“Nothing bad ever came of love at first sight, right?”

A little bit of romance, a little bit of mystery, an a sassy main character made A Daughter of Fair Verona a really fun read.

Rosie Montague is the daughter of Romeo and Juliet (yup, THAT Romeo and Juliet) and she’s been dodging betrothals and matchmaking her suitors instead. But at her betrothal ball, her groom-to-be is found dead in the garden.

I absolutely loved Rosie - she’s independent and speaks her mind. I listened to this as an audiobook and it felt like talking with a good friend. I also loved Nurse (also maybe one of y favorite characters from Romeo & Juliet, so I’m glad the author kept her sass in this retelling).

There is definitely romance in this book (clean romance, there’s some highly scandalous kissing), a few murders, a whodunnit, and small town drama. I loved every minute of this book.

This book was so GOOD I read it and also listened to on audio! Suzy Jackson did a wonderful job bringing Rosie Montague to life. Suzy Jackson who has a wonderful sense of comedic timing and delivery. She gave specific voices for the main characters.

I am a fan of Christina Dodd, so picking up this book was easy-peasy for me.

Synopsis: What if Romeo and Juliet had not only lived but managed to produce an entire host of children – the eldest of whom happens to be a happy spinster who hates epic love stories because of her parents’ mega-melodramatic, wildly infamous love story. That’s the question Dodd poses to us. Her heroine, the couples eldest daughter, (Rosie) Montague is nineteen. She has a long line of broken betrothals behind her at this point, so when Romeo betroths her to Duke Stephano, it’s an act of desperation. Rosie suspects that the Duke killed at least one of his two previous wives, so she’s less than happy with this situation.

My thoughts: Christina Dodd has created a book full of lovable characters, several dead bodies, surprising plot twists, an even more surprising who-done-it reveal. With plenty of snark, the story is a masterful depiction of how a strong, intelligent, heroine living at a time where only her virtue and virginity “count,” manages to get what she wants from life despite the very real constraints on women at the time. And she had me laughing throughout the read!

A Daughter of Fair Verona had me immersed fully into family, into the events within Verona, the challenges, the politics and the romantic fate that may (or may not) be awaiting Rosie when her efforts to outwit her matchmaking parents seem to hit a brick wall. I loved it ALL and long for book 2!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a story that kept my attention and had me in stitches!


Many thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for bringing us into Christina Dodd's world - one filled with what could have been and laugh out loud moments!

Ha! Shakespeare. Ish. I admit to a weakness for Shakespeare-based fanfick, and this is that.

Readers who will love this best, get the deepest belly laugh, the quickest hunch will have done a few rounds with WS's Romeo & Juliet, the World's Most High Profile Couple. . .

Rosie (there's your first clue - Juliet is a forgiving girl naming her first child Rosaline) - is one of S.E.V.E.N. Yep. That's my only spoiler. They didn't die, and went on to grow their tribe. Rosie, though seems to be rather spinsterish. . .which didn't stick, I was quite charmed by her.

Thrill of thrills? This is "Daughter of Montague #1"! That means we'll see more of the Montagues. I'm looking forward to it.

*A sincere thank you to Christina Dodd, RB Media and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

I would rate this one a 4.5. A very strong start but that ending is leaving me HANGING!! I need to know what happens like yesterday and cannot wait for the next one.

The story is so fun, and I got through it in 2 days. My only issue with the narrator is that there were some volume inconsistencies closer to the end or mid chapter. Other than that, I loved how she voiced the characters!

Rosaline has that strong female character without her being insufferable. There’s none of the whole “I’m so great and better than you at everything” or “poor me, I’m unmarried at 20 but I’m such a catch”. I really appreciate the amount of humor in this story with the backdrop of a whodunit murder.

The murder is so twisty, I was shocked at the big reveal! The romance too of the will they/won’t they, is so steamy and I gotta say, I had to re-listen to chapter 45 a number of time because I was like “WHAT”!

Come into this book with no expectations and you will have soooo much fun! I mean it when I say, I cannot wait for the second book to the Daughter of Montague series.

I could not put the book down.
I mean this is perfection.
As expected audiobook is as amazing as the written one.
the narrators are perfect.
A review is coming on my blog and socials.
I will post the links here.

Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media, and Christina Dodd for an advance listening copy of A Daughter of Fair Verona in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What if Romeo and Juliet had lived and started a family?

