Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Managed to hold my attention during a chaotic week so yes it's good!
Cute, quick read with strong Gilmore Girls vibes, but a GG if Stars Hollow hated Lorelai.
I really really enjoyed this. It definitely has Jane the Virgin vibes, I adored the family, and I even found the romance adorable (shocking, I know). The audiobook was really well done and the whole experience was just a lot of fun. I’d love to read more from this author!
Rosa Santos is cursed - all the women in her family are. Both her Cuban grandmother and first-generation mom lost the men they loved to the sea, so Rosa just knows. The ocean isn't for her. Neither are boats. And of course boys who sail are completely out of the question. With a college decision looming and a deep desire to understand the Cuban world of her grandmother, Rosa's Florida town and her neighbors will be the backdrop as she makes sense of how to move forward as a girl who truly knows where she belongs.
Rosa caught my heart from the beginning. I loved her open and vulnerable voice, her love for her grandma and her Cuban magic, her need for control and order while at the same time finding herself enchanted by the wild and forbidden. I really liked the role that Cuba - what it represents for her and for her family - played in this book. The magical realism in the story comes on softly, sometimes I had to stretch my suspended disbelief a bit, but I was rooting so hard for her that I was able to manage it. A few scenes left me wanting but overall the writing was strong. At one point I had tears at the tenderness of strong women who love each other and find ways to survive and thrive even as they are hurting in ways that no one may ever understand.
Rosa caught my heart from the beginning. I loved her open and vulnerable voice, her love for her grandma and her Cuban magic, her need for control and order while at the same time finding herself enchanted by the wild and forbidden. I really liked the role that Cuba - what it represents for her and for her family - played in this book. The magical realism in the story comes on softly, sometimes I had to stretch my suspended disbelief a bit, but I was rooting so hard for her that I was able to manage it. A few scenes left me wanting but overall the writing was strong. At one point I had tears at the tenderness of strong women who love each other and find ways to survive and thrive even as they are hurting in ways that no one may ever understand.
A cute young adult novel that is a perfect combination of Gilmore Girls and Jane the Virgin. With a cast of colorful characters and a beautiful use of figurative language Rosa struggles to come of age as she faces life changing moments and a handsome sailor. The concepts of cultural identity and being true to oneself are strongly represented in this novel, and it will be on my recommended reading list for my middle schoolers when school starts tomorrow!
Read even more book reviews at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile.com/
This novel follows the story of teenager, Rosa Santos, who is “cursed” by the sea and on the cusp of heading off to college. She wants to go to her homeland, Cuba, and learn about her culture despite her family’s wishes.
She comes from a small coastal town where the community is a tight knit and everyone looks out for one another. When the town, Port Coral, is in danger they decide to put together a fundraiser where everyone pitches in. Rosa ends up partnering with the tattooed, mysterious, and very cute Alex. They bond over their hopes, dreams, and fears and they find a connection that runs deep.
Rose is a high-spirited and passionate dreamer that wants an adventure outside of the life she has always known. Her grandmother raised her while her mom has been in and out of her life. Her relationship with her mom is somewhat strained due to always leaving Rosa behind and always running away from responsibilities. They still share a bond but it’s definitely unique. Her grandmother, Mimi, is a feisty but caring maternal figure. Though they constantly clash they still love each other.
Rose is “cursed” by the sea and during the book she struggles with the fear it puts in her but all the same time she wants to push the limits and not be trapped by it (pushing boundaries). This novel also focuses on the theme of culture and identity. Rosa feels disconnected from her Cuban culture because she’s never been to the homeland but eventually realizes that’s it’s something that runs deep within.
Port Coral sounds like coziest marina town to visit. It’s small, quaint, friendly, and full of vivid scenery. The writing pulls readers into the town’s setting and the cover art reflect is too. Such a summery novel!
All in all this is a magical and beautifully written story about a multi-generational family, the diaspora, love, and identity. It’s a strong contemporary debut and a story that will stick with readers long after reading it.
*Trigger Warning: Death
This novel follows the story of teenager, Rosa Santos, who is “cursed” by the sea and on the cusp of heading off to college. She wants to go to her homeland, Cuba, and learn about her culture despite her family’s wishes.
She comes from a small coastal town where the community is a tight knit and everyone looks out for one another. When the town, Port Coral, is in danger they decide to put together a fundraiser where everyone pitches in. Rosa ends up partnering with the tattooed, mysterious, and very cute Alex. They bond over their hopes, dreams, and fears and they find a connection that runs deep.
Rose is a high-spirited and passionate dreamer that wants an adventure outside of the life she has always known. Her grandmother raised her while her mom has been in and out of her life. Her relationship with her mom is somewhat strained due to always leaving Rosa behind and always running away from responsibilities. They still share a bond but it’s definitely unique. Her grandmother, Mimi, is a feisty but caring maternal figure. Though they constantly clash they still love each other.
Rose is “cursed” by the sea and during the book she struggles with the fear it puts in her but all the same time she wants to push the limits and not be trapped by it (pushing boundaries). This novel also focuses on the theme of culture and identity. Rosa feels disconnected from her Cuban culture because she’s never been to the homeland but eventually realizes that’s it’s something that runs deep within.
Port Coral sounds like coziest marina town to visit. It’s small, quaint, friendly, and full of vivid scenery. The writing pulls readers into the town’s setting and the cover art reflect is too. Such a summery novel!
All in all this is a magical and beautifully written story about a multi-generational family, the diaspora, love, and identity. It’s a strong contemporary debut and a story that will stick with readers long after reading it.
*Trigger Warning: Death
This was such a fun summer read. I felt transported into a family descended from curses and lost at sea. Lovely writing style and I'm a big fan of the "boy with a boat"
3.5 stars
A dash of Gilmore Girls, a sprinkling of Jane the Virgin, a pinch of One Day at a Time. A light yet in parts somber, cute read that taps into the complexities of an immigrant family.
A dash of Gilmore Girls, a sprinkling of Jane the Virgin, a pinch of One Day at a Time. A light yet in parts somber, cute read that taps into the complexities of an immigrant family.
4.75 stars
Summary:
Don't Date Rosa Santos is a compelling YA contemporary following Rosa's struggles with deciding where to go to college, connecting with her Cuban culture and navigating relationships when her family is cursed.
Characters 5/5:
Rosa is such a well developed character: she has a lot of complexities and issues she's dealing with, but she also has a strong connection to family, friends and the wider community around her. I loved that she felt embedded in the story with all these threads and connections which is something I can find a little lacking in contemporary stories. Although I can't directly relate to many of Rosa's experiences, I still felt such a strong emotional connection with her, and her point of view was at times heartbreaking and at other times hilariously funny. The supporting cast were also fabulous, with a strong community feel, but still everyone kept their distinct characterisations and it was just SO RICH.
Plot 5/5:
One thing that tends to bother me in many YA contemporaries is a lack of a nuanced and complicated plot, but UM THIS HAD THAT IN SPADES. There were so many plot elements that wove their way through this, including the fundraiser to save Port Coral, Rosa's budding romance with Alex, her connection to Cuba, and her relationships with both her mum and her abuela. They were all balanced expertly and I felt like each got just enough time to really sink in. There were some time jumps used in this, but they felt natural and skimmed over the right kinds of stuff to make this whole plot just POP.
Setting 4/5:
Nina Moreno did a great job of building the community and culture of this town of Port Coral. It felt so real and solid in my head, I could feel the Florida vibes seeping off it and I could imagine it in my head like I'd lived there. Unfortunately, I think a little less time was spent building the atmosphere of Havana and Rosa's abuela's hometown, so those moments weren't quite as richly set, but still fabulous!
Writing style and narration 5/5:
I thought the writing in this was great: Rosa has a strong narrative voice, so first person worked really well. The audiobook narration was also fabulous! I'm starting to learn that I prefer YA contemporaries (especially those told in first person) when I listen to them on audiobook, they feel more personal and I engage with the characters better, so I'm glad that's the route I chose for this story. Also, I cried during this, and not even just at the points you would have expected. Rosa's connection to culture and her family really spoke to me and there was one point I started sobbing in my car so that's fun! I can't wait to see what else Nina Moreno comes out with, I'll definitely pick up more from her in the future!
Summary:
Don't Date Rosa Santos is a compelling YA contemporary following Rosa's struggles with deciding where to go to college, connecting with her Cuban culture and navigating relationships when her family is cursed.
Characters 5/5:
Rosa is such a well developed character: she has a lot of complexities and issues she's dealing with, but she also has a strong connection to family, friends and the wider community around her. I loved that she felt embedded in the story with all these threads and connections which is something I can find a little lacking in contemporary stories. Although I can't directly relate to many of Rosa's experiences, I still felt such a strong emotional connection with her, and her point of view was at times heartbreaking and at other times hilariously funny. The supporting cast were also fabulous, with a strong community feel, but still everyone kept their distinct characterisations and it was just SO RICH.
Plot 5/5:
One thing that tends to bother me in many YA contemporaries is a lack of a nuanced and complicated plot, but UM THIS HAD THAT IN SPADES. There were so many plot elements that wove their way through this, including the fundraiser to save Port Coral, Rosa's budding romance with Alex, her connection to Cuba, and her relationships with both her mum and her abuela. They were all balanced expertly and I felt like each got just enough time to really sink in. There were some time jumps used in this, but they felt natural and skimmed over the right kinds of stuff to make this whole plot just POP.
Setting 4/5:
Nina Moreno did a great job of building the community and culture of this town of Port Coral. It felt so real and solid in my head, I could feel the Florida vibes seeping off it and I could imagine it in my head like I'd lived there. Unfortunately, I think a little less time was spent building the atmosphere of Havana and Rosa's abuela's hometown, so those moments weren't quite as richly set, but still fabulous!
Writing style and narration 5/5:
I thought the writing in this was great: Rosa has a strong narrative voice, so first person worked really well. The audiobook narration was also fabulous! I'm starting to learn that I prefer YA contemporaries (especially those told in first person) when I listen to them on audiobook, they feel more personal and I engage with the characters better, so I'm glad that's the route I chose for this story. Also, I cried during this, and not even just at the points you would have expected. Rosa's connection to culture and her family really spoke to me and there was one point I started sobbing in my car so that's fun! I can't wait to see what else Nina Moreno comes out with, I'll definitely pick up more from her in the future!
I absolutely adored this book. I loved ALL of the characters and the ways that they interacted with one another.