Product Description

Can two teenage girls find happiness in each other's arms—when it seems the whole world is against them?

In prose that is tender and compelling, Judy MacLean brings her contemporary take on Shakespeare's classic play to vivid life. Rosemary and Juliet is a fast-paced novel that finds two girls on the edge of womanhood—and on the brink of disaster. But more than that, Rosemary and Juliet is about the turbulent intensity of first love and the conflict between the expectations of parents and the undeniable sexual realities lived by their children.

A love that threatens to tear their families—indeed, their whole community-apart . . .

Rosemary "Romey" Arden is the only "out" lesbian at Divido High School. Her pro-choice, ex-hippie mom, Janis, runs A Woman's Decision, a clinic in nearby Santa Rosa, California. Targeted by local fundamentalists as a baby-killer whose "abortion mill" is the pinnacle of evil, Janis keeps herself sane by immersing herself in the women's movement and participating in peaceful protests against intolerance. But tall, athletic Romey only wants to live the normal life of a teenager, with one difference—to find love in the arms of a girl, not a boy.

Julie Wright's dad, a dedicated fundamentalist minister, heads the Divido Bible Church. Beautiful, dark-haired Julie's gift—her exquisite, soaring voice—takes the church choir to musical heights previously only dreamed of. Julie has always been a good girl, obedient, with a strong love in her heart for Jesus. But lately, a new feeling has come over her—a feeling so strong it can't be denied—and why should it? She calls this new sensation Yearning, and understands that it is precious and important. But . . . what is she Yearning for? And . . . how can she choose between her budding sexuality and the church community she loves?

Judy MacLean's insight into the reality of being a lesbian teenager makes this at once a cautionary tale for parents of gay teens, a story of courage for young adults, and a treat for those who have lived through being young and gay. Rosemary and Juliet will captivate anyone who remembers first love—and the fast-moving plot will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1117623 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 265 pages

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
A sleepover—where one wants a best friend, but the other desires more . . .

Romey woke with a jerk, and immediately became saturated with wonder. Somehow she had turned the other way, facing the door, and Julie was curled up against her. Julie's arm was around Romey's waist, her knees nested between Romey's calf and thigh, and through Julie's gossamer nightgown and Romey's thin t-shirt, Julie's breasts rested plush and warm against Romey's back.

. . . Or had it been a dream? Romey had slept again. Now she was turned toward the window, the same way she'd started the night, facing Julie's back. Outside, leaves fluttered and a distant owl hooted. Romey's muscles urged her to curve her body and circle her arm around Julie, just like Julie held her earlier. Had Julie really done that? And if she had, did Julie know what she'd done? What if Julie woke up, and Romey had to explain how her arm had gotten around Julie? Romey shivered.

Julie looked defenseless from behind, small. Romey was strong, she would allow nothing to hurt this tender person, but it was sad to realize what she needed to protect Julie from. It was Romey herself.

Customer Reviews

noteworthy first novel
If you'd like to read a predictable cutesy romance, this is not the right book for you. I thought that it was a young adult book when I first started to read it, and I guess if this country was not retarded and hypocritical about young people and sexual identity, maybe it would be recommended reading in high schools. Romey is a lonely young woman coming out and Julie is the daughter of conservative Christians. They meet and the book is both a coming out story as well as the story of the unlikely romance between these two young women.
There is nothing formulaic about this novel, and it's not standard romance fare. It's full of plot surprises and has a remarkable ending you won't forget quickly. Ms. Maclean belongs to the handful of lesbian authors who have their own unique style and who can write as well as anyone in the mainstream - authors like Cameron Abbott, Jennifer Fulton, Marianne Martin and Emma Donohue, who all step outside the norms for the typical lesbian novel in their own different ways. I was really impressed with Rosemary and Juliet and if you enjoy reading books that are just a bit more challenging and thoughtful, try this one.

Midwest Book Review: April 2005 Issue
In the small California community of Divido, high school student Romey Arden is the only out lesbian teenage student. The day she came out-with the support of her ex-hippie, heterosexual, single parent mother-was the day a lot of the kids began shunning her. But not Elliot, the only other gay student. And not Amina, a straight girlfriend who sticks by her through thick and thin. Romey still feels isolated, particularly because there are no other lesbian kids to hang out with. Amina and Elliot are dear to her, but she wonders if she'll ever meet that special young woman.

Julie Wright is unknown to Romey. A gifted singer and student, Julie is home-schooled by her deeply devout Christian parents. When the book opens, Julie's dad, reverend of the Divido Bible Church, is at the local school board meeting damning homosexual teachers. Meanwhile, his only child is at home lying on her bed letting "moonshine in the window and along her body. She felt that liquid sensation, new to her these past months, blushing over her again. She had a private name for it: Yearning" (p. 23). Nearly age 15, she is "old enough to understand what her dad's sermons had to say about her own life. To Julie, the sermon said that this new Yearning was her own special blessing, chosen for her by Jesus. Its mystery would be revealed in time, or not. Either way, she would thank Jesus for the inner joy bestowed upon her, welcome Yearning, and protect it" (p. 26).

It is inevitable that Julie and Romey should meet, and despite their youth, they both feel the "Yearning." At first seeing one another requires only a little sneaking around, but soon they are facing major obstacles. It doesn't take long before Julie's parents do everything they can to keep the two apart. But the depth of feeling that develops between the two girls can't be denied. Their actions set off a string of unexpected events that shock everyone in town and cause change and disaster. And with so much against them, can the love of these young women survive?

MacLean uses beautiful language and a tight plot that moves along with all due speed toward the startling denouement. The novel's structure and prose are flawless. One of my favorite scenes contains this description: "Romey ran into the soft night. With every stride, she sensed the moment when both of her feet were off the ground, that moment she was airborne. It was a way to trick relentless old gravity, which, unlike a parent, never lets its attention wander for even half a second, but obsessively keeps you pinned down. Without engine or wings, for moment after moment, perhaps a fifth of every stride, a minute out of every five, twelve whole minute out of every running hour, she was flying. Gliding on air" (p. 64). The novel is packed full of fine writing. It's by turns serious and also funny in places. With a fine group of secondary characters, this book has it all: compelling plot, unpredictable storyline, and a knockout ending.

The mark of a truly fantastic story is that when you finish reading the book, off and on for days you remember the characters and explore alternatives for each person's future. When you are finished with this expert debut novel, you will find ROSEMARY AND JULIET has left an indelible mark in your memory. Don't miss this one. ~Lori L. Lake, independent reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Tender, compelling, sad and hopeful... a great novel!
I just finished this book and it's wonderful---tender, compelling, sad and hopeful.... Judy MacLean's writing really drew me in and made me eager for more. The first part of the book felt ethereal like a fairytale... then it got sad and tragic... and the end is hopeful, strong. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great novel to curl up to, get lost in, and emerge changed.