There's Nothing Like This is an incredibly comprehensive account of Taylor Swift's career and the strategic decisions made that have strengthened her career since its inception. To the most dedicated Swiftie, the events in this book come as no surprise; stories of the beginning of her career and each era are well-known. However, this book does lean heavily on the business aspect of Taylor's career, likening bold moves to other entertainment giants, such as Marvel or the NBA. In my opinion, this perspective is what sets this book apart from the rest about Swift's career; the study of any decision during any era was carefully dissected in this book.

Something I appreciated while reading this book is the neutral tone in which its written. Kevin Evers does not shy away from highlighting the low points in Swift's career, but also is unashamed to acknowledge the powerhouse that Swift really is. The book is very balanced; in a world where Taylor Swift is an "you love her or hate her" artist, I think this book can be read and appreciated by anyone.

Overall this was a nice read, but perhaps more geared toward entrepreneurs rather than the typical Swiftie, who already understand her hard work and dedication over the years.

The author has done a significant amount of research about Swift. The book provides a comprehensive overview of her career. For something released by HBR it lacks deeper analysis about lessons one can take from Swift and her team and more like a well written fan account of her musical journey.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harvard Business Review Press for the eARC!

This was a fun and informative book, maybe a tiny bit more focused on business than I was expecting. But that's on me entirely; it is published by Harvard Business Review.
I think the author does a great job of unraveling Taylor's business moves. I liked the way he included short examples of other companies pulling similar moves (or trying to). And I also enjoyed the way he broke up the book - into her different albums and the Eras Tour. I also really appreciated that he didn't just focus on the positive elements of her career, but he also discussed (in more detail than I would have expected) the situation with Kanye and Kim, as well as the albums that did less well (I refuse to say they were flops): Reputation and Lover.

This is actually one of my favorite books to read about Taylor Swift. I loved the breakdown of TS as a businesswoman over just a singer-songwriter. It went through how she got started and walked us through how each of her albums came about. I enjoyed this side of everything and now have an even bigger respect for her and what she’s been through and how she overcame it.

This was a great read and absolutely kept me hooked - I loved the respectful tone and really feel like I learned a lot. Excited to recommend this to the fans I know, as I think the context is really important in respectfully following an artist. I've thought for a while that the rabidity of the fans doesn't take some of this into account so I'm glad to have such a great source!

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this ARC. All views and opinions in this review are my own.

I am a Swiftie who’s followed Taylor Swift’s musical journey throughout out the years, and was also lucky enough to watch her live on “The Eras Tour” concert, so to say that I was really excited to read this book was an understatement.

Much has been said about Taylor Swift and her music, her fame, her cultural significance and even her personal life. What I really appreciate with Kevin Evers’ book is that he truly respects and appreciates Taylor Swift’s artistry and strategic business genius that allowed her to fully take control of her brand and her legacy in the music industry. Reading this book gave me flashbacks to being a business school student, due to the level of research in this “case study”, but it never feels to technical or too alienating to the average reader with no business background. Evers uses various real-world examples to compare Swift’s business decisions and strategies, as employed by other companies and industries.

Evers also does not shy away from talking about some of Swift’s strategic failures and difficulties in her career, which gives the book more balance, and might encourage even “non-Swifties” to just appreciate the cultural and business impact of Taylor Swift in the music industry today.

I would definitely recommend this book to fellow Swifties, but also to aspiring business school students and entrepreneurs, so that they may be inspired by Taylor Swift’s hard work and perseverance.

I absolutely devoured this book. I appreciated seeing the strategic angle of Taylor Swift and her ascent in the music industry. It isn’t often that we get a deep dive of the approach used by music artists to achieve their success. Of course hard work is at play but so is strategy, a thing Taylor Swift seemed to have right from the start of her career. This book was informative and inspiring. I’m picking this one up when it drops in April.

It is so refreshing to see Taylor Swift's career savvy actually taken seriously for once. Informative, easy to understand, insightful analysis. Absolutely perfect!

An interesting book about Taylor Swift’s career, covering everything from before the debut all the way to the Eras Tour & TTPD.

Overall, a well-written documentation of TS’s popularity, musical career, and business success, along with some real-life events behind the scenes (based on her interviews and sometimes comparing her to other artists), without forgetting her fans and how, since the beginning, Taylor has included them in what she does.

As an adult Swifite converted by my daughter and niece I found "There's Nothing Like This" to be an extremely interesting take on the rise of Taylor Swift. Many Swifies will be familiar with the stories but it was helpful to read in detail the chronological order and depth to her stardom.

This book tells the amazing story of how Taylor Swift became a superstar! It shows how she made smart choices in her career, used creative ways to reach fans, and always stayed true to herself. You'll learn about the ups and downs of her journey, from singing the national anthem to creating the incredible Eras Tour.

