| Title | : | Romeo and Julian: A Near-Tragedy Near Verona |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 45 |
| Publication | : | First published August 4, 2011 |
These young men have pure heart and even pure love. However, their respective families stand on their chance to be together. Would
Photo Description: An iron balcony rail, two dark-haired young men, a tender moment. The man above leans down to extend his hand, smiling. The white-shirted man below grasps the rail in one fist and with the other brings the back of his lover's hand to his mouth for a kiss, eyes closed.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Hot Summer Days" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Read the story
here or find it in
Don't Read in the Closet, Volume 4.
__________
Genre: contemporary
Tags: gay m/m, sweet-no sex, in-the-closet, first-love, athlete
Word Count: 18,240
Romeo and Julian: A Near-Tragedy Near Verona Reviews
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Oh this was so so sweet. There's no sex and almost no talk of sex, just a lot of kissing, but it so wasn't necessary. I loved it so much that I think it's the story I'm going to read to my 19 year old to introduce her to the genre. She's realy into gay rights (there are a lot of people in her family who are gay) and has been confused about my obsession. She said she's willing to listen to me read one (she doesn't read herself much) and this is just a perfect intro.
The two characters are adorable, the romance is believable if a bit fast, the danger and excitement are exactly the right amount, and I even almost sort of bought how the families dealt with it by the end. There are very loose similarities to Romeo and Juliet, but as the title says, it's not a tragedy, just almost. :)
Read it, you'll love it.
This story is available free as part of
Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Four. -
Offered FREE from
M/M Romance Group, Hot Summer Days event.
3.5 stars I like how KD took the picture of the balcony and twisted it a little to give a Romeo and Juliet tale, cute idea. I would have liked if things weren't so rushed. I'm OK with insta-love in paranormal books where we have the excuse of 'mates' and whatnot, but in real life I think a week is too fast. And really, there wasn't a need for it. No reason more time couldn't have gone by.
Because it's a short, we were told a lot of what they talked about and bonded over without actually seeing it. But we did get to see a few sweet moments between them where I felt a connection. I was hoping for a Titanic-style drawing sesh though after Julian made a comment about drawing him again, so I was a little disappointed that that wasn't used to develop their relationship more.
I have to admit that the extra twist at the end had me rolling my eyes a little when I first read it, because, it was just a little too easy. That being said, it did it's job and brought everyone together. All the different people and relationships were a little confusing at times. I didn't get why Romeo thought what he did about Donata, and I still don't quite understand what went on between the two moms. But whatever, this story was about Romeo and Julian and I'm happy with our sweet little HEA. -
Oh KD, you are seriously one talented writer! I adore this story - I feel like I've read a full length novel rather than something much shorter. Romeo and Julian are absolutely perfect together, complementing each other with their strengths and weaknesses, while if I ever needed someone to look out for me while unconscious, I hope it's someone like Donata, followed closely by Nonna. Marcellus is the perfect brother while Ariana is the best SIL... I'll try to stop gushing but this is definitely in my top 5 stories. Just loved it KD! Thank you.
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Rainbow toe socks - yay! I loved everything about this beautifully romantic story. It was so sweet and the slow build up was great. All of the secondary characters added a lot of, well, character! But the best was Nonna - what a great feisty old lady:) I was really worried about where the story was going after the accident, but I love how it really showcased Romeo's singlemindedness - "Julian"!!! I'm going to cross my fingers for a sequel because I'd love to get a clearer view into their future and ensure they solve that whole virginity issue;) Awesome story, KD - thank you so much!!!
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a sweet story but some parts were sappy and it's instant love. Also its third person POV but we only get one MC's POV and the other MC's sister's POV. For me I don't like having a woman's POV in a M/M Romance where we don't even get both male POV's.
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Beautiful, just beautiful! The gentle coming together of Romeo and Julian was a joy to behold. Throw in a moment of breath-stealing, heart-stopping angst and you've got a short story that really satisfies!
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A cute little take on Romeo and Juliet that tossed some tips of the hat to the original without being tied down to it too much.
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This book is the most adorable thing ever. It is so adorable. So SO SO adorable.
I loved both Romeo and Julian. Their personalities, the way Romeo adores Julian, the way Julian reacts to Romeo. It's all so. hnnngh. My heart.
I loved the fact that it has no sex and is so fluffy because I'm a big sucker for fluff.
I also really like Donata, she was sensible and mature and was a pleasure to read about.
What I felt was a little off was the dialog when more than two people involved. There are two scenes where Romeo's whole family interact, and one more scene with a lot of people, and it got really difficult to track who was saying what.
There was also some high drama and tense moments toward the end, which felt like it happened too fast and just didn't sync well.
But apart from that, it's a solid, fluffy, feel-good romance with a happy ending.
It's actually only 3.5 stars, but I guess the food in the story merits an extra half star. -
I was a little leery when I saw the title of this story. We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet; I was concerned that this would end just as tragically. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't. Romeo and Julian was a good rendition of the tale with major technological advancements. Julian had a balcony, as was to be expected, and Romeo climbed "up to the balcony" (in reality it wasn't but there was a balcony in the front of the house); but Romeo, instead of travelling by horse and carriage had a beautiful Ferrari! Major advancement! Oh... and there were no sword fights involved in this story. So, a lack of violence is a plus. It took a bit longer for me to read, but it was worth it.
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The story was a sweet spin but the characters were what was truely special. All of them were so in depth and they all had a strong voice to be heard. I truely loved this story and the characters! I look forward to hearing more from them.
"Yes, crazy man, that would be so sexy," he said when he lifted his face, eyes dancing. "Foreplay would be an hour of me figuring out where I could even touch you!" -
2.5 rounded up.
It started really well. There was a slow build up until the first kiss and I really liked that. The MCs were sweet and I felt it. Sadly it left the path and it become insta love. At some point the plot got almost ridiculous and sadly didn't work for me in some points. I still don't understand some happenings. It was confusing.
Still the idea of Romeo and Julian was really a good turn on the prompt. -
A sexy football player and an artist, a story set in my favorite place on earth, Italy and mouth watering food! Plus a crazy family, a red sports cars, a grandmama who is "she who must be obeyed" and the list of characters goes on and on--all in a short story. Brilliant! I love everyone in this touching story. I want more!!!!
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***Read as part of the free
Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Four anthology. Story #22*** -
Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Four
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again -
Adorable! Loved it. <3
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Awww, this was just so sweet! I loved these two and really enjoyed reading their story. Also, I liked Donata, she was funny! Very romantic story and very good writing.
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It's sweet story about boys associated with two Italian families that have been in feud with each other for centuries.
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veeeeery sappy but absolutely cute :-)
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This was a cute take on Romeo and Juliet.
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