Review: Anyone But You by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes

Anyone But You: A Modern-Day Spin on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (Twisted Lit #3)Anyone But You:
A Modern-Day Spin on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
(Twisted Lit #3)
by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes
YA Contemporary Romance
Paperback222 Pages
December 2nd, 2013 by Merit Press                  

Summary

Two Italian restaurants, both alike in dignity, in Chicago’s Little Italy where we lay our scene... After her family’s struggling eatery, Cap’s, falls prey to another of the Monte clan’s vicious and destructive pranks, sixteen-year-old Gigi Caputo finds herself courting danger during a clandestine encounter with Roman Monte, the very boy whose relatives have brought her family such grief. When the daughter and son of these two warring factions fall for each other, their quest to mend this bitter family feud turns out to be a recipe for disaster. Their story is irrevocably linked to the summer of 1933, when two twelve-year-olds, Benny and Nick, hop the turnstile at the Chicago World’s Fair. While enjoying some of the fair’s legendary amusements, Nick has a “love at first sight” encounter with Stella, a young girl who unintentionally causes a lasting rift between the two boyhood pals. Deftly winding its way through past and present day, this modern take on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet has much to do with hate — but more with love.
   

My Review

I have been looking forward to reading Anyone But You as I enjoyed the first two books in this series and because it's a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. I was really curious how the authors would set the story, who would be our star-crossed lovers, and what the ending would be, tragic or not.

I just have to say that I loved the characters! I loved Gigi and Roman! They played their parts perfectly. I would have loved more dialogue from them, since they pretty much experience love at first sight. I also enjoyed all the other characters: The Monte and Caputo families, the other friends, family, and restaurant staff. The lingo was fun, as was the memories back in time.

The story was fun and romantic, except for the heartbreaking moments when Gigi's family struggles and the issues and events dealing with the feud. There were parts towards the end, where we slip into the past, that just about had me crying! Then there were sweet and swoon-worthy moments. I also enjoyed the teasing that went on in the restaurant and between family. I liked how the story switches from the present to the past as Gigi tries to find out how the feud between her and Roman's families even started.

This was an enjoyable story that felt historic and sweet, but had plenty of humor, heartbreak, and romance. If you enjoy reading Contemporary YA, retellings, and enjoy Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet then I would definitely recommend Anyone But You.


Content: There is some mild swearing and some crude discussions, but relatively clean and consistent with the setting and characters.

Source: From the author & NetGalley, which did not affect my review in any way.


The authors are stopping by today to share their love/hate relationship with Romeo and Juliet. There is also a giveaway for one hardcover copy of Anyone But You, so go check that out here.

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