Book Review-When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle

Good Reads Summary

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…

Tee's Review

I've said it before and I will admit it again, I am a sap when it comes to Romeo and Juliet. Naturally I felt the need to read When You Were Mine, it says right up there **points toward the Goodreads Summary) it is a modern recounting of Romeo and Juliet. While I did see a few similarities , mainly the last name of Capulet, the cousin being named Juliet and the main character of Rosaline, if I hadn't read the blurb on the book I probably would have never made the connection. I could have been reading just another YA Contemporary on love gone wrong.


The characters were all entertaining, Roseline was a typical teenager. She loved her her best friend Rob and was scared of losing their lifelong friendship if they became more than friends. She is hurt when just as they begin a relationship , he suddenly falls for her cousin Juliet. These are all true feelings I think anyone would feel. Roseline's friends, Olivia and Carlie are great supporting characters and I enjoyed the interaction between the characters. They each had different but fantastic personalities and supported Rosaline. Olivia had snooty moments and they were laughable, especially at the rules she felt the friends ought to follow in order to stay in the popular crowd at the first of the book.


I found Rob somewhat likable, he wasn't a real standout to me. Perhaps because the more I read of the book, the less I liked him. It was never really mentioned in the book, but I would have liked to know more on his feelings on what was happening between him and Rosaline once the whole Juliet relationship had gotten so deep. As for Juliet, I really felt nothing toward her and honestly the tragedy that befell them didn't pull at my heartstrings any.I actually had to re-read that part because it was like, I turned a page and it had happened, making me wonder if I had read it right.


I did find Serle's writing entertaining and although I had trouble relating this to Romeo and Juliet without stretching, I did enjoy the book. Once I separated the two stories in my mind I found myself not wanting to put it down. Serle did well with her debut book, I would not hesitate picking up her next one.