This was such a cute sampler! As a huge swiftie, I love this idea and found value in the informative bits. Just from the sampler, though, I didn't love the journaling questions. I found them a bit basic and not introspective enough. I'm not sure who the intended audience is, but judging by the depth of the analysis, I'm guessing the audience would be a bit older than the journaling questions suggest. However, I probably would buy a copy for myself (or a friend) and read a little at a time. Very cute and I loved the illustrations.

This arc was just a sampler so I can't speak to the whole experience. The pages skipped around so even getting an overview was difficult. From what I saw- I loved the summaries of a few of the classics (Romeo & Juliet, Wuthering Heights, etc) I wish I could have seen more how Taylor's songs reflected the themes of the stories. (Maybe that is present in the final copy- and not in the sampler.) The illustrations that I saw fun and whimsical. The right Swiftie may want to frame them!

I have been a fan of Taylor’s music for about 18 years now and an English Literature lover for even longer. This does a great job of blending the two together. From what I can see from this sampler, I enjoy the formatting and how it has the reader writing their own ideas down for many of the sections. Would be perfect for an English Literature class or for someone who wants to extend their learning to a topic of interest. I am definitely going to be checking out a finished copy of this when it comes out later on this year.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this arc. It was fun and cute. As someone who loves Taylor Swift and books, this was perfect for me.

"Dear Reader" explores the literary references in some of Taylor Swift songs. There is space for the reader to put down their own thoughts, whilst guiding them through some of the most prominent ones. I think this would be great for teenagers to read alongside their English Literature studies to understand why such schooling is important and relevant in everyday life.

I'm not a journal girl but I do love Taylor Swift so I had to check this out. I'm still not a journal girl but I am still giving this five stars.

If you love Taylor's songs and enjoy thinking about what they mean and what inspired them, you will adore this. Definitely one to purchase a physical copy of if you're wanting to use the space for writing prompts. Still an enjoyable read if you just want some thoughts on her lyrics.

As a longtime Taylor Swift fan, Dear Reader completely captivated me. Viktoria Capek blends thoughtful analysis with deep love for Taylor’s work, exploring lyrics in a way that feels both intelligent and emotionally personal. Each chapter reads like a conversation with someone who truly gets the heart behind the music.

The references to literary themes and storytelling were especially powerful—it made me appreciate songs I’ve heard a hundred times in a brand-new way. This isn’t just for fans, it’s for anyone who cares about words, emotion, and the stories we carry with us. Highly recommend for readers who love Taylor and the poetry hidden in pop.

Such an insightful book about what pieces of literature inspired the work of singer and songwriter Taylor Swift, with amazing illustrations.

Thank you Victoria Capek, Watkins Publishing and NetGalley!

Thank you to the publisher and thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review this e-ARC. Full review will be available soon