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The Taming of the Drew
Cass McKay has been called stubborn, temperamental, difficult, and that word that rhymes with “witch” more times than she cares to count. But that’s all about to pay off. She has finally landed the role she was born to play—Kate, in The Taming of the Shrew—in the summer apprentice program of a renowned Shakespeare theater company in the forests of Vermont.
But Cass can barely lace up her corset before her troubles begin. The leading man, Drew, is a complete troll, and he’s going to ruin Cass’s summer. Even worse, Cass’s bunkmate Amy has somehow fallen head over heels for Drew. Eww! Cass can’t let Amy throw herself at a total jerk, though, so she comes up with a genius plan to give Drew the personality makeover he so desperately needs: she’ll tame Drew just as Petruchio tames Kate! But will her plan backfire as Shakespeare’s classic plays out offstage?
But Cass can barely lace up her corset before her troubles begin. The leading man, Drew, is a complete troll, and he’s going to ruin Cass’s summer. Even worse, Cass’s bunkmate Amy has somehow fallen head over heels for Drew. Eww! Cass can’t let Amy throw herself at a total jerk, though, so she comes up with a genius plan to give Drew the personality makeover he so desperately needs: she’ll tame Drew just as Petruchio tames Kate! But will her plan backfire as Shakespeare’s classic plays out offstage?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 2016
24 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Kate Strohm
19 books388 followersStephanie Kate Strohm is the author of Love a la Mode; Prince in Disguise; It's Not Me, It's You; That's Not What I Heard; The Date to Save; and Katy Keene: Restless Hearts. She grew up in Connecticut and attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where she was voted Winter Carnival Queen. Currently she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son. Her middle-grade debut, Once Upon a Tide: A Mermaid's Tale, will be released in September.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 17, 2019
DNF'ed at chapter 5
I know this may seem too soon but I tried, I really tried to get invested into the story, but I couldn't. I don't know if it's me, the book or both.
When I first saw the title of this book I got so excited:
1) It's a Shakespeare retelling
2) The Taming of the Shrew happens to be one of my favorite comedies by him
However, this one just didn't work out for me, it may have gotten better but I didn't havethe patience anymore to read further. And this wasn't my first time that I read a Shakespeare retelling, I have read retelling(s) before and I loved it, so maybe it wasn't me after all.
In conclusion, I'd rather watch '10 Thing I Hate About You' (which is also a modernized version of The Taming of the Shrew) than read this. I just didn't care about anyone in this book. #sorrynotsorry
I know this may seem too soon but I tried, I really tried to get invested into the story, but I couldn't. I don't know if it's me, the book or both.
When I first saw the title of this book I got so excited:
1) It's a Shakespeare retelling
2) The Taming of the Shrew happens to be one of my favorite comedies by him
However, this one just didn't work out for me, it may have gotten better but I didn't havethe patience anymore to read further. And this wasn't my first time that I read a Shakespeare retelling, I have read retelling(s) before and I loved it, so maybe it wasn't me after all.
In conclusion, I'd rather watch '10 Thing I Hate About You' (which is also a modernized version of The Taming of the Shrew) than read this. I just didn't care about anyone in this book. #sorrynotsorry
March 17, 2018
So so so cute!
I’m a sucker for stories where characters know and love Shakespeare, and I loved how almost all the characters quoted Shakespeare constantly.
The romance was so cute and funny. They had some great chemistry and I thought the author did a great job with the hate to love trope. I know a lot of people (especially me) love to read romances where the main couple don’t get along at first, but they are often not done well. This one, in my opinion, was.
I liked Cass as a character, but I adored Drew. He was so funny and talented. I liked the secondary characters a lot too, especially Heidi. She was really funny.
I wish there had been an epilogue set a couple of years in the future (to check in with the characters again) but overall I really liked this.
I’m a sucker for stories where characters know and love Shakespeare, and I loved how almost all the characters quoted Shakespeare constantly.
The romance was so cute and funny. They had some great chemistry and I thought the author did a great job with the hate to love trope. I know a lot of people (especially me) love to read romances where the main couple don’t get along at first, but they are often not done well. This one, in my opinion, was.
I liked Cass as a character, but I adored Drew. He was so funny and talented. I liked the secondary characters a lot too, especially Heidi. She was really funny.
I wish there had been an epilogue set a couple of years in the future (to check in with the characters again) but overall I really liked this.
November 4, 2019
Cass watched her parents' marriage implode, and sort of lost faith in the whole institution of love. She was looking forward to this summer, though. It allowed her to escape her family drama at home, while also serving as her very first paid acting experience. However, her first impression of Vermont was not that favorable after a run in with Drew, her prickly co-star, who she was determined to tame.
I have been a fan of Stephanie Kate Strohm's books, since I read It's Not Me, It's You. It was love at first read. Strohm and I seem to share a similar sense of humor, and therefore, I find her hilarious. But, it's also her knack for writing delightful characters, as well as fun and engaging dialog, that keeps me coming back for me. The one thing I can depend upon, when reading a Stephanie Kate Strohm book, is a fun time filled with lots of laughter, and once again, she gifted that to me with The Taming of the Drew.
