Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Nojadera
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teens from feuding families fall in love in dramatic novel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Jubilee is an accomplished cellist trying to de-stress before the biggest audition of her life and works part-time at her stepmom's indie comics shop, VERONA COMICS. Anxious and depressed Ridley wants nothing more than to stop disappointing his emotionally abusive dad, who owns The Geekery, a notorious comics chain that puts indie stores out of business. Ridley and Jubilee meet at an annual comic convention and quickly fall in love before Ridley realizes that Jubilee's stepmom is a famous indie comics artist and his dad's nemesis. Secretly spying on his dad's enemy could finally give Ridley the love he desperately seeks from his dad, but it would also destroy his relationship with Jubilee. Will Ridley tell Jubilee the truth, and will their love survive their families' feud?
Is It Any Good?
This dramatic Romeo and Juliet-type novel by Jennifer Dugan thoughtfully explores mental health issues and complicated relationships. Told in alternating chapters from Jubilee's and Ridley's points of view, Dugan accurately portrays co-dependency, anxiety, and depression. Her characters are sweet, but some readers might be frustrated that Jubilee continually prioritizes her whirlwind romance with Ridley over her family, her friends, and her future. As Verona Comics progresses and their relationship takes a dramatic turn, teens will see how essential compassion, honest communication, and respect are in developing healthy relationships.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Verona Comics deals with mental health issues. Where can you turn for help? What can you do if you think someone you know is serious about it?
How do the adults in Jubilee's and Ridley's lives affect the way they approach their relationship? What other stories of family feuds -- classic or modern-day -- do you know?
How do the characters demonstrate communication, compassion, respect, and honesty? Why are these important character strengths?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School ) , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : April 21, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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