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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
2/5 stars.
I received an eARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As with my advanced review with [b:Cemetery Boys|52339313|Cemetery Boys|Aiden Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594059624l/52339313._SY75_.jpg|69233016], I was really looking forward to this one but was ultimately disappointed by stagnant, inconsistent characters, lackluster character development, a flimsy plot that kept shifting through three to four subplots to pad the word count, and a romance that was so incredibly stale due to not only a lack of genuine chemistry, but lousy dialogue. As with Cemetery Boys, I feel pretty bad giving a book with authentic latinx representation any less than three stars, but this was such a drag to get through. So, let’s get down to it! Minor spoilers below.
PROS
I think the best-executed subplot out of the MANY in this book were the insecurities the protagonist, Carmen had about her friendship with Waverly. As an overall high school outcast, it makes sense for her to cling to the only true friends she’s had in years while simultaneously trying to push her away because she doesn’t want to be the one who’s unexpectedly hurt or abandoned. There was genuine tension that I wish was further explored and it could’ve been if a few of the overall meaningless subplots were removed.
Another aspect I liked was Carmen’s unique hobby. She likes to create music videos of TV shows (something I like to do in my spare time as well!) and she’s incredibly passionate about videography. I also liked how her distinct summer job was a key part of the plot – acting and dancing as a Disney princess isn’t something I haven’t seen before. Usually, summer jobs in YA are relegated to an amusement park, bookstore, or fast food joint. The author thought outside the box for this one and was part of the reason I continued to read.
CONS
Infodumps: Another contemporary YA book that gives me the character’s ENTIRE backstory in the first fifteen pages. That takes the entire mystery out of who Carmen is and who she wants to be. The massive infodump in the beginning took away from what could’ve been a dynamic first chapter. It also spoiled any tension between Carmen and her primary love interest, Mauro. There are plenty of infodumps about Carmen’s history throughout the book and it would always distract from whatever plot the author decided to work on at that point.
Subplots: This book is less of “one major plot with subplots” and more of “one subplot that’s slightly more important than the other eight crammed into this book.” Like, yes, the overall plot is Carmen having to deal with being a part of her estranged cousin’s quinceanera but it really never seems to take precedence over anything else. It never feels like the focal point. The author pulls Carmen in twenty different directions all at once and that leads to unfulfilling conclusions and unnecessary filler.
Romance: One of the subplots that could have been thrown out was Carmen’s initial attraction to a boy named Alex. It didn’t lead anywhere or do anything for the plot besides cause unnecessary drama towards the end of the book. Then we got Carmen’s primary love interest, Mauro. It’s incredibly obvious he’s still in-love with Carmen from the get-go, which makes Carmen’s obliviousness and “why does he look at me like that” so terribly annoying half the time. And because their history is revealed to the reader within the first twenty-five pages, there’s no real tension between the two or any sort of chemistry other than “my not-ex is constantly in my life now and I don’t know how I feel about that.” Mauro’s grand gesture towards the end was cute though.
Protagonist: Carmen lacks any real driving motivation. While it’s fine for a main character to not know what they want, Carmen just does whatever feels “right” in the moment. You never get a sense of how she really feels about anything except for her estranged family and even that is unraveled by the middle of the book. Someone could claim her driving motivation is receiving her high school diploma, but that falls flat when she hardly mentions it throughout the course of the novel. While I believe teens can find Carmen relatable as she floats in-and-out of life, I don’t think her indecisiveness and inconsistency make for compelling storytelling, particularly when that inconsistency isn’t treated as a flaw.
Characters: My GOD. The characters are so inconsistent in this book!! Especially Carmen’s mother. One second, she’s telling her daughter to go after Mauro and to believe in second chances and in the next she demands how dare she fall for a boy that’s gonna leave her high and dry once the summer is over. Maddening!! I also couldn’t care about the vast majority of the characters – almost all of them lacked personalities, the two exceptions being Waverly and Ariana (though I have my gripes with her as well).
Dialogue: It was crap. Though I did appreciate the Spanish throughout!
And there you have it! Let us all pray that the next eARC I read isn't two stars or I'm definitely going to feel a bit cursed...
I received an eARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As with my advanced review with [b:Cemetery Boys|52339313|Cemetery Boys|Aiden Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594059624l/52339313._SY75_.jpg|69233016], I was really looking forward to this one but was ultimately disappointed by stagnant, inconsistent characters, lackluster character development, a flimsy plot that kept shifting through three to four subplots to pad the word count, and a romance that was so incredibly stale due to not only a lack of genuine chemistry, but lousy dialogue. As with Cemetery Boys, I feel pretty bad giving a book with authentic latinx representation any less than three stars, but this was such a drag to get through. So, let’s get down to it! Minor spoilers below.
PROS
I think the best-executed subplot out of the MANY in this book were the insecurities the protagonist, Carmen had about her friendship with Waverly. As an overall high school outcast, it makes sense for her to cling to the only true friends she’s had in years while simultaneously trying to push her away because she doesn’t want to be the one who’s unexpectedly hurt or abandoned. There was genuine tension that I wish was further explored and it could’ve been if a few of the overall meaningless subplots were removed.
