Julie and Romeo Get Lucky

Author Jeanne Ray gave an interview in which she said that she planned to write only three books. I, for one, am glad she changed her mind and decided to write this fourth one. It is laugh-out-loud funny from beginning to end, yet it shows what real family is all about. The book takes place three years after senior citizens Julie Roseman and Romeo Cacciamani fall in love, despite the objections of their feuding families. They are not yet married and they each live in their own homes with some of their children and grandchildren. One night when they find themselves miraculously alone, Romeo attempts to carry Julie up the stairs to the bedroom where he suffers an injured back. Julie's home becomes a 3-ring circus for the next several months with Romeo bed-ridden with a bad back and Julie's daughter coming to be taken care of before the birth of triplets. Julie's granddaughter adds to the chaos by her obsession with lottery tickets and the movie "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". This book is full of laughs and is highly recommended.

This author has proved to be one of my favorite of all time. Easy to read, fun and will have you laughing throughout the whole book. Maybe you can tell what is going to happen but they are so funny and cozy you can't put it down. I mean can you picture a 63-year-old woman hiding in her OWN bedroom closet for fear of her boyfriend's mother?!?! I myself like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but know the rolling of the eyes when the movie is played over and over and over!! Does parenthood ever really end? I mean, are we ever DONE? NO! When my children are grown, I look forward to having a house full of people with all the love that we have read in these books. Can't wait for another book to come out!! It just can't end this way!!

If you haven't already read JULIE AND ROMEO, get that and then surely read this continuing chapter in their lives! Julie's dear Romeo carries her up the stairs and does a doozy, again, to his back! This sends him to bed for recovery and meanwhile the house gets another visitor, Julie's daughter, Nora, who is pregnant with triplets and also on bedrest. Julie's daughter, Sandy, who is married to Romeo's son, Tony, and their children live in the house as well. It makes for a busy place and there's always something on TV....WILLY WONKY AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY which is Sarah's favorite movie. Sarah, 8, believes in the film and wishes for winning her own golden ticket. To find out if she does, read this wonderful little story. The ending is the best part in my opinion as it brings the story together nicely for a finish. There's humor throughout and well-defined characters; I enjoy Ray's writing very much.

In Somerville, Massachusetts Romeo Cacciamani and Julie Roseman were raised by their respective families to detest one another. The clans have been competitive florists; so each family member grew up loathing one another. Both in their sixties and divorced from others, three years ago shockingly ROMEO AND JULIE GET LUCKY (see JULIE AND ROMEO) and fall in love with one another just as their children did. However, the older couple does not live together. Instead Julie's home includes her daughter, her son-in-law (Romeo's son) and her grandchildren while Romeo's is loaded with the family of his other son. When Romeo goes macho lifting Julie up a set of stairs, he injures his back. As she nurses her beloved back to health with the help of Father Al, their families continue to make demands on both of them, which they lovingly try to achieve. This is a humorous novel that deeply explores relationships especially in extended families. The story line contains plenty of pathos, but also employs amusement so as not to overload the audience. Each of the members has unique personalities, but the tale belongs to the older couple finding one another while "mixing it with love that makes the world taste good" for their cherished descendents. Readers will feel lucky if they peruse this fine charming family drama. Harriet Klausner