Midsummer Nights

by Lara Stokes

Life imitates art when a down-on-her-luck TV star returns to her hometown stage and redefines her dreams in a funny and heartwarming spin on Shakespeare’s most magical romantic comedy.

Miranda Belmont is a regular on a popular TV series, but her acting career is not exactly moving forward. After she’s publicly humbled, her next steps are definitely playing Helena in a community theater production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in her stifling hometown, directed by her parents, and sharing the stage with her high school boyfriend.

Backstage, it’s borderline Shakespearean drama. Between her ex, an intriguing costar making sweet overtures, and an unwelcome blast from the past, Miranda is caught in a real-life, nearly magical tangle of romantic confusion that threatens the production at every turn.

Opening night will bring them all down to earth—especially Miranda, who’s navigating her way, onstage and off, through all the chaos these mere mortals create. As she reconnects to her roots, the creative spark she’s been missing awakens Miranda to who she truly is.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook

287 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2026

Reviews

[Marissa C]

This is not a retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but rather a cute, romantic story that unfolds through a community theater’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Miranda, a big city actress on a TV series , gets a surprise call from her parents, whom run The Tempest (a local theater they run in their hometown) requesting her to play Helena in their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She begrudgingly accepts after a messy break-up with co-star Nick. Returning to her hometown brings lots of memories and she even rekindles some relationships, including a friendship with Theo and a crush on star of Midsummer, Will. After a short while, her parents inform her that Will will be replaced by, yup, you guessed it, her ex, Nick. From there, drama ensues.
I liked the romance in this one. There was a clear respect and real love displayed here. 34 year old Miranda had never been in love and clearly didn’t have a model of love in her parents. She was definitely naive and annoyed me at times, but overall had a nice character arc.
The actions of her parents were wild and immature throughout the novel. There were many times of which it seemed she took on the role of the parent in the relationship. Whilst it was stated they didn’t a child to begin with, their immaturity was a bit unbelievable.
My favorite part was the fairy brownie scene. It made me laugh and really outlined the love triangle well. Barbara and Ronnie were a nice touch to the story. Gotta watch out for those fairies-haha.
I also liked the canoeing scene. It was sweet and provided a vulnerability for both characters.
Overall, this is a cute summer romance, that Shakespeare lovers like myself will enjoy.
A 3.5 from me!
A big thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!

[Jacqueline Firkins]

I’ve designed A Midsummer Night’s Dream six times. I’ve also seen several other productions, studied it in grad school, and taught it to my undergrads. So of course, I was going to pick this one up, and I loved seeing how Stokes used the play as a reflection point for her heroine, thrusting her into the small-town, seat-of-your-pants theatre world she escaped as a teen when she chased her dreams of fame and fortune by moving to the big city and acting on a popular TV series. The novel isn’t a retelling with direct parallels in the modern world. Rather, Stokes uses the play as a vehicle for the heroine to explore themes about love and agency while she decides what she wants her future to look like. Complicating matters are her less-than-idyllic parents, who own and operate the theatre, an estranged childhood best friend playing Puck, and two rival love interests, both taking a swing at the role of Demetrius opposite the heroine’s Helena. While there’s lots of romance, we also see a heroine at a crossroads in her career and life. By her own admission, she’s selfish, she abandons people, and she treats them badly. She knows it’s easier to “be an asshole” and ghost than it is to make choices that fully consider the impact on other people, and put their needs before her own. But with a bit of fairy magic, an eclectic theatre community full of heart, and a few perfect summer nights in her beautiful lakeside hometown, her happily ever after might be closer than it seems.

[Di]

⭐⭐⭐✨ 3.5 Stars
This ended up being a cute, easy summer romance, but it wasn't quite what I expected. I went in thinking it would be more of an A Midsummer Night's Dream retelling, when it's really a contemporary romance centered around a community theater production of the play. Once I adjusted my expectations, I enjoyed it a lot more.

Miranda could be frustrating at times, but I enjoyed watching her reconnect with her hometown and old friends while figuring out what she wanted out of life. The romance was sweet, and there were a few scenes that genuinely made me smile... Especially the fairy brownie chaos. Jen Pogue did a great job with the narration and made it an easy listen.

The biggest downside for me was Miranda's parents. Their behavior felt immature enough that it pulled me out of the story more than once, and I wanted a little more depth in some of the relationships.

