Customer Reviews

Romeo, Romeo

5 star:		(84)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I read a lot. Really. And, A LOT is probably understating it, but this is the first novel that has motiviated me to write a review.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who would like a fast, fun story that is nearly impossible to put down. Even before I was 100 pages into this book, I was already telling anyone who would listen (the manicurist, my husband, my friends, my co-workers) the basic plot and how much I enjoyed the writing style.

I won't restate the plot, but I will say this is just a good ole CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE. No vampires, witches, aliens or time travel -- thank goodness, just a great story and great writing. Can't wait until Ms. Kaye's next novel is published. It won't be soon enough.

Dominick Romeo is Brooklyn's version of Donald Trump without the comb over and oh yeah... he's hot and rich! Nick owns numerous car dealerships throughout Brooklyn which is how he came to be driving a wrecker home, in coveralls over his business suit, when he came upon Rosalie Ronaldi on the side of the road with a flat tire and no spare. Being the nice guy that he is, Nick offers Rosalie a ride home promising to have her car fixed by the next day. Nick doesn't exactly lie to Rosalie about his identity but she has no idea that she's riding with a self-made millionaire and agrees to a dinner date the next night. Nick's relieved that Rosalie has no idea who he is because now he knows that Rosalie won't be after him for his money like so many of the revolving girlfriends he's had in the past.

Rosalie is a turnaround expert who temporarily takes over as the CFO of failing businesses to bring them back to life. Rosalie's new project is the one dealership that Nick has always coveted but could never buy out. Now Nick knows that he has to come clean about who he really is before Rosalie finds out the truth. Somehow he just can't bring himself to do it because he knows it'll bring an end to their relationship and somehow Rosalie has made it past his "tough guy who runs from marriage" exterior and into his heart.

The resulting story is a heart-warming tale told with a lot of hot sex and sarcastic humor. I laughed at the tables being turned on Nick when Rosalie kicks him out of her bed and sends him packing because one of her rules is to never let a guy spend the night. Kaye's writing is a refreshing change from the typical contemporary romance. I could see all the characters as real people showing real feelings with an ending that is truly believable unlike many stories where the characters don't fit the happily ever after ending that's par for the course in contemporary writing. I highly recommend this read to all romance lovers.

Cute light romance romp. Started off with a bang and a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, but about halfway the story lacked the humor and energy it started with. I finally found myself skimming the last 100 pages just to finish it. I simply got tired of the repetative, stereotype Italian cliches -- including all the complaining. They were not nice to each other, and after a while it was too much. It was really funny in the beginning, but quickly got old and repetitive. The secondary characters were an interesting bunch, but they were all fairly one-dimensional.

I think this book is geared toward a younger audience who like romantic fluff stories without much depth or realism. The steam was only so-so too. A few quick hot scenes with only moderate chemistry between H/h. I loved the concept of the Italian heroine and the billionaire boyfriend, and will keep an eye out for more books by this author as the first half of this book rocked.

Not that I read romances for their realism, but I'd really like to believe that the H & H have a relationship with each other. Robin Kaye has aimed for wacky in this book and in the process has sacrified all believable interactions between the characters. A week into a relationship and Nick gives up everything to nurse Rosalie through pneumonia, while keeping it secret (with no explanation) from her close family? 3 months into the relationship and she still hasn't asked him his last name? Come on, it just doesn't make sense. Add to that a poor understanding of NY (Park Slope has been a nice neighborhood for decades) and of Italian (do we really believe a mother would constantly call her daughter a whore? And that if they had that kind of relationship the daughter would have Sunday dinner with her every week?) and odd jumps in the plot (without explanation the car dealership Rosalie is working for gets sold to Nick) and the whole book becomes irritating rather than enjoyable.

The premise was promising and I liked the side characters-especially Gina and the dog-Dave. My parents were born in Italy and so were my husband's parents and they (and our entire families) would never be so disrespectful, crass, boorish, or disgusting as the Italian families featured in this book. The Heroine and Hero might as well have been Brooklyn Italian-American mannequins for all of the personality, heart, or compassion they had--NONE. There were so many stereotypes of Italians I felt like gagging. There was even a stolen Moonstruck story line which was very disappointing. All in all, I cannot recommend this book with a clear conscience.. unless you like zero chemistry between the lead characters and enjoy reading the same uninteresting sex scenes over and over again.

