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Much Ado About You
The cozy comforts of an English village bookstore open up a world of new possibilities for Evie Starling in this charming new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.
At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling's life in Chicago is missing that special something. And when she's passed over for promotion at work, Evie realizes she needs to make a change. Some time away to regain perspective might be just the thing. In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village. The holiday package comes with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. There's no better dream vacation for the bookish Evie, a life-long Shakespeare lover.
Not only is Evie swept up in running the delightful store as soon as she arrives, she's drawn into the lives, loves and drama of the friendly villagers. Including Roane Robson, the charismatic and sexy farmer who tempts Evie every day with his friendly flirtations. Evie is determined to keep him at bay because a holiday romance can only end in heartbreak, right? But Evie can't deny their connection and longs to trust in her handsome farmer that their whirlwind romance could turn in to the forever kind of love.
At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling's life in Chicago is missing that special something. And when she's passed over for promotion at work, Evie realizes she needs to make a change. Some time away to regain perspective might be just the thing. In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village. The holiday package comes with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. There's no better dream vacation for the bookish Evie, a life-long Shakespeare lover.
Not only is Evie swept up in running the delightful store as soon as she arrives, she's drawn into the lives, loves and drama of the friendly villagers. Including Roane Robson, the charismatic and sexy farmer who tempts Evie every day with his friendly flirtations. Evie is determined to keep him at bay because a holiday romance can only end in heartbreak, right? But Evie can't deny their connection and longs to trust in her handsome farmer that their whirlwind romance could turn in to the forever kind of love.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2021
About the author
Samantha Young
123 books25.3k followersSamantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She's been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.
She resides in Scotland.
She resides in Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,577 reviews
January 17, 2021
***ARC provided through NetGalley***
Much Ado About You in one word? Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh
The story follows Evie, a woman who has recently quit her job and made the decision to swear off men after a string of bad dates. She departs on a trip to a small English village, hoping to spend some time alone and use the vacation to recenter her life. These careful plans go awry when she encounters Roane, the town's resident (sexy) farmer, and a romance she never saw coming.
Sounds great, right? I thought so too, but this book falls SO flat.
All the characters were hollow outlines with no substance, there was nearly no plot for the first 80% of the book, and the writing was weirdly robotic. The pacing was all over the place, leading to the feeling of insta-love and zero chemistry between the MC and LI. As someone who is often perfectly content reading romance books that are on the lighter/sweeter side, the fact that I thought this book was dry as fuck should really say something.
I did not need to wait so long for a single (mediocre) sex scene, especially when the primary hang up between the two main characters was Evie's determination to resist the dick. Her insecurities and reluctance for a relationship could have been an interesting layer for character development, but it was not even close to enough conflict for the entire novel.
I mean, shiiiiiit, let's all step into Evie's shoes for a hot second:
1. you meet a hot farm dude
2. realize that you want to fuck hot farm dude
3. learn that hot farm dude also wants to fuck you
let the man plow ur field, girl. IT'S FINE.
Sounds so simple, right? That's because it was. Even with Samantha Young's best attempts to add other elements of drama into the story, at the end of the day, nothing had much of an impact on Evie and Roane's relationship besides Evie and Roane.
Anyway, enough complaining. It's a two star from me, only because I have read worse. Much Ado About You is not an abhorrent dumpster fire; it's just a fucking bore.
And to be honest, I think this book is going to do well upon release. The blandness of Evie and her escapades are prime self-insert material, and the trendy cover will draw a lot of people's interest (no judgement, I was fooled too). That said, I'd personally recommend skipping it, unless what I've described from the 384 pages of ever-loving NOTHING I just read actually sounds appealing to you.
(cw: mentions of abuse, cheating, and alcoholism)
Much Ado About You in one word? Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh
The story follows Evie, a woman who has recently quit her job and made the decision to swear off men after a string of bad dates. She departs on a trip to a small English village, hoping to spend some time alone and use the vacation to recenter her life. These careful plans go awry when she encounters Roane, the town's resident (sexy) farmer, and a romance she never saw coming.
Sounds great, right? I thought so too, but this book falls SO flat.
All the characters were hollow outlines with no substance, there was nearly no plot for the first 80% of the book, and the writing was weirdly robotic. The pacing was all over the place, leading to the feeling of insta-love and zero chemistry between the MC and LI. As someone who is often perfectly content reading romance books that are on the lighter/sweeter side, the fact that I thought this book was dry as fuck should really say something.
I did not need to wait so long for a single (mediocre) sex scene, especially when the primary hang up between the two main characters was Evie's determination to resist the dick. Her insecurities and reluctance for a relationship could have been an interesting layer for character development, but it was not even close to enough conflict for the entire novel.
I mean, shiiiiiit, let's all step into Evie's shoes for a hot second:
1. you meet a hot farm dude
2. realize that you want to fuck hot farm dude
3. learn that hot farm dude also wants to fuck you
let the man plow ur field, girl. IT'S FINE.
Sounds so simple, right? That's because it was. Even with Samantha Young's best attempts to add other elements of drama into the story, at the end of the day, nothing had much of an impact on Evie and Roane's relationship besides Evie and Roane.
Anyway, enough complaining. It's a two star from me, only because I have read worse. Much Ado About You is not an abhorrent dumpster fire; it's just a fucking bore.
And to be honest, I think this book is going to do well upon release. The blandness of Evie and her escapades are prime self-insert material, and the trendy cover will draw a lot of people's interest (no judgement, I was fooled too). That said, I'd personally recommend skipping it, unless what I've described from the 384 pages of ever-loving NOTHING I just read actually sounds appealing to you.
(cw: mentions of abuse, cheating, and alcoholism)
April 25, 2022
I am considering retirement.
From what, I don’t know. But I am physically and emotionally exhausted and the abstract concept of retirement sounds delightful.
I have tried too many times this year. Though only three months have elapsed, I have desperately sought a so-called comfort book multiple times, only to be consumed by hatred and anger and above all RIGHTEOUS DISAPPOINTMENT as I turned out to hate them.
The opposite of comfort, in other words.
This book may have been the most egregious offender.
I was hopeful as I began. Realizing that this is about a woman who spontaneously moves to England and lives in a cute apartment above the indie bookstore where she also works (and presumably falls in love with some hot guy with an accent), I charmingly joked that I hoped it doubled as an instruction manual and settled in.
For a heaping helping of DISMAY.
This was…excessively bad.
A run-of-the-mill unpleasant / unenjoyable romance would have done the trick for my failing mental health, if the universe is on Team Not Me. They didn’t have to go this far.
Here’s some of what’s going on here:
1) Our protagonist begins this book on a self-imposed man ban because she got ghosted by one (1) dude one (1) time after zero (0) dates with him...even though she is being lusted after by the hottest man she’s ever seen who is also her friend...and also he has an accent and a farm...make it make sense.
2) This is insta-love-y af. Our main characters meet when one saves the other’s dog, make eye contact, and no serious development happens from there. They are in love immediately, they say it soon, they stay that way. Snooze.
3) It’s written like fanfiction, and not in the fun way. There are long physical and clothing descriptions, friendships that begin by a character saying “omg I like totally love you!” to a character they met 15 seconds ago, etc. Makes one feel very 15 years old. DIY fountain of youth.
4) And it wouldn’t be proper fanfiction-style romance if not for girl hate. Which is here. For no reason. Except for a petty moment of unnecessary jealousy, the lazy romance-writing style of those who rely on insta-love.
Am I being meaner than usual? I feel meaner than usual. It’s all the darkness in my soul.
5) There’s insane abuse and assault and just inexplicable and unrealistic actions here. At one point one character, who exists for 10 pages in order to draw the girl hate and ire mentioned above, touches the d*ck of our nonconsenting main character. In a crowded pub. At a table with like four other people. Under the pants. For no reason. And it’s glossed over within a page?! Bizarro.
6) One of our protagonist’s friends (they’re both like 15 years younger than her, for some reason), is the product of the single interracial relationship in this tiny English village - you know, the one that set the entire town into a pub vs. pub civil war. Here’s how we shouldn’t write that character’s discussion of the town’s residents: “They don’t see my dad’s skin color or mine.” HOW ARE WHITE AUTHORS STILL WRITING COLOR-BLINDNESS AS A POSITIVE?
7) The inevitable Big Disgusting Twist - the lie / secret / miscommunication that causes the breakup of our main characters, the one we are supposed to pretend might last longer than 15 pages, the one in this case that causes our protagonist to run back to America and abandon all her dreams for - gag - a m*n - made me laugh my literal ass off. Here she is, in all her glory:
Exhausting.
Bottom line: At least writing this review was somewhat fun.
From what, I don’t know. But I am physically and emotionally exhausted and the abstract concept of retirement sounds delightful.
I have tried too many times this year. Though only three months have elapsed, I have desperately sought a so-called comfort book multiple times, only to be consumed by hatred and anger and above all RIGHTEOUS DISAPPOINTMENT as I turned out to hate them.
The opposite of comfort, in other words.
This book may have been the most egregious offender.
I was hopeful as I began. Realizing that this is about a woman who spontaneously moves to England and lives in a cute apartment above the indie bookstore where she also works (and presumably falls in love with some hot guy with an accent), I charmingly joked that I hoped it doubled as an instruction manual and settled in.
For a heaping helping of DISMAY.
This was…excessively bad.
A run-of-the-mill unpleasant / unenjoyable romance would have done the trick for my failing mental health, if the universe is on Team Not Me. They didn’t have to go this far.
Here’s some of what’s going on here:
1) Our protagonist begins this book on a self-imposed man ban because she got ghosted by one (1) dude one (1) time after zero (0) dates with him...even though she is being lusted after by the hottest man she’s ever seen who is also her friend...and also he has an accent and a farm...make it make sense.
2) This is insta-love-y af. Our main characters meet when one saves the other’s dog, make eye contact, and no serious development happens from there. They are in love immediately, they say it soon, they stay that way. Snooze.
3) It’s written like fanfiction, and not in the fun way. There are long physical and clothing descriptions, friendships that begin by a character saying “omg I like totally love you!” to a character they met 15 seconds ago, etc. Makes one feel very 15 years old. DIY fountain of youth.
4) And it wouldn’t be proper fanfiction-style romance if not for girl hate. Which is here. For no reason. Except for a petty moment of unnecessary jealousy, the lazy romance-writing style of those who rely on insta-love.
Am I being meaner than usual? I feel meaner than usual. It’s all the darkness in my soul.
5) There’s insane abuse and assault and just inexplicable and unrealistic actions here. At one point one character, who exists for 10 pages in order to draw the girl hate and ire mentioned above, touches the d*ck of our nonconsenting main character. In a crowded pub. At a table with like four other people. Under the pants. For no reason. And it’s glossed over within a page?! Bizarro.
6) One of our protagonist’s friends (they’re both like 15 years younger than her, for some reason), is the product of the single interracial relationship in this tiny English village - you know, the one that set the entire town into a pub vs. pub civil war. Here’s how we shouldn’t write that character’s discussion of the town’s residents: “They don’t see my dad’s skin color or mine.” HOW ARE WHITE AUTHORS STILL WRITING COLOR-BLINDNESS AS A POSITIVE?
