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 … 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.
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I would love to give this book 10 stars–Samantha Young is one of my top authors that I absolutely adore. This book was no different! Much Ado About You was just a sweet, cozy comfort read for me. Grab a blanket, sit by the fire with a glass of wine and ENJOY!
There’s always joy to be found in reading a Samantha Young book so this was an automatic request for me without even giving the premise a second thought. This is one of those instances I’m glad I didn’t pay attention to it because the story unfolding in the first two chapters was all I needed to be swept up in Evie’s journey.
Evie is an editor in her early thirties who’s angling for a promotion at the magazine she works for and also venturing out into the world of online dating. The opening chapters see her hitting her rock bottom – her date the night before was a no-show, then next day she’s passed up for a promotion that she has rightly earned. After being passed over so many times she abruptly quits. Since she’s feeling spontaneous, she books a trip to Northumberland in the north of England to live above a bookstore and manage it for a month. This is the perfect soothing balm for her Shakespeare-loving soul. All this sounded like a dream and I was so ecstatic for Evie to live it. That’s why we read, right? To live vicariously through these characters.
Evie assimilates to life in the small village of Alnster surprisingly fast. She’s welcomed immediately by the locals and but for the few phone calls with her best friend back home, it seems like her life back in Chicago is firmly in the rear view mirror, even if it’s supposedly temporary. It gets slightly complicated when she meets an attractive farmer, Roan who’s just as quickly taken with her. She’s committed to not dating or getting romantically involved so her attraction to him has to be bottled in. The longer she stays in Alnster, the more she falls in love with the village and becomes attached to her new friends.
It was amazing how easily I was able to picture this cute little village in my mind. I felt so at home there. And okay, while I did love the story but there was a tiny bit of something that troubled me. I did get a bit uneasy when I felt Evie got a bit too involved in other people’s business. She’s living her best life and she’s happy so I suppose she wants that for everyone as well. In a way, she’s like a modern day Emma in those instances. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work for me and anytime she started meddling I thought it was presumptive on her part. I fully recognize that this is simply my discomfort of Evie’s behavior. The good news is that this didn’t take away my love of this story because Evie has so many redeeming qualities, and hey, she’s freaking badass for dropping everything to find her bliss!
I would recommend Much Ado About You in a heartbeat to anyone who’s seeking adventure, self-discovery and a dream romance.
~ Bel
Source: Netgalley: ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
OMG THIS BOOK WAS SOOO STINKING CUTE!!!!!!!!! I loved the surprises and Roane and Evie were perfect. Great cast and in a small town was painted perfectly.
Imani Jade Powers DID AN AMAZING JOB!!!! With all of her characters accents and her American female voice is very pleasant to listen to! I hope she does more Romance audios! I see her getting very popular.
Evie has sworn off men and decided to take a nice holiday in England renting a room and running a quaint bookstore in a small village is exactly what the doctor ordered meeting Rowan was not in the plan. Rowan is instantly taken with Evie after saving his dog now can you convince Evie to take a chance on him so amazing love this book read it!
I am such a fan of Samantha Young’s and was not disappointed with this story. It is a standalone. I loved Evie and Roane, I couldn’t put this book down. I loved the witty banter between these characters. Great pacing throughout. It is surely a feel good romance you want to get your hands on.
I simply adore this book.
It’s the prefect feel good novel, the best escape if you need a break from the real world and it’s a perfect testimony to why Samantha Young is one of my favorite romance authors.
It warmed my heart, made me smile, made me laugh out loud, made me swoon, made me fist pump for Caroline and Viola, made me shead a few tears, and in the end gave me the fuzziest and mushiest of feelings.
Evie, is an editor, and decides to take time off from Chicago to rediscover herself, so she rent’s a bookstore in a small village on the Northumberland coast, in England, which is actually the ultimate, dream vacation for a bookworm. She immediately falls in love with the village, the beach, the people, and the little bookstore she would be running for a few weeks. After a chance meeting she stumbles upon farmer Roane and his great Dane, Shadow. It was love at first sight for these two, well three because with Roane came Shadow too. The chemistry between Evie and Roane was extremely strong, and so hot, even thought they decided to remain only friends, every encounter they had, seemed like foreplay.
