This was super cute!

I think my expectations were a bit too high going into this…

The writing felt disjointed at times and I didn’t feel I knew enough about either character before we jumped in to fully grasp them, their stories, and their chemistry. We never actually got to see them fall in love, we were just told that they were.

but I really loved the idea of this story.

📖The Hundred Loves of Juliet
🖋️Evelyn Skye

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🫶🏻Dual POV
🫶🏻Multiple Timelines
🫶🏻Historical Mentions
🫶🏻Loveable MCs
🫶🏻Tragedy to Triumph

Such a cute story, and I think what really made it for me was the authors note at the end💕 An absolutely beautiful tribute to her own personal love story.

Sebastian & Helene are the original Romeo & Juliet, and this story shares how they are re-incarnated in new lives but still always find one another and have an epically beautiful love story.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of this book. It was a sweet and unique love story that stole my heart.

Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of <i>The Hundred Loves of Juliet</I> in exchange for an honest review.

Try as I might, I just could not get into this one. While I could get behind the premise and the Romeo and Juliet undertones, overall I found it to be kinda depressing and lacking the chemistry that draws me to reading romance.

I feel bad digging a story and writing that were clearly therapeutic for the author who’s note at the end shared her personal inspirations and struggles. She said that this story is part of her soul.

So… leaving it at that.💛

An wonderfully imaginative retelling of an age love story. Helene and Sebastian have both been scarred by love in different ways. Neither want to risk their heart again and yet they keep meeting up as different people in through the ages. Part time travel, a la “The Time Travelers Wife”, part romance, and part fantasy, but mostly a love story that was centuries in the making. A lovely sweet enjoyable read. Upped to 4 stars from what would have been a 3.5 rating if half stars available.

“I don’t think we were ever cursed, Sebastien. We were blessed. Getting to spend an eternity with your soulmate is heaven.”

-

It's a frosty fairytale of an evening in small-town Alaska when Helene and Sebastien meet for the first time. Except it isn't the first time. You already know that story, though it didn't happen quite as Shakespeare told it.

-

This book is everything I need in a romance, or a fairytale? This really was a mix of both and it was divine. The writing was beautiful for starters. There were so many lines and passages I highlighted and know are going to stick with me for a long time.

We were thrown right into the action with Helene meeting Sebastian fairly early on and then it was like a waterfall, I couldn’t stop reading or following the story along. I liked how much the story focused on these two and all their lives, sure there were different characters but those characters were different versions of Romeo and Juliet. We didn’t have additional fluff of too many outside characters - though I did love the relationship between Helene and her sister and mom. I thought this was a breathtaking read and in my opinion such a unique and different take on a retelling.

I’d seen this book so often on Instagram and am so glad that this wasn’t an overhyped book, if anything it’s under-hyped and I will be recommending this book to everyone I can to try and change that. It was an emotional rollercoaster but by the end, wow I felt like the overall underlying message was such perfection.

I really don’t have enough good things to say about this read. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the arc of this story - I will be needing to buy a physical copy ASAP to mark up for sure.

And for those who read it, that last line? *Chefs kiss*

The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

The synopsis is a woman discovers that she is part of a legendary love story that spans lives, years, and continents in this modern-day reimagining of Romeo and Juliet.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! You know how you go months without reading because no book catches your attention?? Well this one turned my tide.

The Hundred Loves of Juliet was a very fun and romantic love story through the centuries. What I most loved was our title character "Juliet." The authors writing of her mind and the inner monologue kept me smiling and cheering her on the entire way. Our main character is on a journey of self discovery; one I believe we can all identify with. Throughout the book, the time travelling and character building only adds to the mystery of "how" and "why now." Our male lead is equally as intriguing as his story is one of pain and regret. His journey is of forgiveness and understanding.

Evelyn Skye did an amazing job of covering centuries with details, it felt, only one who lived it would know. I definitely rate this book a 10 out of 10.

A mix of Addie Larue and Romeo and Juliet-an unforgivable curse and an unfailing love.

The story is strong but does get mired in the emotional trenches several times. I could have used a bit more exposition and greater explorations of Juliet’s incarnations.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free y. These opinions are my own.

Main character Helene moves to Alaska for a few months in the wake of leaving her husband and plans to write a book while she is there. She is shocked to meet Sebastian, a man that looks exactly like the romantic hero she has imagined for all the short stories she’s written all her life. The book also alternates with Sebastian’s perspective - and from him we learn that they are actually the real Romeo and Juliet - he was cursed with being immortal and has barely aged in hundreds of years, whereas Juliet dies and is reincarnated with no memory of her previous lives, and they are still star-crossed as their love story has always been a short one in each life.

This was an enjoyable and different kind of romance - has a slightly fantastical premise but yet not really a fantasy book. I think fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue would enjoy this one too. I really enjoyed it! I will say that the ending was not 100% satisfying to me, but reading the author’s note afterwards, I think I understand why the author chose to end it that way.

