Long Story Short

This was a delightful read! The relationship between Beatrice and Nik played out nicely over the course of the book and the addition of the supporting characters added to the story. I felt like the end of the book wrapped together nicely but did leave me hoping for a sequel to hear more!
I really enjoyed this story and the main character’s growth and development over her summer at camp, and I’m already looking forward to the next Serena Kaylor story.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was spectacular and Bea was such a relatable character. I really loved the other campers and the location of the camp. Mia was especially a wonderful character and I loved her friendship with Bea. This book has everything from romance to friendship to character development and a ton of Shakespeare. This is definitely a YA book you’ll wanna keep on your radar.

Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor is a lovely young adult romance that is sure to pull at your heartstrings and leave you wanting more.

This is one of those books that makes you feel so nostalgic about being 16, summer memories, and going away to camp (before remembering you never actually went to summer camp!). Serena Kaylor's Long Story Short was one of the most wholesome, feel-good books I read all year. It's not easy to make every character in a book likable, but the author pulled it off. From our protagonist Bea with her endearing overthinking brain to Mia and Nolan, who are just the absolute best friends ever to Nik, the love interest, whose journey with Bea was quite the ride. I wasn't a theater kid, but I still had such a fun time reading this one. I imagine actual theater kids and Shakespeare fans will adore it. If you're in need of a good summer read, pick this book up! And psst Netflix, we're gonna need a movie adaptation of this one.

I really enjoyed Long Story Short. There's nothing like familiar tropes with interesting spins on them. I loved the premise, the main character was the right balance of flawed but looking to grow, and going with her on her journey was really entertaining. The supporting characters and friendships added some whimsy and enjoyment to the overall experience. It was equal parts nerdy but romantic, a pairing that is always timeless to me. I'd recommend this book wholeheartedly for a feel good read.

This book. I cannot even tell you how much I loved it. I stayed up until 1:40 reading and then got up early to finish it.

The setting! If you love Emma Lord and camp books, this is for you. Throw in a Shakespeare theatre camp and it was perfection.

I love when romance books have more to their story and this one definitely did. The found family and friendships formed throughout this book made my heart so happy.

The anxiety representation was fantastic. It was authentic and real. However, it wasn’t super heavy. I loved how much Bea grew and how amazing her friends were.

Then there was the romance. Holy wow I adored it. It was enemies-to-lovers, but also some miscommunication with a side of missed signals. The banter was perfection and the Shakespeare battle? Couldn’t get enough. In one word, SWOONY.

Preorder this book, add it to your list, and do all the things because you won’t want to miss it. I am a new Serena Kaylor fan!
★★★★★/5
🔥🔥/5 (make out)

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I love this book with my whole heart! I had the pleasure of reading an early draft back in 2018 (!!) and reading the most updated version this week had me falling in love with these chaotic theatre children all over again. I'm so excited for this to be out in the world!

Serena is such a master of character and romance. I root for these characters every step of the way, from awkward auditions to opening night. Nik and Bea are the kind of slow burn YA romance I wish I could bottle up for cold days. They're prickly with each other, yes, but when it comes down to it, their relationship is build off mutual respect and trust. This is the kind of romcom my theatre kid self would have adored in high school and I can't wait for everyone to fall in love with this book.

Nothing beats a smart and witty main character. Beatrice rocks all the boxes we want in our heroines. Long story short really bright me back to my teen years in a waxing nostalgia way.

I loved this book so much! Bea is such a complicated and relatable character. I love her friendship with Mia and Nolan, and her teen angst over Nik's mixed signals is just *chef's kiss* YA perfection. The Shakespeare camp element is a charming backdrop and the quote battles between Bea and Nik had me swooning.

This is a quintessential YA story and I enjoyed every minute. Such a fantastic debut. Definitely add this to your TBR!

Thank you to Netgalley, Wednesday, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

This was a bright, fun, refreshing read that would be perfect for the summer months! I really enjoyed the character development and the relationship growth over the course of the book and thought the writing was excellent!

