I’m so sorry but I was unable to finish this. I had a hard time getting into the story and the writing. It could be that maybe I just wasn’t actually the target audience for this book.

This was my first Jennifer Dugan novel and now I completely understand why her books are loved so much! The teens in this novel felt incredibly real and believable, they were messy teens who didn’t know what to do in difficult situations, they needed support, they needed adults, but they didn’t know how to ask. I think this is a beautifully written book about a boy who is struggling and a girl who loves him too much. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.

While this book isn’t as light and fluffy as some of the others on my list of Perfect Novels Set in Bookstores, it’s a fantastic read. Set in a comic book store—where the families of the main characters are rival owners!—this is a book for readers looking for mental health representation. The anxiety discussion is worth reading, as is the growing chemistry between Ridley and Jubilee. Heed the content warnings and be sure to check out Jennifer Dugan’s other books.

A strong and poignant read that no one ever expected! It is one thing to say that covers can be deceiving; it is another to actually find one.

Verona Comics was a very quick read and I really enjoyed the comic convention/comic shop setting of the novel. I also loved how diverse this book was when it came to sexuality. The main character Jubilee has queer moms, she has a lesbian best friend and both she and the love interest Ridley are bisexual. I also really appreciated seeing Ridley deal with panic attacks and anxiety and for once not reading about a male main character who is super confident and not showing any signs of weakness. I think it’s so important to include that in young adult fiction and show teens that it’s okay to struggle with mental health and that others are struggling too, that things can get better no matter how bad they seem and that one doesn’t always have to be strong and perfect.

I also thought it was kind of fun that this was a Romeo and Juliet retelling and the rivalry between Jubilee’s and Ridley’s families definitely made this book more interesting. However, I wasn’t really a big fan of the way Ridley told his father about Jubilee and the things he did following that reveal. It just didn’t sit well with me and left a bad taste in my mouth. It also took me about a third of the book to actually get into the story. At first, I had a bit of a hard time connecting to the characters but I ultimately grew fond of them – especially of Jubilee and her friends and family – and definitely became a lot more invested in the story once I’d begun caring for them.

So all in all, this was a very enjoyable read and I’m definitely going to check out Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan some time in the future. I really liked the writing style and loved how quick of a read this was – I finished it in less than half a day. Four out of five stars to Verona Comics.

Can you imagine that one day you meet your crush at a comic convention, but then you discover that he/she is the child of the family business competition? That's what happened to the main characters of this book.

Jubilee is the stepdaughter of Vera Flores, a comic artist and owner of Verona Comics. Ridley, is the son of Mark Everlasting, owner of the biggest comic-store chain in the country. You can imagine all the drama that occurs in the book, but that's not all, the story also talks about important topics such as mental health and suicide.

I really liked the development of the story, I thought it would be full of romance, flowers, and rainbows; but nooo, it was the opposite, quite melancholic and there were certain moments that caused me anxiety. There was a moment when I thought about giving it three and a half stars but then what I was waiting for happened and that made it stay at four stars. On the other hand, the book, titled Verona Comics, makes you think that the book may be a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, for a moment I thought that and you could see me crying because I feared for the protagonists.

Jubilee, unfortunately, doesn't take my affection completely because when things started to get serious in her relationship, she discards her friends, she put her relationship first, I don't say that's wrong, but I know what it feels like when someone leaves you out and I didn't like that she did that to her friends. On the other hand, I liked that she was determined, knows what she wants to do with her life and that she doesn't give up.

Ridley is a sweet and very kind boy, unfortunately he has shitty parents who don't understand him, despite having gone through different things that impacted his life. Ridley is a "disgrace" to the family. To be honest, I identified too much with the character because of the anxiety that he suffers. I felt it so real that I was even anxious to read from his point of view.

Another thing that I liked about the book, was the representation of the LGBT + community, not only the protagonists but also the side ones like the mothers and Jubilee friends and Ridley himself.

This book can be difficult for readers who suffer from anxiety or who have mental health problems. And, above all, keep in mind that the story talks about suicide.