I loved how easy Evie was accepted by the people of small town, her charming fun easygoing personality made her fit right in, and she became fast friends with everyone. People couldn’t resist opening up to her, and just like that, she couldn’t help herself but to meddle in their lives. Evie’s presence shook up the whole town, and her meddling ended up being the best thing in their lives. Roane is great. He is hard working handsome of course, a protective gentleman, and oh so sweet. The people in this small town, and the nights spent in Milly’s pub were the best fun. I simply love each and every character in this book!
For me Much Ado About You was perfect, I has everything I love in a rom-com. It’s funny, sweet, romantic, hot. I had a constant smile on my face while I read it. Samantha managed to make me feel the love even without the raunchy sex scenes.
Might as well, have had little hearts in my eyes, the whole time I read it, I fell so hard for this charming, little, English town, and I definitely fell in love with the characters the minute I met them.
P.S I wonder if we ever get a book about Caroline? ( Hint-hint-wink Sam ) ….. Remains to be seen
Wow. Wow. Wow. Once again Samantha Young has given us another amazing book. I absolutely love Roane and Evie’s character. Let me just tell you, it had me hooked from start to finish. It’s a beautiful story. There is goody tension going on. Overall it’s a must read now!!!
This was my first time reading a novel by Samantha Young but it won’t be my last.
From start to finish, I found myself cheering on the characters, reading as quickly as possible to see how “Much Ado About You” played out.
Evie is overlooked for a promotion that should have rightly been hers. Along with quitting her job, her love life is less than exciting. With nothing holding her back, Evie travels to Northumberland to run a bookstore for 4 weeks. Evie is focusing on herself, swearing off men. Yet life is funny like that: you don’t always get what you ask for.
What unfolds is a story of self-discovery, unique friendships and a romance that’s swoon worthy in the best of ways while complicated all the same.
This book is great. It was highly anticipated on my part. Samantha was teasing us about it for quite a while.
Evie is a thirty-something girl who feels left out. Her friends are getting married and having children, meanwhile she is still single and not even dating. After two years she plucks up a courage and goes on a blind date, where she is stood up. Next day her promotion goes down the drain. She is fed up with her life and needs a big change.
That is when she finds an offer that she can’t ignore. You can rent a bookstore in an England. It sounds like a dream come true. I too, would love to try that one day.
She follows her dream in England and the story takes us on a whole new level.
I really loved Roane. He is an amazing character. He is good and treats all the woman like they deserve. I fell in love with him. How could I not? He really is perfect. The villagers are wonderful. They take Evie in, like she is one of them.
This close-knit community reminds me of Harts Boardwalk series. They are really good friends, they support each other.
Evie and Roan are amazing together. They have a special energy. You can feel it sizzling all around them.
I am glad that this story is in 2021. I love to read about travelling and following your dream, even if it is on the other side of the world. In this tough times, you have to think about yourself and be a little selfish and take care of your needs. Samantha thank you for this amazing story. It brought me so much happiness and good vibes. Another great characters and a lovely romantic story for a great cosy read. I received an earc from the author and am volintarily leaving an honest review.
I adored this story – it was absolutely charming.
Evie Starling needs a break from everything and everyone in Chicago. She needs a change and finds a holiday, in England, running a small bookshop – Much Ado About Books. Immediately she is embraced by the small village, including the farmer, Roane Robson.
Evie is determined to figure her life out, without any distractions. But her feelings for Roane start to ring loudly.
So what will happen when her time is up? You’ll definitely have to one click to find out.
Evie is a complex character. Much of her past has shaped who she is now. She needs time to understand, accept and move past these issues. Stepping into the unknown can be scary but with gentle and patient Roane by her side, she can accomplish anything.
Thank you @Netgalley for the chance to review this book.
I loved this book. Evie needs to get away from her life so she ventures off to a small village in England. Just like Evie, I fell in love with not only the village, but the villagers as well, especially Roane. Evie tries to fight her attraction to Roane. Of course there are secrets, which I had my suspicions about. My heart was racing as I waited for these secrets to be revealed. My heart broke, but it was put back together. This was a well written book that left me feeling extremely satisfied.