To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. From the beginning I knew I liked Bea. She's smart, blunt, and puts her ambitions first ALWAYS. Her parents forced her to go to summer camp to see if she can be a normal kid for once in her life instead of an academic scholar 24/7 and her character development during it was DELIGHTFUL. Serena Kaylor wrote Bea so well. Her attitude and anti-socialness doesn't come off as too negative and is the perfect amount of sass. I really enjoyed the supporting characters who had SO much life and helped Bea so much. Really looking forward to new books from Serena Kaylor!

I really enjoyed this book! I loved to see the subtle development in Bea’s character and the blossoming emotions and experiences she’s had. Each character was wonderfully detailed and left me loving them all! The development between Bea and Nik left me in anticipation throughout the entire book, wondering what was going to happen between them next, and i was pleasantly satisfied with the ending, but of course, this book left me wanting more of Bea and Nik! I loved the game between Nik and Bea, and loved even more the way the author emphasizes that friendships aren’t always built on agreements and support, sometimes it has to be built on support, honesty, and sometimes arguing, something th author highlights perfectly. Cannot wait to have a physical copy of this eventually!!

The synopsis for this book sounded too good to be true. I mean, a YA enemies-to-lovers romance that takes place at a Shakespearean summer camp? I had an inner feeling that it would fall short somewhere, because I had a hard time imagining a book that could be that good. Here’s the good news—the book exists, and it is as great as it sounds, if not better.

Long Story Short is about Beatrice Quinn, a homeschooled recluse who spends more time with books than in the outside world. She possesses a photographic memory, which caused her to be accepted to Oxford University at the young age of 16. The only issue is that her parents don’t think she’ll be able to handle the pressures that come with moving to another country, which is why they designed the perfect plan—sending her to a Shakespearan summer camp.

From the beginning, the protagonist immediately established herself as a strong-willed, intelligent woman. It’s clear that she has personality, and her narration is both sarcastic and quick-witted. All of the characters, in fact, were incredibly witty, putting the ‘rom’ in ‘romcom’. The banter and dialogue shared between every character was also impeccable, and it was a delight to read it.

The protagonist also has extraordinary character development. Over the course of the book, she learns to step outside of her comfort zone and not shy away from things that typically scare her. There was so much romantic tension between the protagonist and her love interest, and I could feel it radiating off the pages. I don’t often physically react to romance books, but the relationship between Beatrice and Nik had me kicking at the floor.

The setting of the book worked so well for the story. The many difficult steps that came with putting on a play only amplified the plot, and the bonds shared between campers were so familial and sweet. It made me wish that I had a relationship like the ones Beatrice had—both the romantic, and the platonic ones. I cannot say enough good things about this book, but what I can say is that it blew away my expectations in every way possible. It may have even increased my standard for YA romances, which is not something I expected when going into the book. If you find the synopsis intriguing in any way, I highly recommend it. This book will not disappoint.

I loved this novel, cover to cover! What a great read!!
💚
As a HUGE lover of all things Shakespeare, I absolutely loved reading the lines from the plays as the characters rehearsed and through their "games". All I kept thinking was how much I wished my parents would have sent me to Shakespeare camp when I was that age.
💙
I also love the characters in this novel. Our protagonist is beautifully crafted and developed, as are each of her friends she meets along the way.
💜
I highly recommend this one!

I can’t remember the last time I was able to—or made time to—finish a book in one day. I couldn’t put this one down. There was something about Bea that was so adorably disarming, and Nik was a heartstopper from the jump. The ending was just *mwah* chef’s kiss!

Let’s back up to the writing: I’m not going to say one of those, “Oh my gosh—I can’t believe this is a debut!” sort of comments. (And can we normalize not expecting debuts to be subpar, please? At least for a budding and hopeful author like me?) But, I will say, the author’s ability to make tangible the insecurities and observations and feelings of our beloved MC was seemingly the work of a seasoned author. There was so much imagery and so much humor—I LOLed through this entire book.