Spoiler Alert, they have quite a few kids and live (mostly) happily ever after. The oldest of these children is Rosaline, who we follow in this story. Part mystery, part romance, this was a lot of fun. I wasn’t too sure about Rosaline as a character at first. The narration made her seem a little vapid and ditzy, but she grew on me and her quirks became endearing.

The mystery wasn’t too difficult to figure out, but it was still very entertaining to read as the characters worked to solve everything.

I thought the audio version was well done. The narrator kept me engaged and did a great job navigating all of the different characters. It was very easy to listen to.

This was a cute story. It was an interesting take on a continuation of Romeo and Juliet.

I liked Rosie’s character and the mystery of who was the killer. There was so many possibilities of who was responsible that I couldn’t figure it out on my own.

Suzy Jackson did an amazing job with the narration. This is audiobook form is the only reason I finished A Daughter of Fair Verona. I am not sure I would have been able to finish this if I was reading a physical copy or ebook.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Liked it, fun while I was reading it
I don't love reading Shakespeare but I sure do enjoy seeing a good production of one of his plays. Some of my favorites are a mashup of one of the plays set in a different historical era. This felt a bit like that. You get a lot of Shakespeare references, with this, Romeo and Juliet,  with contemporary inner dialogue and are a tad bit removed from the original story as the daughter of Romeo & Juliet is the young adult protagonist.

This was so much fun and a great summer read. There's mystery, a love triangle, and a smart, spunky, main character.

The narrator, Suzy Jackson, did a good job, I had no trouble understanding who was saying what, where, when, and with what expression/intension. The timbre of her voice was a tad high for my liking but understand why they chose her because her voice is youthful and sounds plucky.

Thank you to RB Media, NetGalley, and author Christina Dodd for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. A Daughter of Fair Verona is out June 25, 2024.

Everyone read Romeo and Juliet in high school or knows their story. A Daughter of Fair Verona is a novel written with a basis of “What if…” Romeo and Juliet had not died at the end of their story? Needless to say, it wouldn’t be the ‘end’ of their story. And this story is narrated by their daughter Rosaline aka Rosie. And yes, she is named after that Rosaline!

I have always enjoyed the story of Romeo and Juliet and looked forward to reading this continuing story. I was sent a audio copy to listen to from the publisher and really enjoyed it! We have Rosie who knows her parents’ story as does everyone in Verona. Rosie is feisty, smart, and independent. And she despises poetry! She is also our narrator.

Romeo and Juliet have tried to find a suitable husband for Rosie several times, but in the end Rosie find a much better wife than she would have been. Until she meets her parents latest match in Duke Stephano. But he meets an untimely death and she therefore doesn’t have to marry him. The same night of the Duke’s death, Rosie has a love at first sight en-counter. Rosie also becomes he suspect in the Duke’s murder, but then so many people had a reason to want the Duke dead.

This is a fun and entertaining murder mystery if you enjoy the Romeo and Juliet story. I found myself not liking Juliet’s love a first sight suitor, I was rooting for another to win her heart. A Daughter of Fair Verona ends on a cliffhanger, but the ending is just getting you ready for book two in the series. I find myself looking forward to it!

The narrator is Suzy Jackson and she was perfect to narrate this story: She brought Rosie to life with her total spunky attitude!

What a different genre for Christina Dodd! Loved it! A what if story….if Romeo and Juliet survived what would their life be like? Or rather their outspoken daughter Rosie, highly intelligent but always find dead bodies. This story has it all, a who dun-nit mystery, humor throughout. The story is told through the MC, who the narrator gave voice to as a present day teenage would sound. Was simply great. Looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are mine own. #ADaughterofFairVerona #DaughterofMontague

Ahh!! This book was so much fun and the narrator was amazinggg. A fun light cozy mystery set in Verona with a side of romance. I loved Rosie and her maid and the narrator and writer did a wonderful job with this!

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook

I usually enjoy Christina Dodd's books but this one didn't capture my attention! Possibly I was the wrong audience for all the Shakespeare referances?

