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Felicity Bathburn #2
Romeo Blue
The eagerly anticipated follow-up to Phoebe Stone's instant classic, THE ROMEO AND JULIET CODE.
When Flissy Bathburn's parents first dropped her off in Bottlebay, Maine, she hated everything about it. She hated the big gloomy house she was to live in. She hated meeting her long-lost and highly eccentric relatives. And most of all, she hated knowing that she was safe in America while her parents faced the guns of WWII in Europe.
But a year has passed now, and Flissy has grown to love her life in Bottlebay--and especially Derek, the boy the Bathburns have adopted. Then a man claiming to be Derek's true father arrives, and soon he's asking all sorts of strange questions. Flissy has a nose for trouble. Has Derek's new father come to take him away...or is there something even more sinister happening in Bottlebay, Maine?
When Flissy Bathburn's parents first dropped her off in Bottlebay, Maine, she hated everything about it. She hated the big gloomy house she was to live in. She hated meeting her long-lost and highly eccentric relatives. And most of all, she hated knowing that she was safe in America while her parents faced the guns of WWII in Europe.
But a year has passed now, and Flissy has grown to love her life in Bottlebay--and especially Derek, the boy the Bathburns have adopted. Then a man claiming to be Derek's true father arrives, and soon he's asking all sorts of strange questions. Flissy has a nose for trouble. Has Derek's new father come to take him away...or is there something even more sinister happening in Bottlebay, Maine?
346 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2013
83 people are currently reading
986 people want to read
About the author
Phoebe Stone
16 books156 followersBefore concentrating on creating books for children and young adults, Phoebe Stone had a very successful career established as a fine art's painter. During that time, she received two Vermont Council on the Arts Fellowships in painting and exhibited her work in many museums and galleries all around New England and New York City, and influenced many New England artists with her unique, brightly colored narrative and metaphorical style. "I was already working in sequences," she says, "but at some point I began to realize that I could combine my love for images and words in picture books for children."
Phoebe's picture books include When Wind Bear Goes Dancing, What Night do the Angels Wander, and Go Away, Shelly Boo! Original art from When Wind Bear Goes Dancing was included in the Society of Illustrators' Original Art '97 show. Go Away, Shelly Boo! was chosen as an American Bookseller Association's Pick of the Lists.
She has also written three novels, All the Blue Moons at the Wallace Hotel, Sonata #1 for Riley Red, and Deep Down Popular. The New York Times said of All the Blue Moons at the Wallace Hotel, "Stone's prose is poetic." The Boston Globe said of Sonata #1 for Riley Red, "Literature doesn't get much better than this."
Phoebe Stone lives in Middlebury, Vermont.
Phoebe's picture books include When Wind Bear Goes Dancing, What Night do the Angels Wander, and Go Away, Shelly Boo! Original art from When Wind Bear Goes Dancing was included in the Society of Illustrators' Original Art '97 show. Go Away, Shelly Boo! was chosen as an American Bookseller Association's Pick of the Lists.
She has also written three novels, All the Blue Moons at the Wallace Hotel, Sonata #1 for Riley Red, and Deep Down Popular. The New York Times said of All the Blue Moons at the Wallace Hotel, "Stone's prose is poetic." The Boston Globe said of Sonata #1 for Riley Red, "Literature doesn't get much better than this."
Phoebe Stone lives in Middlebury, Vermont.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
July 29, 2013
I really enjoyed reading Phoebe Stone's novel The Romeo and Juliet Code back in June 2011 about Felicity Budwig Bathburn, 11, brought from 1941 blitzed London by her parents to live in safety with some very eccentric relatives living in Maine. Her parents, Winnie and Danny, returned to London and Felicity only knows they are doing something undercover for the war effort. Flissy, as she is immediately nicknamed, adjusts to life in the Blackburn home, growing to love her Uncle Gideon, Danny's brother, her flamboyant Aunt Miami and her strict but kind grandmother, called The Gram, and in the process, she solves a mystery that changes her life completely. I highly recommend this lovely Middle Grade novel.
