jnak's review against another edition
5.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I have enjoyed all of Martha Keyes’ books but I wasn’t sure how she would make a Midsummer Nights Dream into a regency romance, but she did and she did it beautifully! Loved Mercy and Solomon’s story and also Viola and Aunt Priscilla were such wonderful characters. I can’t wait for more from this series.
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review
4.0
I loved the idea of a Shakespeare and Regency smash up/retelling! I love Shakespeare but to be honest - I’m not an expert but I enjoy the plays I’ve seen. So I was happy with this retellings because there were subtle nods of Shakespeare so if you’re expecting it to be just like “A Midsummer’s Night” you may be disappointed.
divinebruyere's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jamiegc's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 ⭐️
A fun and sweet retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
You do not have to be familiar with Shakespeare’s famous play in order to enjoy this book, but knowing the play makes for a super fun read! The author even included the love potion. I thought this retelling was very clever and entertaining. She also has a great understanding of Shakespeare, so I look forward to the rest of the books in this series.
Favorite quote:
“... take Romeo and Juliet. Their love was certainly acute—” “Calf-love, more like,” Edith interjected. “—but”—Mercy pointedly ignored the interjection—“their grand gestures deprived them of one another and put an end to the love itself.””
A fun and sweet retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
You do not have to be familiar with Shakespeare’s famous play in order to enjoy this book, but knowing the play makes for a super fun read! The author even included the love potion. I thought this retelling was very clever and entertaining. She also has a great understanding of Shakespeare, so I look forward to the rest of the books in this series.
Favorite quote:
“... take Romeo and Juliet. Their love was certainly acute—” “Calf-love, more like,” Edith interjected. “—but”—Mercy pointedly ignored the interjection—“their grand gestures deprived them of one another and put an end to the love itself.””
bookwormjourney's review
4.0
Shakespeare meets Jane Austen in this Shakespeare retelling set during regency times in England. You get the classic struggle of women of the time where they had often times had to marry for money and not love. Mercy had both until Solomon's family loses their fortune. She breaks off their engagement leaving Solomon brokenhearted, but determined to prove her wrong and earn his fortune back. When he returns having done just that, drama ensues. Because, of course. That's what happens when you make choices you come to regret.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, but it didn't completely blow me away me. The best I could explain why is I didn't feel completely sucked in to the point of having to keep reading as quick as I could. This book is a spin on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream and I remember it being one of my more liked of his plays. It's been quite some time since I read it so I can't completely vouch for how many similarities there were, but I did notice some of the main plot elements, such as characters running away to elope, people falling in love with the wrong people, and ultimately a happy ending. Deborah did drive me nuts, but I'm pretty sure that is an accurate reflection of the character from A Midsummer's Night Dream that she represented. I almost considered giving it three stars, but since I thought to myself "hm I'm interested in reading more stories like this," I figured that earned it 4 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, but it didn't completely blow me away me. The best I could explain why is I didn't feel completely sucked in to the point of having to keep reading as quick as I could. This book is a spin on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream and I remember it being one of my more liked of his plays. It's been quite some time since I read it so I can't completely vouch for how many similarities there were, but I did notice some of the main plot elements, such as characters running away to elope, people falling in love with the wrong people, and ultimately a happy ending. Deborah did drive me nuts, but I'm pretty sure that is an accurate reflection of the character from A Midsummer's Night Dream that she represented. I almost considered giving it three stars, but since I thought to myself "hm I'm interested in reading more stories like this," I figured that earned it 4 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
taryn_a's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this one because regency plus A Midsummer Night's Dream, but it was just like for me. It did work to combine those two things, but the execution just felt a little off at times. And I have a soft spot in my heart for the Midsummer character of Hermia because I played her when I was 16, but the Hermia character was just selfish and bratty. I didn't really feel the chemistry.
I don't regret reading it, but it didn't leave me waiting for another in the same vein.
I don't regret reading it, but it didn't leave me waiting for another in the same vein.
brigitte's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Of all Shakespeare’s plays, I am not the most familiar with A Midsummers Night’s dream, but I didn’t need to be to enjoy this book. It was well written and I enjoyed the age old story line wound in between the clever quotes from Shakespeare that were certainly bandied about in Regency England. It was a delightful read, and as for a faithful retelling? Well who am I to judge that?
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