Taylor Swift Song Titles and Lyrics Pop Up in the Names of These 17 Books
You don't have to be a Swiftie to enjoy these romance and YA novels that are "All Too Well" for your reading list
Move on over, 1989 — the year 2023 might be Taylor Swift’s best year yet.
After launching her highly-anticipated Eras Tour in March, which chronicles all the “eras” in her expansive musical journey, the Grammy-winning singer is showing no signs of cooling down.
On top of the recent release of her "1989 (Taylor’s Version)" studio album in late October, the singer-songwriter, 33, has also kept the heat going via her romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Related: Every Photo We Have of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce So Far
Well-known for writing her own heartfelt song lyrics about love and romance, the “Cruel Summer” singer has made an impact on fans, the music charts and even the literary world. A number of romance and YA authors have been directly inspired by Swift song titles when naming their books. Others just coincidentally have books that share their titles with Swift songs. Here are 17 that are worth checking out.
'‘Tis the Damn Season' by Kimi Freeman
This contemporary romance novel is directly inspired by Swift’s song from her evermore album. It follows the life of Aspen Moore, a star who has both fame and fortune, but not love itself. So when she’s entangled in a Hollywood scandal and returns to her hometown, the chemistry she feels with her first love is undeniable. Can she give up her original dream for “the best thing” she’s ever had?
“'‘Tis the Damn Season' has such a unique vibe and aesthetic compared to other songs I’ve listened to," author Kimi Freeman says. "There’s a clear second chance romance aspect to it, and this sort of ‘star-crossed lovers’ vibe which is obviously perfect for a romance. Like all of the other songs on folklore and evermore it really tells a story which is what called me to write this novel. The title perfectly encapsulates the feelings of lost love and angst during the holiday season, which both the song and novel have.”
'Begin Again' by Emma Lord
What happens when all your plans seemingly fall apart? This is what Andie Rose explores when her lifelong goal of being an iconic self-help figure is derailed in this YA romance novel, bearing the same name as Swift’s Red album song. There’s also an extra bonus, according to Amazon reviewer Amanda Uhls: “Emma Lord is a huge Taylor Swift fan. There are SO MANY hidden (and not so hidden - hello Begin Again) references in this book, it’s incredible that she fits them all in so seamlessly.”
"It is my personal mission to sneak in as many Taylor Swift references as I can in any novel I write," Lord added. "I think it’s safe to say that this time I got a little less sneaky about it."
'I Think He Knows' by Katie Bailey
Lana Mae is on a mission to rid herself of her impossible crush for “The Sexiest Smile in Hollywood” — which happens to belong to her best friend, Carter James Callahan. So of course, no one is more shocked to see the news that Carter is getting married to a mysterious fiancée. This rom-com novel of the same name as Swift’s Lover album song is not only filled with pop culture references to Taylor but also Harry Styles, The Gilmore Girls and Zac Efron.
Author Katie Bailey says she was directly inspired by Swift's Reputation and Lover albums while writing.
"I listened to both of these albums on repeat as I wrote, and the song 'I Think He Knows' just perfectly summed up those giddy feelings of being head over heels for someone, but doubting if the feeling is mutual, and all of the emotions that brings with it," Bailey says.
'Call It What You Want' by Alissa DeRogatis
Situationships, undefined labels and the challenges of moving on. This novel of the same title as Swift’s reputation album song promises all those themes and more as it follows the journey of former hopeless romantic Sloane Hart. When she begins to “date” the guarded Ethan Brady, they must confront whether the relationship is worth taking the risk or simply not meant to be. “I CONSUMED this book, couldn’t put it down,” wrote Amazon reviewer Hannah Stephens. “A lot of very insightful quotes throughout and tons of Taylor Swift quotes to make it all better. LOVE LOVE LOVE.”
Author Alissa DeRogatis says she chose the title for her debut novel because it's an "ode to all 'almost love' stories."
"One day while I was writing, I was listening to the 10-minute version of 'All Too Well' and my favorite line in that song is, 'Anytime now, he's gonna say it's love. You never called it what it was,'" DeRogatis explains. "It was at that moment that I realized that one line summed up the book I'd been writing about a heartbreaking situationship."
"Maybe your relationship wasn't conventional and didn't have a label or a title," DeRogatis adds. "Call it what you want — it was still a relationship."
'Long Story Short' by Serena Kaylor
To make a “Long Story Short,” (a nod to Swift’s evermore album song), Amazon reviewer Megan Lally describes this YA novel best: “If Taylor Swift sat down and wrote a YA novel about a bunch of theater kids at camp, filled it with angst and longing and a desire to belong, and then wrapped it in little snippets of laugh-out-loud humor, you’d get something close to the masterpiece that is 'Long Story Short.'”