If you're looking for a light summer romance with community theater, small-town charm, and a few nods to Shakespeare, this is worth checking out.

Audiobook: 9 hr 8 min listened 1.25 speed
Narrator: Jen Pogue 🎧

Tropes/Themes:
🎭 Community theater
🏡 Returning to hometown
💕 Romantic tension
🎬 Actress FMC
🌙 A Midsummer Night's Dream inspired
✨ Small-town charm
😂 Light humor & quirky side characters

Thank you Netgalley for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Chapman]

PETITION FOR A SEQUEL! ❤️

[Cindy]

A fun and frivolous story about an actress lacking self-confidence who loves the theatre but ends up working on a soap opera in a bit part. When the main lead gets her fired, she decides to move home for the summer to act in her parents’ theatre company. Mayhem ensues. It’s pretty clear from the outset what will happen, but it’s an entertaining ride - except for the MFC’s utter lack of self knowledge.
The summer theatre is putting on The Tempest, so there’s lots of fun for lovers of Shakespeare, summer stock, will-they-won’t-they romances, Canadians, best friends, and fraught parent-child relationships.3.7 rounded up. If you’re looking for a spicy romance, this is not that book. It’s much more focused on the MFC figuring herself out, mentally and emotionally.
Good audiobook narration and a fun summer read.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BrillianceAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: 30 June 2026.

[Meg.RecsBooks]

audio / 2* / netgalley

I’m not gonna sit here and pretend I know everything about Shakespeare, or a Midsummer night dream. But as someone who dabbles in watching theatre from time to time… This really missed the mark
I quickly came to realize that this would not be a book that paralleled the play, rather it gave it starting point. But overall, I didn’t enjoy this book.
Jen Pogue narration was well done, but could not elevate the words she was given.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this book in advance of it’s release, all opinions on my own, and it is always an honour

[Mora]

This should not have been advertised as a Midsummer Night's Dream retelling. There were a few elements that recalled it, but not nearly enough to be "a spin on Shakespeare's most magical romantic comedy" in its own right. Generally, that's probably for the best - it gets a little hard to suspend disbelief when a play is retold in a world where Shakespeare exists and especially when characters are regularly interacting with it and likely to recognize the echoes in their own lives. But it did lead to false expectations.

Advertising aside, because that's not the book's fault - I did not enjoy reading this book. It was primarily because of our main character and narrator Miranda. I did not like her as a person and was not endeared to her over the course of the book - I found her annoying and lacking character growth. Furthermore, the book did a lot of explaining to me what a character's issuse are rather than letting me see how they impact the character's life. Miranda would always bring up how she felt unloved only around Will (and occasionally Theo), and then be showered in compliments. I failed to see her act in any way reflective of this and it felt unearned. She would tell us how her parents treated her as a child (and in general) and I would be surprised every time because I had forgotten that through all her interactions with her parents. She and Will were apparently in love, but I was not convinced beyond what Miranda said.

Every so often the book would have a really funny dialogue exchange or few paragraphs with a dry humor I enjoyed, but overall the narration was grating. And there were a few elements that I thought were interesting choices, but they simply were not explored at all (or not to my satisfaction). So it was extra disappointing that the rest of the book was so frustrating.

I think this would have worked better if it had not been trying to be a retelling (? I am genuinely unclear if it was trying to do that) and instead utilized the tried and true technique of the main character projecting onto the character she plays, and analyzing her in light of her own circumstances, and then this analysis changes over the course of the main character's arc. This book did it a bit towards the end, and I thought that was successful! But it would have been more impactful if we'd seen a progression of how Miranda saw Helena.

Overall, disappointing on both a Shakespeare front and a general story front.

[My Fairytale Days]

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: light-hearted romance, community theatre, Shakespeare, whimsical characters, and cosy chaos.

The curtain rose, everyone embraced their inner theatre kid, and I had an absolute blast.

Between rehearsals, dramatic personalities, Shakespeare drifting through every scene, and a community theatre where nobody seemed capable of doing anything quietly, this was simply a joy to spend time with.

The blurb promised exactly this kind of story, and for once I can honestly say it delivered exactly what I was hoping for. Sometimes I just want to spend a few hours with characters who make me smile, and this wonderfully theatrical bunch did exactly that.

