The hook for this one, as most reviews probably point out,
is that our first person narrator is the daughter of Romeo and Juliet who,
apparently not only didn’t die, but have been extremely prolific. This story is
that of their daughter, Rosaline. She’s set to be engaged to the despicable Duke
Stephano. She’s aghast as a) she doesn’t want to get married and b) the man has
had several wives already, all of whom have died under mysterious circumstances.
It’s a puzzle that her father has allowed this to happen as he does truly love
her.
At her betrothal ball, Rosaline is struck by Cupid’s arrow,
much as it must have happened to her parents. She hides away in a corner with
her Lysander where they are discovered… holding hands. A travesty. The Duke is
NOT pleased but Prince Escalus smooths over any hurt. At least for the public.
Stephano is ready to make Juliet pay. She arms herself with a knife but it isn’t
needed since she stumbles over his already dead body in the garden. And his isn’t
the last death in this story.
While all of this is going on, Rosaline is determined to
find a wife for the prince. But he seems immune to her efforts. This is a
romance so it’s not hard for us to figure out why.
So, a little bit Romeo and Juliet, a dash of murder mystery,
and a pinch of Emma. I wish there had been more of the romance and the mystery went off the wheels at the end but it was mainly enjoyable.
Three and a half stars
This book comes out June 24, 2024
ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and ebook from NetGalley
Opinions are my own
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