📖 ARC Review 📖

Blurb:
🎭 Shakespeare’s greatest couple Romeo and Juliet but with a twist. They not only lived but are happily married and have many, many children. Their oldest daughter feels as if she is in the shadow of their great love story until the fateful day she meets her One True Love. Luck is not on Rosie’s side though for the Prince of Verona has developed an interest in her and tricked her into a betrothal. This book is one wild mash up of murder mystery, ghosts, Shakespearean flair and hilarity!

What I liked:

🎭 The romance in this book is what kept me hooked. From the first book and through this one I was entirely invested in the love story. I can’t say much for fear of spoiling just know it’s the slowest of burns and it felt like the author was teasing me. Play on puppet master!

🎭 The humor laced throughout this story was self deprecating and non serious. I found myself being shocked at what was said and startled into laughter many times. Fair warning this humor lends towards crude so if that offends you this may not be for you.

What I didn’t like:

🎭 The murder mystery in this book didn’t really work for me. It felt disjointed and I could have done without it.

🎭 I was not a fan of the in book summarizing. We had a 3 page catch up on what had happened literally 3 chapters ago. For a book that is only 290 pages this felt insanely unnecessary and irritated me. I’ve seen this done before to help puzzle out clues or with a change of POV but that was not what happened. I was left feeling the author had a word count to meet. 😅

Takeaway:
🎭 Overall I found this book to be a mixed bag. I partially loved it and also didn’t? The humor went a bit too far for me in this second installment and the mystery was lackluster. The style of the story and the romance though still has me hooked? The author managed to make me care about the characters despite the other issues I had. So I’m shocked to say, despite my rating, I will be reading any future books because I HAVE TO KNOW what happens! Rosie girl “good luck, babe!”

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. Having read the first book, I was anxiously awaiting the second and was thrilled to get an advanced copy. Of course, now I am sitting here crying because there isn't a third, fourth, or millionth book out for me to read. Seriously, I finished the last page and kept trying to scroll to the next page multiple times. I need more! Sure, the book hasn't even been published yet, but still.

I have never understood why people think Romeo and Juliet is a great love story; even Shakespeare says it is a tragedy. It's right in the title. I love how it has been rewritten here that they lived through all of it. I truly can't imagine having kids twenty years apart (the mystery series is their oldest, but Juliet is still having babies), but people still do it. Also, letting your husband name your baby after your first love? Rosaline? That's a no from me.

Beyond that rant, I love everything about this series! The characters, the mystery, the plot, everything.


Thanks again to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given and my opinions are my own.

4 Stars

This was such a delightful continuation of the first book in the Rosaline Montague series. I simply adore the way this is written and I fully ship Rosie and the Prince - even if she keeps saying he isn’t handsome, I know he turns her on for sure.

This was such a wonderful use of alot of elements from Hamlet this time. We had the appearance of the old Prince’s ghost, the skull of poor Yorrick and another murder mystery with a couple of twists in there. Plus tension around Juliet’s pregnancy in the middle there.

Overall this was a really fun, easy read and I’m very keen to continue on to the next if the series keeps going.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the eARC - this is my honest review*

This book has a Shakespeare-style feel but with a modern flare. This is the second book in the series, and definitely should read in order.
There was a lot of crude humor and innuendo which turned me off a little. I thought this book started off very slow. I originally was hoping for a different ending, but I think it turned out how it needed to. I like how she always put family first and did the right thing despite societal expectations.

I was so happy to see that Rosie Montague return!

This second book picks up shortly after the first with Rosie recovering from her injuries and coming to grips with her betrothal to Prince Escalus. He is not her One True Love but he does make her feel things that she didn't think he could. But as the daughter of Romeo and Juliet she needs to chose true love...or does she?

Rosie is soon engrossed in a mystery presented to her by a ghost, but not just any ghost. This ghost is the father of Prince Escalus and he is looking for justice of his murder fourteen years ago. He tells Rosie (who is the only one that can hear/see him) that she must solve it and then he will make it so Rosie can marry her One True Love and not Prince Escalus.

There is much witty dialogue, references to Shakespeare, and good old fashioned romance. I love these characters even more than in the first novel and I hope there is more to come!

This was a fun read, not bad but not as good as book one.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect of it, and while I felt the supernatural elements were unnecessary, the ghost did make for some good comedic relief lol
I'm normally not a fan of love triangles but this worked out well, only thing was.....I didnt like the controlling and sometimes condescending attitude of her royal suiter 😅
Still love her family dynamics! So again overall fun read but just small things that put me off. One minor critique of the writing is that sometimes they'd use modern terms such as "TMI! TMI!" which is ridiculous for the era this Verona is set in, so it'd throw me off 😂

"The delightfully irreverent eldest daughter of the not-so-ill-fated Romeo and Juliet returns to sleuth another day in fair Verona, in this hugely entertaining historical mystery series with a refreshingly bold premise.