Miranda definitely had a habit of making me sigh. More than once I wanted to reach into the pages, point her in the right direction, and ask her to please stop running away for five minutes. Somehow, though, I never stopped rooting for her.

I came expecting the romance to be my favourite part. Instead, I found myself smiling every time the story wandered back into the theatre. The rehearsals, the wonderfully dramatic personalities, and all the little Shakespeare touches gave the whole book its own playful charm. I even finished the story wanting to finally read *A Midsummer Night's Dream*, which definitely wasn't on my bingo card when I started.

By the time the curtain came down, I realised I'd spent most of the book smiling. It didn't try to be bigger than it was. It simply invited me into a wonderfully theatrical little world for a few hours, and I was more than happy to accept the invitation.

✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• A wonderfully theatrical cast full of personality.
• Shakespeare woven naturally into the story.
• A cheerful romance wrapped in delightful backstage chaos.

🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• Miranda's habit of running away occasionally tested my patience.
• Miranda and some of the characters around her age occasionally felt younger than their years.
• I would have loved a little more depth to the romance.

🎙️ 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
Jen Pogue was an absolute delight. From the very first chapter, she disappeared into Miranda's perspective so completely that it never felt like someone simply reading a book aloud.

Rather than giving every character a theatrical "voice," she made them sound the way Miranda seemed to hear them. It felt like listening to a friend enthusiastically retell a story, naturally slipping into people's mannerisms and ways of speaking rather than trying to impersonate them. Every character felt distinct without ever pulling me out of the story.

The recording itself had a lovely natural flow from beginning to end, and I'd happily pick up another audiobook simply because Jen Pogue is the narrator.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A little thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for opening the door and letting me wander into this story. All thoughts, feelings, and bookish ramblings I brought back are entirely my own. 📖✨

[Milena]

Funny, nostalgic and summer-ish read you don't want to miss this hot season.

From the first page (literally) I was invested in Miranda's story and couldn't stop reading. I had the most fun time with the book.
So, let's start with the plot. Miranda - is an actress in Toronto who gets fired from her current work in a TV show. At that moment her parents invite her to join their play, "Midsummer Night's Dream" in Miranda's hometown. Which she accepts with hostility. Her parents own a theater called The Tempest, so she practically grew up in the theater with parents who weren't parenting all that well, and Miranda left her small town, chasing her dream of a big acting career.

Now, when she needs to come back it is going to be really messy with a complicated relationships with the parents, meeting the man who broke her heart, on top of that "the trouble" follows her from Toronto and all in all Miranda is on a threshold of something unexpected that could potentially be good for her if only she'll be brave enough to accept the challenge and the change.

I think you have an idea of what it is. I loved Miranda. She is so complicated and imperfect and human. Real, I shall say. I believe many people go through such a period at least once in their lifetime (emotion wise).

It is a romance though it is not a primal plot, as I think. And the romance was lovely. The only thing, I didn't really 'get' the spark between Miranda and her love interest, and a hint of miscommunication slightly annoyed me at places. But as I said, the actual romantic relationships weren't the biggest part (at least for me).

What was for me is Miranda's relationships with acting and theater. Oh, I grew up in the theater as well. That was the air I breathed and I used to dream of becoming an actor. And seeing all these dreams and backstage life brought me back in time. It was such a nostalgia.

And Miranda goes through big changes throughout the book of what she dreamt, who she became and how she sees her life (aka acting career) in the future. I loved it, I understood it wholeheartedly.

One more aspect of the book I loved is Shakespeare. Again, as the one who adores the author it was very fun to read. This small community and their shared passion for theatre and Shakespeare brought smiles to my lips all the time. I swear, at some parts I felt as if I was part of that.

With that being said I highly recommend reading Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare just to get all the references.

With all that (and many smaller details I want to rant about right now) I highly recommend this book for the summer. It is sweet, it is fun, it screams "summer" in the small town. You don't want to miss it.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an e-ARC✨

[Leanne]

Midsummer Nights is a delightfully heartfelt spin on Shakespeare’s most enchanting comedy, but with its feet firmly planted in the messy, modern world. Miranda Belmont, once a familiar face on TV, finds her career stalling and her confidence bruised. When a very public humiliation sends her retreating to her hometown, she’s suddenly back under her parents’ direction, cast as Helena in a community theatre production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—and sharing the stage with her high‑school boyfriend. It’s the kind of setup that promises chaos, and the novel delivers it with charm.

