For this blog tour, we’re looking at a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet featuring the lesbian daughters of Boston mafiosos. For this blog tour, we’re looking at Forbidden Girl by Kristen Zimmer.
First, the review I posted to the book sites (Hardcover.app / BookHype.com / TheStoryGraph.com / Goodreads.com):
Romeo And Juliet. But Lesbian. With Mob Families. In Boston. Without Suicide. Seriously, that’s most of what there is to this book, without going too deep into spoiler territory (as many other reviews have done, to my mind). Will this book be a Shakespeare level classic, nearly single handedly redefining literature for centuries to come? No. Is it an interesting spin on a tale that *did* do that? Yes. And honestly, for that reason alone it is one you should read.
Now, one flaw here that didn’t quite raise to the level of a star deduction, but does deserve to be mentioned, is the casual misandry of the text. It is one thing to be a feminist and want equal treatment for both sexes – an ideal I too share. But when you go so far as to be so overtly bigoted against either sex… you’ve stepped too far, and this book does that a fair amount. Again, not so pervasive as to warrant a star deduction, but often enough that a discussion in the review is warranted.
Overall, an interesting spin on a beloved classic that does enough blending of classic tale and modern stylings to be entertaining on both levels. Very much recommended.
After the jump, the “publisher details” – book info, description, author bio, social links, and buy links.
Continue reading “#BlogTour: Forbidden Girl by Kristen Zimmer”