Strohm blended so many elements in such a way that was guaranteed to result in a good time for me.
The setting had this summer camp feel, but we were dealing with pre-college teens with very little supervision, and therefore, there was a lot more room for shenanigans. I especially loved all the attempts to "tame" Drew. Cass called upon the same tactics used by Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, however, she had to be more cunning, so as not to call attention to her plan. The creeping and pranking resulted in some very humorous situations.
Though this was a retelling, I also got to enjoy pieces of the source material in its original form. As Cass tried to recreate the taming, she was also part of the cast performing The Taming of the Shrew. I got to bear witness to their rehearsals and even part of their performance. But, the bard wasn't only represented by that play, as these thespians lived to quote him in almost any situation, which really sold their love and adoration of theatre to me. I also found the process the actors practiced, as they tried to connect with their characters, very interesting. Strohm's theatre background really shined during these scenes.
Aside from the show and shenanigans, I was fond of the friendship that developed between Cass, Amy, and Heidi. These three couldn't have been any more different from each other, but they shared their love of theatre, which grew into so much more.
Finally, let's talk about Drew. He was the perfect foil for Cass. This was a typical hate-at-first-sight, but Strohm did such a nice job revealing the little cracks in Cass' determination to hate him. As those small, sweet moments grew more frequent, I found myself more and more invested in this love-match. It all culminated to a really precious final scene, which stole my heart too.
For me, this was another solid book by Strohm, and now I can say, I have read them all. It was the type of lighthearted book I gravitate towards, which not only incorporated a classic in an entertaining way, but also showcased a love for theatre, and did a nice job pulling me into that world.
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I have been a fan of Stephanie Kate Strohm's books, since I read It's Not Me, It's You. It was love at first read. Strohm and I seem to share a similar sense of humor, and therefore, I find her hilarious. But, it's also her knack for writing delightful characters, as well as fun and engaging dialog, that keeps me coming back for me. The one thing I can depend upon, when reading a Stephanie Kate Strohm book, is a fun time filled with lots of laughter, and once again, she gifted that to me with The Taming of the Drew.
Strohm blended so many elements in such a way that was guaranteed to result in a good time for me.
The setting had this summer camp feel, but we were dealing with pre-college teens with very little supervision, and therefore, there was a lot more room for shenanigans. I especially loved all the attempts to "tame" Drew. Cass called upon the same tactics used by Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, however, she had to be more cunning, so as not to call attention to her plan. The creeping and pranking resulted in some very humorous situations.
Though this was a retelling, I also got to enjoy pieces of the source material in its original form. As Cass tried to recreate the taming, she was also part of the cast performing The Taming of the Shrew. I got to bear witness to their rehearsals and even part of their performance. But, the bard wasn't only represented by that play, as these thespians lived to quote him in almost any situation, which really sold their love and adoration of theatre to me. I also found the process the actors practiced, as they tried to connect with their characters, very interesting. Strohm's theatre background really shined during these scenes.
Aside from the show and shenanigans, I was fond of the friendship that developed between Cass, Amy, and Heidi. These three couldn't have been any more different from each other, but they shared their love of theatre, which grew into so much more.
Finally, let's talk about Drew. He was the perfect foil for Cass. This was a typical hate-at-first-sight, but Strohm did such a nice job revealing the little cracks in Cass' determination to hate him. As those small, sweet moments grew more frequent, I found myself more and more invested in this love-match. It all culminated to a really precious final scene, which stole my heart too.
For me, this was another solid book by Strohm, and now I can say, I have read them all. It was the type of lighthearted book I gravitate towards, which not only incorporated a classic in an entertaining way, but also showcased a love for theatre, and did a nice job pulling me into that world.
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September 20, 2016
Many eons ago, I loathed a book by Stephanie Kate Strohm. Weirdly, though I’m usually very forgiving, I was so angry at it that I never wanted to touch her books ever again. Past Christina’s good opinion once lost was lost forever apparently. Present Christina knows that bad books happen to good authors and gave Strohm another try. The Taming of the Drew has some problematic elements, but also has a super awesome ship and A+ banter.
The Taming of the Drew has the makings of a really excellent romantic comedy, the sort that I could see translating really well to a made for TV movie. Like a DCOM but raunchier. Some aspects hit perfectly, like the ship and the banter, but other elements of the novel fall epically flat, which is why my rating is as low as it is, despite the great ship. The Taming of the Drew could have used a heavy edit.
So heavy in fact that a whole plot element completely needs to go. There’s this whole skater boy subplot. Their summer Shakespeare takes place in the same town where a group of professional skateboarders are practicing. The lead hot skateboarder, Taylor, serves as Cass’ second love interest. He needs to go. While I’m actually a supporter of love triangles in theory, this is an example of where they go wrong. All the skater boys speak in annoying slang, and they add nothing good to the plot. In fact, Cass’ interest in Taylor and some of what she does with him completely goes against the rest of her characterization. Absolutely everything about this subplot sucks.
