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_cherry_'s review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Idk why past me put this on my TBR because what exactly about this book screamed to past me that I would like this
Within the first 50/60 pages I was already so tired of them repeating that they’re forbidden and they’re families are feuding and how Angelo is a nice guy meanwhile he’s literally advocating for gentrification half of the book which was soooo weird. At least he eventually called out his uncle for it and stopped working for him but it still left a bad taste in my mouth.
Also I didn’t get the yearning and “we can’t be together”ness that you usually get from forbidden romance.
I also couldn’t buy into the whole meeting randomly one night and being obsessed with one another.
So I gave up and just read the dialogue in the book.
I liked the Spanish in the book however you do not need to translate EVERY SINGLE TIME a character speaks Spanish. It was just annoying and taking me out of the book.
Within the first 50/60 pages I was already so tired of them repeating that they’re forbidden and they’re families are feuding and how Angelo is a nice guy meanwhile he’s literally advocating for gentrification half of the book which was soooo weird. At least he eventually called out his uncle for it and stopped working for him but it still left a bad taste in my mouth.
Also I didn’t get the yearning and “we can’t be together”ness that you usually get from forbidden romance.
I also couldn’t buy into the whole meeting randomly one night and being obsessed with one another.
So I gave up and just read the dialogue in the book.
I liked the Spanish in the book however you do not need to translate EVERY SINGLE TIME a character speaks Spanish. It was just annoying and taking me out of the book.
kary2012's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
erraticwave's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
3.75
liked that they were connected by music and the references to Romeo and Juliet. Felt like the pacing was on the slower side.
lechepatito's review
4.0
Quick, engaging read - good supporting characters, strong chemistry between the MCs and character development. Closed door.
jackiehorne's review
DNF at 140 pages in.
I wasn't that engaged by the two previous Oliveras books I've read, finding their plotlines and characters a bit flat and conventional despite the (all-too-rare in contemporary romance) pleasures of Latinx families and culture. But I thought I'd give this latest one a try, as it is a longer format than the two category-length books I'd read. Maybe given more room for storytelling, Oliveras would push beyond category characters and formulas?
The latest is a re-envisioning of the Romeo and Juliet story, set in the Latinx community of San Antonio. I loved the idea of a battle of the sexes taking place in the context of a mariachi band competition. And I was curious to see how Oliveras would approach the conflicts around the issue of gentrification, which plays an underlying role in this re-envisioning of Capuleta/Montero family feud. I was ready and eager to be engaged.
Unfortunately, though, despite its longer format, I found West Side Love Story even flatter than the two previous Oliveras books I'd read. The telling to showing ratio is far too much on the telling side for my tastes, and there's a lot of repetition, characters informing each other of something, then telling them the same thing again and again later in the same scene. There's also not a lot of forward momentum, plot-wise, to the story. I got almost halfway in, and the mariachi contest hadn't even started yet! The characters, too, are rather passive; things happen to them, but at least during the part I read, they don't do much in the way of acting or deciding or choosing to move forward. Both Mariana and Angelo, our Juliet and Romeo stand-ins, are nice, good, idealized characters, without much nuance or personality. Flat. And while some non-Spanish-speaking readers may appreciate it, I found the constant explaining of Spanish language terms heavy-handed and annoying; it kept pulling me out of the narrative.
Oliveras's stories obviously give many readers pleasure, with their warm depictions of Latinx culture and family . But the downsides don't make up for those pleasures, at least for this reader. I think this may be the last Oliveras romance I try.
I wasn't that engaged by the two previous Oliveras books I've read, finding their plotlines and characters a bit flat and conventional despite the (all-too-rare in contemporary romance) pleasures of Latinx families and culture. But I thought I'd give this latest one a try, as it is a longer format than the two category-length books I'd read. Maybe given more room for storytelling, Oliveras would push beyond category characters and formulas?
The latest is a re-envisioning of the Romeo and Juliet story, set in the Latinx community of San Antonio. I loved the idea of a battle of the sexes taking place in the context of a mariachi band competition. And I was curious to see how Oliveras would approach the conflicts around the issue of gentrification, which plays an underlying role in this re-envisioning of Capuleta/Montero family feud. I was ready and eager to be engaged.
Unfortunately, though, despite its longer format, I found West Side Love Story even flatter than the two previous Oliveras books I'd read. The telling to showing ratio is far too much on the telling side for my tastes, and there's a lot of repetition, characters informing each other of something, then telling them the same thing again and again later in the same scene. There's also not a lot of forward momentum, plot-wise, to the story. I got almost halfway in, and the mariachi contest hadn't even started yet! The characters, too, are rather passive; things happen to them, but at least during the part I read, they don't do much in the way of acting or deciding or choosing to move forward. Both Mariana and Angelo, our Juliet and Romeo stand-ins, are nice, good, idealized characters, without much nuance or personality. Flat. And while some non-Spanish-speaking readers may appreciate it, I found the constant explaining of Spanish language terms heavy-handed and annoying; it kept pulling me out of the narrative.
Oliveras's stories obviously give many readers pleasure, with their warm depictions of Latinx culture and family . But the downsides don't make up for those pleasures, at least for this reader. I think this may be the last Oliveras romance I try.
itsnotrobbie's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
As someone who isn't used to reading this type of romance novel, it was hard for me to get adjusted to the writing style but the story continued to interest me so much that I was compelled to finish the story. It is a lovely take on modern life and culture in San Antonio mixed with the challenges of a forbidden romance and the oppression of old-school ways of thinking. I feel that the author was able to aptly portray all these concepts as they truly are. Would definitely recommend to a romantic reader.
lreising's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lemonlaiime's review
4.0
Romeo and Juliet with a dash of Pride and Prejudice all set to the backdrop of Mariachi Battle of the Bands. I only wish I had been listening to mariachi music while reading!
abhi17's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
agkirk's review against another edition
5.0
As a Latina that grew up in San Antonio, I’m about to make this book my whole personality