In this delightful romantic comedy set in a picturesque English town, we follow Evie’s story.
After getting dumped by a guy who she thought she knows, Evie finds out in the worst way that she will never get a promotion at her job because her boss is sexist . Disgusted, she quits and when finds an opportunity in distant England she packs her things and throws herself on this adventure.
Upon arriving in the seaside town of Alnster, she fell in love with the bookstore and gradually became fond of the inhabitants who welcomed her with open arms, especially a certain farmer who was sexy, gentle, cute, beautiful, sweet and, to complete the whole package, a dedicated father of very cute dog Shadow.
As Evie promised herself when leaving the USA that her trip would be for her personal growth, she doesn’t want to get involved with Roane, but he is more than determined to win her over.
Roane is a strong man capable of moving heavens and lands to protect the one he loves and cannot resist the sweetness of the elusive Evie.
Between new friendships, fun parties at the local pub, walks on the beach, moments of altruism, Evie will discover herself as a strong woman who knows what she wants. But she need to decide if Roane fits into her new plans and whether he is worth fighting for.
In this adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Much Ado about Nothing, we have Cláudio in love at first sight and who makes noise with the gossip that is told. We have sweet and passionate Hero. And of course we have the forever rivals Benedick and Beatrice who, unlike the original piece, are unable to steal the main couple’s focus. I loved the way Samantha Young built the personality of each character and how she drove the whole plot.
Much Ado about You mixes everything that I most love: romance, drama, comedy, tension, friendship, transformations and all of it very well tied in a beautiful ending.
4.5 Stars!
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?
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.
Wow! Samantha you amaze me. You write such awesome books. And all of them are different. None of them are ever the same, unless in a series but even then they are different. Much Ado About You was absolutely fabulous. I was so engrossed in the book, I only could put it down when I absolutely had to. I literally walked around my house holding my e-reader, while doing house work. I was captivated right from the beginning. I automatically connected to Evie. I totally got her. Love self esteem and felt she wasn’t meant for the fairy tail. So she uprooted her life and took a vacation to England. The vacation ended up becoming so much more than she ever dreamed of. Roane, well technically, Shadow barged into her life. And she was never the same again. Roane was so captivated by Evie. He decided they needed to be friends. When he really felt there could be something more there. As the weeks passed and Evie and Roane became closer, it was a dream come true for both of them. However, there always seems to be a flaw in every fairytale. So will this flaw ruin this couple or will they receive their happily ever after? Do not delay, grab this book today. It is a fun light hearted romance that will keep a smile on your face from beginning to the end.
Fantastic read for one of those cold or wet weekends! Loved the small town feel and the friendships that were developed in the story. While reading I had a few laugh out loud moments that had me giggling hours later!
Samantha Young writes a feel good rom-com that uses a beautiful English village as backdrop to a lovely romantic escape.
Evie Starling has enough of the dating scene in Chicago and of being underappreciated at work. Feeling lost, she spontaneously plans a four-week vacation in small coastal town in England that includes running the book store attached to her rental.
Upon her arrival she catches a sexy farmer’s eye when she saves his canine best friend and is received the residents with friendly open arms. Soon, Evie is swept up by her idyllic bookish job, her new friends’ lives, the town’s drama and of course the very tempting charms of Roane Robson.
Evie isn’t looking for a fling though, much less get involved with someone she’ll soon leave behind, but can she ignore the obvious connection between them?
Much Ado About You is a wonderful delight, filled genuine feelings and heart. While getting to know the locals, Evie meddles in their lives with nothing but the best intentions endearing herself further into Roane’s heart who blatantly wears it on his sleeve making it impossible for her to resist and the reader not to share their romance.
There’s an easiness and warmth to Evie and Roane and by extension their story that had me hooked. Roane was absolutely swoon worthy and I loved watching them dance around their attraction and feelings, and fell head over heels when Evie finally realized that what they had was real.
Facts: Much Ado About You is a standalone contemporary romance by Samantha Young. It is told from the heroine’s point of view and ends with a HEA. Genres: Contemporary Romance| Woman’s Fiction | Romantic Comedy Tropes: Younger Hero
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!