Now, Flissy is back in Stone's wonderful new sequel Romeo Blue and there are more mysteries to solve. It is 1942 and Flissy is 12 and feeling the first pangs of love - with Derek, 13, an orphaned boy the Blackburn's have been caring for for sometime. Derek has been trying to locate his real father and has just been contacted by a Mr. Fitzwilliam, who claims he has found the missing man. Sure enough, a man claiming to be Derek's father starts visiting the Blackburn house, but refuses to have his picture taken and, as Flissy points out, behaves rather oddly and asks some strange questions. But Derek has sworn her to secrecy so she can't say anything to her father-uncle Gideon or The Gram about her suspicions that the man is a fraud. Now, Flissy is afraid she will lose Derek to his quest to find his father.
Meanwhile, other strange things are happening. First, a box containing a Nazi uniform arrives for Gideon. Then, two men from Washington show up at the house, with a film projector, Flissy enlists Derek's help in eavesdropping on the adults to find out what is going on. It turns out that Winnie and Danny have gone missing in occupied France and Gideon has been selected to find and get them out of Nazi hands. Flissy has always suspected Gideon of being involved in spy activities along with Winnie and Danny and now she is beside herself with fear and worry. Will she ever see Winnie, Dannny and Gideon again?
Gideon does manage to get Winnie out of France, but not before he is shot. Winnie gets to the Maine house, but the Gram doesn't welcome her. And in fact, Flissy finds she also has conflicting feelings towards her mother now. Winnie treats Flissy like a child, refusing to see she is growing up and some unusual mother-daughter strife occurs. Or has Flissy just romanticized her mother so much over the last year that they will never get along again?
Aunt Miami is largely gone from this novel. She has joined the USO and is traveling around the country entertaining the troops. But she has left behind her mailman boyfriend, Mr. Henley, a poet at heart who is drafted into the Army and finds himself fighting in North Africa.
This is one of those books that is hard to write about without getting into Spoilers and it is too good a story to spoil for future readers. Suffice it to say that there is a lot going on in Romeo Blue: more mystery, more spying, more disappointment, more changes, in short, more good stuff. Yet, Stone keeps it all in perspective and never lets the story run away from her in this well-constructed novel. She has created quirkily realistic characters involved in what could easily have been real situations for people living on the Maine coastline during WWII. And Stone has captured the essence of life on the home front during the war - rationing, shortages, blackout, curfews and generally making due.
Felicity is much more of a developed character in this second novel (not that she wasn't in the first book), probably because she is older now and settled into life at the Blackburn house. And it is interesting to watch her fledgling love for Derek and his for her, even if it is a love that can never be realized. Of course, you will have to read the book to find out why and it is worth it.
Romeo Blue is a compelling coming of age story, and Flissy is an engaging narrator. Though it is a home front novel that takes place away from the actual war, it still gives a clear picture of how WWII impacted kids in so many different ways and none of them positive. On the other hand, it demonstrates just how strong and resilient kids can be and that is a positive thing.
And finally, there were some loose ends remaining at the end of Romeo Blue and it is my sincere hope that Phoebe Stone will seriously consider a third volume to tie them up.
My fingers are crossed, Phoebe!!
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was purchased for my personal library
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
Now, Flissy is back in Stone's wonderful new sequel Romeo Blue and there are more mysteries to solve. It is 1942 and Flissy is 12 and feeling the first pangs of love - with Derek, 13, an orphaned boy the Blackburn's have been caring for for sometime. Derek has been trying to locate his real father and has just been contacted by a Mr. Fitzwilliam, who claims he has found the missing man. Sure enough, a man claiming to be Derek's father starts visiting the Blackburn house, but refuses to have his picture taken and, as Flissy points out, behaves rather oddly and asks some strange questions. But Derek has sworn her to secrecy so she can't say anything to her father-uncle Gideon or The Gram about her suspicions that the man is a fraud. Now, Flissy is afraid she will lose Derek to his quest to find his father.
