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thecriticalreader's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The Run-Down: Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura uncovers the insidious nature of power imbalance in relationships through a story that steadfastly champions the voice of its Latina main character.
Review:
In the years since the #MeToo movement started, fiction and nonfiction literature about women who grow to recognize the abusive power dynamics of past relationships has grown in popularity; recent books in this category include My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell and I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeannette McCurdy. The relationship between protagonist Tatum Vega and famous author M. Domínguez in Like Happiness lacks many of the obvious trademarks of abuse as many people conceive it. Tatum is of legal age when she strikes up a friendship with Domínguez, who is eight years her senior. They bond over their Latinx identities and love of literature. Domínguez never pressures Tatum into a physical relationship, nor does he verbally or physically harass her. Tatum pursues relationships and careers outside of her relationship with the author. Yet, a decade later, when a reporter contacts Tatum after a woman accuses Domínguez of assault, Tatum retrospectively grapples with the currents of power and control that flowed underneath their outwardly innocuous relationship dynamic.
The effectiveness of Like Happiness lies not in its flashy revelations or dramatic plot points, but in its deliberate character-building and quiet details. Villarreal-Moura paints a full and rich portrait of her protagonist, and thus the reader is able to comprehend how, despite her natural intelligence and tendency toward skepticism, Tatum’s naïveté and particular vulnerabilities make her susceptible to manipulation by M. Domínguez. “Manipulative men draped themselves draped themselves in bling and collected Rolls-Royces,” Tatum muses upon visiting Domínguez’s surprisingly humble apartment for the first time; “They didn’t sleep on futons.” By portraying Tatum as both precocious and flawed, Villarreal-Moura underscores that victims of abuse need be neither helpless nor perfect to receive empathy.
The plot of this book moves slowly but steadily through the years of their relationship, allowing the author to capture the nearly imperceptible ways a power imbalance can be leveraged to benefit the person with power at the expense of the person without. The timeline can get a bit fuzzy at times—the characters use cell phones and email in ways that seem a bit anachronistic for the early 2000s—but it reflects the way their relationship gradually shifts as Tatum ages from an aimless college student to a restless professional. The book thus doubles as bildungsroman as it portrays the progression of a relationship.
Like Happiness reflects on the ways stories and our understandings of them can be used for oppression and liberation; Villarreal-Moura acts in the service of the latter as she delivers a quietly cathartic resolution that reminds us that everyone deserves to pursue their dreams and have their voice heard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Infidelity, Racism, Alcohol, Classism, and Sexism
Minor: Drug abuse and Sexual assault
allapaz's review
5.0
Ursula Villarreal-Moura can write some damn good characters.
This novel had some of the most interesting and nuanced character work I've read in a while. Tatum as a main character was equal parts endearing and frustrating, and I definitely could feel the angst of her young adulthood as she moved through graduating college to living at home to moving out on her own for the first time, all the while navigating this relationship that plays with power dynamics and toxicity in a way I haven't seen a ton in lit like this.
This book is for the character and relationship-focused girlies. There's not a strong plotline as far as action-reaction-resolution here, but that is a huge plus. The synopsis makes it seem like the story is more focused on this pull between past and present, revisiting past trauma and unpacking patterns of abuse. The bulk of this novel, though, is Tatum's reflection on her relationship and unpacking power dynamics in various relationships and situationships throughout her life. I really enjoyed the attention to detail that went into Tatum and M's relationship and the little nuggets of foreshadowing and allusion that happened throughout the novel. I LOVED the second-person writing in this one as a stylistic choice, it made Tatum's internal monologue so much more impactful and personal.
I read this in two sittings. I spent the entirety of the time between those two sittings thinking about this book. I finished this on the 20th, and today is the 25th. I've thought about this book several times a day since I finished it. I think the main reason this worked so well for me is that it subverted what I expected it to be.