Speaking of unnecessary love triangles, Amy’s crush on Drew also should have been edited out. The drama that adds does nothing for the plot, especially since it only causes one dramatic scene. There are other ways for Drew and Cass to have a more realistic falling out. Amy and Noah had chemistry in the first couple of scenes that then proceeds to be completely ignored so that a second love triangle could be added. Love triangles aren’t necessary to keep a couple from getting together when they’re at each other’s throats like Drew and Cass are. It would have been so much more meaningful to watch that evolve naturally.
At this point, you’re probably wondering why the fuck I even liked this book when it has so many terrible missteps. Well, as I said, the ship and banter totally rock. Maybe I should have rated this 2.5 stars, but I was really into it because hello ship trash. Cass’ voice sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t, because she can be a bit all over the place. Only with Drew does she really coalesce into a consistent character, which hey maybe that’s a sign that the book needed to be reworked without all the over-the-top love triangle drama but who am I to know?
The reason that I liked this book despite everything going against it can be summed up in two words: SHAKESPEAREAN BANTER. You guys, I am so for angry flirty hate-to-love, Shakespeare-referencing banter. That is my jam. When Drew and Cass are together, the novel really comes together into the nerdy delight I’d hoped for.
With more focus on the gender-swapped retelling aspect in place of the skater boy nonsense, this book could have been truly great banterfluff. I love the idea of taming a dude shrew, as opposed to the massively sexist original version. The secret prank war on Drew is fun, and the stuff that rom coms are made of. I also really liked the way that plot line resolved and, given the needless drama of most of the book, it really surprised me too. Aside from that, I really wouldn’t say that The Taming of the Drew actually serves as a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. It takes it’s inspiration there, but it would be a stretch to say that Drew is Kate and Cass Petruchio.
Despite all of it’s major flaws, I liked The Taming of the Drew and it kept my attention throughout. I just can’t help wishing for the book it could have been, rather than what it ultimately was. It’s worth reading only if you’re willing to overlook a lot of horrible bits to get to the creamy bantery center.
The Taming of the Drew has the makings of a really excellent romantic comedy, the sort that I could see translating really well to a made for TV movie. Like a DCOM but raunchier. Some aspects hit perfectly, like the ship and the banter, but other elements of the novel fall epically flat, which is why my rating is as low as it is, despite the great ship. The Taming of the Drew could have used a heavy edit.
So heavy in fact that a whole plot element completely needs to go. There’s this whole skater boy subplot. Their summer Shakespeare takes place in the same town where a group of professional skateboarders are practicing. The lead hot skateboarder, Taylor, serves as Cass’ second love interest. He needs to go. While I’m actually a supporter of love triangles in theory, this is an example of where they go wrong. All the skater boys speak in annoying slang, and they add nothing good to the plot. In fact, Cass’ interest in Taylor and some of what she does with him completely goes against the rest of her characterization. Absolutely everything about this subplot sucks.
Speaking of unnecessary love triangles, Amy’s crush on Drew also should have been edited out. The drama that adds does nothing for the plot, especially since it only causes one dramatic scene. There are other ways for Drew and Cass to have a more realistic falling out. Amy and Noah had chemistry in the first couple of scenes that then proceeds to be completely ignored so that a second love triangle could be added. Love triangles aren’t necessary to keep a couple from getting together when they’re at each other’s throats like Drew and Cass are. It would have been so much more meaningful to watch that evolve naturally.
At this point, you’re probably wondering why the fuck I even liked this book when it has so many terrible missteps. Well, as I said, the ship and banter totally rock. Maybe I should have rated this 2.5 stars, but I was really into it because hello ship trash. Cass’ voice sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t, because she can be a bit all over the place. Only with Drew does she really coalesce into a consistent character, which hey maybe that’s a sign that the book needed to be reworked without all the over-the-top love triangle drama but who am I to know?
The reason that I liked this book despite everything going against it can be summed up in two words: SHAKESPEAREAN BANTER. You guys, I am so for angry flirty hate-to-love, Shakespeare-referencing banter. That is my jam. When Drew and Cass are together, the novel really comes together into the nerdy delight I’d hoped for.
With more focus on the gender-swapped retelling aspect in place of the skater boy nonsense, this book could have been truly great banterfluff. I love the idea of taming a dude shrew, as opposed to the massively sexist original version. The secret prank war on Drew is fun, and the stuff that rom coms are made of. I also really liked the way that plot line resolved and, given the needless drama of most of the book, it really surprised me too. Aside from that, I really wouldn’t say that The Taming of the Drew actually serves as a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. It takes it’s inspiration there, but it would be a stretch to say that Drew is Kate and Cass Petruchio.
Despite all of it’s major flaws, I liked The Taming of the Drew and it kept my attention throughout. I just can’t help wishing for the book it could have been, rather than what it ultimately was. It’s worth reading only if you’re willing to overlook a lot of horrible bits to get to the creamy bantery center.
