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kelseysreads's review
4.0
I enjoyed this one. I think some reviewers were disappointed it didn't go somewhere with a clear moral or resolution, but the relationship and the book are both messy and I don't think I was expecting something easy. Villarreal-Moura does a great job of showing us the multi-layered power dynamics at play, how it isn't abusive but certainly isn't equal, how Mateo is a man child in need of constant reassurance but only on his terms. All of this makes for a very complicated and sympathetic story. I was frustrated with Tatum, but I think that was the point. She gives Mateo too much credit, and even as an adult when she is settled with her partner, there is still that aspect of hero worship. Exploring the relationship from the start shows us how and why she still feels that way, even to the extent of not believing Mateo's accuser at first. I think this is an excellent addition to the "me too" canon of novels, as it shows how grey life is, how we want so badly to be loved and to think the best of those we idolize. Is it right? Villarreal-Moura isn't passing judgment, so it's up to you.
ains_reads'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
3.25
gabrieyell's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kelsylee's review against another edition
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
mweis's review against another edition
3.5
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This is an ambitious debut that is tackling power imbalances and identity and memory. Told in a dual narrative, the book explores Tatum's relationship with a famous author, M. Domínguez and alternates between her now (in 2015) learning that he has been accused of assault, and her as a college student meeting him then following their decade long relationship.
I liked the exploration of memory and the framing that allows for the reader to re-examine events in a new light. The pacing of the story kept me intrigued and I liked the narrative voice that Villarreal-Moura gave Tatum. I think where I struggled the most is with the ending because we don't really see how Tatum moves from where she is at the end of her letter to where she is in 2015. There's a scene that was hard to read because we see Mateo's "final" betrayal of Tatum but then I was left feeling sort of unsatisfied because we never really get a resolution.
On a technical level, I liked the prose and I found the story engaging but there were aspects that I found a bit clunky. This is a debut novel though, so I would be really interested to see what Villarreal-Moura writes next!
This is an ambitious debut that is tackling power imbalances and identity and memory. Told in a dual narrative, the book explores Tatum's relationship with a famous author, M. Domínguez and alternates between her now (in 2015) learning that he has been accused of assault, and her as a college student meeting him then following their decade long relationship.
I liked the exploration of memory and the framing that allows for the reader to re-examine events in a new light. The pacing of the story kept me intrigued and I liked the narrative voice that Villarreal-Moura gave Tatum. I think where I struggled the most is with the ending because we don't really see how Tatum moves from where she is at the end of her letter to where she is in 2015. There's a scene that was hard to read because we see Mateo's "final" betrayal of Tatum but then I was left feeling sort of unsatisfied because we never really get a resolution.
On a technical level, I liked the prose and I found the story engaging but there were aspects that I found a bit clunky. This is a debut novel though, so I would be really interested to see what Villarreal-Moura writes next!
farwareads's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was so pleasantly surprised by LIKE HAPPINESS. I saw it in a bookstore and hadn't heard of the author, but added it to my library list regardless. I had no clue how entertaining and engaging it would be. I really appreciated seeing the growth of the MC as someone who only sees her value in her relationships with others to someone who is strong enough to enjoy her own solitude.
The focus of the book is the MC's relationship with Mateo, a much older author whom she befriends when she sends him a fan letter. What ensues is a decade long "friendship" in which the MC is unrequitedly in love, and Mateo is clearly grooming and using her. Years later, when Mateo is accused of inappropriate conduct, the MC is forced to relive their relationship and reckon with his inappropriate behavior towards her.
I loved that class played such a huge role in the book- it's clear to the reader that if the MC was more financially stable, it's possible her friendship with Mateo would never have reached the lengths that it did. I was also shook by the plot twist at the end, and think the book is worth reading just based off of that.
I do wish we had gotten more insight into the MC's current relationship, and how she ended up in Chile; what her path was after cutting Mateo out of her life. But I like to think that she was able to blossom without his shadow over hers.
The focus of the book is the MC's relationship with Mateo, a much older author whom she befriends when she sends him a fan letter. What ensues is a decade long "friendship" in which the MC is unrequitedly in love, and Mateo is clearly grooming and using her. Years later, when Mateo is accused of inappropriate conduct, the MC is forced to relive their relationship and reckon with his inappropriate behavior towards her.
I loved that class played such a huge role in the book- it's clear to the reader that if the MC was more financially stable, it's possible her friendship with Mateo would never have reached the lengths that it did. I was also shook by the plot twist at the end, and think the book is worth reading just based off of that.
I do wish we had gotten more insight into the MC's current relationship, and how she ended up in Chile; what her path was after cutting Mateo out of her life. But I like to think that she was able to blossom without his shadow over hers.
wamorrison95's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.75
gxcons's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
eden_in_verse's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!!
I’m in awe! This is so good! It’s phrased like a letter to her abuser! It shows how she goes from complete denying he abused her to admitting that he was in the wrong! Please!! I am unwell at how accurate this feels! She’s a reader and dreamer so when he comes into her life she feels so special, like it’s fate. She’s taken advantage of and it shows how even now she’s still trying to heal.
I’m in awe! This is so good! It’s phrased like a letter to her abuser! It shows how she goes from complete denying he abused her to admitting that he was in the wrong! Please!! I am unwell at how accurate this feels! She’s a reader and dreamer so when he comes into her life she feels so special, like it’s fate. She’s taken advantage of and it shows how even now she’s still trying to heal.
astitchedspine's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-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