I think the reason this didn't do enough for some people is exactly why I thought it was so realistic--real life doesn't wrap up with a nice bow. Real life isn't always black and white, and people aren't always all good or all bad, and memories and experiences are complicated. The complexity is a really interesting space to explore here, and I appreciated the author's willingness to leave some things gray.
This novel had some of the most interesting and nuanced character work I've read in a while. Tatum as a main character was equal parts endearing and frustrating, and I definitely could feel the angst of her young adulthood as she moved through graduating college to living at home to moving out on her own for the first time, all the while navigating this relationship that plays with power dynamics and toxicity in a way I haven't seen a ton in lit like this.
This book is for the character and relationship-focused girlies. There's not a strong plotline as far as action-reaction-resolution here, but that is a huge plus. The synopsis makes it seem like the story is more focused on this pull between past and present, revisiting past trauma and unpacking patterns of abuse. The bulk of this novel, though, is Tatum's reflection on her relationship and unpacking power dynamics in various relationships and situationships throughout her life. I really enjoyed the attention to detail that went into Tatum and M's relationship and the little nuggets of foreshadowing and allusion that happened throughout the novel. I LOVED the second-person writing in this one as a stylistic choice, it made Tatum's internal monologue so much more impactful and personal.
I read this in two sittings. I spent the entirety of the time between those two sittings thinking about this book. I finished this on the 20th, and today is the 25th. I've thought about this book several times a day since I finished it. I think the main reason this worked so well for me is that it subverted what I expected it to be.
I think the reason this didn't do enough for some people is exactly why I thought it was so realistic--real life doesn't wrap up with a nice bow. Real life isn't always black and white, and people aren't always all good or all bad, and memories and experiences are complicated. The complexity is a really interesting space to explore here, and I appreciated the author's willingness to leave some things gray.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
From the synopsis, you'd expect a SA/rape content warning here, but nothing is detailed. It's mentioned as happening to someone else, but Tatum does not experience sexual abuse in this novel. I will say grooming is present, and power dynamics/toxic relationships are explored, but primarily platonic relationship with some romantic undertones. If you have a hard time reading about narcissists, skip this one.kelly_e's review
dark
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Title: Like Happiness
Author: Ursula Villarreal-Moura
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: March 26, 2024
I received a complimentary eARC from Celadon Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Fluid • Obsessive • Introspective
📖 S Y N O P S I S
It's 2015, and Tatum Vega feels that her life is finally falling into place. Living in sunny Chile with her partner Vera, she spends her days surrounded by art at the museum where she works. She loves this new life, but more than anything, she loves it for helping her forget the decade she spent in New York City; the years she spent orbiting the brilliant and famous author M. Domínguez.
But when a reporter calls from the US asking for an interview, the careful separation Tatum has constructed between her past and present begins to crumble. Domínguez has been accused of assault by another woman, and the reporter is looking for corroboration. Tatum agrees to tell her story, but she begins with a clarification: while there are similarities, what happened to the other woman is not what happened to her.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Like Happiness came onto my radar earlier in the year while I was browsing NetGalley for upcoming spring releases. I love discovering new authors, was intrigued by the premise, and am on the lookout for dual timeline narrative. With this one, I was invested from the very first line.
Told in a unique epistolary format - a slow retelling of their relationship - this debut is a quick and accessible read that remind me of a lighter My Dark Vanessa. It's a quiet story exploring an imbalance of power in relationships and the toxicity these relationships can have on our lives. It also explores Latinx, gender and sexual identities but to a lesser degree. I could have easily used a little more character development.
From the beginning, the reader is privy to knowing there will be some sort of reveal. I was able to predict the what it would be about a third of the way through and my rating likely would have been a little higher if not for that. Regardless, the writing style helped build the suspense until everything is revealed near the end. With all of the slow build, I did find the ending felt a little rushed but it didn't bother me that much.
