I really liked the concept of this book! The idea of people seeing everything without colour until they meet their soulmate was really interesting! This didn’t feel the freshest due to old TikToks from the Covid war but I still enjoyed the idea of it. I liked the characters overall but I didn’t love the amount of POVs there were, it felt like there was a bit too much going on within the book. Overall the plot was interesting, the characters felt real in parts and the concept was really cool! 3.5 Stars!

This was such an interesting read! I can truly say I have never read something like it, but I enjoyed it immensely.

I didn't really expect so many POV's but they added to the story, and definitly made it a unique read.

The story wrapped up nicely!

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

I grew up with she’s the man and 10 things I hate about you. This book is reminiscent of that kind of storytelling from the witty banter, clever twists of Shakespeare’s plays, and satisfying endings.

The wedding of the century features a two soulmates, Imogen and Oliver, embarking on their fairytale Italian wedding with a group of friends like no other. Throw in a years long miscommunication between Beatrice and Ben and their friends behind the scenes scheming to bring them together, you have the makings of a reality tv show both on and off the page.

The soulmate concept has been over fanfic sites for ages it was so interesting to see it brought to life in a novel. In Elsie McLean’s writing, everyone sees the world in black and white until they meet their soulmate. Then, when close to their soulmate, colour creeps into the world.

The canon-compliant miscommunication trope fits right in as a retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. I usually don’t like miscommunication tropes, but as a spin on Shakespeare, I was excited to see how the chaos would culminate and was not disappointed. Elsie masterfully built a web of miscommunication that was a delight to read.

I have conflicting feelings about the many viewpoints. On one hand, it added to the storytelling to see the miscommunications from different angles. However, just as I was learning about one narrator, the viewpoint would switch again. I would have loved to see more time spent with the main characters.

Overall a good balance between staying true to Shakespeare’s play and clever world building that culminated with a satisfying ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an advanced digital copy of this book. This review is my personal opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and victory editing for the chance to read this book for free for an honest review.

Elise McLean I really enjoyed Much ado about soulmates.

Such an original concept for a retelling a colourful soulmate connection and an absolutely dumb struck grumpy second chance romance/enemies to lovers story.

Bea and Bens story is one that is in my heart reading it as modern setting at a reality tv wedding show was unhinged and really funny.

Imogen’s and Oliver’s story I knew what was coming but not the heartache that followed genuinely saddened by his reaction. Imogen’s heart being shattered but truly horrid. I genuinely almost through my kindle when he started his shouting.

Diego’s story with Tony was so fluffy it coated the bittersweet ending.

I loved the epilogue I could sit in that audience!

Soulmates are just a complex love story xxx

3.75. Rounded up.

Cute! I love much ado about nothing so was excited for this take on it. Sometimes all of the POV were hard to follow but overall I thought it was a sweet story.

Much Ado About Soulmates had such a unique premise, and I really loved that concept. However, it didn't quite hit the mark for me.

I haven’t read Much Ado in a loooooong time but this book took me right back to the utter chaos that is cacophony of misunderstandings in the original. This is by far the best retelling I’ve read, truest to the original in terms of the emotion of the story. But with an amazingly fascinating twist. I LOVED the role that color plays in this story. That the first time you see the world in color is the first time you’ve met your soul mate. Almost like a werewolf fated mate situation. The way that color ebbs and flows as a soulmate moves closer or farther away, the idea that a couples range has to do with how well they’re connected. It’s a really interesting concept and I would not be upset in the slightest to get another story in the same world.
While I would have loved even more of Ben and Bea, their animosity turns reconnection is definitely the high point of the story. Followed closely by Tony and Diego. “I’ll be damned” had me grinning so hard, my face hurt afterwards.
Not gonna lie, the ending gutted me a little. Like audible gasps. And the way the color bond plays a role in that is just beautifully heartbreaking.
It’s such a fun world. I tore through this title in a day and a half. I could not wait to read what was coming next for this host of characters. Keep an eye out for the Romance and Ruin podcast episode on this one because it’s definitely coming. (@romanceandruinpod)

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this title!

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an eARC of Much Ado About Soulmates.

A modern take on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, with a soulmate twist.

I have never read Much Ado About Nothing, so I probably didn't get the parallels to the classic Shakespeare comedy while I was reading this book. I will admit it was written like no book I have ever read, and I did feel like it was written as a play while reading it. It was a fast read for me.

Author Elsie McLean creates a twist in a world where everyone sees in black and white, that is, until they meet their soulmate. While that person (soulmate) is by their side, the world is always in color. Then they are living their happily ever after. Right?

But we all know that love is not simple.....

Sisters Beatrice and Imogen start the story with a book signing and one sister meeting her soulmate, just as her older sister was about to tell her about her one-sided match with her soulmate...

