Shut the front door! We all know I’m a Shakespeare junkie, but you probably didn’t know that Romeo and Juliet was the first play I ever read (I was in 7th grade). I loved it from the very first words and I still have the prologue memorized. But as I aged and grew out of my romantic naivete my reading of Romeo and Juliet changed. Those starcrossed lovers are BATSHIT CRAY YO. That coupled with the complete and utter idiocy of the adults give us the real tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet. So when I heard about When You Were Mine, I knew it was going to be right up my alley. Rebecca got everything right making Romeo and Juliet a contemporary- from setting, to scenarios, down to every single emotion. By placing it in Roseline’s point of view we get to see “the lovers” in all their flaws and missteps. Even better Rosaline’s story is the far more interesting one—-about heartbreak, guilt, choice, and forgiveness. This story made me cry not once, but twice which is practically an impossible feat. This is a MUST READ this summer for the beach, the pool or the commute to the office.
Sleep Sweet,
V.V.
Overall: A+
When You Were Mine is out now from Simon Pulse. You can order your copy here.
At this point you could probably put something Shakespeare in just about any book and it would make me like it, but Juliet surpassed this by miles as stunning tale of the origins of the Romeo and Julietstory and it’s modern day impact on descendants of the families. Set in Sienna rather than Verona, and with an interesting twist in the family feuds, I loved everything about this re-imagined tale. Full of much more intrigue than the first, Juliet melds historical fiction, modern romance, a bit of the paranormal, gangsters, two sets of star-crossed lovers, and at least 4 plot twists. Fortier kept me turning pages late into the evening because I couldn’t go to sleep not knowing how it ended.
Overall: A
Note: This is not a YA book review, because sometimes I need to read adult things too.
Honestly, this is genius! I can’t get enough of these videos. I’m having trouble picking a favorite line…I think it’s between “Save it Patty Hearst, I’m not buying any Stockholm Syndrome today thank you” and “Are there any stalkers on my grounds?”
This book didn’t qualify for the Books You Shouldn’t Read feature, but I can’t review it and fully say you SHOULD read it. So I’m just going to say, if you want to you can.
The Book? Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors
The characters- Actress Mimi Wallingford, Teen Hearththrob Troy Summer, and the cast of Romeo and Juliet. Mimi and Troy really only come into their own in the second half of the book.
The Plot-A trip to Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy leads to a new pair of star-crossed lovers and a rewriting of the Bard’s classic.
Writing- Nothing dazzles.
Ending- Happy. Really happy. Too happy.
Overall: B
Personally, I’d stick to The Juliet Club (for light reading, see my review from last week) or Masters of Verona (for really GREAT reading) if you want something Romeo and Juliet inspired and well done.