7) The inevitable Big Disgusting Twist - the lie / secret / miscommunication that causes the breakup of our main characters, the one we are supposed to pretend might last longer than 15 pages, the one in this case that causes our protagonist to run back to America and abandon all her dreams for - gag - a m*n - made me laugh my literal ass off. Here she is, in all her glory:
Exhausting.
Bottom line: At least writing this review was somewhat fun.
January 29, 2021
A chance to find your true soul mate is what Evie has in this magical romance, filled with angst and true emotions that will have you fluttering through every page...
I gotta say, Samantha Young knows how to write a romance novel that transports you to another world. Taking place in Northumberland, Evie and Roane meet under some heroine circumstances that brings them together in an angst and intimate way. I have not read a book like this one in such a long time, and that's because I have been on an insta romance wagon band. Though it's an angst-y romance, Evie and Roane start as friends due to Evie's emotional walls being up after being in relationships that have not given her hope for true love. Leaving the life of Chicago for a small vacation of three weeks and renting out a bookstore and running it during the duration of the trip, is what makes her realize what she is truly looking and missing in life.
The people in Northumberland are in a tight community filled with lots of fun, drama, and honesty. It's truly beautiful reading a small town romance not taking place in the states, because of the very well described sceneries surrounding the characters. With that being said, Evie is surrounded in a world filled with the beauty or romance. Whether it's finding a partner, or simply enjoying life, she instantly falls in love with everything around her.
After spending some extended time in this magical town, Evie realizes that fighting the emotional flutters she gets for the people, and more specifically the attraction she gets for Roane are some intense emotions that she cannot go against. And when her time comes closer to an end, she needs to figure out what she really wants or where she really wants to stay.
There are so many beautiful characters, like Caro, Viola and Lucas in which we NEED their stories. I am keeping my eyes out for them because Caro needs to find her happily ever after. While Lucas and Viola need to stop with that banter and just be together already! With that being said, Samantha Young has not disappointed once again with this marvelous novel. I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us!
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Romance, in exchange for an honest review...
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I gotta say, Samantha Young knows how to write a romance novel that transports you to another world. Taking place in Northumberland, Evie and Roane meet under some heroine circumstances that brings them together in an angst and intimate way. I have not read a book like this one in such a long time, and that's because I have been on an insta romance wagon band. Though it's an angst-y romance, Evie and Roane start as friends due to Evie's emotional walls being up after being in relationships that have not given her hope for true love. Leaving the life of Chicago for a small vacation of three weeks and renting out a bookstore and running it during the duration of the trip, is what makes her realize what she is truly looking and missing in life.
The people in Northumberland are in a tight community filled with lots of fun, drama, and honesty. It's truly beautiful reading a small town romance not taking place in the states, because of the very well described sceneries surrounding the characters. With that being said, Evie is surrounded in a world filled with the beauty or romance. Whether it's finding a partner, or simply enjoying life, she instantly falls in love with everything around her.
After spending some extended time in this magical town, Evie realizes that fighting the emotional flutters she gets for the people, and more specifically the attraction she gets for Roane are some intense emotions that she cannot go against. And when her time comes closer to an end, she needs to figure out what she really wants or where she really wants to stay.
There are so many beautiful characters, like Caro, Viola and Lucas in which we NEED their stories. I am keeping my eyes out for them because Caro needs to find her happily ever after. While Lucas and Viola need to stop with that banter and just be together already! With that being said, Samantha Young has not disappointed once again with this marvelous novel. I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us!
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Romance, in exchange for an honest review...
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November 27, 2021
Sweetish- softish- swooning and absolutely Hallmark-ish, feel-definitely-good romance takes places in magical Northumberland!
And a lucky cow heroine having a dreamy holiday at this sweetest town, taking my dream job (a special bookstore with collections of Shakespeare plays) , meeting with friendly, quirky but also vivid town’s people ( I loved how the characters were portrayed in this story),flirting with charming farmer Roane!
Nope, I’m sold! Amazing escape opportunity from the compelling real life problems and stressful situations! Just open it and start your entertaining, lyrical journey at this small town, in this lovely bookstore!
Evangeline Starling struggles in her life. Since 10 years, she’s been working as an assistant position at the same publishing company. For 2 years, she stopped dating after her heartbreaking experiences but now she’s 33.
All of her friends moved on, getting married, changing their career direction, living their dreamy lives as she suffers from loneliness and emptiness. Of course she has also problems with her mother which holds to live her life fulfilled. Now her best friend is pregnant which makes her feel like third wheel at the other people’s lives.
After being stood up at her last date and losing the promotion to a 25 years newbie, she decides to think through what she has been doing wrong in her life. She plans to take a break, quitting her job, spending her 4 weeks at small English town, working in a bookstore, discovering the scenery which will help her gather her thoughts for making her fresh start!
But unfortunately when she jumps in from of a car to save a dog’s life, her heroic maneuver results in meeting with one of the hottest guys also the dog’s owner she’s ever seen in her life: farmer Roane Robson.
She promised herself to stay away from the men to find out who she is and what she really wants in her life but Roane is big distraction. He accepts to stay friends with her but why he needs to be so sweet, caring, protective. He’s the one, isn’t he?
Maybe staying friends is not good idea! Maybe he’s more than a 4 weeks long holiday fling but what if he’s hiding something which will be game-changer for her!
I already gave too much away. I had incredible time and visualize to spend my holiday at miraculous Northumberland and spending my time with those amazing fictional people.
I’m giving 4, Shakespearian, I feel good like I said I wouldn’t so good, I feel nice like sugar and spice stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this incredible reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
And a lucky cow heroine having a dreamy holiday at this sweetest town, taking my dream job (a special bookstore with collections of Shakespeare plays) , meeting with friendly, quirky but also vivid town’s people ( I loved how the characters were portrayed in this story),flirting with charming farmer Roane!
Nope, I’m sold! Amazing escape opportunity from the compelling real life problems and stressful situations! Just open it and start your entertaining, lyrical journey at this small town, in this lovely bookstore!
Evangeline Starling struggles in her life. Since 10 years, she’s been working as an assistant position at the same publishing company. For 2 years, she stopped dating after her heartbreaking experiences but now she’s 33.
All of her friends moved on, getting married, changing their career direction, living their dreamy lives as she suffers from loneliness and emptiness. Of course she has also problems with her mother which holds to live her life fulfilled. Now her best friend is pregnant which makes her feel like third wheel at the other people’s lives.
After being stood up at her last date and losing the promotion to a 25 years newbie, she decides to think through what she has been doing wrong in her life. She plans to take a break, quitting her job, spending her 4 weeks at small English town, working in a bookstore, discovering the scenery which will help her gather her thoughts for making her fresh start!
But unfortunately when she jumps in from of a car to save a dog’s life, her heroic maneuver results in meeting with one of the hottest guys also the dog’s owner she’s ever seen in her life: farmer Roane Robson.
She promised herself to stay away from the men to find out who she is and what she really wants in her life but Roane is big distraction. He accepts to stay friends with her but why he needs to be so sweet, caring, protective. He’s the one, isn’t he?
Maybe staying friends is not good idea! Maybe he’s more than a 4 weeks long holiday fling but what if he’s hiding something which will be game-changer for her!
I already gave too much away. I had incredible time and visualize to spend my holiday at miraculous Northumberland and spending my time with those amazing fictional people.
I’m giving 4, Shakespearian, I feel good like I said I wouldn’t so good, I feel nice like sugar and spice stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this incredible reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
April 14, 2021
is this the best contemporary romance book out there? no, i wouldnt say so. is this easy, breezy, cliché cute? you betcha. if you enjoy hallmark movies, im sure you will really enjoy this.
this is a pretty simple story. its your classic ‘city girl and small town boy experience meet cute, girl and boy become friends, girl falls in love with little town and boy while trying to solve everyones problems’ kind of story. nothing new, but still a good comfort read for most.
however, the thing that annoyed me the most (and this will be a rant specific to me) is everything surrounding the work visa. as an american who has lived/worked in the UK, its not as simple as signing a form and *poof* youre granted a work visa, like how it happened in the book. there are so many circumstances that must be met and it takes months to get all the paperwork filled out, submit the necessary documentation, and get it all processed. sometimes immigration lawyers even get involved. its super stressful. it also has to be done on US soil. so i found that aspect of the plot so utterly unrealistic. and normally, an oversight like this wouldnt bother me, but the fact that the entire plot depends on her getting a work visa in order to lengthen her stay, thus forming a bond with everyone, is just a massive eye-roll. i have had to work really hard to get visas, so reading about some girl having a quarter-life crisis who is magically granted one is really annoying. i just couldnt overlook such a big plothole.
that being said, my own personal grievances aside, this has the basics of a cute story. its very much like ‘the switch’ with some strong ‘the holiday’ vibes, giving the reader all those cosy small-town english countryside feels. not SYs best, but still enjoyable if youre in the mood for this kind of story.
↠ 3 stars
this is a pretty simple story. its your classic ‘city girl and small town boy experience meet cute, girl and boy become friends, girl falls in love with little town and boy while trying to solve everyones problems’ kind of story. nothing new, but still a good comfort read for most.
however, the thing that annoyed me the most (and this will be a rant specific to me) is everything surrounding the work visa. as an american who has lived/worked in the UK, its not as simple as signing a form and *poof* youre granted a work visa, like how it happened in the book. there are so many circumstances that must be met and it takes months to get all the paperwork filled out, submit the necessary documentation, and get it all processed. sometimes immigration lawyers even get involved. its super stressful. it also has to be done on US soil. so i found that aspect of the plot so utterly unrealistic. and normally, an oversight like this wouldnt bother me, but the fact that the entire plot depends on her getting a work visa in order to lengthen her stay, thus forming a bond with everyone, is just a massive eye-roll. i have had to work really hard to get visas, so reading about some girl having a quarter-life crisis who is magically granted one is really annoying. i just couldnt overlook such a big plothole.
that being said, my own personal grievances aside, this has the basics of a cute story. its very much like ‘the switch’ with some strong ‘the holiday’ vibes, giving the reader all those cosy small-town english countryside feels. not SYs best, but still enjoyable if youre in the mood for this kind of story.
↠ 3 stars
October 21, 2020
4.5 stars
This book was so adorable. Seriously, one of the most fun and feel good books I've read in a while. It's been some time since I've read a Samantha Young book and I forgot how much I love her writing. This one was a real treat!
Evie is having a rough time. She's in her thirties and back in the dating pool and things are not going well. After quitting her job, she decides to take a chance and do something new. A small village in England where she can work at a book store and live in the apartment above for a month seems like just the thing she needs.
Evie ends up falling in love with Northumberland, and what's not to love? It's one of those places where everyone knows everyone and she starts to make a place there for herself. The last thing she wants is to fall for someone, but after meeting and becoming friends with Roane, it's impossible not to love him.
