I was so excited I got approved for this ARC. I loved the first book so much and this was no different.
though the ending was a bit predictable, I did enjoy the ghost and the mystery. the birth scene was also very sweet. I really just love the premise of this series so much

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

This is the second installment in the series, and I have to say—I really enjoyed it! I’m not gonna lie, the writing style made it a bit harder for me to read at times, and I had to really focus on the words. Nonetheless, it was so worth it! I absolutely adored the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Rosie and Cal, and the murder mystery kept me hooked!

I really loved this book. The fact that Romeo and Juliet didn't die in this book was so cool. I loved Rosie her attitude is just so great. The book keeps your attention while you watch Rosie try to figure out her relationship and the mystery of who murdered the Elder Prince. Rosie is a strong-willed character that defiantly is a daughter of Romeo and Juliet. Very interesting and such a great story with a character that you just love.

Thus with a Kiss I Die by Christina Dodd was a fantastic read. I loved it and would enjoy reading more from this author. I love the cover as well as the plot.

This series is such a comfort read for me. There's just something about the love the family has for each other that is really refreshing. I know when I pick up this book that I'm going to have a good time and even get a few laughs. The one area where I felt the book stumbled a bit was in the romance department. I didn't love some of the decisions there, though I do really like the dynamic between Rosie and Escalus. I can't wait to see what they get up to in book 3!

I had to read the first one realquixk and I am glad I did cause this book is amazing!! I truly enjoyed the story

10/10 love love love this series. Although I wasn’t too much of a fan with the supernatural element this time around. It was a good read and I can’t wait for revisit Verona.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Ok I neeeeeeed a third book. I need more of Cal and Rosie’s story!! Loved how I thought I knew who the assassin was, but proven wrong! Love a good twist + a twist on historical fiction and this was a great combination of both! This book had me on the edge of my seat and eagerly reading as quickly as I could to find out the ending!

🎭❤️ Book Review: "Thus with a Kiss I Die" by Christina Dodd 📚💔

If you're looking for a book that dances beautifully between romance and mystery, "Thus with a Kiss I Die" by Christina Dodd offers a unique trip back to Verona with a modern twist on classic tales. 🇮🇹🕵️‍♀️

Following Rosie Montague, the spirited daughter of the (not-so-dead) Romeo and Juliet, this story is set in a world where familial drama meets supernatural intrigue. While Rosie's sharp wit and adventures keep the narrative lively, the mystery elements leave something to be desired. 🌟❓

In this installment, Rosie finds herself entwined in solving the murder of the ghostly Prince Escalus the Elder. Meanwhile, the romance heats up with a complicated love triangle, giving the story its trademark passionate flair. Yet, for fans of true mystery, the resolution may seem underwhelming, with the mystery aspect not as tightly woven as one might hope. 👻💏

Rosie's character is undeniably charming, flitting between roles with ease: from investigator to swordswoman, matchmaker to midwife. But the believability can stretch thin at times, especially when the supernatural mixes with historical elements in unexpected ways. Some may find this enchanting, while others might lose a bit of immersion—especially with seances and ghostly encounters giving a nod to "Hamlet." 🤔🗡️

While the plot may become predictable and not always maintain the credibility required for a gripping mystery, the humor, romance, and Shakespearean jesting shine bright. Characters grow and evolve, particularly Escalus, who shows redeeming qualities adding layers to the love story. Fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy in the Montague family antics and Rosie's fiery interactions with her suitors. 💃🔥

In conclusion, "Thus with a Kiss I Die" excels more as a delightful romance than a mystery, but it's the mix of drama, humor, and Rosie's charisma that makes it an entertaining page-turner. This Verona is one I'd happily visit again—if only for the blend of historical whimsy and Dodd's modern narrative flair. 🎭📖

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=4.25 | 😘=3 | 🤬=2.5 | ⚔️=3.5 | 16/17+

summary: book two! Rosaline (daughter of Romeo and Juliet) solves a cold case—aka finds her betrothed’s dad’s murderer with the help of his ghost (the ghost of the dad, not the betrothed).

thoughts: as with the first book, the mystery resolution fell slightly disappointing, but overall I really liked this a lot! this is kind of a genre built for me—historical murder mysteries based on classic literature with a romance side plot—so of course I’m going to have a good time? anyway, I wasn’t sold on the ending of book one but now I get it! and I need book three ASAP!!!!! please

awesome second book in the series. fun and well written. Rosie is awesome and Prince Escalus is a character you grow to know as well, but I do believe my favorite was Escalus's grandmother. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I really enjoy Christina Dodd's writing; she’s definitely one of my new favorite writers.
This book is such a fun, cute, and easy read. It’s the perfect combination of comedy, romance, and mystery. I enjoyed being back in fair Verona with the charming and funny Montague family. I know I should hate Escalus for deceiving and trapping Rosie into a betrothal, but he really grows on you, and now I can’t help but love Rosie and Escalus and their growing relationship. They have the perfect combination of tension, banter, and chemistry.

