What if Romeo and Juliet didn’t perish, but ended up living with a very large family. The family would be a mixture of chaos and love. This is the story of the eldest daughter (Rosie), who has managed to escape being married so far, mainly by setting her suitors up with someone else, even some of her sisters. But this time a scandal has happened and she is now set to marry the Prince of Verona. Cal is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the relationship between the two of them. Add into the mix the ghost of her future father in law who wants her to solve his murder and Rosie trying her best to get out of this betrothal, and it is just a little chaotic of the good kind. I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing what happens next.

If ever there was a series written after my own heart, it is this one! As the sequel to an outstanding Romeo and Juliette retelling, this book has much of the same historic romance elements, the same witty and sassy FMC, another murder mystery, and more Shakespearean elements. Although this is the second installment of a retelling of Romeo and Juliette, Thus With A Kiss I Die incorporates more Hamlet elements. Whereas the first book felt a lot lighter and comedic, this book relied on more traditional tropes (enemies to lovers) with silly antics to provide comedic relief.

This series was such a joy to read and a must read for anyone who likes Shakespeare and/or historical romances. I am on the edge of my seat for the third book and may literally expire from having to wait (not to be too dramatic).

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for sharing this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was absolutely amazing! I enjoyed it very much, I read it in a 36 hour stretch. I loved the first book and this one picked right back up in the same universe with more witty, cleaver adventures. I enjoyed the ending very much. I was rooting for the prince all along. I will update my review with links to my other posted reviews. I really hope we get a book 3. The language feels more modern at times but I appreciate the way I still felt like I was in renaissance Italy.

I absolutely adore these madcap little books. (I don't know why I'm using 'little' in the descriptor, but there's just something precious about them--in the good way.)

Rosie is such a sassy protagonist; I just adore about every line out of her mouth.
The colorful cast of side characters are quirky and successfully drawn.
The plot is strong enough. The historical allusions never get in the way of it or the humor (a feat!).

I'm just fangirling here, I have no complaints. Not every point is the strongest and sometimes the zany is too much even for me, but, like, just joy here really...

I am loving this series. I'm looking forward to adding both Daughter of Montague titles to our campus collection in the fall. Thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC!

Such a fun series. It kinda defies description, or at least a traditional genre. I found it much more engaging than the first book, seeing Rosie and Escalus work together (along with a ghost) to solve a mystery. Loved it. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

I am in love with this series! I was afraid at first that it would only be a duology but I now have hope that there will be more books, because of the ending of the second book.

In the first book, Rosie Montague, daughter of Romeo and Julie, had fallen in love with Lysander, a man who her parents did not approve, as he was the son of an enemy family and was poor besides. She had snuck out of their house to meet him one last time, and was caught publicly kissing a man she thought was Lysander.

It turned out that the man she kissed was Prince Escalus, the Prince of Verona. He set it up that she would be found kissing him (and not Lysander) and would be caught doing it. Rosie is a strong minded young woman - to put it mildly - and she made him pay in a myriad of ways. I enjoyed reading the progression of their 'romance' immensely. There is also a ghost in this story, the father of Prince Escalus. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

I received an e-arc of this book from Kensington Publishing via Netgalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

I did not read the first book in this series, but I will definitely go back, because I enjoyed this one so much. The author gives the reader more than enough context, so it's not necessary though.

Loved the characters, especially the FMC and MMC. I loved both of their families, though the sibling camaraderie from Rosie's side was perfection. In fact Rosie's interactions with her entire family are quite beautiful. Cal's side is a lot more stoic, but with the influence of the Montague's, I think they'll become a lot more open - which is great for his little sister.

Humor throughout the book physically made me laugh out loud, multiple times. The vocabulary included is quite advanced, and I found myself having to look up several words - in English and Italian.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for more. The book kept me guessing until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for offering me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"Thus With a Kiss I Die" by Christina Dodd is the second installment in her *Daughter of Montague* series, a collection of satirical mystery novels set within Shakespeare's Capulet-Montague family in Verona, Italy. These books are full of humor, fast-paced action, and a delightful main character. The mystery in this book kept me hooked. If you're in the mood for a quick and entertaining read, this one is a great choice.

I loved this book! Ms. Dodd has such a way with words, characters and plots. Her take on what happened after Romeo and Juliet allegedly died is fun and creative. It is so easy to get caught up in the story and hard to put down. Rosie continues to be a strong woman who stands up for what she believes and is willing to fight for it. I was so please with her decision at the end! I can't wait for the next book to see what other adventures she will have. Highly recommended.
#netgalley

I was so happy to see a second book in this series (I had hoped it would be a series after I enjoyed the first one). It's the story of Romeo and Juliet reimagined -- they did not die, but went on to marry and have many children and establish themselves as one of Verona's most powerful and wealthy families. Their oldest daughter, the 20-year-old "spinster" Rosie, is the main character, and the one who solves the mysteries. This second book involves her communicating with a ghost -- the murdered father of her husband-to-be -- and he will not be at peace until she finds his murderer. Great story and lots of fun!

What an unconventional way to have a ghost, history and a romance brought on by the confines of yesteryear. When Rosaline and Cal are caught together alone, they must announce their betrothal. The fighting unrest all around Verona and the threat of a killer amongst them, I cannot stress enough that this book is full of so much of everything! The ending was surprising and again, not. You absolutely must read this!

