Review: When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle

When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle

Pages: 352

Publisher: Simon & Suchesters Children's Book

Pub date: April 26th 2012

Synopsis:

In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo's original intended--Juliet's cousin Rosaline--tells her side of the tale. "What's in a name, Shakespeare? I'll tell you: Everything.

"Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her--and when he finally does, it's perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose's best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn't even stand a chance.

Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet's instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob's heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends....

Review:

I knew that when i read the synopsis of this on Goodreads that i had to read it. Who wouldn't want to see Rosaline's side of the story from the greatest love story of the "Star-crossed lovers"?

Rosaline is head over heels for Rob, her best friend since kids. And they're trying to figure out what to do. But it all goes wrong when Juliet is back, Rose's cousin. Rose hasn't seen her for ten years. When Rob sees Juliet he tells Rose that it feels like fate. Maybe it is.

"She looks up at me, and there are new tears in her eyes, but they are not bitter or angry. They're filled with something else entirely. Something like love. And i think, for the first time in ten years, that we may be alike after all."

First of all, it struck me after a few chapters (acts) that Rose and i are similar. She forgives easily, keeps her feelings in and doesn't speak much unless she has to. I think Rose is the closest character to me that i have ever encountered. I forgave and felt sorry for Juliet when i got to know more about her. I did love that fact but, I also thought that Rose had to step up a bit. She said that she felt fine when Juliet took Rob from her, which obviously she was not fine with.

The plot is like what Romeo and Juliet is suppose to be. ("Because the greatest love story ever told might not be the right one, but we all now how it ends".) The only difference is that we see Rose's side of the story and that it's a modern version. Rebecca Serle stirs our feelings for Rosaline. She makes us think that Rose and Rob were supposed to be. But after a while we see that maybe Shakespeare did get it right. This is what made me cry. I knew that it will end like it is Romeo and Juliet. But i did feel happy for Rosaline's happy ending. I think, if i don't stop here i will spill it all and spoil it for you, so, i have to end this review.

To conclude, i think i will never see Romeo and Juliet ever again. I will always see Rosaline. I would definitley say check this out because this has a heart-throbbing romance that you will love!

My rating:

(4.5)

Comes with minor flaws but i do recommend it.

{More about the author (Rebecca Serle) at: Goodreads/ Her blog/ Her website/ Twitter/ Facebook}

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