Customer Reviews

Julie and Romeo

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Jeanne Ray gives us a delightful reworking of the Capulet-Montague feud in "Julie and Romeo" - with, thankfully, a much happier ending! Main characters Julie Roseman and Romeo Cacciamani own rival florists' shops in Boston, and have been carrying on their families' long-standing and bitter feud. They meet at a conference for small business owners, and, you guessed it, something magical happens... but their families are not so easily persuaded to give up the feud (even though no one knows exactly how it all started). The strengths of this book are many: (1) the characters are a little offbeat and incredibly real (I especailly loved Mrs. Cacciamani, who is exactly like the dowager Italian women I have known, and whose antics made me laugh out loud. I could absolutely see my Italian friend Carmela's mother or grandmother doing the same things!); (2) the lovers are also atypical - instead of beautiful people in their 20s or 30s obsessed with career or getting married, they are older, experienced, a little more sober, so that their falling in love is unexpected and sweet; (3) the book is unabashedly romantic in the best sense of the term; (4) there is enough sex and irony and humor to keep things from getting sappy or maudlin -- and to make you laugh out loud (I giggled uncontrollably at the party scene at the end); (5) I enjoyed the way Ms. Ray took the familiar Romeo and Juliet setup and tweaked it in an original way; (6) the author has a fresh and refreshing voice. And, on a more superficial note, I loved the close-up photos of flowers that opened each chapter.

As heartening as the first crocus of spring, as passionate as a red rose, as charming and bright as a daffodil, as lush and romantic as a peony... what's not to like about "Julie and Romeo"?

While the title, and basic theme might sound trite and tired, this is truly a wonderful reflection on human relationships. Ray's work is full of keen insight insights and wisdom and profound in an understated, matter of a fact way.

The major protagonist, Julie, is reminiscent of those rare, wise, older people we occasionally have the good fortune to encounter who have grown patient and tolerant through life times of experience. After her husband leaves her for a trophy bride she finds herself a single struggling small town florist, who has also become caretaker for a daughter, whose marriage also failed, and two grandchildren. Rather than wallowing in self pity, she is pragmatic and focuses on day to day essentials -- work and family, and has come to accentuate the positive, having come to recognize that prejudice and anger are self indulgences which thwart happiness and success. She is caught by surprise by the opportunity for a personal happiness and satisfaction she had forgotten could exist, in the form of her family's personal, and professional nemesis, her town's rival florist.

Ray effectively and humorously depicts the dogmatism and impetuousness of the young who unblinkingly embrace the prejudices of their families. She also eloquently focuses on what is truly important in life: family and friends, and the essential characteristics for happiness -- tolerance, generosity, humor, and forgiveness.

This is one of the most refreshing books I've read in years. Not only did I finish it in one "sitting", I don't think I even blinked. It is such a touching, yet entertaining book, that I look forward to giving copies to friends with the hope it will make them smile as it made me.

There's a flower vendetta in Somerville. For years, the Rosemans and Cacciamanis have each owned a single florist shop in this Boston burb. The intensity of the rivalry and loathing between the two families would bring nods of empathy from warring drug kingpins. Then, Julie Roseman, divorced, meets Romeo Cacciamani, widowed, at a seminar for the owners of failing small businesses, and love blossoms like orchids in a hothouse. My, my. How will the children of each, raised on a steady diet of hatred for the other camp, react?

JULIE AND ROMEO is nurse Jeanne Ray's first novel. The plot is uncomplicated and the ending fairly predictable, perhaps even too pat, so it's not a heavyweight in the genre. But, it is charming, humorous, cute and even a bit clever. As an author's first offering, it's more than commendable - and Jeanne, if she sticks with writing, can only improve.

There are two features of this book which made it notable for me. First, Julie and Romeo are both aged sixty. It's refreshing to read a storyline wherein amour and heavy breathing aren't limited to the under-30 set. (Bravo, Ms. Ray, for reminding us of that. There was a reason my own 70 y.o. widower grandfather ran off with our 60 y.o. widow housekeeper!) Second, the volume is a quick read. For someone like myself with too many books and too little time, that's a big plus!