The backstage drama is irresistible: old flames, new flirtations, and the kind of tangled emotions that feel almost Shakespearean in their timing. Miranda’s ex is prickly, her intriguing co‑star is unexpectedly sweet, and an unwelcome ghost from her past threatens to unravel everything she’s trying to rebuild. The theatre becomes a little world of its own—full of egos, mishaps, and the strange alchemy that happens when people come together to make something creative.

What gives the story its heart is Miranda herself. She’s funny, flawed, and quietly aching for a sense of direction. Watching her reconnect with her roots—her family, her craft, her younger self—is genuinely moving. The novel captures that bittersweet moment when life forces you to pause, look inward, and ask what you actually want, not what you’ve been chasing out of habit.

The Shakespearean echoes are woven in lightly and playfully, never overwhelming the story but adding a lovely shimmer of magic. By opening night, the emotional knots have tightened, the romantic confusion has reached peak midsummer madness, and Miranda is finally ready to step into a version of herself that feels true.

A funny, warm, and wonderfully uplifting novel about second chances, creative renewal, and the unexpected ways home can change you. It’s a perfect read for anyone who loves theatre, romantic chaos, and stories where life imitates art in the best possible way.

With thanks to Lara Stokes, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Lola]

'Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful.'
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Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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**Major Spoiler-free**
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Midsummer Nights follows Miranda backstage at the theatre in her home town where she is playing Helena in A Midsummer's Night Dream. Unfortunately for Miranda, her ex follows her to the production. Through chaos, hurt, and heartbreak, Miranda rediscovers who she really is.
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I really enjoyed this book. Miranda felt relatable; down on her luck and struggling to know who she is. I really enjoyed how she developed across the story, going from almost cold to a better person. Through various trials and tribulations, 'all's well that ends well'.

I absolutely adored Will. He felt like an absolute sweetheart and made me wish that I was Miranda. He feels like the sort of man that any girl wanting an almost fairytale-like relationship with a bit of nitty-gritty would want.
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The plot was engaging; I read this book in less than a day because I was hooked. The pace was perfect, I kept wanting to read and read and not put the book down. The plot itself was very engaging, the twists and turns happened at perfect points - I never saw any of them coming.
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Overall, Midsummer Nights was an absolutely amazing read. It had me on the edge of my seat and tears in my eyes. It delivered the perfect tale for a rom-com and self-discovery. I enjoyed the inclusion of the Shakespeare story too (as an English Literature student!). I loved how the story played out with Miranda learning who she is, what she wants, and what she deserves. Stokes' debut novel is unforgettable, and not easy to put down!

It's perfect for fans of cute romances and messy relationship stories.

I can't wait to purchase a physical copy of Midsummer Nights when it is available for purchase in the U.K.


#NetGalley #MidsummerNights

[Hailey Hconroybooks]

📣fave rom-com of the summer alert!📣 Y’ALL, I have the biggest book hangover after finishing this one. I cannot stop thinking about these characters 🥹. My friend @onebusybiblio gave this book 5⭐️, and since I trust her reading judgement completely, I knew I had to get my hands on it. She was not wrong! Thank you to @netgalley @brilliancepublishing for the ALC! The narration by @jpo_and_co was perfection 💗.
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34-year-old Miranda Belmont is a big city TV star. Sort of. She is a regular on a popular TV series, making enough to get by in the city while casually dating the show’s star. When things go sideways for her personally and professionally, she decides to accept the role of Helena in A Midsummer’s Night Dream and return home to her small town for the summer. The only catch: the theater company is run by her eccentric parents, her high school ex who she ghosted will be in the play, and a surprise guest actor will threaten to derail the whole production. There’s also the matter of Will, the cute guy who owns the apple cider orchard and may just steal her heart. Will Miranda be able to keep her personal and professional lives separate, or will it all come crashing down?
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You know when you start a book and immediately connect with the voice of the MC? I was hooked by the first chapter here. I found so much of this book relatable. This is a coming-of-age later in life, which I think a lot of people can relate to. (Lawyer who realized she wanted to work in education here 🙋🏻‍♀️.) Miranda finds her passion during this story, realizes her life could look different, better even.
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Between the quippy punchy dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, and cast of lovable three-dimensional characters, I could not get enough of this book! The elderly folks who played fairies were 🤌 *chef’s kiss*.
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(Also, FYI, this is a closed door romance. I enjoy spicy books, and I enjoy non-spicy books, so this didn’t bother me.)
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Midsummer Nights - Lara Stokes
5/5⭐️

[Estelle]

3.75 (rounded down)

Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The title of this one got me. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is my favourite Shakespeare play so I knew I had to read this.

