Reviews

Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura

jessidont's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

library_dreamer's review against another edition

4.25

The most shocking thing about this is that it is a debut. As Tatum unpacks the toxic relationship she had for a decade with Matteo, it was emotionally jarring to see her realize that she'd been a victim as well as those that were also accusing him. This was certainly an emotional rollercoaster.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. 

amobrien's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Like Happiness is a reflection of complex power dynamics and toxic relationships through the lense of Latinx identity. I can't believe this is a debut! It's a really great work of literary fiction and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship

mharvie's review against another edition

2.5

Tatum Vega is living in Chile with her partner, Vera, when she is forced to again think about her past. She is contacted by a reporter interested in learning more about her relationship with a famous writer, M. Dominguez. He has recently been accused of abuse by another woman. Tatum then begins to deconstruct the relationship that she had with M over the course of ten years. 

I really enjoyed the writing style and the quick pace of the beginning of this novel, but the story itself fell flat for me. None of the characters were likable or relatable. Tatum was very immature and obsessed over M. Dominguez. It was clear from the beginning that he was using her and yet she firebombed each and every possible relationship whenever he gave her the least amount of attention. I would be interested to see what other stories the author writes as I did not enjoy their writing.

Thank you to @celadonbooks for a gifted ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

hjallen6's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Very good read 

shelfimprovement's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

xmber's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.0

murphys_bee's review against another edition

3.0

This was interesting but I wanted just a little more. The two timelines weren’t always told in the most easy way to tell apart and that made it difficult to understand realizations vs remembering. Almost like it wanted to say too many things and just didn’t have the time. 

purplejos_9's review against another edition

reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

ylvyly's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.0