Okay, listen. The roses? The bees? Rosaline? This book may honestly have been cherry-picked especially for me. Romeo and Juliet is was the first Shakespeare play I ever encountered and I have now read, watched, and experienced countless iterations of it. My favourite movie of all time, even still, is the 1996 Romeo + Juliet (yes. the Leo DiCaprio/Claire Danes one that you either hate or love). I've read the original (is there such a thing as an original Shakespeare play? No. Let's not get into that here.) endless times. So now that I've bragged about my credentials, let's see what Fair Rosaline had in store for us. I'm honestly not sure I was ready for what Fair Rosaline did, but boy did I enjoy it. Rosaline being a grieving girl who just lost her mother and is now being sent to a convent? Romeo being the ultimate fuckboy? Juliet, ever innocent, at less than fourteen? Honestly, this book took the few lines we get about Rosaline and made her the main catalyst of the play. When it comes to retelling the lesser-developed characters in an established piece of work, it can become tricky to balance their involvement with the story we know and the new story being told, but Solomons did an incredible job at finding just the right part for Rosaline to play in the fate of our well-known tragic lovers. I won't spoil anything, of course, but just know that rooting for Rosaline becomes damn near inevitable towards the middle of this book. Not only is she a multifaceted character, both naïve and bold, but she is a product of her time and of this time combined. It was lovely to see Solomons including values of our time and values of the time the book is set and seemlessly blend the two. And as for Romeo... Well let's just say I've never seen a Romeo portrayed quite as much as a player and – let's be honest – a creep as in this. It was a refreshing take and still very believable considering the source material. When I tell you I was kicking and screaming about the marzipan rose...
I would not be doing my due diligence in this review if I did not mention the narration of the audiobook that was kindly provided for me. Sheila Atim does a great job at capturing the voice of each character, of Rosaline in particular, and of the story itself. Her gentle cadence is one I truly enjoyed (even at my usual 2.5x speed!) and took care to listen to. I particularly liked her line deliverance on some of the more intense chapter endings – they left me wanting more. Let's just say taking out my headphones was my least favourite time of day while this was playing. All in all, Dear Rosaline by Natasha Solomons deserves a high praise from this retelling-enthusiast and it takes an invaluable place in the many Romeo and Juliet​ retellings out there.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a Romeo Juliette retelling.
Rosaline mother dies and her father plans to send her to a convent (essentially becoming more worthy the. He already is using Rosaline’s dowry money).
Then comes in Romeo!!

Did I like this? It was ok. I’ve never been a massive Shakespeare fan. That being said I did enjoy this more then the actually Shakespeare version.
If you like Shakespeare then you will love this book.

Although this isn’t what I would normally would read it doesn’t take away from the beauty of the writing

There was lots that I really liked about this one - in terms of the premise, placing Rosaline at the centre of the story and telling something familiar from someone less traditional’s point of view was great - I loved the contrast in Rosaline’s character to Juliet’s

I also really appreciated the angle that the author went for with the character development of Romeo, it was certainly very different! Whilst I thought it was an interesting interpretation of his character and it made for a different twist on the infamous story, I have to admit that I prefer the traditional version.

The audio was good and engaging, I think because of the lyrical prose that the audio did suit me better than a physical copy of this one, I enjoyed having it read to me!

This was a slow start for me, but once it got going I really enjoyed this untelling.

We all know the story of Romeo & Juliet, but what happens in Fair Rosaline flips it on it's head in the most fantastic manner. This is a love story, but not between Romeo & Rosaline, or even Romeo & Juliet, it is the love Rosaline has for her family & lengths she'll go to to protect them. It is a story of women undone by men, fighting back subtly in the only way they can.

Here Natasha Solomans reimagines the 'romantic tragedy' casting a vastly different light on the well loved tale, utilising the lyrical language of Romeo & Juliet in a clever, subversive manner. How many times has Romeo delivered those polished lines? Can true love be donned & shed as easily as one would a coat?
The narration was really well done & I found myself with a lump in my throat from emotion a few times, which for me means I've been fully engaged with a story.

I particularly loved the interview between narrator & author at the end of the audio. It's always interesting to hear where & how ideas developed & to reflect on what you've just read.

I DNFed this book at around 10% - the audio was great; I was really enjoying the narrator. But the set-up to wherever the story was heading wasn't working for me. Sorry!

I have many feelings about this book. I felt it was quite slow for maybe the first 45% when Rosaline realises Romeo is not as he seems and it picks up a little. Unfortunately I felt it slowed down again and I just couldn't connect with the story or the characters. It's a little thing but it bugged me every time someone said "cuz", I didn't fit well with the rest of the dialogue.

The audio narrator was excellent and the cover is beautiful but unfortunately this wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

An interesting take on a Shakespeare Classic

Not so much a retelling than an untelling. For me, although based on the classic Shakespeare love story of Romeo and Juliet, this was definitely a stand alone story and gave voice to a lesser known character Rosaline.

This book will, without doubt, divide readers/listeners as it portrays Romeo in a whole new way. A definite darker side to this book and characters alike.

I enjoyed the smooth narration by Sheila Atim and her distinct character voices.

If you're looking for a romantic tragedy, this will not disappoint.

Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons and narrated by Sheila Atim is a fascinating retelling of the classic Romeo and Juliet from a different perspective, from contemporary sensibilities

The first two things to strike me in this audiobook, was the exceptional choice of narrator, who contrasted with traditional tellings of Shakespeare as much as the retelling itsefl was a contrast. This was a really nice touch, let alone Sheila Atim's exceptional vocal ability and nuances. Tehre is a very strong vocal character development, differentiation and continuoty and this is to be applauded

Natasha Solomons has taken a sledgehammer to the traditional account of Romeo and Juliet and retold it in a more accurate manner, depicting the more gritty realities for women in the Elizabethan Era and using one of the more understated but pivotal characters in the Play, Rosaline, Juliets cousin. The manipulation, mistrust, deceit and disgust were depicted in excellent fashion. Solomons strength of allegory is absolutely stunning, recreating a clasic to tell a truth of the original era while being reflective of contemporary soceity

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Bonnier UK Audio, Manilla Press, the Author Natasha Solomons and the NArrator Sheila Atim for this outstanding ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

**Listened to the audio book**

The premise of this book really intrigued me, a new view on such an old story. Unfortunately the book didn't live up to the excitement i had going into it. I found the pacing of this book to be super slow. Plus there were lots of characters so it was hard at times to keep track.
I loved the narrator, but didn't like the plot!

A different angle on Romeo and Juliet, following the briefly mentioned Rosaline and her infatuation with Romeo. Rosaline here is a reminder that our Shakespeare characters are young. Romeo is not a faithful boy to love and Rosaline is head over heels - of course we know how that ends for her.

This book allows us to see Romeo through the eyes of someone other than Juliet. The seduction and flattery and the what comes after.

I thought this book was at its best when she wasn’t wrapped around Romeo’s little finger. It ends up going down an interesting direction. I do wish the writing style was a little more refined but alas. Still a kernel of something here for Shakespeare fans.

This is an alternative view of the Romeo and Juliet story. I had high hopes since it's compare to Hamnet, but weirdly this book starts low and ends strong.

Rosaline's mom just died and now she's to be sent to a convent where she won't be able to see her family anymore. In her last two weeks of freedom she decides to go wild and go to a party given by her family's enemies. In this party she meets Romeo and falls crazy in love with him, except he is a toxic boyfriend. And here for me was the problem, it took too long to show how Romeo was toxic, at some point I was waiting for him to be a vampire. The first half of the book could be half the size and it would still be believable. Well, eventually she notices that he is no good and saves herself, but she ends up throwing her younger cousin into his arms. This the part that things get exciting, but mind you to get here 60% of the book is already done. She does everything she can to save her cousin from being manipulated by this crazy lover-boy. She uncovers a secret allegiance between the boys in town to kill the maids that they are having affairs with.

This was a fun read, but the first part dragged way too long. I can see many people DNF-ing this book before getting to the 'adventure' part.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"I cannot think of love or life, surrounded by and mocked by death on every side. It makes me see the end, before we've even begun."

A subversive, conceptual retelling of one of the most iconic stories of all time. Fair Rosaline invokes the true nature of the tale of R&J, the tragedy and pain that was meant to be the focal point of a story misconstrued as a romantic fairy-tale.

Giving a powerful, echoing voice to the voiceless Rosaline, this reimagining is a dark, electrifying tale with the poetic beauty of a classic but the cinematic intensity of a thriller. Rosaline was everything I wanted in a truly strong leading woman — she is unapologetic and fiercely loving, risking everything to protect her young cousin from a predator that could ruin her life. Young and naïve in some ways, but strong enough to fight with everything she has against a patriarchal world that she doesn’t believe in. It delves into dark, uncomfortable things that made me want to look away but I couldn’t put this story down until I’d read the whole thing.

As a main character, Rosaline starts slowly building up the world and climate of Verona at the time, and the personal tragedies she’s lived through. Her storytelling was emotional, raw but clear — she’d go on tangents but it never felt like info-dumping or filler. As we move along, she begins to question why she’s a possession, why she’s treated so differently to the boys and men — and realises she cannot tolerate them to hurt Juliet too as she tries to unravel the Gordian Knot that has started to tighten around her. Her language was reminiscent of a classic Shakespearean but with a more accessible, readable style and beautiful subtle references to the original tale. And the narration brilliantly captured the language in this story; expressive and emotive but still very clear and a pleasure to listen to.

The setting was rich and vivid, transporting us to another place and time with cultures and superstitions from years gone by on the page for all to see. Telling a twisted version of a famous story is always risky — but this paid off. Fair Rosaline is a triumphant reimagination that is a classic of it's own in the making.

I recently delved into an unconventional audio experience, opting for a retelling of the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet. While not my usual audio preference, this rendition proved to be a captivating journey into the depths of love and tragedy.

The retelling skillfully maintained the essence of Shakespeare's masterpiece, delivering a poignant narrative that tugged at the heartstrings. The tragedy, although expected, unfolded with a fresh perspective, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

What stood out most were the strong characters that breathed life into the story. Their depth and complexity added layers to the familiar tale, making me empathize with their joys and sorrows. The protagonists, in particular, exhibited a strength that resonated, making their inevitable fate all the more heartbreaking.

Despite the somber undertones, the audio experience left a lasting impression, showcasing the enduring power of a well-crafted narrative. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Romeo and Juliet or a newcomer to the timeless tale, this retelling offers a captivating exploration of love, loss, and the strength of the human spirit

What if Romeo wasn't really a Romeo?

This is a story of seduction and gaslighting, of power and manipulation. But it is also about women taking back control in a very interesting (and intense) historical setting. Love, family and revenge... I loved it.

This is Romeo and Juliet like you've never seen it before!