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Still Star-Crossed
376 pages
A witty, swashbuckling romp through the cobblestone streets of Verona that proves the best romances start with a healthy dose of mutual loathing.
What it feels like
Reading this novel feels like sneaking into a masquerade ball where the stakes are high but the banter is even sharper. It moves at a brisk, theatrical clip, sweeping the reader through shadowy cobblestone streets, clandestine meetings, and sudden sword fights. The atmosphere is vibrant and romantic, steeped in the dramatic flair of Renaissance Italy but filtered through a distinctly modern, witty lens. At its core, the emotional texture is defined by the delicious friction of an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, layered over the very real grief of surviving a tragedy. The prose is lively and accessible, capturing the spirit of a Shakespearean comedy without getting bogged down in archaic dialogue. It is a perfect delight for anyone who devours sharp-tongued heroines, reluctant alliances, and the swoon-worthy tension of two people who despise each other right up until they don't.
- Mood
- swashbuckling
- romantic
- shadowy
- vibrant
- Tone
- witty
- romantic
- playful
- dramatic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- enemies to lovers · healing from grief · burden of family legacy · forging one's own path · absurdity of feuds
- The writing
- Accessible and lively, blending modern YA sensibilities with a theatrical, Shakespearean flair that never feels bogged down by archaic language.
- The arc
- Moves from cynical grief and bitter resentment to reluctant camaraderie, culminating in a swoon-worthy, hard-won romance.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love sharp banter, enemies-to-lovers tension, and historical romps that don't take themselves too seriously but still deliver on the romance.
Content notes
- grief
- sword violence
- death of family members
About the book
Despite the “glooming peace” that has settled on Verona following Romeo’s and Juliet’s tragic deaths, the ancient grudge between the Montagues and Capulets refuses to die: the two houses are brawling in the streets again within a fortnight. Faced anew with “hate’s proceedings,” Prince Escalus concludes that the only way to marry the fortunes of these two families is to literally marry a Montague to a Capulet. But the couple he selects is uninterested in matrimony, for the most eligible Montague bachelor is Benvolio, still anguished by the loss of his friends, and the chosen Capulet maid is Rosaline, whose refusal of Romeo’s affection paved the way for bloodshed. In contrast to their late cousins, there’s no love lost between these two, and so they find a common purpose—resolving the city’s strife in a way that doesn’t end with them at the altar.
But like Romeo and Juliet before them, Rosaline, Benvolio, and the prince find that the path to peace is tortuous, and that in Verona, true love lies where it’s least expected.
This fast-paced and insightful Shakespearean homage, filled with clandestine meetings, romantic encounters, and duels over family honor, will delight and captivate readers.
Description from Open Library.
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