Review: Ben and Beatriz by Katalina Gamarra
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House for my copy. All thoughts are my own.
Me, reading another modern Shakespeare adaptation? Who’s surprised? When I saw Ben and Beatriz come through my inbox, I knew I needed to read it. Much Ado About Nothing is one of my favorite plays because of the banter between Benedick and Beatrice. But the story, like so many, is a little…problematic for women. Shocker, I know. So I love when authors take my favorite familiar stories and turn them of their head.
I’d say this book is entertaining, if not a little frustrating. But I really really appreciated the author’s note at the end of the novel. It’s got a mature YA vibe with the characters in college and it’s a quick read. Though be sure to check out trigger warnings!
Synopsis:
“Beatriz Herrera is a fierce woman who will take you down with her quick wit and keen intellect. And after the results of the 2016 election worked hard to erase her identity as a queer biracial woman, she’d be right to. Especially if you come for her sweet BFF cousin, Hero. Beatriz would do anything for her, a loyalty that lands Beatriz precisely where she doesn’t want to be: spending a week at the ridiculous Cape Cod mansion of stupid-hot playboy Ben Montgomery. The same Ben Montgomery she definitely shouldn’t have hooked up with that one time… The things we do for family.
White and wealthy, Ben talks the talk and walks the walk of privilege, but deep down, he’s wrestling with the politics and expectations of a conservative family he can’t relate to. Though Beatriz’s caustic tongue drives him wild in the very best way, he's the last person she'd want, because she has zero interest in compromising her identity. But as her and Ben’s assumptions begin to unravel and their hookups turn into something real, they start wondering if it’s still possible to hold space for one another and the inescapable love that unites them.” —Goodreads
What I Liked:
The Concept—Here I am again to say: I love modern adaptations of Shakespeare. I love Shakespeare, okay? I love taking a story I know so well and turning it on it’s head with modern advances and influences.
The Ending—Hero gets a bad rep in the play for being boring so I was quite pleased with her ending. I was nervous how this storyline would play out since the ending can be a little…yikes in the play, but thought it was handled realistically and I was satisfied.
The Tone—It’s fun, youthful, relevant. It’s New Adult as the characters are in college (and there is explicit sexual content) but it’s still young and fun.
What Didn’t Work:
A Little Underdeveloped—I think the danger of taking a story we know so well and adapting it is that we know what’s coming to some degree. I felt things were a little underdeveloped and could have used a bit more explanation but i did like setting up Ben and Beatriz’s feud, since that’s only alluded to in the play!
Character Authenticity: 3.5/5
Steam Rating: 1/5
Overall Rating: 3/5
Content Warnings:
Racism, Colourism, Sexual harassment, Child abuse recounted, Alcoholism, Substance addiction, Attempted suicide, (off-page) ,Psychiatric hospitalisation, Revenge Porn, Classism