Scan barcode
anna_reads_too_much's review against another edition
5.0
Going into Amor and Summer Secrets, I had heard many great things. I had also spoken with Diana Rodriguez Wallach before (I did an interview with her closer to the release date of the book) and she's really nice. So, I went into this book with extremely high expectations.
And they were most definitely met. While in the beginning, Mariana was a bit annoying and whiny, it wasn't overdone, and it was in places that I could understand. I mean, going to visit family you knew existed, but have never met? Missing your friends sweet sixteen parties? Being in a whole different country with family who can't even speak your language? Yeah, I can understand where the whiny teenager came out. Heck, I probably would've been whiny in the same situations.
Wallach also explained the setting wonderfully. The setting is Puerto Rico, which I've never been to, and I know a lot of others who haven't been there, either. It was critical (in my opinion, anyway) then that the setting was written wonderfully. I could understand the city, the sounds, the heat. It all flew off the page and I could see it. It almost felt like I was there, too.
The other thing that was done beautifully was Mariana's character change. She really finds herself in Puerto Rico, a place she thought she would hate. She does hate it in the beginning, but she eventually learns to love it, and to embrace her heritage.
Amor and Summer Secrets is a wonderful book that will leave you hanging on until the end and keep you waiting for the sequel, Amigas and School Scandals, which I hope to get my hands on soon. It's a wonderful book, and I really do think everyone should read it.
And they were most definitely met. While in the beginning, Mariana was a bit annoying and whiny, it wasn't overdone, and it was in places that I could understand. I mean, going to visit family you knew existed, but have never met? Missing your friends sweet sixteen parties? Being in a whole different country with family who can't even speak your language? Yeah, I can understand where the whiny teenager came out. Heck, I probably would've been whiny in the same situations.
Wallach also explained the setting wonderfully. The setting is Puerto Rico, which I've never been to, and I know a lot of others who haven't been there, either. It was critical (in my opinion, anyway) then that the setting was written wonderfully. I could understand the city, the sounds, the heat. It all flew off the page and I could see it. It almost felt like I was there, too.
The other thing that was done beautifully was Mariana's character change. She really finds herself in Puerto Rico, a place she thought she would hate. She does hate it in the beginning, but she eventually learns to love it, and to embrace her heritage.
Amor and Summer Secrets is a wonderful book that will leave you hanging on until the end and keep you waiting for the sequel, Amigas and School Scandals, which I hope to get my hands on soon. It's a wonderful book, and I really do think everyone should read it.
More...