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evarano's review
2.0
Alison is a perfectionist whose goal has always been to be the valedictorian of her graduating class. The easiest way she believes she'll accomplish this (on top of already having amazing grades and extracurriculars) is to assist in directing the school's play, Shakespeare. Alison quickly realizes that the teacher involved, really isn't involved, and everything is up to her. With her best friends and her sister by her side, Alison begins the adventure of the play, all while keeping an eye on her crush Charlotte, throughout.
This book has the absolute cutest cover, ever. Unfortunately, the cover is the best part of the book. I'd rate this a 2. I did finish it, but mostly skimmed, it's an extremely easy read. However, it's very young, all of the "problems" solely revolve around relationships. I appreciate the representation of the gay community, however, it seemed weirdly peppered throughout, rather than a main storyline, even though it seemed as though this book was written for that to be a main storyline. The teachers in this book are absolutely horrible and extremely ignorant, except for one. Alison herself is ok, she's kind of a doormat, she lets everyone walk all over her and be mad at her for these very minor things. She's not flushed out enough, we don't really know enough about her for her to be a deep character in this story, she's also hypocritical and has some odd opinions on some things (re: wearing a skirt with tights underneath in front of her parents). Alison's friends aren't the best either, they're annoying and immature. The entire book is very rushed and superficial. Nothing really good every seems to happen or is described enough, it almost seemed like half a book. I think this book could've had a lot of potential but was just unlikeable in so many ways. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book has the absolute cutest cover, ever. Unfortunately, the cover is the best part of the book. I'd rate this a 2. I did finish it, but mostly skimmed, it's an extremely easy read. However, it's very young, all of the "problems" solely revolve around relationships. I appreciate the representation of the gay community, however, it seemed weirdly peppered throughout, rather than a main storyline, even though it seemed as though this book was written for that to be a main storyline. The teachers in this book are absolutely horrible and extremely ignorant, except for one. Alison herself is ok, she's kind of a doormat, she lets everyone walk all over her and be mad at her for these very minor things. She's not flushed out enough, we don't really know enough about her for her to be a deep character in this story, she's also hypocritical and has some odd opinions on some things (re: wearing a skirt with tights underneath in front of her parents). Alison's friends aren't the best either, they're annoying and immature. The entire book is very rushed and superficial. Nothing really good every seems to happen or is described enough, it almost seemed like half a book. I think this book could've had a lot of potential but was just unlikeable in so many ways. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
chaptercharms's review
5.0
I knew I was going to fall in love with this book the moment that I read the title and it absolutely blew me away. I loved everything from the characters, to the atmosphere, to the plot. Every aspect of this book came together to form this wonderful book that I wish I had read as a teenager and that I think will be really important to many teenagers today.
The characters are all really well rounded and individual, but they have some great dynamics and friendships. They are not perfect, they make mistakes and have to deal with the consequences of their actions, and they really show that this is okay and that the world won’t end because they did something that they regret now, like accidentally agreeing to a date. Alison, the protagonist, in particular shows this with her dating misadventures and the hurdles that she constantly has to overcome with the production of the play.
This book is all about a group of misfits putting on a school play of A Midsummer Night’s Dream while dealing with all the drama of school life behind the scenes. The cover and title really holds true to the comedy and the atmosphere that Shakespeare’s comedic plays possess and it was so easy to get lost in the world. I found myself constantly rooting for the play to go well, for the relationships to happen, for the characters themselves to learn and grow.
The main and side characters all give a really diverse look at teenagers and people in general. There are several LGBT+ and POC characters who contribute so much to the story. Their sexuality and/or race are important to them, but there are never reduced to this characteristic alone. The characters also show how diverse people can be in their interests, styles, priorities etc., but how people can still come together on common ground for common goals.
I read the whole book in one day, almost in one sitting with just a few breaks in between, and it gave me everything I wanted. Sapphic romance. Great friendships. Shakespearean comedy. Appreciation for the arts. I honestly cannot recommend it enough.
The characters are all really well rounded and individual, but they have some great dynamics and friendships. They are not perfect, they make mistakes and have to deal with the consequences of their actions, and they really show that this is okay and that the world won’t end because they did something that they regret now, like accidentally agreeing to a date. Alison, the protagonist, in particular shows this with her dating misadventures and the hurdles that she constantly has to overcome with the production of the play.
This book is all about a group of misfits putting on a school play of A Midsummer Night’s Dream while dealing with all the drama of school life behind the scenes. The cover and title really holds true to the comedy and the atmosphere that Shakespeare’s comedic plays possess and it was so easy to get lost in the world. I found myself constantly rooting for the play to go well, for the relationships to happen, for the characters themselves to learn and grow.
The main and side characters all give a really diverse look at teenagers and people in general. There are several LGBT+ and POC characters who contribute so much to the story. Their sexuality and/or race are important to them, but there are never reduced to this characteristic alone. The characters also show how diverse people can be in their interests, styles, priorities etc., but how people can still come together on common ground for common goals.
