"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!

I absolutely loved the first book in this duet, and while I read it long enough ago I can’t remember all the details, I still feel I loved this one even more. I cannot count the number of times I was cackling to the point of back pain and getting the side-eye from my family as I read.

Rosie is absolutely amazing, and her sisters and brother were the best. I loved Elder and Nonna Ursula, and really enjoyed Cal as well.

I didn’t want this book to end. I would definitely read another to see how Rosie and Cal acclimated to married life. I cannot believe they would settle down at all, because Rosie doesn’t seem the type!

The ending of this was perfect… except for the fact that I was frantically tapping the page to go to the next so I could read more because… HOW CAN IT JUST END LIKE THAT?!? I wasn’t ready to let this world go.

Bravo! Fantastic book!

This is the second book in the Rosaline Montegue series and continues to follow the adventures of Romeo and Juliet's oldest daughter 20 year old Rosie as she plans a meeting with her One True Love-Lysander - who her parents do not approve of. Their meeting is thwarted by another man -Escalus (Cal)- the Prince of Verona- who has his eye on her and their meeting forced their betrothal.
I liked hearing from Rosie who is sassy, but sensible and can be depended upon. The Montegue family has grown and I loved their interaction. At their betrothal dinner, Rosie meets the ghost of Escalus, the Elder who was murdered. He charges her with finding his assassin, and she counters the deal with a promise to cancel the betrothal. She also meets Cal's grandmother (Escalus the Elder's wife) and the two women hit it off.
This book crossed a lot of genres including, a twist on a Shakespeare play, a murder, romance, and the continued story of Romeo and Juliet as they add to their family.
Although this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. It's a light, quick read. I'm looking forward to the third book of Rosie's adventures and another trip back to Verona.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Press and the opinions expressed are my own.

This was a fun fast-read book. It follows the story of Rosie just as the first book ends, but I believe it can still read as a standalone since it’s a new mystery. However I do recommend reading the book one first because it’s a very easy going book.

The story is set in Verona, in an alternate story where Romeo & Juliet lived and got married. Rosie being their first daughter, in narrates the story of how she is navigating life and romance.

‘Thus with a Kiss I die’ adds a bit of paranormal element, a new fun mystery that will allow our FMC through her search for her one true love, while being betrothed to the prince of Verona, Cal.

Both main characters grow on you as the story unravels and you find rooting for them.

It’s a lighthearted, funny, it keeps you entertained with the adventures Rosie has; the mystery is not the greatest but for me it was still a good read and I’ll definitely read the next book in this series.

3.5 stars

Shakespeare, but make it sassy
3.5 ⭐️

This book is pure chaotic charm in Elizabethan times. Rosie Montague—Romeo and Juliet’s daughter— is irreverent, sharp-tongued, and deeply lovable. The kind of heroine who can banter with a ghost, fight with the prince, and fall in love with a boy, all while rolling her eyes at Shakespearean drama.

I loved Rosie’s voice, romantic, but never foolish. Grounded in her convictions, loyal to her wild family, and far more modern than Verona is prepared for. Her interactions with the ghost were a highlight and surprisingly touching at times.

“I am the daughter of Romeo and Juliet,” I whispered. “Hear me roar.”

Prince Escalus was a treat! Mysterious, quiet, grumpy, and just manipulative enough to be swoony. I see you, morally grey schemer.

The book is, above all, entertaining. It made me laugh out loud a few times and left me with a general sense of happiness. It reads like a clean YA—with all the energy and sparkle that implies—but I found myself wishing for just a bit more substance under the sass.

Still, if you’re in the mood for a clever, lighthearted murder mystery with Shakespearean roots and a heroine who refuses to be tragic, this one’s worth a read.


*Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Book two let me wanting a book 3. I love Rosealie who is the daughter of Romeo and Juliet. She goes on this mission to solve a mystery teamed up with Escalus in Verona. This book is fun and keeps you engaged. A great charming way to make Shakespeare modern.

Thank you to Net Galley & Kensington Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Do you like irreverent, plucky heroines with anachronistic a narration tone, over-the-top dialogue, and 14th century obsessions with virginity, chasteness, and subservient women? Immature humor, frequent references to *One True Love* (even if this is not the MMC) - and someone who’d capitalize that in their speech? Then this silly romp of a cross-genre duology might be for you. I’m sad to say it was not for me.

Genres, settings, categories, themes: historical fiction, mystery, YA/NA, romance, paranormal (ghost), humor, late medieval or early renaissance Verona, Italy, Shakespeare

💗 Tropes: 💗
> Danger
> Love Triangle!!
> Royalty
> Virgin

POV: 1st person, h's perspective

Series/Sequencing Style: 2nd in a duology, should be read in sequence

Format: ebook (e-arc from NetGalley)

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Overall ratings

Heat level: 👄 1/5 mild sizzle 👄
(from Ampersand’s guide to heat levels in romance novels – (0) sweet, (1) mild sizzle, (2) sensual steam, (3) spicy seduction, (4) red hot, (5) erotic)

~ Heroine (Rosie) ~ the feisty, unconventional side of her gets a 5/5, but it's dragged down by her idiocy about her love life and the moments when she speaks all subservient...let's go 3/5 overall 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

~ Hero (Escalus) ~ 4/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

~ Other characters ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 for the Dowager and younger Princess, 4/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 for the ghost dad, 3/5 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 for the rest

~ Plot ~ 3.5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
~ Pacing ~ 4.5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
~ Romantic connection ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑
~ Comedy ~ 1.5/5 🌕🌗🌑🌑🌑
~ Writing ~ 2/5 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
~ Reading enjoyability & fun ~ 3/5 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 overall, 1/5 for that ending 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑

~ Depth & tone (1 light & fun --> 5 more serious, addresses heavier topics?): 1

~ Angst level: somehow present and not at all present - it doesn't seem to be key to the story, but her actual love life situation is pretty high angst, even if we don't get all of those back and forth emotions

~ Sadness level: low

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❗CW/Triggers:❗adultery, assault, assault on an elderly woman, attempted murder, muder, religious zealots, swords/stabbing, violence

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📝 Review/Notes 📝
I’m sorry, but what the actual F was that ending? Are there supposed to be more than 290 pages because my NetGalley reader says 77% even at 290/290 pages but I’d be less pissed if there was more to that ending.

We waited 2 books and had to listen to all sorts of god awful poetry back and forth to show how romantic everyone is and then (view spoiler)

This book was better than the first and I thought it was going to have a good payoff in the end, but alas, that ruined it for me. I guess go into this if you like Shakespeare and YA, but not if you’re hoping for a romance to give you ~ the feels ~. If we weren’t going to get a great romance, I’d rather just have the mystery and crime solving then and leave romance out of it.

On another note, some of the way things happen and are presented seem kind of random and off-hand, like the entire scene with the religious zealots and Rosie running from the mob led by them...for some reason, it lacks real feelings of action and tension like some of the other scenes (such as the roof). It feels sort of quickly placed in the story and glossed over, and doesn’t add much to the plot.

Overall, this series just sadly really wasn’t for me. I feel bad giving an e-ARC such a negative review. I requested it thinking I’d love the series, but I should have tried the 1st book first. I just can’t in all honesty recommend this book personally. I’m sure it’ll have its crowd somewhere.

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🤠 Recommended for: I guess if you liked the first one; younger readers who like a contemporary narration tone, but also Shakespeare and historical settings and fart jokes? Idk, it's a niche crowd; would NOT recommend for fans of Christina Dodd's contemporary romantic suspense books