Verona Comics
Books | Young Adult Fiction / Romance / LGBTQ
3.5
(268)
Jennifer Dugan
From the author of Hot Dog Girl comes a fresh and funny queer YA contemporary novel about two teens who fall in love in an indie comic book shop. Jubilee has it all together. She's an elite cellist, and when she's not working in her stepmom's indie comic shop, she's prepping for the biggest audition of her life.Ridley is barely holding it together. His parents own the biggest comic-store chain in the country, and Ridley can't stop disappointing them--that is, when they're even paying attention.They meet one fateful night at a comic convention prom, and the two can't help falling for each other. Too bad their parents are at each other's throats every chance they get, making a relationship between them nearly impossible . . . unless they manage to keep it a secret.Then again, the feud between their families may be the least of their problems. As Ridley's anxiety spirals, Jubilee tries to help but finds her focus torn between her fast-approaching audition and their intensifying relationship. What if love can't conquer all? What if each of them needs more than the other can give?"A deep dive into first love while learning to manage significant mental health challenges . . . Dugan's strength is in creating a diverse cast of characters. Ridley is bisexual, Jubilee struggles with how to identify and label her sexuality, and most of the supporting characters are queer-identified." --School Library Journal
Romance
AD
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Author
Jennifer Dugan
Pages
336
Publisher
Penguin
Published Date
2020-04-21
ISBN
0525516298 9780525516293
Community ReviewsSee all
"Interesting modern take on Romeo and Juliet storyline. This writer includes mental health struggles and challenges the unhealthy relationship dynamic of her characters. "
Tera B.
"romeo and juliet but comics? that’s an amazing idea thank you for making this a thing"
Lana
"#romance #lgbt #mental_illness #social_themes #classics #remix #bittersweet "
Vicki S.
"This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020 and most of it did not disappoint! <br/><br/>First off, the mental health and LGBTQ+ rep is this one was incredible. The way that Ridley’s anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation/thoughts was so real and incredibly heartbreaking. A lot of it hit home for me personally as someone that deals with mental health issues even though his stemmed from a very different place than mine. I just really love how honestly a lot of the hard things were actually talked about, I think that’s very rare in any kind of media and I’m thankful that stories like this are speaking out about things that need to be talked about! <br/><br/>The reason I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 is because I feel like the wrap up was a little rushed? It seemed like the whole book was leading up to a blow up between the parents and when it finally got there we didn’t get to see it because Ridley was unconscious and Jubilee wasn’t around at all so that was disappointing. I also just don’t love the Romeo & Juliet trope so that wasn’t my favorite. <br/><br/>I think a lot of people will go into this thinking it’s a fluffy rom-com and while there are swoon worthy moments, it’s much more heavy and serious than its being marketed as! <br/><br/>I love Jennifer and would read anything she wrote so while this wasn’t my favorite book I’ve read this year, I did really enjoy it, overall and would recommend it!"
Courtney Williams
"Although it deals with a lot of heavier topics (parental neglect, suicidal thoughts, and co-dependency in relationships), it’s a great Romeo and Juliet retelling and I thoroughly enjoyed it from the start. I loved Jubilee and Ridley, and would like to protect both of them, especially Ridley, from the world. Recommended to all who can handle the content. :)"
Olivia
"easy read cute story"
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