I loved it. I loved Mia and Nolan, and eventually, I loved Shelby. But mostly I loved the lesson this book teaches that sometimes, it’s ok to go a little off book or to admit that you don’t have everything fully figured out yet.

I’m looking forward to more from this author.

Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor was an absolute joy to read. The secondary characters were so confident and excited to be experiencing life in a place where their passion was centered. It made quite a contrast to our protagonist, Bea, who definitely had some social and anxiety issues to work through. I loved all the characters, except maybe for the twin sister who took out her frustration on the person least able to deal with her.
I would definitely recommend this book to all my students, but especially those who struggle with social situations and like to hide behind constant familiarity. The anxiety was so authentic, I just wanted to hug the little protagonist and give her courage to keep moving forward, even when it was so difficult.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Wow! When I read the blurb, I was immediately interested in this book. I mean it had a theatre camp, a list to complete and Shakespeare! But I didn’t expect to fall so completely in love with this novel. Our protagonist, Bea, was great lead! She was so snarky and had such a dry sense of humour. She made me laugh so much throughout the story. It was also beautiful to watch her grow and learn to step out of her comfort and try new things. The friends she made at camp were equally amazing. Mia and Nolan were the friends that Bea needed and I loved how they supported and loved her no matter what. They knew when to push her and when they needed to let her come to a decision on her own. Their friendship was wonderfully written!

Now, let’s talk about Nik. I don’t even know where to start. The banter between him and Bea was everything I wanted. I couldn’t stop smiling whenever the two would get lost in their own world and start going back and forth with each other. The lake scene was one of my favourites. And the Shakespeare-off😭I loved that so much!

Overall, I just had so much fun with this book. It had everything you could want in a YA novel: young love, humour and adventure. This would be a perfect read for the summer🥰

(A review will be posted on my bookstagram closer to the release date🤗)

Long Story Short; Serena Kaylor
5/5 stars

Where do I even start? This book was fantastic. I mean, debut YA authors are really upping their game.

Did I already mention I adored this book? Well, let me say it again: WOW. I couldn't take a breath. 
It took a few chapters for our main character, Bea, to meet her love interest, Nik, but it was well worth the wait. I was gasping for air as a result of their banter and tension. Normally, in enemies to lovers, the boy always has a snarky remark and the girl almost never has a retort, but Miss Beatrice Quinn was so sharp, sarcastic, and feisty... It was fantastic.

Bea is a one-of-a-kind character considering that I've never read about a shy, brainiac who is so sarcastic. She made me laugh out loud every time, and her views were always incredibly realistic for a 17-year-old girl establishing new acquaintances and having a crush.

 Nik was everything. He was caustic and, in Nolan's words, "Hot." The chemistry and tension between him and Bea...UNREAL.

Of course, I couldn't leave out Mia and Nolan. I can't convey how much I adored them. Their bond with Bea was pure and completely lovely. It was amazing.

Everything about this book was 5 stars, from the environment to the people to the romance to the Shakespeare offs. I wish it never ended.

This is the story about an intelligent, socially challenged, funny, snarky girl and how, with the help of new friends, she steps out of her comfort zone to try new experiences and redefines herself while still keeping true to who she is at her core.

I really enjoyed this fun and witty story. The novel is dialogue heavy (which I like) and very funny. I smiled and laughed through most of it. When I wasn’t smiling I was stressed out. You could really feel Bea’s emotions. From the very beginning, I fell in love with Beatrice. She just has a way of pulling you in. And the chemistry between her and her two new best friends is wonderful. This is a very quick read as it is hard to put down. I would read more by this author.

I would recommend this book to Shakespeare fans, theater geeks, and to people who enjoy YA romance or coming-of-age novels.

Thank you Net Galley and Wednesday Books for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

#NetGalley #LongStoryShort

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced review copy.

I think I have a new favorite book?!

Literally could not put this down- I read it in one sitting (despite it being very much the middle of the night now).

