Review: The Juliet Spell, by Douglas Rees

The Juliet Spell, by Douglas Rees

Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance

Publisher: Harper Teen

Available: September 27^th

Blurb:

I’m Juliet.
At least, I wanted to be.
So I did something stupid to make it happen.
Well, stupid and wonderful.

I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.

I didn’t get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren’t any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I’d cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William’s younger brother.

Good thing he’s sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he’s from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

Still, there’s something about him that’s making my eyes go star-crossed....

Will Romeo steal her heart before time steals him away?

What I thought:

I found this story on NetGalley and I have to say the title was what caught my eye on this book, which is saying something since I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a cover girl.  I read the blurb for this story and thought it sounded really good.

I found this book to be entertaining for the most part—a nice escape from reality for a leisurely time of reading.  There were some pacing issues that irritated me a couple of times, place where some things needed more explanation and others that had too much.  I tried to just brush through these parts and accept them as they were written, even if at time the character reactions seemed a bit odd for what was going on around them.

Overall I liked the characters and felt each suited their role appropriately in the story.  It was a little disheartening to see the lead male in the story, Edmund, waste most of his time involved in pursuits with another girl, thus making his time with Miranda, a.k.a. Juliet, rushed and anticlimactic.

The ending of the book fit the style of the story, but was way too hurried for my taste.  It was like the reader had been going along with all of this big build up, only to have it be over in the blink of an eye.  I wish there could have been some more tender moments in there.

I loved the parts of the story surrounding the putting on of the play, and I loved how everyone came together to make it this awesome event for the community.  That part of the book seemed magical to me, and for a moment I felt I was part of the audience enjoying a riveting show.

This story was at the very least entertaining and I enjoyed myself while I read it.

My Rating: Three Stars - Enjoyable!



Lacey Weatherford
Author - Reviewer