"Woe, for I am the bug that meets the windshield's might,
No longer the speeding glass, smooth, clean and bright..."

You're right. I, Rosie Montague of Verona, am lousy at iambic pentameter and Shakespeare speak, but you get the point: Sometimes you're the windshield and sometimes you're the bug. I, who for my whole life, have cruised along, unruffled by life's trials, am suddenly smashed flat and speeding recklessly up the WhattheHellHappened Highway.

Why? you ask...

I'm 20-years-old and by my own design, never been wed, free as no married woman ever is. I'm beautiful, but without conceit, for Juliet, my legendary Mamma is the most gorgeous creature to ever walk the earth. Just ask Romeo, my legendary Papà. (Rumors of their deaths were premature.) I was heartwhole until I fell (literally) in love with Lysander of the House of Beautiful. But our love was not to be, for I was thwarted by Escalus, the Prince of Verona...who had designs on me.

I'm trapped.

Then! I'm presented with a solution. Escalus's father, Prince Escalus the Elder, appears to me. He tasks that I find his killer. Did I mention Elder is a ghost?

Given that I only recently dispatched Verona's first serial killer, I'm less than pleased. Yet Elder promises to unite me with my One True Love, so I gather clues. Meanwhile, revolution threatens, for beneath Verona society's glittering surface lurk dark shadows - and an enemy eager to make me a tragic heroine in my own right..."

Aside for the whole windshield anachronism I'm game. Then again, there are ghosts, so should I even call out an anachronism?

The sequel I picked up IMMEDIATELY! This series has a grip on me as a romantic, mystery, and classic retelling! The way I am seeking out books to invoke the setting and characters of this book-- nothing has been like it to me-- and I can't wait to continue reading in this world. This book has me picking up Shakespeare again and I never thought that would happen past high school English class.

I am loving these books. Normally I don't like modern slang or language in a time period that is very much not modern. However, this rolls like Bridgerton and it works! It's funny and engaging and I love all the characters! And for this second one, I was definitely rooting for the broody MMC and not the One True Love. Please tell me there will be more!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this advance copy.

This is the second book in this series that I liked but didn’t love. The main character, Rose, is Romeo and Juliet’s eldest daughter, and she of course is “not like other girls.” She has been forced into an engagement with the serious, not really handsome, prince of Verona. Her affections lie with Lysander, a handsome Venetian. Like the last book, Rose must solve a murder - this time with an actual ghost helping her out.

I found the story kinda slow for the first half. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and I didn’t really buy Rose’s love triangle. The books have a clever, fun premise; I just want more. Three stars.

4.25 ⭐️

“I know my place in society, but the hop from lifelong virgin to breeder of nations seemed sudden, jarring, and—considering the bedroom duties necessary to bring this about and the partner who had elected himself as my mate—a lot of work for a few minutes of what I assumed would be pleasure.”

Scene 1: Casa Montague Gardens. The morning after The Botched Plan.
Enter Lysandro, Rosaline’s planned betrothed.

Last night, Rosaline and Lysandro were supposed to be caught in a compromising position, ensuring her betrothal to the son of the enemy of House Montague: Rosie’s One True Love. However, her plan was foiled by Prince Escalus and now she’s betrothed to HIM! To maintain her family’s reputation, she must now either marry Prince Escalus or retire with shame to a convent. A wedding it is then.

Scene 2: The Palace of House of Leonardi. Tuesday evening.
Enter Ghost of Prince Escalus the Elder, dead father of Prince Escalus.

After being forced to tour the Palace and its gardens of her future prison home, Rosaline encounters an odd apparition. Is that the ghost of Prince Escalus the Elder? What is he doing here and what does he want with Rosaline? Turns out he wants her to find out who killed him so many years ago. In exchange, Rosaline demands he reunites her with her One True Love. This sounds like a solid plan, right?

Scene 3: The Palace of House of Leonardi.
Thursday before dawn.
Enter a mysterious, murderous figure.

There’s been an attack! Another attack! Can it be, the same murderous villain who killed Prince Escalus the Elder all those years ago? Or is it just coincidental that an attempted murder occurred the morning after Prince Escalus the Younger’s grandmother tried to perform a séance to bring forth her son’s murderer?


I just love this series so much. It’s so much fun, so quirky, so silly, and just completely turns historical fiction on its head. As Rosaline finds herself in the midst of solving another murder, she’s also coming to terms with her new duties in her betrothal to the Prince. She’s as witty and deeply feminist as ever. I just need a lot more Imogene.

