Love Like A Swiftie

by Issac Tsang

A slow-burn romance where opposites attract, a hopeless romantic and a heartwarming heroine, become friends-to-lovers in this swoon-worthy university romcom.
 
Lucas Wong is a delusional Swiftie. Leaving Hong Kong to start university in England, he is determined to find his "Swiftie soulmate" who loves Taylor Swift as much as he does. But then he falls in love with Diana - a kind-hearted, wise, enchanting girl... who doesn't even listen to Taylor Swift songs!
 
Diana Mason has one thing to do - To prove herself a girl boss uni student. As Lucas helps her run for Madam President of a climate society, Diana craves more than a Love Story with Lucas.
 
Their clashing beliefs drag them into battles of love and politics, making Lucas doubt if Diana is the "Swiftie soulmate" he wants... Can he stay Fearless enough to love Diana outside his Swiftie fantasy?

Genres: Romance

575 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2025

About the author

ISSAC TSANG is a hopeless romantic and the author of his debut novel Love Like A Swiftie. He enjoys reading romance novels, watching romance shows, and listening to love songs. He was born and raised in Hong Kong, went to university in Durham, UK and Tokyo, Japan. When he is not drowned by essay and presentation deadlines, he enjoys travelling around the world and making new friends. He certainly hopes that if he keeps writing delusional love stories, his life will one day become one as well.

Reviews

[Bookishemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three words to sum up my experience reading Love Like a Swiftie would be heart-warming, addictive and absolutely charming. Lets start with the fact that the title is perfect, the cover is perfect and the author is one of the sweetest people ever and it has been an absolute joy and an honor to be an ARC reader for them.

Lucas is on the hunt for his “Swiftie Soulmate” and is determined to fall in love. He starts university in England after moving from Hong Kong and finds himself a hilarious group of friends and an unexpected crush on Diana. She is kind, beautiful, smart but unfortunately not a swiftie.

Following Lucas as he started university was super fun and nostalgic and took me back to my freshers experience over 10 years ago. I loved watching him build up relationships with not only Diana but the people that soon become his closest friends. I LOVED all the song lyrics that were sprinkled throughout the story, there is no wrong time for a Taylor quote and I was living for it.

As a swiftie this book already had a head start but the relationship between Lucas and Dianna was so sweet but at times infuriating! I think it was coming up to the 50% mark where I wanted to bang their heads together and realise what it was they needed - each other.

As someone who doesn’t read YA as much anymore, some parts were a little drawn out and a little cringey but that didn’t take away from my reading experience. This story made me feel warm inside from beginning to end and is the perfect book to read along to a Taylor album.

Thank you so much to the author for the chance to read this early, all thoughts are my own.

[leareadsbooks_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love like swiftie is a love story that weaves together themes of politics, friendship, and human relationships. The romance at its core is both light and complex, making the emotional journey of the characters feel deeply personal and engaging.
I have to admit that I'm not a swiftie so I didn't really grasp any references :(
I think if you're a Swifties you'll love those references A LOT🙃🩷

The characters are well-developed and unique, each bringing something interesting to the story. The protagonists Diana and Lucas have a natural chemistry that makes their relationship feel authentic, and the side characters add depth and richness to the overall plot.

One of the aspects I particularly enjoyed was the writing style. The prose is soft, fluid, and easy to read, making it a perfect book to get lost in. The pacing is steady, allowing the emotional moments to land without feeling rushed. It's the kind of book you can pick up when you need a heartfelt and engaging read without it being too heavy or overwhelming. It made me laugh but also sad so..... ✨Perfect✨

Overall, Love Like a Swiftie is a light, engaging read that mixes romance with deeper themes. If you enjoy stories about love and friendship, it's worth a look🩷🩷🩷

[booksbyjune · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book with romcom vibes, perfect for everyone who still believes in soulmates. ♡
Lucas and Diana are the kind of characters who sneak into your heart and stay there. Lucas is loyal, sweet, and just the right amount of hopeless romantic. I absolutely adored the way he’s head over heels for Diana. Diana is strong, thoughtful, and carries so much depth! Together, their chemistry just sparkles.✨
I also loved that every side character had their own vibe and layers.

The Taylor Swift references in this book are Chef’s kiss. From chapter titles to little lyric references in dialogues, this book is a literal love letter to Swifties. It made me so so happy. But even if you’re not a hardcore fan, the story still holds its own. Theres just something universal about learning to open your heart again.♡

What surprised me was the layer of politics woven through the romance. It added so much depth and made the book feel grounded and real, without losing its lightness. Issacs writing is fluid and full of heart.