Roane is the absolute best. He cares about Evie so much and is so loving and patient with her. Evie was great as well. I loved watching her grow and change on this journey of hers. There were also some fabulous secondary characters that added so much to the story. I truly hope Young writes more about this group because I'm dying for a Lucas and Violet book, and I'd also love one about Caro.
Much Ado About You is not only a romance, it's a story of starting over and of self discovery. This is one of those books I could easily see being made into a film. I loved so much about it and highly recommend it for all lovers of contemporary romance. It made me so happy while reading, and that's just an amazing feeling! This was an incredible friends to lovers romance with the swooniest hero.
This book was so adorable. Seriously, one of the most fun and feel good books I've read in a while. It's been some time since I've read a Samantha Young book and I forgot how much I love her writing. This one was a real treat!
Evie is having a rough time. She's in her thirties and back in the dating pool and things are not going well. After quitting her job, she decides to take a chance and do something new. A small village in England where she can work at a book store and live in the apartment above for a month seems like just the thing she needs.
Evie ends up falling in love with Northumberland, and what's not to love? It's one of those places where everyone knows everyone and she starts to make a place there for herself. The last thing she wants is to fall for someone, but after meeting and becoming friends with Roane, it's impossible not to love him.
Roane is the absolute best. He cares about Evie so much and is so loving and patient with her. Evie was great as well. I loved watching her grow and change on this journey of hers. There were also some fabulous secondary characters that added so much to the story. I truly hope Young writes more about this group because I'm dying for a Lucas and Violet book, and I'd also love one about Caro.
Much Ado About You is not only a romance, it's a story of starting over and of self discovery. This is one of those books I could easily see being made into a film. I loved so much about it and highly recommend it for all lovers of contemporary romance. It made me so happy while reading, and that's just an amazing feeling! This was an incredible friends to lovers romance with the swooniest hero.
“You’re not perfect, Evie, rationally I know that.” He let out a long sigh. “But you’re perfect to me.”
December 20, 2020
"I do love nothing in the world so well as you." - William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing
Evangeline (Evie) Starling decides she needs some clarity in her life. Overlooked for a promotion and with no dating prospects in sight, she finds a holiday booking online and takes a chance. The holiday entails working at a bookstore, Much Ado about Books, over her rented apartment in an idyllic English town.
Evie instantly loves the quaint town, the residents and the bookstore. This is the perfect place for her to get some perspective. Among her new friends is Roane Robson, a local farmer who is sexy, strong, and loved by those in his community. Evie is drawn to his charm, but she has strict dating rules and keeps him at arm’s length even though she is drawn to his personality, charm and good looks.
We all know where this is heading, but it is the journey, people. It all comes down to the journey! It also comes down to the cast of characters in this book. Most are quirky, likeable, and fun while a few are aggravating and stuck in their ways. We get to know their stories and watch as they interact with others. This is a small village where everyone knows your name (like Cheers), you are related to them, or have a past with them. The good, the bad, the messy, everyone knows your business, but they also have your back and look out for you. The setting in Northumberland is wonderful and I could not help but think that this is the type of place I would like to visit.
In addition to the lovely characters and the beautiful setting, the story itself is engaging and drew me in. Again, it is about the journey here. Evie as well as other characters are on journeys, to grow, to get perspective, to get independence, to get acceptance, and to find love. I loved the banter and back and forth between many of the characters. Evie and Roane stole the show of course (as did Shadow). They kept me turning the pages to see how things would turn out. The pacing was perfect, and nothing felt drawn out or rushed in this book. This was a delight and I look forward to reading more of Samantha Young's books. Plus, it turns out there really is a bookshop holiday in the lowlands of Scotland. Samantha Young found the listing for it, while searching vacation listings online. This listing ignited her imagination and thus, Much Ado about You.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Evangeline (Evie) Starling decides she needs some clarity in her life. Overlooked for a promotion and with no dating prospects in sight, she finds a holiday booking online and takes a chance. The holiday entails working at a bookstore, Much Ado about Books, over her rented apartment in an idyllic English town.
Evie instantly loves the quaint town, the residents and the bookstore. This is the perfect place for her to get some perspective. Among her new friends is Roane Robson, a local farmer who is sexy, strong, and loved by those in his community. Evie is drawn to his charm, but she has strict dating rules and keeps him at arm’s length even though she is drawn to his personality, charm and good looks.
We all know where this is heading, but it is the journey, people. It all comes down to the journey! It also comes down to the cast of characters in this book. Most are quirky, likeable, and fun while a few are aggravating and stuck in their ways. We get to know their stories and watch as they interact with others. This is a small village where everyone knows your name (like Cheers), you are related to them, or have a past with them. The good, the bad, the messy, everyone knows your business, but they also have your back and look out for you. The setting in Northumberland is wonderful and I could not help but think that this is the type of place I would like to visit.
In addition to the lovely characters and the beautiful setting, the story itself is engaging and drew me in. Again, it is about the journey here. Evie as well as other characters are on journeys, to grow, to get perspective, to get independence, to get acceptance, and to find love. I loved the banter and back and forth between many of the characters. Evie and Roane stole the show of course (as did Shadow). They kept me turning the pages to see how things would turn out. The pacing was perfect, and nothing felt drawn out or rushed in this book. This was a delight and I look forward to reading more of Samantha Young's books. Plus, it turns out there really is a bookshop holiday in the lowlands of Scotland. Samantha Young found the listing for it, while searching vacation listings online. This listing ignited her imagination and thus, Much Ado about You.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 7, 2021
actual rating: 3.5 stars
this was a super cute small town romance with tons of cozy vibes. it wasn't anything special but it was a very comforting book to read while i was recovering in bed
this was a super cute small town romance with tons of cozy vibes. it wasn't anything special but it was a very comforting book to read while i was recovering in bed
April 5, 2022
4.5 stars!
After getting ghosted by a date and screwed over by her job, thirty-three-year-old Evie makes an impulsive decision: to take a trip to England running a small bookstore. While there, Evie falls in love with the small-town English life and makes quick friends. She also meets Roane, the incredibly handsome farmer. But Evie isn’t looking for romance and declares a friendship only relationship with Roane.
God I loved this book. Samantha Young has yet to fail me, and that’s why she’s on my forever author list. It’s been so long since I read a romance that had me staying up to the early hours of the morning because I didn’t want to go to sleep without finishing this book! Despite being low angst (you know I love my stomach turning angst), this was a really wonderful romance novel. And on top of that, it was an amazing story of a woman who had given up on so many things, just to finally find them when she least expected it.
After getting ghosted by a date and screwed over by her job, thirty-three-year-old Evie makes an impulsive decision: to take a trip to England running a small bookstore. While there, Evie falls in love with the small-town English life and makes quick friends. She also meets Roane, the incredibly handsome farmer. But Evie isn’t looking for romance and declares a friendship only relationship with Roane.
God I loved this book. Samantha Young has yet to fail me, and that’s why she’s on my forever author list. It’s been so long since I read a romance that had me staying up to the early hours of the morning because I didn’t want to go to sleep without finishing this book! Despite being low angst (you know I love my stomach turning angst), this was a really wonderful romance novel. And on top of that, it was an amazing story of a woman who had given up on so many things, just to finally find them when she least expected it.
November 8, 2021
3✨
This book had potential but it was frustrating. I love slow romance but I didn't enjoy it much as I wanted.
The beginning of the book kinda reminded me to the movie "The Holiday" ((which I love)) but later the author added stories in the background about the side characters, so for me, the main couple lost steam. I felt that I was reading about one of those movies like "Valentine's Day" or "Actually Love".
and then Evie's character was like a fairy godmother/angel fixing all the problems and bringing joy to that small town. She literally became the main character of a Hallmark movie and I really hated that.
BUT something kept me reading, there was a kind of retelling of Romeo and Juliet that I loved, two families that hate each other and enemies to lovers? Yesss, plss 🛐
I wanted to know more about Lucas and Viola (our Romeo and Juliet here) the tension between those two had me there, they had a happy ending, but I really hope the author decides to write something about them.
also abt the drama in the end: i assumed from the beginning that something like this was going to happen, the reaction of the heroine annoyed me, IMO she was dumb, yeaH, Roane lied, but i don't think it was that bad.
I didn't hate it, but it's not a book that i would read again!
This book had potential but it was frustrating. I love slow romance but I didn't enjoy it much as I wanted.
The beginning of the book kinda reminded me to the movie "The Holiday" ((which I love)) but later the author added stories in the background about the side characters, so for me, the main couple lost steam. I felt that I was reading about one of those movies like "Valentine's Day" or "Actually Love".
and then Evie's character was like a fairy godmother/angel fixing all the problems and bringing joy to that small town. She literally became the main character of a Hallmark movie and I really hated that.
BUT something kept me reading, there was a kind of retelling of Romeo and Juliet that I loved, two families that hate each other and enemies to lovers? Yesss, plss 🛐
I wanted to know more about Lucas and Viola (our Romeo and Juliet here) the tension between those two had me there, they had a happy ending, but I really hope the author decides to write something about them.
also abt the drama in the end: i assumed from the beginning that something like this was going to happen, the reaction of the heroine annoyed me, IMO she was dumb, yeaH, Roane lied, but i don't think it was that bad.
I didn't hate it, but it's not a book that i would read again!
February 2, 2021
4.5 'Lady porn' Stars!
ARC provided by the the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I always like to start the New Year with a book from an author I am familiar with and who’s writing I love. This year I have chosen Samantha Young and her upcoming romantic comedy with Berkley. I’ve had the early copy of this book for a while now and I have to say my hype for it was quite big even though I could not start reading it until now. I wanted to begin 2021 with a feel-good love story and I definitely got that (and so much more!). Samantha stole my heart with her Dublin Street series and she continues stealing it with whatever I read that is written by her.
So, Much Ado About You is a standalone romance telling the story of Evangeline Starling, a woman in her early-thirties who has had enough of her life in Chicago after another dating failure and not getting the job she has been working for ten years. She quits and decides to have a much-deserved in an idyllic Shakespearean bookstore/apartment in England called Much Ado About Books. As soon as she arrives she starts making friendships and Northumberland starts to feel like the home she has always wanted. But there is just this thing: she has sworn off men. The problem is she meets Roane Robson, an all-around good guy / sexy and mysterious farmer who is decided to explore their connection even though Evie only wants friendship. Or does she?
Curse my luck!
I swear off men. I book a trip to England to find myself.
Instead I find a sexy English farmer who looked at me like he wanted to kiss my feet in thanks and then strip me naked to thank me some more.
Oh man, did I enjoy this book! As soon as I started reading I knew I would not be stopping until I finished it. I stayed late AF and I am not sorry for it (my sleeping schedule is though! lol). Much Ado About You is so much more than the typical romantic comedy, it’s filled with warmth, friendship, chemistry and emotions. And with Samantha’s unique style, I have to say I was all over this story. I am a sucker for romances that have lots of family/friend interactions and the crew of Much Ado About You has now a place in my heart because they were such loving characters. And you know what I also love? A friendship that develops into love. Evie and Roane’s connection was heartwarming, filled with sexual tension and a whole array of feelings. And I adored that.