Meanwhile, other strange things are happening. First, a box containing a Nazi uniform arrives for Gideon. Then, two men from Washington show up at the house, with a film projector, Flissy enlists Derek's help in eavesdropping on the adults to find out what is going on. It turns out that Winnie and Danny have gone missing in occupied France and Gideon has been selected to find and get them out of Nazi hands. Flissy has always suspected Gideon of being involved in spy activities along with Winnie and Danny and now she is beside herself with fear and worry. Will she ever see Winnie, Dannny and Gideon again?
Gideon does manage to get Winnie out of France, but not before he is shot. Winnie gets to the Maine house, but the Gram doesn't welcome her. And in fact, Flissy finds she also has conflicting feelings towards her mother now. Winnie treats Flissy like a child, refusing to see she is growing up and some unusual mother-daughter strife occurs. Or has Flissy just romanticized her mother so much over the last year that they will never get along again?
Aunt Miami is largely gone from this novel. She has joined the USO and is traveling around the country entertaining the troops. But she has left behind her mailman boyfriend, Mr. Henley, a poet at heart who is drafted into the Army and finds himself fighting in North Africa.
This is one of those books that is hard to write about without getting into Spoilers and it is too good a story to spoil for future readers. Suffice it to say that there is a lot going on in Romeo Blue: more mystery, more spying, more disappointment, more changes, in short, more good stuff. Yet, Stone keeps it all in perspective and never lets the story run away from her in this well-constructed novel. She has created quirkily realistic characters involved in what could easily have been real situations for people living on the Maine coastline during WWII. And Stone has captured the essence of life on the home front during the war - rationing, shortages, blackout, curfews and generally making due.
Felicity is much more of a developed character in this second novel (not that she wasn't in the first book), probably because she is older now and settled into life at the Blackburn house. And it is interesting to watch her fledgling love for Derek and his for her, even if it is a love that can never be realized. Of course, you will have to read the book to find out why and it is worth it.
Romeo Blue is a compelling coming of age story, and Flissy is an engaging narrator. Though it is a home front novel that takes place away from the actual war, it still gives a clear picture of how WWII impacted kids in so many different ways and none of them positive. On the other hand, it demonstrates just how strong and resilient kids can be and that is a positive thing.
And finally, there were some loose ends remaining at the end of Romeo Blue and it is my sincere hope that Phoebe Stone will seriously consider a third volume to tie them up.
My fingers are crossed, Phoebe!!
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was purchased for my personal library
This review was originally posted on The Children's War
June 6, 2022
I enjoyed seeing the completion of this story, it just was such a bittersweet book. I liked that the author made it very realistic though. But some of the things you've come to look forward to since the first book never come about. It's sad.
2022>> I loved this way more as an adult. It is very bittersweet, but it was lovely. I longed for more of Felicity's story but was also happy with where it stopped.
2022>> I loved this way more as an adult. It is very bittersweet, but it was lovely. I longed for more of Felicity's story but was also happy with where it stopped.
June 9, 2013
Flissy was shipped off to stay with her Aunt and Uncle in Maine, while her parents are back in Europe fighting. Not a good time as WWII is going on. Maine is a Big change from London.
Now that Flissy has adjusted and that is a thank you to Derek. He was adopted by Flissy’s relatives. Derek is trying to find his biological father and wants Flissy’s help. Things get interesting when Derek finds his father. Also what is Flissy’s Uncle hiding? Did I mention that Flissy’s parents are spies?
I thought this was a cute book. I have not read The Romeo and Juliet Code but you don’t have to read it prior to reading Romeo Blue. This book can be read as a stand alone novel.
I liked Flissy and her British accent. At times she acted older then her age but then she would do something that would quickly show just how young she is. I also like the age that Derek was of thirteen. That age when teens are starting to grow up but at the same time are still kids. The romance between Flissy and Derek is at the puppy love stage.
