Broken Juliet

April 13, 2015
The second half of Rayvenâs contemporary romance duology (after Bad Romeo) begins with its leads tentatively giving romance another try. Cassie Taylor and Ethan Holt have been on-again, off-again lovers since college, and their job as co-leads in a Broadway play has made them confront their feelings for one another. Cassie remembers Ethanâs emotionally withholding past behavior in a long series of flashbacks as she attempts to learn to trust him again. Much of the book is devoted to Cassieâs slow recovery from her deep emotional wounds, but Ethanâs own, similar recovery takes place offstage, so itâs hard to see that heâs worth the effort. In addition, the pattern of codependent need that made the pairing a bad idea is shown in such excruciating, repetitive detail that it becomes difficult to believe they can transcend it. Rayvenâs writing focuses on scene-by-scene ups and downs, and the book comes across as one long argument for its protagonists seeking therapy years and hundreds of pages earlier than they actually do. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency.

April 1, 2015
When Ethan Holt broke her heart six years ago, Cassie Taylor swore she'd never forgive him, and then he did it again. Now Cassie has her big break on Broadway, but she's been cast opposite Ethan, and he wants another chance with her. Ethan says that he's changed and that this time he won't leave her, but after losing the love of her life twice, Cassie is not sure she can give him a third opportunity. This sequel to Bad Romeo (2014) is told from Cassie's point of view, but Rayven reveals some of what Ethan is thinking through his diaries. This tale is also told in flashbacks, moving back and forth from present-day New York City to when the lovers first met at the Grove, a prestigious acting school. The chemistry between Cassie and Ethan is red-hot in this contemporary new adult romance, and Rayven certainly has a way with dialogue.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)