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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Rosa Santos has been told all her life that the women in her family are cursed to lose the love of their lives to the sea. Dealing with her mother who flits in and out of her life, college applications, and a town full of gossip, she thinks she doesn’t need to worry about falling in love with anyone anyway. Until quiet and mysterious Alex moves back to town.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was just fine, in my opinion. There were some good moments but mostly some boring ones. That sums up how I felt while reading this: bored. The romance did nothing for me. And the ending took kind of a weird turn and messed up the pacing of this book for me.
I will say that I did love Rosa’s abuela’s stories about Cuba and her life story - I’d much rather read a whole book about her. I think this book had a lot of potential, and as a debut author I’d be open to reading more from her in the future.
I think this is a typical YA book with a much needed latinx flare. If it sounds like something you’re interested in, I’d say give it a try and see if it’s for you!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was just fine, in my opinion. There were some good moments but mostly some boring ones. That sums up how I felt while reading this: bored. The romance did nothing for me. And the ending took kind of a weird turn and messed up the pacing of this book for me.
I will say that I did love Rosa’s abuela’s stories about Cuba and her life story - I’d much rather read a whole book about her. I think this book had a lot of potential, and as a debut author I’d be open to reading more from her in the future.
I think this is a typical YA book with a much needed latinx flare. If it sounds like something you’re interested in, I’d say give it a try and see if it’s for you!
"I would have my own stories from the island that, for so long, had been an heirloom I couldn't touch."
Rosa Santos has been cursed. The water has taken the men who helped her have the life she has. She wants to create her own future. Her past seems to have other plans.
PLOT:
From Mother to Mimi, Rosa has been shown that she is carrying a curse she didn't ask for. Both her Father and Grandfather were taken by the sea, leaving the women in her life to figure out this new life alone.
Cuba was always a topic that could never be brought up without the conversation being turned to something else. She feels like she doesn't know her past.
As she falls for a boy who loves the sea and her college plans change, Rosa feels lost and doesn't know who she is anymore.
The plot is part of what hooked me in from the beginning. As a Cuban American myself, I have been in Rosa's shoes when it comes to her heritage. I often times feel lost in my skin and the blood that flows through my veins doesn't always feel like mine.
Even though the plot isn't something out of this world, I enjoyed it. Even though it was for personal reasons.
CHARACTERS:
Rosa's POV is the only one we follow, but to me, it was enough. Going through her thoughts and feelings was like being in my own mind. At times, that can be a bit boring, but I did not think that in this case. Rosa is a very smart and very organized young woman who always goes above and beyond for her studies in order to have a better future.
This is not confirmed, but I feel that Rosa's need to be organized and plan everything in her planner is an effect of losing her mother to her own pain/loss.
Mimi, aka Rosa's grandmother, is like every older Cuban woman I've met in my life. I could smell her scent before it was even described. She is a woman who helps other with her herbs and oils yet doesn't help herself much. She loves Rosa so much and it is felt through the sentences that involves both of them. I love Mimi with my whole heart.
The group of friends was amazing! They're the friends I still want to this day. They were written very well and they're realistic of what 16-19 year olds are like.
I also loved everyone in Port Coral, they felt like a legit community instead of just neighbors.
There was diversity and acceptance which needs to be shown more and needs to be applied in real life. It's beautiful!
WRITING:
Nina Moreno's writing has bits and pieces of beautiful lines and descriptions. There wasn't a moment where I was lost while reading.
Nina places little treasures in her story and once found, they're the best treats.
I cried and laughed so much while reading Don't Date Rosa Santos. Again, I felt seen and understood. Those are things that everyone should feel and experience.
Thank you, Nina. I cannot wait to see what else you put out in this world.
⭐5 STARS ⭐
Rosa Santos has been cursed. The water has taken the men who helped her have the life she has. She wants to create her own future. Her past seems to have other plans.
PLOT:
From Mother to Mimi, Rosa has been shown that she is carrying a curse she didn't ask for. Both her Father and Grandfather were taken by the sea, leaving the women in her life to figure out this new life alone.
Cuba was always a topic that could never be brought up without the conversation being turned to something else. She feels like she doesn't know her past.
As she falls for a boy who loves the sea and her college plans change, Rosa feels lost and doesn't know who she is anymore.
The plot is part of what hooked me in from the beginning. As a Cuban American myself, I have been in Rosa's shoes when it comes to her heritage. I often times feel lost in my skin and the blood that flows through my veins doesn't always feel like mine.
Even though the plot isn't something out of this world, I enjoyed it. Even though it was for personal reasons.
CHARACTERS:
Rosa's POV is the only one we follow, but to me, it was enough. Going through her thoughts and feelings was like being in my own mind. At times, that can be a bit boring, but I did not think that in this case. Rosa is a very smart and very organized young woman who always goes above and beyond for her studies in order to have a better future.