Speaking of I wanted to add that while there were some plots that were clearly intwined with the Shakesperean play, but overall, it wasn’t a retelling nor did it stick to that structure. This wasn’t at all a bad thing in my opinion! Just an observation.

In this we follow the main protagonist, Miranda, who is a down-on-her-luck (for lack of a better term) actress that decides to go back to her hometown and join her parent’s local theatre production. She is then confronted with a few different characters all with different ties to her that she’ll be spending her summer with. Let the drama ensue!

Miranda is deeply flawed and this plays a part in all sub-plots of this book. At first, I thought she would be relatable… by the ending I just found her rather annoying. I still liked her but the number of times I rolled my eyes at her choices became a lot more than I would’ve liked. The side-characters were quite the saving grace for me! I want to hear more about those old fairies! Now that sounds fun.

Despite all this, I quite liked the romance. Was it predictable? Absolutely. Yet I still found myself waiting for their moments together and being happy for the couple’s obvious happy ever after.
The only other real gripe I had was that whilst I thought most of the book was well-written and had a good flow, whenever there was a conflict, it was sudden, abrupt, and it fizzled out far too quickly for my liking.

To sum this book up, I’d say it’s a fun, nice, quality romance with some theatre kid energy. A good book to pick you up from a reading slump. I would recommend to those interested in this genre.

[Marielle]

I love a good literary retelling, but one I haven't seen often enough is contemporary adaptations of Shakespeare's beloved work. A Midsummer Night's Dream is my favourite play from the bard because it is so insanely chaotic and magical while being both hilarious and charmingly romantic.

In Lara Stokes' MIDSUMMER NIGHTS, Miranda- aptly named after the heroine from The Tempest- a rejected TV star escapes to her small-town community theater- run by her parents, also called The Tempest- to act in their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, where hilarity ensues. This book is a manic pixie retelling in the absolute best way- complete with actually pixies slash fairies- and it is a love letter to Shakespeare and the theater. There’s everything you could ask for- family drama, romance and a has a star growing into her own.

Miranda, brilliant and biting and perfectly dramatic, completely jumped off the page for me. Her theatre-loving, Stratford-obsessed parents are characters and a half. There’s some love interests, some good guys and some baddies, a trio of old lady (aka the fairies) and literal laugh-out-loud hijinks. The most important part to me is that the book never felt like it was trying to hard, it was undeniably whimsical, but it never tips into being too over-the-top, it was just perfectly hilarious.

I can be a little picky when it comes to giving a book 5 stars, but this was an easy five star read for me. I was entertained the whole way though. Charming, heartfelt, hilarious, and wonderfully theatrical, I honestly cannot recommend this book enough.

[Addison Dean]

3.5 rounded up.

I was excited about this book because I played Helena in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as a teenager, and was hoping this would be an interesting modern adaptation. In the end, there wasn’t so much of the play woven into the journey of FMC Miranda to call it a retelling, but the staging of the show gives us snippets of Shakespeare’s famous work and a clear countdown clock for the novel.

My real disappointment came from how unlikeable and negative Miranda was, judgy towards her parents, the TV show that paid her salary, the community theater, and the various side characters. Setting aside the romantic conflict that threatened her livelihood, and the beginning of the show she was a working actor on a long-running show that didn’t fulfill her — boo hoo. And her behavior towards the men in the story made her come off as rather immature, not someone over 30. “I like you but we can’t be together for… reasons…. But I want you to love me anyway!” Oh, and I couldn’t really see the point of Theo in the story. He seemed to have had more character growth than Miranda, but could likely have been omitted without it affecting Miranda’s romance.

The one nice surprise in this book was the crafty senior citizens who comprised the play’s cohort of fairies. I could have used more scenes with them causing havoc.

