Huge thank you to #ballantine  and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 
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I have been a fan of Jodi Picoult for as long as I can remember! I was so excited for this book and coming out on my birthday was such a bonus!
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For starters Picoult is a genius when it comes to storytelling plain and simple. She is a masterful weaver of multiple story lines and she did it beautifully in this novel. Her book asks the question what if Shakespeare’s works was actually written by a female ? The dual storyline between a playwright and her ancestor, Emilia Bassano, who she believes to be the true author was a perfect storytelling tactic. There are so many parallels between their lives and the challenges of being a woman. I loved Emilia’s storyline. It was challenging, hopeful, torturous and brave. 
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My only issue is the misunderstanding trope. Melina’s best friend submits the play for her as Mel allowing others to think she’s a man and she continues along with that for a lengthy amount of time. While I know it was necessary to the storyline that did bug me. Overall though I absolutely loved this story! Definitely do yourself a favor and read the author’s note. It is so fascinating!