This is not confirmed, but I feel that Rosa's need to be organized and plan everything in her planner is an effect of losing her mother to her own pain/loss.
Mimi, aka Rosa's grandmother, is like every older Cuban woman I've met in my life. I could smell her scent before it was even described. She is a woman who helps other with her herbs and oils yet doesn't help herself much. She loves Rosa so much and it is felt through the sentences that involves both of them. I love Mimi with my whole heart.
The group of friends was amazing! They're the friends I still want to this day. They were written very well and they're realistic of what 16-19 year olds are like.
I also loved everyone in Port Coral, they felt like a legit community instead of just neighbors.
There was diversity and acceptance which needs to be shown more and needs to be applied in real life. It's beautiful!
WRITING:
Nina Moreno's writing has bits and pieces of beautiful lines and descriptions. There wasn't a moment where I was lost while reading.
Nina places little treasures in her story and once found, they're the best treats.
I cried and laughed so much while reading Don't Date Rosa Santos. Again, I felt seen and understood. Those are things that everyone should feel and experience.
Thank you, Nina. I cannot wait to see what else you put out in this world.
⭐5 STARS ⭐
Extra book (not for Popsugar Reading Challenge)
This was a quick read, kept me entertained and interested, and was a good summer read. I definitely picked up on the Gilmore Girls vibes it was putting out, and I enjoyed the characters enough. I honestly don’t think I’ll remember much about it in a few months time, but it was fine for now.
This was a quick read, kept me entertained and interested, and was a good summer read. I definitely picked up on the Gilmore Girls vibes it was putting out, and I enjoyed the characters enough. I honestly don’t think I’ll remember much about it in a few months time, but it was fine for now.
This was a very charming read. It was so much more than a romance. It was a coming of age story about grief, belonging, family, heritage and learning to love your roots! I loved the Cuban ancestry, and how the curse all tied in together. I wanted to love the romance but didn't feel any chemistry between Rosa and Alex. But it was a great read even without it.
lighthearted
reflective
funny
hopeful
August 11, 2019 – Finished Reading
August 11, 2019 – 89.0% "This book is so beautifully written"
August 10, 2019 – 63.0% "😍😍😍"
August 7, 2019 – 53.0% "😍"
August 6, 2019 – 40.0% "Ohmygosh this is so cute"
August 3, 2019 – 30.0% "I was concerned abt Alex because of the whole broody thing but he seems sweet so i support it"
August 2, 2019 – 29.0% "Really liking it so far"
August 1, 2019 – Started Reading
May 23, 2019 – Shelved
May 23, 2019 – Shelved as: to-read
It felt a little incomplete for me (unless I'm completely dense and just didn't understand), but still enjoyable!
4.5 stars - This book was a wonderful combination of so many things I love in a story: a small town with a tight-knit community, the sea, a sweet romance, a focus on family, and a subtle hint of magic. I loved this book so much!
Actual Rating: 3.5
Don’t date Rosa Santos was an interesting book. I liked the romance and the ocean curse. Although that part was also sad. This book had a good summery vibe which was perfect for this time of year. I’m happy I didn’t pick this up in the middle of winter, because then my pining for summer vacation would’ve started way early.
There was a LOT of LGBT representation, with was a negative for me, but I’m sure other people would like it. I was also not happy with the amounts of witchcraft Rosa did. That was weird and also unnecessary.
This book had many fun parts, but part of the humor was the comments that the characters made in Spanish. My family is Puerto Rican, so I understood all the Spanish in this book, but I feel that non-Spanish speakers would be missing out on part of the fun. If you pick this book up and don’t speak Spanish, get your translator ready! You will want to translate the names everyone calls each other.
That’s all I’ve got to say on this book. I hope that you all find this book enjoyable!
Don’t date Rosa Santos was an interesting book. I liked the romance and the ocean curse. Although that part was also sad. This book had a good summery vibe which was perfect for this time of year. I’m happy I didn’t pick this up in the middle of winter, because then my pining for summer vacation would’ve started way early.
There was a LOT of LGBT representation, with was a negative for me, but I’m sure other people would like it. I was also not happy with the amounts of witchcraft Rosa did. That was weird and also unnecessary.
This book had many fun parts, but part of the humor was the comments that the characters made in Spanish. My family is Puerto Rican, so I understood all the Spanish in this book, but I feel that non-Spanish speakers would be missing out on part of the fun. If you pick this book up and don’t speak Spanish, get your translator ready! You will want to translate the names everyone calls each other.
That’s all I’ve got to say on this book. I hope that you all find this book enjoyable!