Romances for Taylor Swift Fans
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Romances for Swifties
The queen of love songs inspires and appears in so many romance novels, I just had to start tracking them for my Swifties.
Put on your Taylor Swift playlist and cozy up on the couch. This list includes my favorite romance novels that are inspired by or mention Taylor and her songs. Can you guess that these authors are also major Swifties?
Victoria Loves Romances for Swifties!
Hello, Lovers! I started curating this list for my best friend, who may just be the biggest T-Swift fan I know. Every so often, I’ll come across a mention of Taylor or her songs, and I’ll make a mental note to send her a copy of the book. Then I realized, others may also be interested in such a list! If there are two communities on Instagram and TikTok that likely have a ton of overlap, it might very well be Swifties and Booktok!
And if you’re a Taylor Swift fan, but you’re new to the world of romance novels, this may be the best place to start.
Does anyone else set the mood when they read? I usually put on a playlist, light a candle, pour a glass of wine and cozy up under a blanket before losing myself to the love story. The list below might be the perfect reading list for Taylor’s new album: The Tortured Poets Department. And in some cases, these amazing authors have curated a playlist especially for their book — Taylor songs included.
Note: This list is ever evolving! Continue to check back for updates as Taylor inspires more romance novels.
Favorite Scene
“Everything in my life had changed, but I had zero regrets. I had a marvelous time ruining everything.”
- THE DO-OVER by Lynn Painter
Romances for Swifties Recommendations
BROKEN RULES FOR BROKEN HEARTS: The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther (Amazon)
Step into the summer I dreamt of as a teenager in this young-adult romance. Imagine spending quality time with your favorite people at your favorite place, while playing your favorite game. This enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance has all the ingredients for the perfect summer read plus an endless list of Taylor Swift references. I promise you will not want to leave the beach / pool / sun lounger until you’ve finished this book.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
WHEN YOU WANT TO WAKE UP AND FIND THAT WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR HAS BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter (Amazon)
If the You Belong With Me music video was a romance novel, it might be this book… the details might by different, but the vibes are the same. Non-stop pop culture references — shows, movies, and songs. And here’s Lynn’s playlist for Wes and Liz (Spotify).
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
SHE’S GOT A LONG LIST OF EX-LOVERS: Exes & O’s by Amy Lea (Amazon)
Booktok Influencer revisits a list of exes to see if they could be her second-chance romance. Naturally, one might expect some bad blood, but this this romcom was so sweet and charming. And a friendly reminder that maybe (just maybe) the people we meet in each chapter in life serve a purpose that ultimately lead us where (and with whom) we’re meant to be.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
BUILDING ON THE TRAVIS + TAYLOR MOMENTUM: The Rule Book by Sarah Adams (Amazon)
An HoH Book Club Pick! A quick moment of honesty: was the NFL more exciting this past year because of the high-profile romance? I may have secretly been rooting for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift more than I cheered for any team this past season. Sarah Adams’ The Rule Book carries that energy through the off-season with this second-chance opposites attract romance. Be ready to fall-in love again and again.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
MR. AMERICANA & THE HEARTBREAK PRINCE: Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (Amazon)
While this book doesn’t quite have a white horse, it definitely has a knight in shining armor… and a prince (aka a London boy) and the president’s son. Casey McQuiston brings to life a love so big it’ll rule the kingdom inside your room. You’ll laugh, you’ll sigh, you’ll cry. Red White and Royal Blue will take you on a journey of a hesitant friendship that blooms into a heartwarming love.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
THE TORTURED SCIENTIST DEPARTMENT: The Love Hypothesis (The Love Hypothesis #1) by Ali Hazelwood (Amazon)
I will start right off by saying this has a very minor mention. However, it is definitely worth the read! This romance features a broody love interest starring in an age-gap, workplace romance, which sounds a bit like at least one of Taylor’s exes. The fun twist? This is a STEM love story, not the music industry.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
I THINK HE KNOWS + YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN: Love, Theoretically (The Love Hypothesis #3) by Ali Hazelwood (Amazon)
This is my favorite Ali Hazelwood book to date (think: enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, workplace romance) AND the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition of this book features an essay by the author which outlines each chapter’s connection to a Taylor Swift song. If you can get your hands on a copy, you won’t be disappointed… by the book or the exclusive content!
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
A QUEENS GAMBIT AGAINST THE KING OF HER HEART: Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood (Amazon)
In Check & Mate, Mallory Greenleaf proves she’s no pawn to the game. In fact, she’s determined to prove she’s a mastermind deserving of a seat among the Grand Masters. While there is only a quick nod to Taylor’s eras, Ali Hazelwood moves pieces marvelously to draw readers into the sport in this swoony young adult romance.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5
WHEN A LOVER MEETS FOLKLORE: Beach Read by Emily Henry (Amazon)
Opposites attract in this romance centered around two authors. Meet your Lover: January. She’s a best-selling romance novelist eager to introduce her neighbor to the magic of rom-coms. While Augustus is set on diving into local folklore and bringing January along to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult. Together, they’ll push each other beyond their comfort zones to write something beautiful.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
DRUNK IN THE BACK OF THE CAR: Icebreaker (UCMH #1) by Hannah Grace (Amazon)
While this book may not be among my favorites (nor did I think it lived up to the hype), Booktok will tell you the Uber scene reminds them of Cruel Summer… and I may not disagree that Hannah Grace may have had the song playing in the background when she wrote Chapter 13. But I’ll leave it up to you to decide.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3/5
KIDS ON THEIR OWN & SPRINKLER SPLASHES: Betting on You by Lynn Painter (Amazon)
Is there such a thing as too many Taylor Swift mentions or references? If your answer to that question is no, then this might be a great choice for you.
