When high profile actor Theo Larkin crashes the stage at the birthplace of Shakespeare, Lucie is furious and begrudges having to share her stage with a man who seemingly doesn’t need the work. But Theo has made mistakes which mean his career is hanging by a thread and he will do anything to get it back on track.
Theo has lived a relatively sheltered life after being successful in his acting career and it is refreshing to see him experience the life of actors who have not had their big break yet.
I love a story with flawed characters, it feels so realistic and unpredictable. I enjoyed the background stories of the side characters and the incorporation of Shakespeare. I knew I would enjoy this book before I even read it-Miranda Dickinson is so incredibly talented.

I thought this was a really cute read. It was funny, addictive and just very sweet.
I loved the Shakespeare bits and it's made me want to visit Stratford upon Avon!
A lovely , fluffy summer read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve not read anything by Miranda Dickinson in a long while (despite having read about 70% of her books) and so I was keen to read this one. I’m not much of a Shakespeare girl - I was obsessed with the Leo version of Romeo & Juliet and I studied Twelfth Night at school and sadly that’s about where my knowledge ends. So it was lovely to be thrown into Lucie’s hometown of Stratford Upon Avon & learn all about her love of the Bard. Lucie is a jobbing actor who can’t catch a break. She works 4/5 jobs trying to keep herself afloat as she tries in vain to become a star. Working at Shakespeare’s ‘Birthplace’ as one of the ‘Garden Players’ performing scenes from various plays she meets star of stage & screen Theo Larkin - who has come to join the garden players - or steal Lucie’s tips. Lucie is prepared for a fight for her beloved garden players but Theo has a fight of his own already on his hands. I really did like this book, I liked Lucie’s gumption, their electricity on stage - and I quite fancy a Titania Dream.
If you like a good love story with a twist of Shakespeare - this will be perfect for you.

I really really tried with this book but after 3 weeks of reading, I didn't make it past page 67. I'm not even sure what it was about this that I didn't enjoy, it just wasn't for me.

I like to give some kind of informative feedback normally on why I didn't like a book or how I felt it could have been better but I genuinely don't know what it was that put me off.

Annoyingly, I have read and enjoyed Miranda Dickinson books before so I know that this is an author that I like but not this book, obviously!

"A" lister disgraced actor goes to Stratford on Avon to revive his career, meets jobbing actress. Wonderful romance acting out Shakespeare's most romantic plays .Enthralling reading , with excerpts from Shakespeare thrown in.

This is a lovely read-some really funny characters, great settings and enough Shakespeare to bring forth the romance but without catapulting you back to the misery of GCSE study texts!

Things We Do For Love by Miranda Dickinson is a delightful, contemporary novel that will warm your heart and leave you smiling.
The novel is set over a summer in Stratford Upon Avon and celebrates all things Shakespeare. We follow the Garden Players as they bring the works of the bard to life.
We see how hard it is to break into acting. As well as sheer hard work, a little bit of luck is needed.
Shakespeare brings out the passion in his followers. To have his works performed in his home town is the icing on the cake for them.
We witness the uglier side of theatre as a jealous director has the power to thwart a talented career.
There is a thin line between what is real and what is acting. Misunderstandings occur when the truth comes to light, mirroring a scene from the bard himself.
All the characters are well drawn and likable. There are some wonderful sparring scenes as well as witty retorts.
I absolutely loved Things We Do For Love. It was charming and it was fun. It was a wonderful way to spend a few hours escaping to Stratford from the confines of my sofa.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I am sorry but I have not finished this book, for some reason I just could not get into it.

For me it was very heavy on the Shakespear references and I a. Not a Shakespear kind of gal.

I am sure others will love it for the very reaso. I didn't and the fact that is is set in Shakespear country.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC.

Having enjoyed many trips to Stratford upon Avon, I was happy when I discovered this book was set there, it creates a great atmosphere and knowing the place really adds something when reading.
Lucie is a great leading lady, in every way possible, I like her style, her personality and her relationships with others. She doesn’t take any nonsense in her own way – even if that does sometimes become a problem in terms of her being a little stubborn.
Theo’s character was different, I didn’t think I’d like him initially, but he grew on me and I liked seeing how his character developed throughout the story.
Of course, we were going to see a romance blossom between the two, but it seemed natural and not too forced or rushed. It definitely ticks the boxes of the enemies to lover’s trope.
We have a great cast of characters; those to love, those to “boo” and of course those that are quirky and special. I enjoy when unlikeable characters get a chance to redeem themselves, it does happen in this story (although not for everyone, some people are beyond help!!)
Drama, comedy and romance – themes from the great Baard himself – all make this latest book another hit from Miranda Dickinson.

