This is a great book! Definitely add to a must read list! The characters are great and the story is well written! Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

Finding Kate is based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Although I haven't read The Taming of the Shrew, I requested Finding Kate so I'd have a good picture of the classic story. It was both entertaining and painful to watch the unfolding of Kathryn becoming Kate. I felt so sorry for her most of the time, even though I didn't like her personality very much in the beginning; she was a miserable thing, but I loved how she changed near the end. Will and Kate are perfect for each other! Thank you, Netgalley and Maryanne Fantalis, for a digital copy of Finding Kate in exchange for my honest review. 4 out of 5 stars!

Although the story was a fresh take on an old favorite play, and the dialogue and characters were believable and enjoyable, I still had difficulty feeling justification for the level of cruelty the heroine undergoes.

It was a fun read until Kate got married. I liked how Kate was strong, sassy, and true to herself. However, when she got married, Kate lost her spark. She was weak and passive. I also did not like how William treated her, and She didn't deserve it. Thus, I didn't see them having a happy marriage. Thus, this was a very creative retelling, but it didn't have any charm as the original.

The novel is based on the plot of Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew' and explores the roles of men and women in a given time period and within marriage. With appropriate changes made to suit the novel, the pace of the storyline jaunts along fairly well, though the middle section, set in Sir William's castle, drags somewhat and causes some consternation for the reader, particularly through the torment and persecution of Kathryn, as she undergoes her treatment to rid her of her shrewish nature.

On the whole, it is well-written and develops the characters effectively, ensuring the reader is continually perplexed as to who to engage with- Kathryn or William, for all his faults. Following the genre of historical romance, it is inevitable that the male character must be domineering and ultimately in charge, though Fantalis attempts to create a more three-dimensional side to his nature than might be seen at first. Kathryn, on the other hand, loses her spirit in parts, which is saddening, but then also in keeping with the character from the Shakespeare play who does also have to bend her spirit in order to conform to society. Whilst saying that, there are hints that there is more to this relationship than meets the eye and there is a definite feeling that it has the potential to be different - but all that is left to the imagination at the end of the book - maybe they can have a more radical relationship, with Kate maintaining her willful ways and fighting back - just maybe.

The period details are accurately weaved into the narrative and the descriptions are nicely managed. From beginning to end it is clear where the narrative is heading, particularly if you are familiar with the Shakespeare play, but there are some added details and surprises which attempt to pique the interest in this romantic ideal, though at times the reader will have to grit their teeth and pass over details that are less savoury for the modern female - remembering it is a depiction of a particular time and based on a previous text.

Fantalis has stayed mostly loyal to Shakespeare's play and she does it justice throughout, engaging the reader through a somewhat amusing storyline (in parts) and well-rounded characters that follow exactly what is expected of them.

Publisher's Description:
Kathryn’s strong will and sharp tongue have branded her a shrew in her small town. Now, not even the generous dowry offered by her wealthy father can tempt any man to court her. But when Sir William rides into town on his magnificent war horse, Kathryn’s world turns upside down.


William is like a burr in Kathryn’s side from the very beginning. Even the way he insists on calling her “Kate” irritates her thoroughly, yet she can’t keep from listening for his voice. Though he claims he is the only man for her, she is certain he only wants her rich dowry. When he proposes marriage, she accepts as a way out of her miserable home.
Freed from her cruel family and judgmental town, Kathryn must decide whether she will continue her battle of wills with the sometimes charming, often maddening Sir William. Will she remain the shrewish Kathryn or find a way to be Will’s Kate?

This delightful reimagining of “The Taming of the Shrew” is sure to enchant longtime Shakespeare fans and newcomers alike.

My Thoughts:
This is a delightful debut novel. The description tells us exactly what to expect with this retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.
Even had I not read the description I would have recognized this tale for what it is., after all we have been regaled with many different versions of this tale.

The characters are very well done recreations of the ones well remembered in the Shakespearean classic. Kathryn is the perfect recreation of the shrew and Sir William of the love she is certain was bought for her by her father who simply wants to be rid of her.

I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I have reviewed voluntarily.

I love taming of the shrew and this novel perfectly puts down how I see the play, it's not necessarily sexiest and actually looks at a women who is deeply unhappy in her life. You have to look at this play with the ideals of the time it wad written in and not our modern ideals.

Initially, I didn't care for the book. It is a retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, and the story is a little difficult to translate the dialogue into the body of a novel. I persisted in reading and came to like, then enjoyed the story somewhat. Well written, it is entertaining, but it's not truly an easy story to read. It could have benefited from a true love scene or two. It wouldn't have been true to the original story, but it would provide a more effective end to the story, a true HEA.

This is a redo of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. I've never read or seen the play, though I've watched the musical Kiss Me Kate. Unlike the play, this story is set in C15th England in the reign of Richard III rather than Italy. From what I remember a lot of the dialogue in this book is in fact lifted from the play, including the cruelty after the marriage (or in the case of this book, after the betrothal). From other reviews I have seen, I think some readers would have preferred the author to deviate from Shakespeare's plot and find another way for Kathryn/Kate to reconcile with her lot and it does appear that Sir William "got her" and his treatment of her in his own home seems unnecessarily harsh but that is the way the story was originally written and this author has gone with it. I enjoyed it and felt it was well written
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

“Finding Kate” tells the story of Kathryn who is overshadowed by her half-sister, Blanche. She is known as The Shrew, making it difficult for her to find a husband and to further exercebate the issue, Blanche cannot marry until Kathryn has. So Kathryn’s father arranges for several men to visit their home in the hopes of marrying off Kathryn.
Enter, Sir William. He finds characteristics in Kathryn that he has been looking for in a wife. He proposes only to not show up for the wedding. However, Sir William arrives to take her to his castle and so begins their journey to transform Kathryn into Kate.
This was a slow story to start with parts with banter between Kathryn and Sir William, making for a lively story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Loved this adaptation! Lots of emotion and a great pace! Thank you for sharing!

