Fair Rosaline is not a cute rewrite of Romeo and Juliet. It doesn’t give a famous tragedy an ending that makes it into a comedy. It’s not updated to modern times. The difference is that it is told from the viewpoint of Rosaline, the woman briefly referred to in Shakespeare’s play as being Romeo’s previous love. So while nearly all of the original tale of woe remains, it is told through Rosaline’s eyes.

Rosaline Capulet is a young woman of 15, two years older than her young cousin Juliet. Rosaline’s mother has just died and left her at the mercy of her father. Grieving his wife’s loss, he decides Rosaline will go to a nunnery immediately. She has no desire to live cloistered behind bars, in God’s service. She really has little desire to marry, either. And that leaves her with no real options in her era. But she wants to taste of life in the short time remaining before going to the nunnery.

She is surprised to be swept off her feet by a handsome man named Romeo, who just so happens to be of the Montague family, hated by her own. They meet in secret and he even makes his way to her bedroom multiple times. He promises her marriage and a happy future. But when she starts to doubt his promises, she breaks it off. And immediately afterward, Romeo is suddenly in love with Juliet, who is even more inexperienced in worldly ways than Rosaline.

Alarmed, Rosaline tries to warn Juliet, but the relationship proceeds quickly. And as she learns more about Romeo’s connections, Rosaline fears that Juliet’s very life may be on the line. But she has little time left, and what can she possibly do to change this tragic ending?

Fair Rosaline is a thoroughly depressing tale. Most of the men are horrible people. Women are controlled; they are raped and taken advantage of as a rule. They are powerless, at the disposal of men. Rosaline is young and learns some hard lessons through sad experience. But she is determined to take back some power and do what she can to protect others.

The book left me feeling wiped out and sad. What Rosaline did accomplish should have felt like a victory, but it felt nominal after the onslaught of the book. I think I was hoping for the story to be just a little lighter. However, it has stuck with me and made me think, and I’ll never see Romeo and Juliet the same way again.

What I liked about this book was that we finally get to hear from Rosaline directly. In the original works of Shakespeare you only hear about Rosaline through either Romeo or his friends. Each time they discuss her they’re very unkind and call her a whore and many other names. In the original you’re very much supposed to believe that Rosaline was just a fling and it wasn’t love, but knowing men, we know this isn't true!

What’s even more important in the play is that we get told several times how young Juliet is, but never Romeo. In this book we also don’t exactly know, but Rosaline can see speckled gray in his hair and observes his body and remarks it doesn't look like that of boys her age. She is a girl of sixteen and this man has the audacity to woo her, steal her virginity, and then rob her under the guise of his “love”. As soon as he gets what he wants, he’s off to Rosaline’s cousin Juliet who is FOURTEEN.

This is the story of the girl who saves Juliet. The girl who is fierce in her loyalty and love to her family. The girl who is strong, opinionated, and intelligent. This is the story of Rosaline and it deserves to be read.

This was a weird fanfic of Romeo and Juliet based off of the perspective of Rosaline. It worked for a bit, but the blend of modern writing and verbatim lines from the play got a little too hooky for me. I do like that this book tries to add character to Rosaline, but overall it just felt like a step up from a fix-it fanfic

One take away though is Men Ain't Shit!

Fair Rosaline is a powerful retelling of Romeo and Juliet, faithful to the major plot beats of Shakespeare’s tragedy, but with a shift in perspective that changes everything. It’s fascinating, fast-moving, and now that I’ve finished, hard to stop thinking about. Highly recommended.

I'm almost always the first to admit that I don't really love Shakespeare, and I often feel less than warm about what is probably one of his most talked about works: Romeo and Juliet. It's overdone, it's really not all that much of a love story, and it's boring. I'm not going to go on and on about it because that would be an entire review in and of itself.

That being said. I have (on occasion) been known to enjoy retellings of this certain work of Shakespeare's. Namely, Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights and Hulu's satire comedy Rosaline. So, while I didn't have *high* hopes for this book, I did hope that I was going to get something new and exciting.

