About the Book:

Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is heartbroken over the death of her beloved aunt Rose. But the shock goes even deeper when she learns that the woman who has been like a mother to her has left her entire estate to Julie’s twin sister. The only thing Julie receives is a key—one carried by her mother on the day she herself died—to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy.

This key sends Julie on a journey that will change her life forever—a journey into the troubled past of her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei. In 1340, still reeling from the slaughter of her parents, Giulietta was smuggled into Siena, where she met a young man named Romeo. Their ill-fated love turned medieval Siena upside-down and went on to inspire generations of poets and artists, the story reaching its pinnacle in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.

But six centuries have a way of catching up to the present, and Julie gradually begins to discover that here, in this ancient city, the past and present are hard to tell apart. The deeper she delves into the history of Romeo and Giulietta, and the closer she gets to the treasure they allegedly left behind, the greater the danger surrounding her—superstitions, ancient hostilities, and personal vendettas. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in the unforgettable blood feud, she begins to fear that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is destined to be its next target. Only someone like Romeo, it seems, could save her from this dreaded fate, but his story ended long ago. Or did it?

From Anne Fortier comes a sweeping, beautifully written novel of intrigue and identity, of love and legacy, as a young woman discovers that her own fate is irrevocably tied—for better or worse—to literature’s greatest star-crossed lovers.

Book Review:  ★★★★★★

OK, there are some things I don’t usually admit in public — things that most people would probably not ascribe to me.  Things like I am a hopeless romantic at heart, I love for ever after stories, I believe that true love was meant to last, and that there is a prince charming for everyone (it is only the challenge of finding him that is the trick!)  And yes, on my list of favorite books are titles like Jane Eyre, Cinderella, and yes, Can You Keep a Secret (a book I have recommended to more than one person lately!)   I do believe in the fair tale endings, and I hate sad stories.  That said, I loved the story of Romeo and Juliet, but boy did I HATE the ending!  Enter Anne Fortier’s latest book Juliet.

This book had just about everything I could ever want!  A modern day story, a historical fiction back story, star crossed lovers determined to beat the odds at all costs at every turn, and a great mystery story as well.  The one thing I can say about this book without giving anything away is that nobody in this book is who they appear to be, at first.  Everyone has something hiding behind the carefully crafted first impressions, which of course makes for a great story that keeps the reader wanting to read more.  (And yes, since I was listening to this one on CD in the car — on Saturday I finally invented a reason to take a 50 mile trip to my parents home — one way, just so I would have an excuse to be in the car long enough to finish the book.)  I simply could not put this one down — and the closer I got to the end of the book the more irritated I would get every time I had to get out of the car — because I wasn’t finished yet!

The stories are great.  Not only are  both of them amazingly well crafted, and thought out — but they also were much more believable than the Bard’s presentation of this fatefully hopeless couple.  Presented in alternating chapters shifting from the past to the present and back again — the mystery continues to develop holding both of the story lines together to an ending that is filled with surprises through to nearly the last page.  And just when the reader is sure they have it all figured out — Ms. Fortier throws another curve into this twisting, convoluted plot that sends you back to the beginning to try and rethink the whole thing over again.

Combine that with the amazing presentation of this fascinating country, culture, and town — and there really isn’t more than you could ask for in a book.  I loved the descriptions of the setting, and reading this book really made me want to go visit Siena, and see the beautiful Italian country!  And if you are looking for the traditional story of Romeo and Juliet, and you are sure you already know the story inside out?  Well, this one will be a great ride for you then.  There is so much more of the country, and the war between the families, as well as an intense look into the tradition of the Italian Pallio.  Ancient curses, the Italian Mafia, feuding between families, revenge, hatred, love — this book really does provide it all in a great read for those that are more grounded to the historical setting that adds to stories — than just a simple story without the context of the time and place.

Tags: Family, Historical Fiction, Literary Mystery, Love, Murder, Mystery, Romance, Suspense

Category: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense/Thriller