The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

Title: The Juliet Spell
Author: Douglas Rees
Release Date: September 27th, 2011
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Pages: 304
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC; Netgalley
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4 Stars

I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.

I didn't get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren't any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I'd cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William's younger brother.

Good thing he's sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he's from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

Still, there's something about him that's making my eyes go star-crossed....

This is cute, this is really, really cute. For those that want a light read and something cute, this is the book to go to. Miranda is obsessed with becoming Juliet in her school's production of Romeo and Juliet and she does a spell and accidentally brings William Shakespeare's brother, and things take off from there.

It feels like Juliet is becoming a very popular girl this year, and I want to applaud Douglas in being able to take a role like Juliet and adding some twists to it. I mean the magic? Edmund? That's pretty original here. And 2011 looks like the year for Shakespeare because it's not just Romeo and Juliet that keeps getting retold, but several of his other works, and even the man himself is being put on the spotlight here. So this is a big year for Shakespeare.

Now on to the actual story. I liked the beginning and I liked Miranda. I can't say I completely agree with her reasons to become Juliet in the play or what she is willing to do to get it, but I like her as a general person. And I like the characters. I was afraid that this would just be surrounded by simply the actors and their motivations in this play and so on, but then the story actually starts developing and the characters start forming in some way. The story becomes sophisticated as love, jealousy, and friendship begin to take shape. The characters become alive, and while I would suggest that Douglas should have gotten the ball rolling a little sooner, the fact that it does later on makes the story worthwhile.

Miranda's mom was great, one of my favorite characters. I don't think I could handle being told that I had a boy from Elizabethan era staying in my house as well as she would, so kudos to her. 

I normally don't comment on the covers, but this one I have to say is pretty awesome. It also seems to follow the theme of girl's in dresses theme, but it's pretty nice.

If you have time to sit around and have a fun read, this would be it. It will be worth your time. I don't want to say too much, but this is one in the making. And the final performance? Magical. This is like so much is happening and then all of a sudden all this wonderful magic forms and it's great.