Like Happiness is one of those quiet stories that is thought-provoking and will be lingering in the back of my mind for months to come. I cannot finish my review without mentioning it being an ode to booklovers and the incredible power a book can have on our lives. It would make for lively and interesting discussion among book clubs. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for future works from Ursula Villarreal-Moura.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• My Dark Vanessa
• coming-of-age stories
• debuts
⚠️ CW: toxic relationship, gaslighting, grooming, sexual content, classism, racism, infidelity, cursing, religious bigotry, child abuse, physical abuse, alcohol, sexual assault, drug use, drug abuse, addiction, overdose, body shaming, fatphobia
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"What I’ve shared with you is proof that I still remember, but in writing this, I find that my memories are releasing their hold on me."
Author: Ursula Villarreal-Moura
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: March 26, 2024
I received a complimentary eARC from Celadon Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Fluid • Obsessive • Introspective
📖 S Y N O P S I S
It's 2015, and Tatum Vega feels that her life is finally falling into place. Living in sunny Chile with her partner Vera, she spends her days surrounded by art at the museum where she works. She loves this new life, but more than anything, she loves it for helping her forget the decade she spent in New York City; the years she spent orbiting the brilliant and famous author M. Domínguez.
But when a reporter calls from the US asking for an interview, the careful separation Tatum has constructed between her past and present begins to crumble. Domínguez has been accused of assault by another woman, and the reporter is looking for corroboration. Tatum agrees to tell her story, but she begins with a clarification: while there are similarities, what happened to the other woman is not what happened to her.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Like Happiness came onto my radar earlier in the year while I was browsing NetGalley for upcoming spring releases. I love discovering new authors, was intrigued by the premise, and am on the lookout for dual timeline narrative. With this one, I was invested from the very first line.
Told in a unique epistolary format - a slow retelling of their relationship - this debut is a quick and accessible read that remind me of a lighter My Dark Vanessa. It's a quiet story exploring an imbalance of power in relationships and the toxicity these relationships can have on our lives. It also explores Latinx, gender and sexual identities but to a lesser degree. I could have easily used a little more character development.
From the beginning, the reader is privy to knowing there will be some sort of reveal. I was able to predict the what it would be about a third of the way through and my rating likely would have been a little higher if not for that. Regardless, the writing style helped build the suspense until everything is revealed near the end. With all of the slow build, I did find the ending felt a little rushed but it didn't bother me that much.
Like Happiness is one of those quiet stories that is thought-provoking and will be lingering in the back of my mind for months to come. I cannot finish my review without mentioning it being an ode to booklovers and the incredible power a book can have on our lives. It would make for lively and interesting discussion among book clubs. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for future works from Ursula Villarreal-Moura.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• My Dark Vanessa
• coming-of-age stories
• debuts
⚠️ CW: toxic relationship, gaslighting, grooming, sexual content, classism, racism, infidelity, cursing, religious bigotry, child abuse, physical abuse, alcohol, sexual assault, drug use, drug abuse, addiction, overdose, body shaming, fatphobia
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"What I’ve shared with you is proof that I still remember, but in writing this, I find that my memories are releasing their hold on me."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcohol, Sexual content, Classism, Drug use, Racism, and Addiction
Minor: Sexual assault, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Cursing, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
grooming, overdosearrowsartsandbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book was amazing, but hard to read. It took me a while to read because of how heavy the subject matter and the main themes of racism, grooming, and sexuality were. This book is about a Latina girl who reads a book and falls in love with it. She reaches out to the author and to her surprise, he responds to her and they form a personal connection. During this time, she is still in school, and he is much older with a steady career ahead of him, which led to a huge power imbalance. She gets groomed by him and eventually tells her story to a reporter which is told through a dual timeline. All of Tatum's relationships in this book are so messy. I loved the bisexual representation in this book. If you liked My Dark Vanessa, you'll like this book too because of the similar themes. I can't believe this is a debut, it's so well written and such a heartbreaking story that too many woman experience.
4.5 Stars
4.5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Classism, Racism, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Classism, Infidelity, Drug use, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Minor: Colonisation
caseythereader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual violence, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse
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