As for the narration, I found it to be alright, though all of the 30-something main characters sounded too young, especially the male voices.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ALC and share honest feedback!

[Emma]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the Shakespeare-ness of it all, but my biggest issue with Midsummer Nights is unfortunately enough to bring the whole book squarely into 2.5-star (rounded up) territory: the main character is fundamentally unlikable. Not in an intentional, written-to-spread-a-message way; she’s a romance heroine who gets her happy ending. But she is much too childish for a 34-year-old, and her levels of selfishness need to be studied. Yes, Nick is a massive jerk and hurt her deeply, but she herself admits she was a closed-off coward before him. Still, somehow, Will loves her through every non-answer and flee-the-state episode, and she doesn’t face any truly difficult fallout from friends and family after abandoning them in the early hours without so much as a goodbye text.

I truly did love Stokes’ dreamy, descriptive prose and her group of theatrically-inclined septuagenarians, though - especially Glory. They were funny, sweet, and not afraid to knock some much-needed sense into Miranda every time she made a bad decision. The secret garden scene made me giggle. I would love nothing more than to be invited to a gossip session with a bunch of seventy-year-old divas.

It’s clear Stokes has a knack for writing, even if this book wasn’t to my taste. She knows how to write a sexy male love interest, compelling side characters, and a satisfying comeuppance for the worst character; I just wish I would have liked her main character more.

[Chrissy T]

3.75 ⭐=
This story follows Miranda Belmont, an actress who moves back to her hometown for the Summer after being fired from her job on a soap opera after a ‘break up’ with a co-star. While in her hometown she gets roped into participating in her parents theatre’s production of Midsummer Nights Dream.

This book is hard for me to rate on one hand it is for the most part a fun romcom but the characters – so many characters are unlikeable, mostly by design but I was annoyed a fair bit. I didn’t love Miranda, the main character, she has her moments but for a lot of the book I wanted to shake her and tell her to come on. We do get shown why Miranda is the way she is, so she is relatable. Her parents though – the worst!! They are just kind of awful to Miranda for no real reason. Her ex Nick who comes to the town to ‘win her back’ – the worst! We are very much meant to hate him and hate him I did. Theo, Miranda’s childhood bestfriend is my favourite character by far. The love interest Will is lovely but I wanted a bit more from him. The other side characters were fun, I loved the older cast members who added some much needed chaos to Miranda’s world.
Plot wise, it was a fun read. I enjoyed the theatre setting and the use of the schedule of the play to progress the story. There was a third act conflict or more so a thing that happens in the last 10% of the book that just annoyed me and took me out of the story and lowered the rating.

All in all I would recommend this book for some looking for a quick fun romance read.

[Kayla]

A fun, low-stakes romance full with twists and (in theory, several) suitors! I loved the setting of a community theater putting on a run of A Midsummer Night's Dream and I thought it was so funny when the characters would unironically use quotes from the play that related to the situation they were in (who knew Shakespeare had such banging lines that we could use in the 21st century?).

However, I think the main thing this book struggled with was an unlikable female main character. She was someone that I wasn't rooting for during the majority of the book due to her frustrating actions, avoidant personality, and overall selfish/jealous mindset. I fully understand that Mira started in a very unhappy place in her life, but she would make several comments or have thoughts that if someone said that to me in real life, I would forever think they were not a very good person. Which made it a little baffling how two characters (Theo and Will) would compliment her and keep helping her (after she kept on abandoning them and running away).

All things considered though, there were some fun moments and I loved the theater concept. Honestly, rather than the romance, I enjoyed the community and theater aspects more! I would recommend if you're looking for a quick, lighter read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the e-arc!

[Kelli]

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

**Midsummer Nights** by Lara Stokes is a charming and enchanting read that perfectly captures the magic, romance, and emotion of a summer adventure. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the story’s atmospheric setting and invested in the characters’ journeys.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, with relationships that feel authentic and heartfelt. I especially enjoyed the blend of emotional depth, romance, and personal growth woven throughout the narrative. Lara Stokes’ writing is engaging and immersive, creating a vivid world that feels both cozy and magical.

The pacing flowed smoothly, and the story balanced lighter moments with meaningful themes, making for a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. By the end, I was left with a smile and a lingering appreciation for the characters and their journey.

