I am super into any modern retelling of Shakespeare's work. Make it YA and queer, and you got me 110%. Emma K. Ohland did us proud with take on the OG enemies to lovers tale. Overwhlmingly enjoyed.

Thank you to Lerner Publishing Group | Carolrhoda Lab ® and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

5 stars

I’m going to be honest: while I am familiar with some of Shakespeare’s other works, I am not familiar with Much Ado About Nothing.

That being said, Here Goes Nothing was just as enjoyable with my lack of knowledge. I felt pulled in by the story and characters very quickly, and I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next.

It’s very much a YA coming of age book, but not in a bad way. I really loved the relationship between sisters Hero and Beatrice. Being the older sister to a younger sister, I found their relationship very relatable.

I also appreciated the journey of Beatrice’s confusion with her own identity. This is something I struggled a lot with growing up, and I too felt behind others my age.

This book does deal with some difficult subjects, but I think it handles them well.

Overall, an interesting and relatable YA book.

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley.

Here Goes Nothing is a fun update to Much Ado About Nothing. I found some choices to be pretty similar to the web-series adaptation Nothing Much To Do, so it was particularly predictable at time. However, I really appreciated the updates to Claude's character and the exploration of gender and sexuality.

In this modern adaptation of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," Beatrice, a high school senior, lives with her younger sister, Hero, and their father, some years after her mother's untimely death. As the book opens, her neighbor, Bennie, has returned home after spending two years at a boarding school. Beatrice and Bennie have always had a somewhat fraught relationship, which continues as they end up in most of the same classes. But then Hero starts to date one of the boys in Bennie's close friendship group and Beatrice is thrown into this small group. When she overhears Hero and her bf saying that Bennie has a crush on Beatrice, Beatrice goes into a tailspin, questioning her own sexuality and trying to sort out her feelings about Bennie.

The plot of this YA book most tracks the play with some important changes. The author does a good job of showing us Beatrice's inner turmoil and her fierce connection to Hero, plus so much of her father's dysfunction.

The book is very good and I recommend it, even though I had one quibble about how the author resolved an issue of sexual harassment experienced by Hero.

Such a heartwarming story with so many layers, and yet I wish it never ended! I loved the sister relationship and the exploration of asexuality. Modern adaptations of Shakespeare are one of the best genres.

Very well written, loved the topics. I appreciate the retelling of a classic, especially when it is queer. I thought the the writing was great and I felt like the characters were fully fleshed out. I loved the relationships and that this book did not end up being another cheesy love story.

A fabulous modern Shakespeare retelling, Here Goes Nothing really encapsulates the trappings of adolescence and high school melodrama. Enter stage left, Beatrice, an eighteen year old who has been parentified due to personal circumstances. She doesn't quite know who she is because she's been too busy being the best sister/mom she can be, and for Beatrice that's enough. But when her younger sister, Hero, starts branching out and embracing new people, Beatrice is forced to grapple with feeling left behind. And it doesn't help one bit that in order to be near Hero she also needs to tolerate Benny, her irksome neighbor who stirs complicated feelings within her. There's something so resonant about her journey of self discovery and her imperfect, but very human, choices.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone loves a cliched retelling! The only negative I had was how closely it tied to Much Ado About Nothing’s pacing of events. I related so much to Beatrice’s struggle with labels (similar ones I think). I love that Hero had an amazing voice in this story (unlike the original). Bennie and Beatrice ❤️ Claude and Hero 🩷 Shakespeare with a queer twist is epic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an advanced copy of this!

3.5*

I've been a fan of the Much ado about Nothing play ever since I saw David Tennant and Catherine Tate's version of it, so much so that I can't get into the Kenneth Branagh version which in the authors note was the start of Ohland's love of it. And as an adaptation, this worked really well in making it it's own while tying into the original material and the read had Ohland's writing style that was in Funeral Girl, still figuring out a way to describe it because it's both calm but handles such heavy topics at times with a weight that acknowledges it well.

Personally it took me a while to get into reading it, I read this through the kindle app + device for the first time so the paragraphs being into clunks threw me a bit along with it having random sections capitalized that I don't think the print copy will have. For me the pacing was made worse by that so I was debating dnfing until I got past chapter 11 where the character interactions felt real to me and I could see where the story was trying to go. I definitely loved the treatment of Hero, adjusting Claude's foolishness and reworking the support given so it's not just Bea. Bea becoming the primary person in the household after her mothers death was interesting because you could see how everyone in the family chose to grieve and Leo's frozen behaviors made Bea feel like she had to do more,

However, those parts felt the most solid in the story but I still wanted more. The story lent weight to a lot of the right things but a lot of conversations felt condensed for the sake of focusing on other stuff. Granted everything was going wrong in Bea and Hero's life. I also would have loved to see more of Bennie's perspective, more of the banter that's between them. It was there for the most part but it rushed in different ways.

