Carolyn Meyer is a wonderful YA writer. She is engaging and sets the tone for those who want to learn about history. Her books challenge young adults, and older adults as well, to learn more about a specific topic.

This is a tale of young Will Shakespeare and a woman that he is attracted to. Little is known about Shakespeare's life, or marriage. In this book the couple are portrayed as childhood friends, and as they age, it is Will who is most attracted to Anne Hathaway.

Very much wanting to be a successful writer and playwright, we find Will at the age of 18 before his career began. Will's marriage is one wherein Anne becomes pregnant and he must marry her in a hurry. She is seven or eight years older than he. It is thought that perhaps she trapped him. She is 26 and very unhappy living with a step mother and her children, none of whom want her with them. Anne's father died, and then it became unbearable to live with those who are nasty and blatantly want her out.

Those who know little of this time period, soon learn of country life and the allure of the wonderful admiration of their Queen, Elizabeth I.

This is a quick read, written by one of the best YA authors for historical people and events. ( )

Audio review: Carolyn Meyer does great historical fiction and her imagining of the life of William Shakespeare's future wife makes a fully satisfying read with a touch of romance.

Little is known about William
Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway. The author imagines Anne's life as a young girl growing into a woman. Anne meets Will when she is 7 and he is newly born; later, after her mother's death, Anne must cope with her unlikable stepmother and new step-siblings. Will grows to work in his father's glovery while maintaining an interest in writing poetry and acting, and flirting with Anne. When Will is about 17, grown and handsome, Anne begins to develop feelings for him. She discovers later that she is pregnant and they marry quickly. But it is not the married life Anne imagined for herself. Will pursues his interests in the theater and throughout their marriage is gone for months at a time, returning only for "fortnight" visits.
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William Shakespeare may have been one of the greatest writers, but he was married to his work. His wife and children were negelected ----little is known of Anne Hathaway. Carolyn Meyer does a good job of "supposing" what Hathaway's life was like---and her life wasn't easy. ( )

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

Having been fortunate enough to have read Ms. Meyer's previous release, MARIE, DANCING, I was anxious to read her take on the life and times of William Shakespeare. Although I must admit that I enjoyed MARIE, DANCING, based on Marie van Goethem and the role she played in becoming the inspiration for Edgar Degas's sculpture, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, just a tad bit more than LOVING WILL SHAKESPEARE, I did thoroughly enjoy this book.

LOVING WILL SHAKESPEARE is the story of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes "Anne" Hathaway. Anne, however, is the main character in this story, and although I wasn't disappointed, per se, I can admit that I was hoping for more of an intimate look into Mr. Shakespeare himself.

Having lost her mother to illness, Anne finds herself with a new stepmother, Joan, who is eerily reminiscent at times to the evil stepmother portrayed in the classic story of Cinderella. After the last attempt to fix her up, yet again, with a cruel and intolerant suitor, Anne realizes that she's been looking for love in all the wrong places. But how can she be in love with young Will Shakespeare, though, when she's known him since he was a toddler?

In love with him she is, although it takes her awhile to act on her feelings. Thankfully for Anne, Will returns her love. Not so fortunately, however, is the fact that Will has the desire to write sonnets and poems, to act on the stage, to travel the world and see the sights. All Anne has ever wanted is to be married, to raise children with a man she loves, in a home they can call their own. When they finally do marry, Anne realizes quite quickly that the permanent, loving homestead she so desired will undoubtedly be one without the constant presence of her husband.

LOVING WILL SHAKESPEARE is intriguing, to say the least. It's interesting to see how Anne and Will fall in love through friendship and the course of time. While beautiful, it's also haunting, to know that this couple stayed married for more than twenty years, during which time Will was hardly ever at home with his wife.

This is a great read for lovers of history, or for those interested specifically in the life of William Shakespeare. I can honestly say that I feel like I know Will and Anne Shakespeare--or, at least, know of a young man and a slightly older woman who were, once upon a time, madly in love. ( )

This book dives into the viewpoint of Anne Hathaway - a girl who is unsuccessful with love and after such atrocities, finds herself in love with the younger (by 7 years) William Shakespeare, who she grew up with. The story was quite moving and kept you interested until the end. ( )