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izzza's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mdal26's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
A cute story focused on the drama between the actors in a new broadway musical.
At times the main character was so oblivious to other characters manipulations/motives that it was frustrating and pulled me out if the story. That being said the concept was interesting and the story was relatively well written.
At times the main character was so oblivious to other characters manipulations/motives that it was frustrating and pulled me out if the story. That being said the concept was interesting and the story was relatively well written.
arieanstar's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley, Inkyard Press, and Dana L. Davis for providing me with an eARC of Roman and Jewel in exchange for an honest review.
This one is gonna be a tough one to articulate. I enjoyed maybe about 30% of the book? Okay, so here's the thing, I think I might be outgrowing the YA contemporary genre, because all the drama just frustrates me to no end! I also did not like that we have a book that is trying to uplift #OwnVoices peoples by putting Jerzie Jhames into the spotlight and making her this talented Broadway prodigy (with the help of years of training), but then the second we put another girl in that same situation, they have to be enemies. I know, I know, we needed an "antagonist" that would make it harder for Jerzie to get the guy of he dreams. But, really, the drama between the two girls just felt so petty and frustrating.
And then we have the mysterious Zeppelin Reid. He didn't feel like anything special to me and I didn't feel that spark that he should have had with Jerzie. So, personally, the romance felt flat and forced, and happened way too fast.
Now, for the next point, I'm definitely going to give Davis a pass, but it really irked me the whole time I was reading the book. There was so much, and I mean SO MUCH, telling instead of showing. I could see that most of the time, we were supposed to be following Jerzie's stream of consciousness, but I just needed more of the showing part. I wanted to feel how Jerzie felt when she would listen to the music in Jerzie Jhames, because it was established that that was her favourite part of the entire musical. I wanted to see New York and Broadway through her fresh eyes. I needed more of the bustling city or click-clacking of their DeLuca shoes on the stage, and her awe in actually being in a Broadway show, but we never got any of that.
This one is gonna be a tough one to articulate. I enjoyed maybe about 30% of the book? Okay, so here's the thing, I think I might be outgrowing the YA contemporary genre, because all the drama just frustrates me to no end! I also did not like that we have a book that is trying to uplift #OwnVoices peoples by putting Jerzie Jhames into the spotlight and making her this talented Broadway prodigy (with the help of years of training), but then the second we put another girl in that same situation, they have to be enemies. I know, I know, we needed an "antagonist" that would make it harder for Jerzie to get the guy of he dreams. But, really, the drama between the two girls just felt so petty and frustrating.
And then we have the mysterious Zeppelin Reid. He didn't feel like anything special to me and I didn't feel that spark that he should have had with Jerzie. So, personally, the romance felt flat and forced, and happened way too fast.
Now, for the next point, I'm definitely going to give Davis a pass, but it really irked me the whole time I was reading the book. There was so much, and I mean SO MUCH, telling instead of showing. I could see that most of the time, we were supposed to be following Jerzie's stream of consciousness, but I just needed more of the showing part. I wanted to feel how Jerzie felt when she would listen to the music in Jerzie Jhames, because it was established that that was her favourite part of the entire musical. I wanted to see New York and Broadway through her fresh eyes. I needed more of the bustling city or click-clacking of their DeLuca shoes on the stage, and her awe in actually being in a Broadway show, but we never got any of that.
fairyblood's review against another edition
4.0
it’s been a while since i’ve read ya i actually really liked! this is written from a musical theatre nerd, with musical theatre enthusiasts (aka me) in mind. cute! wouldn’t recommend!
tinytrashqueen's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
readingintheether's review against another edition
2.0
this had so much potential, it's not even fair how badly i was deceived
cassiesnextchapter's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adore this book! 4.5 stars! This is the perfect YA romance on Broadway. Add in some Shakespeare and a funny aunt and I’m all in!
This isn't so much a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but a total redo, and it's so refreshing! I love the diversity and rapport of the characters. Their relationships are tense and strained, as well as warm and silly. Such a great mix!
Dana L Davis handles the topics of loss/grief/love/fame/friendship so beautifully, that it doesn't feel like a book with an agenda, but a fun yet touching story that somehow accomplishes all of that gracefully.
I appreciate the depth of the romance, and the promise for what's to come for each character. Although I would have gladly read more, I think the book ends at a perfect point in time with silver linings and promise. Believe me, you need this breath of fresh air!
Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This isn't so much a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but a total redo, and it's so refreshing! I love the diversity and rapport of the characters. Their relationships are tense and strained, as well as warm and silly. Such a great mix!
Dana L Davis handles the topics of loss/grief/love/fame/friendship so beautifully, that it doesn't feel like a book with an agenda, but a fun yet touching story that somehow accomplishes all of that gracefully.
I appreciate the depth of the romance, and the promise for what's to come for each character. Although I would have gladly read more, I think the book ends at a perfect point in time with silver linings and promise. Believe me, you need this breath of fresh air!
Thanks so much to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
miss617's review against another edition
4.0
Very cute, quick read. I would love to know what happens next for Jerzie (which is odd because I've been feeling YA series fatigue lately), but the ending was satisfying.
popthebutterfly's review
4.0
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!!
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!!