Review: Rebel Romeo by Katana Collins

Rebel Romeo by Katana Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Literally Yours PR, all opinions are my own.

This picks up where Broken Romeo leaves off, so you really can't read this as a standalone. You may also want to start with Shattered Juliet as that has some extra info that will lead into the story that picks up in this book.

Kate has finally gotten a part in a show that might be her big break on the Broadway scene, the only catch is her ex is the director. Kate has everything to lose, and she feels like she is reliving the play they were in together in college. The story is told from Kate's perspective in the present, and Holden's perspective 5 years in the past during her freshman year and his senior year. Just like in their college days, the current production appears to be mirroring the same antics. Holden has nothing to lose, and Kate is being used as a pawn for others gain and amusement. Holden's politician of a father has been meddling in both the current production, and there are hints that he meddled in their college performance as well leaving Kate betrayed and embarrassed. There are quite a few players that don't want to see Kate and Holden succeed as a happy couple, and quite a few more that don't want to see Kate become the successful actress and performer that she has always dreamed of becoming. Unfortunately tragedy has struck and she is forced to choose her personal life over her career, and she isn't sure who she can trust Holden when she needs someone in her corner.

As I mentioned this is told in alternating POVs and alternating timelines. As Holden's POV progresses toward the final act, we get closer and closer to finding out what really happened to the production of Remy and Julie that they were rehearsing for in college and the betrayal that split them apart so catastrophically. In Kate's POV, there are quite a few characters that want to rip her to shreds and upend everything she has worked so hard to achieve. As she and Holden finally begin to reconcile there are several people willing to stand in the way of their happiness. I am anxious to find out if the show will go on or if our leading lady completely breaks after the final reveal. There are still so many unanswered questions, but I don't think this story will end in complete tragedy.

This book has quite a few heavy moments and some very emotional ones. Kate is forced to face her emotions and vulnerability, while Holden is forced to face his own actions and motivations. There is a lot of angst in this installment, caused by a lot of obstacles placed in the way of our star crossed lovers. There are quite a few supporting players, some good and some villainous.

Like Broken Romeo, this does leave off with another major cliffhanger. When I first started this series I thought it was a duology, so I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually a trilogy. I got to about the 80% mark and realized there was no way things were going to wrap up in a satisfying way in the remaining chapters. When I got to the final pages I realized there had to be another book because Katana would not do this to us, and indeed there is another book. Ruined Juliet is out in April and Forbidden Romeo the conclusion to the is out in July. I cannot wait to find out what happened 5 years ago between Kate and Holden and what is going to happen present day. With all of these actors around it is sure to be nothing less than dramatic.

View all my reviews