You are searching an fabulous rom-com as summer read? I have here the perfect book for you. What I expected: A fluffy light cute nerdy bi-romcom to forget the world around me. What I've got: A deep rom-com with many important topics like Queer labels and mental health ❤️ So but.... What is it about? Its a retelling of Romeo and Juliette. Jubilee works in the Indiecomic shop from her stepmother. Ridleys dad owns the biggest comic store chain of the country. Their parents are like the montagues and the capulets. They are kind of enemies. Jubilee and Ridley learn know each other at a big prom but their relationship is impossible like Romeo and Juliette. But Ridley has more problems.... His anxiety.... He has also very much pressure on him. Ridley is always a disappointment for this father. Jubilee has also a big audition and she has to concentrate on that. I love the writing style and I adore the character cast with is full with representation! You can learn from Jubilee and Ridley between the lines. But I have two critic points... First: The ending was way to easy. I don't want to spoiler you and.. I am not a huge fan of instant love - But well I give 4 of 5

This was a lovely read, that touched on some heavy subjects. I really enjoyed Ridley throughout the book. The story wasn't really anything new for me, though, which was a shame.

3*
Pros: Revolves around a cute and forbidden romance between the "heirs" of an indie and a corporate comic shops. Talks about the importance of indie booksellers and independent artists, and how to cherish and support them. Deals with depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviours. Focuses on self-worth, healing and building a support system. Nice notes on being a musician and the love for classical music.
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Cons: Stilted and sometimes odd descriptions and dialogues. First half full of unnecessary drama. Main plot completely abandoned by the second half.
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Trigger warning: suicidal thoughts, severe depression and anxiety.

Verona Comics isn’t the meetcute at an indie bookshop I thought it is going to be. This one packs a punch and it hits home dead-center. I was pleasantly surprised that I connected so well both in the writing style and the characters.

We follow two main characters who are both underscored by their connection to the comics industry and are but extremely contrasted by their circumstances in life. Jubilee, a top of the state cellist and the daughter of overly affectionate owners of an indie comic bookshop. She has her life figured out with her preparations to audition for an elite summer program. Ridley is the self-proclaimed blacksheep of the family, one who owns the biggest comic-store chain in the country. Despite the privileges on his plate, there is so more he wants that his parents seems to lose sight of. When the two meet in a comic convention prom, they spark a deeper connection that will have them too tangled they can’t keep up.

I’d like to commend Jennifer Dugan in the diversity in this book’s casts (bisexual, pansexual, gay, POC, Korean-American). It is a queer book without proving to be queer. It just is and that is refreshing to read in a book. Aside from that, the narrative coursed through topics of relevance without being preachy. The discussions were carefully laced through the interpersonal and internal conversations of the characters. The alternating dual perspective also makes it easier to follow. There was clearly a feminist touch in this. It also tackled sexual orientation, socio-economic gaps, and relationships both platonic and romantic.

Verona comics also bravely zeroed in on mental health. Ridley’s anxiety was so crystal feels it like I am going through the same. The panic attacks were too pronounced and reading about it was so heartbreaking. There’s a soft spot there that this book definitely picked on.

What strikes me most interesting is the discussion on co-dependency. It is very transparent in the text. A seemingly innocent distraction can become parasitic especially when the needs of one supersedes the other. The sad thing is, the ones involved in this bubble know that it destructive but keep at it because of the feel-good effects and it can become addictive. I appreciated that this was called out and addressed.

Considering teenagers at play here, this book also made commentaries on how parents are fixated at the idea of excellence; hence, birthing the fear of failure in their children and that moment defining the rest of their lives. People put being the best to a pedestal but not all can be the best. The only gripe I have for this book is at how there was no closure in the twisted parenting in the Everlasting family. There was so much emotional manipulation that contributed to Ridley’s almost empty vessel that reading it keeps a permanent lump in throat. I would have wanted it challenged more.

All things considered, Verona Comics is a highly recommendable read. It will be an emotional ride and sometimes, one person can’t carry it all and it is okay to seek help!

When I got Netgalley widget for Verona Comics I was pleasantly surprised. I am in a reading mood for ya contemporaries lately, and this book showed up in just about right time.

Since I like to go into my books blind, I only read summary briefly, and thought this would fun ya romance.
Boy, was I wrong!

What I thought would be fluffy and cute love story turned into serious novel that talks about anxiety with suicidal thoughts in such a strong and realistic way.