Once again, Samantha Young has knocked it out of the ballpark with this stunning story! It has amazing depth and great fluidity that will keep you fully engaged from start to finish. I love that it is a play on Much Ado About Nothing but still has that Samantha Young spin. Amazing characters with great development with that layer of angst. I love the connection between Evie and Roane as their relationship develops as well. There are just enough little moments that will keep you on your toes and so much more! I found that this story had the feel of the Hart’s Boardwalk series which is one of my faves by Young. I really enjoyed this one of a kind story!
This was my first book by this author, and I enjoyed it. But, it put me a little too much in my feels for a “romantic comedy.” 3.5 Stars.
Evie Starling is in a rut. She’s 33 and single. She’s never had good luck with dating, so she went on a dating hiatus for the last two years. Then, her first time back out there, she got stood up after chatting with the guy for a month beforehand. The next day, she quits her job of ten years, after she’s passed over for a promotion. AGAIN. She needs a drastic change, so she books a 4-week vacation trip to northern England, to stay in an apartment and run the book shop downstairs. She’s a booklover, and a HUGE fan of Shakespeare, so it’s a dream trip to be sure. But, she has no idea how that trip will change her life.
Roane Robson is the local farmer in the small village where Evie is staying. He’s attracted to her right away, especially after she saves his dog, and he convinces her to let him buy her a drink, even though she’s sworn she won’t get involved with anyone on her trip. This trip is about “finding herself,” not getting wrapped up in someone else. But Roane can’t leave her alone. They become friends, and she falls in love with the village, and the people in it. Could she fall in love with him too? Will she ever be as happy if she goes back to Chicago?
Evie and Roane had chemistry for days, but she was DETERMINED to ignore it and be only friends with him. It only worked for a while, of course. But, it meant they really got to know each other well, and I enjoyed how much they obviously cared for one another. There were A LOT of subplots in this story, including one with Roane’s cousin, Caroline, one about the local 30-year feud between the two pubs, and how it affects their children, and one with the owner of the bookstore Evie is renting wanting to sell. The whole town was really part of the story and it definitely kept things moving along. I fell in love with all of them too. But especially Roane. What a dreamboat of a hero!
Evie has a LOT of baggage from her formative years, and troubles in her family, and it has affected all the relationships in her life. In short, she has major trust issues. Her best friend since college, Greer, has always been there for her, but she has her own life going on too, and it’s left Evie feeling even more adrift. I really loved their relationship, which we mostly saw through phone calls while Evie was in England. They are always honest with each other, even when it hurts, and they are always there for each other. Everyone needs a friend like that.
There was so much we weren’t privy to in this story though, since it was all from Evie’s POV. I would’ve killed to get into Roane’s head, even once. I know it was because we weren’t supposed to know anything more than what Evie knew, but I had things about him figured out pretty early on, so it didn’t really serve it’s purpose for me in that way. I would’ve much rather had his perspective throughout the story. I wish we’d had a little more steam as well, after such a slow burn. I enjoyed the epilogue though, and it left a bit of potential open for more stories in the village.
There were many things that did work for me here, and a few things that didn’t. Overall, I’d call that a solid 3.5 Star read.
Evie takes a vacation from her life and it changes her forever. Much Ado about You is a heartwarming story about Roane and Evie. It is a slow burn love story that takes place in a charming small village in England. The townspeople that live there are entertaining and nosy and Evie seems to fit right in with them.
Evie is tired of being rejected and feeling worthless and decides to take a vacation to get away from everything and everyone. It saddened me that Evie’s inner dialogue is always so critical. She is so focused on all the negative things about herself, that she doesn’t realize how many good qualities she has. Evie doesn’t have a lot of confidence and can’t understand what Roane sees in her.
Roane is everything Evie could ever want in a man but unfortunately, Evie friendzoned him and he has to work hard to show her they should be together. Roane is so patient and understanding. He is a good looking farmer who meets Evie as soon as she arrives in England. While Roane is instantly attracted to Evie, it takes Evie a long time to let down her guard and honestly, I was a little impatient with her. After all the losers Evie has had in her life, she finally meets a nice guy and she hesitates, in my opinion, too long. I was surprised and delighted Roane didn’t give up on her. If you like slow burn stories in picturesque English villages, you will enjoy this one.