A woman writes a novel and tries to get it published during the regency era when women were discouraged from writing. The only thing a young woman should pursue is a good marriage. This woman is determined to get her novel published.

This was entertaining. Margaret is an aspiring writer who dreams of publishing her book and Briger is in publishing. It's a story of enemies to lovers.

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review. I found myself bored and there were so many similar characters that I had a hard time keeping track. Thank you for the opportunity and consideration.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Margaret delivers hardcore eldest daughter vibes, and needs to make a wealthy match to please her rich aunts and save her family’s fortunes. She tries to deliver her latest manuscript to the sexy publisher, Mr.Darrow, where he really ruins all her hopes and dreams to save her family. So awkward.

They are brought together again at a wedding and try to solve the mystery scandal that threatens to implicate their friends. Shenanigans ensue.

This is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, and just wasn’t my favorite. The chemistry, plot and/or characters weren’t strong enough for me, and it just felt sort of bland.

Much Ado About Margaret is a fun Regency romance that crosses Jane Austen and Shakespeare in a story loosely following Much Ado About Nothing and featuring a headstrong young woman who aspires to be a published writer but has to balance this with her family's financial need for her to marry. Margaret, or Maggie, Arden is a determined novelist seeking publication while navigating English society; at a party, she thrusts her book at Bridger Darrow, a former soldier turned book publisher who dismisses Maggie's efforts while he searches for a hit novel to save his own family's finances. Bridger, it turns out, is the best friend of her cousin Lane, whose wedding they both attend soon after. Maggie and Bridger end up trying to resolve a scandal at the wedding celebration, while falling for each other and trying to figure out their familial situations.

90% of the book takes place over just a few days, making Maggie and Bridger's relationship very insta-lovey and fast-paced, which unfortunately is not for me. The Much Ado About Nothing structure gave the book a fun sub-plot for the two to work on together, and the focus on writing and books was enjoyable. I wasn't very invested or drawn in by the characters, though this was an easy, entertaining enough read.

‘Much Ado About Margaret’ by Madeleine Roux
Disapproving Tyrant Aunt
I was loving this story right up until the ‘open door’ scene rather spoiled the entire story for me.

This was a fun light regency romance. I thought it would be much more inspired by Much Ado About Nothing, which I was excited for, but it was only lightly referenced through the book. It was a sweet romance and I liked the characters but I didn't quite click with the story. But overall, it was a fun story!

Thank you to Dell and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The first quarter of this story was enjoyable. I got to know the main characters and their extended families. However, after the excitement at the wedding the story kept meandering around and the pace slowed. DNF at 42%

Much Ado About Margaret was such a charming historical romance, Margaret as a main character is relatable to absolutely anyone who loves reading, and who finds solace in words. I found the humor in this book expressly witty and had a few laugh out loud moments, so overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book a very easy high four star, not quite a five just because I found the pacing at the beginning to be just a tad bit fast I felt like I was thrust into the story a bit too quickly but that was something pretty easy to move on from

Rate: 2.50


Margaret is a young woman who dreams of publishing her book and thereby supporting her family. She is very close with her sisters and mother after her father passed away, now that they have to live with her aunt Margaret is being prepared to marry and it doesn't have to be for love. After a particularly brutal rejection letter from a Renomore editor, Margaret fears the worst; It will be nothing more than what society expects of it. Captain Bridger Dryden is starting over after years of bloody action fighting for his country. Now home and struggling with everything he has seen and experienced; Bridger is turning to his love of books as a new partner at publishing house Dockarty & Dryden. So when he travels to the Pressmore Estate for his dear friend's wedding, and comes across loose pages from an amazing book, Bridger knows he must publish it. But upon meeting the author, Bridger is stunned to discover that he is in fact her, and her publisher has already rejected her.

I have to clarify that this is my first book in this trope. Ok, I enjoyed reading it but I didn't love it. I really liked how the story ended. But the only thing that caught my attention was the hook to the plot, the characters didn't catch my attention much and I couldn't convince myself. I thought it was good, fun and cute. I recommend it for people who like this Bridgerton-style Regency trope and if you like characters who don't give up.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to review this book before publication in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was so much fun! It's nice when an author can put some contemporary desires into a historical read. I loved the characters and the protagonists ongoing to live outside the societal blocks around her.

“Much Ado About Margaret” is a historical (Regency era) romance/mystery book by Madeleine Roux. Let me admit, the cover - completely and totally adorable! It’s eye catching and colorful. This book is enemies-to-lovers with two rather strong characters. While I liked the idea of a writer falling for an publisher, I had hoped to read more about the writing/publishing experience, but while there were bits of information, the focus of the book is more on solving a scandal (which required the two main characters to team up). I did like the Shakespeare references which the title of this book hinted would probably appear. I think this book could use another edit review - as in a few paragraphs a character goes from fiancee to wife-to-be to wife … without an actual ceremony happening on the page. Additionally, I’m not sure this was completely “grounded” in the Regency era, as the language and actions of characters changed from “then” to “modern” and back again. Overall, a cute book, but it wasn’t quite my cup of tea.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group: Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 3/5 Stars
Published: October 22, 2024
Pages: 272

I have not read anything from Madeleine Roux since 2022, however the description for “Much Ado About Margaret” caught my attention and loving historical regency romances…was delighted to get a copy to read. The short story is about Margaret Arden, the heroine novelist who hopes one day to get her stories published. Then there is Bridger Darrow, the hero publisher who has consistently rejected Margaret’s book. The heroine has tried several attempts to get the hero to change his mind to no avail. They somehow end up at her cousin’s wedding and as the hero gets to know the heroine a little better, attraction sparks a relationship, and both find themselves falling in love with one another. Unfortunately, fate caused their separation for a time until they reconnected once again.