Don't get me wrong, this book still had lots of cute and heart warming scenes, especially at the beginning, but as the story progressed the serious tone was louder and louder.

I am not sure if this is own voices story, but from my perspective, as someone who suffers from anxiety even today, and had suicidal thoughts before, I can say that Ridley's character was realistic.
I could totally understand him, so many of his thoughts and actions I found familiar, especially those what were written in italics.

Verona Comics also represents lgbtq community and POC.

Other then that, it also touches subject of family dynamics, which is very important for the story.

I enjoyed comics reference. Who would say that it is such a competitive business?
Then again, I guess all businesses are.

This novel is written in first person, following two perspectives: Ridley's and Jubilee's.

I enjoyed the story, but I have to admit that I didn't feel the chemistry between two main characters, which took some enjoyment from my reading experience.
All the other parts of the story, from family relationships to friendships were well written.

This is fast paced story, and easy to read.

I think ya contemporary lovers will enjoy this one!

● Trigger and content warning -
Panic/anxiety attacks, references to suicidal ideation, mention of a past suicide attempt, abusive parent (verbal, emotional neglect) codependency & depression.

• God, I loved reading this book so much! 💙
I started reading Verona Comics expecting a fluffy YA romance, but I got so much more from it. I really liked how the book dealt with heavy topics like depression, anxiety, sexuality and diversity while being a story about two teens falling in love. The mental health representation was so perfectly done. There are not a lot of YA books with a bi male protagonist and queer female lead, so I really liked how the author handled this aspect of the story.
•The MCs, Jubilee and Ridley were so lovable! JUBILEE IS A QUEEN. I loved reading about her from the very first page. Her outspoken nature, despite being so young, made me so happy. Admittedly, I didn't like Ridley in the beginning , but as the the story continued, he became really relatable to me. I wanted to hug him a lot of times because of how badly he was treated by his parents. The romance between Jubilee and Ridley was really cute, but different from any other YA romances I've ever read. They've secured a place on my list of favorite fictional couples. :')
• The fangirling sessions & comic-cons which were described in the story made the book really enjoyable too.
• I loved how the author discussed a lot of themes in the book but found a way to button up all of it and created a truly wonderful story. I can't wait to read more from Jennifer Dugan!

Verona Comics was cute and complicated YA, queer contemporary that revolved around Jubilee and Ridley. It was about anxiety disorder and mental health issue, dysfunctional family, love and complications, learning to love yourself and life, looking for a solution of problem rather than finding an exit door.

Writing was gripping and fast paced. At first it felt light hearted and cozy but as I read more that vibe turned so intense and heavy. If you are expecting lot of fun, humor and light YA romance just hold your thought here because it’s much more complicated with serious issues. Verona Comics was written from Jubilee and Ridley’s POV that provided clear view of total opposite life style, family and their views towards comic books business.

Plot was interesting. As synopsis said Jubilee and Ridley met at comic convention prom that Ridley’s dad’ company, Geekery, sponsored. Geekery had a reputation of destroying Indie comic shops and had an evil eye on Verona Comics ever since Verona laughed at Ridley’s dad’s offer. When they met at prom they didn’t know who their parents were but Ridley found out Jubilee was Verona’s step daughter and they hate Geekery. I knew it was going to be complicated but even Ridley agreeing to spy on Verona comic for his dad to please him to go back to his childhood home was shocking. I was curious to see where this will go from here, how Jubilee will find out about his real identity and what Ridley will do to come out of the mess he created.

Characters were interesting. I loved family dynamics and balance of family, friendship and romance. Jubilee’s family was great. Both her moms were supportive, loving and caring. Verona was the stepmother everybody would love. I didn’t like Ridley’s family. I blame them for everything happened in this book. But I liked his sister Gray. She was amazing from the very beginning.

There were so much diversity. Jubilee’s mom was bi and her stepmom, Verona, was lesbian. Both Jubilee and Ridley were bi, Jubilee’s friend Jayla was black and lesbian. I liked Jubilee for her non-label thoughts. She was bi but haven’t experimented it and didn’t care for a label and accepted who she was.

