This Must Be Love

by Tui T. Sutherland

The stage is set for misunderstandings, magic, and mayhem! ready to wow audiences as the perfect Juliet in Athenwood High's spring play. Unless they give the part to her best friend . . . a believer in true love who's waiting for her soul mate to appear. She's worried she might have to wait forever until she meets . . . the mysterious new guy. Helena is sure it's fate, but Hermia thinks something's fishy. It seems the only one who knows the truth about him is . . . Hermia's best-friend-turned-secret-love-interest. He's smart, adorable and, like a typical guy, absolutely clueless that Hermia is head-over-heels crushing on him! Or is he?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Shakespeare, Fiction, Contemporary, Middle Grade, Retellings

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Tui? What kind of name is that? Is it short for something?

Nope. Among the many great things to come out of New Zealand (the Lord of the Rings movies, cats that paint, my mom) is a bird called the tui—not as well known as the kiwi, but a heck of a lot noisier!

I was born July 31 (same birthday as Harry Potter!) in Caracas, Venezuela, and lived in Asuncion, Paraguay; Miami, Florida; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, before moving to New Jersey in high school, where I started doing theatre—mostly backstage work, because (a) it was fun, and (b) you got to hang out in the dark with cute boys. (Er, I mean . . . because it was artistically fulfilling, yes.)

I graduated from Williams College in ’98 and I currently live in Boston with my husband, my perfect new baby, and my adorable yoodle Sunshine (what’s a yoodle? A puppy that’s three-quarters poodle and one-quarter Yorkshire terrier, of course!).

Much to my parents’ relief, I abandoned my theatrical aspirations after college for the far more stable and lucrative career of fiction writing.

My first two official books were beginning readers, part of Grosset & Dunlap’s “First Friends” series for kids learning to read. MEET MO AND ELLA is tough to find now, but FUN WITH MO AND ELLA should still be out there somewhere.

My first novel for teenagers was THIS MUST BE LOVE, which retells Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a modern-day high school, from the POV of the two heroines, Hermia and Helena.

And now I'm writing in a new project called SEEKERS! It's a children's book series that I'm writing with Erin Hunter. Check out my blog to find out more!

Reviews

[Becki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Must Be Love (Or how I made my midsummer dreams come true…) is Tui Sutherland’s debut novel, and is a brilliant re-telling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which is one of my favourite plays (as it has some of my favourite characters).

This is a brilliant adaptation of Shakespeare’s play. It is told from the points of view of Hermia and Helena who are two sixteen year-old high school students. The story is told through a series of diary entries, emails, instant messages, notes, and letters which pass between the girls over the period of five months. The story is split into a series of acts like a play, and even starts with a dramatis personae. The story itself sticks pretty close to Shakespeare’s play, with a few twists which help to make the story unique to Sutherland. You don’t need to have read Shakespeare to enjoy this, but knowing how A Midsummer Night’s Dream goes definitely adds a level of enjoyment to your read.

This is a really fun book. Brilliant for a read on the beach, or in the park. On several occasions it made me laugh, and it also made me want to yell at some of the characters. Both Hermia and Helena were very likable characters (though I will admit Hermia is my fave) and I thought Sutherland showed their closeness and friendship brilliantly. They seem like two teenagers talking about life – school, parents – and love. I also liked the fact that even though they were friends, they were very different personalities. I loved the way Sutherland wrote Hermia and Helena and their relationship/feelings about Alex and Dmitri – it was quite brilliant the way they danced around one another. I also want to say that I loved the character of Theo Duke, Athenwood High School Theatre Artistic Director and English Teacher, and Nick Weaver was adorably cute.

I liked the way This Must Be Love focuses on the relationships of The lovers in Shakespeare’s play (Hermia, Helena, etc.) and the rest of the cast act as a sort of backdrop to their story. I particularly enjoyed the way The fairies were used in the story, and how Sutherland used them to further the story. I also enjoyed the fact that the book uses Romeo and Juliet as a means of bringing everything together.

This is definitely a book you should try, whether you are a Shakespeare fan or not, if you like reading romance books. Or if you’re looking for a light summer read, then you definitely should give this a go.

Originally posted on TheFlutterbyRoom.com

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I read this aloud to the kids. We had gone and seen a production of a Midsummer's Night Dream done by the local high school before starting the book. It was fun seeing how the story compared to the original. The kids enjoyed it. It was a bit suspenseful. Though if you were reading it without realizing it was an adaption I think it would have been kind of odd.