I admit I picked up this book because it was The Taming of the Shrew without the Shakespere language. They didn't try to take it into a different time period or modernize it at all. This was pretty much the play written out in prose. I thought it was well fleshed out with only a few minor changes and some additional back story added to Shakespere's basic plot.

I felt horrible for Kate when she is starved and kept uncomfortable. I couldn't quite understand how this was going to work out to be "for her good" but I think it finished well. I loved watching Kate come to a realization of why she was acting that way and how it affected how she saw herself and how others expected her to be.

This was a clean, romance well worth a read.

****ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

Finding Kate is divided in three parts and, athough I thought the first one was kind of slow building, I still enjoyed it. The heroine had spunk and was sassy and cool.

Enters the second part. That part made NO sense. It's so not like the story told until that part that I almost stopped reading the book. It was very confusing. The heroine that was super sassy bcame a doormat and the hero got weird and creepy.

The third part led to an ending that was completely unsatisfatory. There is no cliffhanger, but the characters also don't resolve their issues and it's not clear if they will go on with the plans they made through the second half.

I love historical books, but this one, unfortunately, did nothing for me besides leaving me disappointed.

It wasn't easy to rate this book. On the one hand I didn't put it down, I just kept reading ....and reading....and reading... On the other hand I was really upset with William because I felt that Kate had already suffered enough with her stupid family and especially with her stepb...east of a sister. Oh, and don't forget all those charming people in her village.

Alright, I knew the story, I mean, who doesn't, right? I knew that (I was always furious, when I read Shakespeare's version) Will has to behave like an ... idiot... and even though I was still upset with him and I felt so sorry for Kate because she wasn't really acting like a shrew and there he was, crushing all her hopes for a better life and at last some love with his stupid actions. He shows some redeeming qualities and it is obvious that he isn't happy with the way he acts as well but nevertheless I still hated him. And I had a real big lump in my throat all the time while he acted like that.

Which, usually, shows that the book itself isn't bad, right? Because a bad book wouldn't make me cry or get upset (or simply furious) or grin like a fool - best proof that this book is not just "not bad" but quite the opposite - usually it is actually really good. I just don't like some parts of the (classic and well-known) story but I liked that Will had certain ideas of the way a marriage should be.
And I liked him as well despite his actions and the fact that I would have loved to kick him more than once. He is a man, so it probably isn't his fault that his logic is flawed, right?

Soooo....if you don't mind getting upset and ranting against men, stepsistern, mother-mountains and other people as well as getting heartsick and a bit teary-eyed and all that, this book might be just right for you.

Finding Kate was a great novel. I really, really didn't think half way through that I would like it, I almost didn't finish it, in my mind I wrote it off as though the author couldn't fix it, boy was I wrong. I'm glad I finished it, it was an amazing book about partnership and knowing someone better than they know themselves and sacrificing something in yourself to help someone else find themselves. Beautifully written!!

I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

The first part of the book was awesome: I loved Kathryn's spunk, her sharp responses and her "Devil-may-care" attitude. I couldn't get enough of her and was bored to tears every time her half-sister, Blanche, would come into the picture. Even when Sir William entered the story, as annoying and presumptuous as he was, I still liked it because Kathryn's responses became even sharper and the banter between her and Sir William was fantastic. And then the first part ended....and everything went downhill and FAST

At first I was completely confused about the second part. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to "why?". There appears to be no end in sight. I felt that the second part didn't quite fit. And then we got the third part....WTF?!?!?! That's all I have to say...The little feminist in me was furious at the "new Kate" and her little performance in the garden, in front of guest. I really hated that part. I think that Kate or Kathryn (whatever you choose to call her) would have been happy and could still be herself...Not that shell that she became in the end...

This novel was a bit different from books I normally read. I have never read Taming of the Shrew, but this novel was a good read.
Kathryn is called a shrew by the people in her village. She always has a reply to something that is said and it is as if she is always "defending" herself. She is very clever, but feels her father cares more about her sister Blanche, than her. Her father will have Kathryn married first before Blanche can marry. Blanche is a rather selfish and conceited individual. She uses her wiles to entice men and likes to have attention on her.
Sir William arrives and meets Blanche and Kathryn. Blanche believes William is for her, however, William seems to be more interested in Kathryn and even begins calling her Kate, which annoys her. Kathryn feels as though everyone is against her. William asks her father for Kate's hand in marriage but her father denies him and tries to give him Blanche, to which William refuses. Eventually, Kate accepts his proposal but then William does not show at the church and Kate is hurt and embarrassed. William comes to her that night and takes her to his home. His attitude does a 180 and Kate is treated poorly. She is upset and does not know how to handle this., At times, she sees the William she first met, and others, this terrible man. In his own way, William is trying ti teach Kate a lesson about herself as well as doing the unexpected. Will Kate realize and understand what William is trying to do or will she live up to her title as a shrew?