Friday, April 30, 2010

Review: Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye



This book falls into my New Author Reading Challenge.

I had seen a few reviews around for Ms. Kaye's latest book, Breakfast in Bed, and I thought it looked pretty good. Of course, if you know me at all, you know I couldn't just jump in and read that one, I had to start with the beginning of the series! Romeo, Romeo is the first book and Ms. Kaye's debut novel. I loved it!

Rosalie Ronaldi is a young executive who works for a turnaround company. She's got a boyfriend whom she's not serious about - it's more that she dates him to keep her mother off her back about why she doesn't have any marriage prospects. Then he proposes to her - and it's one of the most insulting (and comical) proposals I've ever read. Needless to say she drops him like a hot potato.

Nick Romeo is super sexy....and super rich. But when Rosalie meets him she thinks he's a mechanic, not the owner of several car dealerships. She ends up agreeing to date him after he tows her car, and the chase is on. Nick isn't looking for love, just a good time.

Rosalie tells him up front she wants no commitment and will never, ever get married. Nick is sort of taken aback because he's usually giving this line, not receiving it! They start dating and things are going well, they're both busy professionals and therefore only see each other occasionally, which keeps things from getting predictable and boring. Then, when Rosalie doesn't show for a date, Nick goes to check on her and ends up taking her to the ER - she's got pneumonia. Then he brings her home and takes care of her....and while he's there he gradually makes himself at home. (I liked how it was gradual so neither of them didn't really recognize what was going on!)

The thing is, he never told Rosalie who he really is, or that he's been trying to buy the auto dealership she's currently working on turning around. AND, he's got another secret from his past so he's afraid to meet her family. When her brother calls to tell her he's coming to visit, Nick knows it's now or never...but fate and circumstances have other plans.

This book was great! Ms. Kaye writes believeable characters who I'd love to hang out with in real life. I liked Rosalie and Nick and wanted them to be together. I probably need a dental check up for all the times I ground my teeth together in frustration with Nick for not coming clean with the truth. The secondary characters were well-written and showcased the fears of the h/h in an entertaining way.

Here's my one complaint: The characters were of Italian descent, and there were a couple of words and phrases in Italian that I didn't know what they meant. I blogged about this earlier - couldn't they put an index at the back of the book? I mean, I got the general idea, but I wanted to know. And I was reading this book in the waiting rooom at the hospital so I couldn't run off and look it up.

Aside from that one criticism, I thought this book was great. I can't wait to run out and get the 2nd book in this series, Too Hot to Handle, in which Rosalie's sister Annabelle is the heroine.

I give Romeo, Romeo 4 1/2 stars!

12 comments:

  1. I have read Breakfast in Bed but not this one. It was cute!! I like her style of writing.

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  2. Hi Patti~

    I'm so glad you enjoyed Romeo, Romeo and I hope you enjoy Too Hot to Handle and Breakfast in Bed just as much. The 4th book in the series, Yours For the Taking is up for pre-order. It will be released in January. Thanks for the great review. I'll do my best to put an index on my website to help out with the Italian words and phrases. It's a great idea. It's now on my list of things to do.

    All the best,

    Robin :)

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  3. This was a fun read for me too, Patti! Glad you enjoyed it!

    :)VFG

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  4. Hi Patti,

    Great review and I so want to read this series!

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  5. I loved Breakfast in Bed! I just now got this one and can't wait to read it!

    Great review!
    Amy J

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  6. Evening Patti :D
    This one sounds so fun, and I love that it just gradually happens that he makes himself at home. So sweet

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  7. I want to read this book, if only to find out just how bad the marriage proposal is - lol!
    Great review

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  8. I read Annabelle story before I read this one and I hated, hated Rosalie in that one...

    Once I read Romeo Romeo however, I started liking her a bit - but first impression last..

    I will admit, I took that as one of Ms. Kaye's strength, in that she redefined each sibling in every book and make us see beyond the surface of them..

    Wonderful summary ...

    I will look out for your thoughts on Annablle's book

    E.H>

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  9. Mandi: I'm looking forward to reading Breakfast in Bed!

    Chris: This was a fun read!

    Robin: Thanks for stopping by! I'm loving this series!

    VFG: Did you read the rest of the series?

    Razlover: Thanks, I think you should try it - it was an entertaining read.

    Amy J: It was all those great reviews for BiB that got me to try the series ;)

    Blodeuedd: It really was sweet (but not sappily so)

    Danielle: The marriage proposal had my mouth dropping open wide enough to catch flies!

    EH: You're right about Ms. Kaye redefining each sibling - very perceptive!

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  10. Hi Patti
    I enjoyed your review. I fell in love with Robin Kaye's writing with this book. I am Italian descent & she was spot on with the characters. I understand tho about the expressions in another language. I also have this issue with accents (like Scottish etc. ) It's enough for me to know that they have an accent. It takes me out of the story trying to read it.

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  11. Really enjoyed your great review honey!!! I have this series on my list to get! If anything, it looks like a great, fun read! Thanks hon! I hope all is well!! And I hope you had a great weekend!

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