Fun, delightful sequel in the series. It's just a fun and clever premise to a series, and I loved all the sly Shakespearean references tossed in here and there (I'm sure I missed some). The scenes with Rosie's family are especially charming. I enjoyed the mystery, the action, and how the romance(s) played out. I rolled my eyes at Rosie's amazing ability to do Everything (defend herself in a knife fight? turn a breech baby and deliver it by herself? etc) But overall this was a winner and I'm looking forward to book 3!

My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley.

I absolutely adored the first book in the series and thought there was no way this one could be better. I was wrong. This book was perfect for me: witty, funny, compelling. I don’t have the words to describe how much I loved this so I’ll leave it there. I’m only sad that I have to wait for another book. I can’t wait to add this one to my shelf to reread again and again.

Thank you to the author for writing this lovely book and thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy. All opinions are my own.

Christina Dodd's Daughter of Montague series is quickly becoming my go-to, guilty pleasure of a cozy read and I am pleased to say the second installment did not disappoint.
We are back in Verona with our favorite residents and Rosie Montague (daughter of Romeo and Juliet) is faced with some real choices regarding "her one true love." The choice can't be an easy one to make when faced with murder, a hoard of vicious wanderers with whips, family and now the addition of an interfering ghost - and I am here for it.
"Thus With A Kiss I Die" is filled with our favorite residents of Verona, laugh out loud humor, love, family, intrigue and mystery, I truly feel it was better than the first and I am now waiting with bated breath for the third.
What sets this book series apart from other cozy reads is that Christina Dodd does an amazing job actually developing the characters and the murder mystery aspect is well thought out. I think what helps the series is the familiarity with it being Romeo and Juliet "adjacent" and it's a fun modern take on the family and its complexities. They are a joy to read.

Thank you to NetGalley, John Scognamiglio Books and Kensington Publishing Group for the advanced read in exchange for my honest review. It was a pleasure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"Thus With a Kiss I Die" by Christina Dodd is the second in her Daughter of Montague series, which are satirical mystery novels set amongst Shakespeare's Capulet-Montague family in Verona, Italy. These books are hilarious and fast-paced, the main character is delightful, and the mystery in this installment was compelling. If you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, this is the book for you.

I loved the first book in this series and was so excited to get a chance to read book 2 early. Rosie is such a spunky and unique character and I love the way the writing is a mix of homage to the shakespeare play and whitty modern style. The mystery portion of the story was amazing as well and I definitely was surprised by some of the twists at the end! All in all this was a perfect combination on funny and mysterious and romantic. I grow more and more obsessed with Cal and can’t wait to see the relationship between him and Rosie continue hopefully in a 3rd book!

This book is charming, romantic, hilarious, mysterious and thrilling all at the same time! The banter between Elder and Rosie is sharp and every character is given the space to bloom. While I don't think the mystery element was as gripping, the chaos of Rosie's family, her dilemmas and duress as she explores her relationship with Cal (and introspects on what She had with Lysander) Makes for a compelling read that makes you want to revisit these characters and their stories. 4/5

Rosie, the daughter of Juliet and Romeo, is now unhappily engaged to Escalus, the Prince of Verona. She wants to be united with her Lysander and the ghost of Escalus' father offers her to be united with her true love if she finds his killer.

The first book in the series was terrific. This is even better. Romantic, swoony, funny and suspenseful at the same time. Love Rosie and Escalus. :) A wonderful fun romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I was so excited and thankful to get an advanced review copy of this book! I could not put it down!

This book has the irreverent, easy-to-read and fun writing style of the previous book of the series. It has the passionate romance (now a love triangle), intriguing mystery, exciting action, humor, and witty dialogue that I expected from the previous book as well. What’s different is the emphasis on the supernatural: a la Hamlet, Escalus the Elder’s ghost makes frequent appearances after his murder. Unlike Hamlet, he doesn’t know who killed him; only Rosie can find out.

This story is more predictable than the last, in my opinion, but I still really enjoyed it. It also beggars belief that one noblewoman is the best investigator in Verona AND the best matchmaker AND an amazing medical expert AND swordswoman AND midwife AND cook. I think the hardest thing to believe is that a bunch of extremely pious Catholic women would have a seance (honestly, I skipped that scene because I don’t think people should mess with that kind of thing). Or maybe it’s the heavy make-out session after a grievous injury. But whatever, I can suspend disbelief (I mean, there’s a GHOST) and have fun reading.

I still enjoyed this book so much. I am a very sleep-deprived mom of young children and I willingly stayed up a little late to finish this book (and write a long review) because it is that good. I know I should despise Escalus for the way he deceived Rosie and trapped her into a betrothal at the end of the first book, but he does grow as a character in this book and show a lot of good qualities too. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!! (Please let there be a next book in the series)

I’m grateful to NetGalley and Kensington Press/John Scognamiglio for the free eARC! I post this review with my honest opinions.

This review is cross-posted on Goodreads and will be posted on Amazon and Instagram within a week of publication.

Content notes: profanity including use of God’s name as an oath, sexual comments and jokes (especially about remaining a virgin before marriage) like you’d expect from Shakespeare, ghostly appearances that you’d also except from Shakespeare, death, murder, fighting and injuries, descriptive kissing