Especially as a writer and avid reader, I’ve found it increasingly hard to be sucked into a story and forget I’m reading. And yet, I got sucked into Long Story Short. I genuinely laughed out loud, also a rarity for me.

I was worried about the inclusion of Romeo and Juliet as the camp’s play, given how overdone (and problematic and so forth) it is, but this is one of the first books I’ve read that has included it in a non-cliche way.

While the characters were based on tropes (ie smart girl with trouble socializing, mean girl superstar) they also had a refreshing complexity about them, and clear motivations.

Plus, who doesn’t love a swoony, coming-of-age, clean romance full of new friendships and first love, plus witty banter and hate-to-love. As a bonus, there’s tactful anxiety and therapy representation.

If you’re looking for your next YA contemporary read, this is it!

lThis is the kind of book I wish I would have read in high school. I feel like a lot of us can feel like Bea sometimes so it is easy to relate for her and root for her.

The perfect enemies to lovers books. Soooo much banter!

Adored!!! Beatrice's funny, whip-smart voice drew me in from page one and I loved every second of camp shenanigans, pep talks from Mia and Nolan, and flirting (whether she thinks it is or not) with Nik. 10/10 would recommend if you want to laugh out loud and swoon!

What a great way to bring together Shakespeare, friendships, and summer camp. This was such a great read. I loved the acceptance of the campers and staff to each other. I loved how Shakespeare was used, not just as aside but a major driving point of the plot.
Really well done.
I will read other books by this author.

I really enjoyed this book! Bea is a fantastic character. Her uniqueness and quirks make her really some, and she is definitely someone I would have loved to be friends with at her age. The other characters were great as well. I especially loved Mia, Nolan, and Nik. The setting for the book was very cool! I never got the opportunity to go to a summer camp, so getting to experience one through this book was lots of fun. All in all, this is the perfect debut novel in my opinion, and I can’t wait to read whatever else the author releases in the future!

I am so blown away by this book! The romance, angsty and immaculate, character development, so moving, and the whole premise was executed beautifully! READ IT WHEN IT COMES OUT!!!

“Long story short, it was a bad time. Long story short, I survived.” This Taylor Swift song is Beatrice Quinn song. Thank you to Net Gallery, Wednesday Books, and St Martins Press for the advance e-copy of Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor! After finishing this INCREDIBLE coming of age book I am making it my mission to preorder so I have my own copy in hand. Enemies to lovers story with great friendships, and fun teen camp moments. Perfect book for theater fans and any Shakespeare lover. I enjoyed Beatrice and her new friends so much and the friendship experiences they shared it was fun reading about. I LOVED Nik! This book was such a good coming of age with YA romance. Long Story Short gave me all the feels, nice fast paced book that is easy to get into and love. As someone who is awkward like Beatrice, I understood her anxiety and just loved everything about this character. Can’t wait to see what Serena writes next, they definitely have a supporter in me!

My heart is literally smiling. Long Story Short it is a great YA novel that is unputdownable. I loved the setting because it gave it a summery vibe that I appreciate. I adored Beatrice and Nik, both were well-developed, rounded character, and I love the two of them together. The friendships were great too, I especially loved the satisfying ending.
What a hit debut by Serena Kaylor!

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book has perfect timing. In a time when our kids have gone years without typical social interactions, staying six feet apart from their friends, not having the typical experiences that develop social skills, and staring at black screens on a computer instead of think-pair-sharing with their classmates, it’s a perfect time for a book about a seventeen year old who needs to learn how to make friends.

It was such a pleasure reading Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor. The novel's characters and relationships were so well-rounded that they made for a wonderful story. As far as the romance genre goes, I think this works so well in the YA genre.

Beatrice Quinn isn’t your typical teenager, she’s brilliant and sticks to her routine while focusing only on getting accepted to Oxford. When her parents make a deal for Beatrice to attend theater camp for the summer to prove she can handle the big move, it may just end up being the one problem that gets in the way of her plan.

