this was so much fun! it follows viola and jack, school rivals who connect through the online video game ‘twelfth knight’ following jacks injury which has him benched from football.

this was the first ya book i had read from alexene and it was so well written. viola’s character, a badass girl with a slightly grumpy and guarded personality, had such a great arc that I fell in love with her. on the other hand, jack was so sweet. i emphasised with his problems and how he was struggling to come to terms with his acl injury.

i loved how this book explored the familiar teenage feelings of trying to fit in and young love! their relationship was a slow burn and it was so sweet to witness, but I also adored their individual character developments! neither were without flaws but alexene wrote them in such a way you couldn’t help but love them anyways!

if you like a ya rom com, with the same vibes as a lot of some of the 90s/2000s shakespeare retellings, like ten things i hate about you, you will love this!

I did enjoy this as a cute YA romance, perfect for the slump i was in.
I'm usually not a fan of shakespeare retellings but this was done so well.

Characters:
Viola! a force to be reckoned with- loved her
Jack: so frickin cute

Twelfth Knight is such a fun and clever read! It takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night but gives it a fresh, modern twist with a mix of romance, humor, and just the right amount of drama. The characters are charming, the banter is great, and the story moves at a nice pace that keeps you engaged the whole way through.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters—there’s a lot of tension, misunderstandings, and sweet moments that make the romance feel natural and entertaining. The writing is easy to get into, with a lighthearted feel that makes it perfect for fans of rom-coms.

That said, some parts felt a little predictable, and I wished for a bit more depth in certain character arcs. But overall, it was a super enjoyable read that had me smiling the whole time. If you love witty romances with Shakespearean vibes, Twelfth Knight is definitely worth picking up!

This was a Shakespearean retelling turned into a sweet YA rom-com, and I was definitely here for it.

After an injury takes Jack off the football field for the term, he takes up playing an RPG called Twelfth Knight and ends up teaming up with this nemesis, Viola, while thinking he is playing with her brother.
This was a sweet romance that progressed in a believable way. The characters were written with heart and it was a light and witty read. I enjoyed that the story was set around gaming, and the reversal of the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, with Viola showing plenty of attitude to Jack's golden retriever energy.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4 here.

I knew I had to read this as I lived My Mechanical Romance and i was not disappointed! I loved this book so much!
The main character was so relatable, her anger at the world at how she is treated because she is a teenage girl was written so well. I truly felt it deep in my soul.
She struggles to open up & be vulnerable with those she loves because of this and it means she ends up being very lonely.

She is seen as someone who isn’t “nice” because she won’t smile just because its expected of her. To keep quiet & not voice how she feels but she is incredibly loving and kind. I loved how the distinction was made because being “nice” is easy & surface level but being kind requires you to truly care about the person, not just so you can get something from them in return.

The love interest was actually pretty sweet to her and saw who she truly was despite her not being nice to him. They had a great arc where they started off not particularly liking each other at all to getting to know each other past the versions of themselves they project to the world.

I loved how sexism was shown & dealt with in the book especially when it comes to the world of gaming.

This was a book I wish I could have read as a teen and i am so glad they exist now.

This was a cool idea, and I hadnt read any of her books under Alexene before so this was my sign to read more of them

As someone who studied Twlefth Night by Shakespeare in college, I adored this book just as much as the play! I love how Alexene turned every steyotype on its head and emphasised all the coll things a girl can do no matter how much society and the world holds us back

Twelfth Knight is a charming high school romance that follows the dual POV of Viola and Jack. Viola is a strong, feminist FMC - smart, outspoken but often misunderstood, while Jack is the popular football star on track for a top college. This unlikely duo are brought together as their school’s Vice President and President, respectively.

The characters in this book are a real standout. Each has their own distinct personality, leaping off the page. I particularly enjoyed watching the friendship develop between Viola and Olivia, the “popular cheerleader.” Some decisions made by the characters are questionable, but given their high school setting, this is totally understandable - who didn’t make silly choices at that age?

While I enjoyed the character dynamics, the writing style felt a bit jarring at times. Scenes occasionally ended abruptly, and the POV shifts weren’t always clearly marked, which threw me off. However, I loved the inclusion of RPG games, especially seeing young girls and women enjoying them - it was such a refreshing touch and something I’d love to see more of!

Overall, Twelfth Knight was an enjoyable read. While I think I would’ve adored it even more as a teen, it still beautifully showcases that people are far more than the societal labels they’re given.

