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starzy's review against another edition
2.0
In 'The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life', a lesbian teen ends up in charge of the school play while also trying to navigate exploring love for the first time.
Queer stories, especially those for young people, are really important but this just wasn't it for me.
This book read very young and characters often seemed much younger than they were.
We never learnt very much about characters outside of stereotypes and that they were all involved in this play which left them feeling very flat and uninteresting.
I was often frustrated by easily avoided conflicts.
Some readers, especially young ones, may not notice or be bothered by some of these elements and maybe they could enjoy it for a simple queer contemporary, but I struggled to get through it.
Queer stories, especially those for young people, are really important but this just wasn't it for me.
This book read very young and characters often seemed much younger than they were.
We never learnt very much about characters outside of stereotypes and that they were all involved in this play which left them feeling very flat and uninteresting.
I was often frustrated by easily avoided conflicts.
Some readers, especially young ones, may not notice or be bothered by some of these elements and maybe they could enjoy it for a simple queer contemporary, but I struggled to get through it.
zeunicorn's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a throwback to my high school year, putting on plays with a shoestring budget, enthusiastic actors and friends who got roped into prop/costumes/set design! This story is fast paced and well written. The characters are witty but still teenager-like, they don't sound like 30 year old actors cast in a teenage movie. It is a really quick and enjoyable book with a good plot, lesbian romance and nice POC representation. I really enjoyed it, even as a full grown adult (sigh...) How I wish I could be a teenager again, but just for the putting on plays aspect!
romancebookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
I found this a cute read but I did find the main character Alison a bit annoying and my favourite Shakespeare play is a midsummer nights dream so i wish there was a bit more of that in the book.
hsinjulit's review against another edition
3.0
Alison Green was partly tricked into producing a Shakespeare school play. Desperate to be valedictorian, she wanted everything to be in her control. But alas, mistakes happen and soon she found herself in the midst of a failing play, ruined friendships, strained romance, and much more.
I am glad I have read A Midsummer Night's Dream before reading this book. Otherwise, it would have been incredibly confusing.
Perhaps, I had my hopes too high. When I heard it was a queer story with a Shakespeare play going on, I had to read it. Though slightly disappointed by the fact that a lot of things happened yet it felt like nothing had, The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life was fun to read. It was certainly an entertaining book on the chaotic, awkward, and messy high school years we all worked so hard to forget about.
Our protagonist Alison Green had made a lot of questionable decisions and ended up lying to many people. She had to mend her friendships with Jack and Becca, make up with her sister Annie, reconcile with Charlotte, etc. Through the process, I think she understood that pretending nothing was wrong by making up lies was never be okay.
The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life was about coming out of a mess stronger than before. Shakespeare probably ruined Alison's life for the better.
I received an e-ARC from Second Story Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am glad I have read A Midsummer Night's Dream before reading this book. Otherwise, it would have been incredibly confusing.
Perhaps, I had my hopes too high. When I heard it was a queer story with a Shakespeare play going on, I had to read it. Though slightly disappointed by the fact that a lot of things happened yet it felt like nothing had, The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life was fun to read. It was certainly an entertaining book on the chaotic, awkward, and messy high school years we all worked so hard to forget about.
Our protagonist Alison Green had made a lot of questionable decisions and ended up lying to many people. She had to mend her friendships with Jack and Becca, make up with her sister Annie, reconcile with Charlotte, etc. Through the process, I think she understood that pretending nothing was wrong by making up lies was never be okay.
The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life was about coming out of a mess stronger than before. Shakespeare probably ruined Alison's life for the better.
I received an e-ARC from Second Story Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
itsmethebibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for a chance to read & review an E-ARC of this novel!**
This was a fun contemporary read with LGBTQIA+ representation as well as themes of challenging our own thoughts about success, expanding our comfort-zones, & being honest with those closest to us. Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
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Things I Liked:
-the honesty regarding the high school experience...it felt like a genuine portrayal of all the weirdness that is high school & adolescent without being over done or (for lack of a better word) dramatic
-Mr. Evans was hilarious!
-how descriptive the writing was about the experience of producing a play
-it was an easy read with short chapters...I like shorter chapters as I feel more invested in continuing to read cause "JUST ONE MORE CHAPTER" :)
Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-how annoying Allison was at points...I found myself wanting to take her by the shoulders & shake her while yelling "what are you thinking!?"
-the awkward date/non-date scene...cringe
-the ending felt sort of anti-climatic...I felt like the play (one of the main plot points of the story) was sort of brushed over in the end
-the ending also felt a bit rushed in my opinion...all of a sudden everything sort of wrapped itself up & then it was over
Overall, I gave this novel 3 stars. It was a fun & relatable read that made me laugh out loud many times. I think it would be a great read for those interested in reading novels with LGBTQIA+ representation or themes including theatre, comedy, or coming of age.
This was a fun contemporary read with LGBTQIA+ representation as well as themes of challenging our own thoughts about success, expanding our comfort-zones, & being honest with those closest to us. Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Things I Liked:
-the honesty regarding the high school experience...it felt like a genuine portrayal of all the weirdness that is high school & adolescent without being over done or (for lack of a better word) dramatic
-Mr. Evans was hilarious!