Jubilee was smart, overachiever student, and amazing cellist. Audition for scholarship to summer program to study with famous cello teacher was her dream. Her passion and dedication was admirable but at the same time I agreed with her both friends. She should have applied other camps and she should managed things normally like she did before Ridley entered her life. Her concerns and emotions were well written. As adult I didn’t agree the way she handled situation in climax but I can see and understand why she did that. I might have done the same at her age. Young love does that to us. Her decision later was fabulous. I liked her even more for it.

Ridley was good person but he was struggling with many things. He had narcissist parents who didn’t love him as he wasn’t prodigy and stopped caring for him once they knew he was bi, had anxiety disorder and suffered with depression. My heart went to him, I wanted to snatch him away from those parents who not only were not helping him but also made him feel worthless. But at the same time I didn’t like him exactly for what he was doing from the beginning even though he knew it was wrong. When he spent more time with Jubilee I started to warm to him as it was helping him coping with his mental health and also for his wish to come out clean. But climax changed it once again because he was asking a lot from Jubilee and was not even thinking about her family, he was being selfish. I exactly felt like Jubilee did, I liked him but at the same time I didn’t. I was so glad after climax things started to change for him and I was happy with his efforts.

I loved how author showed young love and complications that comes with it, how course of life can be changed at any minute, one cannot have full control over life and most of all representation of anxiety disorder and panic attacks. How character suffering with mental health act and behave and what are their thought process, how difficult it’s for them in life and how they need more than just medications. Honestly I wasn’t expecting this heavy topic in the book so it was total surprise but I was glad to read author’s realistic approach with this topic.

Climax was tense. As I said I wasn’t happy with characters’ decision at this point and wanted to shake them out of whatever they were thinking so they could see what was coming. I swear my heartbeats stopped for a moment and I was dreading what happened next. But at the same time something good came out of it, they learned many things, it changed their life and developed stronger and healthier. I like the end. It was great.

I thought I will rate this 4 because I was not happy with characters’ decisions and I wasn’t happy with Ridley and what he did throughout the book but when I gave it some time, put myself in their situation, it felt so real and apposite. They were just 17. Who has wisdom and maturity about love, life, and relationships at this age! And let’s not forget mental health issue. So, yes, full star to this.

Overall, Verona Comics was realistic, deep, complicated, and heartwarming YA LGBTQ cotemporary romance. I highly recommend this to fans of this genre.

I really enjoyed reading this! It starts off as a cute romance, but it then got on to discuss some heavier topics. And even though I didn't initially expect this, I thought it was well done. My heart broke for the main characters and I teared up a few times. I honestly cannot wait to read Hot Dog Girl now! I would recommend this if the synopsis sounds good to you, but definitely keep in mind that this isn't just a fluffy contemporary.

VERONA COMICS is much more than a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. It's a touching and humorous book about love, family, and friendship. Dugan's characters are complex and relatable, and I'll definitely be recommending this book to comic lovers and voracious readers.

This book completely caught me off guard. I expected a cute and fluffy read, I mean it has its cute moments, but Verona Comics is deeper than that. I felt a Romeo and Juliet vibes here, with the family feud and family expectations.

The story follows the two main characters. Ridley and Jubilee. With the dual POV, it is easy to connect with the characters. Their first encounter in the comic convention prom is really cute and flirty, but as the story developed, it became more serious and focus on the aspect of mental health issues. This novel has perfected diversity. It includes different family situations, ethnicity, sexual orientations and socio-economic status. I like the contrast between the two protagonist. While Jubilee grew up with loving parents, Ridley had the opposite situation. As a child, he was neglected by both of his parents. Because of this, he has very low self-esteem and panic attacks. Ridley’s battles had been a huge, essential element of the plot.

What I really liked about this novel is how it handled mental and sexuality issues very carefully. I also like how it shows that it is not enough that you only love a person when dealing with some serious issues. It is good to have someone for some emotional support, but this sometimes just leads to emotional burden to the person. It is better to talk it out to people who can really help you. The way the author discussed this type of relationship dynamic is truly enlightening.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I was not satisfied about how Ridley’s family issues ended. Or rather how it did not have any closure. It was really messed up: separated and neglecting parents, abusive and alcoholic father. It felt like those issues were set aside towards the end.

Overall, Verona Comics is not your ordinary queer YA read; it tackles a lot of different aspects of life. I definitely recommend this book!

4/5 stars!

