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freadomlibrary's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating 3.5 stars
I received an e-ARC of this book from HarperCollins through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
ONCE UPON A QUINCEAÑERA follows almost high school graduate Carmen working as a Disney princess and performer for her estranged cousin’s quinceañera during the summer in order to get her diploma. This strange situation is further complicated by the arrival of an old flame desperate to earn forgiveness.
I really enjoyed this book! I connected a lot with Carmen and her family struggles and commiserated a lot with how she was affected by her family’s negative expectations of her. Unfortunately, the beginning was slow and filled to the brim with information. I felt like there were a lot of sub plots to keep track of. However, I found the romance endearing and loved Carmen’s personal growth throughout the story. While I wish the epilogue had wrapped up the story a bit differently, I would definitely recommend this book to YA contemporary readers looking for something new!
I received an e-ARC of this book from HarperCollins through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
ONCE UPON A QUINCEAÑERA follows almost high school graduate Carmen working as a Disney princess and performer for her estranged cousin’s quinceañera during the summer in order to get her diploma. This strange situation is further complicated by the arrival of an old flame desperate to earn forgiveness.
I really enjoyed this book! I connected a lot with Carmen and her family struggles and commiserated a lot with how she was affected by her family’s negative expectations of her. Unfortunately, the beginning was slow and filled to the brim with information. I felt like there were a lot of sub plots to keep track of. However, I found the romance endearing and loved Carmen’s personal growth throughout the story. While I wish the epilogue had wrapped up the story a bit differently, I would definitely recommend this book to YA contemporary readers looking for something new!
book_concierge's review
2.0
Digital audio performed by Terry Donnelly
2.5**
Carmen yearns for her “happily ever after,” but for now she has to make do with a summer internship that has her singing in a ball gown as a Disney princess for children’s parties. And now the company has been hired for her cousin Ariana’s over-the-top quinceañera! To make matters worse, her former flame Mauro has been assigned as her new dance partner.
This is a YA novel full of teenaged angst. Sex, drinking, one-upsmanship, family drama, frustrated dreams … all happening in a sultry Miami summer. All I can say is I’m glad I never let my mom give me a quinceañera party!
Terry Donnelly does a pretty good job of voicing the audio version. She sets a good pace and her diction is clear. There were a couple of times when I got confused about who was speaking; there are a lot of female characters.
2.5**
Carmen yearns for her “happily ever after,” but for now she has to make do with a summer internship that has her singing in a ball gown as a Disney princess for children’s parties. And now the company has been hired for her cousin Ariana’s over-the-top quinceañera! To make matters worse, her former flame Mauro has been assigned as her new dance partner.
This is a YA novel full of teenaged angst. Sex, drinking, one-upsmanship, family drama, frustrated dreams … all happening in a sultry Miami summer. All I can say is I’m glad I never let my mom give me a quinceañera party!
Terry Donnelly does a pretty good job of voicing the audio version. She sets a good pace and her diction is clear. There were a couple of times when I got confused about who was speaking; there are a lot of female characters.
paperpoppy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Picked this up on a whim and do not regret it! I really enjoyed the setting of this book and felt like the characters were very realistic. I thought that the family relationship theme was interesting to explore and not talked about enough. Drifting away from family is very real, I'm very glad to have read a book that talks about it and shows resolution to family tension.
emilia97's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
joss_vls's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book was alright. I would love a story about Waverly! She was one of my favorites for sure, along with Cesar.
jay_mack9712's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There was a lot of cool cultural element to the story. I did struggle with Carmen though. Her character growth took far too long to come about and by the end of it she was just being a dick because she could … so that made it hard because I get where she was coming from but she wasn’t listening to anyone else. And she held onto to shit for so long and simply missed out on what she could have had. It was an enjoyable narrator to listen too.
la_ravenreader's review
3.0
A story about about 18 year old Carmen Aguilar, who after failing to meet her high school requirements must now do a summer internship to get her diploma. She has to work as a party princess for the summer with her best friend. Although, the story itself was good,
Carmen just felt like such an unlikable character. I understand that she is supposed to be a flawed teenager, but she was just mean spirited and selfish. I couldn't get past that.
Carmen just felt like such an unlikable character. I understand that she is supposed to be a flawed teenager, but she was just mean spirited and selfish. I couldn't get past that.
destiel74's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was wonderful read. I could see some of myself in Carmen with all the cynicism and learning to let loose. I’m glad she patched things up.