February 20, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 4.5*
I will be reviewing this as part of our BAMF Reviews on Books Are My Fandom with Dani and Iris!
Wheeee this was a fun one. I went into this not knowing exactly what to anticipate except for a summer romance and some Shakespeare, but I got some great female friendships, a swoon-worthy love interest, and sword fighting! This one is definitely for those of you who want your contemporary with romance, but it is also for those of you who want to find themselves in a character.
The characters were all great, even if they did feel a bit like stereotypes at some points. I would have liked a bit more backstory to Cass's family situation to make the ending with her mom a bit more satisfying. However, I do like that Cass was very independent, but also wanted something stable. I think her character arc for romance was one I could definitely stand behind. I have felt like her more often than not and her revelation at the end is one that I think most people who close themselves off feel.
For being over the course of two weeks, I did think the relationship was a bit rushed. HOWEVER, I was giggling and grinning like a fool at the end so it did not detract from the book in the least.
I think my favourite part of this is that while Cass was redheaded, it wasn't as though she was the Chosen One. And she talked about how she got made fun of a lot for having red hair, which is actually the case most often. My childhood will tell you so.
Anyway, that's it. I am happy. I recommend reading this one. And now I'm going to go home and watch 10 Things I Hate About You.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Actual Rating: 4.5*
I will be reviewing this as part of our BAMF Reviews on Books Are My Fandom with Dani and Iris!
Wheeee this was a fun one. I went into this not knowing exactly what to anticipate except for a summer romance and some Shakespeare, but I got some great female friendships, a swoon-worthy love interest, and sword fighting! This one is definitely for those of you who want your contemporary with romance, but it is also for those of you who want to find themselves in a character.
The characters were all great, even if they did feel a bit like stereotypes at some points. I would have liked a bit more backstory to Cass's family situation to make the ending with her mom a bit more satisfying. However, I do like that Cass was very independent, but also wanted something stable. I think her character arc for romance was one I could definitely stand behind. I have felt like her more often than not and her revelation at the end is one that I think most people who close themselves off feel.
For being over the course of two weeks, I did think the relationship was a bit rushed. HOWEVER, I was giggling and grinning like a fool at the end so it did not detract from the book in the least.
I think my favourite part of this is that while Cass was redheaded, it wasn't as though she was the Chosen One. And she talked about how she got made fun of a lot for having red hair, which is actually the case most often. My childhood will tell you so.
Anyway, that's it. I am happy. I recommend reading this one. And now I'm going to go home and watch 10 Things I Hate About You.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
March 26, 2018
MY RATING: 3/5 STARS
I received a copy from Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for an honest review.
The Taming of the Drew fit the concept of enemies-to-romance and putting our characters into a summer camp specifically designed to showcase their talents on stage? It sounds like the perfect YA novel that will get me excited for summer. In a way, it did. Throughout the book, I longed for the hot blistering days where I hung out with friends like our main character, Cass did.
Cass was a fierce and loyal friend who was severely addicted to anything to do with theatre and Shakespeare. She sparkled and dazzled on stage so when a tall lanky boy named Drew tries to steal her spotlight, she's going to put up a fight. They also don't necessarily meet on the nicest terms. When you accidentally drop a packet of candy in the front seat of your car and you're no longer paying attention to what is in front of you while driving, an accident is waiting to happen. Cass meets Drew on the side of the road and from then on, they're enemies.
When Amy, Cass's newly appointed friend, goes through a 'tragic' breakup with her loser boyfriend, she rebounds and falls hard for Drew. Cass thinks it's ridiculous to ever fall in love due to her mother who has since gone a little loopy ever since her husband left her. But Cass also doesn't want to see Amy get hurt. So she does the most reasonable thing she can think of which is to change Drew for the better.
While I enjoyed the beginning of this story immensely, I knew the writing and plot and motivations behind characters were not suitable for my age. It seemed a little juvenile that anybody could ever think you can secretly change someone without them noticing. In addition, Stephanie's writing style was more teen than young adult which in the end, made it difficult for me, a twenty-three year old, to read.
MY RECOMMENDATION
This book is perfect for anyone who is probably the ages from 12-18 years old. It fits accordingly to how teenagers develop relationships for the first time and with the added setting of summer, it's the perfect read to read on a relaxing Saturday afternoon.
July 14, 2016
When Thomas Allen & Son pitched the premise for The Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm, I was instantly sold. Having always loved unique spins on classics, I was shocked that I had missed coming across it through my various Goodreads searches. As a big fan of anything Shakespeare, whether it be an inspired new tale or a spin on a beloved classic, I knew Stephanie's latest would be a must-read.
"You've never used a sword before? Really?"
"I can do a mean forward roll,"
The Taming of the Drew was a perfect summer read! The protagonist, Cass, was spunky, bright, outspoken, and everything I wanted in a female lead. She brought an enriching sense of life to the story, and I couldn't help feeling like I was being pulled deeper and deeper into her dialogue. Drew, whom initially came across as a tool in the beginning of the book, became a character who, thankfully, grew on me. Furthermore, I loved the romantic tension between Cass and Drew, and although I already had a good idea of how the tale would develop, I couldn't resist finishing it completely in one sitting. It was a swoon-worthy and deliciously romantic tale I am positive I will read again and again in the years to come.