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:
anxiety and multiple descriptions of panic attacks, depression, talk about a previous suicide attempt, suicide idealisation, car accident, codependency, abusive parent (verbal and emotional neglect).

☂️ DIVERSITY: main character with social anxiety and clinical depression, bisexual main characters, queer main character, POC side character, adopted and Korean side character, gay side characters, f/f relationship.



I ENJOYED…
☂️
- Verona Comics is told through two different point of views and I appreciated both very much.
- Jubilee is such a passionate, determined musician and I loved that about her so much. She’s trying to get out of her comfort zone a little bit, she’s a chronic overachiever and worrier, she’s caring and I just really cared for her.
- Ridley was, oh, Ridley. I just grew really fond of Ridley, could relate to him on some aspects. Ridley just wants to meet his impossible father expectations and is struggling for his acceptance and I just want to hug him.
The anxiety representation was incredibly well done. From the social anxiety to Ridley’s way of thinking, to the panic attacks descriptions, it was just incredibly well done and, well, you know I’m all here for books with anxiety rep and I was so, so glad to read and deeply relate to this and to Ridley’s anxiety.
- I really enjoyed the characters’ relationships.
- I liked the romance, I liked how it grew slowly over texting and how complex and messy it got once reality got into the whole thing. I liked the idea of opposite families and yet the characters falling in love anyway, a sort of Romeo & Juliet kind of thing.
- I really enjoyed the friendships, too! I loved how Jayla, Jubilee’s friend, was such a warm, wonderful, strong and protective presence in the story, especially.
- I think Verona Comics has one of the most realistic romances with one of the characters struggling with his mental health. I was a little surprised, to be honest, because I didn’t expected it to be so intense and so… well, hard to read, at times and please be careful and mind the trigger warnings before heading into this. That being said, the author managed to depict a wonderful romance, yet also managed to make it all realistic, not to spoil anything. I really appreciated that.


I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…
☂️
- There are a lot of things I appreciated in Verona Comics, but I think I personally felt a little threw by just how intense of a read this could be, something I didn’t really expect while getting into this. It’s not really a criticism, just something that threw me off while I read and, maybe, something I wasn’t entirely in the mood for at the time of my reading. It’s a personal experience though!

OVERALL
☂️
If you’re looking for a realistic romance, a contemporary dealing with mental health and a little side of comics, you should pick up Verona Comics. With wonderful characters you’ll want to root for, it is a book I’d definitely recommend giving a try!

This book was very funny and adorable but it tackled very important topics as well. Ridley's anxiety was relatable and heartbreaking to read, and his relationship with his family was just absolutely and completely awful. Poor boy needs a break. Jubilee was definitely my favorite character, she's an icon. Also, the rep and diversity in this book is absolutely incredible and I loved it! We have bi characters (finally a well written bi rep!!!), lesbian rep, diversity, mental health. Honestly this made the book absolutely fantastic and it was just a delight to read. I wish we could have just that much rep in more YA books.

I liked the writing, it was really easy to follow and fast to read. However, I felt like the beginning was a bit rushed and I have to admit Ridley made me cringe at first, but I ended up growing really attached to him after a few more chapters. You will just want to give him the biggest hug. Then, Jubilee is a nerd and she doesn't hide it, which is so fresh and good I loved it! I loved all the comics references and I, myself, fangirled along with the characters. Oops.

Reading this book was definitely entertaining and great to escape from the scary real world outside!

This is hard for me to rate.

I love all the different kinds of representation in this book - queer, Black and Asian, mental health, class - but the way it is marketed is slightly misleading. I requested this expecting a fluffy and heartwarming ya romance (I should have learnt my lesson with In Five Years and take every synopsis with a grain of salt) and I got a roller-coaster ride of intense emotions and hard-hitting subjects.

The story follows Jubilee and Ridley in a dual POV format that lets you dive into their very different realities. Jubilee is an only daughter and lives with her two loving mums, one of which is an indie comic artist who owns a comics bookshop. She is the best cello player in the state and trying for a position in a renowned music summer camp program. Her two best friends, Nikki and Jayla, are also a big part of her life. Jubilee’s family struggles financially.