I had to attempt this book twice, and it just did nothing for me. I don't think I vibe with Olivie Blake's YA work.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review)

This book felt just like a 2000s romcom, and I absolutely loved it! It was fun and light-hearted, but still managed to tackle real, relatable issues in such a great way. You can always count on Alexene Farol Follmuth (aka Olivie Blake) to create the most lovable, well-rounded characters, and this book was no different. Viola, the main character, was so refreshing. She was strong, confident, and never changed who she was to please anyone, which I really appreciated. The romance was so realistic and progressed so naturally which can be a rare thing in YA romances. Plus, I loved how much focus there was on the side characters. Olivia and Viola's journey and relationship was so sweet and I loved how the sibling dynamic with Viola and Bash was included too.

4.5 stars

I'll admit, this was a slow starter for me, but once I got into it, I reaaaally got into it! I absolutely loved the dynamic between all the characters and I appreciate it when a romance book focuses on platonic relationships as much as romantic ones. I loved watching Vi learning to truly love herself despite what others may think and seeing Jack discover his identity outside of football was heartwarming! I'm not usually one for ya romance but this is one I'll be coming back to for sure!

A Shakespearian twist on the usual trials and tribulations of high school with the added appeal of taking place in the online gaming community. Fun read, the author has shelf appeal and the cover is also a 'pick me up and take a look' design. Will issue!

ANYTHING THAT ALEXENE WRITES I WILL READ!

This was such a cute and different Shakespearean retelling. It was such a wave of nostalgia that I got to ride. I grew up in a football/cheerleading/marching band/drumline kinda town. I used to go to football games on a friday to watch my friends play/cheer. However, if you ask me anything about the rules of the game....i'm clueless. I am also a super gaming nerd. This book made me redownload Elder Scrolls Online tbh, I love an mmorpg and wish there were more out there.

Viola, you aren't a bitch babes. You are just misunderstood, but I see you. I get you.

I enjoyed this retelling of Twelfth Night and all the little call backs to Shakespeare's play scattered through out, although I do think that Vi and Duke knowing each other from the beginning and Duke and Olivia beginning a couple at the start does change some key dynamics. However, this was a fun, feminist, cute YA romance with good critique of toxic gaming culture and I did enjoy it. I do prefer Olivie Blake's fantasy books (like One For My Enemy and Atlas Six) over her romance books but this was really good!

Jack gets injured playing football and then his gf dumps him so he's not having the best time! He's also bored so his friend gets him into a role playing game called Twelfth Knight.

A player he teams up with is actually his arch nemesis, Viola, but he thinks it's Viola's brother he's playing with.....and it all goes from there!

I would say this book is perfect apart from Viola. She got on my nerves with her attitude but then I realised she is actually more like me than I care to admit!!

A few bits I need to mention:

~ Jack is AMAZING!
~ That injury was brutal, I hope karma gets that boy
~ I love the gaming element
~ Grumpy sunshine reversed
~ THE best side characters, Bash and Olivia

This was a great read (the audio was fab too!) And would defo recommend it!

As somebody that has never read Olivie Blake other than a failed attempt to read The Atlas Six (it’s not you it’s me type thing) I was really eager to try a new approach and read something different instead, and I’m so glad that I did!

Twelfth Knight is a beautifully and masterfully written YA romance which explores the complexities of young love as our two main characters work through the complexities of their emotions as they work towards better learning about one another. I adore the grumpy/sunshine trope across all aspects of Fiction, and I love that our main character Viola comes across as an ‘unlikebale’ heroine who we all adore anyway. Twelfth Night touches on sensitive topics with the utmost care that include misogyny, consent and racism. Viola is a young individual that puts up a stone wall whilst yearning for affection and care, whilst Jack was desperately trying to discover himself outside of his ‘football player image’. I was rooting for Vi and Jack from beginning to end, and overall I was thoroughly entertained and emotionally touched by this story. I highly recommend.

This romantic coming-of-age story is for all the angry, opinionated girls, and for boys who feel siloed into a pre-crafted future. It’s for those who fear exposing their real selves, those crushed under the weight of expectations, and those who find solace in games, fan-fiction, cosplay and art. As always, Alexene Farol Follmuth (AKA Olivie Blake) crafts characters one step away from a breakdown in an honest, relatable and beautiful way. The character development is (as ever) flawless and the grumpy/sunshine romance leads to revelations and growth for both partners.

We follow sharp-tongued, abrasive Vi and popular, cocky runner-back Jack. Vi, tough as nails, needs to learn to let people in and – after a crippling injury – Jack needs a new perspective on his future. At school, they cannot stand each other, but when they meet in a video game chat room (in which Vi is disguised as her male alter-ego) they reveal hidden depths to one another, sharing secrets they’ve withheld from even their closest friends. When Vi’s secret identity threatens to come to light, their tentative connection is endangered.

