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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!!
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
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
kbairbooks's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
4.5 stars
What a joy to read! I thought Angelo was really adorable, I really enjoyed his and Marianas chemistry, I love how deeply they loved their families, and yet were willing to fight for what they had. I loved all of the sisters on both sides, I loved Nina‘s growth, and what happened with her near the end. I loved the contest elements and the generational trauma and growth elements. I truly loved so many things about this book. This story is joy in book form. I think the only thing that detracts from the story for me was that they were so many elements that at times it felt like they was too much going on and certain things weren’t getting enough attention. But overall any time I think about this book, a smile lights up my face because it was so much fun and such a delight to read.
What a joy to read! I thought Angelo was really adorable, I really enjoyed his and Marianas chemistry, I love how deeply they loved their families, and yet were willing to fight for what they had. I loved all of the sisters on both sides, I loved Nina‘s growth, and what happened with her near the end. I loved the contest elements and the generational trauma and growth elements. I truly loved so many things about this book. This story is joy in book form. I think the only thing that detracts from the story for me was that they were so many elements that at times it felt like they was too much going on and certain things weren’t getting enough attention. But overall any time I think about this book, a smile lights up my face because it was so much fun and such a delight to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Death of parent and Deportation
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Gun violence
cdiviakauthor's review against another edition
5.0
5/5
This book helped me finally understand why people like Romeo and Juliet. I read the original and felt bogged down by the melodrama, but this story that combines Mexican cultural references with mariachi, the star-crossed lovers of Romeo and Juliet, and the poignant discussions about gentrification and fighting for one's history. I consider those pieces not in the original story something that strengthens the narrative.
Mariana and Angelo are supposed to hate one another, but they can't from the start. They are willing to defy family lines for their attraction, which sizzles and exudes chemistry. The romance between them in the book felt like a treat.
Additionally, the side characters of Nina, Cat, and Brenda were standouts, and no one felt like a cardboard cutout or like they were there as filler. I appreciated the focus on family and familial bonds with the Capuletas and their adoption stories.
A beautiful book with a story worth reading!
This book helped me finally understand why people like Romeo and Juliet. I read the original and felt bogged down by the melodrama, but this story that combines Mexican cultural references with mariachi, the star-crossed lovers of Romeo and Juliet, and the poignant discussions about gentrification and fighting for one's history. I consider those pieces not in the original story something that strengthens the narrative.
Mariana and Angelo are supposed to hate one another, but they can't from the start. They are willing to defy family lines for their attraction, which sizzles and exudes chemistry. The romance between them in the book felt like a treat.
Additionally, the side characters of Nina, Cat, and Brenda were standouts, and no one felt like a cardboard cutout or like they were there as filler. I appreciated the focus on family and familial bonds with the Capuletas and their adoption stories.
A beautiful book with a story worth reading!
calliecuriosity's review against another edition
2.0
Was Cute
It was a alright book was kind of what I expected and had a lot of filler. Think could of got the plot across with less.
It was a alright book was kind of what I expected and had a lot of filler. Think could of got the plot across with less.
stephbeaudoin20's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
West Side Live Story by Priscilla Oliveras
I absolutely loved this book! It is phenomenal! I am so here for all female Mariachi!
This is the second time I've read this book and I still love it so much! My cousin-in-love is in an All Female Mariachi and the ladies of Flor de Toloache SLAY!
Things I am here for:
Romeo and Juliet/West Side Story retelling
Authentic Latina/o/e/x representation
Star crossed lovers
Mariachi!
All Female Mariachi!
Strong women
Found family, foster children/adults, past trauma and finding the family you love
All of the nuances of those childhoods and growing into adults. There is so much care in this story.
Good and bad gentrification debate. How to revitalize communities, and keep culture, and longtime residents protected.
Spanish sprinkled throughout ❤️
This is my second book for The Diverse Baseline Challenge, the first for the January prompt of a Latina/o/e/x Author.
I absolutely loved this book! It is phenomenal! I am so here for all female Mariachi!
This is the second time I've read this book and I still love it so much! My cousin-in-love is in an All Female Mariachi and the ladies of Flor de Toloache SLAY!
Things I am here for:
Romeo and Juliet/West Side Story retelling
Authentic Latina/o/e/x representation
Star crossed lovers
Mariachi!
All Female Mariachi!
Strong women
Found family, foster children/adults, past trauma and finding the family you love
All of the nuances of those childhoods and growing into adults. There is so much care in this story.
Good and bad gentrification debate. How to revitalize communities, and keep culture, and longtime residents protected.
Spanish sprinkled throughout ❤️
This is my second book for The Diverse Baseline Challenge, the first for the January prompt of a Latina/o/e/x Author.
thenextgenlibrarian's review
4.0
A Romeo and Juliet retelling perfect for today’s adult romance readers!
kmkeithley86's review
4.0
so cute.
You can always guess what’s going to happen next but, it’s still written well and had me turning the pages. I loved it. I love the mix of Spanglish mixed in. Made me feel like I was back home.
You can always guess what’s going to happen next but, it’s still written well and had me turning the pages. I loved it. I love the mix of Spanglish mixed in. Made me feel like I was back home.