Another aspect I liked was Carmen’s unique hobby. She likes to create music videos of TV shows (something I like to do in my spare time as well!) and she’s incredibly passionate about videography. I also liked how her distinct summer job was a key part of the plot – acting and dancing as a Disney princess isn’t something I haven’t seen before. Usually, summer jobs in YA are relegated to an amusement park, bookstore, or fast food joint. The author thought outside the box for this one and was part of the reason I continued to read.
CONS
Infodumps: Another contemporary YA book that gives me the character’s ENTIRE backstory in the first fifteen pages. That takes the entire mystery out of who Carmen is and who she wants to be. The massive infodump in the beginning took away from what could’ve been a dynamic first chapter. It also spoiled any tension between Carmen and her primary love interest, Mauro. There are plenty of infodumps about Carmen’s history throughout the book and it would always distract from whatever plot the author decided to work on at that point.
Subplots: This book is less of “one major plot with subplots” and more of “one subplot that’s slightly more important than the other eight crammed into this book.” Like, yes, the overall plot is Carmen having to deal with being a part of her estranged cousin’s quinceanera but it really never seems to take precedence over anything else. It never feels like the focal point. The author pulls Carmen in twenty different directions all at once and that leads to unfulfilling conclusions and unnecessary filler.
Romance: One of the subplots that could have been thrown out was Carmen’s initial attraction to a boy named Alex. It didn’t lead anywhere or do anything for the plot besides cause unnecessary drama towards the end of the book. Then we got Carmen’s primary love interest, Mauro. It’s incredibly obvious he’s still in-love with Carmen from the get-go, which makes Carmen’s obliviousness and “why does he look at me like that” so terribly annoying half the time. And because their history is revealed to the reader within the first twenty-five pages, there’s no real tension between the two or any sort of chemistry other than “my not-ex is constantly in my life now and I don’t know how I feel about that.” Mauro’s grand gesture towards the end was cute though.
Protagonist: Carmen lacks any real driving motivation. While it’s fine for a main character to not know what they want, Carmen just does whatever feels “right” in the moment. You never get a sense of how she really feels about anything except for her estranged family and even that is unraveled by the middle of the book. Someone could claim her driving motivation is receiving her high school diploma, but that falls flat when she hardly mentions it throughout the course of the novel. While I believe teens can find Carmen relatable as she floats in-and-out of life, I don’t think her indecisiveness and inconsistency make for compelling storytelling, particularly when that inconsistency isn’t treated as a flaw.
Characters: My GOD. The characters are so inconsistent in this book!! Especially Carmen’s mother. One second, she’s telling her daughter to go after Mauro and to believe in second chances and in the next she demands how dare she fall for a boy that’s gonna leave her high and dry once the summer is over. Maddening!! I also couldn’t care about the vast majority of the characters – almost all of them lacked personalities, the two exceptions being Waverly and Ariana (though I have my gripes with her as well).
Dialogue: It was crap. Though I did appreciate the Spanish throughout!
And there you have it! Let us all pray that the next eARC I read isn't two stars or I'm definitely going to feel a bit cursed...
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I wanted to love this but the writing was terrible and there was no plot development or character growth/development.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars.
This was cute. The parts that I enjoyed, I really enjoyed. However, one of my biggest pet peeves is when those who are wrongfully treated by people (especially their families) and then aren't allowed to be angry or hurt and have to be the bigger person and consider "oh well even though so-and-so said/did this cruel thing to you, they didn't really mean it and actually love you. just brush it off". It felt like every time Carmen was hurt or upset by what her cousin, her aunt, or even Mauro did or said, she was constantly expected to get over it for the good of others or to see that "well, they felt bad about what they said or they didn't really mean it." Idk that always rubs me the wrong way and makes me feel frustrated. Carmen is a flawed person and definitely made mistakes throughout but she was so entitled to be mad at several people and hell, hold some grudges. Maybe that's just me.
There were times where I would forget that this takes inspiration from telenovelas and I was like "how small is this town? why the heck is she always running into people she doesn't want to see?" But I really did have a lot of fun. I would be interesting if this ended up being a telenovelas show, like Jane the Virgin.
This was cute. The parts that I enjoyed, I really enjoyed. However, one of my biggest pet peeves is when those who are wrongfully treated by people (especially their families) and then aren't allowed to be angry or hurt and have to be the bigger person and consider "oh well even though so-and-so said/did this cruel thing to you, they didn't really mean it and actually love you. just brush it off". It felt like every time Carmen was hurt or upset by what her cousin, her aunt, or even Mauro did or said, she was constantly expected to get over it for the good of others or to see that "well, they felt bad about what they said or they didn't really mean it." Idk that always rubs me the wrong way and makes me feel frustrated. Carmen is a flawed person and definitely made mistakes throughout but she was so entitled to be mad at several people and hell, hold some grudges. Maybe that's just me.
There were times where I would forget that this takes inspiration from telenovelas and I was like "how small is this town? why the heck is she always running into people she doesn't want to see?" But I really did have a lot of fun. I would be interesting if this ended up being a telenovelas show, like Jane the Virgin.
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes