Describing The Family Matters of Romeo and Julio

The Family Matters of Romeo and Julio is the sequel to my first book Romeo & Julio & Friends, the adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet.

I am very proud and quite fond of this piece of work, the focus is more of Romeo and Julio as a married couple and as fathers. There is more of a focus on the characters who are family members of Romeo and Julio rather than the friendship group where Romeo met Julio many years before. I delve into the characters and their bond on a deeper level. The story challenges what defines a gay man in a modern world and what the stereotype is.

A storyline that is a highlight is the drifting of Romeo and Julio’s marriage where Julio strikes a working relationship with art gallery owner Naveed that Romeo senses is unprofessional but Romeo must trust Julio and allow him to explore his career ambitions. Whilst at the same time Romeo with Julio open up a nightclub but with the help of Cameron, who is secret gangster. Romeo knows Cameron through his family and is close to his adult son, Finlay. Finlay resents his father due to the death of his elder brother Clyde because of his dangerous work life and turns to Romeo as a shoulder to lean on that turns into intense feelings for Romeo and with Julio so focused on Naveed, Romeo can’t see why not to act on those feelings but if his father Cameron finds out it could have explosive consequences for Romeo and his young family.

In the first story Romeo’s parents Miles and Imelda divorced. Imelda has a new sense of independence and enjoys her now single life having lots of fun but feels as though something is missing. Is she missing Miles? Miles moves on with new girlfriend Filipa. Is he truly happy with his new flame or will he go back to his one true love? Was it a mistake to part ways with the mother of his children? Is it too late to go back to how it once was?

Romeo’s brother Patrick has a heated rivalry that is unwanted by Romeo. Patrick won’t forgive Romeo for sleeping with his wife when Romeo was a teenager. Patrick can’t let go and will not allow his little brother a free pass. He won’t listen to his family members to make amends. In Romeo & Julio & Friends, Patrick used Julio when he was in a vulnerable positon and broken up with Romeo by sleeping with him enacting revenge. Is Patrick going to let it go and let his little brother be happy with Julio and the kids? Or reveal the family secret to cause more pain, pain that would get even with Romeo. And if so, how would Romeo take it?

Julio’s mother Quisha has led a long, happy, healthy and fulfilling life. But she harbours a secret that disrupts her families sense of identity and how they see themselves. Julio meets a man named Jasper at the worst possible time of his life but he holds the key to the secret Quisha has held long since her youth.

Julio’s sister Jodie is about to marry her sweetheart Devon although she is holding a few insecurities about the choice she is about to make and whether it is the right one for her and her man in the long run. She doesn’t want to lose her love and doesn’t want the tag of marriage to destroy the love that she has built for herself. So she turns to her mum, sister Bonnie and Julio for advice. Can they convince her that she is already on the right path when it concerns her love.

Julio’s elder sister Bonnie is given a letter from her old friend and Romeo’s ex-girlfriend Poppy. Romeo is outraged that she has contacted her and at first wants nothing to do with her due to how they parted ways. Julio feels guilty as he feels as though he is to blame for her reaction to his affair and her actions that led her to be prisoned. Romeo must forgive Poppy in order to move on with his life and be free whilst happy with Julio.

Romeo’s ex-wife Liberty bumps into him while on a night out with Julio. In Romeo & Julio & Friends, Liberty had an altercation with Julio confronting him and exclaiming that Romeo isn’t gay as a homophobic slur. But when she sees Romeo with Julio she develops old feelings for Romeo while at the same time begins a campaign of hate against Julio leading to one night where she goes too far and puts Julio and another in danger that she can’t comeback from. Romeo at first doesn’t see Liberty as a threat that in turn causes a rift between him and Julio’s relationship.

Julio’s best friend Rowan who he has known since he was seven, faces his ex-husband Israel in court for bigamy and wins custody of his son Zeke. During the court case Zeke had to fight cancer and this took its toll on Rowan who had the full support of his friend Julio. Julio introduces Rowan to a man called Pablo who he met at the club for the first time but is unaware that Pablo in fact has his eye on Julio and acts on it by attempting to kiss him. Julio tries to tell Rowan about Pablo’s actions but Rowan feels that Julio is jealous and ends his friendship with him. In the relationship Pablo controls Rowan’s movements especially around his friends and Julio. Can Rowan see Pablo’s motives before it is too late?

In this sequel we see a good man turned bad in Julio’s teenage sweetheart Sam. In the first story Julio finally reunites with his old friend and begins a relationship with him only for Julio to jilt him for Romeo. After this they aim to become friends once again but Sam attempts to win back Julio’s feelings by telling him how he feels only for Julio to reject him thinking they aren’t kids anymore. Now that Julio has exclaimed his intention to stay true to Romeo this in turn leads Sam to a dark path causing trouble for Julio, Romeo and the friendship circle. Sam turns into the man Julio never thought that he would ever be.

In an effort to advance his career Romeo enters a modelling competition. However he overworks and this brings back the trauma of an eating disorder he fought as a teenager. Romeo has to fight the disease once again. Julio does everything in his power to help Romeo win in his career and personal life. Romeo also turns to Elle’s brother Xan for help as he too had an eating disorder in his teenage years as a coincidence and he gives Romeo valid insight.

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