First published 2022
Valentine leaves Verona for Milan to seek his fortune at court, followed reluctantly by his friend Proteus, who abandons his beloved Julia to join the adventure. In Milan, Valentine falls for Silvia, the Duke's daughter, while Proteus betrays their friendship by pursuing the same woman. Julia disguises herself as a boy and follows Proteus to win back his love. The two friends who once shared everything now compete for the same prize. Proteus schemes against Valentine, revealing his friend's secret marriage plans to Silvia's father. Valentine faces banishment and joins a band of outlaws in the forest. The comedy spirals toward confrontation as disguised Julia watches Proteus court another woman, and the Duke pursues his runaway daughter. Shakespeare explores how love transforms friendship into rivalry, testing the bonds between companions when desire intervenes.
Genres: drama, classic-literature, romance, comedy
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: disguise, enemies-to-lovers
Setting: Verona, Milan
Period: Shakespeare
117 pages · Hardcover · Independently published