Beatrice has one goal this summer- convince her parents that she’s socially ready to attend her dream college program at Oxford. They will support her, but first she must attend theater camp and complete tasks to prove she’s participating. Also known as her worst nightmare. Beatrice soon realizes that theater camp is unlike anything she’s known before and tries to rush through her list of tasks. When the camp puts on a production of Romeo & Juliet, Beatrice is forced to open her mind, try new things, and make friends outside her comfort zone. 

This was such a fun book! The theater camp is friendly, inclusive, and filled with excellent secondary characters. I loved the emphasis on the unconditional friendship that Beatrice finds in Nolan and Mia- they immediately accept and love Beatrice for who she is. I enjoyed watching Bea learn to trust her friends as they help complete her list. Long Story Short has theater kids, pranks, camp traditions, new friends, enemies, and as much Shakespeare as one could want.  Beatrice is full of sharp wit and honesty. Some of her retorts to Nik, a boy she has complicated feelings about, really made me laugh. 

Long Story Short is filled with the joyful chaos of theater camp, stage fright, and getting outside of your comfort zone. Beatrice is coded as neurodivergent, without using a specific label, and I loved this choice. To me it helps question the idea of “normal” (normal really doesn’t exist) and invites readers to feel more comfortable with themselves. I think many readers will find aspects of themselves in Bea and the choices she makes. I look forward to seeing more of this type of representation, especially in contemporary books!  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys neurodivergent heroines, theater kid mischief, and Shakespeare duels. I’m looking forward to whatever Serena Kaylor writes next! 

Thank you to Serena Kaylor, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.