Ridley on the other hand lives with his absent mother, has a horrible father and a sister who is doted in by both of their parents whom he loves (despite being rightfully jealous at times). He suffers from severe depression and anxiety, with which is struggles daily to the point it interferes with his social life and his relationship with his family. He has no future prospects, doesn’t care about school and has no close friends other than his older sister who seems to be the only person who cares about him. Ridley is wealthy.

Their families are enemies in the comic book industry.

So when their worlds collide, it’s cute and fluffy, until they find out how different their lives are when all the lies are finally unveiled. Her friends don’t like how much of her time he takes and her stepmother is becoming worried and suspicious of Ridley. On the other hand, Ridley can’t take it anymore at home with his father grilling him about spying for him.

Another thing that really bothered me was that it got something dangerous and life threatening happening for Grayson and even Ridley to make decision of getting professional help for him. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, I just wish that there was a different kind of depression rep where the person gets help before something this big happens. I’m just glad it was an accident in this case and that it wasn’t Ridley’s fault.

I also hated that Ridley didn’t come clean about his identity to Jubilee right when he realised who she was. It was misleading and I really hate that trope. Even more in this case because he used spying for his dad as an excuse to be close to her without her knowing he was the same boy she met at the prom dance thing. I don’t care if he didn’t spy on his dad’s behalf, he still spied on her for his own.

I have mixed feelings about this book because I hated most of the decisions and actions taken by Ridley and I also think Jubilee should have taken a stance earlier. But I still like little things like Jubilee trying to figure out her sexuality, how different all the relationships - straight and queer - were and I loved Jubilee’s mums a lot.

I do still recommend this to people because it has good rep and, I don’t know if it was intentional because I didn’t see it mentioned anyways but, it’s a great retelling of Romeo and Juliet. I’d just caution people not to expect a cute and heartwarming story because this is definitely not it.

Perhaps the most frustrating part about Verona Comics is how it was mis-marketed. Taking a look at the blurb, it reads like a fluffy, contemporary romance about love in a comic shop. It is anything but. Verona Comics is a rather gritty and heavy story about young love, mental health and familial expectations once you get past the initial meet-cute and young love. For most, it would be a pleasant surprise to receive a book deemed to be just a cute romance but ends up tackling heavier, more difficult topics. However, for someone like me who specifically avoids this type of genre, I was not pleased.

Personal feelings aside, Verona Comics is captivating in it's own way. It is a Romeo and Juliet retelling (if the title didn't already give it away!) and if I didn't hit up the Goodreads reviews, I would have never known it. But marketing it as a Romeo and Juliet retelling with a focus on mental health and bad decisions would have made it a more compelling read but perhaps, would have drawn in less readers. You got me there, Penguin Random House. You got me good.

Verona Comics' plot starts off with a Prom Con, a convention party reserved only for teens and younger - the only adults allowed are chaperones (more on this later!). We are introduced to Ridley and Jubilee; the story is told from both their perspectives with some text messages in-between. Ridley is attending the prom at his father's orders and Jubilee is there to let off a little steam from her strict regiment of cello practice for her once-in-a-lifetime audition. They are immediately drawn to each other but Ridley finds out that Jubilee is the enemy, Verona Comics (and the daughter of his favourite comic artist!) to his father's company, Geekery. But despite this, Ridley and Jubilee are head-over-heels in love and their relationship continues after the convention, texting each other every day.

But Ridley has a sinister secret; his father is abusive and violent. In order to please his father, Ridley divulges that he has a way in to Verona Comics, the indie comic bookstore that his father has been waiting desperately to infiltrate. Ridley unwillingly goes undercover to steal corporate information with Jubilee none the wiser; she doesn't even know that he is the guy she met at prom! With such high stakes, Ridley's slowly spiralling mental health and Jubilee's audition looming over their heads, there are bound to be mistakes made, bad decisions and a lot of sweet, sweet young and disastrous love.

"The motion light clicks off—we've been still for too long—and then moonlight is just enough to make this moment seem magical."

Verona Comics cleverly takes the plot and highlights of Romeo and Juliet and marries it with the world of comic books to make it truly a retelling with questionable friends and a mini-balcony scene. Take for example, Jubilee's last name is Jones making her initials JJ which is such a cute reference to the names in the Marvel comics. From pull lists to the latest comics on the shelves and the mundane life of running a bookstore, Verona Comics paints a rather quaint and pastoral setting within the bookstore, a sort of safe space for both Ridley and Jubilee.