“You think too well of me,” I whispered, worried for us both.
“You’re not perfect, Evie, rationally I know that.” He let out a long sigh. “But you’re perfect to me.”
Characters with depth and vulnerabilities make them so much realistic to me and Evie and Roane did not fail on that. Evie is freaking ME. Like to a T. I am not even kidding. I see myself in her in so many ways and that made me love her even more. And Roane.. *sigh* Can I still ask for him as a belated Christmas present? Because he was an amazing hero. He is such a good guy. I loved how he loves the ones around him and protect them. And I loved the way he feels about Evie. It’s so clear that he adores her from the very start and that depth of emotions developing into such an intense chemistry.. GAH, I am in love. I just loved this couple so much and I am so happy I decided to read Samantha’s book as my first this 2021!
Our wants were in sync, as most everything between us was.
Therefore, I am rating Much Ado About You with 4.5 STARS because this feel-good romance was exactly what I needed to get 2021 off to a good start. It melted my heart with its outstanding characters, the interactions between them, the friendship and loving relationship between Evie and Roane (and Shadow!) and their explosive chemistry. That’s how you start a new year, with a story that engages you completely and makes you devour it in a single sitting. Samantha Young, well done lady and I cannot wait to read more of your creations soon. Highly recommend this lovely romantic comedy!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
ARC provided by the the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I always like to start the New Year with a book from an author I am familiar with and who’s writing I love. This year I have chosen Samantha Young and her upcoming romantic comedy with Berkley. I’ve had the early copy of this book for a while now and I have to say my hype for it was quite big even though I could not start reading it until now. I wanted to begin 2021 with a feel-good love story and I definitely got that (and so much more!). Samantha stole my heart with her Dublin Street series and she continues stealing it with whatever I read that is written by her.
So, Much Ado About You is a standalone romance telling the story of Evangeline Starling, a woman in her early-thirties who has had enough of her life in Chicago after another dating failure and not getting the job she has been working for ten years. She quits and decides to have a much-deserved in an idyllic Shakespearean bookstore/apartment in England called Much Ado About Books. As soon as she arrives she starts making friendships and Northumberland starts to feel like the home she has always wanted. But there is just this thing: she has sworn off men. The problem is she meets Roane Robson, an all-around good guy / sexy and mysterious farmer who is decided to explore their connection even though Evie only wants friendship. Or does she?
Curse my luck!
I swear off men. I book a trip to England to find myself.
Instead I find a sexy English farmer who looked at me like he wanted to kiss my feet in thanks and then strip me naked to thank me some more.
Oh man, did I enjoy this book! As soon as I started reading I knew I would not be stopping until I finished it. I stayed late AF and I am not sorry for it (my sleeping schedule is though! lol). Much Ado About You is so much more than the typical romantic comedy, it’s filled with warmth, friendship, chemistry and emotions. And with Samantha’s unique style, I have to say I was all over this story. I am a sucker for romances that have lots of family/friend interactions and the crew of Much Ado About You has now a place in my heart because they were such loving characters. And you know what I also love? A friendship that develops into love. Evie and Roane’s connection was heartwarming, filled with sexual tension and a whole array of feelings. And I adored that.
“You think too well of me,” I whispered, worried for us both.
“You’re not perfect, Evie, rationally I know that.” He let out a long sigh. “But you’re perfect to me.”
Characters with depth and vulnerabilities make them so much realistic to me and Evie and Roane did not fail on that. Evie is freaking ME. Like to a T. I am not even kidding. I see myself in her in so many ways and that made me love her even more. And Roane.. *sigh* Can I still ask for him as a belated Christmas present? Because he was an amazing hero. He is such a good guy. I loved how he loves the ones around him and protect them. And I loved the way he feels about Evie. It’s so clear that he adores her from the very start and that depth of emotions developing into such an intense chemistry.. GAH, I am in love. I just loved this couple so much and I am so happy I decided to read Samantha’s book as my first this 2021!
Our wants were in sync, as most everything between us was.
Therefore, I am rating Much Ado About You with 4.5 STARS because this feel-good romance was exactly what I needed to get 2021 off to a good start. It melted my heart with its outstanding characters, the interactions between them, the friendship and loving relationship between Evie and Roane (and Shadow!) and their explosive chemistry. That’s how you start a new year, with a story that engages you completely and makes you devour it in a single sitting. Samantha Young, well done lady and I cannot wait to read more of your creations soon. Highly recommend this lovely romantic comedy!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
February 19, 2021
I'm not even a quarter in and I'm just bored. Part of that is frustration with the world the novel inhabits. I mean, Evie experiences some straight-up gender discrimination at the workplace that's so egregious it a) strains credulity, but b) if you insist it's real, why the heck isn't she finding a lawyer?!? I mean, come on, that was ugly and stupid and businesses can, do, and should pay a price for that kind of nonsense. So the whole setup evoked my inner paladin and broke me out of buying into the premise.
And the thing is, the work nonsense reinforces the relationship bit with an idiot who stands her up after being such a nice guy for four weeks. And again, I'm thinking, this guy is a bit over-the-top stupid, right? I mean, we're not going to say this is normal, are we? Only, yes, Evie is explicitly saying "I'm going to give up on men for an extended vacation because of this." So yeah, he's standing in for all men and sets up the negative motivation* that's likely to define the rest of the story (it certainly imprints the bit I read rather heavily).
And it also doesn't help that I don't really buy a vacation where you "take over" a bookstore. Is this a thing? I mean, I'd give the benefit of the doubt if we didn't already have two things that don't play real to me. And the eventual solution to Evie's career/man problem is so obvious I'm kind of hating the journey to finally get there.
And while Roane is beyond sweet, he's also a bit of an ideal. Which is problematic on two levels because, yeah, he's yet another reality-break that I just don't buy, but also it makes Evie's determination to blow off men that much more silly in the face of the perfection who is not even a little bit shy about expressing his interest in her (in all respectability and deference, naturally, because he is perfect and not even a little bit alpha).
So I'm out. It's one star for me, but I want to make clear that this is almost certainly an idiosyncratic reaction on my part and lots and lots of readers are going to find it engaging. I had an adverse reaction with personality-based components to it, so I don't expect that my response will approximate the norm...
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
And the thing is, the work nonsense reinforces the relationship bit with an idiot who stands her up after being such a nice guy for four weeks. And again, I'm thinking, this guy is a bit over-the-top stupid, right? I mean, we're not going to say this is normal, are we? Only, yes, Evie is explicitly saying "I'm going to give up on men for an extended vacation because of this." So yeah, he's standing in for all men and sets up the negative motivation* that's likely to define the rest of the story (it certainly imprints the bit I read rather heavily).
And it also doesn't help that I don't really buy a vacation where you "take over" a bookstore. Is this a thing? I mean, I'd give the benefit of the doubt if we didn't already have two things that don't play real to me. And the eventual solution to Evie's career/man problem is so obvious I'm kind of hating the journey to finally get there.
And while Roane is beyond sweet, he's also a bit of an ideal. Which is problematic on two levels because, yeah, he's yet another reality-break that I just don't buy, but also it makes Evie's determination to blow off men that much more silly in the face of the perfection who is not even a little bit shy about expressing his interest in her (in all respectability and deference, naturally, because he is perfect and not even a little bit alpha).
So I'm out. It's one star for me, but I want to make clear that this is almost certainly an idiosyncratic reaction on my part and lots and lots of readers are going to find it engaging. I had an adverse reaction with personality-based components to it, so I don't expect that my response will approximate the norm...
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
February 9, 2021
Going into this, I was under the impression this had chemistry. But what this really had was insta love. The characters were way too flat to really get invested in, the pacing awful and the plot, if you can call it that, was cheesy in the worst way. I’m certainly not reading romance for the realistic story telling but come on!
Our super special snowflake Evie, special not in terms of looks but in terms of what her arrival in Alnster causes, moves to this small English village by the sea, to rent and run a bookstore for a couple of weeks, live in the super cute apartment right above said bookstore, meet the village hottie who falls madly in love with her at first sight, is instantly liked by pretty much everyone and taken into the fold (I’m a small town girl, we’re not that welcoming) and then proceeds to basically change everyone’s lives by
1. resolving a family feud
2. freeing a young woman from the clutches of the abusive aunt she lives with
3. inspires and helps said girl to follow her dreams
4. plays Fairy Godmother to two young women (because clearly, this village has never seen a somewhat successful independent single woman in her thirties before and omg Evie is just so inspiring)
5. gives a widow the final push she needs to move on
6. cures cancer and brings world peace (just kidding. Sorry.)
So, where was I? Ah right.
7. brings together a young couple (the kids from the feuding families, btw)
8. reunites and estranged mother and her gay daughter (the daughter’s homosexuality caused the rift)
9. saves a dog from getting hit by a car
10. and lastly, the town hottie turns out to be 26 instead of 30, filthy rich and the Baronet’s son. He also proposes after only a few weeks. Of course he does. I imagine my sigh must be audible through your screen.
I’m sorry but...no. Just nope. The only thing that could’ve annoyed me even more would’ve been a surprise baby.
Ah, and I forgot, there was also this side plot of an alcoholic mother thrown in. I mean, how much can possibly be going on on in a person’s life??
I’m seeing a lot of positive reviews so maybe I’m just being difficult. Maybe this would’ve worked as a Christmas read, it certainly would fit right in with Hallmark movies.
2 stars because I managed to get through this without stabbing myself in the eye with a fork and because I love Samantha Young.
Our super special snowflake Evie, special not in terms of looks but in terms of what her arrival in Alnster causes, moves to this small English village by the sea, to rent and run a bookstore for a couple of weeks, live in the super cute apartment right above said bookstore, meet the village hottie who falls madly in love with her at first sight, is instantly liked by pretty much everyone and taken into the fold (I’m a small town girl, we’re not that welcoming) and then proceeds to basically change everyone’s lives by
1. resolving a family feud
2. freeing a young woman from the clutches of the abusive aunt she lives with
3. inspires and helps said girl to follow her dreams
4. plays Fairy Godmother to two young women (because clearly, this village has never seen a somewhat successful independent single woman in her thirties before and omg Evie is just so inspiring)
5. gives a widow the final push she needs to move on
6. cures cancer and brings world peace (just kidding. Sorry.)
So, where was I? Ah right.
7. brings together a young couple (the kids from the feuding families, btw)
8. reunites and estranged mother and her gay daughter (the daughter’s homosexuality caused the rift)
9. saves a dog from getting hit by a car
10. and lastly, the town hottie turns out to be 26 instead of 30, filthy rich and the Baronet’s son. He also proposes after only a few weeks. Of course he does. I imagine my sigh must be audible through your screen.
I’m sorry but...no. Just nope. The only thing that could’ve annoyed me even more would’ve been a surprise baby.
Ah, and I forgot, there was also this side plot of an alcoholic mother thrown in. I mean, how much can possibly be going on on in a person’s life??
I’m seeing a lot of positive reviews so maybe I’m just being difficult. Maybe this would’ve worked as a Christmas read, it certainly would fit right in with Hallmark movies.
