Dana L. Davis

If Romeo and Juliet got the Hamilton treatment...who would play the leads? This vividly funny, honest, and charming romantic novel by Dana L. Davis is the story of a girl who thinks she has what it takes...and the world thinks so, too. Jerzie Jhames will do anything to land the lead role in Broadway's hottest new show, Roman and Jewel, a Romeo and Juliet inspired hip-hopera featuring a diverse cast and modern twists on the play. But her hopes are crushed when she learns mega-star Cinny won the lead...and Jerzie is her understudy. Falling for male lead Zeppelin Reid is a terrible idea--especially once Jerzie learns Cinny wants him for herself. Star-crossed love always ends badly. But when a video of Jerzie and Zepp practicing goes viral and the entire world weighs in on who should play Jewel, Jerzie learns that while the price of fame is high, friendship, family, and love are priceless. Books by Dana L. Davis: Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now The Voice in My Head Roman and Jewel

Roman and Jewel

If Romeo and Juliet got the Hamilton treatment...who would play the leads? This vividly funny, honest, and charming romantic novel by Dana L. Davis is the story of a girl who thinks she has what it takes...and the world thinks so, too. Jerzie Jhames will do anything to land the lead role in Broadway’s hottest new show, Roman and Jewel, a Romeo and Juliet inspired hip-hopera featuring a diverse cast and modern twists on the play. But her hopes are crushed when she learns mega-star Cinny won the lead...and Jerzie is her understudy. Falling for male lead Zeppelin Reid is a terrible idea—especially once Jerzie learns Cinny wants him for herself. Star-crossed love always ends badly. But when a video of Jerzie and Zepp practicing goes viral and the entire world weighs in on who should play Jewel, Jerzie learns that while the price of fame is high, friendship, family, and love are priceless. Books by Dana L. Davis: Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now The Voice in My Head Roman and Jewel

Flavia Louise

I really liked the writing but this just ended up being a bit messy for me

Caitlyn DeRouin

Trigger Warnings: Death of a parent (mentioned), mentions of suicide (drowning), underage drinking, underage recreational drug use, age gap relationship (16 and 19), jokes about mental health, mentions of a car crash

You can read my full review here: https://teatimelit.com/2021/01/13/rev...

Roman and Jewel had been on my “most anticipated” book list for quite some time, and I was really excited that I was able to read an ARC in December. I loved the idea of a book centering on a new musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet with a Hamilton twist to it and what happens behind the scenes. I was thrilled to finally get my hands on it and was sadly disappointed as I read the book when it did not live up to my expectations. The book had a lot of potential, but for me, there are a few huge flaws. 

The idea of the musical is what initially drew me to the story and that description sold me on the idea for this show. I was so excited to see it play out in the book, but apart from some audition scenes, maybe 4-5 short rehearsal scenes, and a backstage scene before opening night, that was it. In my opinion, those were the most interesting parts of the book, but they, unfortunately, were few and far between. Towards the second half of the book (maybe a bit earlier), Roman and Jewel shifted to a soap opera drama. Once this shift happens, the story is mainly focused on the, again underaged, dramatic relationship between Jerzie and Zeppelin and what Cinny does to try and break them apart. Let’s be real, I love drama. I love reading about or watching overdramatized fictional situations, but even this was too much for me. I can’t really get into it without spoiling things, but I will say that I found it to be completely over the top especially towards the end.

I was so excited for this book, and I, unfortunately, was really disappointed. I’m giving it 1.5 stars, but rounding up to 2 because I think the overall story had potential.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of this book. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
 
Book: Roman and Jewel
 
Author: Dana L. Davis
 
Book Series: Standalone
 
Rating: 4/5
 
Diversity: Black main character and side characters
 
Recommended For...: contemporary lovers, ya readers
 
Publication Date: January 5, 2021
 
Genre: YA Contemporary
 
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, drug usage, slight language)
 
Publisher: Inkyard Press
 
Pages: 336
 
Synopsis: Jerzie Jhames will do anything to land the lead role in Broadway's hottest new show, Roman and Jewel, a Romeo and Juliet inspired hip-hopera featuring a diverse cast and modern twists on the play. But her hopes are crushed when she learns mega-star Cinny won the lead...and Jerzie is her understudy.

Falling for male lead Zeppelin Reid is a terrible idea--especially once Jerzie learns Cinny wants him for herself. Star-crossed love always ends badly. But when a video of Jerzie and Zepp practicing goes viral and the entire world weighs in on who should play Jewel, Jerzie learns that while the price of fame is high, friendship, family, and love are priceless.
 
Review: For the most part, this book was fun! I loved the way the story was told and how hard this book hooks you from beginning to end. The book has some good character development for most of the characters and the book also has some well done world building. The book also sounds like something a teen would write, which I think is key to YA books.
 
However, I really wish that the author put more of the musical in the book. The book could have been so much better with the musical aspects in it and I wanted so bad to see it in there. I also thought the love interest was very insufferable and I wanted to yeet him from the book. I didn’t like the redemption arc the villain got, it was a bit too short for my liking, and I didn’t like the instalove trope.
 
Verdict: Highly recommend!!

Jawahir M

I would like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my personal opinion.

Description Summary | All the musical references was heaven to a theatre lover like me but the over the top dramatics and lackluster character developments made this book a slightly above average read.

Score: 3.5 / 5

This was theatrical in every sense, in the main characters' developments and feelings, in the comical villain, and the over the top gushy romance with Disney movies cliches. Which to me is very different than what I expected it to be judging from the synopsis and cover. 

I actually enjoyed it and by the second half of the book I was completely hooked. I read this book everywhere. I think the star for me was the author's writing, it was such an easy read and a great distraction book if you ever need one.

I expected a bit of a slow burn with more deep complexities being analyzed. The love at first sight trope was a bit much for me and the dramatics in the book was kind of distracting from the main big picture. What I did enjoy is all the musical references and laugh out loud moments.

Do I recommend? If you love over the top romance that is fast paced check this one out.

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Roman and Jewel

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