I didn't. This just... ugh. Romeo has always been a somewhat problematic bad boy. The kind your mom would tell you to steer away from, or the one you would swipe left on in a dating app because all he had was shirtless pics and his info was very "hey bro" frat-guy type sentences. But even though he's always been... less than great, I don't know that taking him all the way to being a pedophile was the best choice.

Were Romeo and Juliet probably very young in Shakespeare's original? Yes. Were times different and age gaps possibly less of a scandal? Probably also yes. BUT. This is a retelling. Make it unique. Make it fun. Make it as original as you can. Don't freaking make Romeo a pedophile and basically leave the entire rest of the story the same. That's pointless.

I just... don't think retellings should be a thing unless you're actually going to retell the story in a different way. And maybe I prefer retellings that are so different they almost aren't retellings. But. I still didn't like this.

DNF - I truly was pulled in from the book description bc I love a fresh retelling, especially from a different character's POV, so I thought what could be more fresh and original than the story of Romeo & Juliet told from Romeo's prior love Rosaline? It was a fantastic idea - except the writing just wasn't solid enough.

I only got about 30% of the way through before I realized I wasn't in love with the protagonist Solomons created in "Fair Rosaline" and quite frankly didn't care what happened to her. Nothing about the plot or story was inventive enough to leave a good lasting impression and the pacing imo was all skewed. Some scenes seemed to drag out for infinity (with nothing incredibly exciting taking place) while others felt rushed and lasted two paragraphs.

Great story idea just not enough creative execution. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a digital ARC.

I really tried to separate my frustration over some of the author’s choices from the enjoyment of the story, particularly its unique take on the timeless tale of star-crossed lovers. There was certainly much to digest, and I found myself bogged down through much of the narrative. I think it might have been down to my own biases, but I had hoped to enjoy this more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

A story of two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, with a focus on Rosaline Capulet, cousin to young Juliet.

This begins with a funeral, the funeral of Madonna Emelia Capulet, mother of Rosaline, a funeral that was limited due to the epidemic that was spreading rapidly. There was no gathering except for their family, which now consisted only of Rosaline, her father, and Valentino, her brother. The service was hurried as the friar was eager to remove himself from the proximity of this disease.

’In truth Rosaline knew that fear, pain, and love were all beyond her mother now. She belonged here, among the ghosts of other long-departed Capulets.’

When they return to their home, officers are waiting for them, informing them that since a member of their household had been infected, they were not permitted to leave their home for twenty days.
Their door had already been marked with a red cross to mark the house. Soon, the doors of their neighbors will be marked with the red cross as the plague spreads.

When her father informs her that her mother’s wish was for her to live her life in a convent, Rosaline questions this, but her father is not bending on his conviction that it is in her best interest.

’Rosaline determined to know something of love before she was locked away, husband or not.’

Her father allows her twelve days of freedom before she will be taken to the convent.

’If she must surrender the sinful world, then first she’d gorge herself on its pleasure. The thought of the Montagues was frightening, but she had so little time left. She must be brave. If the devil himself was playing host, she would attend with ribbons in her hair.’

Soon after, dressed as a boy, she meets Romeo, who believes her to be a young man. When she loses a duel with him, he unmasks her.

Their romance quickly turns into more, as he sneaks into her room one night, leaving at dawn’s light, lest they be caught. He returns for several nights, convincing her of his love, and talking of marriage. When he gets everything he wants from Rosaline, his attention turns to her cousin, Juliet.

Rosaline now knows she meant nothing to him, that he has done this to many other girls like her, but will she be able to convince Juliet that Romeo will likely do the same to her, or will Juliet ignore her warnings. There is so little time left, so she must act quickly, before her father sends her off to the nunnery.


Published: 12 Sept 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark

Such an amazing book! The story is phenomenal. This Romeo and Juliet “untelling” is one of my favorite takes on “the classics “ Seeing the story told from a different perspective feels like being on stage, watching the actors performing a parallel story, unseen by the audience.
In the author's words, Romeo and Juliet is not a tragic love story; it’s the story of a group of adults failing to take care of their kids. And this is particularly evident in this version of the story. Rosalie is Juliet’s cousin and Romeo’s love interest. But she knows that he is not who everyone thinks he is and will do everything to save her cousin from the charms of this predator..
A beautiful book and one of my favorites books of the year!

