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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Kind of underwhelming but I loved the viejitos’ instagram page
2.5
I read unrelatable books before but to like them I need an interesting plot and some sort of quirky characters. This unfortunately wasn't relatable and had nothing interesting to me.
It's the kind of book I'll forget everything about tomorrow.
I did like the ending tho, and that was enough for me to say that I can see some people loving this, this book has its audience but I'm not one.
I read unrelatable books before but to like them I need an interesting plot and some sort of quirky characters. This unfortunately wasn't relatable and had nothing interesting to me.
It's the kind of book I'll forget everything about tomorrow.
I did like the ending tho, and that was enough for me to say that I can see some people loving this, this book has its audience but I'm not one.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this digital ARC.
I will admit up front that I was attracted to this book by the cover and the title. I had no idea what to expect. I actually nearly stopped reading it a couple times because I wasn't being pulled in. I pushed through until I WAS pulled in. The whole story of the Santos women was unique and much richer than I expected. The last third of this book is the absolutely best part of it, even when it's heavy and a little heartbreaking. I liked reading about Rosa Santos and her journey to discover more about herself, her family, and her family history.
There's magic in this book that reminds me of the subtleties of Practical Magic and then the family element reminds me of Jane the Virgin. The main plot seems to be that the locals are trying to save the harbor but becomes so much more in depth and rich and tied together. Between trying to pull off a wedding and festival at the same time, overcoming a family curse (something that I didn't actually love, honestly), picking the college Rosa wants to go to, and unexpectedly falling for a boy with a boat...there's a lot more. Alex is a boy that has layers and I adored his love of baking. When the author talks about sailing, I could easily picture those scenes. There's a nice visual within her writing that helps the story flow more easily.
Yes, this book only earned three stars for me and it's mainly because it took me so long to get invested. It earned its three stars and I can easily see others giving it a higher rating. It's one that I would recommend to anybody wanting something original.
I will admit up front that I was attracted to this book by the cover and the title. I had no idea what to expect. I actually nearly stopped reading it a couple times because I wasn't being pulled in. I pushed through until I WAS pulled in. The whole story of the Santos women was unique and much richer than I expected. The last third of this book is the absolutely best part of it, even when it's heavy and a little heartbreaking. I liked reading about Rosa Santos and her journey to discover more about herself, her family, and her family history.
There's magic in this book that reminds me of the subtleties of Practical Magic and then the family element reminds me of Jane the Virgin. The main plot seems to be that the locals are trying to save the harbor but becomes so much more in depth and rich and tied together. Between trying to pull off a wedding and festival at the same time, overcoming a family curse (something that I didn't actually love, honestly), picking the college Rosa wants to go to, and unexpectedly falling for a boy with a boat...there's a lot more. Alex is a boy that has layers and I adored his love of baking. When the author talks about sailing, I could easily picture those scenes. There's a nice visual within her writing that helps the story flow more easily.
Yes, this book only earned three stars for me and it's mainly because it took me so long to get invested. It earned its three stars and I can easily see others giving it a higher rating. It's one that I would recommend to anybody wanting something original.
I’m debating between 4.5 and 5 stars. This was such a great YA contemporary with a speculative element. I loved it. But also, CW for grief. I cried.
I adored this book! It made my heart incredibly happy, especially right now. I almost rated it 5 stars but the story just wasn’t totally there for me.
Also, I can’t be the only person who kept breaking out into songs from In the Heights. You got Benny, you got fireworks, you got a blackout, you got Abuela. I can’t tell if these references were intentional or unintentional, but I was here for it.
Also, I can’t be the only person who kept breaking out into songs from In the Heights. You got Benny, you got fireworks, you got a blackout, you got Abuela. I can’t tell if these references were intentional or unintentional, but I was here for it.
This is the book I needed growing up. And even now it had a huge impact on me.
Rosa is the most relatable character I have ever read. From taking college classes in high school to overthinking everything and wanting to please everyone & most importantly "being a collection of hyphens".
Rosa describes the Latinx diaspora as "always caught in between. Two schools, two languages, two countries. Never quite right or enough for either." I understand not quite ever feeling like you belong, like there's a part missing & you're just not enough.
*I'll have a more completely fleshed out review later but I just finished & these are my most important thoughts.*
The: grief, death of a family member
Rosa is the most relatable character I have ever read. From taking college classes in high school to overthinking everything and wanting to please everyone & most importantly "being a collection of hyphens".
Rosa describes the Latinx diaspora as "always caught in between. Two schools, two languages, two countries. Never quite right or enough for either." I understand not quite ever feeling like you belong, like there's a part missing & you're just not enough.
*I'll have a more completely fleshed out review later but I just finished & these are my most important thoughts.*
The: grief, death of a family member
Rich, vivid, charming, and enchanting. The story of Rosa Santos is one I'm sure I'll find myself thinking about the next time Florida drags me back oceanside.
This book just might be my favorite read of 2019. From the small beach town, to code switching in spanish, secret brujia, to finding home again "Dont Date Rosa Santos" has it all.