What an unexpected surprise this was! Thoroughly enjoyable snd a new take on the classic. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook

A clever and witty visit to the second generation after Romeo and Juliet. Rosie Montague, Romeo and Juliet's daughter (don't worry - she explains the how right away), is a free thinking, independent young woman who has successfully avoided the dreaded institution of marriage. When is is unexpectedly betrothed to a slimy duke in her spinster years, she is not pleased. But when her betrothed is murdered, she is the prime suspect. Rumors abound, and only get worse when more bodies keep appearing. With a indefatigable attitude and a determination to live life on her own terms, Rosie tries to solve the mystery. Throw in a passel of romantic suitors and a rambunctious family, and this book will keep you entertained to the very end.

I want to thank NetGalley and MacMillan audio for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who knew that Romeo and Juliet had a daughter?! Not me! In this cute reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, we have the star crossed lovers getting the HEA they deserve. However, their love results in many children. One of them who is trying to run as far from marriage as possible. Enter Rosie. Rosie is a sleuth in the making. On the day of her forced betrothal ball, her soon to be husband is murdered and at the center of it all is Rosie. As deaths begin to pile up, Rosie is determined to clear her name and find out if Duke Stepheno killed his wives and who could’ve killed him.

Rosie is quick witted and a pleasure to follow around the book. It’s like watching a young Hercules or Benoit as she stumbles upon the answers to her questions. I really appreciated being on the journey as well as the tension surrounding the mystery and the mystery of who is trying to kill Rosie as well. Overall, Dodd does a great job of entertaining us and of course leaving us on quite the cliffhanger.

I approached A Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina Dodd with high expectations, being new to her work and a fan of retellings. Unfortunately, the book didn't quite live up to my hopes. While the premise had potential, the narrative felt rather hectic, which detracted from my overall enjoyment.

The story seems like it would resonate more with a younger audience, and I believe it might have been more effective as a YA novel. The pacing and style felt more suited to that genre, and I found myself wishing for a bit more depth and refinement in the writing.

That said, the ending suggests that sequels are on the horizon, and there's a chance that future installments could build on this foundation. If the follow-ups ramp up the steam and refine the writing style, this series could evolve into a compelling adult historical romance.

Despite my reservations, I’m open to giving Christina Dodd another chance. Sometimes it takes a bit of time for an author’s style to fully resonate, and I’m hopeful that future books will align more with my reading preferences.

As for the narrator, I think Suzy did a fine job with most of the voices, though I sometimes had trouble differentiating the male characters.

Thank you so much to Christina Dodd, RB Media, and NetGalley for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was very cute. It was a different read than I was expecting from the author but I really enjoyed it. You can tell that she has a book two in the works and I'll definitely be reading it as well.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Based on the cover and premise, I was looking forward to this book, but it just never got there for me.

I think this would be a fun compare and contrast book for high school. I think it might even be more suited to a juvenile audience, but everything was so predictable and cliche that I kept feeling extremely disinterested.

Have you seen My Lady Jane? It wants to be that, but isn’t quite there in terms of wit. Or at least doesn’t pull it off. It’s fine, but not my cup of tea.

Love love love Suzy Jackson voice and reading pace.
Dodd writing style is funny, ironic, cleaver, charming.
Once you begin you cannot stop until the end…. and you want more.

I really enjoyed linstening to this audiobook and it keep me distracted from the terrible heat of this hellish summer.
Rosie is an interesting leading character, she’s so outspoken in a funny way that is not obnoxious. But truly I enjoyed every other character in the story.

Well I want more! I need to know what’s happen next-

4/5 because sometimes I find a lot of repetition that botherd me (like 7 times Rosie said that she was preparing a potion for her mother sickness in one paragraph)

This book was a very fun read. Rosaline or Rosie as she is called, is the daughter of the famed romantic couple Romeo and Juliet Montague (no, they did not die in a tomb after all). Rosie is approaching old spinsterhood at the ripe old age of twenty and has wriggled out of every marital engagement her parent have planned for her. Rosie is spunky, smart, spirited and good at math, not exactly wifely material and is dead set against an arranged marriage. That is until she falls in love at first sight with the handsome Lysander. The two declare their love but can never really seem to get to their first kiss. Something always gets in the way be it murder, poison or all other kinds of distractions. This book was a joy to listen to as an audio book. The narrator defined Rosie's voice perfectly. And when Rosie finally does get that first kiss from her one true love her story takes another unanticipated turn. Highly recommended for fun. 4 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and RB Media | Recorded Books for a chance to read/listen to an ARC version of this audio book. All opinions are my own.