You can tell that the author really had the young readers in mind when she wrote this book. She kept the story light without bogging it down with too many details and the two main characters relatable. A fast read.
Now that Flissy has adjusted and that is a thank you to Derek. He was adopted by Flissy’s relatives. Derek is trying to find his biological father and wants Flissy’s help. Things get interesting when Derek finds his father. Also what is Flissy’s Uncle hiding? Did I mention that Flissy’s parents are spies?
I thought this was a cute book. I have not read The Romeo and Juliet Code but you don’t have to read it prior to reading Romeo Blue. This book can be read as a stand alone novel.
I liked Flissy and her British accent. At times she acted older then her age but then she would do something that would quickly show just how young she is. I also like the age that Derek was of thirteen. That age when teens are starting to grow up but at the same time are still kids. The romance between Flissy and Derek is at the puppy love stage.
You can tell that the author really had the young readers in mind when she wrote this book. She kept the story light without bogging it down with too many details and the two main characters relatable. A fast read.
July 6, 2013
Romeo Blue the sequel to The Romeo and Juliet Code is even more suspenseful than the first title. The coast of Maine during World War II provides an exciting setting for the continuing adventures of 12 year-old-Felicity and her slightly older friend Derek. Stone's sensitive and believable characters unwittingly interact with secret agents and danger as they try to unravel the secrets of their broken families. Romeo Blue deftly ties up the loose ends of the first title yet not until the end of the story. This action packed historical fiction title will work equally as a sequel or an individual read.
July 15, 2015
This was such a good book! The plot line was very intriguing and held my intention throughout the book. Phoebe Stone did a wonderful job bringing back the characters from the first book, Romeo and Juliet Code, as well as introducing new ones. I also loved the fact that the main event in this book was WWII, and how each character was involved in some surprising way. I fell in love with the characters and their complicated lives, which sometimes brought me to tears and had me screaming at the book. Nevertheless, Phoebe Stone did an amazing job once again!
June 27, 2018
This is a delightful book with such an adorable protagonist that you soon forget she is only 12 (albeit, like many tweens, going on 21). Although it apparently continues a story that began with The Romeo and Juliet Code, I had not read that book and had no trouble following this one. I regret not starting with it though, since I loved this one so much!
The setting is 1942 in Bottlebay, Maine, a fictitious place that sounds a bit like Biddeford Pool. There, the U.S. Government put up an observation tower during World War II to patrol Maine waters for German submarines. Citizens on Maine’s coast also had to keep their windows blackened, observe strict curfews, and were exhorted to keep vigilant. And in fact, on April 23, 1945, a U. S. Navy sub-chaser was torpedoed by a German U-boat just three miles off of Cape Elizabeth. Even before that, others had been sunk, and two German spies had come ashore in Frenchman’s Bay. Fortunately, they turned out to be venal and stupid, and ended up giving themselves away. (You can read about them here).
In the book, Flissy (Felicity) Bathburn is living with family members in Bottlebay a year or so after her parents dropped her off there from Great Britain so they could continue their undercover work in Europe. Flissy has not only not heard from “Winnie and Danny” as she calls her parents, but she just found out that her “Uncle” Gideon, with whom she now lives in Maine, is actually her father: after Flissy was born, Winnie fell in love with Gideon’s brother Danny. Flissy never knew Danny wasn’t her real father. Gideon and Danny’s mother, “The Gram,” hates Winnie for how she disrupted the family, but loves having Flissy with her. The big cozy and historic house is also home to The Gram’s daughter Miami, and Gideon’s almost-adopted son Derek.