Overall, *Midsummer Nights* is a delightful and heartwarming novel that I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy romance, emotional storytelling, and a touch of magic.

[SamM]

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I just barely finished this on the eve of its release. Available on 6/30/26!

I’m also currently listening to Into the Blue, another romance centered around actors, so the timing of starting this one was perfect. My daughter is a young theater actor, so I found it especially interesting to get a glimpse into the backstage lives of performers and the challenges they face. Acting definitely isn’t an easy career.

As you’d expect, there are plenty of Shakespeare references throughout the novel. We actually saw a local production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream this past year, so it was fun to revisit the story. I do think you’ll get more out of this book if you’re already familiar with the play, but the author does a good job explaining enough that you won’t be completely lost.

This ended up being another romance that I genuinely enjoyed. At times, I found the FMC a little narcissistic and whiny, but then again, maybe that’s fitting for someone whose life revolves around the stage. Overall, it was a cute, entertaining read with an enjoyable theater backdrop and enough romance to keep me invested.

[Valerie Aethra]

- wholesome closed-door romance
- for the theatre/drama/shakespeare kids!
- complex FMC!
- summer read
- small town
- midsummer night's dream inspired (obviousllyyyyyyy)

Miranda was SO relatable -- chaotic Shakespeare girlie trying to figure out what she actually wants from life? I loved reading all about the backstage drama (nostalgia, anyone?) LIKE throw a complex FMC who has just been kicked out of a TV show -- and her parents are more than happy to offer her a spot in their community theatre's adaptation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". And who is she forced to encounter? Her high-school ex. And a very sweet co-star who owns an apple cider orchard??? DUMDUMTSSSSSSSSH.

I love reading "later-in-life-coming-of-age" about characters who are older than me discovering a better life, there is something so beautiful about stories like this which force you to reflect. This was so beautiful, the side characters were adorableeee and whimsical, and this is overall a feel good book that I was able to fly through!

And then we had the slayest cast of septuagenarians playing the fairies from the play and causing chaos? 10/10, lovable grandparent vibe characters are the best :3

[Mimsy James]

Advance copy from NetGalley

Midsummer Nights is as enchanting as Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and creates a whole new level of magic as the play within a novel.

Miranda Belmont almost has it all. Her acting career hasn’t exactly gone the way she planned, but she’s a regular on a well-known television series and even manages to own a condo in Toronto (a notoriously expensive city). Things start to fall apart, however, when a costar makes things difficult. Faced with zero opportunities, she heads back to her small and stifling hometown to star in a summer production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the local theatre. Run by her parents. As if this wasn’t humiliating enough, Miranda finds herself acting opposite her ex.

The story that unfolds here has drama of Shakespearean proportions. Miranda finds herself in a messy love triangle, which might in fact be a love quadrangle, and the risk that everything might just fall apart on stage.

Can Miranda make things right, or will she block her own light?

[Caroll-Ann]

📖 Midsummer Nights by Lara Stokes

⭐️⭐️✨ 2,25 stars

I received an ARC of Midsummer Nights by Lara Stokes and finally got around to reading it. The story follows Miranda as she gets caught up in a magical, romance-filled adventure where secrets, emotions, and unexpected twists challenge everything she thought she knew. The premise immediately drew me in, and I was really excited to dive into it.

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. My biggest issue was Miranda, the main character. I found her difficult to connect with, especially in the beginning, which made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. She did grow on me towards the end, but that development felt rushed. Since it’s a fairly short book, I felt there wasn’t enough time to really explore the characters or give them the depth they needed. The ending, in particular, wrapped everything up so quickly that it left me wanting more. Overall, I loved the concept, but I wish the story had taken more time to develop both the characters and the conclusion.

[Ambre]

All in all, I found Lara Stokes' Midsummer Nights to be an entertaining listen/read. It's a fun take on Shakespeare's play, although I wish Miranda had been just a little different somehow... She just sort of irritated me, which is why I think it took me so long to really get into the story. I didn't find her very likable for most of the book, sadly. But I'm glad she stood up for herself in the end. 

As far as the narration is concerned, imo, this would have been so much better as a duet narration. HOWEVER, I am CACKLING at the fake British accent Jen Pogue gives Nick during rehearsals! 😂 And this quote: "I should get a sword for this scene." "You have one, it's just not very big." BUUURN 🤣

Also, I really hate Miranda's parents.... Stokes did try to redeem them there at the end, but I'm not buying it. Will Reed does make up for all the trouble though - he's probably my fave character in the book. I also really loved the senior fairies! 

