*Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC*

Much Ado About Soulmates was a fun little twist on a Shakespearean classic, Much Ado About Nothing. I loved the author's take on soulmates and how they bring the magic of color to the world. It was cool to see throughout the book, how different people handled meeting their soulmates and seeing color for the first time. This is not my usual kind of book, but I would love to read more from this author. The multiple POVs kept me intrigued throughout the book. This book had me emotional and rooting for the happiness of each of the characters. I appreciated the perspective of Beatrice and her thoughts on soulmates. I loved that Ben saw what Beatrice was really trying to say with her words, that soulmates are complicated and that while, yes, a soulmate is great, it is not happiness and colorful rainbows from there. It takes work and understanding and the knowledge that just because you have met your soulmate, it isn't going to be easy, but it will be worth it. Also that just because you are soulmates, it is not guaranteed it will work out. I will be honest, I have never read Much Ado About Nothing, so I went in blind for this book and I am so glad I did. By the way, my favorite part of the book is Beatrice's rant towards the end. A great read, with romance, humor, realism, and a little heartbreak. This one is sure to give you a few laughs, Diego and Ben are comedian/actors after all. I would suggest this book!

It was a very cute book retelling of Shakespeare and I enjoyed it! It might not be everybody's cup of tea though since it's a retelling of it but overall it was a great book and easy read!

★★★☆☆

I want to start off by saying this is probably just not the book for me—I’m not typically a fan of retellings but wondered if this one might work for me since it’s in a contemporary romance world.

The writing was great, but for me, there were too many POV swaps. I’m also not a huge fan of long, drawn-out miscommunications. I know those are very popular in this genre, though, so I think a lot of people will really enjoy this, as it’s being set up for a series, I believe.

That being said, I think this would be such a fun romcom to watch! Really funny, dramatic, and chaotic all-around.

A retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing set in a world that stays black and white until you find your soulmate. The story focused on Beatrice and Ben estranged soulmates and their group of friends who gather together for the celebrity wedding of Oliver (Beatrice's best friend and mega-movie star) to Imogen (Beatrice's sister). Hijinks, romance and misunderstandings abound.

Overall, this was a really fun book with a unique premise, but the multiple viewpoints occasionally made it hard to follow.

Much Ado About Soulmates is the kind of romance that feels like a comforting hug wrapped in sharp wit and charm. From the very start, Elsie McLean blends humor, heart, and a touch of whimsy into a story that’s as entertaining as it is heartfelt.

The characters leap off the page with their quirks, banter, and vulnerabilities, making them both endearing and easy to root for. What I loved most is how the book balances its playfulness with genuine emotion. Beneath the lighthearted moments lies a story about connection, timing, and the courage it takes to let someone in.

McLean’s writing is warm and inviting, filled with those little details and turns of phrase that make you smile as you read. The story flows with an energy that’s cozy yet engaging, the kind of book you can settle into and lose track of time with.

This isn’t just a romance, it’s a reminder of the joy and magic that comes when two people truly see each other. It left me feeling light, hopeful, and eager to revisit its world again.

📚✨ ARC REVIEW ✨📚
Much Ado About Soulmates by Elsie McLean
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In this modern retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, the world is seen in black and white (literally) until a person finds their soulmate — and then they can see color for the first time.

Oliver and Imogen are getting married in a villa in Italy, with cameras rolling since Oliver is a famous movie star. Among the guests are Beatrice (the bride’s sister) and Ben (Oliver’s close friend/Bea's secret ex). Both are famous for their views on soulmates - namely that they want nothing to do with finding one. They bicker as if they are enemies, but their friends believe them to be soulmates and plot to get them together before their time at the villa ends.

The ensemble cast also includes Aisha, a scientist studying soulmate neuroscience, and Diego, an actor who longs to find his match. Over the course of the week, love, friendship, and chaos unfold, proving that love is never simple.

I am a HUGE Shakespeare nerd (like, took a Shakespearean acting class in 5th grade-level nerd), so this retelling was right up my alley. The play-like structure and witty banter gave the story a unique feel, while the reality show–style wedding filming added a fun modern twist. The concept of soulmates may not be original, but the world going from black and white to a technicolor dream after finding yours is, and the premise instantly piqued my interest.

I love the intense friendship that turned into a found family among Beatrice, Ben, Oliver, and Diego as young college students. Their prank wars and reminiscing on years past made me nostalgic for my own college days and the friendships I formed there. This is a group that cares deeply about each other, experiencing their happiest moments when they are together.

