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annie1will's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
ktbeth143's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This starts out slow, but not slow in a traditional sense. More like the first 75% is exposition where things are happening but you’re not sure how they relate to the main conflict because you’re not sure there is a main conflict, and then the main conflict hits and you realize that it would only have made sense after a build up like the one you had to meddle through. (Does that make sense?)
I’m not saying I didn’t like it overall. But I didn’t like how long it took to get to the main conflict—and yet I understand it.
It’s a great chic-fic romance that would make a fun romantic dramedy movie. Like most of it, it took a while, but the subtle similarities between it and Much Ado About Nothing weren’t cheesy and actually made for a good story. The characters are loveable, although if you’re like me, you will spend most of the story thinking “what’s the catch?” because it literally takes forever before the flaws of the main characters are revealed. I guess you could say this is THE definition of a slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance where the attraction and chemistry is there from the start.
I would recommend if you’re a fan of Samantha’s other romcom/dramas, if you like a good slow burn romance, and/or your in the mood for a good chicfic.
I’m not saying I didn’t like it overall. But I didn’t like how long it took to get to the main conflict—and yet I understand it.
It’s a great chic-fic romance that would make a fun romantic dramedy movie. Like most of it, it took a while, but the subtle similarities between it and Much Ado About Nothing weren’t cheesy and actually made for a good story. The characters are loveable, although if you’re like me, you will spend most of the story thinking “what’s the catch?” because it literally takes forever before the flaws of the main characters are revealed. I guess you could say this is THE definition of a slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance where the attraction and chemistry is there from the start.
I would recommend if you’re a fan of Samantha’s other romcom/dramas, if you like a good slow burn romance, and/or your in the mood for a good chicfic.
cozycritiques's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
“I do love nothing in the world so well as you.”
- William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing
Tropes: Small Town, Vacation, Farmer, Book Shop, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶
CW: Alcoholism, Physical/Emotional Abuse
Much Ado About You checks so many romance boxes for me: a protagonist on a journey to figure out her life, a delightful and picturesque setting, a swoon-worthy love interest (seriously, swoon-worthy), a perfect meet-cute, meaningful friendships with secondary characters. There’s also plenty of Shakespeare references and a dog, which aren’t requirements for a good romance novel for me, but they’re definitely a plus.
Evie’s life in Alnster was like a dream. Her desire to feel that at home someplace is so real and the fact that she found it is something special. The town is beautiful, and it’s clear from the moment she got there that it’s where she belongs. Everyone in the town is kind, lively, and welcoming. They immediately take her under their wing, despite her being an outsider. She affects them as well, actings as a friend and confidant to many of the inhabitants.
Evie and Roane’s relationship was a delight to read. They spark up a friendship, but underneath it is this fantastic tension, because how could she not fall for him? He’s charming, sweet, caring, and incredibly protective over his younger cousin Caroline. Their romance is a slow burn but in the best way. They really get to know each other and intertwine their lives, so the payoff is well worth the wait when they finally get together.
This book completely charmed me. It goes on the list of books that will stay with me long after I’ve read it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I reread it more than once in the future.
- William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing
Tropes: Small Town, Vacation, Farmer, Book Shop, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶
CW: Alcoholism, Physical/Emotional Abuse
Much Ado About You checks so many romance boxes for me: a protagonist on a journey to figure out her life, a delightful and picturesque setting, a swoon-worthy love interest (seriously, swoon-worthy), a perfect meet-cute, meaningful friendships with secondary characters. There’s also plenty of Shakespeare references and a dog, which aren’t requirements for a good romance novel for me, but they’re definitely a plus.
Evie’s life in Alnster was like a dream. Her desire to feel that at home someplace is so real and the fact that she found it is something special. The town is beautiful, and it’s clear from the moment she got there that it’s where she belongs. Everyone in the town is kind, lively, and welcoming. They immediately take her under their wing, despite her being an outsider. She affects them as well, actings as a friend and confidant to many of the inhabitants.