JULIE AND ROMEO by Jeanne Ray

Two sixty-somethings, Romeo Cacciamani and Julie Roseman Roth, whose families have been feuding like the Montagues and Capulets for three generations, meet at a small business seminar in Boston. Both had been raised to hate the other's family, and Julie's first thought upon meeting Romeo was -"This handsome, perfectly nice gentleman is an evil Cacciamani?" Romeo, a widower with six children and a struggling florist shop, suggests dinner. Even though she is uneasy, Julie, a divorcee trying to keep her own florist business afloat, accepts.

Both Julie and Romeo have grown children, totally immersed in this family feud and dedicated to seeing that the growing relationship between their respective parents ends. Sparks really fly when Julie's ex-husband and Romeo's 90-year old mother start meddling, along with other family members.

Delighted by this chance for happiness, Julie and Romeo try to neutralize the opposition within their families, not an easy task. Their relationship just adds to the already fiery family vendetta.

Ms. Ray portrays her characters with understanding, poignancy, and humor, showing that love and passion are not exclusively for the young . Ray's work is full of sharp understated wisdom.

The novel gets funnier with each chapter and each situation that occurs. The scene in the CVS store where the couple has their awkward first "date" so as not to arouse suspicion, is hilarious, as is the scene in the cold-storage locker at Romeo's store. You will also be laughing out loud at some of the things the families do to each other, trying to "get even".

"Julie and Romeo" was a delightful reading experience, and is sure to bring pleasure to every reader.

This is a first novel by Jeanne Ray, who, by profession, is a nurse and is also the mother of the novelist Ann Patchett, bestselling author of "The Magician's Assistant" and "Patron Saint of Liars". I predict that we will be seeing more books by Ms. Ray in the future and I look forward to reading them.

What a wonderful story! Two sixty-something people, Romeo, a widower, and Julie, a divorcee, whose families have been feuding a la the Montagues and Capulets for three generations, meet and fall in love. Each runs a family-owned flower shop and each comes equipped with the baggage of grown children totally immersed in the hatred caused by the feud and dedicated to seeing that the growing relationship between their respective parents ends. Add in Julie's meddling ex-husband and Romeo's ninety year old mother and the sparks really begin to fly.

Ms. Ray portrays her characters with understanding, pathos and humor. She shows that love and passion are not the exlusive province of the young and that the young are just as prone as their elders to holding on to blind prejudice.

For such a short novel, Julie and Romeo sure packs a punch! Jeanne Ray has taken a classic Shakespeare tragedy and put on a lighthearted, fun spin. Easy flowing reading style and laughs sprinkled throughout, Julie and Romeo may be one of the most fun love stories I've read in awhile.

No, it's not the Montagues and Capulets who are at each others' throats. This time we come neck and neck with the Rosemans and Cacciamanis, two families and rival florists in a small Boston suburb. The rivalry has spanned three generations now, but only the eldest living, 90-year-old and still feisty, Mrs. Cacciamani, knows its origins. But when 60-year-old divorced Julie Roseman bumps into widowed Romeo Cacciamani at a small business conference, somehow all the hatred she had felt in the past for him seems to have disappeared. Let the love story begin, right? Not so fast. The rest of the Roseman and Cacciamani clan have a few things to say first....

I truly enjoyed the fun and relaxing pace of this novel. Julie and Romeo is cute and funny, but also sparks some heated moments when dealing with the rest of the feuding families. Not only that, but it deals with older adults falling in love again and provides proof that you're never too old to rediscover your giddy side. Very good debut novel. Hope to hear from Jeanne Ray again.