✨ For fans of: 🎭 Shakespeare retellings | 🖤 Enemies to lovers | 🎥 Reality show drama | 🌈 Soulmate magic | 🏛️ Italian villa settings | 💕 Found family vibes

#ARCReview #BookReview #MuchAdoAboutSoulmates #ElsieMcLean #ShakespeareRetelling #ModernRetelling #SoulmateRomance #FoundFamily #EnemiesToLovers

Much Ado About Soulmates by Elsie McLean is a beautifully written modern take on Shakespeare.
This is was such an enjoyable read on so many different levels.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

The only story I was interested in was Beatrice’s and Ben’s, but it got lost in too many points of view. I didn’t care about all of those. I got frustrated and bored and ended up not caring about their story anymore

So, this is apparently a retelling/reimagining of Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing”.
I have not personally read that story, but I don’t think it effected my ability to understand this one.

I really did like the premise of this story.
People see the world in black and white until they meet their soulmate.
But even when you do meet your soulmate- it does not mean that you will actually be together.
I think that is a really fun idea, with a lot of room for romance, and a lot of room for potential tragedy.
Very Shakespeare coded, right?

I did struggle a bit with this book, i must admit.
I think there are just too many POVs and too many characters. There is a lot going on here. While this does bring some uniqueness to the story, i found it difficult to keep up with.
I also didn’t feel like i was really able to develop a particular connection to anyone, because there was a bigger focus on the amount of characters, as opposed to their individual development.

With this being said, there were some things i liked about it!

The drama.
There is a point in this story in which things get pretty dramatic, and quite entertaining. Mainly for Imogen and Oliver. My reading pace defintley picked up here and i was really nervous to see how things would play out for them in the end.

I liked Beatrice and ben as well.
The idea of someone who doesn’t believe in or care about soulmates finally opening up and letting love into their heart is pretty simplistic, but it was done really well here.

Notable mention: The moment when people meet their soulmate? So CUTE! I mean it is actually adorable to imagine their black and white world developing to full color when they meet the one.
I really liked that.

Overall, there were things about this I really liked, and some things I didn’t like as much. But I do think it is an enjoyable story.

Thank you to Netgalley, victory editing, and author Elsie McLean for providing me with the eARC of "Much Ado About Soulmates", in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 1st, 2025
Reviewed on Goodreads: September 1st. 2025

I enjoyed the premise of this book - it took one of my favourite Shakespeare plays and added a charming dose of magical realism in the form of soulmates adding colour to an otherwise black-and-white world. It was also a pretty clever way to modernise the story, with the characters involved in a wedding documentary at the Villa Messina. On paper, this book was perfect for me.

Sadly, it didn't deliver perfection for me. There was something in the writing style that just didn't gel for me. It felt clunky and heavy at times, meaning that I really struggled with the first half of the book in particular. This was exacerbated by the number of character perspectives that I had to keep up with - there were just a couple too many to feel easy.

In short, I enjoyed the premise, but the execution was something I found challenging.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Elsie McLean for the eARC copy of this book!

Brief Summary:
In a world where you can’t see color until you find your soulmate, this topsy-turvy version of Much Ado About Nothing just became a whole lot more complicated.

When Imogen and Oliver became soulmates, it was love at first sight. Now, set to marry amid the chaos of a reality-tv-show-type wedding, Imogen is trying to keep her head above water and her sister Bea from causing a scandal.

As someone who knows the curse of a one-sided match, Bea worries her sister is rushing things. Faced with the press scandalizing her every move, the dilemma of her soulmate being in the wedding party, and a dictatorial director, Bea and her friends have to set things right before it all goes horribly wrong.

Tropes & Other Info:
✨ Celebrity Reality TV Wedding
✨ Italian Villa
✨ Soulmates through Color Appearing
✨ Second-Chance Romance
✨ Enemies-to-Lovers
✨ Insta-Love
✨ Complicated Relationships
✨ Wedding Antics
✨ Hiding from Reporters

⚠️ Misunderstandings/Miscommunication
⚠️ Secrets & Lies
⚠️ Fake Affair
⚠️ Invasive Cameras/Press/Social Media Influencers

Thoughts:
When I saw that this one was a Much Ado About Nothing retelling, I jumped at the chance to read it. It has been so long since I’ve read a Shakespeare retelling, and this one had such an interesting premise, where people don’t see color until they meet their soulmate, so I was very excited to try it out.

However, despite my excitement, I had a tough time getting into this one. There were so many different POV changeups that it took a while for me to adjust to the storytelling and really get invested in the characters. Additionally, it has a major reality tv focus, that was not mentioned in the book’s description, and that has never been my tv genre of choice.

I do have to say that I did like the author’s idea concerning the magic around soulmates. The only issue I had with it was that it led to color constantly being brought up in a way that felt overdone at times and caused it to lose its charm a bit. The frequency of it also made certain scenes feel like a catalog of color, especially in moments where it was just brought up and not helping to drive the story forward.

