The Taming of the Drew

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Description

Cass McKay has been called stubborn, temperamental, difficult, and that word that rhymes with witch more times than she cares to count. But thats all about to pay off. She has finally landed the role she was born to playKate, in The Taming of the Shrewin 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 hes going to ruin Casss summer. Even worse, Casss bunkmate Amy has somehow fallen head over heels for Drew. Cass cant 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: theyll tame Drew just as Petruchio tames Kate! But as Shakespeares classic plays out offstage, Cass finds it harder and harder to resist falling for Drew herself.

The best kind of entertainment, The Taming of the Drew is smart, funny, fresh, and original. Youre going to love this badass heroine and her friends. You might even end up liking Drew, too.

Reviews

"I loved this madcap story! Cass is overdramatic, opinionated, and scheming -- just like every drama queen should be. Stephanie Kate Strohm writes characters you fall in love with even as they make questionable choices, and keeps the swoon factor amped up deliciously. One need not be a theatre geek to fall in love with this summer stock romance." --Amy Spalding, author of Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys)

"What do Shakespeare, Clueless, and Punk'd have in common This novel. Cass, a Springsteen-loving white actress from New Jersey, just landed her pre-college dream job playing the lead in Taming of the Shrew at Vermont's premier outdoor Shakespeare theater, which comes with the added bonus of escaping the aftermath of her parents' tumultuous divorce. Much as 10 Things I Hate About You does on film, Strohm's latest novel (Confederates Don't Wear Couture, 2013, etc.) deftly fuses Shakespeare's play about the battle of the sexes with pop culture and romantic comedy. Since the aforementioned play is actually performed onstage here rather than merely referenced, readers become audience members, drawn into the beauty of the Bard's language and the zaniness of backstage drama. A car accident becomes a meet-cute with a sarcastic and infuriating New Yorker, who turns out to be Drew, her leading man in the upcoming production. To teach him a lesson, Cass decides to "tame" Drew by playing pranks on him, much as his character does to hers. While the plot outcome is to be expected, a novel of this sort is more about the journey than the destination, and Cass and Drew's repartee makes the journey well worth taking. What this breezy novel captures particularly well is the joy of theater, which lets you "lose yourself in someone else's life." While the cast is not notably diverse, it does include many recognizable theater types. Lighthearted and fluffy, this is both a wonderful immersion in Shakespeare and a great beach book." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Befitting her character, Cass's narrative voice has a flair for the dramatic, and the story is steeped in Shakespearean quotes and references. VERDICT: This is a breezy, if predictable, summer rom-com that will especially please burgeoning actors and theater aficionados." -- School Library Journal

"The happy ending is satisfying, as are the moments when Cass and Drew start to see beneath their prickly exteriors." -- Publishers Weekly

A Shakespeare tale that you wont want Cliff Notes for! Shrewdly funny, smart, and romantic. The perfect vacation read! -- Jen Calonita, award-winning author of the My Secrets of My Hollywood Life series

Theater geeks and those who love them will adore The Taming of the Drew. Its hilarious and romantic, and it needs to go in your beach bag immediately! -- Lauren Morrill, author of Meant to Be

Strohms characters are well developed with witty dialogue, and the banter is laugh-out-loud funny. The story is laden with pop-culture references. Realistic language and situations are great for high school students looking for a contemporary read with romance and humor. -- VOYA

The Taming of the Drew is a quick and entertaining read. This romance novel is perfect for older teens who are in between the teen and new adult genre. Strohms writing is witty and relatable. This book is a great balance of comedy, romance, and drama. 4Q, 3P. -- Gwen Amborski, Teen Reviewer, VOYA

