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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This book was so beautiful, magical and charming!
Ten thousand stars
Review: https://allyemreads.blogspot.com/2019/06/dont-date-rosa-santos-review.html
Review: https://allyemreads.blogspot.com/2019/06/dont-date-rosa-santos-review.html
Nina is such a gifted writer, and I can't wait for everyone to read this Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic YA! It's a story about Rosa, an artistic soul with a passion and determination to visit her family's country, a country forbidden legally and by her own family to visit in any capacity. Toss in the cultural elements, the diaspora, the lyrical language, and a whole lot of delicious pastries, and I was a goner. This book is gorgeous. *proud agent*
4.5 STARS
There was just something missing here for me to give it 5 stars! It was adorable, I got major telenovela vibes and I cried at all the important moments. But just something didn't quite pull on my heartstrings enough for a 5 star rating.
There was just something missing here for me to give it 5 stars! It was adorable, I got major telenovela vibes and I cried at all the important moments. But just something didn't quite pull on my heartstrings enough for a 5 star rating.
emotional
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
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
This was so cute and a bit magical! I really liked Rosa and her exploration of her Cuban heritage. The curse and ocean parts were intriguing and are still a little too mysterious, even after finishing the book. There were sooo many characters and names; I couldn’t keep anyone straight. Some parts felt unresolved and/or rushed at the end. I should stop complaining though because I did genuinely enjoy this story. I lovedddd Moreno’s writing style - so lyrical but not overly flowery. I’d highly recommend this book!
I loved this book so much! It is definitely among my favorite books I've read so far this year.
The characters are what make this book so great, in my opinion. Nina Moreno was able to create a colorful cast of characters that you couldn't help but grow attached to. Being set in a small town, everyone knows everyone. And therefore, we were introduced to a plethora of characters that moved the story forward one way or another. I, of course, absolutely loved Rosa and could really see myself in her, but I also really loved her abuela, the viejietos, and everyone else in Port Coral.
The story in itself is also much deeper than what it seems at first sight. I thought I would be reading a cutesy romance contemporary, but the story had so many other levels that I hadn't anticipated. Rosa is also struggling with her identity and finding her roots, and from what I've heard, the Cuban rep is very well done. I can't really say much on the topic as I'm not Cuban myself, but I do feel like the author was really able to convey the concept of diaspora and the struggling feelings that come with it. The ending was also really moving, and though I had sort of seen it coming, it still took me by surprise and turned me into an emotional mess.
My favorite part of this book is probably the atmosphere. The story is set in a small town in Florida, not too far from Miami, and you can definitely tell. I love small-town settings, and the atmosphere of this book gave me that feeling, but it also felt very summer-ish. I know this is a debut, but I am already so impressed with Nina Moreno's writing! Not only is she able to create an atmosphere for her book, but she has also impressive story-telling skills. She can convey emotions through her writing and her characters, and that's very powerful.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I cannot wait to see what else this author comes up with!
The characters are what make this book so great, in my opinion. Nina Moreno was able to create a colorful cast of characters that you couldn't help but grow attached to. Being set in a small town, everyone knows everyone. And therefore, we were introduced to a plethora of characters that moved the story forward one way or another. I, of course, absolutely loved Rosa and could really see myself in her, but I also really loved her abuela, the viejietos, and everyone else in Port Coral.
The story in itself is also much deeper than what it seems at first sight. I thought I would be reading a cutesy romance contemporary, but the story had so many other levels that I hadn't anticipated. Rosa is also struggling with her identity and finding her roots, and from what I've heard, the Cuban rep is very well done. I can't really say much on the topic as I'm not Cuban myself, but I do feel like the author was really able to convey the concept of diaspora and the struggling feelings that come with it. The ending was also really moving, and though I had sort of seen it coming, it still took me by surprise and turned me into an emotional mess.
My favorite part of this book is probably the atmosphere. The story is set in a small town in Florida, not too far from Miami, and you can definitely tell. I love small-town settings, and the atmosphere of this book gave me that feeling, but it also felt very summer-ish. I know this is a debut, but I am already so impressed with Nina Moreno's writing! Not only is she able to create an atmosphere for her book, but she has also impressive story-telling skills. She can convey emotions through her writing and her characters, and that's very powerful.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I cannot wait to see what else this author comes up with!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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:
Complicated
A beautiful story about family and diasporic connection. I loved getting to dive into Port Coral and the Cuban-American experience through Rosa’s eyes. There was so much magic and romance throughout the story, and I even teared up towards the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Medical content, Pregnancy
This book was sweet, but a little uneven in its pacing. I did like that it’s love story was secondary, and that Rosa Santos gets to delve into her hidden family history from Cuba.