The first novel in a witty, irreverent, hugely entertaining new series with an irresistible premiseâRomeo and Julietâs daughter as a clever, inquisitive, fiercely independent young woman in fair Veronaâtold from the delightfully engaging point of view of the captivating Rosie Montague herself âŠ
Once upon a time a young couple met and fell in love. You probably know that story, and how it ended (hint: badly). Only hereâs the thing: Thatâs not how it ended at all.
Romeo and Juliet are alive and well and the parents of seven kids. Iâm the oldest, with the emphasis on âoldââa certified spinster at twenty, and happy to stay that way. Itâs not easy to keep your taste for romance with parents like mine. Picture itâconstant monologues, passionate declarations, fighting, making up, making out ⊠itâs exhausting.
Each time theyâve presented me with a betrothal, Iâve set out to find the groom-to-be a more suitable bride. After all, someone sensible needs to stay home and manage this household. But their latest match, Duke Stephano, isnât so easy to palm off on anyone else. The debaucher has had three previous wivesâall of whom met unfortunate ends. Conscience forbids me from consigning another woman to that fate. As it turns out, I donât have to âŠ
At our betrothal ballâwhere, quite by accident, I meet a beautiful young man who makes me wonder if perhaps there is something to love at first sightâI stumble upon Duke Stephano with a dagger in his chest. But who killed him? His late wivesâ families, his relatives, his mistress, his servantsâhalf of Verona had motive. And when everyone around the Duke begins dying, disappearing, or descending into madness, I know I must uncover the killer ⊠before death lies on me like an untimely frost.
