This is going to be a unique as The Taylors are two novels, one middle-grade, one YA by two different authors focusing on the same group of friends as they navigate love and friendship through their namesake, Taylor Swift. So let’s start with Calonita’s.

Taylor (aka Teffy to her family) is terrified to start middle school.

She wishes she could fade into the background, unnoticed. But on the first day of school, she finds herself in the spotlight when it’s revealed that her homeroom class has four girls all named Taylor! There’s a couple of things they can agree on: Taylor Swift is the greatest singer-songwriter of all time…and they are definitely going to need nicknames.

Soon, Teffy’s outside her comfort zone, going out for cheerleading and starting a friendship bracelet-making business. And when the Eras tour comes to town, the four friends will do whatever it takes to get tickets.

But then, a surprise betrayal changes everything. Teffy’s learning to speak up for herself, but it’s hard. Can she say what’s on her mind and keep her new friends for good?

Sad to say that although I’m a fan of a lot of Calonita’s works, this one was an average title.

Part of the limitation is that it the story is only viewed from Teffy’s lens, and her journey as a shy wallflower learning to become confident, and trusting that her friends won’t automatically leave her for the popular girl.

Not only was it not the most original coming of age story with another predictable plot of kids plotting to raise money so they could buy tickets for something they want, but it felt more like it was trying to set itself up for the next book. You know, establish each Taylor’s personality, and some of the supporting cast.

But I suppose any Swiftie would appreciate how the chapter titles are her songs, and relate to the love the girls have for their favorite singer and how it unites their friendship.

2 stars.

Teffy, Tay, Taylor, and TS have been best friends since middle school. As they enter their high school freshmen era, relationships bring on the drama.

Teffy is crushing on the boy next door who belongs to someone else. Tay finds herself down bad for a tortured poet. Things get treacherous as an older boy starts flirting with Taylor. And TS is definitely focused only on soccer and doesn’t fancy her new teammate, a cute London girl . . . right?

Suddenly, it feels like everything has changed. Pulled in different directions between navigating high school and new relationships, will their friendship be long lived or is it so long, Taylors?

This was an improvement as the narrative switches between the four POVs, allowing the reader greater insight to the girls. Plus the multiple stories were more interesting as they showed the various trials of high school romance. Additionally, the focus on each girl emphasizes how wrapped they are in their romance, fueling the strained friendship and isolation they feel before realizing that friendship never ends, and they’ll hold you up when your heart is in pieces.

Teffy, like in the middle grade book is the most basic. She’s the “You Belong with Me” girl, longing for Liam Yoon, her best friend, star QB, and who is currently dating the most popular cheerleader in the school. She wants to confess her feelings but can’t when he’s in a relationship with a girl who seems so much better than her in every way. Add in a dash of “Love Story” as the Yoons gave Teffy’s parents a bad investment tip, putting a tight grip on their finances, so now she’s not even allowed to see him in public. It’s basic, but there’s a reason that those unrequited love songs are universal. You see how well they fit together, and you root for Teffy to get her confidence up to tell him how she feels.

Taylor’s story was interesting as Eulberg depicts a clear case of grooming, and love bombing between her and the senior boy, Hunter. He isolates her, loves her, and belittles her, convincing her that their relationship is mature. He has her wrapped around his finger, and when those who love her try to point out, she’s convinced they don’t understand him, they don’t understand her, and is driven further into his arms. It’s tragic, and Eulberg does a good job in showing how it degrades the most confident Taylor’s self-esteem. At least the commuppance at prom is a worthy takedown.

Tay exercises her love for music by singing for her new crush’s band, the Archers. Reece is a classic emo, sensitive, anxious. It endears him to Tay who relates to feeling big emotions, but also drags their relationship down. While grooming, and unrequited love are common love stories in YA, Tay’s was unique in detailing the struggle of women doing all the emotional work in the relationship when the man doesn’t have much consideration in reciprocating or at least learning tips so they don’t rely on their GF so much when they have anxiety spirals.

TS’s story felt the weakest. It was nice as it wasn’t the usual coming out angst, TS has no angst about liking girls. Rather her angst comes from fear that falling for Gemma is distracting her from her goal for soccer scholarships and lashes out at her. Her story of learning to put less pressure on herself, and romance-life balance was good, but felt crowded out compared to the other girls.

Overall, it had more originality than the middle-grade counterpart with more distinct growth and characterization. The balance between them all was a bit wonky with TS getting the short end of the stick, and I did wish we got to see more of the Taylors’ bond near the end, but I enjoyed the different love stories and the echoes of some of Taylor’s famous songs.

4 stars.