The only thing I didn’t love about this book was the mystery; it was more predictable than the last book. But I still really enjoyed the story and can’t wait for hopefully book 3 to come out. All in all, this book is full of passion, conflict, and humor, and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more.

What if Romeo and Juliet didn’t perish, but ended up living with a very large family. The family would be a mixture of chaos and love. This is the story of the eldest daughter (Rosie), who has managed to escape being married so far, mainly by setting her suitors up with someone else, even some of her sisters. But this time a scandal has happened and she is now set to marry the Prince of Verona. Cal is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the relationship between the two of them. Add into the mix the ghost of her future father in law who wants her to solve his murder and Rosie trying her best to get out of this betrothal, and it is just a little chaotic of the good kind. I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing what happens next.

If ever there was a series written after my own heart, it is this one! As the sequel to an outstanding Romeo and Juliette retelling, this book has much of the same historic romance elements, the same witty and sassy FMC, another murder mystery, and more Shakespearean elements. Although this is the second installment of a retelling of Romeo and Juliette, Thus With A Kiss I Die incorporates more Hamlet elements. Whereas the first book felt a lot lighter and comedic, this book relied on more traditional tropes (enemies to lovers) with silly antics to provide comedic relief.

This series was such a joy to read and a must read for anyone who likes Shakespeare and/or historical romances. I am on the edge of my seat for the third book and may literally expire from having to wait (not to be too dramatic).

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for sharing this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was absolutely amazing! I enjoyed it very much, I read it in a 36 hour stretch. I loved the first book and this one picked right back up in the same universe with more witty, cleaver adventures. I enjoyed the ending very much. I was rooting for the prince all along. I will update my review with links to my other posted reviews. I really hope we get a book 3. The language feels more modern at times but I appreciate the way I still felt like I was in renaissance Italy.

I absolutely adore these madcap little books. (I don't know why I'm using 'little' in the descriptor, but there's just something precious about them--in the good way.)

Rosie is such a sassy protagonist; I just adore about every line out of her mouth.
The colorful cast of side characters are quirky and successfully drawn.
The plot is strong enough. The historical allusions never get in the way of it or the humor (a feat!).

I'm just fangirling here, I have no complaints. Not every point is the strongest and sometimes the zany is too much even for me, but, like, just joy here really...

I am loving this series. I'm looking forward to adding both Daughter of Montague titles to our campus collection in the fall. Thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC!

Such a fun series. It kinda defies description, or at least a traditional genre. I found it much more engaging than the first book, seeing Rosie and Escalus work together (along with a ghost) to solve a mystery. Loved it. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

I am in love with this series! I was afraid at first that it would only be a duology but I now have hope that there will be more books, because of the ending of the second book.

In the first book, Rosie Montague, daughter of Romeo and Julie, had fallen in love with Lysander, a man who her parents did not approve, as he was the son of an enemy family and was poor besides. She had snuck out of their house to meet him one last time, and was caught publicly kissing a man she thought was Lysander.

It turned out that the man she kissed was Prince Escalus, the Prince of Verona. He set it up that she would be found kissing him (and not Lysander) and would be caught doing it. Rosie is a strong minded young woman - to put it mildly - and she made him pay in a myriad of ways. I enjoyed reading the progression of their 'romance' immensely. There is also a ghost in this story, the father of Prince Escalus. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

I received an e-arc of this book from Kensington Publishing via Netgalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

I did not read the first book in this series, but I will definitely go back, because I enjoyed this one so much. The author gives the reader more than enough context, so it's not necessary though.

Loved the characters, especially the FMC and MMC. I loved both of their families, though the sibling camaraderie from Rosie's side was perfection. In fact Rosie's interactions with her entire family are quite beautiful. Cal's side is a lot more stoic, but with the influence of the Montague's, I think they'll become a lot more open - which is great for his little sister.

Humor throughout the book physically made me laugh out loud, multiple times. The vocabulary included is quite advanced, and I found myself having to look up several words - in English and Italian.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for more. The book kept me guessing until the end.