Things We Do For Love follows struggling actress Lucie and fallen from grace Hollywood star Theo, as they navigate working together in a Shakesperian play as star-crossed lovers. It’s funny, romantic, and it shows the struggles low level actors go through in their daily lives.

Miranda did an excellent job with this book, I loved the dual POVs and the romantic tension between Lucie and Theo was off the charts! I’m only sad I haven’t read more from Miranda sooner (that’s 100% going to change now!)

Things We Do For Love is the perfect light hearted summer read, the cover is gorgeous, and Miranda has a way of writing that compels you to keep turning those pages.

I really enjoyed my time with TWDFL, it was so well written and came together so nicely at the end!

This book was a delightful surprise.
I’m not usually one for Shakespearean themes, but this book might just have won me over a little.
The story brings a modern twist to love, loss, and self-discovery, with charming, relatable characters that add to its appeal.
It’s a sweet, feel-good read with plenty of heart, and despite my initial hesitations, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lucie Hart is a struggling actress, thwarted again in her attempt to make the big stage in Stratford when her ex-boyfriend happens to be in charge of auditions. She is thankful she still has her role as a Garden Player at Shakespeare’s home.

Theo is trying to get his career back on track. Once on the way to becoming a Hollywood star, one brief event sends him hurtling back down to earth. He has to make his name again, and that chance comes with playing Hamlet. Before then though another rash action finds him about to star opposite Lucinda to small audiences in Shakespeare’s birth place. She doesn’t like him. They are set to play a variety of the Bard’s lovers for six weeks. What could go wrong?

There’s a lovely feel to the book, which comes from the characters, the storyline and the setting. There’s something about the feel of Stratford that wraps around the book, you can imagine the sun shining down on the river, the people in the bars and restaurants, sitting rapt at performances.

The book alternates between Lucie and Theo, which allows the reader to have insights into both, seeing the story develop along separate but similar lines.

Lucie is determined, hardworking and understands the pitfalls her chosen career can bring. She’s a jobbing actor, having other jobs to supplement her income, always worried about the next audition and if it is time to give up on her dream.

Theo is principled and driven. He finds himself having to make his name again after an altercation with a director who was inappropriate with a co-star. He now has to prove himself as an actor, that his actions shouldn’t overshadow his talent.

There are lots of great characters that appear, from those to love such as Ced, Lucie’s fellow performer, to those to loath such as slimy Duncan, Lucie’s former boyfriend.

Acting together allows both to discover something new about themselves. It opens doors for Lucie, lets Theo remember why he acts and brings more than the love of theatre to them both.

A warm, enveloping love story.

As Shakespeare never said “if books be the food of love, read on”.

Lovely warm story. Great characters and a great story arc. I really enjoyed this and thought the story flowed nicely. I had the audio book which was well read and easy to listen to and understand. Definitely recommend.

Absolutely loved this book highly hearted. Completely drew me in couldn’t put the book down. I hope the author brings out more books soon!

I have always enjoyed the work of Amanda Dickinson and this audio book was no exception. I did find the narration, particularly the male part, a bit stiff to start but it was well worth persevering as this story was very entertaining. It gave an insight into the work of actors and has inspired me to dip into some of the Shakespearean plays I read when at school many years ago. The characters were lovely and it was a pleasure to hear their tale.

I would like to say thank you Miranda Dickinson for getting me out of a reading slump! This was SUCH a cute book and I loved it. I think the third act breakup could have been slightly better (less her just not wanting to hear him out, little more grovel, etc), but overall, it was a cute read and one I will definitely come back to! Solid 4.5!

This is a lovely book set in Stratford-Upon-Avon at the height of the summer Shakespeare season. It's a delightful romance with many ups and downs that keep the reader invested. My only critique is the gullibility of the main female character who trusts the wrong people, even after they've shown themselves to be untrustworthy. But otherwise, an engaging read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure I was going to be hooked by this book but I am so glad I read it. It is set in beautiful Stratford Upon Avon, this book takes you on a journey with actress Lucie Hart and Theo Larkin as they preform Shakespeare. For me, I loved this book due to whitty parts the other characters played in his story and the true meaning of friendship.
This book is full of friendship, dreams, love and whit! Thank you @@NetGalley_UK and @@HarperCollinsUK for this uplifting and very funny story. This was my first Miranda Dickinson book, it won't be the last!

I thought this was a really cute read. It was funny, addictive and just very sweet. I listened to the audiobook version - the narrator was good, kept me interested and did a good job.
I loved the Shakespeare bits and it's made me want to visit Stratford upon Avon!
A lovely , fluffy summer read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a surprise. Set in Stratford upon Avon and an ode to the bard, we meet two wonderful characters, Theo and Lucie, and a whole bunch of amazing supporting characters.