This book contains all of the heartache, awkwardness, and nostalgic aspects of growing up. Set with a diverse cast of characters and our lovable and awkward heroine, it’s the perfect mix for remembering your own journey of self-discovery and growing up. Focusing on the uncomfortable portions and how sometimes you get hurt but when it’s good, it’s so good. A beautiful coming of age tale that I would recommend for anyone to read

Y’ALL.

This has the possibility of being my favorite book of the year. Nothing can possibly top this book.

First of all, this book’s writing style? It’s so easy to tell that the main character is very smart. Readers don’t even need to be told she’s smart. Just take one look at the way she talks and acts and you just know.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the banter between the main character and the love interest. If you’ve seen my reviews in the past, you’ll know I love banter. I love enemies-to-lovers types of stories. And while this book isn’t really a true enemies-to-lovers (maybe more interested/annoyed-to-lovers), this book still gave me that sweet, sweet “I can’t stand you” fighting around an otherwise lighthearted and just generally cute storyline.

I read this book all in one sitting, which may be obvious by my own writing style and the fact that I absolutely loved it. I have a feeling you’ll also have trouble putting this book down if you decide to pick it up. It’s just so addictive and fun to read.

And it’s easy to really care for and love all the characters? I love Bea’s summer camp friends for how supportive they are and how they help her with her parents’ list of “teenage milestones” with absolutely no judgement. I love Nik because… come on. He’s Nik. You can’t possibly write a better love interest.

And I love the ending of this book, which is possibly one of the best moments I have ever read in my entire life. No spoilers, but the surprise? I wish I could see the look on their faces.

I’m going to read this book 16,000 times and I promise you: there will never be a single time where I’m bored of this book. I highly recommend you pick this book up for yourself once it comes out and join me in screaming over it.

This was such a delight to read. The writing is sharp and fast paced, and the character development is deeply engaging. Kaylor gives us a messy, imperfect heroine who's easy to root for in her fish-out-of-water setting. I loved seeing a girl who isn't always nice and sweet and accommodating, one who says some insensitive or assumptive things and has to grapple with that. Though Beatrice is clearly neurodivergent, Kaylor leaves the diagnosis and interpretation to her reader, allowing us to engage with the representation how we wish. Regardless, it's a shrewd portrait of how not all of us approach the world with the same brain. It's also a charming story of found family, with tight summer camp friendships and a sweet romance with a promising future. Shakespeare nerds (and, yes, I am one) will also delight in the quote games and references sprinkled throughout the novel. Come for the boisterous theatre summer camp and the comedic but heart-warming social awkwardness. Stay for the long awaited perfect kiss.

Long Story Short is a witty and swoon-worthy Shakespeare-themed rom-com full of quirky characters and theatre magic.

As a former theatre kid who loves Shakespeare, I had a feeling I would love this book. And Serena Kaylor did not disappoint! This Shakespeare summer camp coming-of-age story is smart, swoon-worthy, compulsively readable, and I simply adored it. Shakespeare quote battles that are basically just flirting? Sign me up! All the chaos of theatre and putting together a play? Been there, done that, miss it a lot. Seriously, reading Long Story Short made me nostalgic for my not-so-long-ago theatre days. There’s a particular kind of chaos magic associated with theatre and Serena Kaylor captures it perfectly.

The highlight of this book is definitely the cast of characters we meet. As fitting for a theatre camp, everyone is a little larger than life but in a good way. Mia in particular stole my heart with her colourful confidence and is definitely my favourite character out of the eclectic friend group Bea finds herself in.
I adore how supportive Bea’s new friends are of her. They accept and love her as she is, but also support her in trying new things without pressuring her. Fundamentally, Long Story Short is a story of stepping outside of your comfort zone and opening yourself up to new experiences. The book pokes fun at the transformation tropes common in coming-of-age stories. Yes, we get a makeover montage, but there is no singular “take off your glasses and become a princess” moment. Instead, Bea grows and experiments and learns, never losing who she is at her core: smart, resourceful, and loyal. The plot doesn’t try to squeeze her into a box of who she should be. She gets to learn and grow and change just as who she has always been and I loved that!

