Evie > Status Update

Through Chapter 4. Quite firmly in the "meh" category. Lots of sniping back-and-forth between the main characters but honestly very little chemistry between the two of them other than what the author explicitly writes out. Just not feeling it. Not sure it's worth finishing.

The other reviewers have noted that this is a retelling of "Much Ado About Nothing" with some of the original text sprinkled in. And, like them, I'm finding the switch in the tone from "Regency English" to Shakespearean English awkward. It's weird to read suddenly

“Fool am I? It is true,” he said lightly .... “Only such a kind fool would forbear such a creature as you.”

But at least I got through Chapter 1.

I haven't even finished the first chapter and I'm already getting annoyed by the writing -- "“Emmaline arched a brow, as if to say now don’t you dare lie to me even if you are my elder.” Writers need to leave more to the readers' logic and imagination.

This is not going well. Too much unnecessary descriptions so far -- "India muslin skirts." All these descriptions better become relevant at some point ....