Their tale is full of funny, sarcastic banter, dramatic friendships and existential crises. The side characters are wholesome (or terrible) and the influence of family upbringing is explored sensitively and well. There’s some insightful commentary on gender representation in films and popular culture, and a refreshingly adoring glimpse into the worlds of gaming, cosplay and fan-fiction. But most of all, it shows real and believable happiness, which is, in Vi’s words, not ‘crossing a finish line or finally meeting the right person or getting the right job or finding the right life’, but ‘the little things that happen to you while you’re wide awake and dreaming.’

Definitely one of my favourite YA novels of the year so far.

Twelfth night was a great spin on the YA genre. Really loved how much of a love letter to fandoms and stans this was.

Delighted to see more from the author and as a lover already of atlas six it was nice to see this get the love it deserves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫s.

I love Olivie Blake and I knew I had to read “Twelfth Knight” which is written by Olivie Blake under her real name, Alexene Farol Follmuth. Thank you to @bookbreakuk and @panmacmillanuk for giving me access to this ARC on @netgalley .

🏈 SYNOPSIS 🏈

Viola and Jack do not get along.

Popular Jack Orsino is the worst Student Body President Viola Reyes has ever seen, and his lackadaisical attitude is just one more thing on Vi’s long list of things to be annoyed about.

Her only escape? The online role-playing game Twelfth Knight – where she creates a masculine alter-ego in order to be taken seriously in the gaming world.

When a football injury leads Jack to start playing Twelfth Knight too, their two worlds are set to collide. And as it becomes increasingly difficult for Vi to hide her true identity, Jack might just be falling for her offline…!

⚔️ REVIEW ⚔️

This book was everything. The dual POV was perfect and I loved seeing how Vi and Jack develop as characters as they got to know each other better. The dual POV also allowed you to read all about their emotions and confusions as their feelings for one another changed.

This was such an easy book to read. Alexene’s writing flows beautifully but there was so much originality to the story to keep you entertained throughout. It also touched on deeper subjects such as consent, racism, the female perception in gaming and feminism.

Vi was amazing. She was hard as nails. But cared so deeply and just wanted to form connections with those around her. And Jack was gorgeous. His struggle to see that he was more than just a football player wrenched at my heart.

A gorgeous and unique YA romance. I strongly recommend.

My nerd/MMORPG heart is very full after reading this ⚔

I was beyond excited for this after adoring My Mechanical Romance. Thank you BookBreak / NetGalley / Macmillan for the e-arc ✨

Twelfth Knight is a YA rom-com, coming of age story (and a Twelfth Night retelling) about Viola and Jack. Viola is eternally annoyed - her DnD campaign was shot down, her best friend told her to 'be more likeable', and the student body president, Jack Orsino, couldn't be more laid back if he tried (which makes Viola's life as VP frustrating to say the least).

Escaping her frustration, Viola plays the online game Twelfth Knight. Online spaces aren't much friendlier than the IRL ones to girls like Viola, so she chose a masculine Knight 'Cesario' as her character to save her from some hassle.

Jack is on track for a successful football career, but an injury could change all of that. Needing something to pass the time while he recovers (and escape his girlfriend troubles), a friend recommends he try Twelfth Knight.

Viola stumbles across 'Duke Orsino' in-game, and is alarmed to discover they are surprisingly well-matched. As the late night game sessions continue, the two begin to open up about life and love. But Viola has been hiding her true identity from Jack, and their relationship developing offline might be about to complicate things.

Quick-fire things I loved
- Grumpy x sunshine, slow burn
- 'Unlikeable' fmc (but I love her)
- Friendships are hard and teens can be awful
- DnD!!! Conventions!!
- Joys of hobbies
- Representation of toxic masculinity and misogyny in the gaming space
- Wonderful character work (great supporting characters and character arcs)

I really enjoyed Viola and Jack's character arcs. The plot bringing the two together was fun and the other relationships woven into the mix made for a really interesting read. It was nice to see some high school stereotypes being challenged and characters growing and learning to understand each other.

I could wax poetic about how this book shows the power of video games, the escapism it can provide, and the freedom is allows players, but I'm not sure anyone wants to read all that and I'm definitely biased 😂 But in short, it's wonderful to see a story showing how gaming provides so much joy for people and allows them to be someone else for a while!

Overall, a genuinely great YA romcom with one of the most fun plots I've read in a while. Would definitely recommend!