If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted historical murder mystery series set in the world of Romeo and Juliet, this is your series!

Thank you so much Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy!

I loved the story, the setting, the ghost. This was well written. There wasn't any I didn't like. Looking forward to more by this author. Definitely recommend.

This book was everything I didn't know I needed and I was totally there for it. I loved the characters especially Rosie, I loved the story and I loved the setting which almost came alive itself in the book.
This is the first in the series that I have read and I don't think it hindered me, but, it definitely makes me want to go and read the first one and reread this one.

It is definitely good material for teenagers and YA but there is something in the tone that is killing the vibe for me. I knew from book 1 and Romeo’s attitude that it was not my cup of tea but I really wanted to give it a second chance. I have checked multiple times and it is not labelled YA, and I feel like it should be.
I had not finished the first book when I requested this one, so, I guess people who liked the first one won’t be disappointed. I probably won’t post this review on my Goodreads as I don’t feel comfortable rating a sequel when I did not appreciate the original. Thanks for the read.

This was such a fun follow up to an already fun first novel. I absolutely adore Rosie as a main character and her journey to finding herself within an infamous family has been so exciting to follow. The components of mystery, murder, and romance all blend together seamlessly for an exhilarating but somehow light-hearted story.

Dodd also makes the city of Verona almost a character within itself and really immerses the reader in the world of Romeo and Juliet. The power of family and community is so strong throughout these novels and creates a strong foundation for every character. This sequel followed up on the first story perfectly and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here!

4.5 🌟

The best one in the series! I loved the first book and then the novella, but this one is my favourite so far.

We have already been introduced to Rosie and her family, as well as the Prince and his sister. The plot picks up right where the first one ended, with Rosie trapped in Prince’s plan of betrothal which led her to lose her One True Love.

Rosie now finds herself in another murder mystery, only this time the deceased is a ghost who was killed over a decade ago and also happens to be the Prince’s father. Cherry on the top, Rosie is the only one who can see and hear him. Thus, Rosie is thrown in series of unfortunate events and danger once again as she races against the clock to find the murderer of the late Prince.

This book was much easy to follow since we were already introduced to Verona and its people in the previous one. Rosie’s character is enjoyable as usual but it was refreshing to see the Prince’s charm as well. I liked his character development from the first book. What made this book my favourite was the tension between Rosie and the Prince. The banter and yearning flowed naturally. Side characters were fun as usual, though I wanted more on page mention of her siblings.

I did guess the plot twist of this one easily unlike the first book, nevertheless I liked how it wrapped up. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary based on my reading experience.

"𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒆. 𝑰𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒋𝒐𝒚𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚-𝒕𝒐-𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒊𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏."

Rosaline, the eldest daughter of Romeo and Juliet is back for a second installment of one-liners and sleuthing. At 20, Rosie is still an unwed virgin, not because of her looks but because of her reluctance. Though she fancies Lysander and the feeling is mutual, it's Prince Escalus who desires Rosie. What's a girl to do when your entire life is already planned in the stars?

I loved the addition of the supernatural as the ghost of Prince Escalus the Elder appears to Rosie, requesting her help to find his killer. The mystery was very well done, and I loved the mysterious band of outlaws and the danger they represented. The characters have become more developed and refined, and I can't wait to see where the next installment will take us, especially since the attraction between Rosie and a certain someone was off the charts!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this early copy. This title is expected to publish on June 24, 2025.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Even better than the first. I'm curious to see what comes next after handling ghosts and some real character growth for our girl Rosie. Rooting for her! I love a modern adaptation.

as someone who loves shakespeare, especially romeo and juliet, this series really is up my alley. i read a daughter of fair verona earlier this year and really enjoyed it and was so excited when i was approved for thus with a kiss i die. once i started this one, i couldn't put it down. i stayed up WAY too late reading this because i just wanted to know how the entire story was going to play out!

this series is just so much fun; i love the direct to reader narration and rosie is a very fun main character to follow, and i love the family dynamics. montague family, i love you with my entire heart and soul. i also loved getting to know more about escalus' family and prince escalus himself. nonna ursula? what a queen, i adore her.

i thought the mystery was super fun --- though i would've liked a bit more of a surprising reveal. the details behind why the murderer did what they did was actually kind of interesting, but the murder themselves was underwhelming --- and i liked the supernatural element to it. i also loved all the nods to hamlet throughout this book, as a shakespeare nerd i love whenever shakespeare inspired books mention his other works.

this series is just really entertaining and a fun and escapist read. i need another book asap!