Julie Jacobs’ inheritance from her beloved Aunt Rose is a key to a bank safe deposit box in Siena, Italy, that belonged to Julie’s mother. In the box she discovers a silver crucifix, a copy of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and an old manuscript telling the 1340′s tale of Romeo and Giulietta, the story upon which Shakespeare supposedly based his play. Julie discovers that she is a descendant of Giulietta and is enmeshed in mystery, ancient curses, old family rivalries and stolen relics. In her search for truth about her past, she discovers that she must find her own Romeo in order to break the ancient curse on both families. Julie’s story alternates with the telling of the old story of Romeo and Giulietta, a beautifully told version of the tragic story. Juliet is filled with suspense, fascinating characters and wonderful descriptions of the city of Siena and the Italian culture and countryside. Anne Fortier’s debut novel is beautifully written and offers a new twist on the familiar story of Romeo and Juliet.