"Boldness, be my friend, indeed."
Highly recommended for younger readers, The Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm was a deliciously addicting summer tale. Inspired by William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, with a twist, I found it to be exceptionally well-written, entertaining, and addicting. Bravo!
"You've never used a sword before? Really?"
"I can do a mean forward roll,"
The Taming of the Drew was a perfect summer read! The protagonist, Cass, was spunky, bright, outspoken, and everything I wanted in a female lead. She brought an enriching sense of life to the story, and I couldn't help feeling like I was being pulled deeper and deeper into her dialogue. Drew, whom initially came across as a tool in the beginning of the book, became a character who, thankfully, grew on me. Furthermore, I loved the romantic tension between Cass and Drew, and although I already had a good idea of how the tale would develop, I couldn't resist finishing it completely in one sitting. It was a swoon-worthy and deliciously romantic tale I am positive I will read again and again in the years to come.
"Boldness, be my friend, indeed."
Highly recommended for younger readers, The Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm was a deliciously addicting summer tale. Inspired by William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, with a twist, I found it to be exceptionally well-written, entertaining, and addicting. Bravo!
July 26, 2016
This review can also be found at Procrastinating With Books
ARC from Edelweiss
When I picked up this book (and by picked up, I mean picked up my phone and opened the ebook), I didn't expect much from it. I mean, sure it had a nice pun for a title and being an English Literature graduate, I was definitely attracted to the Shakespeare thing going on, but this book surpassed all of my expectations.
It was entertaining, amusing and cute, without getting to the "cheesy" point. Okay, maybe a little cheesy, but good cheesy. It was beautifully written, and all of the references (and there was a billion of them, and not just Shakespeare either) were clearly well thought out and flawlessly executed. I found myself laughing and "aww-ing".
The chemistry between Cass and Drew was evident, but the way Strohm planned out their hate to love transition was smooth and effective, and so perfect. Taylor was also the perfect seemingly-perfect-turned-sorta-douchey final piece to the triangle.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, and I applaud Strohm for mastering Shakespeare. He isn't easy to work with (I know first-hand how I had to struggle with that mad, yet brilliant genius). I'll definitely be recommending this.
ARC from Edelweiss
When I picked up this book (and by picked up, I mean picked up my phone and opened the ebook), I didn't expect much from it. I mean, sure it had a nice pun for a title and being an English Literature graduate, I was definitely attracted to the Shakespeare thing going on, but this book surpassed all of my expectations.
It was entertaining, amusing and cute, without getting to the "cheesy" point. Okay, maybe a little cheesy, but good cheesy. It was beautifully written, and all of the references (and there was a billion of them, and not just Shakespeare either) were clearly well thought out and flawlessly executed. I found myself laughing and "aww-ing".
The chemistry between Cass and Drew was evident, but the way Strohm planned out their hate to love transition was smooth and effective, and so perfect. Taylor was also the perfect seemingly-perfect-turned-sorta-douchey final piece to the triangle.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, and I applaud Strohm for mastering Shakespeare. He isn't easy to work with (I know first-hand how I had to struggle with that mad, yet brilliant genius). I'll definitely be recommending this.
dnf-hiatus-etc
February 28, 2016DNF at 38%
The premise of this book seemed cute, but it failed in its execution because the heroine came off a little too strongly. There is one prank that appalled me, thus I am not continuing this book, even if the themes of this book might appeal to those who like cute hate/love tropes.
The premise of this book seemed cute, but it failed in its execution because the heroine came off a little too strongly. There is one prank that appalled me, thus I am not continuing this book, even if the themes of this book might appeal to those who like cute hate/love tropes.
August 10, 2016
Bleh. I finished.
August 1, 2021
It’s official: I can’t do theater camp stories, even if they are Shakespeare. Theater kids make me crazy.
April 14, 2016
I RECIEVED AN ARC FROM EDELWEISS IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY VIEWS OR OPINIONS OF IT IN ANY WAY.
This was a very cute contemporary read.
Summery from Goodreads:
Cass McKay has been called stubborn, temperamental, difficult, and that word that rhymes with “witch” more times than she cares to count. But that’s all about to pay off. She has finally landed the role she was born to play—Kate, in The Taming of the Shrew—in the summer apprentice program of a renowned Shakespeare theater company in the forests of Vermont.
But Cass can barely lace up her corset before her troubles begin. Her leading man, Drew, is a complete troll, and he’s going to ruin Cass’s summer. Even worse, Cass’s bunkmate Amy has somehow fallen head over heels for Drew. Cass can’t let Amy throw herself at a total jerk, so she comes up with a genius plan to give Drew the personality makeover he so desperately needs: they’ll tame Drew just as Petruchio tames Kate! But as Shakespeare’s classic plays out offstage, Cass finds it harder and harder to resist falling for Drew herself.