Love like a Swiftie is comforting, sweet, and a little bit magical. Perfect for anyone who has ever found a piece of themselves in a Taylor Swift lyric. Thank you Isaac for letting me be a part of your ARC squad💗

[Karen M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I’m not a Swiftie I wasn’t certain whether this book was one that I would enjoy. The first song reference pulled me back to a video that I had forgotten I had seen. Yup, the Love Story one, which I can remember thinking at the time “how sweet” and even heaved a sigh for my own first love story. No, no wedding but definitely a star-crossed story.

Lucas, who is from Hong Kong, arrives in the U.K. to attend Durham University. The other freshman students on his floor are a diverse group that quickly form a bond with each other. To his delight, he discovers there are other Swifties among his new friends. He admits to them that he is hoping to meet his Swiftie soulmate. Mr. Optomistic is so sweet in his dreams of the perfect life with his perfect girl and their living their perfect Swiftie life together. Ah, daydreams, but reality is the girl he is attracted to has no idea who Taylor Swift is.

This was a sweet story of first love and all the ups and downs of freshman life at university. Campaigns, protests, balls, love, attraction, politics, too much drinking, committee meetings, heartbreak, arguements and some how they still had to acquire an education.

I won this ebook in a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you to the author, Issac Tsang.

[Beatriz · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐

For a debut novel, Love like a Swiftie is quite well written. It dives into one main couple, while being able to explore other characters’s stories and journeys. There are a lot of sweet moments in this book and for someone who likes Taylor Swift, it was really fun to understand some of the references. However, I do think the being “fearless in your love story” was overused and got a bit repetitive and bothered me a bit while reading.
This book goes very in depth about the side characters, which on one hand, was good because we got to understand them and connect with them better, but on the other hand it felt like at times we were focusing too much on them and not as much on the main character(s). Similarly, I found the whole debate thing a bit too much. I thought it was just going to be a little side thing, but it was present throughout the whole book, going very in detail with politics.
I definitely think this book could've been much shorter. I was hoping to get a light fluffy romance, but it dove too much on other details and because of that, it took me a while to read.
I appreciate the ending, for not being cliché and being more original, but in my opinion, this book didn’t need the cliffhanger. It could just stay a cute, lovey-dovey standalone romance. Even though I’m not continuing with the next one, I did enjoy learning about this story and these characters and I appreciate the opportunity to have read the ARC.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Isaac for sending me this enchanting little read; if you’re a Swiftie looking for a fun romance read - this comes out next week on the 3rd of April! 💜

The story follows Lucas as he moves from Hong Kong to Durham University, and whilst studying social politics, navigating a new place and enjoying the fun of being a student… he’s determined to also find his soulmate. The only criteria being, she must be a Swiftie! 🫢

If you love a cheesy romance with lots of laughs; references to real life music, films, events etc; all things Taylor Swift and love YA/NA fiction - I think you’ll love this!

I don’t read much YA anymore so I did find some bits a little too cheesy for me being a mood reader and rarely reading YA romance - but I know some people love that! I will also mention a content warning that the book is a bit heavy on politics and religion, which gives a breather away from all the romance and adds a bit of depth, I did appreciate this at times being a mood reader, but sometimes it was a little heavy. However, didn’t take away from the reading experience as this book was very addictive. It had some real cute moments and was a very fun and easy read!! I also loved meeting so many characters with the friend group and was just as invested as the side stories as I was with the main love interest! 🥰 and of course, there were loooads of lyric and Swiftie references which I loved!!

I was happy with the ending too even though it was not what I expected, although I won’t go into too much detail to avoid spoilers!!

Thank you so much again for reaching out, you have been so fun and I’ve loved being part of your ARC team 💞

[kayleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐

When I picked up this book, I was in need of a light, fluffy romance story to counter the heartbreaking book I was also in the middle of. And, I must say, this novel did just that!! 💞

I absolutely adored Lucas and Diana, and I thought that their characters were so cute!! I love how downbad Lucas was for her since the beginning and just how sweet the two of them were!! :) The huge friend group was also a fun thing to read about. It was a bit jarring at the start when we met everyone at the same time, but I never felt lost as each side character was so unique!!

I also enjoyed the political edge to the book. Although unexpected, it was very fun to read about, along with the romance.

Lastly, OBVIOUSLY I LOVED all of the Taylor Swift references!! From the song lyrics in the dialogue to the chapter titles, Taylor Swift was coded into this book through and through!!

Overall, this novel is the perfect pick-me-up for anyone who loves Taylor Swift or just simply wants to read about two sunshine characters finally meeting their perfect match… ✨

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debut author Issac Tsang messaged me to see if I would be willing to read an arc of his book early for my honest review. He was so lovely in our communications that I was happy to do so.