2 stars because I managed to get through this without stabbing myself in the eye with a fork and because I love Samantha Young.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2021
It's not often that this happened, but every once in a while I'll read a book that makes me happy to read. This was one of those books.
I enjoyed every second of reading this. It felt like a true rom-com and it was exactly what I needed to read to lift my mood.
I instantly fell in love with Evie and Roane and everyone else in that little English village. It made me want to pack up my things and fly to England and have an adventure all my own.
I liked the writing and plot and was definitely a fan of the romance.
One downside is that the book was predictable, then again, all contemporary romance novels are. There's only so much novelty that can come of two people falling in love.
Also, certain things were rushed, but I honestly didn't even mind it. I loved the characters and the town and all the different personalities in it. Now I really want Violet and Lucas to have a story. I was so invested in those characters that I would gladly read a book just about them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and completely recommend it to any romance readers.
**I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
I enjoyed every second of reading this. It felt like a true rom-com and it was exactly what I needed to read to lift my mood.
I instantly fell in love with Evie and Roane and everyone else in that little English village. It made me want to pack up my things and fly to England and have an adventure all my own.
I liked the writing and plot and was definitely a fan of the romance.
One downside is that the book was predictable, then again, all contemporary romance novels are. There's only so much novelty that can come of two people falling in love.
Also, certain things were rushed, but I honestly didn't even mind it. I loved the characters and the town and all the different personalities in it. Now I really want Violet and Lucas to have a story. I was so invested in those characters that I would gladly read a book just about them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and completely recommend it to any romance readers.
**I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
February 5, 2021
4.5 stars
Headlines:
American meets Brit on north-east coast of England
Small village
Farmer Roane
Chem-is-try
Bookshop & books
Shakespearean side-plot line
No dramarama
Reading Much Ado About You was one of those easy delights that your mind sinks into and wishes it to last. The writing was witty, started with a hilarious car-crash dating experience and featured a 30-something heroine (Evie) who was pretty relatable.
Evie’s story was about taking stock of her life, her work situation, love life and coming to terms with single-dom. On a whim, she travelled and rented out a bookshop for a month’s holiday which is just about every bookworm’s dream. She quickly bumped into Roane’s dog, Shadow and was embraced into village life. The people around Evie and Roane, local farmer, were rich, colourful and had lots of character. Roane himself was genuine and that kind good guy that I like reading about.
Becoming friends with an English farmer was definitely a new experience. Who cared if he could grace the front cover of “The World’s Hottest Farmers” calender?
This book had a great, low drama story and I really appreciated the lack of predictability in that aspect and not being dragged through a roller coaster relationship; still, it wasn’t plain sailing.
The story was told over a number of months and for some that might seem quick for a relationship to develop, but this was a relationship based on a genuine friendship connection. The way the relationship was told made me truly believe in the time frame for more to develop. I loved these two together, I wanted them to work and I enjoyed the slow burn of their attachment.
I can see myself re-reading this and recommending it for a great easy romance that delivers on plot and characterisation. Go check it out!
Thank you to the author for the early review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
Headlines:
American meets Brit on north-east coast of England
Small village
Farmer Roane
Chem-is-try
Bookshop & books
Shakespearean side-plot line
No dramarama
Reading Much Ado About You was one of those easy delights that your mind sinks into and wishes it to last. The writing was witty, started with a hilarious car-crash dating experience and featured a 30-something heroine (Evie) who was pretty relatable.
Evie’s story was about taking stock of her life, her work situation, love life and coming to terms with single-dom. On a whim, she travelled and rented out a bookshop for a month’s holiday which is just about every bookworm’s dream. She quickly bumped into Roane’s dog, Shadow and was embraced into village life. The people around Evie and Roane, local farmer, were rich, colourful and had lots of character. Roane himself was genuine and that kind good guy that I like reading about.
Becoming friends with an English farmer was definitely a new experience. Who cared if he could grace the front cover of “The World’s Hottest Farmers” calender?
This book had a great, low drama story and I really appreciated the lack of predictability in that aspect and not being dragged through a roller coaster relationship; still, it wasn’t plain sailing.
The story was told over a number of months and for some that might seem quick for a relationship to develop, but this was a relationship based on a genuine friendship connection. The way the relationship was told made me truly believe in the time frame for more to develop. I loved these two together, I wanted them to work and I enjoyed the slow burn of their attachment.
I can see myself re-reading this and recommending it for a great easy romance that delivers on plot and characterisation. Go check it out!
Thank you to the author for the early review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
February 2, 2021
Evie and Roane.
Evie is 33 years old. She works as an editor in Chicago. Or did. She kind of just quit after not being promoted again.
And now, just days later, she's running a book store in a little coastal town in England. For four weeks. That's how long she booked the work holiday.
But she immediately fell in love with the town Alnster and its people and animals.
Especially farmer Roane and his dog Shadow. BUT she's sworn off men, right?!
LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN ...
Will we get our happily ever after??
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺
══════════════════
That was soo cute!
Everything about it was just so adorable and sweet. The town, the people, the dog. And of course Evie and Roane.
Evie's life in Chicago was just bubbling along. And now here in England, she immediately belongs. She loves it here. And the reader loves it there for Evie and for ourselves!
I just adored this story.
The scenery, the books, the sexy banter and sparkage between our darlings. Evie's meddling all over town. The little mysteries about some things. Just perfect.
I want to be Evie and live and work and love in this town with these people!
I so need to see this on Netflix one day!!!
If I had to complain about a tiny thing. Maybe Evie meddled a bit too much in other people's lives. I think we could've gotten books for at least 2 or 3 or 4 more people out of the material ... that way more time in this book could've been used for book shop scenes and her relationship with Roane. But I also really loved all the meddling and the other people's stories! ☺
MUCH ADO ABOUT YOU was such a beautiful and adorable city-girl-meets-farm-boy-love-story! But it was also soo much more! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Roane & Shadow - these two are MINE!
💜
💜
February 3, 2021
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author/ Berkley Publishing)
Evie Starling is a 33 yr. old beautiful, single independent woman living in Chicago. She's lonely, and at a crossroads in her life, and craves a new experience. She needs a change of pace, and wants to put some distance between herself and Chicago. She could use time away to figure out her life, her path, and where she's meant to be. A one of a kind opportunity presents itself when she finds an ad offering a temporary position at a bookstore along with an apartment rental. Even better it's in a quaint town on the coast of England. England has always been at the top of her bucket list, so it's the perfect place to escape her troubles and get a vacation. It turns out to be the best decision she's made in years.
Managing a cozy English village bookstore is right up Evie's alley since she loves books and all things Shakespeare. She soon finds the peace and relaxation she was looking for, and also makes special friendships with people who possess a soul deep kindness she hasn't encountered before. This includes well known bachelor/ sexy farmer Roane Robson. He's one of a kind, but she's determined to live the next few months without any romantic entanglements. He's gorgeous and leaves her breathless with one look, but she's sworn off men, so she must resist the temptation. Why get involved when she's leaving soon anyway. She wasn't there for a fling, she was there to find herself, but when you find your person sometimes you need to stop second guessing yourself and get out of your own way. Will Evie walk away from a chance at something real, or will she take a chance on love and get her happily ever after?
-"We find people we love and they become our home"
-I'd met him just a little over four weeks ago, and yet I felt like I'd known him my whole life. Like he'd been waiting here for me my whole life.
Much Ado About You by Samantha Young is a charming romantic comedy full of chemistry, love, and genuine connections. It's a captivating story about self discovery that transports you to another world. I loved everything about this book. The characters had so much substance, and I loved the focus on friendship and family. I felt like I was there in that little English village experiencing everything. I would love more from this world, and hope we get a book for Caro.
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/39JjJzg
(ARC provided by author/ Berkley Publishing)
Evie Starling is a 33 yr. old beautiful, single independent woman living in Chicago. She's lonely, and at a crossroads in her life, and craves a new experience. She needs a change of pace, and wants to put some distance between herself and Chicago. She could use time away to figure out her life, her path, and where she's meant to be. A one of a kind opportunity presents itself when she finds an ad offering a temporary position at a bookstore along with an apartment rental. Even better it's in a quaint town on the coast of England. England has always been at the top of her bucket list, so it's the perfect place to escape her troubles and get a vacation. It turns out to be the best decision she's made in years.
Managing a cozy English village bookstore is right up Evie's alley since she loves books and all things Shakespeare. She soon finds the peace and relaxation she was looking for, and also makes special friendships with people who possess a soul deep kindness she hasn't encountered before. This includes well known bachelor/ sexy farmer Roane Robson. He's one of a kind, but she's determined to live the next few months without any romantic entanglements. He's gorgeous and leaves her breathless with one look, but she's sworn off men, so she must resist the temptation. Why get involved when she's leaving soon anyway. She wasn't there for a fling, she was there to find herself, but when you find your person sometimes you need to stop second guessing yourself and get out of your own way. Will Evie walk away from a chance at something real, or will she take a chance on love and get her happily ever after?
-"We find people we love and they become our home"
-I'd met him just a little over four weeks ago, and yet I felt like I'd known him my whole life. Like he'd been waiting here for me my whole life.
Much Ado About You by Samantha Young is a charming romantic comedy full of chemistry, love, and genuine connections. It's a captivating story about self discovery that transports you to another world. I loved everything about this book. The characters had so much substance, and I loved the focus on friendship and family. I felt like I was there in that little English village experiencing everything. I would love more from this world, and hope we get a book for Caro.
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/39JjJzg
January 19, 2021
‘Much ado about you’ was a real comfort read. It’s the type of book that sneaks up on you slowly, steals away your time and then allows you to fall in love. It’s been some time since I’ve read a Samantha Young book and I’m glad that I took the time to read this authors work again - it’s easy to see why Young has managed to keep an audience over the years and this book is a clear example of her love for the written word. I adored the whimsical feel of the story telling and the setting of this story really steals the show. Overall I liked this book, I didn’t fall five star in love this time around but I’m glad that I spent my reading time with these characters. Easy to read, an original plot and a featured Great Dane that will win over any heart.
*Netgalley copy*
*Netgalley copy*
July 16, 2021
#strangesummerreading2021 Much Ado About You by Samantha Young ☀️☀️☀️☀️ Roane and Evie were precious. This story hits a little too close to my dream fantasy—work a bookstore in a small village in the UK and fall in love with a local 🙇🏻♀️😆♥️—and Roane is just such a swoon worthy book boyfriend.
I knocked it a star because I’m officially over the formulaic ‘here is a thing that rips the couple apart in the last 10% of the book just to remind them why they love each other’ which is why I think I’m almost done with my chicklit reading this summer because that’s basically what happens in all of them 🤣.
I knocked it a star because I’m officially over the formulaic ‘here is a thing that rips the couple apart in the last 10% of the book just to remind them why they love each other’ which is why I think I’m almost done with my chicklit reading this summer because that’s basically what happens in all of them 🤣.