I am a fan of tropes involving enemies to lovers, drama, mystery entangled with a bit of romance. There are some witty moments and scandal too. got witty banter, romance, hilarious siblings, and of course scandal. This was one of those likeable reads with likeable characters but nothing to put me over the edge of making this a wonderful read.

Much Ado About Margaret by Madeline Roux

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

5/5 stars

Ohhhhh this book. I shall never be the same.

I am in love with this book. I do so love an enemies to lovers trope - it’s my favorite. Especially when the male lead is Bridger Dryden, a man who is down on his luck because of failed family fortune and is trying to operate a successful publishing company. And he’s so strong and handsome…

Maggie is our female lead and her family is not wealthy because of “poor” choices of her mothers. However, she can redeem the family by marrying well. However, her heart is in writing, not in marrying. So, does she follow her heart, save her family… or can she do both?

What a fun Regency period romance ala Jane Austen this book is, with all the misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and missed opportunities we've come to expect from such books.

The year is 1817. Margaret Arden, ("Maggie") has made her debut to the Ton and has found no suitable partners. Frankly, she'd rather be left alone to pursue her dream of being a writer of novels. But so much of the Arden women's survival depends upon Maggie making a good match with a wealthy suitor. She and the other Arden women are invited to a country estate for the nuptial celebration of their cousin and his bride. Turns out, their cousin is best buds with the publisher, Bridger Darrow, who turned down Maggie's manuscript without a care. So you can just imagine the sparks flying between these two on such an auspicious occasion.

Ms. Roux has done a lovely job of capturing the Austenesque vibe of the period. Her writing is solid and her character development quite good. She paints her scenes with lovely expression and one can just imagine the lush gardens so beautifully appointed for such a special occasion. The romantic scenes were chaste. The poignant Shakespeare quotes at the head of each chapter were suggestive of that which is to follow. All in all, this was a pleasant diversion and thoroughly enjoyed.

I am grateful to author Madeleine Roux and her publisher, Dell, for having provided a complimentary uncorrected proof of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: ‎Dell
Publication Date: ‎October 22, 2024
Number of pages: 272
ISBN: 978-0593499399

A love story for both Margaret and Bridget and books as a whole. This novel was well paced with a sweet premise and I loved the female lead. It was a little character heavy and at times I had trouble keeping people straight but overall it was an enjoyable read. Thanks to Dell and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Margaret’s father dying isn’t the worst thing ever but it leaves her unmarried and at the whim of a cantankerous chaperone. All she wants is to write about the characters in her book but her aunt wants her to make a good match. Even though it means giving up on her freedoms. And Margaret isn’t about to do that. Bridger is a second son desperately trying to save his family and wants nothing to do with this sassy lady. Sparks fly as the two save other people but can they save themselves?

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

This book was delightful! Full of fun and hijinks and Georgian romance and adventures. Margaret and Bridger were so interesting and gave GREAT banter. I also loved Margaret's sisters and cousin. It felt like a real world with well developed characters. Margaret and Bridger's love of books and reading was relatable and fun and gave them a good connection throughout the story.

Margaret Arden yearns to live like the passionate and daring women in her novel. The idyllic life at Mosely Cottage with her two younger sisters and mother is fine, but Margaret wants more than the demure and dainty existence she’s known. After a particularly brutal rejection from an annoyingly attractive publisher, Margaret fears being forced into marriage to protect her family if their financial situation doesn’t improve—until her cousin’s glamorous wedding masquerade brings her onto a collision course with scandal, notoriety, and even love.
Captain Bridger Darrow is starting over after fighting for his country. Now home, he is struggling to save his family from destitution and succeed in a new venture of passion: book publishing. It’s all going rather poorly, until he stumbles upon loose pages of an astonishing novel while in attendance at his dearest friend’s wedding. Bridger knows he must publish it. But upon meeting the author, Bridger is stunned to discover that he—she—is a woman, and he has already told her off in grand fashion.
While Bridger is keen to gain her trust and rescind the initial rejection, Margaret can’t help but be skeptical of his intentions. Sparks fly between the two, just as the wedding of the season starts to descend into chaos when a masked dance leads to a case of mistaken identities.

This book straddles two worlds in so many ways. Both in feel, classic vs. modern and point of view. As a result it feels a bit disjointed. That being said it is in my current favorite genre of book and it has a solid HEA. It's fairly clean, which I always appreciate. Sadly I didn't fall in love with any character and often felt disappointed in their decision making. It was easy to finish the book but by no means overly enjoyable.

Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I love fluffy regency reads, mostly because of the witty dialogue. Sadly, this missed the mark on that. Main characters are only mildly likable, and too many twist and turns that aren't all that interesting.

Than you to NetGalley for there ARC for an honest review.