Derek is a year older than Flissy, and Flissy has a huge crush on him. They are also good friends, but Flissy adores him:
But Flissy’s life is filled with a lot more than preteen angst. So much is going that causes her to feel all mixed up. Derek is trying to find his real father, and keeping it a secret from Gideon and The Gram. Flissy thinks Gideon and The Gram are, like Winnie and Danny, also involved in spying. Aunt Miami is in love with the mailman, and the mailman may be drafted soon. And somehow, the theme of butterflies keeps recurring in a suspicious manner. Of particular significance is the Mazarine Blue, a primarily European butterfly, the male of which, Flissy avers, is also known as the Romeo blue.
As time goes on and the war heats up, so does the tension, since the war brings big changes to all of their lives. Moreover, Flissy is leaving her childhood behind her, and the ways in which she grows are so heartwarming and lovely!
Evaluation: This story does not sugarcoat what happens in war, but as it takes place in the U.S., it isn’t as harrowing as it might have been if set overseas. It's a great way for kids to get a feel for how a war fought by adults could also have an impact on their own lives, even in the relatively isolated United States.
Flissy is such a winning character that I would love to see the author do a whole series of books on her that take us with her on her journey through life, sort of like Anne of Green Gables, of whom she reminds me a lot!
Rating: 4.5/5
The setting is 1942 in Bottlebay, Maine, a fictitious place that sounds a bit like Biddeford Pool. There, the U.S. Government put up an observation tower during World War II to patrol Maine waters for German submarines. Citizens on Maine’s coast also had to keep their windows blackened, observe strict curfews, and were exhorted to keep vigilant. And in fact, on April 23, 1945, a U. S. Navy sub-chaser was torpedoed by a German U-boat just three miles off of Cape Elizabeth. Even before that, others had been sunk, and two German spies had come ashore in Frenchman’s Bay. Fortunately, they turned out to be venal and stupid, and ended up giving themselves away. (You can read about them here).
In the book, Flissy (Felicity) Bathburn is living with family members in Bottlebay a year or so after her parents dropped her off there from Great Britain so they could continue their undercover work in Europe. Flissy has not only not heard from “Winnie and Danny” as she calls her parents, but she just found out that her “Uncle” Gideon, with whom she now lives in Maine, is actually her father: after Flissy was born, Winnie fell in love with Gideon’s brother Danny. Flissy never knew Danny wasn’t her real father. Gideon and Danny’s mother, “The Gram,” hates Winnie for how she disrupted the family, but loves having Flissy with her. The big cozy and historic house is also home to The Gram’s daughter Miami, and Gideon’s almost-adopted son Derek.
Derek is a year older than Flissy, and Flissy has a huge crush on him. They are also good friends, but Flissy adores him:
He seemed a bit moody today, but I rather liked moody. It could be quite dashing when hovering over someone like Derek. I would have followed Derek to the edge of the world, if he had wanted me to. And then perhaps we would have had to hold hands because it must be quite windy at the edge of the world.”
But Flissy’s life is filled with a lot more than preteen angst. So much is going that causes her to feel all mixed up. Derek is trying to find his real father, and keeping it a secret from Gideon and The Gram. Flissy thinks Gideon and The Gram are, like Winnie and Danny, also involved in spying. Aunt Miami is in love with the mailman, and the mailman may be drafted soon. And somehow, the theme of butterflies keeps recurring in a suspicious manner. Of particular significance is the Mazarine Blue, a primarily European butterfly, the male of which, Flissy avers, is also known as the Romeo blue.
As time goes on and the war heats up, so does the tension, since the war brings big changes to all of their lives. Moreover, Flissy is leaving her childhood behind her, and the ways in which she grows are so heartwarming and lovely!
Evaluation: This story does not sugarcoat what happens in war, but as it takes place in the U.S., it isn’t as harrowing as it might have been if set overseas. It's a great way for kids to get a feel for how a war fought by adults could also have an impact on their own lives, even in the relatively isolated United States.
Flissy is such a winning character that I would love to see the author do a whole series of books on her that take us with her on her journey through life, sort of like Anne of Green Gables, of whom she reminds me a lot!
