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Midsummer Nights
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26Life 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.
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.
- GenresRomance
287 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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March 24, 2026This 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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
'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
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Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-----
**Major Spoiler-free**
-----
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.
--
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.
---
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.
--
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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
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April 14, 2026If you enjoy Shakespeare and theatre, clever wit and romantic confusion – this book is for you. If you get roped in by messy main characters with jumbled emotions, start reading. There’s a little of everything in this ride from wanting Miranda to make different choices to laugh-out-loud, seriously funny moments. There are surprises and a great cast of characters - some really likable (Will!), others who are wonderful and quirky in the best ways (the fairies!) – all crafted into a tale that had me really hoping for a happy ending. I appreciated the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews