Midsummer Dreams (Choc Lit)

At a midsummer wedding reception four friends begin to question their lives and each other. Skirt chaser Alex has never wanted to settle down, but now that he’s met the woman of his dreams, she’s out of his reach. Helen has loved the same man for 10 years even though her feelings were not reciprocated, now she realizes he will never love her. Dominic is great at making everyone but himself happy and Emily wants nothing more than to destroy her father’s new relationship. An evening of “Come to Jesus” follows as the four try to find the right path for their lives

Enjoyable light romantic ChocLit based on the ever popular Midsummers' Night Dream. Cleverly crafted to include the flavour and feel of Shakespeare's perennial masterpiece, without any of the 'Ole English' to make reading a challenge. I'll be looking out for more from this writer in the future.

Without a good memory or a recent reading to draw the comparison's to Shakespeare's play, I kept referencing the Kirsten Dunst adaptation vehicle "Get Over It" in my mind. That movie and this book are both modern retellings and adaptations of Midsummer Night's Dream. If you were reading this romantic comedy without that reference point, this plot would be called convoluted at best. But instead, this is a fun romp through the setup of the Shakespearean play and characters but in a modern British setting. The switching to different character's Point of View was well labeled but a bit distracting. I would recommended this novel to anyone looking for British chick lit who will appreciate the many Shakespearean references!

This is a really quirky, fun, if a little dark at times, modern spin on A Midsummer Night's Dream and it works really well. The four main characters have their own interesting backstories and the fact that each chapter transfers from one character to another really helps the story flow. Really easy to read

the real main character is Emily and she's driven by a fear of being alone and when her Dad finds love while away she tries to do all she can to keep her dad to herself as that life is all she knew. You find out towards the end of the book why she feels so alone and fearful and it really makes you understand her actions, which do appear a little selfish and needy at times!

Add to the mix her best friend Helen and her unrequited love, Emilys boyfriend Dom who appears to be safe and steady, and Helens new ladies man lodger, Alex, and let the fun begin!!

Highly recommended for someone who wants a little something different from a normal chick lit romance!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great holiday read.

"Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania". Thus says Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream. I didn't read the blurb before I read the book (I trust Chic Lit implicitly!) and was delighted to discover my friends from the magical forest of Shakespeare!

I loved the characters and how they blended with their literary counterparts. It was a beautifully tangled plot - the Bard would have been pleased!

The scenes on Midsummer Night were brilliantly described and the "magic" cleverly integrated. Was impressed with the way all the minor characters were tied in with the action of the main characters.. Although I did feel like chasing Emily a few times!

This is my first Alison May book and I am looking forward to reading her others.

What a delightful retelling of the Bard’s tale in a modern day setting. There is one constant thing in life and that is that life changes, daily – and many of us do not accept change in any form well at all.

Four friends and four lives that are in need of changing. Midsummer Dreams is a delightful retelling of A Midsummer’s Night Dream – yes. It’s funny and heart wrenching as well as purely entertaining. It’s also a tale of modern day life that hits the nail so solidly on the head that at times it’s painful to read. Because it makes us think of our own lives and what we should change or the what if’s should we go through with those changes. Life’s not easy, but it is one terrific ride, for the most part.

I enjoyed reading Midsummer Dreams very much. The characters were so realistic I even picked out a few of my real life friends that sound and act so much like some of these characters. Each person gets to speak from their point of view as the chapters change and merge into the next. So this is not a one view perspective, everyone gets involved in this tale. And that helps us enjoy everyone’s story all the more. Yes, there were times when shaking and smacking some people upside the head for not getting the point was very much in my mind – but isn’t that what makes a story real and enjoyable.

I would recommend this novel for those that simply enjoy a slightly complicated group of stories that merge into one grand tale. There is plenty to love in Midsummer Dreams so your next step should be to go read it for yourself and enjoy.

*I received an e-ARC of Midsummer Dreams from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Brilliant modern telling of a favorite tale!

There are almost 100 chapters in this book! Do NOT let that scare you away. 😉 The chapters are short and hop around among the four characters’ brains to let you in on what they’re thinking. Me? I spent well over half this book wanting to strangle every single one of them for their lack of communication. Well, okay, whatever. If they were communicating, there’d be no story.

The humor is sharp and quick. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it! Some of it is laugh-out-loud funny, so you may want to read in private. Unless you’re okay with being stared at. By Chapter Eighty-Seven, I had tears dripping down my face, trying to drown me in them. Have some tissues handy when the feels set in.

Lastly, this is one American girl who LOVES British slang. Nothing makes me laugh harder than a well-placed slang word. Who knew that fug was a real word? Thanks for helping me get smarter, Alison!

Now here's a turn-up for the books - today I'm reviewing a lovely book published by Choc Lit, not because they've asked me to, but because I really wanted to! Midsummer Dreams by Alison May was published as an e-book on 12th June. I'm a big fan of Alison's writing. I've previously reviewed both Holly's Christmas Kiss and Cora's Christmas Kiss (I loved them both): and I'm sure I've told you before how much I enjoy reading Alison's blog, where she talks about everything under the sun and frequently makes me laugh and nod in agreement (if you're not already following it, I'd really recommend you do...).

This book was sheer enjoyment from the first page to the last. She's quite wonderful at bringing characters to life - I particularly adored Helen, and my heart ached for her as her dream moved further and further from her grasp. Alex is equally adorable - immoral and irreverent, but quite wonderfully funny and so immensely likeable. Emily, however, is eminently slappable - but she has her reasons for being that way. As for Dom(inic) - quite perfect! And it's not just the main characters, the lesser ones are fantastic too - Theo, the wonderful Tania, Nick who attends lectures in his underpants...

You don't really have to know much about A Midsummer Night's Dream, it won't stop you enjoying it - but being an ex English student I know the play well, and this is such a clever re-telling of the story with a 21st century twist.

And as for the writing - it really sparkles, gentle humour, a little slapstick along the way, and the odd very unexpected tear in the eye. Wonderful stuff - don't overlook this one whatever you do, you'll be missing a few hours of unadulterated fun and enjoyment - I really loved it.

My thanks to netgalley and the publishers Choc Lit for my advance reading e-copy.

I’ll preface this review by saying it’s not going to be a very good one. It took me a long time to read the book, which had nothing to do with the story, and everything to do with the fact that my dog became ill and we discovered he has a cancerous tumor in his liver. So for the past couple of weeks I’ve been very preoccupied with him and found it hard to concentrate on anything else.

Emily’s father is in Verona, attending a conference, and when he comes home he brings a surprise – a fiancé. A younger, free-spirited woman who Emily instantly dislikes. She’s all wrong for her dad, a professor, and is determined to make her dad see that, and to prevent the wedding from ever happening. Meanwhile, Emily has been dating Dom for quite some time, and while she thinks everything is good, she finds herself attracted to Alex, her friend Helen’s new boarder. Alex is the master of one night stands, but he is also drawn to Emily. And Helen has been in love with Dom for ten years, so Alex tells himself that by pursing Emily, he’s helping Helen.

The short chapters alternate among the four characters, with Emily’s chapters in first person POV. Helen especially resonated with me more than the others, though partly I think because she’s a little older and more mature than Emily. Emily lives with her dad, works for her dad, and takes endless driving lessons without ever having the confidence to actually get her license. She has a lot of growing up to do. But of the four, Helen also reminded me the most of myself, such as with this passage:

“They need volunteers to help. It’ll show that you’re a team player.”
“It’ll be outside,” Helen pulled a face. “With mud, and weather, and outside things.”

And this one, when she and Alex are discussing her need to get over her infatuation with Dom and start dating:

Helen wasn’t sure. The whole notion sounded horrendous. She liked familiar people. She liked people she already knew. Meeting new ones was traumatic.

None of the four friends are particularly happy with their lives, though they all seem to be constantly convincing themselves (and each other) that everything is great and nothing needs to change. And while I decided along the way who should be with who, the author left me hanging practically until the very end.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and the writing. There’s plenty of humor, and each character’s personality is distinct and well drawn out. I sometimes wanted to smack a character and tell him or her to chill out or grow up, especially Emily, but I liked all of them, and I was quite satisfied with how everyone’s story was resolved.

Delightful cast of characters and an enjoyable plot.

This was a cute story about family workings, your belief in your own self and the power of love. Well written and engaging.

Love retellings so this refreshing modern take on Shakespeare's classic story was a joy to read. All the expected ups and downs of true love, unrequited love and the resolution of both made for a highly readable story. Thumbs up, especially if you like your romance with a comic twist!