Reviews

Cara Romero is a 56 year old Dominican woman who has lived in New York’s Washington Heights for decades and is invited to attend 12 sessions with a career counsellor for “senior” workers after she loses her factory job during the recession. I am in two minds about that one. The structure is clever - her whole life story is told as she speaks to her beleaguered career over her 12 sessions, pretty much side-lining the counsellor’s efforts to find her a job, any job. The tension between the two women - the career counsellor is also of Dominican origin, but younger and employed - is excellent and funny. I also liked the back story of how Washington Heights gentrified, and the impact this had on the poorer, original inhabitants. Sadly, I did not really take to Cara. Yes, it is great to have a narrator who is an immigrant, working class and unemployed. Yes, the author tries to portray her as a fully fledged human being and not just as an innocent victims of circumstances. But the whole focus on how great women are at helping each other just did not resonate with me and I grew increasingly irritated by Cara’s refusal to consider job offers because she wanted to continue helping others. Still, it’s a solid three, probably 3.5 stars, well written, often funny and for sure a book I’m glad to have read.

thisbookrox's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

cara romero is endearing, loving, and selfless, even through her flaws. i love her & the ending made me hopeful for her. really great audiobook production!

gloriawide24's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

recidivism23's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Short, easy read and good story. I read the physical book and listened to the audio alternately but found myself mostly listening to the audio as it was very well narrated (performed). It’s an interesting premise to tell the story through a series of sessions with the case worker/job coach at a senior workforce program. I found it a little unbelievable that the main character would tell so many of her flaws and weaknesses and family/neighborhood problems at this type of setting. To me it would have been more believable had it been a therapy setting. Overall a good story and the main character seemed very real (especially listening to the audio version). Short chapters and to the point writing style which I like.

motherjuggler's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

3.5

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