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Much Ado About You by Samantha Young
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary
Synopsis:
At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling's life in Chicago is missing that special something. And when she's passed over for promotion at work, Evie realizes she needs to make a change. Some time away to regain perspective might be just the thing. In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village. The holiday package comes with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. There's no better dream vacation for the bookish Evie, a life-long Shakespeare lover.
Not only is Evie swept up in running the delightful store as soon as she arrives, she's drawn into the lives, loves and drama of the friendly villagers. Including Roane Robson, the charismatic and sexy farmer who tempts Evie every day with his friendly flirtations. Evie is determined to keep him at bay because a holiday romance can only end in heartbreak, right? But Evie can't deny their connection and longs to trust in her handsome farmer that their whirlwind romance could turn in to the forever kind of love.
Thoughts:
I feel like I need to shout my appreciation from the rooftops: Yes! An adult female protagonist who makes realistic and mature decisions and doesn’t cause unnecessary drama!
I honestly could not be happier with how Young wrote these characters. This type of a story could so easily have gone to the ‘outsider gets harassed by patrons of a small village till a big strong man sticks up for her’ trope, but it didn’t and it was SO refreshing.
Every single character had their own story and their own lives, the town had realistic responses to her being there, Evie is strong and independent and shows it in the best ways, the love interest was absolutely swoony, their chemistry was on point, the actual relationship angle was mature. Seriously, almost perfection.
I also loved how Young was able to weave in the Shakespeare elements into the plot in subtle and pleasing ways that made this Shakespeare nerd smile.
There were a few aspects that were pretty easy to guess and the ‘twist’ was just something I was counting down to being uncovered but I still thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Even the fallout after everything was handled really well.
There isn’t much for me to pick at with this story but there were things that prevented me from giving it 5-stars, however it was still such an enjoyable read for me. I definitely need to pick up more from Young.