The Hundred Loves of Juliet is such an interesting concept for a book, with the premise that Romeo and Juliet, one of the most famous love stories of all time, is not only based on fact, but the origin of a curse wherein Romeo is forced to watch Juliet die over and over again. I loved this premise because it was a fun new twist on reincarnation and soul mates. I loved reading the little vignettes from Romeo's perspective of the reincarnated Juliet through different times and places in history to really solidify his pain he suffered watching his love die.

However, I felt that the main climax of the two lovers possibly being separated was not extreme enough for me to really feel that they surmounted the curse of Juliet possibly dying in their love story. This left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied with the ending and not as invested in their love story as a whole. For her next book, I would love to see the author really look into how she can make her hero and heroine (especially the heroine) have to surmount a bigger mountain for a HEA.

A re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet, this time where they were cursed and Romeo is unable to die while Juliet is constantly reincarnated into new lives. Romeo has met many Juliets across his lifetime and it never ends well for Juliet. This time around he's determined to stay away from Juliet in order to give her the longest life possible, but that doesn't happen when they are still drawn together. Juliet, as Helene in this life, feels an instant connection to Sebastian, Romeo's current name, and tries to get closer to him as Sebastian pushes her away. However, due to Helene's manipulative ex-husband, they end up in close quarters and Sebastian starts to explain their story. Overall, an interesting take on a classic story, though it would have been nice to hear more about Juliet's past lives. The author's note at the end helped to reframe the story and explained why it focused on living in the moment despite all the potential tragedies.

“It all goes back to Romeo and Juliet, whose story doesn't quite end like you think. Shakespeare got it wrong. I know because I was there—I am Romeo."

I was not prepared for Evelyn Skye’s story of Romeo and Juliet. You have retellings, and then you have something out of the box—this story is that. It rings of sincerity, and originality, while also paying respect to a classic and timeless love story.

“He murmurs my name across my skin, leaving behind a hot trail of wanting in its wake. A history of knowing.”

When things happen to us, we forget that we are not the first ones this has happened to. Nor are we the second. We walk the same path as all of those before us. Our trials are not new. Time is a trick. As Einstein even called it a “stubbornly persistent illusion”.

"Time doesn't matter," Dad liked to tell me and my sister, "because if you live with one eye fixed on the end, you've already lost.”

“The Hundred Loves of Juliet”, drags us back to Verona and dares us to look at the word differently, and I’ll sign up for stories like this, always.

The cover is beautiful!! That definitely caught my eye to start with, but the story is so good! It’s thoughtful and insightful and just really well written. The characters are very developed as well. I really enjoyed reading this book! I have recommended this book to a bunch of patrons and bought a couple copies for our library collection at work. Thank you for an ARC of this beautiful story.

The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye the most wonderful, original love story I've read in a while. Loved the concept and the way the story unfolded! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

I might not be the right audience for this book.
Tbh I forgot about what this book immediately after reading it.

This was an interesting, light, hopeless romantic love story reimaging Romeo and Juliet. They are bound by time to keep reliving the same tragedy over and over again. I am a sucker for a cute fuzzy love and this had be giggling like a school girl more than once. My rating is a little biased as I have read multiple stories with a similar preface of the male that is immortal and his eternal love continually dies. For me this was not original however it was still cute. I have always been a fan of this type of love story because it has the theme of love standing the test of time and being grateful for the time you have. The writing was okay and the relationship building and reading about their past lives together was interesting. Overall I'm not mad about this read and would recommend it to others. In the author's note you find out the story is based on the author's love story with her husband who was diagnosed with a terminal illness 10 months after meeting which gives a whole different sweet perspective on the story.

3.5, rounded up (mostly because the Author's Note gave more meaning to the novel). This is a cute, Time Traveler's Wife-esque romance; there are tragic elements revealed in the middle of it, but none of them touch our featured couple, Romeo and Juliet...I mean...Sebastian and Helene. For how long and anguished their romantic history is, I expected more chemistry--but their relationship is still sweet and loving. There are also some scenes in which the villain gets his comeuppance in a way that I found sneaky yet satisfying.

I absolutely adored this book. The multiple vignettes within the main story really brought forth Romeo and Juliet's eternal love for each other and the suffering that Romeo endured time after time. Other books have been written surrounding immortality curses (probably the most recognized modern one being The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue); however, this one was unique in that it was a retelling of Romeo and Juliet over the ages. Absolute perfection. I also appreciated the incorporation of "how" the modern world would make living an eternal life technologically more difficult and the methods used to erase an oversight. The brought an added dose of modern reality to a magic-heavy tale. This book had it all... an eternal love, an enduring curse, an international adventure, a villain, and even a moose (oddly I've read 2 books in a row with a random moose scene!). A beautifully written emotional rollercoaster for sure!