Evie and Roane’s relationship was a delight to read. They spark up a friendship, but underneath it is this fantastic tension, because how could she not fall for him? He’s charming, sweet, caring, and incredibly protective over his younger cousin Caroline. Their romance is a slow burn but in the best way. They really get to know each other and intertwine their lives, so the payoff is well worth the wait when they finally get together.
This book completely charmed me. It goes on the list of books that will stay with me long after I’ve read it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I reread it more than once in the future.
lindseydomokur's review against another edition
3.0
Evie is 33. She has been passed over for a promotion at work, her dating life is in shambles and her best friend's having a baby. She feels lonely and needs a change, she needs to find herself, so she finds a place in a quiet English village to rent. As a matter of fact, it comes with a whole bookstore to run. It sounds like the perfect getaway. While she is there, she decides she will focus on herself, no men allowed on this trip, but this plan is blown out of the water on the first day she is there.
Evie can't help but save a dog who is about to be hit by a car, throwing herself in harms way. His owner is forever grateful and instantly takes to Evie. Roane likes Evie the moment he meets her, she did save his dog after all. Roane never usually likes I outsiders, their little town is a close knit family, but Evie really gets under his skin, in the best way.
This book is what I would classify as a slow burn insta-love, and I know that doesn't even make sense but just go with me. The characters are instantly attracted to one another, but with Evie taking a break from men, Roane is determined to still be around her, even as a friend. Of course it turns into more because who can resist his charm?
This book had everything that I thought I wanted in a book, and I was looking forward to it so much. I am not sure where it went wrong for me, but it was very very lighthearted. Even the conflict left me feeling a little let down, I was expecting so much more feels and I got a book that was cute, but didn't pack much of a punch for me. If you want a feel good book with little angst, this is your book. I am not sure if it was just me, and I seem to be in the minority so I would suggest you try this book if you normally love this type of trope. This was a solid 3.5 stars for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley and Samantha Young for an early copy of this book, these opinions are my own.
Evie can't help but save a dog who is about to be hit by a car, throwing herself in harms way. His owner is forever grateful and instantly takes to Evie. Roane likes Evie the moment he meets her, she did save his dog after all. Roane never usually likes I outsiders, their little town is a close knit family, but Evie really gets under his skin, in the best way.
This book is what I would classify as a slow burn insta-love, and I know that doesn't even make sense but just go with me. The characters are instantly attracted to one another, but with Evie taking a break from men, Roane is determined to still be around her, even as a friend. Of course it turns into more because who can resist his charm?
This book had everything that I thought I wanted in a book, and I was looking forward to it so much. I am not sure where it went wrong for me, but it was very very lighthearted. Even the conflict left me feeling a little let down, I was expecting so much more feels and I got a book that was cute, but didn't pack much of a punch for me. If you want a feel good book with little angst, this is your book. I am not sure if it was just me, and I seem to be in the minority so I would suggest you try this book if you normally love this type of trope. This was a solid 3.5 stars for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley and Samantha Young for an early copy of this book, these opinions are my own.
mo_reads_more's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was another decent read for me. I was enjoying it for the first half, but by the second half it started to drag a bit. I liked that Evie integrated well into the community, but I did get pretty intense anxiety from her inserting herself into business that was not her own, and then it somehow working out for everyone?
Evie's best friend (can't even remember her name tbh) was incredibly annoying. She literally only thought about herself and then after completely blowing up at Evie, Evie feeling guilty for how her feelings were impacting her friend, and then blaming her pregnancy hormones was getting on my nerves so bad. I understand pregnancy hormones can be a lot, but it felt like an excuse for us to forgive the best friend even though she was not supportive at all. The only time I liked her was at the end of the book though when she talked some sense into Evie. Man I hate to downplay the feelings of others, but Evie was being so dramatic for literally no reason.
