This book has been on my tbr list for so long. I never read Romeo & Juliet, nor I ever have watch the movie. But I know how the story goes, I mean who doesn't? So I'm so excited to read a somehow another version about the most famous love story ever.

First, don't be fooled. This is not Romeo and Juliet. They both fell for each other on first sight. Rosaline and Benvolio despises each other. They aren't in love, and there's nothing star-crossed about this romance.

Prince Escalus has a great idea of uniting House of Montague and Capulet to stop the feud, by marrying Rosaline and Benvolio together. They hated each other, and they aren't star-crossed. The prince and the families actually give them their blessings. But there's a series of murders that killing both Montague and Capulet, and making them at each other neck. Rosaline and Benvolio work together to solve the murder, and they eventually fall in love. And when things cool down, after everything is done, they live happily ever after.

That's basically the summary of the book, in a paragraph. So where's the starcrossed part? The angst? The desperation? This is no Romeo and Juliet. They aren't starcrossed. It was enjoyable, but it was too predictable. I could predict how it would happened from the first few chapters. All the characters are so reserved and stiff, and I think it's understandable since they just experienced a blood bath (Romeo & Juliet's event). But.. I couldn't feel any connection with them. I kind of understand them, but they sort of out of my grasp. I could break the characters like this:

• Rosaline hates the feud and want nothing to do with it. She hates both Capulets and Montague, and that's why she refused Romeo. She wants the best for her sister, Livia, and then off to the quiet life of nunnery. 
• Benvolio is grieving with Romeo and Mercutio's death, but I don't think he has any hatred toward the Capulets. He's just tired with the feud. 
• Prince Escalus is cunning and cares a lot about Verona. He puts Verona first, then his personal life. 
• Livia is a bit childish and impulsive. 
• Paris... well I think he's in so much grief he has mad idea and fall to quickly for Livia.

The setting is in Verona, and I love how vivid the description is. It's like you travel back through time and walking the streets of Verona. It uses Shakespeare's writing style, thy thou and stuff, and I found some difficulties with them, but after a while they're okay. And, it isn't written in verse like the actual play, so don't worry it isn't that hard to read!

Overall, it was a great book. I feel kind of cheated because it was nothing like Romeo and Juliet, there is nothing star-crossed about Rosaline and Benvolio. But the plot and the characters are enjoyable, even though the characters are one-dimensional.