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leandrathetbrzero 's review for:
Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute
by Sayantani DasGupta
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Austenland meets Bridgerton meets Shakespeare? ❤️
↓ Similar Reads ↓
1. Sayantani Dasgupta’s Debating Darcy
2. Shannon Hale’s Austenland
3. Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility
Eila Das is furious with her younger sister, Mallika, when she learns that she not only applied to Regency Camp on Eila’s behalf but the two sisters have also been accepted. Hosted by the hit Bridgerton-meets-Murder-She-Wrote TV series, Rosewood, the camp offers the opportunity for attendees to get cast as background extras and, for a lucky few, even a dead body! Naturally, in this very loose reimagining of Sense & Sensibility, our Elinor-inspired protagonist struggles to give into her emotions and relieve herself of the many responsibilities she has adopted after the passing of their father. Will Regency Camp and the chance to be on Rosewood finally help Eila let loose and have a little fun?
Dasgupta makes this reimagining her own while still including a lovely variety of hints and nods to Jane Austen as well as William Shakespeare, since Eila is a character who adores Shakespearean theater. The diverse cast of characters is complemented by their open dialogue about the ongoing struggle to include storylines with BIPOC and/or LGBT+ leading protagonists in the entertainment industry. I particularly appreciated the indirect commentary on the very popular TV series Bridgerton which is praised for its inclusivity, but the main family we follow are white heteronormative characters…so the central coupling for each season seems destined to be mixed at best, always featuring at least one white romantic lead, and probably a straight happily ever after. It’s exciting to know that these critical discussions will be absorbed by teens who hopefully can continue pushing the industry toward more progress.
Incidentally, I am taking a Shakespeare course during my final semester in graduate school, studying the playwright’s histories and comedies. It definitely helped me gain a higher level of enjoyment and connection with the book having read Austen and, just recently, Shakespeare. Full disclosure: I’ve only read a few Austen titles, and fortunately Sense & Sensibility is one of them (and it’s my favorite thus far!). And I only have read/watched Much Ado About Nothing a mere week before reading this book, which I suppose proves that Fate exists. This Shakespearean comedy, among others, is referenced quite a bit, and I can attest that my background knowledge enhanced my reading experience. With that said, I think this would be an enjoyable read for anyone who adores modern takes on Regency themes and culture. It is just all the more fun when you are in on the jokes and nods to these classic works!
Silly at times and heartwarming at others, this YA contemporary romance gave me the swoons, the giggles, and the feminist feels. A lovely read, for sure!
↓ Similar Reads ↓
1. Sayantani Dasgupta’s Debating Darcy
2. Shannon Hale’s Austenland
3. Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility
Eila Das is furious with her younger sister, Mallika, when she learns that she not only applied to Regency Camp on Eila’s behalf but the two sisters have also been accepted. Hosted by the hit Bridgerton-meets-Murder-She-Wrote TV series, Rosewood, the camp offers the opportunity for attendees to get cast as background extras and, for a lucky few, even a dead body! Naturally, in this very loose reimagining of Sense & Sensibility, our Elinor-inspired protagonist struggles to give into her emotions and relieve herself of the many responsibilities she has adopted after the passing of their father. Will Regency Camp and the chance to be on Rosewood finally help Eila let loose and have a little fun?
Dasgupta makes this reimagining her own while still including a lovely variety of hints and nods to Jane Austen as well as William Shakespeare, since Eila is a character who adores Shakespearean theater. The diverse cast of characters is complemented by their open dialogue about the ongoing struggle to include storylines with BIPOC and/or LGBT+ leading protagonists in the entertainment industry. I particularly appreciated the indirect commentary on the very popular TV series Bridgerton which is praised for its inclusivity, but the main family we follow are white heteronormative characters…so the central coupling for each season seems destined to be mixed at best, always featuring at least one white romantic lead, and probably a straight happily ever after. It’s exciting to know that these critical discussions will be absorbed by teens who hopefully can continue pushing the industry toward more progress.
Incidentally, I am taking a Shakespeare course during my final semester in graduate school, studying the playwright’s histories and comedies. It definitely helped me gain a higher level of enjoyment and connection with the book having read Austen and, just recently, Shakespeare. Full disclosure: I’ve only read a few Austen titles, and fortunately Sense & Sensibility is one of them (and it’s my favorite thus far!). And I only have read/watched Much Ado About Nothing a mere week before reading this book, which I suppose proves that Fate exists. This Shakespearean comedy, among others, is referenced quite a bit, and I can attest that my background knowledge enhanced my reading experience. With that said, I think this would be an enjoyable read for anyone who adores modern takes on Regency themes and culture. It is just all the more fun when you are in on the jokes and nods to these classic works!
Silly at times and heartwarming at others, this YA contemporary romance gave me the swoons, the giggles, and the feminist feels. A lovely read, for sure!