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Summary: It's not fair...
Review: that anyone can write a first novel this good. I could have read it one day, but that would have been greedy. Few master the essence of good fiction--to tell all the of the truth with nothing but lies. Somehow, somewhere, Jeanne Ray learned how to do it.
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Summary: what a treat!
Review: After reading several depressing political books I needed a break from them and did I get a pleasant surprise! Julie Roseman can remember from the time she was a little girl that the Cacciamanis family were rotten to the core, she didn't know why but that is how it has been. The Rosemans and the Cacciamanis families, both owners of rival flower shops, have been enemies for years and have plotted against each other, doing many underhanded deeds to each other. Julie Roseman is sixty years old, her husband has left her for a younger woman and Romeo Cacciamanis is around her age also, and his wife, who he had loved for years, died of cancer, leaving him a widower. They both own a florist shop and are attending a class to see if they can improve them as both of their businesses are not doing so well. They meet at the class and find they are extremely attracted to each other, practically love at first sight. The problem is their families hate each other and they find their children scheming against them, and to top it off, years before, a son and a daughter of theirs had fallen in love and they had vehemently opposed the relationship. They have a lot of problems, but the story is so charming and entertaining that you just can't put the book down until you have finished. When you have finished the book you have that satisfied glow that all is well in the world. It is not a deep book, but one that is an easy read and not your normal romance. I highly recommend the book.
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Summary: SO ROMANTIC...
Review: I ENJOYED THIS BOOK SO MUCH... IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT THERE IS NO AGE FOR LOVE. I LIKE THE WAY IT IS WRITTEN AND IT WOULD BE A GREAT MOVIE!!! IT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS, I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN AND I WANTED MORE.
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Summary: Julie and Romeo by Jeanne Ray
Review: In Julie and Romeo, author Jeanne Ray gives us a light hearted view of two 60 year old people whose love is blighted by the prejudices they have taught their children. The reader alternates between concern and laughter as the heroine describes the ups and downs of finding herself desperately in love and facing the same kind of opposition she once gave her daughter. Ms. Ray's turn of phrase and irreverant viewpoints make you chuckle even as you agonize for the "starcrossed" lovers. Reading Julie and Romeo sends you looking for other books by this clever writer.
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Summary: Fun and lively read...great characters!
Review: This is my second read of Jeanne Ray's. I really enjoyed this story. It was fast paced, and it was a mature romance of the Senior Set, (as Julie and Romeo are in their sixties). The romance was real, it was not "sweet" and syrupy; in my opinion it had some believablility. The two families, the Roseman's and the Cacciamanis' have been feuding for so long, that it is just became natural for all members of both families to hate each other. Except for Julie and Romeo. The events that transpire are a bit on the ridiculous side, but I found myself laughing and enjoying it all the same. Jeanne Ray makes these characters real, and likable, and that is what I enjoy most about her writing. I give this book 4/5 stars.
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I read this book on a trip to Atlanta thru a snowy Thanksgiving. This book is a total treat. Funny and loving. I am from Massachusetts so it was a little more endearing. Julie's remarks to herself (and you) are wonderful and you will smile, smile, and giggle out loud. There are so many truism's in this book, one has to live long enough to recognize them. The two 60 year olds give us hope for our retirement years. Just when the book get a little dark, the sun comes out again. Julie's daughters, especially Nora, are great. Romeo's sons are so funny and typical. (ooops, I shouldnt say that). Hey, I'm part Italian and I'll say it! To me this book was homey, loving, sentimental and a feel good read.
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Summary: What a Great Book
Review: I loved this book. It is a great story and for me believable. The setting near Boston was fun and I can imagine a town with two Flower Shops.
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Summary: Charming & Very Funny -- A Feel Good Story
Review: This is a wonderful love story about two older people falling in love, despite a long-standing feud between their families -- a feud so old that no one knows what it was about except for a couple of characters (and they aren't talking!) The book is hard to put down because it keeps you guessing for quite awhile as to the origin of the feud. It's very refreshing to see a story that doesn't make it seem like only people 45 and under can fall in love and have a passionate romantic life. This book also contains many hilarious "scenes" of family interactions. It's a light, feel-good read that's especially a nice change of pace if you typically read "heavier" books. If your taste in movies leans toward well-written, light, romantic comedies, this book is for you!
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Summary: A rose by another name smells sweet, tastes like saccharin
Review: Two words... guilty pleasure. I read this book because it was chosen for my beloved book club. At the outset, I had mixed emotions. I wasn't too interested in (what I thought would be) a trite knock-off of a classic; however, I was compelled to read the first-time published work of a fellow Nashvillian. In a million years, I would have never picked up this book on my own. After the first couple of chapters zipped by, I couldn't help myself. I read til I finished the whole thing. It was pretty obvious from the very beginning how things would unfold (star-crossed lovers and all that) without the tragedy of death (the tone was way too light from the beginning). What was most interesting are the characters: the star-crossed pair are 60 years old! Now, there's something different. A red-hot, carnal love affair between 60-year-olds who "should" know better. I'm only 30 myself, but I hope I still have this much passion and openness to love at that age. From that standpoint, the book was quite irreverent and fun. There's also lots of great dialogue in the book. Funny episodes that will work great as a movie, but for the life of me I can't decide who will play the leads. If the truth be known, I will probably like this work better as a film. It has better screenplay possibilities in my mind, which is a rare conclusion for me. The book ends like a pretty box of candy all wrapped up in a gingham bow. You're glad someone thought enough to bring you candy, but you know if you eat more than a couple of pieces, you'll end up in a diabetic coma. Jeanne Ray manages adroitly to put a fresh, light face on such a tragic story. I thought it would [stink], and it didn't. I was glad.
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Summary: "Love is lovelier..etc"
Review: Love is lovelier the second time around..go the words of the old song and this tiny book is just about that!! Old rivals in the floristry world,the Italian Cacciamani's and the Jewish Roseman's are still feuding after 3 generations of hatred and revenge.Divorced Julie Roseman meets widowed Romeo Cacciamani and as the Sicilians say--are struck by the thunderbolt! Their mad,intense love affair horrifies the members of both their families who go to incredible lengths to break up the couple. I found this to be a wonderfully warm and engaging story which shows that it's not only the young who can love,suffer and enjoy all the aspects of love.
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