Some of the things I really enjoyed about Love Like a Swiftie are that it brought me back to the first semester of my college experience where the possibilities felt endless, I really enjoyed Adele and Akemi’s sapphic love side story and I loved the friendship between Lucas and Akemi.

Even though I really like Taylor Swift’s music, I don’t consider myself a diehard fan or a Swiftie so I missed some of the references but I think a Swiftie would really like and appreciate them.

Just as an FYI, Lucas, Diana and their friends and acquaintances at college discuss and are active in college groups that deal with politics and religion. It wasn’t an overwhelming amount but something to be noted.

[Nicolle · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 rounded up) This was a veeeery slow burn. I wish I would’ve realized it was YA going into it, but that’s my fault.
•
Lucas is a late bloomer, he’s never even kissed anyone and he’s now starting college (no shade, I was in basically the same boat). He meets Diana and it’s practically love at first sight. Except she doesn’t know anything about Taylor Swift. The two are both drawn together and become close friends quickly. They have a few disagreements but stick it through and both end up confessing some pretty strong feelings for each other. They decide to continue putting school first so there is no romance beyond emotions for a while. They share a first kiss (at 69% according to my Kindle) but even then they don’t want to make anything official. They both do a lot of emotional growing, and as often happens, that moves them apart. Not every love story has a happy ending, but this is nowhere near the end of their stories.
•
I’m honestly very glad that Lucas and Diana didn’t end up together, they really did not seem compatible. At 58% I had decided that and just had to wait for them to realize it. For a bit I wasn’t sure I liked Diana, but once the pressure she was under became clear I sympathized with her. Personally, I could’ve used way less of the school work stuff but I appreciate that overall it was necessary to move the plot along. Also, there is a sapphic side plot between two of Lucas’ friends, Adele and Akemi, that I would reaaaaally have liked to have seen more of. But I think there have been hints of that coming in the future!

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in my biggest reading slump rn but I finished this book in less than 24 hours...do I need to say more?

[Sakshi Pathak · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a swiftie this book is my roman empire ....
the song incorporation in books , the character , description of their journey , their friendship all has my heart ....

[Tiffany DeAngelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book full of life's turns and twists. Finding a person you can relate to is hard but knowing that person is for you and loves you is even harder.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Like A Swiftie

Thank you so much for sending me an ARC of your debut novel! Good luck with the release!

This story is set at a UK University which took me right back there! #nostalgia

This book is written solely from the male perspective which is new in a romance book for me, which I very much enjoyed!

If you’re a Taylor Swift fan there’s plenty of references to go at 🥰

A content warning would be this book is very heavy on politics and religion.

[Robyn G · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways* I have to say, going into it, my first impression was that this was going to be cheesey. I was wrong. Very well written and lovely story.

[Sneha Jaiswal]

The Taylor Swift references in this book are consistent, so Swifties looking for a romantic-comedy filled with shout outs to their favorite pop star should be thrilled. But this novel is too long for a campus romance and took me months to finish.

[Marsha Rafalski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a slow burn romance for a couple in their university years with a friends-to-lovers plot.

Lucas Wong grew up in Hong Kong with his single mother, whose faith was the dominating belief in the home. His relationship with his father was strained as Lucas blamed him for the break up of the family due partially to his attitude toward his wife’s religious practice. Lucas had become a fan of Taylor Swift and his thoughts on love were formed with the soundtrack of her music in the background. He even sought guidance from her music when he had to make decisions. He expected that a Swiftee soulmate would appear when he was ready. He develops a crush on “Diana”, a kindhearted colleague with a deep faith that underlay her actions—but she didn’t even listen to Swift’s music.

Diana Mason had one driving goal—to prove to herself and those around her that she was capable of being a boss of her colleagues and show her suitability for a significant role in a profession serving her interests and faith. She decides to run for president of a climate society and Lucas becomes an assistant in her campaign. Diana and Lucas clash over love, politics, religion and their plans for their future.

The rest of the book was devoted to identifying, meeting and resolving those clashes as they adjust to accommodate their feelings for each other and resolve their differences. This takes place with a large group of supporting characters. Although this added complexity to the interactions between members of the group, it lent itself to overuse and left too many loose plot lines. It was clearly a campus novel taken deeply into debate and conflict. The characters were well developed but not especially well liked. The book was long and could have benefited from some judicious editing. I personally found the ending frustrating and I am not sure that I will follow up with others in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via StoryGraph and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nivetha Kannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Can you be Fearless enough to love someone who doesn’t believe in fairytales?”