The Author's Note at the end connected all the dots for me as to why I connected so much with this book. As a clinical pharmacist practicing in Pulmonary Medicine and working with so many patients with advanced lung disease awaiting and receiving lung transplants, the gift of life and ability to scientifically avoid death (at least for a little while) brings so many emotions to the patient, their family, and their entire medical team. Living for today and not for what may be means all the more.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Rating: 5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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“I suppose, in a way, thats how it is with all relationships. You fall in love with one person, and then they keep changing, because thats what people do. If you love them enough, though, you try to keep up.”

“Every second of life is worth too much to wast on the infinite what-ifs.”
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Wow, wow, wow, wow! I constantly say on Booksta how I am not a romance reader, how it’s not my thing, well my friends, this book may have just changed things for me. This book was literally everything.
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A modern day retelling of Romeo and Juliet, this story follows an immortal Romeo and his countless lives with Juliet. As someone who always loved Romeo and Juliet this one was extra special. I instantly fell in love with this story, with the characters, each of their lives and how they ultimately ended in tragedy and with the dilemmas they faced. You name it, I loved it. Skye really took time to depict each time period, these star-crossed lovers and how ultimately centuries later their story comes full circle.
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There are a bunch of different elements to this one, from love to grief to loss to overcoming obstacles. The uniqueness of this one made it feel like a breath of fresh air and was captivating from page one. I thought it was just beautiful. There are so many quotes and messages throughout this book that will have your heart bursting with joy. Also, if you read this, you need to make sure to read the Author’s Note because it will have you bawling and will make this story even more meaningful.
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Alright thriller friends, I see you, maybe even judging me over here cause you know how I always say “I don’t do romance” wellppp this one was worth the read, I think this one made my cold dead heart row a few sizes. It was just wonderful. Oh - andddd there is death in this one - lots actually though not the usual thriller murder kind of way, more like tragic, but still…
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Overall, I am screaming from the rooftops how much I loved this book! I cannot believe there is not more hype surrounding it! Everyone should read it! Especially my Romeo and Juliet, hopeless romantic fans! This one just released on 8/1. Huge Thank You to @netgalley, @evelynskye and @randomhousepublishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Delving into the world of "The Hundred Loves of Juliet," I couldn't help but feel a mix excited. While the premise dances on the edge of silliness, I truly felt like it had potential.

The heart of the story follows none other than Juliet herself – yes, that iconic Juliet – who discovers the twist of reincarnation, each life destined to rekindle her love with the immortal Romeo. Yet, for Romeo, it's a bitter cycle of enduring painful loss repeatedly. The concept is silly, but I feel like if it had been done well, it could have worked. Enter Helene, our current incarnation of Juliet, a character with a sweet disposition but a lack of charisma. She likes sweets, is an optimist, and is a bad cook. Outside of this, she has very little agency as a character. And then there's Sebastien, once Romeo, now a rather uninspiring, deeply depressed Sebastien. Meanwhile, a nonsensical ex-husband subplot feels like it parachuted in from an alternate narrative dimension.

Amidst the attempts at whimsy, there's an undercurrent of discovering joy and meaning in the everyday – a sentiment that struck a chord with me. A particularly memorable scene unfolds when the characters sway to a playful tune about delectable foods, nudging us to ponder the delicate balance between simplicity and profundity. Just as Helene wonders if the song's depth is accidental, the same contemplation arises about the book's intentions.

The notion of a book serving both as light entertainment and a journey of contemplation is alluring, but dang, the execution lacked. The narrative struggled to strike the right balance between its ambitious aspirations and its more lighthearted intentions, and the writing honestly just fell flat and trite.

One puzzling aspect was the character representation. Despite the author being non-white, the protagonist, Juliet, consistently appeared white across her many lives. This lack of diversity raised questions and missed opportunities for authentic representation.

In the end, 'The Hundred Loves of Juliet' had moments of sweetness and life lessons that sparkled amidst an otherwise unimpressive book. However, it also wrestled with its own identity – attempting to be both a beach-read and a deep exploration of life's intricacies. While not without its flaws, it's a journey worth embarking on for those who have lost someone dear and enjoy a good light and fluffy read and want to maybe combine this into one book.

A word of caution: this may not be the choice for ardent Shakespeare aficionados, those who yearn for cohesive plots, or those averse to unresolved threads.

My sincere gratitude to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Del Ray and Evelyn Skye for the ARC. As with every book I crack open, I ventured into this one with hopes of awarding it five stars. The ultimate three stars were particularly challenging, especially after delving into the author's personal journey and experiences.

What if...Romeo is still living after all these centuries, and Juliet keeps reincarnating time and time again? This is one of the most clever books I've read in a long time. The two characters meet in Alaska, and sparks fly between them. Sebastien (aka Romeo) knows the tragedy that's coming and steers clear of his longtime love. Helene immediately feels the attraction but can't figure out why the man of her dreams avoids her at all costs. Will they ever get together, and for how long (this time)?

The author does a fine job of moving the story along and keeping the reader's interest. A plot complication late in the book (involving Helene's evil ex-husband) ramped up the tension, but it came across as stereotypical and a bit silly. Overall, however, this was a fun book to read and even a bit thought-provoking. A nice choice for book clubs and beach reading.