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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I loved Xiomara and all of the other messy characters in this book. Well, not all of the other characters, Manny and Alek can kick rocks, but each scene Xiomara had with them was so raw, terrifying, and honest. As a reader, you wanted to scream at Xiomara to make better choices when it came to men, but unfortunately, most women can probably relate to these situations. I started to feel the ending wrapped up a little too neatly, but ultimately, I was happy that Xiomara found a life that fulfilled her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Grief
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Following the death of her sister Xiomara finds herself lost and shuffling through life trying to figure out what to do if she doesn’t follow her dream in music. When a potential new musical opportunity presents itself Xiomara has to ask herself what she wants and how to navigate that reality. We follow Xiomara during the hustle that surrounds auditioning and the less than savory side of the world she’s desperate to get into.
This book is so New York. I loved following Xiomara during her day-to-day trying to juggle work (a copy store and a singing diner), dating (hello Santi…good bye Manny), and reconciling what it means to live after losing her sister. I loved the way the story shifted and found myself cheering for Xiomara as she found the path she was meant to be on.
This book is so New York. I loved following Xiomara during her day-to-day trying to juggle work (a copy store and a singing diner), dating (hello Santi…good bye Manny), and reconciling what it means to live after losing her sister. I loved the way the story shifted and found myself cheering for Xiomara as she found the path she was meant to be on.
After Nena’s death, Xiomara fell into a depression and lost out on a job that could have skyrocketed her career. She is pushing 30, still trying to figure out what to do with her life, living with her mother, and struggling to pay rent. When she gets the opportunity to audition for Manny, a huge director, she is thrilled to have the opportunity. With a potential romance on the horizon though, everything starts to fall together and apart at the same time. Xiomara feels so close to her dreams yet still so far, and she has to decide what she is willing to lose to get what she wants.
I just love an older coming of age/finding yourself story! Xiomara was so passionate about her dreams, but I think we have all faced a moment where we realized that our dreams maybe weren’t going to happen, or that they weren’t what they thought were. Xiomara had so many moments of just pure unfiltered messy, and I for one was here for it! The end felt a but far fetched, but I still really loved how it all came together, even if slightly unrealistic. Xiomara was such a fighter and I truly enjoyed every second of this book. I know I was rooting for her from page one!
Thank you to @prhaudio for my gifted copy of this book!
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Biting with plenty of commentary on the entertainment/stage production industry in NYC, this is a fast-paced read and good for those who love a protagonist who doesn't have it all figured out. I do wish we got to see a bit more of Xiomara; I found her an intriguing character with complex desires but felt like I hardly got to know her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Putting aside the fact that I related to a lot of our MC Xiomara’s identity, I actually thoroughly enjoyed the journey this work took us on.
To be blunt, Xiomara is an absolute mess. The central motive of this story is not only to see her crawl out of her grief, but also grow up as a person. The process of watching Xiomara detach herself from her sister’s guidance and identity through grieving really forces Xiomara into her own coming of age story. She is learning who she is, what she wants, and what she’s willing to do to achieve that; and at many times that can look a lot like self sabotage or, quite frankly, self harm. The journey we saw her go through is a tough and harrowing one, but each moment felt necessary for her growth and true to the culture of such a cut throat industry. She’s vulnerable, yet so tough and angry at the world. It was truly fascinating to be in her head.
To be blunt, Xiomara is an absolute mess. The central motive of this story is not only to see her crawl out of her grief, but also grow up as a person. The process of watching Xiomara detach herself from her sister’s guidance and identity through grieving really forces Xiomara into her own coming of age story. She is learning who she is, what she wants, and what she’s willing to do to achieve that; and at many times that can look a lot like self sabotage or, quite frankly, self harm. The journey we saw her go through is a tough and harrowing one, but each moment felt necessary for her growth and true to the culture of such a cut throat industry. She’s vulnerable, yet so tough and angry at the world. It was truly fascinating to be in her head.