What I liked:
⭐ Cool business lessons: The book compares Taylor's success to other famous people, not just in music but in other fields too. It's like learning about business while reading about a pop star!
⭐ Behind-the-scenes stories: The author uses interviews and real-life events to show us the real Taylor Swift. You'll see how her experiences shaped her music and helped her grow as an artist.
⭐ Exciting storytelling: The book weaves together Taylor's life story with her songs, making it feel like you're right there with her on her journey.

What I didn't like:
💔 E-book trouble: I read an eARC of the book on Netgalley app, and it was a bit hard to read because the words didn't fit the screen properly. I think I'd enjoy the book more in a regular printed book.

Should you read it?
> For Swifties: If you love Taylor Swift's music, this book is a must-read! You'll gain a deeper appreciation for her talent and hard work.
> For business enthusiasts: Even if you're not a musician, this book can teach you valuable lessons about business and how to succeed.

In a nutshell, "There's Nothing Like This" is a fascinating look at how Taylor Swift built her incredible career. It's a fun and informative read for anyone who wants to learn more about this amazing artist!

There's nothing like this was fantastic. I have been a long time Taylor Swift fan. I saw her in concert in 2011 and twice during the Era's tour and I still learned so much from this book. It was awesome to get a little into her mindset/behind the scenes secrets. I enjoyed this very much.

"A man does something, it's 'strategic'; a woman does the same thing, it's 'calculated'." - Taylor Swift

As a Swiftie since Red, I was very excited to dive into Kevin Evers' "There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift." This work is not just a tribute to Taylor's artistry; it is a meticulously researched exploration of her strategic brilliance in the music industry.

Evers masterfully weaves together academic rigor and engaging storytelling, drawing parallels between Taylor's career and key business principles. His attention to detail is impressive, with embedded references to Taylor's lyrics and themes that resonate deeply with her fans. The book reads like a scholarly article, yet it remains accessible and enjoyable, making it a must-read for both Swifties and those interested in strategic management.
Having attended Taylor's Eras Tour concert, it was very interesting to read about her career which Evers beautifully describes in his analysis. His insights into her marketing and fan engagement strategies are enlightening and confirm my admiration for her as an artist and a businesswoman.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Harvard Business Review, and Kevin Evers for the opportunity to access an advanced reader copy!

Kevin Evers does a great job in writing this, it was a strong concept for a Taylor Swift book about her success. It was written well and was engaged with what was happening. It was great to go over multiple eras of Taylor Swift.

This book offers a fascinating look at Taylor Swift's journey, highlighting key moments in her career and her cultural impact. Even as a fan, I learned so much about her creative process and influence on the music industry. Whether you’re a Swiftie or just curious, it’s an engaging and insightful read !!

Publication date: April 8th, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Harvard Business Review Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
4.5/5 rounded up to 5
This book was so interesting and provided valuable insights into the start and rise of Taylor Swift. Even though I know so much about Taylor, I still learned so much! I wish the last few chapters about the re-records, Eras Tour, and The Tortured Poets Department were a little more in-depth since she had so much unprecedented success these last few years and I would love to read more insights on that. But overall, I loved this, and it highlights both her incredible business instincts/dedication and her unique personal connections to her fans.

This is a must-read for any swiftie (especially those who joined us more recently) or anyone who is interested in learning about the origins of Taylor Swift and how she got to be the cultural phenomenon she is today, from a balanced and unbiased point of view.

As a Swiftie, I’ve been asked by many a non-Swiftie over the past 2 years “but why is she so popular, what is it about her?” and this explains it all really well. It also contextualises a lot of things which happened in her career, comparing to other artists/events.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend anyone to read it, even (maybe even especially) if you aren’t a Taylor Swift fan.

I loved this book! I found it to be extremely informative and insightful. I am already well versed in Taylor Swift, but after reading this book, I learned much more about her processes, albums, and affect on the industry.

I will quite literally take any opportunity to talk about the pure magic and genius that is Taylor Swift, but having an editor of the Harvard Business Review Press deep dive every aspect of her career just shows what a powerhouse she really is. While, yes, she is extraordinarily talented and has a mind for business, the core of her entire career has been her care for and inclusion of the people - her fans. We love her music, we love the experience, but we mostly just love HER. She is so human and likable and authentic that it's hard not to root for her.

Overall, this book is so well written and thought out, and I really enjoyed reading it! I will say that it hurt my soul a little to read about Scott + Scooter, but they are part of the history of Taylor Swift and the inclusion was necessary. As she said herself in Thank You, Aimee, "there wouldn't be this if there hadn't been you"

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance digital copy!

This book was very different from what I was expecting. As the parent of a young adult Swiftie, it was very interesting to see the strategic moves that have gone into making Swift the icon that she has become. Incredibly informative.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.