Speaking of Bea, what a wonderful heroine for this story! I love smart and nerdy girls and stories with more unusual main characters. Long Story Short is proof that everyone can be the main character in their own story. Bea, like all of us, contains multitudes. Yes, she is smart and a little awkward. But she also speaks her mind, is funny and loyal. The book makes room for her to be all of those things and shows us that we don’t have to fit into any box to be worthy of love and magical experiences.

Additionally, I really appreciated the mental health representation we get. Bea struggles with anxiety and the book allows her to navigate that in her own way. Her anxiety is part of her experience and the book doesn’t try to diminish that.

To me, this was the perfect summer read. It’s quick, delightfully funny in unexpected ways and just feels fresh and sweet, like strawberry lemonade on a hot day. I loved the romance way more than I expected to! Nikhil is a perfect counterpart to Bea and their banter was one of my favourite parts of the book. I’m not going to lie, I had to put the book down a few times to scream a little out of pure joy. If someone basically confessed their love to me using Shakespeare quotes I’d probably faint on the spot.

Beatrice Quinn is a teenage genius who is armed with an acceptance to Oxford and a plan....... That her parent's are not exactly onboard for. In order to prove that she is ready to be on her own in England, her parent's set a lists of tasks that she must complete and send her to the land of extroverts. Shakespearean Theatre Camp. We have the most hilarious side characters, a quirky female lead, and an enemies to lovers rivalry that absolutely sizzles.

I loved this story. As a Theatre kid (I'm pushing 30, can I still call myself a Theatre kid? Theatre adult?), this setting was my absolute dream. The friendships Bea makes in this story are so full of joy, love, and acceptance that my heart was bursting. The chemistry between our two leads is divine. and the banter shines. Nik is the boy teenage K-Lanie dreamed of. Sassy, British, and can quote Shakespeare? Yes, yes, and yes. If you're looking for a summer fun story, this one is for you.

Pub Date: 7/26/22

~Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

enemies to lovers bonding over their shared love for Shakespeare... what more could you ask for? Another addition to my long list of cute summer reads <3

I want to exist in this book forever. Seriously, I'm in love with Nik and Bea and their theater camp romance and banter and misunderstandings and flirting. I want to be best friends with Mia and Nolan and have them in my corner and teach me how to be a teenager. I want to go to a Shakespeare camp even though I'm not a theater kid or interested in Shakespeare. THAT'S how good this book is, because Serena Kaylor makes you want all of this through an immersive experience.

Bea is a genius, with no social skills - it isn't confirmed in the book if she has a diagnosis but I would compare it to some presentations of autism. She desperately wants to go to Oxford for college but her parents won't let her unless she proves she can improve on her social skills and "learn to be a teenager". Nik initially is a jerk to her, let's be honest - but quickly makes up for it with well chosen Shakespeare quotes and banter. All of the characters were phenomenal and well written.

I never wanted this to end. I appreciate the growth Bea made, especially with her parents, but I also feel her parent's needed to budge a bit more to compromise. Yes, Bea's actions were often selfish and not considering her parent's wishes, but her mom also continuously tried to force her to be someone she wasn't and that didn't so much change by the end. I would've liked to see more concessions from her parents.

Anyway, a full 5 stars to this fantastic YA contemporary with an enemies-to-lovers trope.

**Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review**

I LOVED a Long Story Short. What an adorable story! I absolutely loved each character and I was hooked from the start. I wanted to know about every detail of Beatrice's story, how the final performance of the play went, what her parents thought, if she got to go to Berkeley and if she would get to make true friend and possibly more?! The Shakespeare aspect added such a fun, sweet touch. Who doesn't want to see two enemies with chemistry off the charts engage in a Shakespeare battle? I thought it was such a creative modern way to incorporate Shakespeare to a story. Okay, I'm off to research adult theatre camps, bye!

