Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I definitely enjoyed reading Don’t Date Rosa Santos but it unfortunately isn’t a new favorite of mine. I really liked Nina Moreno’s style of writing and this book was also a really quick read. Overall however, the story just wasn’t very interesting and I for some reason had a very hard time connecting with the characters. Nevertheless, I’ll definitely be checking out future releases by Nina Moreno!
instagram || my blog || twitter
instagram || my blog || twitter
~ ROSA SANTOS IS CURSED BY THE SEA--AT LEAST, THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY. DATING HER IS BAD NEWS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A BOY WITH A BOAT. ~
Ahh, this book. My Latina heart was so excited to dive into this sweet, charming, family-focused novel by Nina Moreno. We honestly don’t see enough Latinx contemporaries in the YA space and I’m LIVING for this.
Ahh, this book. My Latina heart was so excited to dive into this sweet, charming, family-focused novel by Nina Moreno. We honestly don’t see enough Latinx contemporaries in the YA space and I’m LIVING for this.
please note that my reading experience wasn't perfect because all of the first pages of each chapter were missing so I kept getting jerked out of the story when it could have been smoother
BUT this was really good!!
BUT this was really good!!
Hmm. Hmmm. I may have entered this with too high of expectations, since I'd seen it compared to Jane the Virgin? And that's a really high bar. I can see why the comparisons are made--3 generations of Latina women, semi-magical vibes, but...well, for starters, Jane the Virgin is VERY funny and very light on its feet, where this felt a bit clunky, a bit like it was stumbling over what it had set for itself to do. It felt like maybe the sea curse could have been set up a bit more, especially given how...abruptly it was broken?
Still--a lot of good parts here, I liked Rosa as an ambitious over-achiever who suddenly isn't sure what she wants to achieve, and the romance is sweet if a bit abrupt. I really enjoyed the description of Cuba and what it means for various generations, and I imagine this would all resonate a lot more for a Cuban-American reader than for me.
Still--a lot of good parts here, I liked Rosa as an ambitious over-achiever who suddenly isn't sure what she wants to achieve, and the romance is sweet if a bit abrupt. I really enjoyed the description of Cuba and what it means for various generations, and I imagine this would all resonate a lot more for a Cuban-American reader than for me.
This was like a super fluffy Outer Banks meets Gilmore Girls and I was here for it! Cute, cute, cute.
Nina Moreno’s debut, Don’t Date Rosa Santos, perfectly blends romance and family in a coming of age story infused with heart and magic. In the small town of Port Coral, people have always whispered about the Santos women. How Milagro came from Cuba with a newborn babe and a face full of grief, having lost her husband at sea. The babe in turn grew up, fell in love with a sailor and he too was swept away, leaving a young Liliana heartbroken and pregnant. Rosa grew up hearing how the Santos women are cursed by the sea, how it takes from them the ones they love too much. As Rosa grapples with impending decisions about her future, her mother and grandmother’s grief continues to press in on her. And if Rosa isn’t careful, a new resident to Port Coral, a boy with a boat and a quiet smile, could once again spell tragedy for the Santos women.
Moreno does so many things well in her debut. Not only do her characters feel real, but the town of Port Coral feels like a living breathing world. It’s easy to fall in love with this town’s sights, sounds, and smells. From Mimi’s home, Rosa’s grandmother, to the town’s marina, every place feels like it could and does exist in the real world. Moreno first and foremost most builds this small town around its people. As Rosa navigates her hometown, readers are introduces to a myriad of locals, each bringing something unique to the narrative and forming the personality of Port Coral...
Read my full review on my blog here.
Moreno does so many things well in her debut. Not only do her characters feel real, but the town of Port Coral feels like a living breathing world. It’s easy to fall in love with this town’s sights, sounds, and smells. From Mimi’s home, Rosa’s grandmother, to the town’s marina, every place feels like it could and does exist in the real world. Moreno first and foremost most builds this small town around its people. As Rosa navigates her hometown, readers are introduces to a myriad of locals, each bringing something unique to the narrative and forming the personality of Port Coral...
Read my full review on my blog here.
This book is light and complex and heartbreaking and fluffy all in a single package. The cultural representation was refreshing, and the romance was delightful. I read it super quickly, and found it to be a fun, summer read.