A bet, fake dating, summer love, one bed… this young adult romance has so many of my favorite tropes. Bailey and Charlie’s parents haven’t set the best examples for long-lasting love, leaving them terrified of falling and experiencing love themselves. This sweet story will make you blush, squeal, giggle and swoon.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
KARMA IS THE GUY ON THE SCREEN, HER BOYFRIEND: One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (Amazon)
Bea Schumacher has just agreed to serve as the star for the next season of a reality dating show. She is determined to supercharge her career as a plus-size fashion blogger, subvert harmful anti-fat beauty standards, and inspire women across America… and she has no intention of falling in love. And when the lights turn on and the cameras are rolling, I’m pretty sure we’re the ones falling in love with Bea and her beau(s).
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
FOREVER & ALWAYS: Only & Forever by Chloe Liese (Amazon)
I love a MMC who proudly loves romance novels and is determined to love a FMC who so determinedly believes she doesn’t deserve it because I just spend the whole book cheering for him to prove to her that she is worthy. So dust off your highest hopes, my dear, because Viggo Bergman will show you how to be loved… and in the process, you can enjoy the beautifully on-theme Taylor inspired chapters Chloe Liese has woven into this book.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
TITLES NOD TO TAYLOR SWIFT SONGS:
I Think He Knows (Donovan Family #2) by Katie Bailey (Amazon)
I’ve recently become a fan of single parent romance. Pair that with a friend-zone, celebrity fake-dating trope and BOOM, you have a recipe for success! Now sprinkle in a handful of Taylor Swift references and I think you’ll happily devour this book for dessert.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
Begin Again by Emma Lord (Amazon)
This was such a cozy read and made me nostalgic for college (and meeting my best friends and husband for the very first time). While there was only a quick Taylor mention beyond the book’s title, the overall theme of the book reflects that of many of Tay’s songs. With all relationships - parents, partners, friends (and even things, experiences and places) - we all have to begin again… sometimes that means starting all over with a different set of circumstances and other times, it means evolving and giving it another try.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly (Amazon)
I read this days after tuning into the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and it was the cutest little transition to keep the excitement going beyond the championship game. This story focuses on a former college basketball star turned professional athlete and a small-town high school basketball coach. Woven throughout the evolution of their relationship are the complexities of mental health and identity. Although I wish the tension / problem was more drawn out, it was the groundswell of support and love from their community and how that encouraged the main characters to pursue their dreams as they are that bumped up the rating for me.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot (Amazon)
A nod to Taylor’s song “Enchanted” by the author of Princess Diaries. This witchy romcom pulled me in because of the side characters more than the main characters… while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book, it was an easy read if you’re in a witchy mood. Although I will say, the title is the only connection this book has to T-Swift.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3/5
Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales (Amazon)
Are you a fan of The Bachelor or reality TV in general and curious to know what happens behind-the-scenes? Do you ever make up little stories of behind-the-scenes romances among dating show contestants who aren’t supposed to fall in love with each other (especially when you’re not a fan of the leading romantic interest, or is that just me? Well, this book basically satiates that curiosity. It’s a bit predictable but so are the shows. So, if that’s up your alley, this is a nice easy read that checks the box.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
Cruel Summer by Morgan Elizabeth (Amazon)
VICTORIA’S RATING: This is currently on my TBR; rating TBD
The Best of the Best
THE PERFECT DAY INSPIRED BY A LYRIC: The Do-Over by Lynn Painter (Amazon)
Lynn Painter is a Swiftie. I think it’s pretty safe to declare that a fact after reading at least one Taylor mention or reference in multiple of her novels. But this book. THIS BOOK! If I could live in a time loop and reread this book over and over and over so I could relive this day with these characters endlessly, I would. Lynn Painter has marvelously woven every emotion into this story and then swiftly surrounded it with a playful cardigan.
That said, The Do-Over is the perfect read for a T-Swift playlist, starting with “Lover.” Actually, here’s the actual playlist Lynn created for the book (Spotify). Enjoy!
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5
ALL OF THE BOYS SHE LOVED BEFORE: The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (Amazon)
I think I just became a Swiftie. Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka weave a love story between the main characters while they simultaneously compose a love story for Taylor Swift. This book is a beautiful homage to Taylor and what she gives of herself for her art and her fans.
The Breakup Tour tells the story of a singer turned overnight sensation when her breakup album tops charts. Amidst the fame, Riley Wynn must relive her heartbreaks, battle her demons, and come face-to-face the man who got away. Despite the paths that led them astray, can their invisible string bring them back together?
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