Love Like A Swiftie by Issac Tsang is a cozy, witty, and unexpectedly emotional slow-burn romance that gently tugs at your heartstrings. At the center is Lucas Wong—a dreamy Swiftie leaving behind a broken past in Hong Kong to find love in England. But instead of a fairytale, he meets Diana Mason: grounded, focused, and completely unaware of Taylor Swift’s music.

Their connection blooms from witty banter into a deep and something infinitely more intimate. Lucas brings the magic, Diana brings the reality—and together, they navigate cultural differences, emotional baggage, and what it really means to love someone as they are.

This is more than a story of opposites attracting. It’s a story about growing together, embracing flaws, and learning that being “fearless” means showing up even when life feels uncertain. With sparkling writing, heartfelt moments, and characters you’ll root for, this book feels like a quiet anthem for anyone who’s ever dared to dream.

The writing sparkles with charm and emotional truth. The author captures student life with authenticity—awkward corridor hellos, clubbing firsts, instant connections, emotional overload, and all the joy and fear that comes with leaving home for a new one. It’s not just a romance; it’s a coming-of-heart story. There were moments I wanted to pause just to to feel the ache settle.

If you’re a Swiftie, this book is a love letter to you💌

This novel reminded me that it’s okay to feel deeply, to not know what we’re doing, to long for magic even when reality feels messy. It whispered that being “fearless” isn’t the absence of fear—it’s showing up anyway. For love. For friendship. For yourself.

[Simmy reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going into this book, I wasn't sure how I would feel since it is written in only the male POV, but I absolutely loved it; most times in romance books, we don't really get to see the pov from the guy's perspective. Truly, if you're looking for a romance that is easy to get through and will make you laugh, then this book is for you; also, if you are a Taylor Swift fan, then this book is definitely for you, lol I am someone who knows very little about T-Swift so some of the references about her in this book I didn't totally understand. My only problem with this book is that it was a slow burn, and I typically don't enjoy slow burns and it was more of an instant love, which I also don't enjoy reading.

Overall, This was a cute YA romance and I loved the two main characters Lucas and Diana, there were times we reading this book, I just wanted to give Lucas a big hug lol.

[Issac Tsang · Rating 5 out of 5]

💖 Wanna be an ARC reader for Love Like A Swiftie?! 😍📚


YES! YOU! I want YOU in my ARC squad! ✨💃🏼

I’m SO excited to invite YOU to join my ✨ super sparkly ✨ ARC squad for my debut novel, Love Like A Swiftie! 💫💗 All I asked in exchange for is a cute little honest review on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon… wherever you love to rave about your reads! 💕📖

💌 Sign up now on my website: https://www.issactsang13author.com/ar...

Just a little reminder: if you join the ARC team, I’ll be counting on you to post your review 💕 Let’s spread the love and hype together! 🫶

AHHH I’M SO EXCITED I COULD CRY 🥹💕

Got Questions about my ARC squad? Don’t be shy! Slide into my inbox at: issactsang13author@gmail.com

Can’t wait to have you on the ARC squad, gorgeous! 🥰📚✨

[Daniyal Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the cutest romcom with the most beautiful Taylor swift references
It's a slow burn where opposites attract
And loooots of cute scenes
It's a must read for ROM com lovers
+ Lucas is a green forest

[Kylie Eastwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC. It was a cute read

[Mes Curls Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever dreamed of finding your “Swiftie soulmate” or just love a sweet, slow-burn romance, this book is for you! Love Like A Swiftie is a heartwarming university romcom that perfectly blends love, friendship, and self-discovery.



Lucas Wong is the most endearing Swiftie—passionate, a little delusional, and completely set on finding someone who loves Taylor Swift as much as he does. But then there’s Diana—driven, ambitious, and not a Swiftie at all (gasp!). Watching these two navigate their differences, from music preferences to political beliefs, made for such an engaging and layered romance. Their friendship-turned-love story felt realistic and slow-burn in the best way—full of misunderstandings, growth, and moments that made my heart melt.



What I really loved was how the book challenged the idea of idealized love. Lucas has this fantasy of what his perfect match should be, but real love isn’t about checklists—it’s about connection, compromise, and embracing differences. The romance was sweet, but the themes of personal growth and finding love in unexpected places made the story even more meaningful.



My one minor complaint? Some of Lucas’ Swiftie references felt a bit over-the-top at times (even for a hardcore fan), but his character was so lovable that I didn’t mind too much.



If you love opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers, and an adorable romcom set in university, Love Like A Swiftie is the book for you! 💕🎶