'I Knew You Were Trouble' by Pip Fox
Forget a love triangle — this rom-com has the perfect love rectangle! On one side is 27-year-old Charlie, who takes on a new job at the local city farm and attracts the attention of three guys. While navigating the challenge of dating in her twenties, this book of the same title as Swift’s iconic Red album song follows Charlie as she tries to separate head from heart. Or if you’re like Amazon reviewer Meghanne Kerr, you might not even need the plot to start reading: “A book title that is a Taylor Swift lyric? Sign me up!”
'Enchanted to Meet You' by Meg Cabot
In the mood for a fantasy-driven rom-com? "Enchanted to Meet You" (a nod to Swift’s “Enchanted” off of her Speak Now album) follows Jessica Gold, a witch who is banned for life from the World Council of Witches following a spell gone wrong. However, when handsome Derrick Winters shows up and claims that she is the Chosen One, she’s forced to make a choice: trust Derrick and work with him to save her village of West Harbor, or use her magic to safeguard her own heart.
'This Is Me Trying' by Racquel Marie
This tender YA novel (whose title gives a nod to Swift’s song from her folklore albumand is due April 2024) explores the heavy feelings of grief, love and guilt when an inseparable friendship of three friends is rocked by tragedy. The two remaining friends, Beatriz and Santiago, are left to navigate what it means to build a future after “unfathomable” loss.
'Never Ever Getting Back Together' by Sophie Gonzales
Gonzales' LGBTQ YA romance follows the same theme as Swift’s song from her Red album where the singer vows to not get back with an ex — but with a twist. When the now-famous ex-boyfriend of two 18-year-old girls invites both of them onto a teen reality show, one is set on revenge and the other is open to rekindling the flame. What they don’t expect is to fall for each other instead.
'I Knew You Were Trouble' by Lauren Layne
All love-triangle fanatics rejoice! This best-selling novel, bearing the same title as Swift’s iconic song from her 2012 Red album, follows successful, career-focused Taylor Carr, who’s forced to choose between her old flame or her new roommate, She has undeniable chemistry with the former, but he's also a “longtime pain in Taylor’s ass.”
'Champagne Problems' by Staci Hart
Ever sworn off all guys, only to be completely swept away by one? That’s exactly the problem that trust fund baby Stella faces when she meets “smoke show” Levi soon after her ex breaks her heart in this story with the same name as Swift’s song from her 2020 evermore album.
'Better Than Revenge' by Elizabeth Adler
What becomes of revenge when it’s against your own twin sister? This is the question that begs an answer throughout this suspenseful novel (which gives a nod to Swift’s Speak Now album song and is due December 2023) about two twin sisters who make a living as professional grifters conning rich men with their charm. When one of them falls in love with the man who’s meant to be their next target (and is later found murdered) both sisters must question their trust in each other while outrunning the authorities.
'I Wish You Would' by Eva Des Lauriers
Best friends (or maybe more?) Natalia and Ethan write private letters to themselves about what they wish they’d do if they were braver as part of the Senior Sunrise tradition. But when the wind scatters seven private confessions, explosive secrets threaten to tear everyone apart in this unreleased drama-filled YA novel (due May 2024), which bears the same title as Swift’s popular 1989 album song.
'How You Get the Girl' by Anita Kelly
Forbidden romance spirals out of control when Coach Julie Parker begins to fall for her assistant coach Elle at East Nashville High’s basketball team. As the two begin to help each other navigate their insecurities, the lines between them grow increasingly blurred in this workplace rom-com (due February 2024), which shares the same title as Swift’s song from her 1989 album.
'Ms. Perfectly Fine' by Kate Callaghan
Forget the Mister, and read about the Missus' perspective instead. This adult romance contains some of the most beloved tropes in fiction and features heartwarming characters Autumn and Elijah under one roof. If themes like “Enemies to Lovers” or “He Falls First and Harder” stand out to you, then picking up this novel of the same name as Swift’s Fearless album song is “Perfectly Fine.”
'Sparks Fly' by Birdie Lynn
This fantasy romance follows the tale of perfectionist Arthur, whose hard work has almost landed him the top spot of his class. All that stands in his way is Mika Rivera, who’s Stonebury’s most popular student. In a cruel twist of fate, a spell reveals that both students are soulmates, which forces them to enter a fake dating ploy that only gets messier with time. Can Arthur let “Sparks Fly” (a nod to Swift’s popular 2010 Speak Now album) to secure his dream, or will his obsession with keeping Mika as an enemy cost him everything?
'Look What You Made Me Do' by Elaine Murphy
This thriller with the same title as Swift’s song from her reputation album takes a more grisly turn, zeroing in on two sisters entangled in murder after murder. However, when 13 bodies show up in their small town, they suddenly realize that there’s another serial killer on the loose and must figure out who it is before it’s too late.
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