Reviews

West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras

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

maggieparedesauthor's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

mariaxo's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

3.0

lysh_'s review

emotional hopeful 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? Yes

3.75

hmerwin13's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Ugh this was adorable! Loved the Romeo and Juliet/west side story inspired plot! Glad no one died at the end of this one! Would have loved more resolution with the feud! 

books_and_more_books_byt's review against another edition

4.0

review to come

smalltownbookmom's review

5.0

This was just SO MUCH FUN!! I loved this Romeo and Juliet retelling featuring two rival Mariachi bands competing in San Antonio, Texas.

Mariana and Angelo meet one New Year's Eve night and have the perfect kiss only to discover a year later that their families are fierce rivals and they are each fighting to win the Battle of the Mariachi Bands competition.

The focus on family (both found and blood) and the way Mariana and her foster sisters are fighting both to represent women Mariachis and save their adoptive parents' business completely stole my heart.

I can't recommend this slow burn, forbidden/secret romance that was full of sizzling chemistry and a few open door scenes enough. Perfect for fans of Ramon and Julieta by Alana Albertson and great on audio narrated by Karla Serrato.

I cannot wait for the next book in this series coming November 1st!!

illstoptheworldandreadwithyou's review against another edition

4.0

I devoured this book. A chance encounter at a club on New Year’s Eve. An instant connection. A longstanding feud between families. Rival mariachi bands in a major competition. Some egos the size of Texas. Two strong caregivers drawn together, but pulled apart by circumstances and familia. A caring foster family. A deep and abiding hurt. A hint of corruption. Gentrification versus maintaining the history and culture of a community. New ethos versus tradition. Two main characters who just give and give and give some more to others. How “nice” he is. His desire to support her. Slow burn. Their chemistry. Their goodness. Sparks, sparks, and more sparks.

All of this adds up to a delicious Latinx twist on the familiar Romeo and Juliet / West Side Story tale.

Thank you to Priscilla Oliveras, Montlake, and NetGalley for a copy of the book. All opinions here are my own.

***SPOILERS IN THE CONTENT WARNINGS***
CW: deceased parents, foster care system, ICE raid, teenage runaway, parent in prison