I was not expecting all the POVs of each character that came into the story. At first, it was like Where is the author taking me but once I got more into the storyline, I caught on to getting the point of all the POVs. It gives you the chance to read about how each character sees/feels the world they are living in. You get a glimpse into the sisters' relationship. How the friends all met from each character, but not to where you reread it, but like you're right there with them. You get to see the soulmates' perspectives.

Most of this book, I was like What happened to Beatrice and Ben and was delighted that we got glimpses from other POVs about them and still got their banter. I felt how much each of them wanted from the other but didn't know how to go about whatever misunderstanding each of them had.
I loved the character and how humane the story was. I certainly loved the banter between Bea and Ben.

Overall, the ending made me sad but understanding, and wondering if there will be another book or turn into a series. That and the many different POVs are why I gave this book three stars.


Thank you again, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book.

much ado about soulmates, elsie mclean

arc, publishing september 1st 2025

3.75 ⭐️

i adore shakespeare and after watching anyone but you in 2024, i’d been on a much ado kick - meaning this novel is just what the doctor ordered!

set within a world where people can’t see colour until they meet their soulmate, much ado about soulmates is a light fantasy take on the classic tale. the premise reminded me of pleasantville (movie, 1998) which similarly features a black and white world with colour appearing in-world as a metaphor for change and progression!

this is cute, fluffy, funny and the perfect read to see out the summer! 🌸

This sounded so good when I read the synopsis, but unfortunately I dnf it at 30%. I’m in a slump right now and it’s not helping so I want to give it another chance another time, bc the whole fated pair that only sees color when near to your pair???? AMAZING.
I also didn’t understand why there’s so many pov changes and I’m sorry but I wish we got more depth in terms of the fmc sister and her movie star fated pair! Like yeah they met but then they’re getting married??? I don’t love time skips

This modern interpretation of the Much Ado plot had so much potential. The high profile characters! Bea and Ben both making a living on disliking the romantization of soulmates! The film crew and journalists! But it fell pretty flat.

For one, I wouldn't call it a romcom like the play. Its funniest moments we're taken direct from the play (the overheard conversations, some of the banter, etc). There was, in my opinion, too much focus on 1. Diego, the potentially Don John character, who I swear had more POV scenes than Bea and Ben combined and 2. the film crew trying to direct things and being annoying, and not enough focus on Bea and Ben's relationship nor the expected shenanigans.

I did, however, really enjoy the different takes on soulmates, and how the story ended for Imogen and Oliver (Hero and Claudio).

4 Stars

Much Ado About Nothing is by far my favourite Shakespeare play and I do love a retelling - this one was quite good, I had a good time with it.

The soulmate concept was definitely not something I'd read before and certainly opens up a lot of interesting questions. Its highly nuanced and sweet, but raises the idea of not taking that sort of thing for granted. Though the idea of living without colour until you (hopefully) met your soulmate seems painfully cruel.

It was fun guessing who the players were (to their OG counterparts) and I appreciated how prose and acts were incorporated. It was quite a faithful adaptation all things considered.

I both liked and didn't like how it ended (loved Ben and Beatrice's part) but I think it left the story on a hopeful note despite what went so wrong for Imogen and Oliver. I'd like to catch up with them in the future, but I suppose we'll see!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the eARC for my review - this is my honest review*

I love the premise here—everyone sees the world in black and white until they meet their soulmate, and suddenly, they see in colour. Instant chemistry, instant connection… or at least, that’s the idea. In Beatrice and Ben’s case, not so much. These two have been soulmates for seven years, but they’re also kind of mean to each other, and the story takes its time revealing why.

This is a modern retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, which I’m sure I would have appreciated more if I was familiar with the original play. The Italian wedding setting is lush, and there’s plenty of comedy of errors, misunderstandings, and hidden feelings—classic rom-com territory.

Where it faltered for me was the number of POVs. We follow not just Bea and Ben, but Imogen, Oliver, Aisha, Diego, Tony, and Donna. That’s a lot of heads to be in, and it kept each scene emotionally shallow, making it harder to connect with the central romance. I would have loved to spend more time deepening Bea and Ben’s relationship.

As a romance, it’s a 3/5 for me. As a fun, ensemble “chick lit” style story about messy friendships, sibling dynamics, and soulmates, it’s a solid 4/5.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book so very much. MAAN is my favorite Shakespeare play and I will always grab any interpretation. Let me start off with the good. Bea and Ben are spot on, perfect interpretations from the original work. Even keeping their names the same was a great parallel, especially when the other characters had some sort of name change or character change. I also appreciated the variety of different relationships in this book, so much that it feels like a setup for a series (which I am not opposed to). Now on to the bad....