-how descriptive the writing was about the experience of producing a play
-it was an easy read with short chapters...I like shorter chapters as I feel more invested in continuing to read cause "JUST ONE MORE CHAPTER" :)
Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-how annoying Allison was at points...I found myself wanting to take her by the shoulders & shake her while yelling "what are you thinking!?"
-the awkward date/non-date scene...cringe
-the ending felt sort of anti-climatic...I felt like the play (one of the main plot points of the story) was sort of brushed over in the end
-the ending also felt a bit rushed in my opinion...all of a sudden everything sort of wrapped itself up & then it was over
Overall, I gave this novel 3 stars. It was a fun & relatable read that made me laugh out loud many times. I think it would be a great read for those interested in reading novels with LGBTQIA+ representation or themes including theatre, comedy, or coming of age.
proseamongstthorns's review against another edition
2.0
As a gay woman I felt this book missed the mark - I was unable to empathise with the characters at all and these are supposed to be my people!
But my main issue which pulled my rating down was the use of stereotypes. There were too many stereotypical characters: the alternative girl with an undercut who 'must be at least bi', the gay stylist and the closeted bully. Obviously using these stereotypes is fine, but all together? And with no real attempt to challenge them? It just didn't work for me.
I was really sucked into the book and struggled with the final rating as I couldn't put it down 'till I finished. The ending fizzled for me. I was so engaged and then it suddenly ended, with plot points entirely abandoned without any closure at all.
The premise was fantastic, but the delivery fell a little short for me. Jansen did her best to provide a diverse selection of characters, both through sexual orientation and race/ethnicity, and I think for YA teens this will be a fantastic starting point.
But my main issue which pulled my rating down was the use of stereotypes. There were too many stereotypical characters: the alternative girl with an undercut who 'must be at least bi', the gay stylist and the closeted bully. Obviously using these stereotypes is fine, but all together? And with no real attempt to challenge them? It just didn't work for me.
I was really sucked into the book and struggled with the final rating as I couldn't put it down 'till I finished. The ending fizzled for me. I was so engaged and then it suddenly ended, with plot points entirely abandoned without any closure at all.
The premise was fantastic, but the delivery fell a little short for me. Jansen did her best to provide a diverse selection of characters, both through sexual orientation and race/ethnicity, and I think for YA teens this will be a fantastic starting point.
marinasendkast's review
3.0
I had high expectations for a book that promised both Shakespeare and gay rep, and it kinda fell short. The story was a bit too simple and predictable, but it was still a cute and lighthearted read, so not that bad.
deethereader's review against another edition
4.0
Alison was a perfectionist and she had dreamed of being valedictorian for as long as she can remember so when she is asked to coproduce the school play she agrees without hesitation. However it was not as easy as she thought and Alison finds that she is struggling to juggle the play, her school work and her new relationship.
This was a great coming of age story that spoke about the struggles of a high schooler trying to be successful with all aspects of her life. Although the LGBTQI+ representation was there there were parts that felt like they were added as afterthoughts.
The growth of Alison was also something that I enjoyed and was true to what a lot of teens go though during these years.
Overall a great quick light read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review
3.5*
This was a great coming of age story that spoke about the struggles of a high schooler trying to be successful with all aspects of her life. Although the LGBTQI+ representation was there there were parts that felt like they were added as afterthoughts.
The growth of Alison was also something that I enjoyed and was true to what a lot of teens go though during these years.
Overall a great quick light read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review
3.5*
margaret's review against another edition
1.5
Rating: 1.5 stars
In her quest to become valedictorian, Alison agrees to produce the school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, along with the many disasters that come with it.
Not gonna lie, this was rough. The experience of reading this book was endlessly frustrating, with so many tiny annoyances that I started getting angry about every little thing. The characters didn't act or talk like real people, let alone real teenagers, and the main character had a serious case of not-like-the-other-girls syndrome.
The most frustrating part of reading this, though, was that there was no life to it. There was no depth, nothing happening underneath the surface, no reason for me to care what was going on. Things just happened, like they were plot points to check off a list, and I could not bring myself to care about any of it.
Not to mention there were a lot of weird messages about coming out, with characters guilt tripping each other, saying that you can't really be in a relationship if you're not out, which was uncomfortable. Also, Shakespeare had nothing to do with anything. The play could have been replaced with literally anything else and nothing would have changed.
Frankly, I would have DNF'ed this if it wouldn't further wreck my NetGalley ratio. (Sequel idea: The Year The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life Ruined My NetGalley Ratio.
In her quest to become valedictorian, Alison agrees to produce the school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, along with the many disasters that come with it.
Not gonna lie, this was rough. The experience of reading this book was endlessly frustrating, with so many tiny annoyances that I started getting angry about every little thing. The characters didn't act or talk like real people, let alone real teenagers, and the main character had a serious case of not-like-the-other-girls syndrome.
The most frustrating part of reading this, though, was that there was no life to it. There was no depth, nothing happening underneath the surface, no reason for me to care what was going on. Things just happened, like they were plot points to check off a list, and I could not bring myself to care about any of it.
Not to mention there were a lot of weird messages about coming out, with characters guilt tripping each other, saying that you can't really be in a relationship if you're not out, which was uncomfortable. Also, Shakespeare had nothing to do with anything. The play could have been replaced with literally anything else and nothing would have changed.
Frankly, I would have DNF'ed this if it wouldn't further wreck my NetGalley ratio. (Sequel idea: The Year The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life Ruined My NetGalley Ratio.