Still glad I got to read this and add it to my Much Ado list compilation

4.5 stars
I love a good Shakespeare retelling, even more so when it's queer! This one will hold an even more special place in my heart because it explores asexuality.

When Bennie transfers back to Messina High School, Beatrice is not happy to see her. But as Beatrice's sister Hero gets involved with Bennie's best friend Claude, Beatrice finds herself drawn into the friend group she never wanted with the girl she isn't sure she likes.

I loved this rendition of Much Ado About Nothing, and it doesn't shy away from the hard-hitting topics like assault and harassment, long-lasting grief, death of a parent, and the strength of moving forward when authority figures fail you. The banter between Bennie and Beatrice was cute, and the exploration of identity ,and what to do post-graduation are topics most teens can relate to. This is the kind of book teenage me would have definitely appreciated.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

A coming of age story about Beatrice figuring out her identity and what she wants to do after high school. She takes her job as a big sister seriously especially after her mom passes away. But her little sister, Hero, is now old enough to take care of herself and has her own life which Bea struggles to grapple with. This on top of confusing feelings she has for her childhood enemy and the pressure of college applications.

I loved all the characters in this and Bea’s identity struggle felt genuine and real. Its hard feeling like you’re the only one unsure of yourself and your future. I love that she has friends who support and challenge her and she grows so much by the end of the book.

"Here Goes Nothing" by Emma Ohland is an enjoyable read with a unique premise that blends humor and heart. The characters are quirky and relatable, and the story's mix of romance and self-discovery keeps you engaged. It stayed true to Much Ado About Nothing while also introducing its own plot. However, some parts of the plot feel a bit predictable, and the pacing can be slow at times. While it doesn't break new ground, it's still a fun and lighthearted book that offers a pleasant escape. If you're looking for a feel-good story with a few laughs, this is worth picking up.

Immerse yourself in a captivating tale of first love and self-discovery set against the backdrop of high school life, complete with its ups and downs. This book is not just about the whirlwind of teenage romance; it delves into the profound connection of sisterhood, showcasing the unbreakable bond that withstands countless arguments and challenges. It paints a picture of an endearing and resilient friend group, adding layers of joy and warmth to the narrative. The story is charming, keeping readers engaged into the early hours, providing a delightful and comforting escape. With references to current pop culture, it strikes a chord of relatability and entertainment. Yet, it doesn't shy away from tough subjects like bullying and family strife, addressing them with sensitivity and care. This approach provides a learning opportunity for younger audiences to gain insight into these complex social issues. A gem of a read, this book comes highly recommended for readers of all ages who are looking for a heartwarming coming-of-age story, an enemies-to-lovers queer romance that will leave you beaming with joy.

This was not the worst Much Ado I've read! the banter and dynamic between Ben and Bea was cute, and I liked how they both fit into their friend group while still having their own rivalry that was more friendly than actually hating each other (there really wasn't any reason for them to hate each other and the author, at least, knew that). There were a lot of changes to the actual plot of Much Ado, especially on the back end (I'm thinking most notably of Claudio's role), that I didn't necessarily find offensive but didn't do anything for me in terms of saying something new about the play. I think there is something lost by excluding the "kill Claudio" aspect, but given the way the rest of the plot was structured to account for that, I don't think it was harmful.

I was a little annoyed that the characters kept talking like a) a primer about queer identities and b) internet therapy speech, but at least with the latter these kids ARE on the internet in this day and age and very much could have picked up all of that from there.

This is an amazing book about first love and exploring one's sexuality whilst navigating the trials and tribulations that is high school. However, the book also navigates the challenges that come from sisterhood and how a bonds between sisters is unbreakable, no matter now many fights they might get into. The book also details a very adorable and strong friend group, which made this book so much more enjoyable and heartwarming. This book was super cute and had me kicking my feet until the wee hours of the morning. It was super fun and such a feel-good and comforting book. I really enjoyed the current pop culture references as I found it more relatable and entertaining. However, there are some difficult topics handled in the book, such as bullying, family issues, and more. These topics were handled respectfully and carefully, ensuring that younger readers will be able to learn from these topics and deepen their understanding on these social issues. Overall, such a great read and I highly recommend it to people of all ages, not just teens, who are interested in a coming-of-age enemies-to-lovers queer romance book that will make you cheeks hurt from smiling so hard.