Can Shakespeare help a modern girl when it comes to relationships When Cass begins her summer internship with a reputable Shakespeare theater company, she immediately clashes with her costar Drew. He is an obnoxious know-it-all who thinks he is too good for the rest of the cast. Incredibly, her roommate becomes smitten with Drew, and Cass knows she has to intervene. What if their play, The Taming of the Shrew, is actually a guidebook What if they use all the Bards tricks to tame Drew and make him the perfect guy And if they do, can Cass keep herself from falling for Drew as well Cass and Drews back-and-forth is clever, and the theater camp is full of eccentric characters and hilarious drama. Readers who enjoy theater and witty banter will devour this modern-day take on Shakespeares battle of the sexes. Booklist
"I loved this madcap story! Cass is overdramatic, opinionated, and scheming -- just like every drama queen should be. Stephanie Kate Strohm writes characters you fall in love with even as they make questionable choices, and keeps the swoon factor amped up deliciously. One need not be a theatre geek to fall in love with this summer stock romance." --Amy Spalding, author of Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys)

"What do Shakespeare, Clueless, and Punk'd have in common This novel. Cass, a Springsteen-loving white actress from New Jersey, just landed her pre-college dream job playing the lead in Taming of the Shrew at Vermont's premier outdoor Shakespeare theater, which comes with the added bonus of escaping the aftermath of her parents' tumultuous divorce. Much as 10 Things I Hate About You does on film, Strohm's latest novel (Confederates Don't Wear Couture, 2013, etc.) deftly fuses Shakespeare's play about the battle of the sexes with pop culture and romantic comedy. Since the aforementioned play is actually performed onstage here rather than merely referenced, readers become audience members, drawn into the beauty of the Bard's language and the zaniness of backstage drama. A car accident becomes a meet-cute with a sarcastic and infuriating New Yorker, who turns out to be Drew, her leading man in the upcoming production. To teach him a lesson, Cass decides to "tame" Drew by playing pranks on him, much as his character does to hers. While the plot outcome is to be expected, a novel of this sort is more about the journey than the destination, and Cass and Drew's repartee makes the journey well worth taking. What this breezy novel captures particularly well is the joy of theater, which lets you "lose yourself in someone else's life." While the cast is not notably diverse, it does include many recognizable theater types. Lighthearted and fluffy, this is both a wonderful immersion in Shakespeare and a great beach book." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Befitting her character, Cass's narrative voice has a flair for the dramatic, and the story is steeped in Shakespearean quotes and references. VERDICT: This is a breezy, if predictable, summer rom-com that will especially please burgeoning actors and theater aficionados." -- School Library Journal

"The happy ending is satisfying, as are the moments when Cass and Drew start to see beneath their prickly exteriors." -- Publishers Weekly

A Shakespeare tale that you wont want Cliff Notes for! Shrewdly funny, smart, and romantic. The perfect vacation read! -- Jen Calonita, award-winning author of the My Secrets of My Hollywood Life series

Theater geeks and those who love them will adore The Taming of the Drew. Its hilarious and romantic, and it needs to go in your beach bag immediately! -- Lauren Morrill, author of Meant to Be

Strohms characters are well developed with witty dialogue, and the banter is laugh-out-loud funny. The story is laden with pop-culture references. Realistic language and situations are great for high school students looking for a contemporary read with romance and humor. -- VOYA

The Taming of the Drew is a quick and entertaining read. This romance novel is perfect for older teens who are in between the teen and new adult genre. Strohms writing is witty and relatable. This book is a great balance of comedy, romance, and drama. 4Q, 3P. -- Gwen Amborski, Teen Reviewer, VOYA

Can Shakespeare help a modern girl when it comes to relationships When Cass begins her summer internship with a reputable Shakespeare theater company, she immediately clashes with her costar Drew. He is an obnoxious know-it-all who thinks he is too good for the rest of the cast. Incredibly, her roommate becomes smitten with Drew, and Cass knows she has to intervene. What if their play, The Taming of the Shrew, is actually a guidebook What if they use all the Bards tricks to tame Drew and make him the perfect guy And if they do, can Cass keep herself from falling for Drew as well Cass and Drews back-and-forth is clever, and the theater camp is full of eccentric characters and hilarious drama. Readers who enjoy theater and witty banter will devour this modern-day take on Shakespeares battle of the sexes. Booklist

Author Bio

Stephanie Kate Strohm is the author of Pilgrims Dont Wear Pink, Confederates Dont Wear Couture, and It's Not Me, It's You. She graduated with a dual degree in theater and history and has acted her way around the United States, performing in more than twenty-five states. She currently lives and works in Chicago, Illinois.