The cover of this book isn't that cool in my opinion. However, I do like the font the title is in.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Cass was snarky and cool. Her voice was always unique, and she wasn't afraid to express herself. I also liked her attitude about boys. Drew is a cute jerky boy who Cass hates. He is cool hut also a real pain. Amy is Cass's friend, and she is pretty cool, except for the fact that she likes Drew.
It was neat how this book was written around a play, and the play was the one they were reading for drama camp. I don't know a lot about Shakespeare, but I still found it interesting.
The plot moves at a perfect pace all throughout the book, and the romance is the leading aspect. Cass falls for Taylor, a cute skateboarder. It makes the story cool, although I disliked the love triangle.
Overall, this is a cute "dramatic" read!
This was a very cute contemporary read.
Summery from Goodreads:
Cass McKay has been called stubborn, temperamental, difficult, and that word that rhymes with “witch” more times than she cares to count. But that’s all about to pay off. She has finally landed the role she was born to play—Kate, in The Taming of the Shrew—in the summer apprentice program of a renowned Shakespeare theater company in the forests of Vermont.
But Cass can barely lace up her corset before her troubles begin. Her leading man, Drew, is a complete troll, and he’s going to ruin Cass’s summer. Even worse, Cass’s bunkmate Amy has somehow fallen head over heels for Drew. Cass can’t let Amy throw herself at a total jerk, so she comes up with a genius plan to give Drew the personality makeover he so desperately needs: they’ll tame Drew just as Petruchio tames Kate! But as Shakespeare’s classic plays out offstage, Cass finds it harder and harder to resist falling for Drew herself.
The cover of this book isn't that cool in my opinion. However, I do like the font the title is in.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Cass was snarky and cool. Her voice was always unique, and she wasn't afraid to express herself. I also liked her attitude about boys. Drew is a cute jerky boy who Cass hates. He is cool hut also a real pain. Amy is Cass's friend, and she is pretty cool, except for the fact that she likes Drew.
It was neat how this book was written around a play, and the play was the one they were reading for drama camp. I don't know a lot about Shakespeare, but I still found it interesting.
The plot moves at a perfect pace all throughout the book, and the romance is the leading aspect. Cass falls for Taylor, a cute skateboarder. It makes the story cool, although I disliked the love triangle.
Overall, this is a cute "dramatic" read!
July 7, 2016
Drew and Cass are quite possibly one of the cutest couples in YA this year, seriously, this was a super-adorable read made so much better because of the two main characters. From their fun first meeting to the last page, this was an entertaining and smooth love story that developed in a believable pace with brilliant supporting characters that help everything fall into place.
This has happened a few times recently - where what looks like a super-cute read lacking substance blows me away. It happened with Holding Court a few weeks ago and The Taming of the Drew was another. The references to pop-culture and Shakespeare make this the perfect read to any teenager or the slightly older readers. Cass and Drew.... just amazing. I love them.
Nobody can deny that Strohm is a highly talented writer as well - she wrote brilliant characters and dialogue that fits with the age group perfectly. There was some drama in there, and characters like Taylor who made the whole thing a little bit better. It was just a combination of many things that made this book stand out to me. Like many contemp reads it probably won't stick in my mind for years and years, but this is still very deserving of an A rating.
Overall Rating: A
This has happened a few times recently - where what looks like a super-cute read lacking substance blows me away. It happened with Holding Court a few weeks ago and The Taming of the Drew was another. The references to pop-culture and Shakespeare make this the perfect read to any teenager or the slightly older readers. Cass and Drew.... just amazing. I love them.
Nobody can deny that Strohm is a highly talented writer as well - she wrote brilliant characters and dialogue that fits with the age group perfectly. There was some drama in there, and characters like Taylor who made the whole thing a little bit better. It was just a combination of many things that made this book stand out to me. Like many contemp reads it probably won't stick in my mind for years and years, but this is still very deserving of an A rating.
Overall Rating: A
February 21, 2016
Fun, quick paced story. Even if you don't like Shakespeare, you will enjoy this.
Cass, a redhead with a temper, gets a spot in the summer acting camp that she has always dreamed of. Once there, she meets the others and has an instant disliking to Drew. That is okay because her roommate does like him. They decide to play some practical jokes in a effort to "tame" him, but all it does is backfire. As the weeks progress and they get close to "showtime" she realizes that she may actually like him.
Digital ARC from Edelweiss
Cass, a redhead with a temper, gets a spot in the summer acting camp that she has always dreamed of. Once there, she meets the others and has an instant disliking to Drew. That is okay because her roommate does like him. They decide to play some practical jokes in a effort to "tame" him, but all it does is backfire. As the weeks progress and they get close to "showtime" she realizes that she may actually like him.
Digital ARC from Edelweiss
February 16, 2016
2.5 Stars.
This was an average YA romance. If that's a genre you like you'll enjoy it. My biggest problem with it was that I found Cass pretty unlikable, and the relationship that developed seemed too unrealistic to me. It was an interesting reworking of The Taming of the Shrew though.