Now here's where I explain myself. No,Roane should not have lied by omission about any of the things he did. However, I understand why he did. He wanted a chance with Evie and it just so happened her two no-nos applied to him. However x2, clearly she was into him, and it would've been easier to just break the news early on so she has a chance to back out if she wants, but she has proof that things can work out while not yet being too attached to the relationship. However x3, Roane does try to tell her, and it's not his fault the story uses stupidly placed interruptions to prolong him coming clean. Granted, he clearly had time when those interruptions weren't happing. However x4, the longer he waited to tell her the truth, the more invovled they became and the new fear became her leaving him because he waited so long to tell her, which ended up being exactly what happened . Now, I think Evie had every right to be mad at Roane initially. It was a break of trust and she obviously needed time to think things over. However, and I think this is the last one, Roane returned and gave an even better apology, telling her he was willing to wait, and she still can't forgive him, over two facts about him that inevitably don't change anything about their relationship. I just feel like all the drama was built up for something not that big of deal for the sake of "tension," but it just ended up making me hate Evie. Her best friend talking some sense into her made me actually like the best friend more. The worst part is, her friend talking sense into her means the author was fully aware Evie was being dramatic for no reason, and that actually makes me more mad.
Other than those two things, I didn't hate this book. I actually enjoyed the first half of it a lot. I also liked the commentary on Evie and how she goes between loving her body some days and being insecure about it other days. I found that to be extremely relatable and I always love reading a story where a character with a relatable experience has all their insecurities appreciated by someone else. I thought Roane was such a cute love interest and I liked him a lot. He had his moments that annoyed me as well, like not just coming clean to Evie, but his efforts to make up for that helped him a lot. I think if Evie had just taken some time rather than going all the way back home abruptly I would have been able to like her a bit more than I ended up feeling about her. Also, stay out of people's dirty laundry miss Evie, jeez.
Evie's best friend (can't even remember her name tbh) was incredibly annoying. She literally only thought about herself and then after completely blowing up at Evie, Evie feeling guilty for how her feelings were impacting her friend, and then blaming her pregnancy hormones was getting on my nerves so bad. I understand pregnancy hormones can be a lot, but it felt like an excuse for us to forgive the best friend even though she was not supportive at all. The only time I liked her was at the end of the book though when she talked some sense into Evie. Man I hate to downplay the feelings of others, but Evie was being so dramatic for literally no reason.
Now here's where I explain myself. No,
Other than those two things, I didn't hate this book. I actually enjoyed the first half of it a lot. I also liked the commentary on Evie and how she goes between loving her body some days and being insecure about it other days. I found that to be extremely relatable and I always love reading a story where a character with a relatable experience has all their insecurities appreciated by someone else. I thought Roane was such a cute love interest and I liked him a lot. He had his moments that annoyed me as well, like not just coming clean to Evie, but his efforts to make up for that helped him a lot. I think if Evie had just taken some time rather than going all the way back home abruptly I would have been able to like her a bit more than I ended up feeling about her. Also, stay out of people's dirty laundry miss Evie, jeez.
judecult's review against another edition
1.0
the most bland book i've ever read
insta love, no conflict, no plot, no nothing omg i was sooooo bored
insta love, no conflict, no plot, no nothing omg i was sooooo bored
divinenanny's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
peytonm's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted a lighthearted romance, and I got it in this one! Evie has had a rough month, so she finds herself a vacation where she runs a little bookshop in an English village. Once there, she meets Roane, a charming farmer who makes her question returning to Chicago at all. But he's keeping secrets (! I liked the resolution to the conflict and enjoyed the characters. Definitely TW for racism .
Spoiler
that he's younger and rich lolSpoiler
as some of the village is incredibly racist to some side charactersjd9209's review against another edition
3.0
I felt like the most interesting parts of the stories were happening to the side characters and also like nothing happen to the main characters till like the very end
fernthepanda's review against another edition
5.0
I received an eARC courtesy of Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Was this predictable? Yes. Does that make me thrilled? Absolutely!
I am not looking for tons of surprises in my romances. And this book is pure escapism. Loved the characters, loved the setting, loved the story. My one annoyance (minor)-the overuse of the cutesy nickname "angel". Just a bit cloying for my tastes.
For Libraries: Definitely worth a place on your shelves.
Was this predictable? Yes. Does that make me thrilled? Absolutely!
I am not looking for tons of surprises in my romances. And this book is pure escapism. Loved the characters, loved the setting, loved the story. My one annoyance (minor)-the overuse of the cutesy nickname "angel". Just a bit cloying for my tastes.
For Libraries: Definitely worth a place on your shelves.