I read the whole book in one day, almost in one sitting with just a few breaks in between, and it gave me everything I wanted. Sapphic romance. Great friendships. Shakespearean comedy. Appreciation for the arts. I honestly cannot recommend it enough.
marieintheraw's review
2.0
Overall, this is more fun for the Shakespeare elements, not so much for everything else.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
merricatfromblackwood's review
lighthearted
fast-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
2.5
merchant_of_mishaps's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Light and fun :)
vidya_is_vidya's review
2.5
i was fine with the story but i feel like all the characters were flat. the author could’ve done a better job at making them 3 dimensional
also i thought since jack was mentioned in the blurb and all that he would remain an important character throughout the story but once we finish his arc he’s almost discarded?
also charlotte was so flat as a character too. why does she like alison when they’ve barely ever spoken??? the romance element was so unnecessary and the entire plot would remain the same without it. i didn’t care when the two had conflict because their relationship wasn’t developed enough for me to care
if you want a very shallow and lighthearted read, then this book is good for you. otherwise, you won’t be missing anything by not reading it
spoiler:also i’m so mad they didn’t tell me whether alison was valedictorian or not in the end. like i get it, the point was that she doesn’t care anymore, but i still want to know
also i thought since jack was mentioned in the blurb and all that he would remain an important character throughout the story but once we finish his arc he’s almost discarded?
also charlotte was so flat as a character too. why does she like alison when they’ve barely ever spoken??? the romance element was so unnecessary and the entire plot would remain the same without it. i didn’t care when the two had conflict because their relationship wasn’t developed enough for me to care
if you want a very shallow and lighthearted read, then this book is good for you. otherwise, you won’t be missing anything by not reading it
spoiler:
sparky22's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A light fun read about a high school student producing the school play, her relationships, and the relationships of the people in the cast and crew. However, the last 20 pages or so of the book got too bogged down with minutae about the dress rehearsal and performances. The epilogue provided a better ending. While reading the book I wavered between giving it a 3 or a 4 but the ending brought it down to a 3.
shinypurplepants's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ameserole's review
3.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life was pretty interesting. In it, you will meet Alison Green. She has hopes and dreams of becoming her class valedictorian. So she honestly will say to any teacher willing to give her recommendation. It just so happens that she said yes to becoming the producer of the school's play.
Now without going into too much detail, this book was cute. I adored some of the friendships and the relationship being formed throughout it. However, I kind of feel like some were forced upon me or they just kind of fizzled out at one point. It honestly didn't matter if certain people were still together at the end or not.. things just weren't adding up for me.
I did, however, really enjoy all the LGBT representation throughout the book. There was even a point in the book where a teacher was completely ignorant and no one really did anything about it. I mean, yes, someone gave some sass.. but no one really put them in their place (in a way?). Not sure how I feel about that even now.
In the end, I am happy that I got a chance to dive into it. This book was cute and the ending was even cuter. I just feel like it was missing something for me in order to fall in love with it.
The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life was pretty interesting. In it, you will meet Alison Green. She has hopes and dreams of becoming her class valedictorian. So she honestly will say to any teacher willing to give her recommendation. It just so happens that she said yes to becoming the producer of the school's play.
Now without going into too much detail, this book was cute. I adored some of the friendships and the relationship being formed throughout it. However, I kind of feel like some were forced upon me or they just kind of fizzled out at one point. It honestly didn't matter if certain people were still together at the end or not.. things just weren't adding up for me.
I did, however, really enjoy all the LGBT representation throughout the book. There was even a point in the book where a teacher was completely ignorant and no one really did anything about it. I mean, yes, someone gave some sass.. but no one really put them in their place (in a way?). Not sure how I feel about that even now.
In the end, I am happy that I got a chance to dive into it. This book was cute and the ending was even cuter. I just feel like it was missing something for me in order to fall in love with it.
briannareadsbooks's review
3.0
ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This book was just okay, and honestly pretty forgettable.
The story is about a girl named Alison who is put in charge of her school's adaptation of a Midsummer Night's Dream and like... everything goes wrong. Plus she has a crush on the cool girl at her school named Charlotte, who stars in the play.
This was a quick, easy, and cute YA story but I don't think it was anything special. I hate saying that because it was so clearly Canadian and I love when Canadian authors get their debut but I just really didn't vibe with this--but I didn't hate it. It was mostly just okay.
I thought the Shakespeare aspect was cute, but the conflicts in the story just seem so juvenile and silly that it seems fitting for a middle-grade novel and it made me think less of the main character. Plus, there wasn't anything that stood out about this book for me, it was just about a girl putting on a school play and having a crush. Also, all the characters fell a bit flat. They were so one-dimensional that I forgot who everyone was, and I still was confused by the end of the book.
Overall, I would recommend this if you want a quick, light read, but not if you want more depth in a story.
This book was just okay, and honestly pretty forgettable.
The story is about a girl named Alison who is put in charge of her school's adaptation of a Midsummer Night's Dream and like... everything goes wrong. Plus she has a crush on the cool girl at her school named Charlotte, who stars in the play.
This was a quick, easy, and cute YA story but I don't think it was anything special. I hate saying that because it was so clearly Canadian and I love when Canadian authors get their debut but I just really didn't vibe with this--but I didn't hate it. It was mostly just okay.
I thought the Shakespeare aspect was cute, but the conflicts in the story just seem so juvenile and silly that it seems fitting for a middle-grade novel and it made me think less of the main character. Plus, there wasn't anything that stood out about this book for me, it was just about a girl putting on a school play and having a crush. Also, all the characters fell a bit flat. They were so one-dimensional that I forgot who everyone was, and I still was confused by the end of the book.
Overall, I would recommend this if you want a quick, light read, but not if you want more depth in a story.