1. Multiple POV...I barely tolerate 2 person POV, but this was like 6 person POV at least. I understand the reasoning behind it, and even came to tolerate/accept it by the end, but on all that is holy, it was too much at times. I had to keep putting the book away for 30 mins after each POV change.
2. MAAN has a happy ending with 2 of the couples. This book has decided that only one of those couples gets redemption and HEA. I get it,the death of Hero is important in the original, but Claudio has a redemption arc, just like Ben. I am seriously hoping that this author is just going to use that redemption arc in another book in this series.

Overall, the idea is a fantastic one. The execution was done fairly well, but not giving the original characters the ending they had, and the 12 part POV was too much to put this on my forever list.

In Elsie McLean’s witty, modern twist on Much Ado About Nothing, the world exists in black-and-white until you meet your soulmate—then, everything bursts into vivid color. For Beatrice Massey, that soulmate is Ben Thackary, the man who broke her heart seven years ago. Now her sister Imogen is marrying movie star Oliver Black in a lavish Italian wedding, bringing together old friends, tangled histories, and a magic system that can’t be ignored. As in the original play, romance, mischief, and plenty of misunderstandings ensue.

I love this premise...it’s a clever blend of magical realism and Shakespearean comedy, and the Easter eggs from the original play are a delight. The character parallels are fun to spot: Oliver feels like Claudio, Imogen is a modern-day Hero, and Diego has shades of both Don Pedro and Don John.

This Beatrice, however, gave me pause. I generally liked her, but In Shakespeare’s version, she’s razor-sharp and devastating in her wit but never cruel to those beneath her. Here, a scene where she’s unnecessarily rude to a reporter rubbed me the wrong way. Some beloved beats are the same as the original, but lacking some of the creative wordplay and charm. However, the core setup and miscommunication-driven chaos remain.

The multiple POVs can get a bit unwieldy, but I understand why McLean chose them. Without dipping into minor characters' perspectives, we’d miss key elements of the plot that drive the misunderstanding between Imogen and Oliver. It’s a quick read, and while some ending changes veer from the source material (Oliver and Imogen breaking up, for example), it works in this context, especially given the slightly toxic elements of their relationship.

If you adore Much Ado About Nothing, you’ll likely find this charming and clever. If you haven’t read or seen the play, the endless miscommunication might be frustrating—but that’s part of the magic (and mayhem) of the original. Personally, it left me smiling...and itching to rewatch the 1993 film with Emma Thompson and Denzel Washington.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I am a fan of authors rewriting Shakespeare works, however I must say this one does stick closer to the mark than others I’ve read, and for that I’m grateful. I also really enjoyed the sci-fi element as it still remained a traditional romance novel in a normal setting, it just had a sprinkle of the unreal which made the story pop. The seeing colours theme was unique and interesting, and well developed. I also really appreciated that there weren’t any gratuitous sex scenes, which meant the story had good flow without interruptions. Overall I’d say I highly recommend this book, and I’m hoping the authors will also do other Shakespeare rewrites as they did such job on this one. 10/10!

I was a little taken aback by the “soulmates” idea but in the end I loved the whole idea and storyline behind it. It’s such a beautiful way to show the difficulties of love.

This story is told through many different perspectives and so at times you’re ping ponged but it’s written in a way that you can easily pick up what’s going on and the anticipation of what’s coming is what keeps you turning pages.

I was a little shocked at the turn of events and I hope we haven’t seen the last of Imogen and Oliver. That storyline ugh my gosh. But Ben and Beatrice….PERFECTION!

Much Ado About Soulmates is a witty and heartfelt reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic, blending romance, humor, and a clever soulmate twist. Elsie McLean delivers sharp banter, emotional depth, and a vivid Italian setting that sweeps you away. I thoroughly enjoyed the tension between Beatrice and Ben, as well as the layered exploration of love and second chances. It was a charming and engaging read, and I gave it five stars.

Much ado about soulmates follows the stories of a group of friends in Italy for the wedding of two of their party Imogen and Oliver.
This is set in a world that’s black and white until you meet your soulmate who brings the world into colour

It asks the questions about fate being predetermined and how even though someone is destined to be your soul mate it doesn’t mean it will go smoothly or even that you are meant to be with them. I also liked how it showed how people will put their life on hold just waiting for that person even if they have chemistry with someone else

This was warm and thought provoking and an enjoyable read

Thank you to Elsie McLean, Victory Editing Publishing, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have never read this author previously and I haven’t read the original Shakespeare work that this story is loosely based off of. I found the story enjoyable, but my brain found it hard to focus on the fact that no one can see color unless they are near their soul mate. I thought there were far too many character POVs to keep track of and was flipping back to the character key multiple times. Overall, this particular storyline was not for me HOWEVER— I would read this author again because I enjoyed the banter and her writing style. Perhaps if I had read the original Shakespeare work I would understand it more, but for going in blind 3 stars is my rating.