"Romeo Romeo" follows Rosalie Ronaldi as she becomes involved with Nick Romeo, a wealthy good-looking bachelor who has a reputation for being a ladies man. However, Rosalie doesn't know this man is the Nick Romeo, and thinks he is a down-to-earth mechanic, which is the impression he gave when they first met. Rosalie insists she doesn't want a serious relationship but Nick falls for her very quickly and takes care of her when she falls ill. Although Nick never stays with the same woman for very long, he is astounded by Rosalie's independence and cannot resist trying to care for her, despite her objections. Throughout the book there are a number of complications, including the fact that Rosalie is trying to turn around the same company that Nick is trying to buy out, which she doesn't know as well.

I enjoyed reading this book but evry once in a while was bothered by how contrived some it seemed to me. While I didn't mind the predictable plot, I found Nick way too unrealistic to be taken seriously. Then again, if the characters were more realistic, it wouldn't be as much fun to read.

My favorite parts of the book were the amusing ones, particularly those that involved Rosalie's loving yet overbearing Italian family. I liked seeing how their involvement always complicated everything!

"Romeo, Romeo" is perfect for a quick and light read, but like its characters, isn't meant to be taken too seriously.

I was interested to read this book since the author lives in my area, I'm also of Sicilian descent and have a large Italian family, and grew up in Brooklyn. What a let-down this book was. I did stay with it till the end since I always hope an author will be able to get it together. There is just about no character development. All the characters are just stereotypes - there is simply no depth to anyone. As soon as the story starts to get interesting with the characters starting to act like real people, the author jumps right back to the bedroom for some silly sex. One or two really hot sex scenes are fine - after all this is a romance novel, but it shouldn't be used just because you have nothing left to say. Predicable ending, but, really, a totally disappointing read. This could have been an interesting story. The premise is promising: two people looking for a "sex buddy" with no commitment, a big nosy family, secrets galore, and Dave, the dog (the only fully fleshed out character in the book). However, it's just pages of nothing. This is the first time I didn't pass the book along to the donation box at the Library - I just threw it away when I got to the last page.

Wow, I am shocked by the great reviews this book has received. I actually bought this book based on its Amazon reviews and I was sadly disappointed when I read the book. The problem - I felt - is that the author puts her two characters together (Rosalie Ronaldi and Nick Romeo) so fast (sexually and otherwise) that she never gives their individual personalities (or the storyline) a chance to develop. Despite Rosalie being a high-powered corporate type her character came across as spoiled and immature, and Nick Romeo came off really arrogant and crass. They are virtually living together within 3-4 days and the chemistry between them wasn't established. With this book it comes down to a poor quality of writing and a weak storyline. Rosalie and Nick were definitely not a great couple, the storyline wasn't well-crafted, and I just couldn't believe the actions of either of the characters. The cover is pretty hot, but that's about it.

I mostly liked this book, which I got free for kindle, but it was too long. It became repetitive toward the end and not as fun or funny as it was at the beginning of the book. I liked Rosalie--she seemed like a real person, messy apartment, cursing, hard job, daddy issues and all. Nick was a little too perfect and idealized (didn't we all know the juvie thing would turn out to be nothing?) except for his own daddy issues. Rosalie's parents and sister were horrid and unlikeable. I'm glad we had few scenes with them--I didn't like how mean they were. Gina was funny but a stereotype. There were also many inconsistencies.

It was weird that no-one but a guy Rosalie had known 2 days took care of her when she was sick. What, her mother, sister or Aunt didn't come to the apartment even once to check on her? Not even Gina stopped by! They all just took the word of a new guy that he had it under control? Their visits probably wouldn't have helped her feel better but what family just ignores you completely when you've been diagnosed with pneumonia? I also didn't like the focus on her being skinny at her wedding. Nick liked her curvy but was suddenly enthranced by her new skinny look, which was due to starvation from an ulcer? Very inconsistent and a terrible message at the end ("He'll love you more when you're skinny; so what that you can't eat because you have an ulcer!").

This was an ok book and I did enjoy the humor in it but and I'm glad I got it free

I'm all for light, fun, easy to read chick-lit, but this book is awful, written and no original concepts in the storyline at all. Thank goodness it was free because I would be upset if I had wasted money on it.
Every character is cliche from the angry, god-fearing italian mother to the angry best friend/assistant (in fact a lot of the characters are angry....)
Not once does this book take you in an unexpected direction. From page one you can already tell exactly how it's going to end.
If you have any respect for your braincells don't subject them to this book.