Received from Edelweiss.
This was an average YA romance. If that's a genre you like you'll enjoy it. My biggest problem with it was that I found Cass pretty unlikable, and the relationship that developed seemed too unrealistic to me. It was an interesting reworking of The Taming of the Shrew though.
Received from Edelweiss.
September 23, 2016
This was a fun little read incorporating Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew with Summer Theater camp. The dialogue is fun and snappy, and the cast of characters includes pro-skater boys and crazy theater people - what more could you ask for in a Shakespeare retelling?
December 27, 2018
Oh boy. This...this was just so bad guys. I read this before I had a Goodreads account, and totally forgot about it before I was notified that Strohm has a new book out. And when I remembered...yikes. I read this shortly after reading "It's Not Me It's You", which quickly became one of my new favorite books. I immediately wanted to read anything written by Stephane Kate Strohm. This one was the first book I came upon and I was excited to read it. It was partly based on The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare (hence the title) and that seemed right up my alley. But it obviously was not.
The main problem that I have with this book is that is just doesn't make sense. Like at all. I don't remember too much about this book because it managed to be God awful and forgettable at the same time. What I can remember is that the main character, Cass, cannot stand her costar in The Taming of the Shrew, (Drew) which she is performing at a theatre camp over the summer. One of her roommates has a crush on Drew, and so Cass decides to start pulling these really weird "pranks" (if you can even call them that) on him. She pitches this idea to her roommate by saying that these aren't mean pranks, oh no, these are just tests to help him become a better person, or "tame him". That is strange and wrong enough, but the pranks she pulls are so obviously just mean and not meant for changing Drew's behavior. It is so unreasonable to think that Cass' roommate wouldn't have picked up on the fact that this is simply Cass trying to get revenge on Drew because she hates him. I don't remember many of the pranks but I have some recollection of Cass putting a red bra of hers in with Drew's laundry. Um. This was the point at which it is abundantly clear that Cass' roommate realistically would have realized Cass is only doing this for herself.
Apart from that bizarre storyline, the rest of the book plays out so cliche and cringeworthy. Of course, since this is a ya contemporary, Cass and Drew start to bond and eventually start to have feelings for each other. And in the end they end up together. Hooray! Except not hooray because the chemistry between these two characters is almost as non-existent as the logic in this book. The terrible writing in this book definitely does not help the romance either. The writing, plot, and characters all fell flat for me. The characters are so surface level and unlikeable (not in an intentional way) and I didn't care what happened to any of them. I really really detested these characters.
So. Yeah. Hate this book. Love Stephanie Kate Strohm and I hope my next experiences with her books go a lot better. 🙃
The main problem that I have with this book is that is just doesn't make sense. Like at all. I don't remember too much about this book because it managed to be God awful and forgettable at the same time. What I can remember is that the main character, Cass, cannot stand her costar in The Taming of the Shrew, (Drew) which she is performing at a theatre camp over the summer. One of her roommates has a crush on Drew, and so Cass decides to start pulling these really weird "pranks" (if you can even call them that) on him. She pitches this idea to her roommate by saying that these aren't mean pranks, oh no, these are just tests to help him become a better person, or "tame him". That is strange and wrong enough, but the pranks she pulls are so obviously just mean and not meant for changing Drew's behavior. It is so unreasonable to think that Cass' roommate wouldn't have picked up on the fact that this is simply Cass trying to get revenge on Drew because she hates him. I don't remember many of the pranks but I have some recollection of Cass putting a red bra of hers in with Drew's laundry. Um. This was the point at which it is abundantly clear that Cass' roommate realistically would have realized Cass is only doing this for herself.
Apart from that bizarre storyline, the rest of the book plays out so cliche and cringeworthy. Of course, since this is a ya contemporary, Cass and Drew start to bond and eventually start to have feelings for each other. And in the end they end up together. Hooray! Except not hooray because the chemistry between these two characters is almost as non-existent as the logic in this book. The terrible writing in this book definitely does not help the romance either. The writing, plot, and characters all fell flat for me. The characters are so surface level and unlikeable (not in an intentional way) and I didn't care what happened to any of them. I really really detested these characters.
So. Yeah. Hate this book. Love Stephanie Kate Strohm and I hope my next experiences with her books go a lot better. 🙃
July 9, 2018
I picked this up as one of my summer library reads. I didn't even know they had it (new addition?) but I've been wanting to read it for ages. And my expectations were not disappointed. It was fun, cute, snarky, and had a good dose of Shakespeare to boot! A solid four star read, with all the elements (characters, story, pacing, flow) very well done. The reason it was rated four stars and not five would be the limited explanation of the dissolution her parents' marriage, which was mentioned with several clues and things at the beginning, but never ultimately given a full explanation by her. Besides that, I felt like a couple of the characters' lives could have been given more backstory. But other than those two minor things, this was a great, fun read for a nice summer's day.