Usually I’m not one for YA contemporaries, but I absolutely loved this one! It was sweet and funny and nerdy and very well-written, AND it had Shakespeare!!!

I was in a reading slump for a fair amount of time and this was actually the perfect read to get out of it! I literally cannot remember the last time I actually binged a book all the way until sunrise but this was the ONE. I devoured everything about this story and loved absolutely every second of it. I'm kind of embarassed how badly I squealed into my pillow by the end but it's fine. I was twirling my hair and giggling like a school girl for basically this whole book and I'll stand by that.

I would say that this book is the perfect mix of Morgan Matson, Wibbroka, and its own special sauce. If you're looking for probably the perfect summer read with interesting characters, a cute romance, and the feeling of making s'mores next to a camp fire at sunset then this book is definitely for you. This had everything: a summer setting?!?! theatre camp?!?! fantastic banter?!?! I loved seeing Bea grow into her own but also staying true to her quirks and who she is. I also loved our main love interest and side characters. Absolutely every aspect of this book had me losing my mind and I will need to give this a reread when it comes out. I just fell in LOVE.

A Shakespeare summer camp? Sign me up! A wonderful YA that you won’t be able to put it down. A fun and heartwarming story. You will adore these characters.

Long Story Short is a book that I wish had been around when I was in high school. It is comforting, sweet, funny, and a great reminder that everyone is different but our differences are what make us special.

Our heroine, Beatrice, is neurodivergent and dreams only of going to Oxford. Her parents don't think their homeschooled and socially awkward 16 year old is ready to live in another country alone so they send her to a Shakespearean acting camp for the summer with a list of goals to complete. There she makes fast friends with Mia and Nolan, and quick enemies with our hero, Nik. Long Story Short is a fun YA read about knowing who you are and broadening your horizons while staying true to yourself.

*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I LOVED THIS BOOK! Super fun and mostly light-hearted. And omg I was so emotionally invested in Bea 😭

This was a great heart-warming YA novel. I loved the setting, the relationship development, and the friendships we got to see. Overall, this is such a good coming of age story for young adults who are grappling with their own confidence and future.

While I wasn't homeschooled, I did really relate to Beatrice's social anxiety and introversion. I think this is a novel that would have been very beneficial for me as a young adult and I hope it gives today's teenagers the comfort they need as they navigate their own social circles.

Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Super cute true YA coming of age story about homeschooling, finding yourself, making real friends, and having some fun along the way. I would totally recommend this book to people looking for true young adult books. I loved the characters quirkiness and all of the character's growth throughout the story. If you love Shakespeare, you'll adore Long Story Short!

Posting about this one over summer is going to be so fun. I loved everything about this story. These are the sweetest characthers, so developed and the banter was perfect. I loved it.

The perfect YA summer romance! I loved all these characters so, so much. I liked the story, the setting all of plot. This book made me smile while I was reading it and made me really happy!

I genuinely went into this book blindly and had no idea what I was getting into. Hands down one of the best decisions I have ever made because I cannot fathom how Serena Kaylor made me swoon over Shakespeare. This is the type of book I wish I read going through the harsh, embarrassing, and uncomfortable moments of growing up into your teens. I felt like my inner 17 year old had her needs fulfilled by reading this and feeling less isolated. I kid you not every single one of these characters hold a special place in my heart. This is not your typical coming-of-age, summer story - if anything, it was so much more endearing and had me smiling into my pillow at 1AM.

You will root for Bea, want to strangle her, and want to shield her from anything remotely harmful. (I'm not just saying that also because my best friend in the entire world is also named Bea...hehe). The chemistry and colorfulness jumps out at you almost instantly when you begin reading this book.

Do not get me started on the enemies to lovers AND slow burn. We love to see it. WITH THE SHAKESPEARE TWIST? Oh yeah. We love to see it.

Overall, I would give it 4.5/5. Definitely on my list for comfort reads.

Favorite quote: "His voice washed over me, and he was young love embodied. He was secret meetings in a garden. He was yearning and relief and every sticky feeling I've ever had rolled up into one."