For the Love of the Bard

By: Jessica Martin

Narrated by: Gilli Messer

“Perfect to read on the beach."–The Boston Globe

To go for it or not to go for it? That is the question when two former high school flames return to their Shakespeare-obsessed hometown for a summer of theater and unexpected romance, in a laugh-out-loud rom-com from debut author Jessica Martin.

Literary agent and writer Miranda Barnes rolls into her hometown of Bard’s Rest with one goal in mind: to spend the summer finally finishing her YA novel, the next installment in her best-selling fantasy series. Yet Miranda’s mother, deep in the planning stages for the centennial of the town’s beloved annual Shakespeare festival, has other ideas.

Before you can say “all’s fair in love and war”, Miranda is cornered into directing Twelfth Night—while simultaneously scrambling to finish her book, navigating a family health scare, and doing her best to avoid the guy who broke her heart on prom night.

When it comes to Adam, the veterinarian with a talent for set design and an infuriating knack for winning over Miranda’s dog, the lady doth protest too much. As any Shakespeare lovers knows, the course of true love never did run smooth, and soon Miranda realizes she’ll have to decide whether to trust Adam with her heart again.

©2022 Jessica Martin (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"If you wished your romcoms had more Shakespeare puns, have I got the book for you! For the Love of the Bard is a delightful ode to complicated family relationships, growing up in the theatre, and opening your heart to a second chance with your first love. The quirky small-town setting is charming, and I wish I could move to Bard's Rest immediately!" —Jen DeLuca, author of Well Played

“Jessica Martin delivers a sizzling second chance romance full of witty banter, quirky characters, and a sensational Shakespeare infused setting in For the Love of the Bard. For anyone who never got over their high school crush or who adores Shakespeare, this is an absolute must read!” —Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of Paris Is Always a Good Idea

“Jessica Martin's rollicking and bighearted debut is a love letter to all things Shakespeare, filled with whip smart banter that would make the Bard himself jealous, a supporting cast I'd love to share an ale with, and best of all, a second chance romance that's the stuff of sonnets. Martin is an author to watch!” —Victoria Schade, USA Today bestselling author of Dog Friendly

Summer love and theatre

This book brought so many memories. Loved sailing with the stories about the theatre and the small town productions which reminded me the stories about our community theatre and the drama around it.
Loved listening to Gilli Messer narrating the book with so much passion and personality. Through her voice I could travel to the centennial events and and be part of it!

Great summer read! Especially for theatre lovers and Shakespeare admirers

Cute but pretty darn corny

I like Shakespeare and I like puns. But there’s a bit too much of them in this town.

predictable but entertaining

if looking for a light and entertaining listen with an over abundance of tongue n cheek shakespeare references, this is for you.

A must read/ listen!

The perfect entertaining story for a brief escape with a relatable and enduring cast of characters! I feel like I knew some of them. it had the perfect amount of snark that had me giggling out loud in public. Often times I listen to audiobooks as a background for the chores I don’t find pleasant. I found myself having to stop what I was doing and just listening because this was so good! I can’t wait for the next book! I love the storytelling skills of the author and the audio narrator!