September 1, 2021
Cass is hard to get behind as a protagonist. She pretends that Drew is the worst but she is definitely the worst. She pretends to be self-aware, but it really feels like it was foreshadowing her realizing she was wrong at the end. It was a quick fun read, but it wasn't amazing.
I was expecting a wonderful gender swapped taming of the shrew, obviously with things changed up to fit in the modern context, but it wasn't. Cass is the Kate who tames herself after being a bully, different take but she still basically gives the same type of monologue at the end, which was really weird to me.
Characters are basically stereotypes, including Cass. It's just meant to be a trope-y romance and it delivers on that front.
I was expecting a wonderful gender swapped taming of the shrew, obviously with things changed up to fit in the modern context, but it wasn't. Cass is the Kate who tames herself after being a bully, different take but she still basically gives the same type of monologue at the end, which was really weird to me.
Characters are basically stereotypes, including Cass. It's just meant to be a trope-y romance and it delivers on that front.
July 11, 2017
Ahhh!! I didn't want this book to end. I related to the main character, Cass, in so many ways, and I love reading about her and her friends Heidi and Amy. Strohm's writing in this book is hilarious and heart-tugging, and so witty I laughed out loud during every chapter. As a theatre nerd, and former high school actor, I LOVED getting into the nitty gritty of the rehearsal process, especially a Shakespeare play, and all the technique and mishaps that happen during it. Some of my favorite scenes were Drew teaching Cass stage combat. Truly, I loved this book, and I'm real sad it's over. I'll probably re-read it by the end of the summer. :)
January 19, 2018
Alright, alright! I will say first off I was a little biased to begin with because Taming of the Shrew is my favorite Shakespearean play but this book met my expectations and more. I enjoyed every minute reading this book. Cass is such a rich character and I could feel her emotions come alive. I love that she wanted to pull her own taming of the shrew on Drew which for most of the book was fair because he was annoying. No other character in the book was down played and I loved that they all came to life almost as much as Cass did. I highly recommend this to anyone that loves red-headed girl sass, pranks, and shakespeare!
June 2, 2024
I usually find Stephanie Kate Strohm's stories cute and enjoyable but this was not one of them. I hated these characters and this book really dates itself with terrible slang and references. The "pranks" in this are straight up abuse and there is absolutely no explanation for why Drew is such a dick in the beginning of the book and has a whiplash-like transition into flirtation and stuff. It made no sense to me as the reader and Kate had absolutely not integrity with her opinions. She literally pulls a "i'm not like other girls" moment and is swept up with a skater boi who is a million red flags. Everyone is a red flag in this and then it just ends and I'm really truly disappointed.
September 11, 2023
I chose this book because I was looking for something light and sweet to break up the heavier plots I’ve been reading lately. This YA Rom-Com fit the bill perfectly. It was slightly cheesy, and there were a few times when I felt like I was seeing the summer production of 10 Things I Hate About You, but in the end, there was a happy ending, a bit of goofy actions and dialogue, and a satisfying conclusion.
July 23, 2020
i’m a sucker for any kind of classics retelling. i found this to be simple and sweet. i wish the characters were all fleshed out more and that the conflict was better set up. i also think that none of the characters faced repercussions for their actions and could have been more active in their choices. it could have used more shakespeare. overall, scratched that itch for a retelling.
February 12, 2021
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for the humour and the interesting plot. I would've preferred more of a buildup to the romance: we read more about Cass and Taylor, than Cass and Drew.
I was into theatre growing up, so I enjoyed that aspect of the plot, even if I'm not into Shakespeare. But if you're not into theatre, this plot might not appeal to you.
Overall, a fun and light read.
I was into theatre growing up, so I enjoyed that aspect of the plot, even if I'm not into Shakespeare. But if you're not into theatre, this plot might not appeal to you.
Overall, a fun and light read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2021
3.5 stars. I almost didn't read to the end, the beginning didn't hook me. It took too long before I began to care about the characters. And I did find both the skater boy and skater talk annoying. However, I stuck with it (partly because the heroine was from Jersey, my home state) and ended up enjoying it.
January 23, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this fun book. Its focus on young adults putting on a Shakespeare play reminds you of all the various personalities involved. It tells of young life and relationships. The author does a terrific job of bringing in lines from numerous Shakespeare works in a way that is natural and fits perfectly.
February 1, 2018
I loved the plot of the book, but I was shocked to find out that Taylor already had a girlfriend, because throughout the book he gave the vibe that he really cared about Cass. He did not seem like a "no strings attached" kind of guy, so it was unexpected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
August 17, 2018I gave this book about 80 pages to get better than the first chapter promised, but it just got worse. There was no structure and most of the scenes were just weird. Additionally, the writing was awful. I can´t believe this comes from the same author who wrote It's Not Me, It's You, a book I love dearly... The idea sounded great, but it was a letdown.
December 28, 2018
The premise is cute, except I wouldn’t give this to kids younger than 13.
Also, I’m pretty sure the only reason this book was written was because the author came up with the title and then formed a story around it.
Also, I’m pretty sure the only reason this book was written was because the author came up with the title and then formed a story around it.
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