emhawes's review against another edition
4.0
A cute coming of age romance featuring Shakespeare camp? Sign me up!
Bea is a homeschooled girl trying to prove to her parents she's ready to go to college. She ends up at summer camp and, thankfully, stumbles into the guiding arms of Mia and Nolan. One of the things I liked about this book was Mia and Nolan helped Bea to branch out, but never shamed her, and never pushed her past her limits, something I was nervous about given her parents behavior (especially with how they told the camp counselor everything).
Nik is a good love interest for Bea, but I like that much of the book would have remained the same even if he wants in it.
This was a great debut book and I'm looking forward to more from Serena Kaylor!
Bea is a homeschooled girl trying to prove to her parents she's ready to go to college. She ends up at summer camp and, thankfully, stumbles into the guiding arms of Mia and Nolan. One of the things I liked about this book was Mia and Nolan helped Bea to branch out, but never shamed her, and never pushed her past her limits, something I was nervous about given her parents behavior (especially with how they told the camp counselor everything).
Nik is a good love interest for Bea, but I like that much of the book would have remained the same even if he wants in it.
This was a great debut book and I'm looking forward to more from Serena Kaylor!
fictionaladventures's review
THIS WAS TOXIC AF. The whole book is apparently about “fixing” an introvert (who is also likely autistic) by forcing her to become an extrovert. THAT’S NOT OKAY
luna_rondo's review
1.0
I know everyone loves this book, but I couldn't help but read it as a neurodivergent teen needs to change to fit a "normal" life. It really rubbed me the wrong way.
jem_read6's review
4.0
Geeky and adorable, a coming of age with wit, humor, a LOT of Shakespeare BUT WITH NO MENTIONS OF MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING!?!??!? I loved this book and couldn't put it down and though the character herself is named Beatrice and her dynamic with Nik is much like Much Ado I was still very disappointed we got no mention of it EVER in the long list of naming Shakespeare titles. Other then my favorite comedy never being mentioned this was such a cute story I would definitely recommend and reread!
saloniporwal's review
2.0
Just TERRIBLE brown representation. Seeing an Indian character, I was hoping for something, but got nothing except a Desi name-
Not a great read if you don't read Shakespeare coz that is what practically everyone is bonding on. Haven't read Romeo Juliet, so I just didn't get half the stuff in this book. (K, not literally, just not fun)
Not a great read if you don't read Shakespeare coz that is what practically everyone is bonding on. Haven't read Romeo Juliet, so I just didn't get half the stuff in this book. (K, not literally, just not fun)
kerasalwaysreading's review
5.0
This book was perfection and elicited such great feelings from me.
Beatrice is a no nonsense girl. Homeschooled her whole life, she has never had time for friends or a life that didn’t involve her studies… and this has been all her own doing. When she tells her parents that she applied early to Oxford and got in, they fear that she won’t be able to handle the very jarring differences that a college life so far from her California home with entail. In order to go, she will have to spend her summer at a theater camp, completing a list of tasks to show her parents that she can handle it.
It’s there, at this camp that she will make new friends, have endless new experiences and catch the eye of the camp owners’ handsome son. This is all new and very intimidating, but Bea is tough and smart.
I loved this so much. I adored the friends she makes, who will stop at nothing to build her up and show her her worth. I loved the enemies to lovers aspect with Nik, the boy who is constantly giving her mixed signals, making her head spin. I loved the heavy Shakespeare we get in this book. It is woven through this book so beautifully. Mostly, though… I loved Bea!! She was such a great character. She learns so much about herself and remains true to who she is through the whole book.
Beatrice is a no nonsense girl. Homeschooled her whole life, she has never had time for friends or a life that didn’t involve her studies… and this has been all her own doing. When she tells her parents that she applied early to Oxford and got in, they fear that she won’t be able to handle the very jarring differences that a college life so far from her California home with entail. In order to go, she will have to spend her summer at a theater camp, completing a list of tasks to show her parents that she can handle it.
It’s there, at this camp that she will make new friends, have endless new experiences and catch the eye of the camp owners’ handsome son. This is all new and very intimidating, but Bea is tough and smart.
I loved this so much. I adored the friends she makes, who will stop at nothing to build her up and show her her worth. I loved the enemies to lovers aspect with Nik, the boy who is constantly giving her mixed signals, making her head spin. I loved the heavy Shakespeare we get in this book. It is woven through this book so beautifully. Mostly, though… I loved Bea!! She was such a great character. She learns so much about herself and remains true to who she is through the whole book.
abbycostello1999's review
3.0
Serena Kaylor’s debut, Long Story Short, is a cute theater camp romp with fun characters, but an unconvincing romance. Despite its flaws, however, it’s the perfect read to end your summer.
Beatrice Quinn has spent most of her life in her bedroom. Literally. After a lifetime of being homeschooled, she hasn’t had much interactions with kids her own age. This is completely by choice. As a statistical math genius, Beatrice prefers the company of her textbooks. When she is accepted into Oxford, however, she decides that she’s ready to spread her wings.