However, Verona Comics left out a lot of what made Romeo and Juliet so complex: the effect of their relationship on the rivalry and political machinations between the Montagues and Capulets. Instead, it focuses solely on Ridley and Jubilee's relationship from start to end and how their relationship affected themselves rather than the world around them. It only hints but ends up not mattering. There is little mention of the rivalry between Verona Comics and Geekery except that the latter wants to buy out the former and all other indie bookstores. The plot also left me questioning if teenagers truly behave in the manner that Ridley and Jubilee do. Other than being reckless, most of Ridley and Jubilee's characteristics borderline on being adult, it's hard for me to remember that they are essentially children.

"If my ride was music, then his is a symphony, and I don't want it to stop."

To put it simply, I liked none of the characters in Verona Comics, not a single one. But perhaps, they're not meant to be likeable.

Ridley appears to be an awkward young adult with a terribly shy streak that lends itself to anxiety but overall, seems cute and rather adorable. However, Ridley suffers from multiple health disorders including depression and anxiety that have been poorly addressed or not addressed at all which is one of the themes that litter this book. There are multiple mentions of him attempting suicide as well. Ridley seems to be written as an extreme of undiagnosed and untreated mental health disorders. However, when it conveniences the plot, his depression and anxiety seem to disappear for the sake of being witty and clever. 

Jubilee, on the other hand, is a cellist prodigy who either plays too hard or works too hard and the world around her can't seem to decide which it would rather have her do. Jubilee is a frustrating character, in the sense, that she seems to solely exist as a sounding board for Ridley. While Verona Comics wants her to be someone strong, independent, feminist and singularly-focused on her cello audition, Jubilee feels a little bland. With Ridley around, all her personality seems to stop working. Like most teenagers (speaking from experience, don't tell my mum!), she ignores everything important in her life once she finds herself in love. 

Jubilee and Ridley's friends and family also seem to be one-dimensional characters, written for the sake of providing either conflict or comfort but rarely both. Jayla is the fiery friend and sits on the borderline of toxic, Nikki is the romantic, Vera (Jubilee's stepmother) is comfort personified, her own mother basically non-existent, Ridley's father is just violent and angry and Ridley's sister, Grayson, is soothing. 

The worldbuilding is also a little strange. As I mentioned, the comic convention prom is teenagers and young adults only with the adults being chaperones or event organisers. There's no explanation given for why this has been setup in such a way, considering that the organiser, Geekery, is a big shot comic book store chain. The convention is also held at a casino which is even more mind boggling that children are allowed in. But while I thought the convention would play strongly into the plot, it lasted for only a handful of chapters. And while it is implied that the characters go to school, there is little to no mention of classes. They're mostly just throwaway details. Instead, we see them in cafes, bowling alleys, ice-cream parlours etc. Sometimes, I forget that they're high school kids and instead, working adults. 

"Okay. Next question: How can I tell if it's my gut talking or my myriad of anxiety disorders?" Frankie chuckles. "Is there that much of a difference?"

However, the one thing that Verona Comics deserves to be commended for is how it handles the issue of mental health. I'm not an expert on the subject matter. However, I am quite happy to see that Verona Comics doesn't treat mental health with rose-coloured glasses. Too many books paint mental health in a rosy light, a crutch to overcome in order to become perfect and whole and normal whereas Verona Comics details the descend of someone with severe mental illnesses that has gone untreated and how it affects everyone around them. 

Verona Comics also talks about the reality of mental health, that you cannot rely on others to get better. While a great support system is important for someone suffering from mental health disorders, help only comes when one truly wants it and that's what was so important in Verona Comics.

You could even go so far as to say that Verona Comics is a plea to seek mental healthcare. I appreciate that mental healthcare hotlines are placed at the end of the book. However, I did not appreciate that there were no trigger warnings in sight! 

In conclusion, Verona Comics is a captivating story of mental health awareness and young love. It definitely is not a sweet and fluffy romance about overcoming one's adversities. It does have it's sweet moments that make you go "aww" but they feel a little out of place in the grand scheme of things. While I enjoyed Dugan's writing and it kept me on the edge of my seat, always wondering What's Next, Verona Comics is not the book for me. But, I hope, it is the book for you.