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britwalsh16's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
This book was a nice spin on West Side Story/Romeo & Juliet. I enjoyed reading it. & the music competition was a joy for me. I liked Mariana & Angelo, they were so sweet & caring! I would read this book again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Abandonment, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I wanted to love this one.
Set in one of my favorite cities, San Antonio, this is of course, based on West Side Story. But in this story, the two families are the Montagues and the Capuletas, because of an unrequited love years ago that drove the two families apart. On NYE, Marianna accidentally kisses Angelo, not knowing who he is. At the same time, his tio is trying to sabotage her family and their neighborhood, in the interest of gentrification. At the same time, they are both involved in competing Marachi Bands.
I loved the tour through some of my favorite places in San Antonio - Pearl District, the twig bookstore, Mi Tierra and the Majestic. It’s also a mostly sweet love story (a couple steamy-ish schemes but no bedroom scenes).
“Their shared threads of responsibility and allegiance made them alike while also tying their hands, keeping them apart.” Ch 4
“She wanted to give in to her craving for more than friendship. A craving that scared her because it felt too much like a betrayal.” Ch 13
I read this with #cozybookclub22 and our group chat posted lots of similes - here are a couple of examples. I feel like with a few of these edited out, it would have been a better read.
“Relief sluiced through Angelo like water shooting from a lawn sprinkler across their front lawn.” Ch 12
“Pride bloomed in Mariana’s chest like a field full of Texas bluebonnets signaling spring’s arrival.” Ch 15
Set in one of my favorite cities, San Antonio, this is of course, based on West Side Story. But in this story, the two families are the Montagues and the Capuletas, because of an unrequited love years ago that drove the two families apart. On NYE, Marianna accidentally kisses Angelo, not knowing who he is. At the same time, his tio is trying to sabotage her family and their neighborhood, in the interest of gentrification. At the same time, they are both involved in competing Marachi Bands.
I loved the tour through some of my favorite places in San Antonio - Pearl District, the twig bookstore, Mi Tierra and the Majestic. It’s also a mostly sweet love story (a couple steamy-ish schemes but no bedroom scenes).
“Their shared threads of responsibility and allegiance made them alike while also tying their hands, keeping them apart.” Ch 4
“She wanted to give in to her craving for more than friendship. A craving that scared her because it felt too much like a betrayal.” Ch 13
I read this with #cozybookclub22 and our group chat posted lots of similes - here are a couple of examples. I feel like with a few of these edited out, it would have been a better read.
“Relief sluiced through Angelo like water shooting from a lawn sprinkler across their front lawn.” Ch 12
“Pride bloomed in Mariana’s chest like a field full of Texas bluebonnets signaling spring’s arrival.” Ch 15
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
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
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
This book is fun and cute retelling of West Side Story but with Dueling mariachi bands. I enjoyed this book a lot and could relate to Mariana’s perfectionism. Angelo was very sweet and caring. This would make great material for a movie or limited series adaptation so we could actually see the mariachi performances. Overall I would recommend this read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Grief
Minor: 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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