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vaniavela's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug use
this_momma_is_booked's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a cute and quick romance read, perfect for summer! As a Latina, I so appreciated the callbacks to our culture: the food, the music, the family dynamics. While I am not Mexican, there's so much overlap between Latinx cultures that I felt incredibly seen in the book. I also really loved the discussion around found family and the foster care system. When Priscilla came to speak to Bad Bitch Book Club, she told us how much research she did for this book and it definitely shows. There's also an interesting thread in the book about gentrification and how much is too much.
There are a couple things that I didn't love about the book, however. I'm not a fan of insta-love because I feel it's so unrealistic, but it was even more unbelievable in this book. Mariana and Angelo barely had a full conversation the night they first met and shared a kiss - I don't think this is enough to hold two people over for MONTHS. I could understand being a little hung up on the attractive person you made out with last week, but months ago? I don't buy it. Additionally, on the same train as insta-love, the whole story with Nina and her acclimation into the family was a little hard to digest. Per the story, Nina just joined the family six months prior and Mariana is already calling her a sister, expecting her to mesh with the rest of the family and acknowledge that she's a part of it too. I feel like that would be difficult for anyone to do in the best of circumstances; Nina has had a life of trauma and it felt disingenuous and unsympathetic to expect her to be grateful to be a part of the family and play the role.
If you're not a fan of steam or maybe are just dipping your toes in the romance pool, this is a great book to pick up! It is considered closed-door, which doesn't take away from the relationship at the center of this book at all. I think it's a great summer read with big heart!
There are a couple things that I didn't love about the book, however. I'm not a fan of insta-love because I feel it's so unrealistic, but it was even more unbelievable in this book. Mariana and Angelo barely had a full conversation the night they first met and shared a kiss - I don't think this is enough to hold two people over for MONTHS. I could understand being a little hung up on the attractive person you made out with last week, but months ago? I don't buy it. Additionally, on the same train as insta-love, the whole story with Nina and her acclimation into the family was a little hard to digest. Per the story, Nina just joined the family six months prior and Mariana is already calling her a sister, expecting her to mesh with the rest of the family and acknowledge that she's a part of it too. I feel like that would be difficult for anyone to do in the best of circumstances; Nina has had a life of trauma and it felt disingenuous and unsympathetic to expect her to be grateful to be a part of the family and play the role.
If you're not a fan of steam or maybe are just dipping your toes in the romance pool, this is a great book to pick up! It is considered closed-door, which doesn't take away from the relationship at the center of this book at all. I think it's a great summer read with big heart!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Drug use and Fire/Fire injury
tctimlin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
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