February 2, 2021
Title: Much Ado About You
Series: Standalone
Author: Samantha Young
Release date: February 2, 2020
Cliffhanger: no
Genre: contemporary romance
Evangeline Starling is at a crossroads in her life. She's not quite old enough for the mid-life crisis at thirty-three years old, but she's arrived at a place where she's questioning her choices in her personal and professional life. She's been an editorial assistant at Reel Film for ten years in the hopes of getting promoted to editor. She has a love for the written word that makes her the right fit for the industry. She thought she was working her way towards a fulfilling career, but time and time again she got passed over for her dream job. She finally came to the realization that no matter how long she waited and tried to prove herself to her boss, it was a losing battle. She quit on the spot in a brash, impulsive move, and now must form a new life plan. This is pretty heavy stuff to ditch your career after investing so much of your life into it. I think anyone would feel more than a little lost and overwhelmed.
Evie has a satisfactory personal life, with an amazing best friend named Greer who is always there to support her. However, she feels as if she's behind "schedule" in comparison to her and her other friends who are marrying off and starting families. There's a certain order to things, right? So why can't she seem to get with the program? It's not as if she's not trying to find a partner to spend her life with. She just can't seem to find a man who treats her well or one who's interested in long-term commitment. One of her exes was verbally abusive which did damage to her confidence. Although she is aware of the harm and tries to push negative thoughts out of her head about her body and self worth, sometimes they still creep in.
Most days I was content enough with myself, even had days where I felt sexy. However, maybe I’d feel confident every day if I were a few inches shorter and a dress size or two smaller. Who knew? Didn’t we all sometimes wish we were the opposite of what we were?
After leaving her job, she decides that she needs to go away for a while and regroup. A new change of scenery may help her to take stock of what she wants in her life moving forward. A chance to stay in England for a month and run a bookstore falls in her lap. Visit a small English village where she doesn't know anyone and surrounded herself with books? Heck yes. I loved this premise because obviously I'm a book lover and it appeals personally to me as I'm sure it does many other readers. I can picture myself going on this adventure of self-discovery with Evie in such a rich, well-drawn backdrop.
Roane Robson is the village bachelor who's widely loved and respected by the locals. He was a wonderful man who was a perfect counterpart for Evie. What I loved most about him was his personal set of values when it came to women and relationships. In an age where you can find casual hook ups without any effort in apps, it seems like it's getting harder to find people who are serious about having an honest, real relationship built on mutual respect. Men are expected to "play the field" especially if they are an eligible bachelor like Roane. But Roane is a one woman guy who is looking for all or nothing with someone. He wants to build a meaningful relationship and gets a lot of flack for how few women he's dated. He's also very sweet with his dog, and melted my heart in the way that he spoke so gently to his abused cousin. He was just a GOOD guy that any woman would be lucky to be with.
He squeezed my hand, giving me a small smile. “You don’t know me or the future.”
“I don’t know the future, agreed. I do know you a little, and I see you a lot.” He understood. I saw it in the way he studied my face and by the way his hand tightened in mine. “I see you too, Evie.”
That's not to say that he was perfect. Throughout the book it was clear that he was hiding things from Evie, and it's pretty easy to guess (I did), through foreshadowing. Just hints of an uneasy expression here and there in response to things she said. Or him telling her that they needed to talk in a serious tone but never getting a chance to follow through. So you know there's a big conflict coming that is going to tarnish their too-good-to-be-true, fairytale relationship.
She puts him firmly in the friend zone in the beginning despite both of them instantly feeling a natural ease and attraction towards each other. There were no awkward silences or walls put up between them. Unfortunately, she wasn't looking for romance while she was trying to straighten out the mess of her life so she tried to keep things simple. I love the friends to lovers trope because there's always that huge sense of anticipation for when they'll finally cross the line. These two feel so right for one another that you (along with the rest of the tiny town) are waiting with bated breath for the moment.
“You’re not perfect, Evie, rationally I know that.” He let out a long sigh. “But you’re perfect to me.”
Another thing I liked was the small town romance feel of the book that reminded me of her Hart's Boardwalk series. Again, she created a full cast of secondary characters with their own individual stories and intriguing personalities. Evie clicked with the townspeople as if she had lived there her whole life. They embraced her wholeheartedly in return. For someone to feel that total acceptance and that feeling of belonging, it was a very difficult struggle for her to imagine leaving the longer she stayed.
My reasoning for taking a star off my rating was Roane's deception through the entire book. While I could definitely understand his initial decision to hide what were really insignificant things from her, the longer he lied by omission, the more of a betrayal it became. I give him full credit for attempting to come clean, but it broke my heart to see what it did to Evie. It took her so long to admit her feelings for him but she immediately went all in. Then to have that fragile trust broken made the crash and burn more devastating. Let me just say, she reacted harshly and (again) impulsively. Neither was without mistakes, but what they found together was worth the effort. You genuinely feel as if these two were meant to be together. Another thing that kind of bothered me was Greer. She started out so amazing, and I almost dreaded every time Evie would call her because she became so selfish. The way she always yelled at her for not being there with her while she was pregnant and making her feel guilty for considering a new life there grated a bit.
Overall, this was an excellent read. I enjoyed myself thoroughly while reading it and flew through the pages effortlessly. The quaint setting, the slightly angsty romance, and unique cast of characters will be a hit for a wide audience of readers. I highly recommend checking it out! I can only hope that Samantha Young will expand on this world with new books in the future. I'll be first in line to one-click. Can we get a full story for Roan's cousin Caroline? Pretty please?
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January 14, 2021
After being passed over for promotion (again), stood up by her flirt of four weeks and feeling like her life has taken a left turn and missed a few key markers, Evie Starling is ready for a break. When she sees an advertisement for a vacation rental that involves managing a Shakespeare-themed bookstore in northern England, she immediately books it. She's looking for a reset, not love, but there's something about the town and everything else that just calls to her. Will Evie go back to Chicago, or will she follow her heart (and a sexy farmer)?
Great start, dragging middle and weak finish.
The beginning is basically The Holiday minus Kate Winslet's character, with the part of Jude Law played by a sexy childless farmer with an adorable Great Dane. Minus the Jude-Law stand-in, I love the beginning. Evie was ready for change, ready for a break after working to death for her boss, taking the hits and expecting payoff when he retired (*cough cough* as a natural shoe-in as his replacement), and when all of her expectations faltered, she just needed a reset. I felt that so much, and I loved her friendship with her best-friend Greer, who had just discovered she was pregnant (totally something that didn't not affect Evie's desire to get away), and had high hopes that this once a female friendship would last in the face of a romance.
It didn't. Not really.
[Roane enters]
Roane is basically Sex on a Stick™️, with minor personality beyond doing anything that'll please Evie (a woman he ~literally~ just met and fell in love at first sight with) and help his cousin, Cinderella. He and Evie have an immediate, lustful attraction, but oh no! She's leaving in a month, he can't do a fling, and she is trying to keep things light and breezy. So they decide to be friends, and she ends up hanging out as a local in the small town of wherever England.
People attracted to cis men--if you ever hear something akin to this right after meeting someone, run. It's a line.
But it can't be a line, because Roane is All That Is Man and therefore a gem. I think the issue I have with this is that before leaving Chicago, Evie does a Scan The Mirror and highlights all of her flaws, but when she arrives she is literally the Hottest Woman To Ever Walk the Earth. She is Isabella Swan, all grown up (if she hadn't been vampired and frozen at 18 or whatever). It was...a little much.
Plus, Roane has a cousin named Caro, who has spent the majority of her life verbally, physically and emotionally abused by her aunt, and Roane has never realized that it was that bad for Caro, despite her personality being the flavor of battered graham cracker and her dressing like a pilgrim. Evie helps free Caro from the shackles of the evil aunt, and then helps her blossom out of her forced-modesty and into something that reveals her tiny waist, and also gives her the courage to pursue her passion as a baker.
Anywho, Evie becomes something of a Fixer within the village, and while everyone seems to love this American tourist who descended upon them, it just felt...weird? Like Evie's extreme exceptionalism immediately pushed past all their misgivings? There's a village rivalry, star-crossed lovers, and I dunno but I felt that it was weird that a 33-year-old woman was hanging out with early twenty-year-olds.
Plus, the main source of conflict during Evie and Roane's incredibly smooth-sailing relationship (who eventually get together and try to make it work after Penny the bookstore owner decides to move to Australia and wants Evie to stay on a little longer with the store) is something that seemed...really out of character for previously fairly easy-going Evie? Sure, he lied to her, but the lie wasn't anything bad, he was just basically acting like Nick Young and preserving a bit of his family history to avoid someone who could take advantage of it (or another way—stepping outside of his role to experience love with someone who didn't know his baggage or lineage).
So the majority of this review has been all about the things that I did not like.
Obviously, there were many.
However, I rated this three stars instead of two. Why?
Because despite its irritation and moderately cookie-cutter Mary Sue romance, it was entertaining and enjoyable. Yes, it fell into the flaw where everyone only read classic books instead of modern stuff, but there were books, running a bookstore (the business model is a little sketch but you know, whatever), fascinating side characters in the people of the Anchor restaurant (cannot remember their names), and some really solid insights on sexism and growing up as a young woman.
Also, I'm a sucker for Shakespeare and it kinda pulls off some retellings of some of the bigger plays.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
Great start, dragging middle and weak finish.
The beginning is basically The Holiday minus Kate Winslet's character, with the part of Jude Law played by a sexy childless farmer with an adorable Great Dane. Minus the Jude-Law stand-in, I love the beginning. Evie was ready for change, ready for a break after working to death for her boss, taking the hits and expecting payoff when he retired (*cough cough* as a natural shoe-in as his replacement), and when all of her expectations faltered, she just needed a reset. I felt that so much, and I loved her friendship with her best-friend Greer, who had just discovered she was pregnant (totally something that didn't not affect Evie's desire to get away), and had high hopes that this once a female friendship would last in the face of a romance.
It didn't. Not really.
[Roane enters]
Not that I minded his rugged appearance. He was altogether the most masculine specimen I had ever come across. Even his voice was deep and rumbling. I felt that voice in places I had no business feeling it.
Roane is basically Sex on a Stick™️, with minor personality beyond doing anything that'll please Evie (a woman he ~literally~ just met and fell in love at first sight with) and help his cousin, Cinderella. He and Evie have an immediate, lustful attraction, but oh no! She's leaving in a month, he can't do a fling, and she is trying to keep things light and breezy. So they decide to be friends, and she ends up hanging out as a local in the small town of wherever England.
"Evie, I don't make a habit of asking tourists out but I can't help myself. You're brave, you love animals. You're stunning. I'm a mere mortal." His chuckle had a slightly disbelieving tone to it, like he couldn't understand himself in that moment. "So please have a drink with me tonight?""
People attracted to cis men--if you ever hear something akin to this right after meeting someone, run. It's a line.
But it can't be a line, because Roane is All That Is Man and therefore a gem. I think the issue I have with this is that before leaving Chicago, Evie does a Scan The Mirror and highlights all of her flaws, but when she arrives she is literally the Hottest Woman To Ever Walk the Earth. She is Isabella Swan, all grown up (if she hadn't been vampired and frozen at 18 or whatever). It was...a little much.
