The plot updates the family feud between the Capulets and Montagues to reflect modern racial tensions between African-Americans and Hispanics in the United States.

This story begins with African American teenager Romiette Cappelle awaking from a recurring nightmare in which she is drowning in fire and water.

When Julio gets home that afternoon, he logs into a chatroom with the screen name "spanishlover" and starts to chat anonymously with "afroqueen," who he later finds is Romiette.

Their relationship provokes the ire of a local gang—the "Devil Dogs"—who disapprove of an African American girl dating a Hispanic boy.

Romiette and Julio struggle with the pressure of their environment's disapprobation, reaching a crisis when the gang threaten them at gunpoint.

In a mixed review for The New York Times, Simon Rodberg wrote: "Pick a hot-button issue, and you can bet that Sharon M. Draper's Romiette and Julio gives it at least a passing mention.

"[1] and "The two main characters are likable but bland, and in a book so concerned with contemporary ethical instruction, their gender roles come far too directly from the 16th century.