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annika_de's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised to find that this book is actually about two people in their sixties - the blurb makes it sound like the typical romance where two twenty-somethings fall in love. I ended up loving the new dynamics that were introduced because of the characters' ages, like the fact that they both have children. The obstacles that Julie and Romeo face in their relationship felt interesting and new because there are so few books that tell stories like this. As with most any modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the family rivalry requires some suspension of disbelief. Still, I thought the adaptation was nice because (spoiler alert!) it does not end with a tragic death. Overall, a sweet and lighthearted book that I'm sure would resonate even more with an older audience. Think Love in the Time of Cholera but without the murder/suicide/rape. Also, Romeo and Julie both own flower shops - too cute.
(P.S. First book of 2016! Yay!)
(P.S. First book of 2016! Yay!)
lizleiby's review against another edition
3.0
Really sweet but it felt like 98% build up, 2% climax, less than 1% ending. Quick, light read.
slavic_bookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ricefun's review against another edition
3.0
This was a light and easy read. Borderline romance. It was shelved with literature, and does have hints of the classic play. But overall it was fluff. What I did enjoy is that the protagonist - a 60 year old woman - found both romantic love and career passion at an age past where many authors are willing to explore. This was easy to read at the park or in the bath, but it's not high on my list of great books I've read in 2020.
jawolffe's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lavendermarch's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a pretty quick read. I read it in one sitting of a little over an hour. It definitely grabs you and doesn't let you go. It's a retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and it's done in a refreshing, fun way. The Montagues and the Capulets are the Rosemans and the Caccamanis, and Romeo and Juliet are sixty years old. The age thing - as in, not teenagers, but older people - was not something I'd seen before. One, I'm nowhere near that age, so I don't go looking for books with people that age, and two, I just like YA and new adult, so it's not really in my genres of choice. However, it was done in a cool way, and I thought it was nice.
I liked all the characters in this novel. Julie and Romeo, of course, were great. Julie's daughter Sandy was my favorite character, and I was very happy for her at one point at the end. She had understandable reactions and was very sweet and caring. Nora, on the other hand, my emotions were more negative towards. She seemed irritating and cold, but eventually I thought she was entertaining and did love her family. Romeo's kids I didn't love because of their behavior, but his one daughter, Plummy, was my second favorite character. She was very over the entire situation and didn't let anyone push her around.
The plot, by the way, is well done. Flower shops and a budding romance and feeding families make for a good story.
All in all, I'd very much recommend reading this if you like Romeo and Juliet. While it's not about teenagers, it's actually done in a way that makes the plot more interesting. There's more perspective in a lot of ways about life. 4 stars.
I liked all the characters in this novel. Julie and Romeo, of course, were great. Julie's daughter Sandy was my favorite character, and I was very happy for her at one point at the end. She had understandable reactions and was very sweet and caring. Nora, on the other hand, my emotions were more negative towards. She seemed irritating and cold, but eventually I thought she was entertaining and did love her family. Romeo's kids I didn't love because of their behavior, but his one daughter, Plummy, was my second favorite character. She was very over the entire situation and didn't let anyone push her around.
The plot, by the way, is well done. Flower shops and a budding romance and feeding families make for a good story.
All in all, I'd very much recommend reading this if you like Romeo and Juliet. While it's not about teenagers, it's actually done in a way that makes the plot more interesting. There's more perspective in a lot of ways about life. 4 stars.
suannelaqueur's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Jeanne Ray's wise, witty and thoroughly modern take on Montagues and Capulets. This is a smart, funny, totally refreshing love story. Like the unexpected arrival of a bouquet of flowers.
bougainvillea's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of implausible scenarios, but I really enjoyed this. I find Ray's writing very soothing for some reason.
kszymanski3087's review against another edition
3.0
a cute love story between two old people interrupted by their obnoxious, ignorant, disrespectful children. a feud all because of a bitter old woman.