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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Gr 8 Up for brief language.This is the story of Rosa Santos, whose mother lost her lover (Rosa’s sailor father) to the sea, and whose mother before her lost her husband (Rosa’s grandfather) while escaping from Cuba by boat. Because of this, everyone in Port Coral, FL believes the family is cursed. So naturally the story is about how Rosa falls in love with “a boy with a boat” herself.
I love the concept, and I also especially loved the author’s note at the end, which tells the story of Moreno’s own family of Cuban exiles. But I gave the story 3 instead of 4 stars because I felt the story was too long, and the romance rushed. Perhaps would have worked better as a novella? In any case, recommended for lovers of multigenerational stories.
I love the concept, and I also especially loved the author’s note at the end, which tells the story of Moreno’s own family of Cuban exiles. But I gave the story 3 instead of 4 stars because I felt the story was too long, and the romance rushed. Perhaps would have worked better as a novella? In any case, recommended for lovers of multigenerational stories.
despite taking forever to finish due to me being lazy af, this was super adorable!
full rtc!
full rtc!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
A beautiful, bold depiction of Cuban culture that is rich in its lore and chalked full of strong female characters. A young adult version of Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton.
This was so much more than the basic YA romance I was expecting
adventurous
emotional
This was a really emotional read! Based off the title and cover, I initially thought this was going to focus heavily on dating and romance. Instead, I just read a book full of so much love for home and family with a side of cute romance. Rosa's relationships with her family, including the people in Port Coral, is everything: sweet, infuriating, embarrassing, nosy, fun, magical, and loveable. Honestly those words pretty much explain the entire book. I can't really pinpoint an obvious plot or conflict other than the overarching issue of Rosa finding out who she is, where she comes from, and where she's going. Despite the lack of obvious plot, I loved this beautiful and unique exploration of self and family.
Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for the arc!
Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for the arc!
3.5
This was fun and cute but I don't have much more to say about it. Alex was a little autistic-coded at the beginning so I was like
This was fun and cute but I don't have much more to say about it. Alex was a little autistic-coded at the beginning so I was like
I liked it, but this just didn't hook me as much as I wanted it to. There is a lot to like about it--its a cute romance while also diving into issues of identity and inherited trauma. I think maybe the writing style was just not for me. But a fun book overall.
3.5 - sweet and enjoyable story. was also a nice reflection on my college years in florida.