You know...I gotta say. Usually when I read romance novels, I usually DNF them since they tend to be too cheesy for me. But...I surprisingly really liked this book. It was a really great YA romance about these two girls who are enemies, but they soon realize that they like each other.

The book is also about how the main character (Beatrice) and her sister, Harriet (mostly known as Hero), dealt with the highs and lows of sisterhood.

Back to my main point. I really liked the book. The only part I was confused about was the chapter titles. Like...I get that they had to do with Shakespeare, but I just...the chapter titles didn't really make sense to me. Some of them did make sense, so that's good...But I guess the chapter titles caught me off-guard. But other than that, the book was fun to read. I had a fun time reading it, and I hope you do too!

Much Ado is such a fun play and as a thespian myself, I love reading reimaginings and retellings of classic plays. This one I felt was well done and imaginitive without forcing the story to be something too different from the original. I felt the unique story shining through, but the Shakespearean elements also had their moments in the sun. I think sometims the balance between the two can be tricky for authors but Emmma K. Ohland did a fantastic job of marrying the modern world with the Shakespearean. Well Done!

3.5⭐ I received this as an ARC thanks to NetGalley.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Here Goes Nothing is a fast and easy read that covers important topics and opened my eyes to a subject matter I previously didn’t know too much about. Prior to Here Goes Nothing I had never read Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. After reading I did look it up and saw the similarities between the plots but with a modern twist and make it queer. I really enjoyed the found family trope and the relationship between Beatrice and Hero.

The pacing at the beginning seemed a little off and came off rushed. In addition, at times I felt like parts of the storyline or plot were left unfinished or we never got the full details of a certain situation/problem.

Personally, I believe the story could have used an epilogue but who knows maybe a second book will come out? Overall, Here Goes Nothing is a cutesy coming of age story about discovering one's sexuality/identity and I would recommend giving it a read.

Take a little Shakespeare.
Make it a modern retelling.
And make it gay.
This book does all three - and does it well.

Beatrice is such an engaging character. And she comes alive in these pages. I absolutely adore her.

"When Hero's name is being tossed on the ground and stomped on, I will speak for her. When there is no one around, I will support her. I will pay her bills and do her laundry and make her dinner and take her to cheer practice and help her when people hurt her, because there is no one else in this house who will."

The book itself is not too long, just perfect for YA readers. In a voice that reads true.

And the chapter titles are all Shakespeare. Bonus win.

In this queer YA Shakespeare retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, we follow Beatrice and Hero, two sisters who are navigating the throngs of Senior and Sophomore years of High School, and their childhood friend, Bennie, who is back from Boarding School.

I adored this retelling so much. Not only are the conversations around queer identities relatable but the found family the sisters find in their friend group was really comforting. What I always look for in YA contemporary stories are healthy relationships that help young readers identify what a good, strong and supporting friendship can be so that they can find and look for one it in their everyday life as well. I am confident this would make an amazing movie adaptation.

I believe this book to be a wonderful read for any teen in the verge of making big decisions regarding their future, like college applications and career choices, but also regarding romantic relationships, intimacy and bullying.

As an adult, I wish I had read this book when I was Bea's age. Navigating one's identity can be confusing and make you feel alone, having friends who are open to talk about their own experiences and sexuality is really important and this book does a wonderful job representing different identities and sharing with the reader what they might feel like...like the author said in the Author's Note and in one particular scene at the end, we live in a. world where representation matters and having these characters in this book give me hope for young readers, that they might read this book and find answers to their own questions.

Moreover, it's important to mention this book opens conversations about bullying, SA, public humiliation, lose of a parent and child neglect. I believe it important to expose young readers to these subject so, if they ever face the same or similar situations as the characters, that they know what to do or who to turn to. However, it's just as important to be aware when reading.

This book is definitely written for younger audiences, is easy to digest which would make it appealing to a nonreader and fun for an avid one. That being said, for adult audiences as myself, I felt a lack of development that could make the book longer and fuller, however, I understand I am not the intended audience. Even still, I deeply enjoyed the experience of reading this book and would, for sure, recommend to any young readers that seek book recommendations.