Rating: 4.5/5
June 20, 2013
Nice young adult novel set during World War 2 in America. The principle family in the book are involved in various aspects of supporting the war effort including the children but it is certainly not unrealistic in any way other than the overall extent of involvement this family has with the war. At the same time as this is going on there are all the normal things that people deal with in their lives - loves, loss, insecurity etc. I think this book is a cut above what I mainly read in young adult fiction because of the respect the author has for her characters. They are mature and exhibit depth of thought in their decisions.
August 14, 2014
I fell in love with The Romeo and Juliet Code a few years back, and this sequel did not disappoint. The language and characters are rich, the plot has the right amount of twists and turns, and the setting has me seriously considering booking my next vacation to the coast of Maine. I would recommend this book to a student in grade 5-7 who enjoys historical fiction and/or loved The Secret Garden. I would really like to give this book four and a half stars, but I will settle for four.
November 2, 2014
I read this without reading The Romeo and Juliet Code. But now, I would really like to read it. This book is captivating. The information about WWII and spies was riveting. I admit I cried when the Mr. Blue played "We wink at you!"
May 22, 2015
I don't think this had a huge amazing plot, but it was romance, and I like romance. I think it was a great feel good book, but it didn't really have anything that stood out for me. I felt like it was every cliche romance book, but give it a try, you might like it.
March 3, 2019
My heart aches for this book! I absolutely loved it! I thought the first one was good but this is amazing.
June 16, 2019
One of my favourite middle grade series. Memorable characters, fantastic house, a lot of heart.
May 21, 2021
I highly encourage to read this book along with its first book.
March 20, 2022
In the book Romeo Blue by Phoebe Stone, there were a lot of ups and downs. For example, when Flissy’s family was listening to music while hanging out in the kitchen, they heard the song that Gideon always listened to. This song was also a sign to signal that he was still alive. As they realized the meaning of the song, “Winnie cried out. She stumbled to the floor” (324). Winnie showed relief to know that not only was Gideon safe but so was Danny. The whole family was extremely overwhelmed, in a good way. No one wanted to go through the loss of another loved one. My favorite character throughout the book has been Flissy because even though she had to spend most of her life with her parents undercover not knowing her “uncle” was her dad, she kept strong and stayed protective of her family so nobody could get hurt. If anyone needed Flissy’s help, she would help them in the most possible and clever way ever. When Mr.Henley needed help asking Auntie which ring she would want to get married in, Flissy got very clever and proceeded to ask Auntie in a secretive way. This helped Mr.Henley in a great way and it was very thoughtful and caring of Flissy. Even though this is an easy reader, I think people should read this book because the characters all find a way to make each other smile. Stone also created a great plot in the story which created a deep description of small things. This all led to an extremely well written story that I hope others will read.
August 10, 2022
This book was good but.....really depressing. It had some pretty heavy topics for kids. Honestly it can be a lesson for adults not to keep secrets from their kids. My parents never did and I think that was for the better. It kept me in the loop and helped me not resent certain family members like Felicity was starting to.
It was kind of heartbreaking how she was shunning her mom over people she had onlu know 2 years. What about all the love and care Winnie and Danny gave you for 10 years? And hated how she so easily threw away her British heritage for her American one and her ridiculous American nickname. I Mexican American and I never shun one side over the other to please anyone. I will never understand kids like that or adults like The Gram who find it okay to turn kids against their parents or to keep a child away from their mother smh
Also.....why is no one explaining to Derek and Felicity that his getting adopted doesn't mean their siblings. The no marrying siblings thing only applies to blood related siblings lol
Not that a love by preteens would last long though, but you never know. Flissy is already going into the mindset to look for Derek in all her future loves.....seems to spell disaster for her. Like her mom loving two brothers 🤷♀️
Lots of life lessons but....just very sad and frustrating. Though I get adults back then didn't talk to their kids like some parents do today.
