Laura Wood

In 1933, seventeen-year-old Bea is invited to visit her bohemian uncle in Italy where she meets Ben, a brash young artist, who challenges her to create the perfect summer romance.

Under a Dancing Star

Fran Gutiérrez

Wow??? I wasn't expecting to like this nearly as much as I did. I'm legitimately surprised. 
For starters, this is one of the only books that seem to be YA Historical Fiction, and it seems silly to me that this isn't a bigger genre. I would boggle that shit up. Anyway, on to the review:

The premise itself already had me sold (and the cover! I mean, wow!). Italy, summer romance, atmospheric descriptions and a Shakespeare retelling? Sign me up. Now, I haven't read or seen "Much Ado About Nothing" so I can't speak in regards to it's function as a retelling, but I loved almost everything else in this book. 

Let's get the flaws out the way, because this isn't a perfect book by any means. Although it is set in the 1930's, I know more about the 1920's and 1940's aesthetically speaking (clothes specifically.) Something in the narration triggered Victorian imagery while reading, I don't know if that was just MY problem, but it was hard for me to fully grasp the 1930's clothes and it made it a bit hard to picture things as clearly as I would like to. The ending (specifically the epilogue) does feel kinda rushed, I would've liked for the epilogue to be just a bit longer. The first-present tense was odd at first, and it wasn't my favorite thing in the world, but I got used to it.

Let's move on to good things: Characters. Seriously, I loved everyone, that's all I will say. Second, the political subplot. The book does a good job of not ignoring the political background of the times, but it's also not about politics, allowing it to be the light-hearted romance it was intended to be. Description was glorious. Now, narrator. So, the book is narrated by Bea, our protagonist. At first I thought the narration was weird (see above) but I later realized it fit the character perfectly. Bea is scientific, it makes sense that the narration is slightly procedural and descriptive. I would've enjoyed another narration style better perhaps, but I can't deny that it was smart narration that added to Bea's characterization.

Most importantly however, this romance was so pure and it's been a while since a romance makes me squeal like this. Most romance books I've read are cute, but I don't love the characters. And I loved the characters here and I think I just discovered my new favorite genre, and I love everything about this book so PLEASE READ IT.

That's about it, I now want to buy this book just to have it on my bookshelf. (Seriously, have you seen that cover???)

“The end of a glorious summer romance?”
“The end of a very interesting experiment.”

where can you go wrong with a Shakespeare retelling? i loved this book so much omg bea and ben are my beloveds i will never recover. their banter and dynamic were everything i just have so much to say about them <3


  “Spread out in front of us like a divine offering is all of Florence, radiant under rose-tinted skies. The sun has almost done its work for the day, and it hangs just above the horizon burning fiercely like a hot ember.”

In grey, 1930s England, Bea has grown up kicking against the conventions of the time, all the while knowing that she will one day have to marry someone her parents choosesomeone rich enough to keep the family estate alive. But she longs for so much morefor adventure, excitement, travel, and maybe even romance. When she gets the chance to spend the summer in Italy with her bohemian uncle and his fiancee, a whole world is opened up to Beaa world that includes Ben, a cocky young artist who just happens to be infuriatingly handsome too. Sparks fly between the quick-witted pair until one night, under the stars, a challenge is set: can Bea and Ben put aside their teasing and have the perfect summer romance? With their new friends gleefully setting the rules for their fling, Bea and Ben can agree on one thing at least: they absolutely, positively will not, cannot fall in love...

Catalina Petre

This book was fantastic. Very nice and easy to read with a lovely ending. Great summer read. I liked the main character and her personality, and her interactions with the other characters.

Lisa Beasley

Maybe 2019 is the year of good stories ourside of my comfort zone for me as I adored this a lot. The writing style was easy and light, the characters engaging and likeable and the setting was very vivid and described perfectly. Bea was a delight and I could easily imagine her and Ben. I do have to say Much Ado About Nothing is my fave shakespeare and this was a lovely interpretation of a prequel of sorts. Def 5 stars for me.

Beth Bartholomew

I LOVED the Much Ado About Nothing film as a kid, based of course off of the Shakespeare play. This book takes on one of the character paths from this play and follows the story of Beatrice and Benedick, who have a love-hate relationship throughout the book. Bea is a 17-year-old girl sent to Italy by her parents to be watched over by her Uncle, who has started to tread slightly down the bohemian path. Her Uncle's house has become home to many artists, which is how Bea meets Ben and so the journey begins.

The beauty in the words of this book creates a captivating and atmospheric reading experience. The setting of a summer in Italy painted the perfect picture for a mesmerising setting in which Bea can really discover herself and her passions. She is a fantastic leading lady, wanting to break out of the norm that has been set for her by society and her parents. I felt I wanted to fight fiercely for her and her rights as a human to be able to do what she wants in life!

I really liked the theme following the artists in and out of Bea's Uncle's house. It added another layer to the story and also helped to contribute to Bea's passions being truly unearthed. This book is very much about finding yourself, having a fleeting adventure and learning a new approach to life. 

Wood's use of a classic Shakespearean play to retell in this book means it already came with its own atmosphere and feeling, but yet she has still managed to make it hers. Wood has introduced characters that feel real and wonderful and has put them in a setting to match. This book is s a beautiful reading experience that I would highly recommend to anyone.

Holly

In grey, 1930s England, Bea has grown up kicking against the conventions of the time, all the while knowing that she will one day have to marry someone her parents choose - someone rich enough to keep the family estate alive. But she longs for so much more - for adventure, excitement, travel, and maybe even romance. When she gets the chance to spend the summer in Italy with her bohemian uncle and his fianc_e, a whole world is opened up to Bea - a world that includes Ben, a cocky young artist who just happens to be infuriatingly handsome too. Sparks fly between the quick-witted pair until one night, under the stars, a challenge is set: can Bea and Ben put aside their teasing and have the perfect summer romance? With their new friends gleefully setting the rules for their fling, Bea and Ben can agree on one thing at least: they absolutely, positively will not, cannot fall in love... A long, hot summer of kisses and mischief unfolds - but storm clouds are gathering across Europe, and home is calling. Every summer has to end - but for Bea, this might be just the beginning.

Under a Dancing Star

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