Reviews

Much Ado About You by Samantha Young

brianne_k's review against another edition

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3.0

*3.5/5*

I am a sucker for fish out of water, small town romances.. and if those romances have Roane? Count me in. But the reasons for swearing off men? Meh. The conflict?! Even bigger meh.

amy_mcmillan's review against another edition

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3.0

Cute but predictable and not that complex in terms of writing

neffcannon's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

laura_cs's review against another edition

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4.0

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After being stood up on her first date in two years and overlooked for a promotion in favor of some fresh-out-of-college guy nearly ten years her junior and just generally feeling like she's the sidekick in her friends' lives, Evie Starling decides to do something bold and daring. When Evie discovers "Much Ado About Books", a bookstore located in northern England where tourists can stay and run the shop during their visit, Shakespeare-loving Evie takes the store's name as a sign and books her trip. For three weeks, Evie will find herself and follow one single rule: no men.

So, of course, her first day there, she saves the life of a Great Dane, who happens to have a sexy English farmer owner. A very, very, very sexy English farmer, who makes Evie want to break her one rule. Good thing he's got one big flaw: he doesn't like Shakespeare. Evie can't like anyone who doesn't like Shakespeare, no matter how big their biceps are and how pretty their face is and how much he loves his dog, right?

Evie quickly takes to life in the small English village and makes friends easily, though she tries not to get too comfortable. After all, her life there has an expiration date, and it's quickly ticking away. When an opportunity arises for Evie to stay longer, she jumps on it. Now she begins to wonder, is this where she belongs? Does finding herself mean starting over an ocean away from everything she knows and loves? And where does Roane--the world's sexiest farmer--fit into this?

Funny and sweet, "Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune" meets "The Tourist Attraction" in this novel that gives you cozy BBC sitcom feels in "Much Ado About You." Full of nerdy Shakespeare references, drama, and heart, Young has crafted a plotline, a setting, and characters that make the reader as well as Evie feel at home in Alnster, like it is a place to belong. Take inspiration from Evie and find yourself and follow your heart, no matter where it takes you! You won't regret the adventures doing so will bring!

lousyiza's review against another edition

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4.0

This story is so cute. I want to have this kind of getaway too.

ashmhood82's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.75

juliaklewitz's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced

3.0

egeaney8's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

evelynmeisell's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny 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

3.75

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a sweet Hallmark-esque romance with serious small-town charm. I've seen listings for vacation properties where you also work in a shop or something attached to the rental and none have ever tempted me but the one I saw that was attached to a bookstore. As a book lover, I'd love to run a bookstore, and know that I would really love to stay in a rental like this! 

The town is sweet and charming, without being twee, and the townspeople really felt three-dimensional with a lot of backstory and character.  The romance was believable and the tension built without being insta-love, which I appreciated. My only gripe
is how the whole town kept Roane's secrets and how easily she forgave him and the town. It felt too perfect. Those are huge secrets to keep and honestly I'm not sure I'd be able to forgive like that.

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