It was kind of heartbreaking how she was shunning her mom over people she had onlu know 2 years. What about all the love and care Winnie and Danny gave you for 10 years? And hated how she so easily threw away her British heritage for her American one and her ridiculous American nickname. I Mexican American and I never shun one side over the other to please anyone. I will never understand kids like that or adults like The Gram who find it okay to turn kids against their parents or to keep a child away from their mother smh
Also.....why is no one explaining to Derek and Felicity that his getting adopted doesn't mean their siblings. The no marrying siblings thing only applies to blood related siblings lol
Not that a love by preteens would last long though, but you never know. Flissy is already going into the mindset to look for Derek in all her future loves.....seems to spell disaster for her. Like her mom loving two brothers 🤷♀️
Lots of life lessons but....just very sad and frustrating. Though I get adults back then didn't talk to their kids like some parents do today.
March 15, 2018
"Mr. Bathburn, you have forgotten. Has it slipped your mind. Mr. Bathburn, this is war."
With this adorable cover, I had assumed this would be a light & cute love story. This is really a book about the war and how it bleeds into this tween's life. Fissy is a 12 year old that seems young for her age - she still skips, has teddy bears and is confused after being left by her parents at an "uncle's" house in the US that is actually her biological father. Phew, that got deep and complicated fast.
I think I would have liked this more if the writing had been more connected to the characters. It was part written like a journal and part.....scattered. There was a lot of "and then" or "later, I went" - a lot of describing and time gaps with little description. I found the amount of war that was brought into this young girl's life laughable and a bit silly.
Maybe I would have liked this one more if I'd read the first in the series - but I don't have any plan to do that now.
With this adorable cover, I had assumed this would be a light & cute love story. This is really a book about the war and how it bleeds into this tween's life. Fissy is a 12 year old that seems young for her age - she still skips, has teddy bears and is confused after being left by her parents at an "uncle's" house in the US that is actually her biological father. Phew, that got deep and complicated fast.
I think I would have liked this more if the writing had been more connected to the characters. It was part written like a journal and part.....scattered. There was a lot of "and then" or "later, I went" - a lot of describing and time gaps with little description. I found the amount of war that was brought into this young girl's life laughable and a bit silly.
Maybe I would have liked this one more if I'd read the first in the series - but I don't have any plan to do that now.
October 21, 2016
Romeo Blue is a very touching story. The main character, Flissy, is curious, clever, and bold. You can feel the emotions when you read her thoughts and words, a lovable character. I believe that the best part of the book was this character, it brought it to life and made me want to continue reading about how she solved her problems.
In the book, Flissy’s parents are spies working in Germany. So even while you read about her crush on Derek, an orphan her family took in, more serious matters come up. The inner and external conflicts that happen shape Flissy into an adult. It’s really moving watching her mature. The ending was also very realistic, not what I’d expected at all. It really made a memorable and bittersweet story. Overall, Romeo Blue was a very enjoyable book that will stick in my mind for a long time to come.
In the book, Flissy’s parents are spies working in Germany. So even while you read about her crush on Derek, an orphan her family took in, more serious matters come up. The inner and external conflicts that happen shape Flissy into an adult. It’s really moving watching her mature. The ending was also very realistic, not what I’d expected at all. It really made a memorable and bittersweet story. Overall, Romeo Blue was a very enjoyable book that will stick in my mind for a long time to come.
May 28, 2017
The story was okay, and the research that went into creating the feel of WWII American Homefront is commendable. But the characters are bland and inconsistent, with a generally uninspired plot and conflict. I do wish that we had actually gotten to see the interactions between Danny and Gideon, as their relationship was by far the most compelling in the story. And I'm not sure how Winnie got two highly eligible young men fighting over her, because she's perfectly horrid.
Perhaps part of the problem is that the author appears to practically worship Frances Hodgson Burnett and I can't stand her books. There might be some mimicry that is turning me off.
Perhaps part of the problem is that the author appears to practically worship Frances Hodgson Burnett and I can't stand her books. There might be some mimicry that is turning me off.