JULIE AND ROMEO almost jumped off the shelf into my hands! The bold cover design beckoned to me ... and the size fit comfortably into my hand like a little jewel, which it is! But it wasn't until I opened the pages (a delightful design on their own) ... and began highlighting paragraphs (as I always do with books I adore) until the pages are bleeding yellow ... that I realized that Julie was ME! OK, so I'm Southern Methodist and not Jewish -- but I bought my cotton underwear at Target too, UNTIL I met my second husband! And, although I often question my mothering skills, I too, am one "hell of a good grandmother!" It was wonderful to read of an intimate relationship over 50! (Yes, Virginia, we DO "do it!") I read this precious book all in one sitting, stopping only long enough to go to the bathroom (it, too, is an "older woman thing")ESPECIALLY when we are LAUGHING SO HARD we have to stop of get our breath! My only desire is for Jeanne Ray to write another novel (soon!) ... and I hope this "first attempt" won't be her last! We "Sexy Seniors" need more of the same, after all, we do a lot of laughing in bed too!

If anyone tells you life is over at 60, don't believe em. And for proof and some romantic inspiration check out "Julie and Romeo" by Jeanne Ray. It's fabulous, fun and sexy with an age old theme, and a new age twist. Chick lit for the 'chick' of a certain - ehem - age.

The Rosemans and the Cacciamanis family feud has gone back 3 generations. No one really knows why(or does someone?), but the hate runs deep, and is passed down from generation to generation. The families who live on opposite sides of town both run flower shops. And some are not shy of sabotaging the other's business. When young Tony Cacciamani and Sandy Roseman fell in love as teenagers, their parents did everything in their power to keep them apart. And it worked, the young lovers went on to lead the separate lives. But what happens when years later, their parents - Sandy's divorced mom and Tony's widowed dad - meet for the first time in years. It's the start of a budding romance that blooms into a beautiful but unfortunately quite forbidden love.

Just like Romeo and Juliet, Julie and Romeo two 60 year olds, must act like teenagers and sneak around to see each other. But with the flame of love, comes fire. The families are once again at it trying to keep them apart, and a truce is no where in sight. Will Julie and Romeo be able to find the happiness they deserve with each other? Will the truth of the seeds that started this whole mess ever come to light and if so...what effect will that have on all concerned?

It's a fun read finding out. Ms. Ray has a great sense of humor. She gives us dialogue to make us chuckle, characters to cheer and jeer, and a story to make you smile.I also found the use of the flower shops a fabulous setting for the theme. One of my favorite characters was Romeo's mother , a thorny old broad- picture Carla Tortelli("Cheers") at 90.

I am posting this review on the product page for the large print edition, so you know there is one, but there are several editions available - for paperback click here:Julie And Romeo - It's a 4 for 3 deal right now.

If you are looking for a fun summer read, I'd highly recommend this one.
Enjoy the read.....Laurie

also recommended:
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The Shipping News

Last night, I finished this gem by Jeanne Ray. What a sweet, fun book! It may be because this is just "my type" of book, but I really enjoyed this one. This is Jeanne Ray's first novel, and I'm definitely planning to read others by her.

As you can gather by the name, Julie and Romeo have families that don't like each other, to say the least. Throughout the entire book, up until the end, you don't know exactly why the relationships between the Rosemans and Cacciamanis have always been in contention. And the funny part is - neither do they! Only one surviving family member knows the reason...and they do not let go of the secret very easily!

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the background of flowers via the two florist shops. Jeanne Ray obviously did some research on this subject because her descriptions of the flowers and arrangements make the flowers pop out in your mind. The flowers are only second to the love that blooms in this beautiful garden of a book.

I just noticed that there's a sequel to this book, coming out in just a few weeks! I can't wait to get my hands on that one!

Finally a romantic story (not a bodice ripper) about 2 people older than twenty-something, a man and a woman who thought all the major decisions of their lives had been made and accomplished. Surprise! In a reworking of Shakespeare, very different from West Side Story, Ray takes her readers through the agonizing choices Julie and Romeo have to work through before allowing themselves to succumb to love the second time around. This plot is refreshing and real, reminiscent of the stories of Rosamund Pilcher only American. Ray's style is lucid, intelligent, and flowing. The incorporation of some bits of old Italian folk customs is colorful and amusing. This novel is a little gem.