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

[Laryssa]

Lara Stokes’s debut is a breath of fresh air. Midsummer Nights is a funny, heartwarming, and clever contemporary romance that serves as a beautiful nod to Shakespearean comedy. Listening to protagonist Miranda navigate the chaotic backstage drama of her hometown community theater—complete with an old ex and a charming new costar—made for a genuinely fun audio experience.

For readers who prefer romance on the sweeter side, this is a perfect fade-to-black story. The lack of heavy steam allows the focus to remain on Miranda's personal transformation, her reconnection with her roots, and the theatrical comedy of errors playing out around her. It is light, breezy, and the ultimate comfort listen for the summer season. Highly recommended for fans of small-town tropes and theater lovers alike!

Pub Date: June 30, 2026
Thank you Brilliance Publishing / Brilliance Audio and netgalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

[DaniC.]

Midsummer Nights was such a cute story! We meet Miranda, an actress on a TV series who decides to help her parents’ theatre production during a break from the TV show. Miranda has a number of struggles (who doesn’t) and we see her character grow as the story unfolds. She learns about who she is, what she wants in life, and how to take action to get what she wants. She makes a number of mistakes along the way but I found her to be endearing. I liked the pacing of the story, along with the way the conflicts were presented and not too easily (or unrealistically) resolved. The characters were funny and I laughed at multiple scenes throughout the book. I received an Advanced Listener Copy of this story and I like the narration as well - the pacing and character differentiation were both well done. Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC.

[Rosie Genova]

Midsummer Nights is a recent Lake Union release that's now available in Kindle Unlimited--take note KU subscribers because this is an utterly charming read. I'm a sucker for a Shakespeare pastiche (full disclosure, I've written a couple) as well as a "let's put on a show" motif. Author Lara Stokes has a theater background and it shows in this story of a TV actress in Toronto going back to her home town to star in a local production of Midsummer. It's a rom-com at heart, but leans toward women's fiction, with a fun cast of secondary characters. (A bunch of seventy-year-0lds playing the fairies is an inspired touch.) Of course art and life both collide and parallel; I came for the story, but stayed for the swoony hero, who manages to make even Demetrius appealing. This book is a perfect summer read, and I'm hoping more people discover it.

[Stephfafahh]

An ARC copy of this book was provided by Brilliance Publishing on the NetGalley platform in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, the MMC absolutely stole the show and was the reason why I gave this book three stars.

I struggled to work with the FMC because she started out very unlikeable. Then as you spend more time in her mind, you find that she grows on you. But unfortunately I didn’t find her as likeable as her love interest.

The story does have cozy elements and is very easy to follow. It is very, very dramatic - at times unnecessarily so. I loved the writing, I just didn’t find have much patience for the main character who seems to have no repercussions for the way she is acting (no pun intended) now as a mature adult.

[Jen Pogue]

One of my favourite reads in a very long time. Every-time I put it down, I was excited to pick it back up. The perfect book for slow summer nights.

The theatre kid in me was absolutely delighted. The Shakespeare! The behind the scenes of it all! A cute crush and a cidery! And while this book may be a light spirited rom com on the surface, but it’s so loaded with honesty, relatable complexities, and situations that come from being a coming of age gal in a harsh world with no one to help guide her unique abilities. There is some hilarious dialogue, the banter kept me very engaged. Every character serves a purpose, nothing falls flat. I laughed, I cried, I was surprised - i loved it. The kind of book that wraps you in a fond drama-class nostalgia and ignites your imagination 💜🧚‍♀️

[Andrea Morgan]

This book was nothing like I envisioned, but it was so much better! The character development throughout the story was excellent. It is heartbreaking to see parents who don't take the time to genuinely know their children; Miranda definitely deserved better. I usually hate when a book drags out the self-loathing "I can't be with anyone because I've been hurt" trope, but this author paced it perfectly without letting it get tiresome. I loved watching Miranda discover how much her town truly appreciates her after feeling unloved for so long. The writing style is witty and funny—I laughed out loud several times and wasn't bored for a single minute.

Thank you to NetGalley for this wonderful audiobook!