November 16, 2022
It is said there are no new stories. Romeo Blue, a bittersweet romance for middle schoolers, alludes to Romeo and Juliet when referring to the relationship between Felicity and Derek, but it struck me as bearing a closer resemblance to Wuthering Heights. The ancient house on the cliff was almost a character itself, lending to the atmospheric quality of the novel, set during World War II. I was bothered somewhat by the children having names—Derek, Felicity, and Brie—more popular in the 1990s than the 1940s. I had to work harder to suspend belief to place myself in the Depression Era, especially considering the children would have been named in 1929 or 1930.
June 16, 2021
I got this book at a book fair when I was in elementary or middle school and just picked it up for a quick read.I was surprised to find that this book isn't really a romance as the cover and title might imply. I really enjoyed the story of Flissy who is navigating feelings of abandonment and coming to terms with the details of her suboptimal situation. All of this occurs during WWII which adds another layer of suspense to the novel, but the actual love story between her and Derek is definitely more of a B story and as far as romance goes isn't as prominent as most of the other themes.
September 18, 2019
Based on the cover and the title, this book wasn't what I anticipated.
It was ok, but was very slow (which honestly probably was how it felt for plenty of kids who were worried about the war!) Flissy (Felicity) is left with a grandmother and an uncle in Maine during WWII while her mom and her dad are spies in the war. Flissy deals with a lot of change in the book that she's trying to be brave about.
The book just dragged on for me.
It was ok, but was very slow (which honestly probably was how it felt for plenty of kids who were worried about the war!) Flissy (Felicity) is left with a grandmother and an uncle in Maine during WWII while her mom and her dad are spies in the war. Flissy deals with a lot of change in the book that she's trying to be brave about.
The book just dragged on for me.
December 13, 2025
◇ Rereading books I loved as a tween no. 11 ◇
This book was heartfelt and sweet. I didn't read the first one because I forgot it was a duology and I don't even have the first book. I really didn't remember much of anything from this book when I read it years ago. But dang was it long! Why are there so many chapters too? I don't quite see the need for 70+ chapters here...
Anyway, it was cute to reread and I will happily donate my copy for others to enjoy!
2.5☆ Rounded up
This book was heartfelt and sweet. I didn't read the first one because I forgot it was a duology and I don't even have the first book. I really didn't remember much of anything from this book when I read it years ago. But dang was it long! Why are there so many chapters too? I don't quite see the need for 70+ chapters here...
Anyway, it was cute to reread and I will happily donate my copy for others to enjoy!
2.5☆ Rounded up
January 12, 2018
I really liked this book. It was very intriguing because there were many mysteries and secrets. For this to be a good book, you would have to read the first book The Romeo And Juliet Code. I liked how the author used many similes and metaphors, and there are lots in this book. This was a great book.
May 21, 2018
I wasn't thrilled with the writing style, but I also found the plot interesting enough that I couldn't put it down either. I wasn't such a fan that I'll be seeking out the others in this series, but I will confess that I cried (maybe more than once) throughout this novel. So overall, three stars seems just right.
May 25, 2022
Unfortunately, my 11th grade self did not enjoy this book as much as my 5th grade self. I just felt it was really slow and could have been a bit more intense by taking out some of the trivial, mundane additives. The ending was left a little loose, which is okay. It just took me a while to get through it.
March 31, 2022
I love this book nearly as much as it’s prequel. I do wish that the book ended in a better place, or that there was a third installment, but I’ve had many years to cope with that. I’ll continue to love this book for many years to come.
May 16, 2017
i hadn't read the first book in this series, but i did check it out at the library. it was really boring and slow paced.
May 25, 2019
DNF. Couldn't stand the language. It was blunt, no complex sentences, etc.
August 15, 2020
This is a beautifull story, I personally recommend it.
November 23, 2020
YA? WWII story. British girl in Maine.
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