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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
TW: death of a loved one
Rep: bi Cuban American MC, Latino LI, black side character in a m|m relationship, Latina side character in a w|w relationship, British Nigerian side character
The first half was fresh, vibrant and colorful; the second half was more emotional, a tiny bit heartbreaking and bittersweet.
Overall it was very easy to read (expect when it made me cry), I enjoyed the story, I liked the setting and I liked how all the side characters were loud, in each other’s business but all cared for each other.
The acknowledgements made me bawl my eyes out and what’s new.
Rep: bi Cuban American MC, Latino LI, black side character in a m|m relationship, Latina side character in a w|w relationship, British Nigerian side character
The first half was fresh, vibrant and colorful; the second half was more emotional, a tiny bit heartbreaking and bittersweet.
Overall it was very easy to read (expect when it made me cry), I enjoyed the story, I liked the setting and I liked how all the side characters were loud, in each other’s business but all cared for each other.
The acknowledgements made me bawl my eyes out and what’s new.
I have quite a few friends who read and loved this book, but it didn't quite live up to the hype for me. The story itself was cute; the plot revolves around a close-knit Floridian community working together to raise enough money to save their town's marina from being bought by developers. The people work together to put on a festival of sorts and while I loved that set up, I felt a little let down that we didn't see much of the festival itself.
Additionally, there were a lot of side characters in this book. Most of them were just mentioned here and there and thus didn't warrant enough character development for me to keep track of them. (There was also one instance where the name Eli was used but...I truly have no idea who Eli is? Was it a typo? I was confused.) The love interest also felt a bit bland and I wasn't sure how or when Rosa fell for him. Rosa, her mother, and her grandmother on the other hand were really distinct characters and I loved all their personalities.
I think maybe my favorite thing about this story was all the discussion of food and baked goods. Nina Moreno really brought those scenes to life for me. There were lots of magical realist/fabulist elements to this that I loved too, including the curse that the Santos women face, which made it whimsical and lovely. I wish I had read this closer to summer...or at the very least while not stuck at home under shelter-in-place orders because it was torture to read about the sun and the beach while sitting at home.
Additionally, there were a lot of side characters in this book. Most of them were just mentioned here and there and thus didn't warrant enough character development for me to keep track of them. (There was also one instance where the name Eli was used but...I truly have no idea who Eli is? Was it a typo? I was confused.) The love interest also felt a bit bland and I wasn't sure how or when Rosa fell for him. Rosa, her mother, and her grandmother on the other hand were really distinct characters and I loved all their personalities.
I think maybe my favorite thing about this story was all the discussion of food and baked goods. Nina Moreno really brought those scenes to life for me. There were lots of magical realist/fabulist elements to this that I loved too, including the curse that the Santos women face, which made it whimsical and lovely. I wish I had read this closer to summer...or at the very least while not stuck at home under shelter-in-place orders because it was torture to read about the sun and the beach while sitting at home.
“Don’t Date Rosa Santos” is a story following Rosa, a teenage girl who is cursed by the sea. If a boy with a boat falls in love with a Santos woman, he will meet his doom. Thus, Rosa avoids relationships at all costs, that is until she meets Alex Aquino.
I adored this book. It is a romantic ode to Cuba, diaspora, and Latinx culture. I saw much of myself in Rosa, and many readers, especially Cuban ones will too.
This story explores love, loss, grief, and generational trauma. It is everything I hoped for and more. This book may just be a new favorite of mine, and I am so thankful to have read it. Do yourselves a favor and pick it up when it releases on May 14!
CW: Death
Copy given in exchange for an honest review
I adored this book. It is a romantic ode to Cuba, diaspora, and Latinx culture. I saw much of myself in Rosa, and many readers, especially Cuban ones will too.
This story explores love, loss, grief, and generational trauma. It is everything I hoped for and more. This book may just be a new favorite of mine, and I am so thankful to have read it. Do yourselves a favor and pick it up when it releases on May 14!
CW: Death
Copy given in exchange for an honest review
Fluffy and bittersweet, this book is a perfect summer read with adventure, identity politics, and lovely romance. I hardly require much else.
A generational story about family, curses, and the price we pay for our family's prior sacrifices. The weight you feel when your family sacrificed so you could have a better life and how that can limit you, cripple you with fear and anxiety and the desire to overachieve. It was a really atmospheric and wonderful LatinX story and I found myself really enjoying the audiobook.
I will say that there was a surprise sick family member/death and I was not okay with it as I'm at a point in my life where that's a little too close to home (no spoilers). I also wish that we'd have more resolution for Rosa and her mother, a little more discussion about their relationship and how truly messed up it had been in the past and how they were going to see things through in the future.
A quick fun read with some serious emotional heart to it, though!
I will say that there was a surprise sick family member/death and I was not okay with it as I'm at a point in my life where that's a little too close to home (no spoilers). I also wish that we'd have more resolution for Rosa and her mother, a little more discussion about their relationship and how truly messed up it had been in the past and how they were going to see things through in the future.
A quick fun read with some serious emotional heart to it, though!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
cw: death of a family member, past references to death & drowning
the vibes are just really soft and delightful with Port Coral. It's a place that's romantic in all the right places, cheesy at the best of times, and just takes the playful aspect of romcoms and puffers it through family and friends. I love the neighborhood, I love rosa and her bujo antics, i love this book's reflection on immigration and tying so much trauma to the sea (there it is again, my favorite aspect of latinx stories, where we share our joy & misery in the same space).
i don't know what it is about it, but once i embraced the atmosphere i just vibed with all the corny experiences and the giggles between ppl who've known each other for years. i loved the community's dynamic; it was refreshing to see a neighborhood so in tune with everybody and who they are and where they come from. it's a mixed balance of knowing your home and the people in it, good and bad, but the story is a hopeful one that centers on healing with the people around u
some golden turtles, hurricane season, brujeria, some pastelitos--it's the making of a bright sunny day down by the port :>
the vibes are just really soft and delightful with Port Coral. It's a place that's romantic in all the right places, cheesy at the best of times, and just takes the playful aspect of romcoms and puffers it through family and friends. I love the neighborhood, I love rosa and her bujo antics, i love this book's reflection on immigration and tying so much trauma to the sea (there it is again, my favorite aspect of latinx stories, where we share our joy & misery in the same space).
i don't know what it is about it, but once i embraced the atmosphere i just vibed with all the corny experiences and the giggles between ppl who've known each other for years. i loved the community's dynamic; it was refreshing to see a neighborhood so in tune with everybody and who they are and where they come from. it's a mixed balance of knowing your home and the people in it, good and bad, but the story is a hopeful one that centers on healing with the people around u
some golden turtles, hurricane season, brujeria, some pastelitos--it's the making of a bright sunny day down by the port :>
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Absolutely beautiful, it was amazing having a Hispanic character to relate to. I loved this.