It’s no secret that I am a fan of Miranda Dickinson’s writing, both her romantic contemporary fiction and her crime fiction as M J White. In recent years her releases have been firm five star reads but have never toppled my favourite from the top of the list, until now. Things We Do For Love has taken the crown big time.

Dare I say it, I’m not really a Shakespeare fan. Or rather, I wasn’t until now. You don’t have to be to enjoy this book and in fact you might end up like me by the end, researching other fictional titles that feature the great writer himself (or…herself…but that’s another book entirely ahem Jodi Picoult).

This book has chemistry and those main characters absolutely exude romance from the pages. Enemies to lovers has had a massive upgrade to this ‘on another level’ romantic contemporary novel. Whilst it has the tropes we know and love, throwing a Shakespearean twist into the mix is incredibly unique. Add in the challenges of being in the acting world, directors, romance, quotes and more, it has everything. I urge you to meet Lucy and Theo, pronto. You won’t regret it.

I’ve enjoyed a few of the author’s previous novels and as I’ve enjoyed trips to Stratford on Avon I was looking forward to reading Things We Do for Love.
Lucie and Theo meet when performing at one of the Shakespeare houses in Stratford. Lucie is an actress struggling to make ends meet , while Theo has had Hollywood success.
I enjoyed the Stratford setting but I did find the Shakespeare references overdone and this prevented me from fully immersing myself in the characters and the plot. I understand from the afterword that the author wanted to write a homage to Stratford on Avon and I think she’s done this beautifully and I’m sure others will love the Shakespeare references. I didn’t quite believe in the relationship between Lucie and Theo and found the romantic storyline too predictable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

A good story interjecting historical fiction with real life. It is well written, being sympathetic to the historic element as well as the more modern day.

A gentle story which builds and catches you out with its intrigue and untruths. I really enjoyed reading the book as it flowed well and kept me involved in the story. Thanks for the opportunity to review it.

What a gem of a book! It is a fantastic read and had me hooked from the very first page. Thank you Miranda for this great read.

I really enjoyed this light hearted summer read. I took to the characters straight away, and got really invested in them. Right from the start the book is from the female perspective and the male perspective which was such a good way to get the reader interested. One chapter on Lucie and the next on Theo, loved it. I definitely recommend this one! Thank you #netgalley

Lucie lives in Stratford and is an aspiring actor. She works 4 jobs to make ends meet. She performs with a Shakespeare Group and is annoyed when Theo a disgraced actor crashes her Taming the of the Shrew monologue.
They have to put their feelings aside to make things work for their careers.
I loved this story and the Shakespeare quotes and descriptions of Stratford.
I Have read this author before and enjoyed the last book as well.
The characters and also some of the side characters like Ced and Cass and Lucie's flatmate were all likeable.
Well done Miranda a winner for me.
Thanks Netgallery.

I have read several of Miranda Dickinson’s books and this one was not only enjoyable, but educational.

I learnt lots about the acting industry and Shakespeare, whilst following the connection between Lucie and Theo.

This was written in a well thought out manner and I really enjoyed the Shakespeare theme throughout the love story.

Thanks for the opportunity.

Set in the beautiful town of Stratford on Avon, this is a lovely story of a group of actors and their relationships and workload. A great easy to read tale, definitely recommend

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I really enjoyed this book.

The story is about Lucie and Theo. Theo is well known, whereas Lucie has yet to get her big break.

Together they put on shows acting out scenes from different plays by Shakespeare for the public. But, with the twists and turns throughout, you are turning the pages, wanting to find out how or if they both would get a happy ending.

I loved the setting, Stratford upon Avon, which was perfect for this story.

I highly recommend this book.

Another Miranda Dickinson that I couldn't put down. I work in Stratford and it was lovely to read a book which was set there. I loved the characters and how the story unfolded. A read I most definitely recommend.