I also struggled with some of the characters. Beatrice is actually pretty dismissive and mean in a biting way that is far more harsh than I remember her original character being. Oliver, the Claudio-type character, is way too self-involved and completely overlooks/ ignores how his fiancee is feeling the entire time. Diego, the Don Pedro character, is often down on his luck and plays the “woe-is-me” card too often. In terms of the villain, Conor, who is a mix of Conrad, Borachio, and Don John, is detestable (as a villain should be, but still eww), and yet his character’s groveling at the end is pretty unbelievable after all of his boasting in the beginning.

Final Thoughts: To be fair, Much Ado About Nothing is my favorite Shakespeare play because I love the wit of the characters and the banter between Beatrice and Benedict especially, so this story had a lot to live up to. While it did not entirely work for me, it does have some of the elements that make up the original play, such as the hijinks, and I appreciated how the ending changed up the story to have more of a modern twist.

I really enjoyed the concept of this, living in a world without seeing any colour until you meet your soulmate.
I loved the twist on the Shakespeare play, and seeing all the angst between Ben and Beatrice, especially as they try to pretend they can't see colours to their friends and try to deny their soulmate connection.
It was a fun journey, with all the chaos and drama with their friends wedding, and navigating all the miscommunication.
There was a lot of pov's to follow as it bounces between the friendship group and the 2 MC's, but it did add layers to the story and alternative angles for seeing how everyone saw Ben and Beatrice, as well as explore their own dramas and conflicts behind the scenes compared to the masks they wore externally.
It was filled with regrets, secrets, longing, and seeing that love means compromise and sometimes sacrifice.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
* Magical realism
* Soulmates
* Enemies to lovers
* Forced proximity
* Multiple POV’s
* Modern Shakespeare retelling

Thank you to NetGalley, Elise McLean, and Victory Editing for this eARC! Immediately the summary reminded me of Taylor Swift’s lyric: "The rest of the world was black and white / But we were in screaming color". Soulmates that have discovered each other are the only ones who see color; a very interesting concept to include in this otherwise realistic romance.

I liked the multiple POVs! The banter between all the friends while they are together for Imogen and Oliver’s wedding was fun to read, but I also liked that each character were dealing with their own internal challenges that was revealed as each POV is provided for them. I like that this was written like a play, which this is based off of Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing”. This was a unique way to modernize this play, and I appreciate how well the author did with pacing all of these different characters.

Bea and Ben were the two I focused on most. Their angst and tension was very centered in this plot overall. As you begin to find out what really happened between them, you become invested in wanting them to work things out! But all of their relationships make this well-rounded, and I also liked that many were well-known celebrities. Tony and Diego’s first meeting really helped me understand just how astounding it is for someone to first meet their soulmate, and I really liked them together! Imogen and Oliver’s story was the opposite, but I could tell throughout that Imogen wasn’t as happy she led everyone to believe. I don’t want to give any spoilers beyond that, but I think having those 3 relationships made this a very interesting read as you go through all of their romances with them in great detail!

3.5 🌟 / 5

This is my first time reading a book by this Author (Pen name for the two McLean sisters), and it won’t be the last! 💗

A comedic retelling of the Shakespeare play of ‘Much ado about nothing’, the story follows a multi POV of a group of long term friends as they navigate old wounds, soulmates, miscommunication and an old pact when they meet up for a wedding. I found the group dynamic to be very natural and intertwined, from their retellings of their past to the way they look out for each other in the present time, whilst keeping things light and funny.

It had an overall fast and easy pace throughout the story, and it didn’t lag when there were some slower parts to the plot. There were introductions to new characters throughout which left me slightly confused initially as to their relevance in the story - this was due to us (the reader) meeting them in their POV with no transition or introduction from our other characters but it does all add up in the end especially with there being a preface for all of the characters to enlighten readers with at the very start 😆.

One slight misinterpretation on my behalf was the magical dynamic of soulmates bringing colour to each others lives when they meet in a world that is viewed in black and white - for over 50% of the book i genuinely thought this was being described in a non-literal sense.. turns out i was wrong and actually this is a very cool soulmate concept once i realised 😂.

Overall:

3.5 / 5 🌟🌟🌟
Wound recommend this book if you like light hearted quirky modern adaptations of classic literature.
I quite enjoyed this book 🫶🏼

I would like to thank NetGalley for this advance copy of eARC. This review is based on solely my own opinions and thoughts on the book. This review is written on behalf of the Spicy Sword Society.

I just finished reading “Much Ado About Soulmates” by Elsie McLean. This books explored the relationship soulmate connection. If someone was around their soulmate they could see color. Otherwise you would only see black and white. I loved the concept of this book. How great would it be if finding your soulmate could be that easy? I loved all the characters of this book. I just wished that Imogene and Oliver could have kissed to get their connection back. I know their life style was so different but I didn’t like reading that their soulmate connection was gone. Did that mean they could match with someone else now? Or would they be stuck in their 20s for the rest of their lives? This was a quick read and such an interesting topic.

