Scan barcode
kappareads's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I received an advance listening copy from the publishers and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Amor Actually is an anthology of Latine/Afro-Latine Christmas romance short stories all inspired by the stories in the film Love, Actually. I’ve never seen the film (because I’ve heard the stories involve romanticizing cheating/infidelity) but I was still able to enjoy this book! None of the stories included cheating or “another woman” which I appreciate. In fact, two stories feature poly couples (which I assume were made poly after the original story involved cheating/love triangles) which I always love to see!
The short stories are also interconnected as they were in the movie. Several characters are related to each other or friends with each other. They are also all trying to convince their loves to come with them to the same Nochebuena party.
All of the stories were enjoyable, even if they weren’t all my favorite. I have to say, on a whole, my favorite was the first story, “Make the Yuletide Gay” by Adriana Herrera, about a pop star and her manager falling in love. The pining was top tier and the smut threw me for a loop with how hot it was. My other favorite story was the other queer and monogamous story, “All I Want for Nochebuena” by Alexis Daria, about two adult film stars falling for each other over a shoot.
I think if I had a main criticism, it would be that some of the stories felt the same as many of the stories have the characters pining for a while before finally spending a week together and finally admitting feelings and inviting the other to the Christmas party. I love pining a lot, but when about half of the stories followed this pattern, it got a little old.
I rated this book 3.5 stars! The audiobook was good quality with very good narrators. Not every story was my favorite, but I liked the collection overall, and it introduced me to some authors I now know I need to read from in the future!
lorofox24's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? No
3.5
therealsadiemarie's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
krin's review against another edition
4.0
Overall this was a nice collection of stories that wove together in a very clever way. Some of them were more or less subtle plays on the various storylines from Love Actually. I particularly liked how some of the stories flipped the script a bit on the originals (e.g., gender reversal in Love in Spanglish and two poly storylines.)
I at least liked all but one of the stories and loved a few of them. Generally I preferred the stories with the more mature characters. The stories were pretty steamy (at least one I would label more as erotica). It was lovely to see such a diversity of representation from across the Latine community, as well as different types of pairings.
The narration was well done overall - especially after the first couple of stories . . . after the narrators had settled in a little more.
I received an audio Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review.
justinevandale's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I received this audiobook free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
While was looking for some holiday reads I stumbled across Amor Actually and I was intrigued. I liked that it’s LGBTQ+ and written by Latin authors. But like any anthology it’s hard to rate because I loved some of the stories and others I didn’t care for. I also found it a bit hard to tell when a new story started. I wouldn’t know until a little into it but that could just be me, but I wish the audio had made that a bit more clear.
My two favourites were:
Make the Yuletide Gay • Adriana Herrera
After a string of broken engagements, an international Latin Pop Star finds love in her sexy and constant manager. Days before her big live holiday special, Vivi wonders if the woman of her dreams could finally be hers.
All I Want for Nochebuena • Alexis Daria
When sparks fly between adult film stars Honey and Julie, Honey must work up the courage to invite Julie to her family’s holiday party or risk losing what she really wants for Nochebuena—a chance at true love.
I just felt like these two did the stories the best. I was invested in these characters and I actually was sad when their stories needed because I wanted more. Overall it was enjoyable. I would like to give the book a shot, but I feel like I would but her some of the pronunciations that way but I think the starting of a new story would be more evident that way.
While was looking for some holiday reads I stumbled across Amor Actually and I was intrigued. I liked that it’s LGBTQ+ and written by Latin authors. But like any anthology it’s hard to rate because I loved some of the stories and others I didn’t care for. I also found it a bit hard to tell when a new story started. I wouldn’t know until a little into it but that could just be me, but I wish the audio had made that a bit more clear.
My two favourites were:
Make the Yuletide Gay • Adriana Herrera
After a string of broken engagements, an international Latin Pop Star finds love in her sexy and constant manager. Days before her big live holiday special, Vivi wonders if the woman of her dreams could finally be hers.
All I Want for Nochebuena • Alexis Daria
When sparks fly between adult film stars Honey and Julie, Honey must work up the courage to invite Julie to her family’s holiday party or risk losing what she really wants for Nochebuena—a chance at true love.
I just felt like these two did the stories the best. I was invested in these characters and I actually was sad when their stories needed because I wanted more. Overall it was enjoyable. I would like to give the book a shot, but I feel like I would but her some of the pronunciations that way but I think the starting of a new story would be more evident that way.
itzsabino's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
satrayreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
I just adored this ugh perfect holiday read
minipanda's review against another edition
3.5
Wow, didn't expect some of them to be so steamy!
Short story collections can be a hit or miss, and this one was no different. While some stories were captivating and left me wanting more, there were a few that needed a little more depth and development. A few felt rushed and left me wishing for a deeper dive into the plot. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the collection overall.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Helen Scheuerer, Adriana Herrera, Zoey Castile, Alexis Daria, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Priscilla Oliveras, Sabrina Sol, Mia Sosa, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Short story collections can be a hit or miss, and this one was no different. While some stories were captivating and left me wanting more, there were a few that needed a little more depth and development. A few felt rushed and left me wishing for a deeper dive into the plot. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the collection overall.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Helen Scheuerer, Adriana Herrera, Zoey Castile, Alexis Daria, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Priscilla Oliveras, Sabrina Sol, Mia Sosa, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
valli200's review against another edition
3.5
3.5* this was sweet, hella queer, and a lovely diverse twisted on the worst movie (not holiday movie just movie) of all time - Love Actually