But her parents aren’t so sure. Before they send her halfway across the world, they want to see that she can make friends her own age. With that purpose in mind, they send her to a place that will force her out of her shell—theater camp. Shakespeare theater camp, no less.
Beatrice arrives at camp armed with a thorough knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays (thanks to her photographic memory) but no idea how to act or make friends. Can she hit all the teenage benchmarks in one month? Can she convince her parents that she’s ready for college, or is she doomed to stay in her bedroom for another year?
At camp, Beatrice instantly bonds with her roommate, Mia, and Mia’s best friend Nolan. On the first night, she also has a run-in with Nik, the gorgeous British-Indian son of the camp owners and a shoe-in for the lead role, Romeo. He tells everyone that Bea isn’t pretty enough to play Rosaline, which crushes her. But as the camp goes on, he finds ways to spend more and more time with her. He even challenges her to a Shakespeare-off, asking for a kiss if he wins. What is Beatrice supposed to think?
With Nik’s character, I think that the author aimed for Mr. Darcy vibes—a hero who is mean to the heroine at first, but is secretly in love with her all along. For me, it didn’t work. I found Nik unnecessarily mean, and while he starts to be nicer towards the end, he never does anything to redeem himself, the way Darcy saves Lydia in the end. Overall, I disliked him as a character, which made it hard for me to root for the main couple.
Beatrice is a struggle for me. On the one hand, she’s totally relatable to us introverts. Wearing short shorts makes her want to die. She avoids all conversations with new people. She eats cookies for dinner. It’s painful, but feels realistic. And her journey towards feeling more comfortable in her skin is beautiful to watch. I loved how she grew and made new friendships without changing too much or comprising who she is.
On the other hand, she was almost too perfect? She’s insanely smart, she draws in two best friends immediately, the hot guy quickly falls for her, and she’s good at acting on her first try. While I could buy into some of it, all of it kept her from being as relatable, and it turned me off at times.
Despite some quibbles with the characters, I still enjoyed this book. All of the Shakespeare references were fun, the theater kids were larger than life (in the most amazing ways), and I adore both Mia and Nolan. If you are a book nerd and want to finish your summer strong before school starts, I recommend this book!
Beatrice Quinn has spent most of her life in her bedroom. Literally. After a lifetime of being homeschooled, she hasn’t had much interactions with kids her own age. This is completely by choice. As a statistical math genius, Beatrice prefers the company of her textbooks. When she is accepted into Oxford, however, she decides that she’s ready to spread her wings.
But her parents aren’t so sure. Before they send her halfway across the world, they want to see that she can make friends her own age. With that purpose in mind, they send her to a place that will force her out of her shell—theater camp. Shakespeare theater camp, no less.
Beatrice arrives at camp armed with a thorough knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays (thanks to her photographic memory) but no idea how to act or make friends. Can she hit all the teenage benchmarks in one month? Can she convince her parents that she’s ready for college, or is she doomed to stay in her bedroom for another year?
At camp, Beatrice instantly bonds with her roommate, Mia, and Mia’s best friend Nolan. On the first night, she also has a run-in with Nik, the gorgeous British-Indian son of the camp owners and a shoe-in for the lead role, Romeo. He tells everyone that Bea isn’t pretty enough to play Rosaline, which crushes her. But as the camp goes on, he finds ways to spend more and more time with her. He even challenges her to a Shakespeare-off, asking for a kiss if he wins. What is Beatrice supposed to think?
With Nik’s character, I think that the author aimed for Mr. Darcy vibes—a hero who is mean to the heroine at first, but is secretly in love with her all along. For me, it didn’t work. I found Nik unnecessarily mean, and while he starts to be nicer towards the end, he never does anything to redeem himself, the way Darcy saves Lydia in the end. Overall, I disliked him as a character, which made it hard for me to root for the main couple.
Beatrice is a struggle for me. On the one hand, she’s totally relatable to us introverts. Wearing short shorts makes her want to die. She avoids all conversations with new people. She eats cookies for dinner. It’s painful, but feels realistic. And her journey towards feeling more comfortable in her skin is beautiful to watch. I loved how she grew and made new friendships without changing too much or comprising who she is.
On the other hand, she was almost too perfect? She’s insanely smart, she draws in two best friends immediately, the hot guy quickly falls for her, and she’s good at acting on her first try. While I could buy into some of it, all of it kept her from being as relatable, and it turned me off at times.
Despite some quibbles with the characters, I still enjoyed this book. All of the Shakespeare references were fun, the theater kids were larger than life (in the most amazing ways), and I adore both Mia and Nolan. If you are a book nerd and want to finish your summer strong before school starts, I recommend this book!
cluelesswonder's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Cute romance.
ecm_07's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5