As someone who wavers between loving and hating Romeo and Juliet, and Shakespeare in general (very sorry to my Not Husband, Tom Hiddleston), I have to say I was drawn in by this beautiful cover. Retellings are hit or miss for me, and this reads more like glorified fanfiction in parts, but I was certainly more amused than my friend Marquise.

Who is Rosaline? Do you, like me, not remember? That's because she is seen but once at the beginning of the original, when Romeo sneaks in to a Capulet party to look upon her, only to fall for thirteen year old Juliet instead. Even if that age is "normal" for the times, I feel as if I have to reiterate this. Juliet is thirteen. And Romeo's love is fickle. My favorite part of the original is often wondering if their love would have stood the test of time, had they both survived. I don't think it would have.

In any case, this book isn't about Juliet. Or even Romeo. It is about Rosaline, and her fervent desire for Romeo, and the way she so easily gives into him. She's young. And she's certainly not the only one. He ruins her, as he ruins so many in this story.

This didn't really begin to pick up for me until after Rosaline decided she was done with Romeo, which for her, came far too late. At this point, it almost turns into a bit of a feminist manifesto where she tries to save Juliet from making the same mistakes as her. As we all know, she fails.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

Soo much happened in the span of 12 days😭first of all times was a pos and I’m glad rosaline was able to get revenge on him. Also I’m glad that it ended w Juliet not dead. The pacing was off for me (again so much happened in so few days) but it was a quick read .

I’ve read Romeo and Juliet countless times due to my past as an English high school teacher, and I enjoyed this unique retelling from Rosaline’s perspective. She is only referred to briefly in the play, yet she is given a vibrant life in this novel.

I recommend this for people who enjoy Shakespeare and feminist retellings.

More of an untelling than retelling, this story of Rosaline sheds light on one of the more mysterious characters from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Not much is known about Rosaline, but this feminist prequel brings depth and understanding to her character, and reveals more about Romeos character, too.

Although she is an unseen character in the original R&J, her role is important: Romeo's unrequited love for Rosaline leads him to try to catch a glimpse of her at a gathering hosted by the Capulet family, which is where he first spots Juliet (who also happens to be Rosaline’s cousin). In the play, Romeo reveals that Rosaline has renounced love and vowed to lead a life of chastity. That original text never gave her the avenue to reciprocate and freely express her emotions, romantic or otherwise, and while her fate beyond the story is unknown, the implication is that she remained alone. This book explores her feelings and choices, and gives readers a better glimpse into who Rosaline Capulet truly is.

Turning everything you ever knew about Romeo on its head, this book is a must-read for lovers of Shakespeare, retellings, and historical fiction.

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Rosaline gets barely a passing mention, but by using what she knows about this Rosaline and Shakespeare's other Rosaline/Rosalind characters, Natasha Solomons builds her lead for "Fair Rosaline." Detailing the whirlwind romance between Rosaline and Romeo, this novel creates a new way of looking at the relationships between some of our most famous characters. And, while Shakespeare purists might bemoan any attempts at altering our views of these characters, the point of books in this vein is to place a different lens on the story. Also, while we deride some books like this as "fan fiction" (although I love that term and don't personally see it as a negative), plenty of beloved books fit under this umbrella like Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea or Miller's Circe or even O'Farrell's own take on Shakespeare, Hamnet.

While there's some unevenness to the pacing, I appreciate this sort of wild ride through Rosaline's life and it may have made me appreciate Tybalt and Benvolio a bit more than I did in the past. Kudos to Solomons for exploring themes of exploitation and power imbalances while also having a strong theme of women supporting women.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

My Fair Rosaline is a reinterpretation of Romeo & Juliet told from the perspective of Rosaline, a very minor character from the original. After finishing this book I can’t help but wonder who the intended audience for this was? Fans of the original? Can’t be because this story takes the entire concept and throws it into left field. *SPOILER ALERT* Romeo is part of a trafficking ring. He’s the seducer that lures the girls into the world of icky men run by the church. To add an extra layer of ick, the author chooses to leave the characters at their original ages, meaning Juliet is 13 when she meets very adult Romeo. This story left me feeling uncomfortable long after it ended.

