I saw great reviews about this book in several places, including at least two magazines. So I gave it a go. But now I'm left with the confusion that comes when you don't like something that everyone else seems to love.

The story follows the modern-day ancestors of the real-life Romeo and Juliet, who believe themselves to be victims of a curse that has plagued the families for 600 years, ever since Romeo and Juliet were not allowed to be together. The book provides some insight into the historical family feud from the 14th century, on which Shakespeare based his play.

However, there were things in the book that did not make it past my suspension of disbelief. I find it hard to believe that the Virgin Mary would curse a family for 600 years just because she didn't get her way with the original Romeo and Juliet. I also didn't like how the ancestors of Romeo and Juliet seemed to have this "Well, you're named after Romeo and I'm named after Juliet, so we're supposed to be with each other and fall in love" attitude. It was weird and I didn't find it to be the least-bit romantic. And I found it infuriating the way that none of the characters were ever straight with each other on anything until the very end. And while the climax of the book was satisfying, a great portion of the book left me rolling my eyes.

If you have a deep love of Romeo and Juliet, can buy into the idea of your life being controlled by "fate" and curses, and have sappy notions about romance, then you might like this book. Otherwise, I recommend that you pass it up.