Lucie: Long-term aspiring actress, working very hard to survive by holding several jobs and working to the point of exhaustion. She has true acting talent but is sidelined at every corner by her ex. Her monologues at a small theatre production is her only outlet to act. She's kind and loved by all around her.

Theo: an infamous Hollywood star, trying to make his way back. His only goal is to get his career back. Initially, a little bit of moron. He grew on me. He is also a very talented actor and gets hired on to Lucies little troupe when he upstages her performance.

The plotline is kinda enemies to lovers trope. There's tension, passion, and talent, with Lucie boosting Theos career until the tide starts to turn and Lucies talent also gets recognized. But the rise to stardom has some pitfalls, and the 3rd act breakup was angsty and has you rooting for Lucie.

Overall, it is a well written and narrated book. I enjoyed it very much.

#netgalley #thingswedoforlove

I enjoyed listening to this book, the narrators were great. The plot was predictable but charming as were the characters. I can’t say there was anything unexpected, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Things We Do For Love is a light, warm, and engaging rom com.

I loved the Shakespearean references woven throughout. Theo and Lucie’s relationship read as an ode to Petruchio and Kate from The Taming of the Shrew. The third act conflict felt a little bit unnecessary, but overall I really enjoyed their chemistry and relationship development.

The narrators did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life and I loved that this was dual narration. The interplay between the Shakespearean performances and actors conversation was a fun way to give a fly on the wall perspective in the actors on and off stage lives. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you HarperCollins UK Audio, and NetGalley for this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

My first audiobook through NetGalley, I’ll definitely be requesting more. Sometimes you just don’t have time to sit and read!
Things we do for love is a lovely, easy listen to story. If you are fans of Shakespeare it is definitely one for you! I really enjoyed the book and will definitely be looking out for other Miranda Dickerson books.
The story is about an actress Lucy, who is auditioning for a Shakespeare role but an ex doesn’t let her past the audition. She is then interrupted in another performance by someone and we follow their story together.

Lucie Hart is a fledgling actress, her confidence having been shattered by her manipulative ex. Making ends meet by performing Shakespearean monologues full of romance she doesn’t believe in, she can see her dreams getting further out of reach. Theo Larkin has already taken Hollywood by storm and his next conquests are Shakespeare’s greatest works. When a well-publicised bust-up leaves Theo’s reputation hanging by a thread, he is desperate to prove his worth by taking on the most challenging performance of his life.

I'm not a fan of Shakespeare's works for starters. This story leaned heavily on them. The setting was of his hometown and the two main characters were to perform his plays for the summer at his birthplace.

That said, I did enjoy it quite a bit. Lucie and Theo had chemistry from the start when he crashed her monologue and from then on as they drew visitors from far and wide.

Lucie was doubtful of her capabilities as an actress due to not having much of a career to boast of. I loved how Theo bolstered her confidence as their fame grew.

Conflict arose near the end when an avoidable mistake on Theo's part came to bite him in the rear. I loved the resolution at the end.

The narrators did a great job on this as well. Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok, audio review first!!!!
The voices fabulous. Like I loved it , they match perfectly the characters. Marvelous.
Now the book, I enjoy the story a lot, like a lot!!! There are some parts I didn’t enjoy too much looking at you third act break up . But definitely had fun listening to it. I adore the whole Shakespeare set up and the adds of parts of his plays. I like that it revolves around theater and it grows so much. This is definitely a cute romcom perfect for summer

This was quite cute. However a Bardolator I’m not I’m afraid. This might sound incredibly stupid, but it’s extremely heavy on the Shakespeare and it got a bit much for me at times, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the writing, the story or the narration infact it’s great so I’m willing to accept that this is firmly a me problem. I’m sure it’ll do amazingly well and others will love it!

Released today.
Thank you to Harper Collins U.K. audio for the ELC via NetGalley.

𝟑.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 .𐦍༘⋆

A cute book about actors in a Shakespearean play.

𐙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙙:
It was really well written and I was actually pretty interested in the plot of the play and seeing Theo fall in love with acting in a play instead of a Hollywood film.

The audiobook’s narrators, Heather Long and Luke R Francis, did an amazing job at bringing this book to life. I found it kept me more engaged with the book than if I were to read the book on its own.

𐙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
The third act breakup just felt unnecessary and almost random to me. The fact that it was also a miscommunication over something that could have been so easily avoided also just annoyed me a bit lol.