July has been a slow month in terms of books with my time being dedicated to the final edits on my manuscript before querying literary agents, but what I haven’t read I’ve made up for in watching tv shows. This month’s reading wrap-up will be a mix between books and tv that transcends across comedy, a Shakespeare love story, a Tudor court and a villain fantasy. Once again, thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All books this month were kindly approved via Netgalley.
July Review
July started off very well with a 4 star read of Things We Do for Love by Miranda Dickinson set in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the home of Shakespeare and follows fledgling actress Lucie Hart who is struggling to make her acting breakthrough performing some of Shakespeare’s most romantic monologues. However, when disgraced Hollywood actor, Theo Larkin needs to take back control of his career, performing Shakespeare might be the only option left to save his career. Is romance waiting in the wings for these star-crossed lovers?
This is fun and light hearted read with well-rounded cast of characters that makes this book such a good read that I couldn’t put down. I’m usually not a fan of 1st person narratives (due to the rambling internal monologues), but Miranda Dickinson does this well that encompasses both sides of the story from Theo and Lucie’s perspective that doesn’t only push the narrative forward but allows a deeper look at their thoughts and feelings. The romance was perfectly built up to create enough tension for the romance to be believable and show a frosty start to friends to lovers.
I enjoyed the setting of Stratford – Upon – Avon and the attention to detail to what goes into a theatre production, the financial implications of small charity run venues like Shakespeare’s Birthplace and how this impacts actors trying to earn a living. The author carefully conveys the nastier side of publicity and the slimier characters that can occupy acting, especially through Duncan and Greg. I liked the redemption arc of certain characters that showed a different side to a clear cut unlikable character. The rehearsal scenes with Ced, Lucie and Theo were really enjoyable to read and created a sense of harmony and humour. I particularly liked the group of retired actors who step back into the fold to help the young ones get a foot on the ladder. My only criticism is that the pace slows towards the last third of the book and drags on, aside from this point I couldn’t stop reading. I would have liked an epilogue to tie up how Lucie and Theo’s future might look because this is open ended. Overall, a great setting, plot and characters that emphasised to never give up even when times are tough and to avoid people who will try to knock you down.
Next read of July was Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan that follows terminal cancer patient Rae as she is given another chance at life if she dives into the fictional world of her favourite book and retrieve a flower to cure her in reality as she is thrown into the pages of a book and takes on the role as the villainous step-sister. At first glance I love the title, cover and concept for the book – who wouldn’t want to dive straight into their favourite book?!
The author starts sensitively describing Rae and her cancer treatments and how this makes her feel and the idea of suddenly becoming an outcast. I think this is heavily influenced by the author’s own cancer experience, which creates a level of emotive writing that helps define Rae and her struggles. However, when Rae dives into this fictional world the book loses direction. Rae says she loves this book so much, yet can’t remember the details or relay to the reader exactly what is going on. The world building is poor and lacks clarity, which made this a slog to get through – which is a shame because I think this has such potential to be every reader’s dream and make it very fun and lighthearted. The POV changes between chapters, which I usually enjoy but this was confusing and time moved strangely. The goal for Rae was to retrieve this magical flower to cure herself from cancer, but this didn’t seem like a priority for Rae or any of the other characters. I loved the manipulation where every decision Rae makes changes the plot somehow and gives her agency as a character but what she wished to achieve I’m not sure. I think this book needed more elements of things going wrong that the reader understood as directly related to Rae’s influence or how the course of the story strays from the written path.
The side characters like Key and the Cobra were great additions with very interesting back stories. The twist at the ending was very unexpected and well done in twisting the reader’s perspective but I’m still confused on why it happened and what this means for Rae. I loved the idea of a book from a villain’s perspective, but Rae and her ‘minions’ were not actually villainous but just either sociopathic killers or outcasts. I would have loved Rae to fully embrace the stereotypical tropes or mannerisms of a villain and changing the story to match what she as the reader wanted. Overall, I was disappointed. Long Live Evil was a book that I couldn’t wait to read but it didn’t live up to the marketing. There are elements that were really good and the concept is brilliant, but the execution wasn’t the best.
TV series
Tudor fantasy My Lady Jane was my new obsession this month. This series blends the richness and political tensions of history with modern humour that is fun, light-hearted and addictive with interesting characters made even better with fantastic acting. My Lady Jane has everything I adore in fantasy and historical fiction, that I devoured in a weekend. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next. I loved the addition of the narrator that adds an extra level of fun and humour. Read my full review here.
Next up is Schitt’s Creek starring Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy, Annie Murphy and Catherine O’Hara. I also recently discovered that this show was used as inspiration for the romance book, It happened one summer by Tessa Bailey. Now that I’ve seen the show I can see how much Piper is based on Alexis Rose with that rich, popular girl who gets dumped into a small town and is like a fish out of water. I also see how Mutt is used as inspiration for Piper’s love interest Brendan. I’ve watched four seasons this month with only two left and I really enjoy the comedic nature of what happens when wealthy people are suddenly thrown into reality and the mundane routine of normal life. I love watching Alexis’ growth throughout the series and her relationship with her mother Moira strengthen. I wish Alexis’ relationship with Mutt was explored more but I think she is cute with Ted. I love David and Alexis’ brother-sister dynamic and I adore their over dramatic mannerisms. Moira’s wig wall is iconic but also the funniest array of styles, which adds to her character as an actresses. Overall, I’m really enjoying the series so far, I do think the first four seasons were good and now the pace has changed as all the characters are growing and on their separate paths. But it’s still fun for casual viewing.
Final thoughts
July has been a slow reading month which is completely normal to not constantly being stuck in a book. Social media, especially Booktok, has created this over consumption of reading and books in general that sets high standards that many everyday readers can’t keep up with. I for one read as much or as little as I can manage depending on what I’m doing and what sort of books are taking my fancy. I often have reading slumps, where I can’t find the right book I want to read or I’ve finished reading a really good book and nothing will live up to that experience. Also, editing my novel has taken up a lot of my time and sometimes I don’t want to read more after a long day of editing. So watching tv is the perfect balance of immersive stories and entertainment. Reading for leisure should always be enjoyable without comparing yourself to other readers and how much or little they’re reading, otherwise it just becomes a competition. And that’s not fun!
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Amy is a writer and reviewer and is currently writing and editing her Pirates of the Caribbean X Bridgerton debut Adult fantasy novel. For more content click here to read book reviews, short stories and updates on Amy’s writing journey.
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