Tag: laura wood

Review: Under a Dancing Star by Laura Wood

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review2 Comments

Goodreads | Bookshop.org

In grey, 1930s England, Bea has grown up kicking against the conventions of the time, all the while knowing that she will one day have to marry someone her parents choose – someone rich enough to keep the family estate alive. But she longs for so much more – for adventure, excitement, travel, and maybe even romance.
When she gets the chance to spend the summer in Italy with her bohemian uncle and his fiancée, a whole world is opened up to Bea – a world that includes Ben, a cocky young artist who just happens to be infuriatingly handsome too. Sparks fly between the quick-witted pair until one night, under the stars, a challenge is set: can Bea and Ben put aside their teasing and have the perfect summer romance?
With their new friends gleefully setting the rules for their fling, Bea and Ben can agree on one thing at least: they absolutely, positively will not, cannot fall in love…
A long, hot summer of kisses and mischief unfolds – but storm clouds are gathering across Europe, and home is calling. Every summer has to end – but for Bea, this might be just the beginning.

Every time I read a Laura Wood book, I find that I’ve deeply underestimated her writing. I read her debut, A Sky Painted Gold last year, and really enjoyed it, and this one was even better. I did enjoy that A Sky Painted Gold was based on The Great Gatsby, whereas Under a Dancing Star is based on Much Ado About Nothing. I don’t really know the Shakespeare story well, but it definitely didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all.

This book is perfect for summer, and the Italian setting was so beautiful. I could really picture the beautiful house and gardens, and it was so atmospheric. I read this book alongside Courtney and we read it over the course of one summer evening. There couldn’t have been a perfect time or setting (unless we had actually gone to Italy!) to read this book.

The idea is as paper-thin and fragile as the wings of a butterfly, 

Bea was such a great main character who felt so relatable despite this book being set almost 100 years ago. I hardly read historical fiction, but Bea jumped off the page and had so much depth to her character. I loved reading about her passion for nature, and the descriptions of plants and wildlife added so much to the reading experience.

The romance was so sweet to read about and I loved Ben and Bea together. Their situation made me chuckle at times but the dates were so swoony to read and I love that they had shared experiences. The banter between them felt quite natural and was entertaining to read.

and as it flutters gently awake I hardly dare to hold it still in my mind.

I honestly loved this book and I definitely will be carrying on with Laura Wood’s books – she is the queen of YA historical romance!

★★★★★
5 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: Pride & Prejudice – a retelling by Laura Wood

On By Beth JonesIn Book Review1 Comment
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Goodreads | Waterstones

Witty, intelligent Elizabeth Bennet has no desire for a marriage of convenience. And when she meets the handsome, wealthy Mr Darcy, her opinion of him is quickly set: he is aloof, selfish and proud – the last man in the world she would ever marry.
Until their paths cross again, and again, and the pair begin to realise that first impressions can be flawed… But as Elizabeth and Darcy become entangled in a dance through the strict hierarchies of society, will there be space for true love to bloom?

After having read A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood and Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen last year, I knew this one would be one I wanted to pick up. I then realised just before the book was released that this one is actually published by Barrington Stoke, a dyslexia friendly publisher. I’ve read a few books published by them, and after reading this one with Alex, we found out there’s also retellings of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights that we’d love to pick up in the future.

Rather than this book being inspired by Pride & Prejudice, it’s actually a direct retelling of the story using the same characters, plot and basis for the writing. It’s a simplified version of the story which takes the bare bones but keeps the feeling, plot and even some of the main quotes from the original book, which I loved.

Laura Wood did an incredible job of taking this story and making a much shorter, more accessible version that still gave me the atmosphere and feeling that the original book did. If I ever wanted to have a taste of the original book without watching an adaptation, I’d definitely pick this one up happily!

★★★★★
4.5 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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Review: A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood

On By Beth JonesIn Book ReviewLeave a comment
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Goodreads | Waterstones

Growing up in her sleepy Cornish village dreaming of being a writer, seventeen-year-old Lou has always wondered about the grand Cardew house which has stood empty for years. And when the owners arrive for the summer – a handsome, dashing brother and sister – Lou is quite swept off her feet and into a world of moonlit cocktail parties and glamour beyond her wildest dreams.
But, as she grows closer to the Cardews, is she abandoning her own ambitions… And is there something darker lurking at the heart of the Cardew family?

I’ve wanted to read a Laura Wood book for so long – partly because BooksNest on YouTube shouts about her work so much and loves her books! When my friend Jo suggested picking this one up as a buddy read, I was so happy to finally read something by her. This one is a kind of retelling/inspired by The Great Gatsby, but there is definitely no need to read it before picking this one up as it works well as a standalone novel.

However, I must say I am glad that I read The Great Gatsby for the first time earlier this year as it did add an extra dynamic to the story for me. I had so much fun reading this one and trying to see where the inspiration had come in for settings, scenes and characters. I was excited to find that this one is set between Cornwall and London instead of New York!

The characters were one of my favourite aspects of this book – I loved Lou as a main character and this is definitely a coming-of-age novel about her last summer before deciding what to do with the rest of her life. As this book is set in the late 1920s, there is a lot of interesting discussions about the pressures of marriage and growing up in that era. My only slight complaint with this book is that it took me a while to get used to the younger narration and the time period – at some points it just didn’t quite click together for me.

I loved the plot and the slight mystery element that was woven throughout – although at times I did wish for a little more emphasis on the mystery itself. As the book went on, I found myself becoming more and more wrapped up within the pages and wanted to read on until the end. I must say I absolutely loved the ending of this one too, it was so beautifully done and made me emotional!

I can’t wait to read more from this author and some of her other retellings – she’s releasing a Pride and Prejudice retelling in 2022 and I’m definitely going to be picking that one up!

★★★★★
4.5 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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