Department of Motor Vehicles â ď¸
Iâm so dead đ where is burntsunflowers? Iâm sure they could find some books with that kink lol
i heard my name đŤĄ
this is a surprising gap in the romance space and i would love to see a DMV setting play out!!! okok imagine! MC doesnât know how to drive, is in their 30s, has to take a driving test multiple times and falls for the driving instructor. someone pls write this or link if it already exists!!!!!!
i did however find some slightly relevant titles which look interesting: Code Name: Rook by Sawyer Bennett - undercover operative posing as a used-car salesman, romantic suspense Tracy by Kirsten Osbourne - FMC works at a car dealership and reconnects with her high school crush who is looking to buy a new truck Driven to be Loved by Pat Simmons - MMC car salesman (TW for christianity)
Omg yesssss lollll đ
Iâm dying
Youâre so quick with it!!
gotta live up to the reputation đââď¸đââď¸đââď¸
đđđ¤Łđ¤Łđ Wait...why have I never read a rom-com set in a car dealership?! I mean, hello? đ¤đ
wait wait youre right !!! NOW WE NEED THAT LIST đđťđđťđ¤
For sure! đ¤đ¤Šâ¨ď¸ And it should have lots of wordplay, lol.
I need someone to make a "Yes that DMV" list in opposition where it's just books that feature the Department of Motor Vehicles LMAO đ
Also, Squished by Megan Wagner Lloyd is set in Maryland and Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh is set in DC!
So many books Iâve never heard of! So glad I made this list and grateful for the recs!
Please! that would be amazing
DMV represent!! đđ
Ahhh love DMV rep I always get excited!! Additional recs:
- lovelight farms
- god of the woods
Omg god of the woods takes place in the DMV!? Now Iâm actually gonna plan to read it instead of letting it wallow on my TBR
Shoot I double checked my notes, god of the woods doesn't take place there but some characters are from there (Maryland specifically)!! Lovelight farms is definitely IN Maryland though.
I had no idea any of these books feature the DMV đ Yellowface might move up my TBR
i have to add a disclaimer that not all of these books are good haha (Looking at you the Chemist!) but i always get so excited when I see DC rep in media especially when its not exclusively about politicians. But yes the main characters in Yellowface live in DC! RFK went to Georgetown so its clear she writes about some of her favorite spots in the city
I didnât know that about RFK! Thatâs so cool
I've not read Yellowface, but it's fascinating because apparently RFK portrays local asian-american communities in the book! i'm so used to the asian diaspora in the DMV being ignored in favor of portrayals of the more prominent asian-american enclaves in NYC, california, etc when it comes to mainstream media ahaha
Hey, I live there!! LOL The Raven Boys also takes place in the fictional town of Henrietta, Virginiaânear Shenandoah!
đ hello im so glad this list is summoning the DMVers! Iâll add raven boys!
i had to do a double take at this comment because henrico county sounds so close to henrietta lmaoo
This is amazing! Ana Huang's romance series, Twisted, is based in the DMV! The first book is Twisted Love and it's so funny to read the real and made up parts about the DMV
the way i have no recollection of this LOL
it was so random thats why it stuck out!
Iâm sure the fact that it takes place in the DMV is not the most interesting part of those books haha
oh definitely not!
Shut up I had no idea! Now Iâm actually kinda interested in reading them đ do they all take place in the DMV or just the first one?
LOL they are like fun bad you know? flirty and sexy but not a literary masterpiece. I think i read ALL FOUR on a week long vacation đ just little spicy page turners
The second one also takes place in faux european country (a la princess diaries) but for the most part they are all in the DMV!
ok will keep that in mind for my next vacation!!
Oh and First Time Caller !!
SHUT UP that one has been on my list forever and now itâs moving up the plan!
Oh oh i have a suggestion! my friend works for a state politician and she said that The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram was "thinly veiled glenn youngkin x y/n self-insert fanfiction" LMFAO
SHUT UP LMAO who is writing fan fic about that lizard man!?
Iâve just read the blurb and the authors bio and now Iâm even more confused!? I think I need to read this book
i have no idea how legitimate her take is or not but she keeps talking about how there's a moment where the vote "seems too close to call for either party" in motherfucking alexandria which sent me lmao
and the MMC is named Grant which feels related to Glenn
exactlyyyyy like rich family & businessman turned politician??? it makes one wonder!
i have added this to my november plan and will report back đŤĄthe DCPL does have this book and there is no waitlist (cant imagine why this wouldnt be a popular premise for a book among DC readers /s)
Wait I have two books that fit this category!! Can I recommend?
Please!
Homebodies by Tembe Denton-Hurst and The Most Famous Girl in the World by Iman Hariri-Kia
Š 2025 Pagebound