I was introduced last year to & Juliet, and I loved a fun feminist retelling of an otherwise depressing story. I misunderstood the synopsis and the very bright colour. I thought Rosaline was going to get the & Juliet treatment sans Britney Spears discography and boy was I in for something entirely different.

There wasn’t a single redeemable character. The males were all disgusting for obvious reasons but every female character was complicit and cruel. Rosaline did not have a single character trait. Things happened to her but she rarely was in charge of a situation. If her B-level love story is all that any of us can hope for, well we are all doomed.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a fan of Natasha Solomons books for a while now, so I was thrilled to receive a copy of her retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet from the perspective of Rosaline.

In Shakespeare’s telling, Rosaline is very much offstage, in Ms. Solomon’s she is front and center and ready to play. Rosaline’s beloved mother has died of the plague and her father has decided it is cheaper to send her to a nunnery that to find her a willing husband and have to produce a dowry. Enter Romeo the stuff of many a fair maiden’s dreams, at first Rosaline is enamored and then, not so much. She sees the selfishness and arrogance in Romeo so she breaks off the relationship, but then Romeo sets his sights on her thirteen year old naive cousin Juliet and Rosaline knows that she must step in to prevent a tragedy. With the usual cast of characters, Nurse, Tybalt, Paris, Mercutio and of course the Friar this retelling should be familiar, but is not as the characters and motives are viewed by a different lens, Rosaline’s and she has something to say. the Capulets and the Montagues will never be the same.

I enjoyed the different take on Romeo and Juliet and the motives of the main characters. I would highly recommend this for someone who like alternate views of beloved classics.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

Happy pub day to Fair Rosaline, Natasha Solomons’ latest novel!

Fair Rosaline focuses in on the character from
Romeo and Juliet that I have the most curiosity about: Juliet’s cousin Rosaline, the girl that Romeo was infatuated with first. Ever since first reading the play I’ve wondered who this character really was, because we only get to hear about her through other (male) characters. What happened to her? How did she feel about her cousin falling in love with Romeo so quickly after being in love with her?

Solomon weaves together a story that tries to satisfy all of these questions for me. And for the most part, it worked. What I liked the most was that she made me see characters in a different light. I’m not a huge fan of Romeo to begin with, but I absolutely loathed the Romeo of this novel. Conversely, I adored Tybalt, and I found that to be a refreshing change. Solomon mostly works her story around the existing structure of the play, but has to make a few small changes to make her story work. I did think that this novel was much too long and would have benefitted by being edited for length. I was also driven mad when the word “wherefore” was used to mean “where” and not “why.” But otherwise, I thought this was a really decent take on a character who is fairly hidden in Shakespeare’s play.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Captivated is too small and weak a word to describe Natasha Solomon’s stunning novel FAIR ROSALIE, an incredibly creative and marvelous fresh perspective on the legend of Romeo and Juliet, Through the eyes of Rosalie Capulet, cousin to Juliet, I have walked the streets, been overwhelmed by the stench, endured the boundaries, and delighted in relationships with kindred spirits. Throughout, I enjoyed lyrical, beautiful prose, taut plot, and the nearly unbearable tension in the knowing and the not knowing what will happen next. This book is a masterwork, a genuine contribution to book clubs and readers everywhere. I am recommending it to all I know, pressing it into their hands: “You must read this book.” I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

I got sick but I wanted to review on what I've read and I will say I love the premise and I loved that it paints Romeo different and that he is going after her cousin so she needs to save her.

This was a FANTASTIC feminist Romeo & Juliet "untelling" told from the POV of Rosaline that sees Romeo as a predator who preys on younger women and critiques the society/culture that drove young women into the arms of men like him when faced with few choices. I loved how the pandemic/plague was a key part of the story, driving the plot in clever ways and how the author sprinkled actual lines from the play throughout the story. Great on audio with an author interview included at the end and perfect for fans of Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!! This was my first book by Natasha Solomons and definitely won't be my last!