Speak Easy, Speak Love

Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Edelweiss for review purposes.Speak Easy, Speak Love is a retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. After getting kicked out of her boarding school, Beatrice is sent to her Uncle's place in Long Island; Hey Nonny Nonny. Speak Easy, Speak Love follows the lives of the residents of Hey Nonny Nonny – Hero, Beatrice, Prince, Benedick, and Maggie as they navigate their dreams and wishes, love, prohibition, and the mafia.I really enjoyed Speak Easy, Speak Love. I really enjoyed the Prohibition setting, and I have such love for all the residents of Hey Nonny Nonny, my favourite being Beatrice. McKelle George incorporated much of the most memorable aspects of the 1920s (and the most romanticized) – Prohibition, speakeasies, the Italian mafia, the suffrage movement, jazz, and flappers. It was definitely an intriguing and charming setting.Like I said, Beatrice was probably my favourite character, but I adored each and every one of them. McKelle created a fantastic cast of characters who really complemented each other, and even though we have three separate POVs, it was done fantastically.I also really enjoyed the romances, particularly Benedick and Beatrice. I loved their bickering, and their slow burn and hate-to-love romance. I would definitely recommend this book if you're a fan of romance because there are several other pairings that are super cute too.As far as I'm aware, this is just a stand-alone, but if I'm being honest I would totally read a sequel! I think fans of historical fiction will enjoy this, especially if you're looking for something atmospheric and romantic. It is a lovely and charming little book.

As a historical fiction story Speak Easy, Speak Love is a charming. As a retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing I a little disappointed it was so literal.I love the quirky, devious characters and the air of mischief. Beatrice, in particular, is just as feisty as Felicity from The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue and they would probably be close friends. But is she just a little too like Felicity…?@crushingcindersComplimentary review copy provided by the publisher