Plus, Roane has a cousin named Caro, who has spent the majority of her life verbally, physically and emotionally abused by her aunt, and Roane has never realized that it was that bad for Caro, despite her personality being the flavor of battered graham cracker and her dressing like a pilgrim. Evie helps free Caro from the shackles of the evil aunt, and then helps her blossom out of her forced-modesty and into something that reveals her tiny waist, and also gives her the courage to pursue her passion as a baker.
Anywho, Evie becomes something of a Fixer within the village, and while everyone seems to love this American tourist who descended upon them, it just felt...weird? Like Evie's extreme exceptionalism immediately pushed past all their misgivings? There's a village rivalry, star-crossed lovers, and I dunno but I felt that it was weird that a 33-year-old woman was hanging out with early twenty-year-olds.
Plus, the main source of conflict during Evie and Roane's incredibly smooth-sailing relationship (who eventually get together and try to make it work after Penny the bookstore owner decides to move to Australia and wants Evie to stay on a little longer with the store) is something that seemed...really out of character for previously fairly easy-going Evie? Sure, he lied to her, but the lie wasn't anything bad, he was just basically acting like Nick Young and preserving a bit of his family history to avoid someone who could take advantage of it (or another way—stepping outside of his role to experience love with someone who didn't know his baggage or lineage).
So the majority of this review has been all about the things that I did not like.
Obviously, there were many.
However, I rated this three stars instead of two. Why?
Because despite its irritation and moderately cookie-cutter Mary Sue romance, it was entertaining and enjoyable. Yes, it fell into the flaw where everyone only read classic books instead of modern stuff, but there were books, running a bookstore (the business model is a little sketch but you know, whatever), fascinating side characters in the people of the Anchor restaurant (cannot remember their names), and some really solid insights on sexism and growing up as a young woman.
Also, I'm a sucker for Shakespeare and it kinda pulls off some retellings of some of the bigger plays.
Unfortunately, we live in a society where we tell our kids to be confident and successful and then as soon as they are, we tell them to shut out about it and be humble. Especially women. Guys can get away with cockiness until the end of time, but if a woman is cocky, she is arrogant and superior.
Even worse, women are just as likely as men to condemn a confident woman for not being most enough. The only way we can change that attitude is to change it among ourselves. If you're successful at something, celebrate that success. If you know you're smart, then demand that other people treat you are someone of intelligence.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 19, 2021As soon as the love interest was introduced, I cringed so hard and had to immediately return my hold to the library. Let someone else suffer through this atrocity.
February 14, 2021
3 STARS
Well... this one barely scraped three stars out of me. It was definitely not as good as this author's other books. Cute story, but... IMO, it just didn't have the sensational characters that she has created in her other books. The ending was sweet, but it was preceded by a ridiculous dilemma that did nothing more than frustrate the reader.
On the positive side, there was a quaint little English village on the sea, a shit-hot single farmer with an adorable dog, and an old bookshop to run. There were also so worth-while supporting characters with stories of their own to keep you interested. So if you can just look past the ridiculous inner monologues of our main character... and her subsequent behavior.. you'll love the book!
I have loved 99% of SY's books... so an outlier here and there is bound to come up. I'm calling this one of them. But I'll still be pre-ordering everything she writes. ❤️
Well... this one barely scraped three stars out of me. It was definitely not as good as this author's other books. Cute story, but... IMO, it just didn't have the sensational characters that she has created in her other books. The ending was sweet, but it was preceded by a ridiculous dilemma that did nothing more than frustrate the reader.
On the positive side, there was a quaint little English village on the sea, a shit-hot single farmer with an adorable dog, and an old bookshop to run. There were also so worth-while supporting characters with stories of their own to keep you interested. So if you can just look past the ridiculous inner monologues of our main character... and her subsequent behavior.. you'll love the book!
I have loved 99% of SY's books... so an outlier here and there is bound to come up. I'm calling this one of them. But I'll still be pre-ordering everything she writes. ❤️
March 12, 2021
4 Ado-rable Stars!
Oh, goodness...I didn't realize how badly I needed an escape to the English countryside. Samantha Young delivers a charming romantic comedy and it is JUST what the doctor ordered in these frigid pandemic times!
Talk about a dream gig! Evangeline Starling has been disappointed by men and life for the last time. When this thirty-something, big city American girl gets stood up and then passed over for the big promotion yet again...she is done! And who could blame her? Her need for an escape is overwhelming. So when she comes across a posting for a "bookshop holiday" where you get to run a village bookshop in Northern England for a month while living in the apartment above it, she jumps at the opportunity.
Shortly upon arriving, she stumbles into a rambunctious Great Dane, who startlingly resembles her own childhood pup, right before it runs in the path of an oncoming car. Once she saves its life, she meets the pup's owner, a freakin' hottie on a stick, sweet English farmer...yes, a big, manly man, strapping farmer with a very sexy English accent. I mean, the premise for this book is better than even the best porn, with a side of wine, ice cream, and a massage that my feeble little mind could ever conjure up!
YES, PLEASE!!! (On the book, not the porn;)
This book was just all the swoony goodness that a die hard romance reader could ever desire. I loved the entire cast of characters, and I REALLY hope this is just the beginning of another series from this author, like her On Dublin Street series.
I enjoyed the initial friends to lovers dynamic between Evie and Roane. I didn't find it to be very believable because there was huge attraction on both sides from the start but I get what the character was trying to accomplish. As much as I loved the side characters, there was almost too much page time spent on world building their backstories. I would have preferred for that time to have been spent with Roane and Evie once their romantic relationship began...or for the book to have been longer so that both could have been incorporated.
Don't get me wrong, hello Viola and Lucas!! That whole side story was SO GOOD and I really hope we get more of it, but again, I just don't feel like we got enough page time with the two main characters once they actually got together.
However, I loved the conflict and I never ever saw it coming. We knew there was something...some secret being kept but I was super surprised when it all came out. I thought it was well executed and totally believable given the characters backstories to that point.
Super enjoyable read overall and the perfect escape book to curl up with during one of these cold winter nights. Would recommend this one to all romance lovers in the mood for a lighter romantic comedy!
I was provided with an advanced review copy by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“How can you not be a fan of Shakespeare when his characters say epic shit like that?”
Oh, goodness...I didn't realize how badly I needed an escape to the English countryside. Samantha Young delivers a charming romantic comedy and it is JUST what the doctor ordered in these frigid pandemic times!
Talk about a dream gig! Evangeline Starling has been disappointed by men and life for the last time. When this thirty-something, big city American girl gets stood up and then passed over for the big promotion yet again...she is done! And who could blame her? Her need for an escape is overwhelming. So when she comes across a posting for a "bookshop holiday" where you get to run a village bookshop in Northern England for a month while living in the apartment above it, she jumps at the opportunity.
Shortly upon arriving, she stumbles into a rambunctious Great Dane, who startlingly resembles her own childhood pup, right before it runs in the path of an oncoming car. Once she saves its life, she meets the pup's owner, a freakin' hottie on a stick, sweet English farmer...yes, a big, manly man, strapping farmer with a very sexy English accent. I mean, the premise for this book is better than even the best porn, with a side of wine, ice cream, and a massage that my feeble little mind could ever conjure up!
YES, PLEASE!!! (On the book, not the porn;)
“Wait.” Roane moved toward me, his expression eager. “Evie, I don’t make a habit of asking tourists out but I can’t help myself. You’re brave, you love animals. You’re stunning. I’m a mere mortal.” His chuckle had a slightly disbelieving tone to it, like he couldn’t understand himself in that moment. “So please have a drink with me tonight.”
This book was just all the swoony goodness that a die hard romance reader could ever desire. I loved the entire cast of characters, and I REALLY hope this is just the beginning of another series from this author, like her On Dublin Street series.
I enjoyed the initial friends to lovers dynamic between Evie and Roane. I didn't find it to be very believable because there was huge attraction on both sides from the start but I get what the character was trying to accomplish. As much as I loved the side characters, there was almost too much page time spent on world building their backstories. I would have preferred for that time to have been spent with Roane and Evie once their romantic relationship began...or for the book to have been longer so that both could have been incorporated.
Don't get me wrong, hello Viola and Lucas!! That whole side story was SO GOOD and I really hope we get more of it, but again, I just don't feel like we got enough page time with the two main characters once they actually got together.
However, I loved the conflict and I never ever saw it coming. We knew there was something...some secret being kept but I was super surprised when it all came out. I thought it was well executed and totally believable given the characters backstories to that point.
“You’re my home.”
Super enjoyable read overall and the perfect escape book to curl up with during one of these cold winter nights. Would recommend this one to all romance lovers in the mood for a lighter romantic comedy!
I was provided with an advanced review copy by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2021
4.5 stars.
Samantha Young's Much Ado About You is a steamy, emotional rom-com that confronts lots of issues, plus it features a book-loving protagonist, so how can you lose?
After one last attempt at dating fails and she gets a disappointment on the job front, Evie Starling has had it. She needs to get away from Chicago for a while. And she finds the perfect escape—she can run a bookshop in the English countryside for four weeks and rent the owner’s flat. For a voracious reader, this is a dream come true. (It would be for me, too!)
She heads across the pond, ready to recharge herself and avoid dating for a month. And wouldn’t you know she has a run-in with gorgeous country farmer Roane Robson within a day of arriving? After she saves his dog, Roane is totally smitten, and as much as Evie feels herself falling for him, she is determined that they just stay friends.
But as Evie’s time flies by, she quickly gets acclimated to life in the small village and can’t really imagine going back to Chicago, despite friends and family being there. As she fights her growing attraction to Roane, and starts getting involved in helping (or meddling) some neighbors with their problems, has she found home? And can she let her guard down enough to trust her heart?
Much Ado About You is a sweet, fun, sexy book with lots of steam, and it takes some inspiration from Much Ado About Nothing , but it isn’t a retelling by any means. Along with being a rom-com the book also confronts serious issues like racism, sexuality, abusive relationships, and being the child of an alcoholic, so there’s definitely some poignancy and emotional weight thrown in.
This is definitely another good rom-com to add to your list!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
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Samantha Young's Much Ado About You is a steamy, emotional rom-com that confronts lots of issues, plus it features a book-loving protagonist, so how can you lose?
After one last attempt at dating fails and she gets a disappointment on the job front, Evie Starling has had it. She needs to get away from Chicago for a while. And she finds the perfect escape—she can run a bookshop in the English countryside for four weeks and rent the owner’s flat. For a voracious reader, this is a dream come true. (It would be for me, too!)
She heads across the pond, ready to recharge herself and avoid dating for a month. And wouldn’t you know she has a run-in with gorgeous country farmer Roane Robson within a day of arriving? After she saves his dog, Roane is totally smitten, and as much as Evie feels herself falling for him, she is determined that they just stay friends.
But as Evie’s time flies by, she quickly gets acclimated to life in the small village and can’t really imagine going back to Chicago, despite friends and family being there. As she fights her growing attraction to Roane, and starts getting involved in helping (or meddling) some neighbors with their problems, has she found home? And can she let her guard down enough to trust her heart?
