O, Juliet
by Robin Maxwell
Juliet Capelletti is the only child left to her parents when the plague takes her older brothers. To sweeten a deal between himself, a silk merchant, and a prosperous wool merchant (a loathsome, vile creature), Juliet’s father betroths the two, without, of course, her willing consent. Enter Romeo, and the fun begins!
The main attraction between Romeo and Juliet is their passionate fondness of the writer and poet Dante and his works, particularly La Vita Nuova, a collection of poetry inspired by his lost love Beatrice. This inclusion in the story is a master stroke, as it gives them a common interest that binds them together which no amount of physical attraction could have made. It seems they were simply made for each other, yet not in an overly silly way that you may expect from a romance. They are each determined and intellectual individuals who form an unbreakable bond under nearly impossible circumstances.
Unlike the original story, which is set in Verona, Florence is home to Romeo and Juliet. Her family’s merchant background, along with the friendship of Lorenzo de’ Medici and the theme of Dante’s banishment from Florence, give ample reason for this slight deviation from the original legend. It works out well, for Verona is the home of Romeo’s uncles and his sanctuary in times of need.
I absolutely loved this book! In an age where the Tudors reign in historical fiction, this is like a breath of fresh air for the genre as a whole. Robin Maxwell is an author who can spin an excellent story without an over abundance of romance or drama, and her characters are so likable. Even so, the villains aren’t too nasty, which makes for a perfect balance. I officially declare her my favorite living author (no one can display Jean Plaidy in my heart)!
Hello, my name is Arleigh... welcome to my book review site! Here you will find author guest posts, book news, reviews and various articles on the genre. My favorite author is Jean Plaidy, of whom I have built a 
Oh yes, the uncles in Verona… my heart ached for them as well! I think this novel requires a re-reading on my part so I can savor all the emotions again. Thanks for the review, you mentioned some of the parts that I forgot in my own review.
Isn’t a great feeling to have discovered a new author!! And now a favorite one at that.. kudos to Robin to be able to win you over like that. I look forward to reading the rest of her work.
I’m really enjoying Robin’s work too- and this novel in particular really makes her shine as an author. What a brilliant story! Like you, I love that she introduces Dante and his lost love Beatrice. thanks for the beautiful review:)
This book just sounds like a lot of fun!
I won the book from Robin’s first contest and I can’t wait to read it! I just keep reading review after review that are positive. This was a great review Arleigh!
Well done Arleigh! I loved the Uncles and I really like the Priest as well.
I so forgot about the uncles being from Verona! Thanks for that reminder Arleigh. I do think that this is “a breath of fresh air” especially with all of the Tudor everything (as much as I love it).
Man great review Arleigh my kind of review short and to the point. I have a hard time not going into so much of the details and mine tend to be looooong. Which is not what I want. Loved it too.
Nice review, would ,love to read the book, but it just worried about the end. Just hate when people die
I really like the sound of the book. The cover is so amazing and who doenst love the story of Juliet and Romeo.
Great review Arleigh! I loved that Robin made her Juliet a lover of the written word – it’s definitely something the reader can relate to.
And I agree we all needed a break from the Tudors!