[Mora · Rating 5 out of 5]

was this book high quality? probably not! but it made me laugh and i thoroughly enjoyed myself

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Must Be Love is about two girls, one who refuses to date until she finds her "soulmate", the other who can't buy a good boyfriend. At the start, they both think they've found the One, (different guys, thank goodness, I'm not a huge fan of the whole "choose one" storyline) and are trying to get their attention. Very funny. I loved Hermia and Alex (Alex...why is every hero named Alex?!? That's MY hero's name too! Darn...but I love the name, so it's ok, haha) and thought Helena was...ok. Maybe it's because I can relate to Hermia so much better because she wears her emotions on her sleeve, and Helena spends too much time worrying about looking "elegant". That doesn't mean I didn't like Helena, it just means Hermia was more exciting. I really did enjoy reading this, but I don't think I'll reread it.

[Maria Joimilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I was pissed by how Helena thought she could get Dmitri that way. She almost ruined her bestfriend's life. How could someone be that foolish to betray her best friend, she's so selfish.( after being treated like a trash by Dmitri ) Though, in the end, of course everything fell into a magical perfect ending wherein, Helena end up with Nick and so Hermia with Alex. Okay. Just go start read the book. // Wah. I bought this book in year 2011, read and finished by just this month of April, 2015.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in middle school. I remember thinking that I didn’t really like to read until I picked this book up. My introduction into funny romance. This book holds a special place in my heart.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not the target audience. I found the behavior of the two girls, Hermia and Helena, rather cringeworthy at times. But they are teenagers, and the book is for teenagers. A school production of Romeo and Juliet, with all the roles played by boys, most of the football players, sets the stage for this comedy of errors.

[Luyanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay, it is just that I couldn't understand some of the emails and letters they kept sending each other but other than that, it was fine I enjoyed it. It was more about teenage life and other things to look up for.

[☁️ kels ☁️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book many years ago at a Goodwill and I’ve read it numerous times since. It’s very comforting to me. I cannot recommend it enough!

[Camille Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it when it came out and I love it still

[Lemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh out loud. Was a very enjoyable easy read.

[Maureads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Randomly picked this up in a bookstore and I’m glad I did. It made me want to go experience young love again. This is a lighthearted story with a few character misunderstandings that make you laugh out loud rather than feel frustrated.

[charlotte ☆]

pg 131
51%
i'm sorry tui t sutherland 😔😔

[Minh · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's kind of boring. I can't stand on both main characters

[Arianna C · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was kinda of boring book for someone who doesn't like reading.

[Veronica Widya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 'This Must Be Love' just an ordinary story about the friendship between two girls and they lovers. But somehow, the way Tui tells the story is so interesting and the characters re so lively! XD
I love Hermia's Character especially. she's incredibly nice, energetic, kind hearted, and pure a.k.a no pretense. she just the way she is.

i didnt say that i dont like Helena's character. she have the positive personality too, like she know how to behave, and how to control herself, also she's not arrogant even she's almost perfect.
i bet many guys like her, if she's real.
But i dont like the part when she accuse Hermia that she seize Dmitri. erghh..
some girls become so stupid shen she fall in love. >.<

and dimitri character is a bit complicated, he's a bit brazen and cocky.he's too narciz and too manipulating, also everyone wouldn't know what inside his head because his feeling is eazily changed. but anyway, i guess dmitri just like unsingle girl. its make sense.

The story itself is predictable.
we all know(except helena, because fall in love make her eyes blind, or maybe she can see but she pretend to be blind)that Dmitri is a bad guy, and from the beginning i knew it that Nick like Helena, because the way he acted. (some guys do awkward when they like girls, right? )
and even the story isn't long and simple, but i do love their conversation, letters, and the way they talk.
its really encouraged! ;)

[Elizabeth Wallace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cheesy. I've got to stop reading books like this. The worst part was Helena, who proclaimed herself a true romantic but obviously didn't do her research. Let me give you a few quotes: "Dmitri was a little distant on our last date, and I think perhaps if there were other people there to talk to it might be less...awkward?...not that things are ever awkward, of course, because that would be absurd, soul mates simply don't have awkward moments." "At least Dmitri never calls me Hermia. HE appreciates my unique and subtle nature. At least, I assume so; he has yet to call me anything, but I caught his soulful eyes gazing in my direction more than once, let me tell you. Three times, in fact, to be specific..."
You get the gist of it. Maybe Tui (I was tempted for a second to bump this book up a star as a consolation prize for her name but thought better of it) thinks it's funny, I don't. Also, it almost entirely consisted of the protagonists' writing and school bulletins but A) they weren't so realistic (I mean, who writes four-page e-mails???) and B) occasionally she switched to narrative as if she realized that she couldn't get it all in that format.

[Regcorrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

'This Must Be Love' by Tuit T.Sutherland is about a girl who is in love with a guy and she dosen'T know what or how to react to it!!! The main character is; Hermina and some of the other characters you might find are Alex (Hermina's crush) and Dmitri ( the new' hot' guy at school) Hermina is having trouble explaining how she feels about Alex. This book takes place in Athenwood ,New jersey and also in Central Park , New York. this book is told in the 1st person point of view. this one of my favorite books that i've evert read and I hope that i get to read ti again sometime

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves this to read love books!!!! i promise you that you will enjoy thid book verry much!!!


- Regina Correa

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm... what to say? I thought that the idea behind the story was interesting (recreating Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream") and I also thought that telling the story with journal entries, emails and instant messages was cute. Other than that, I thought that the girls' dialogue was way too sophisticated for teenage girls, and the Dimitri character was abusive. I also didn't like the fact that all of the parents were portrayed as bad guys. So two stars for eye candy.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terjemahan yang lumayan mudah dimengerti, namun jika diteliti lebih jauh ide cerita ini seperti mengambil alur kisah cinta dari karya William Shakespeare, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", dan bahkan nama tokoh-tokohnya pun serupa, dan nama tokoh "Hermia" dan "Helena" tak di ubah sama sekali.

Namun sang pengarang mampu menonjolkan karakter masing-masing Hermia dan Helena dalam cara bahasa berupa diary mereka tersebut.

[Marya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tui Sutherland is one of the best authors I know at creating voice. Here, she perfectly captures the voices of adolescent girls, complete with poems involving the word 'poof'. Tweens will find it great, teens will find it isn't too far from reality, and adults will thank their lucky stars they NEVER have to go through that time in their lives again!

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

MSJA Book Club selection November 2008. This enjoyable teen love story is a quick read told partly through e-mails, diary entries and letters. The plot is based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Two best friends, Hermia and Helena, take turns narrating the tale, each in her own distinctive voice.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

MSJA Book Club selection November 2008. This enjoyable teen love story is a quick read told partly through e-mails, diary entries and letters. The plot is based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Two best friends, Hermia and Helena, take turns narrating the tale, each in her own distinctive voice.

[Mattiezumi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complete guilty read. I love the cutesy, requires-no-higher-brain-function, high school drama books! This book was just good, clean FUN. A kind of pick-me-up for crappy days, a sweet, light read. It's humorous, and I have much love for the witty dialogue. Have re-read this book a zillion times, it's so cute!

[Samkelisiwe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hated Dmitri from the moment his name was mentioned. He is so self-fish, self-centered and self-absorbed! I kind of hated Helena a little near the end where she thought evil things about her best friend Hermia.

This book seriously drove me to near insanity (in a good way). I felt like I should be in there telling characters how to act.

[Grace Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Must Be Love is an entertaining book. I'm not a big fan of romance myself, but this almost feels like satire with how over-the-top these girls can be about love. Either way, it's a funny book, and I can at least support the relationships I'm meant to support. The characters don't blend into each other and are likable when they're meant to be likable. It's a good, easy read.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. It had me in tears laughing, and the best-friend-turned-secret-crush dynamic of it was somthing i think every girl has felt about her best guy friend at one time.
Based off of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", with a modern twist, this book is great for girls 13-16.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. The author was so good at what she did in here. She made is seem as if it were so predictable; you thought you knew exactly what was going to happen. BUT, she completely changes around on you! I loved it! I recommend it to any romance lover!

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tui actually came to my school, and she expressed the story in such a fun and lively way. It defenitley stands out from different romantic stories and I suggest you to read it. Maybe at the age of 11?

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read some of her other books, and so thought I'd investigate. Not so great - the characters are a bit interchangeable, and certain things happened to propel the plot forward, not because they actually made sense.