Much Ado About You is a sweet, fun, sexy book with lots of steam, and it takes some inspiration from Much Ado About Nothing , but it isn’t a retelling by any means. Along with being a rom-com the book also confronts serious issues like racism, sexuality, abusive relationships, and being the child of an alcoholic, so there’s definitely some poignancy and emotional weight thrown in.
This is definitely another good rom-com to add to your list!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
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March 29, 2021
I am a huge Samantha Young fan and have loved most of her books but this one was a little challenging for me.
What I loved – The quant English village! I love books set in adorable towns, particularly European ones so I ate that part up. All of the supporting characters were great in the town as well. Much Ado About You also had a great concept – down on her luck girl essentially escapes to run a small bookshop in a small English town and of course runs into the love of her life. As always, Samantha’s writing is great as well.
What I didn’t love - There was definitely a cheese factor here that was a little bit much for me. While both main characters were lovely, I had trouble really feeling the connection and steam between them. I also thought the final twist was a little bit over the top and made me slightly dislike the heroine.
What I loved – The quant English village! I love books set in adorable towns, particularly European ones so I ate that part up. All of the supporting characters were great in the town as well. Much Ado About You also had a great concept – down on her luck girl essentially escapes to run a small bookshop in a small English town and of course runs into the love of her life. As always, Samantha’s writing is great as well.
What I didn’t love - There was definitely a cheese factor here that was a little bit much for me. While both main characters were lovely, I had trouble really feeling the connection and steam between them. I also thought the final twist was a little bit over the top and made me slightly dislike the heroine.
June 19, 2021
It's not a good sign when it feels like a chore to read a story.
I skimmed though after about 25%. Evie's reason for swearing off of men was just ridiculous, IMO. Everything felt so manufactured: the romance and then the final conflict. And, apparently, Evie's this giant special snowflake as soon as she sets foot in Alnster just had me scratching my head. I didn't get it.
Lots of other readers loved the story so maybe it's just me.
A copy was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I skimmed though after about 25%. Evie's reason for swearing off of men was just ridiculous, IMO. Everything felt so manufactured: the romance and then the final conflict. And, apparently, Evie's this giant special snowflake as soon as she sets foot in Alnster just had me scratching my head. I didn't get it.
Lots of other readers loved the story so maybe it's just me.
A copy was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2021
I thought I would end up enjoying this one a little more than I did but in the end this was just an okay read.
So far I am in the minority here. A number of friends have read it and really enjoyed it. Maybe it is just me.
I wish I became more invested in Evie and Roane. I just didn't. Actually if it wasn't for a few of the secondary characters and the roles they played I don't know if I would have read this one through to the ending.
January 25, 2021
Reading this story felt like being wrapped in a big warm hand knitted cardigan, it was warm and oh so comfortable. It gave me a big book hug and left me feeling happy and sufficiently snuggled.
Evie feels like something is missing from her life. After being unlucky in love once again and then being overlooked for a job promotion she is ready for a big change. Everyone around her seems to be moving on with their lives and she feels like she is stalling. This is why she finds herself surfing the net and applying for a holiday job in rural England.
Looking after a bookstore and living above it is like a dream come true and when she arrives in Alnster, Northumberland she is quickly embraced by this cute english village. The great thing about a small village is that everyone knows each other and all the goings on, she would soon realise that it can also be the downside too :)
Evie quickly makes friends and enjoys being away from her everyday life. She was not expecting to meet a man like Roane Robson, a local (single) farmer who has all that sexy gruffness going on. He is like a walking wet dream and seems to enjoy flirting with her every chance he can.
‘I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, Evie.’ That’s when I discovered that there was such a thing as a word-provoked heart flutter.’
Here’s the thing though, Roane doesn’t normally flirt like that. He is not a casual dater sort of guy but there is something about Evie that tempts him in every way. Evie is so tempted. Like, so badly it drives her crazy some days. However, she knows her time in England is a short term thing and crossing a line with Roane will only lead to heartbreak for both of them. She won’t do that to a man who does not deserve it or to herself. It’s going to be hard, so hard….
‘You’re not perfect, Evie, rationally I know that.’ He let out a long sigh. ‘But you’re perfect to me.’
Then what happens is a mountain of hormones have decided an invasion of her mind and body is now necessary, after that all bets are off. There is no stopping things now! Roane is a man who carefully guards his heart, he is an all in person and he truly feels like Evie is going to be worth breaking his rules for. And OMG, Roane is so freaking sweet, rugged, sexy, thoughtful, horny, romantic, hot and simply irresistible.
‘That disconcerting feeling of thrill mixed with contentment hit me with more force than usual as I drew toward him. Sometimes it feels like we were two magnets, my south seeking his north.’
It seems that Evie has found everything she wasn’t looking for. It’s like the village of Ansler seems to have found her. She has been weaved into the fabric of this small community, making friendships that she will never forget. Leaving will be difficult but she will do so with a very full heart.
I absolutely loved this story! There are fantastic secondary characters involved in other stories playing out in the background that Evie has her finger in, a bit of meddling and matchmaking just like the plot of the famous Shakespeare novel that she loves. Once again, fabulous writing from Samantha!
Evie feels like something is missing from her life. After being unlucky in love once again and then being overlooked for a job promotion she is ready for a big change. Everyone around her seems to be moving on with their lives and she feels like she is stalling. This is why she finds herself surfing the net and applying for a holiday job in rural England.
Looking after a bookstore and living above it is like a dream come true and when she arrives in Alnster, Northumberland she is quickly embraced by this cute english village. The great thing about a small village is that everyone knows each other and all the goings on, she would soon realise that it can also be the downside too :)
Evie quickly makes friends and enjoys being away from her everyday life. She was not expecting to meet a man like Roane Robson, a local (single) farmer who has all that sexy gruffness going on. He is like a walking wet dream and seems to enjoy flirting with her every chance he can.
‘I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, Evie.’ That’s when I discovered that there was such a thing as a word-provoked heart flutter.’
Here’s the thing though, Roane doesn’t normally flirt like that. He is not a casual dater sort of guy but there is something about Evie that tempts him in every way. Evie is so tempted. Like, so badly it drives her crazy some days. However, she knows her time in England is a short term thing and crossing a line with Roane will only lead to heartbreak for both of them. She won’t do that to a man who does not deserve it or to herself. It’s going to be hard, so hard….
‘You’re not perfect, Evie, rationally I know that.’ He let out a long sigh. ‘But you’re perfect to me.’
Then what happens is a mountain of hormones have decided an invasion of her mind and body is now necessary, after that all bets are off. There is no stopping things now! Roane is a man who carefully guards his heart, he is an all in person and he truly feels like Evie is going to be worth breaking his rules for. And OMG, Roane is so freaking sweet, rugged, sexy, thoughtful, horny, romantic, hot and simply irresistible.
‘That disconcerting feeling of thrill mixed with contentment hit me with more force than usual as I drew toward him. Sometimes it feels like we were two magnets, my south seeking his north.’
It seems that Evie has found everything she wasn’t looking for. It’s like the village of Ansler seems to have found her. She has been weaved into the fabric of this small community, making friendships that she will never forget. Leaving will be difficult but she will do so with a very full heart.
I absolutely loved this story! There are fantastic secondary characters involved in other stories playing out in the background that Evie has her finger in, a bit of meddling and matchmaking just like the plot of the famous Shakespeare novel that she loves. Once again, fabulous writing from Samantha!
June 4, 2021
With sincere apologies to the friend who recommended this one to me, I've got to say...not my cup of
tea.
Everything about it felt like a caricature. The story is full of perfect main characters and irrationally evil antagonists. The plot leapfrogs from dramatic (and increasingly bizarre) conflict to conflict with little rhyme or reason before descending into trite, predictable angst.
Lest you find me overly dramatic: the lead characters have no flaws. They literally bemoan how flawless they find one another.
Evie, our heroine, has "legs for days" and could model if she wished. But don't worry! She's relatable. After all, she's clumsy! And feels self-conscious that her stomach pooches when she sits down! And...and that's really it, unless you count the fact that she's dumb enough to pay someone to run their store for a month. But that's a side issue.
The hero is...a farmer? Hot? Keeping a dark secret from Evie? I mean, the story doesn't even try to give him flaws.
The two meet, bond over a love of dogs, and fall instantly in love. That's about it for them.
If the story ended there I would call it boring but overall fluffy and cute. The problem is that it tries to add drama. And the drama lacks any nuance.
Evie doesn't get a promotion at work and suddenly means egregious sex discrimination that goes entirely unresolved.
She moves to this tiny English village for a few months and starts meddling in the local drama—meddling being a generous word for the way things just get resolved around her. There is the local girl who lives with her aunt and dresses frumpily. Then there is the village Romeo and Juliet (passed off as Beatrice and Benedict) And the local lesbians.
These three people and their families represent The Only Problems in this otherwise Progressive, Tolerant Village where everyone holds the right opinions, supports the right businesses, and compliments the dumb American. Unless you are Evil. Because then you can't have any character trait outside of your evilness.
This book is chock-full of random plot points that fit awkwardly together, tie in at no point with the main romance, and succeed only in presenting a morally smug tone. It was that condescending tone that brought this book to one star. Well, that and the complete lack of nuance for any of these plots.
tea.
Everything about it felt like a caricature. The story is full of perfect main characters and irrationally evil antagonists. The plot leapfrogs from dramatic (and increasingly bizarre) conflict to conflict with little rhyme or reason before descending into trite, predictable angst.
Lest you find me overly dramatic: the lead characters have no flaws. They literally bemoan how flawless they find one another.
Evie, our heroine, has "legs for days" and could model if she wished. But don't worry! She's relatable. After all, she's clumsy! And feels self-conscious that her stomach pooches when she sits down! And...and that's really it, unless you count the fact that she's dumb enough to pay someone to run their store for a month. But that's a side issue.
The hero is...a farmer? Hot? Keeping a dark secret from Evie? I mean, the story doesn't even try to give him flaws.
The two meet, bond over a love of dogs, and fall instantly in love. That's about it for them.
If the story ended there I would call it boring but overall fluffy and cute. The problem is that it tries to add drama. And the drama lacks any nuance.
Evie doesn't get a promotion at work and suddenly means egregious sex discrimination that goes entirely unresolved.
She moves to this tiny English village for a few months and starts meddling in the local drama—meddling being a generous word for the way things just get resolved around her. There is the local girl who lives with her aunt and dresses frumpily. Then there is the village Romeo and Juliet (passed off as Beatrice and Benedict) And the local lesbians.
These three people and their families represent The Only Problems in this otherwise Progressive, Tolerant Village where everyone holds the right opinions, supports the right businesses, and compliments the dumb American. Unless you are Evil. Because then you can't have any character trait outside of your evilness.
This book is chock-full of random plot points that fit awkwardly together, tie in at no point with the main romance, and succeed only in presenting a morally smug tone. It was that condescending tone that brought this book to one star. Well, that and the complete lack of nuance for any of these plots.
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