Much Ado About Soulmates by Elsie Mclean
🌟🌟🌟🌟4/5

Publication Date: 1st September 2025

Thanks to @netgally and @victoryediting for a advanced copy in return for a honest review.

Everyone sees the world in black and white, that is, until they meet their soulmate. Then, with that person by their side, the world is in dazzling colour.
Happily ever after. Right?

But love is never that simple.
Certainly not for Beatrice Massey, whose soulmate, Ben Thackary, is a dick who broke her heart seven years ago.
Or for Ben, who doesn’t understand why his soulmate wants nothing to do with him.

When Beatrice’s sister, Imogen, discovers her soulmate is movie star Oliver Black, their lavish destination wedding in the Italian countryside of Messina is supposed to be the stuff of fairytales.
But as old friends gather to celebrate, they learn that nothing is simple when soulmates are involved.

A modern take on Shakespeare, with a soulmate twist. Three different relationships, told through multiple perspectives. This is one of the few books that I was very happy with the way things worked out in the end, and alot of laughs throughout. I loved the concept of seeing in black and white, untill you found your soulmate, it kept me very entertained. The Author brought it all together amazingly well, all the clues just fall into place. A unique concept for romance lovers. A fun fresh read.

A retelling of William Shakespeare's comedy 'Much Ado About Nothing' with an added soulmates twist. A classic tale of two people who desperately love one another, but convinced that the other has broken their heart they instead make biting comments at one another. This version is set in the modern day and uses the twist of including soulmates who find one another by never seeing colour until they meet for the first time.

Firstly, I am a big fan of Shakespeare's plays, I usually watch a couple a year, and this is my very favourite one. It is a great example of how the stories in his plays transcend time - it fits in as well today as it did in Elizabethan England. Some tales are truly as old as time. I was really happy to see the references to the original lines in the play, and they felt like little easter eggs!

The story was lovely - it was inviting and really pulled me along. I honestly didn't want to put it down and before I knew it, a quick 30 mins to start the book before going to sleep turned into staying awake till 2am to finish it. I am not even a bit mad, it was a charming read. I really loved Bea and Ben, and their path back to one another. Was it a little too quickly? Yes, but that's exactly how it happens in the play, and this is also a story of three couples - some with more prevalence than others, Diego and his partner are not featured too much, but the story with Imogen and Oliver is also a large focus. I like the slight twist on how their story plays out compared to how Claudio and Hero's tale is in the original text - it's a twist that I definitely prefer and it fits much better in a modern setting.

A thoroughly enjoyable read and a sweet romance. 4.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you Net Galley for an early release of this book.

I adored this book so much! I loved the idea of not being able to see the world in color until you have found your soulmate. This story had me laughing, and crying. It was told in such a beautiful way.

*ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I’ve always loved retellings and I’ve been trying to branch out into retellings of plays and novels and I am so glad I came across Much Ado About Soulmates while doomscrolling through NetGalley. This magical realism adaptation of a Shakespearean comedy took a new approach to the concept of soulmates.

Finding your soulmate changes everything. The world goes from black and white to vivid colour in an instant - literally. But what happens if you never meet your soulmate? Or your soulmate isn’t a good fit? Or you lose yourself in an effort to conform to this preordained relationship? Beatrice Massey isn’t buying into it. In fact, she’s made a career out of reminding people that their self worth isn’t dependent on other people. Of course, then her sister discovers her soulmate is one of Bea’s best friends AT Bea’s book launch and her world shifts again because now she’s wrapped up in a whirlwind romance the media is having a field day with. A whirlwind romance that requires her to be in close proximity with one of her other best friends. At least Bea gets to enjoy her sister’s wedding production in colour.

Obviously I know how the story goes but the way the authors brought it all together was fantastic. I don’t always love a bunch of perspectives but in this book it makes it feel very much like a play where everyone knows something but no one knows what everyone else knows. All the clues just fall into place and the major conflict had me itching to start throwing punches because what on earth is wrong with them!!!! And the ending? I loved everything about it!

3.75
ARC review
Mucho ado about soulmates by Elsie McLean

At first, I have some trouble understanding the story (it lost me a little) because there are too many different POVs. Honestly, I am not a fan of so many POVs - I prefer just two.
I also struggled a bit to keep track of the charcters and who is who.

But I really liked how some words, quotes, topics were expressed in the book. They feel very meaningful. I also acutally enjoyed the different perspective on soulmates and the individual story of each character.

It was easy to read, and at some point I was very hooked.
The story is acually really interesting, and I especially loved the interaction between Bea and Ben.They carry the whole book.

Still, there was at first so many characters that it was a bit difficult to keep up.
But overall, I really enjoyed it. I haven't read a book like this before.

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for a copy of this book. 💗✨️