I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I started reading it after starting the unfortunately short lived series on ABC of the same name. I really enjoyed the TV series, but found out early on it wouldn't have a long life. So I decided to read the book in case we were left with a cliff hanger and I wanted to have a clue of how it all ends. The book was both very similar and very different from the TV series. But I liked them both. ( )

Stayed up past 4am to finish. No regrets. Both had a big smile at the end and mourned that there was nothing more to read. ❤️❤️ ( )

Boy, did this hit all of the right buttons for me! A spunky, clever heroine, the married-against-their-will romance trope I have a particular weakness for, an action-packed finale, and complicated relationships. The dialogue was awkward at times, but nothing that took away from the story. ( )

I must admit I am a sucker for any story that takes its basis from Shakespeare. However, the book must be well written to earn my respect. This one was.

After the death of Romeo and Juliet, Verona has reached a shaky peace between the houses of the Montagues and the Capulets. The Prince, desperate to squelch rising tensions, decides to match Rosaline, Romeo’s first love, to Benvolio, Romeo’s friend. Rosaline, an orphan who has been neglected by her family, has set her destiny toward becoming a nun and avoiding the heartbreak and pain of relationships with men. Benvolio wants nothing to do with the family that has murdered his friends. Rosaline finds Benvolio coarse and vulgar. He finds her pretentious and vicious.

The story centers on these two but also draws a wider net. The cast of characters are largely drawn from Shakespeare’s play are feel authentic as does the setting. Taub builds the suspense and brings Verona to the brink of disaster. While she uses Shakespearean language for her dialogue, the rest of the book is written in current but stylized English. It is smooth and rich.

While Romeo and Juliet was a romantic tragedy, Still Star-Crossed is largely romantic comedy. A delightful and delicious read. ( )

I first picked up this book because I saw the AMAZING trailer for the new Shonda Rhimes show of the same name that's premiering in the fall (I believe). Seriously, go watch it now! I'll wait...

Looks good, right?! Anyway, this book, a continuation of Romeo & Juliet, finds the city of Verona once again in turmoil: unknown assailants defile Juliet's statue and kill Montagues and Capulets alike. A glooming peace indeed. The Prince, in an attempt to bring the feud to a close once and for all, demands that Rosaline (you know, the girl whom Romeo loved so dearly before Juliet came into the picture) and Benvolio, Romeo's BFF marry.

Surprisingly, this does not go well.

I was completely drawn into this book, and I devoured it in two sittings. Rosaline is pretty badass, Benvolio can marry me any day of the week, and characters both familiar and new bring a lot to the table in this tale of love and revenge. Melinda Taub writes her dialogue in a way that honors Shakespeare's language, and the vocabulary of the time, without being cheesy or annoying.

Basically, I stayed up until 2:30 AM last night finishing it and now I'm falling asleep at my desk but I don't care, because it was totally worth it. ( )