I do love nothing in the world so well as you.

William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

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.

I loved this book—I mean absolutely adored it. I can honestly say that I have not enjoyed a book this much since I read Red, White & Royal Blue, one of my favorite reads in the last five years and quite possibly my favorite book ever, so that’s saying something (at least from me). Much Ado About You checks so many romance boxes for me: a protagonist on a journey to figure out her life, a delightful and picturesque setting, a swoon-worthy love interest (seriously, swoon-worthy), a perfect meet-cute, meaningful friendships with secondary characters. There’s also plenty of Shakespeare references and a dog, which aren’t requirements for a good romance novel for me, but they’re definitely a plus. 

The novel follows Evie Starling, a thirty-three-year-old editor and bibliophile from Chicago who feels stuck and lonely. Her friends are all off getting married and having children, she was recently stood up on a first date, and she gets passed over for a promotion that she frankly deserves in favor of a twenty-something-year-old man. So, she does what most people would dream of doing when they need a break from their life: she books a vacation in a small town called Alnster in Northumberland, England, to rent out an apartment and run the small bookstore beneath it. Or is that just my dream? 

At any rate, Evie gets to England and quickly falls in love with Alnster and its people, which is understandable. The town is beautiful, and it’s clear from the moment she got there that it’s where she belongs. Everyone in the town is kind, lively, and welcoming. They immediately take her under their wing, despite her being an outsider. She affects them as well, actings as a friend and confidant to many of the inhabitants. Even the town’s most eligible bachelor, a sexy farmer named Roane Robson, takes a shine to her. Of course, how could he not be smitten with a woman who saved his dog from being hit by a distracted driver? The problem is that before leaving for her trip, Evie swore off men for the time being. The purpose of her trip was to find herself, not a man. 

So they spark up a friendship, but underneath it is this fantastic tension, because how could she not fall for him? He’s charming, sweet, caring, and incredibly protective over his younger cousin Caroline (he calls her treasure, and honestly, it is the cutest thing in the world). Their romance is a slow burn but in the best way. They really get to know each other and intertwine their lives, so the payoff is well worth the wait when they finally get together. 

Evie and Roane’s relationship was a delight to read, and Evie’s life in Alnster was like a dream. Her desire to feel that at home someplace is so real and the fact that she found it is something special. This book completely charmed me. It goes on the list of books that will stay with me long after I’ve read it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I reread it more than once in the future.