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lvd92's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was quite a surprise. The main character is Cara, a woman in her sixties who fled her home country many years ago. She lost her job in a factory two years ago as that company moved its production outside of the US, and now needs to find a job because her benefits will expire. She receives assistance to find a job as part of some program which she qualifies for due to her age, which means she has to come in for appointments. The whole book is essentially her telling this job assistance worker about her struggles in life.
The moment I realised what it was, I considered not continuing it because this type of storytelling tends not to work for me. However, I gave it some more time and I am really glad I did. To be honest, I am not sure how I would have fared with reading it physically - I think this story was made for audio. Cara was such an engaging character and storyteller, she drew me in completely. The voice actor who portrayed her did an amazing job. She feels incredibly real as a flawed human being who is doing her best to stay afloat and help people around her. Tough themes are addressed in this book, such as family drama, starting out with nothing, being a foreigner in a strange country, physical abuse, being a person subjected to rigid procedures, etc. I think they were handled well - not sugar coating without being too heavy, in a slice of life kind of way.
Truly a solid read.
The moment I realised what it was, I considered not continuing it because this type of storytelling tends not to work for me. However, I gave it some more time and I am really glad I did. To be honest, I am not sure how I would have fared with reading it physically - I think this story was made for audio. Cara was such an engaging character and storyteller, she drew me in completely. The voice actor who portrayed her did an amazing job. She feels incredibly real as a flawed human being who is doing her best to stay afloat and help people around her. Tough themes are addressed in this book, such as family drama, starting out with nothing, being a foreigner in a strange country, physical abuse, being a person subjected to rigid procedures, etc. I think they were handled well - not sugar coating without being too heavy, in a slice of life kind of way.
Truly a solid read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Physical abuse
The main character has treated her gay son quite horribly in the past. The main character does not see what she has done wrong at first, because she sees it as trying to protect her son from a harsh world. She does not understand why her son has broken off contact and runs when he sees her. The narrative does not reward this, in my interpretation, but I think you should know before starting this book. Gradually, due to her own desire to mend things with her son, but also because of pushback from others, she is trying to do better. Towards the end of the book, she has not completed this arc of character growth, but it is clear she is now somewhere on that path.blakeandbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
alybark's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Homophobia and Death
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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? Yes
3.25
This one didn't really do it for me, but I feel like if it was a one-woman show on a stage, I would be in. I think it was just a format thing? I'm not sure what else was missing for me, but I appreciated the whimsical style of the author, and I would read Ms. Cruz again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content and Infidelity
seethinglloron's review
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.75
What an incredible novel. Cried for the last 20 pages. Hard to read, but as someone with a family that is not dissimilar, I could not put it down. This was healing for me to read, to be honest. I wish this had existed when I was in high school and I'd picked it up.
Funny, charming, heartwrenching. Every mistake Cara made tore my heart out. Every hurt she caused and every hurt she endured made me have to take a deep breath. Incredible.
Funny, charming, heartwrenching. Every mistake Cara made tore my heart out. Every hurt she caused and every hurt she endured made me have to take a deep breath. Incredible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
aweekinthelife's review against another edition
funny
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
the book is structured as twelve interviews Cara Romero has with a job counselor, except you only get to hear/read Cara's words. Cara is open and candid, sharing all sorts of details about her life that get introduced in the first few interviews and further fleshed out in following ones. she's complicated and unapologetic about who she is and what she wants, but also shows remarkable growth throughout her life and these ~3 months that we spend with her.
the audiobook narrator did a phenomenal job pulling the listener in from the very beginning. highly recommend on audio!
the audiobook narrator did a phenomenal job pulling the listener in from the very beginning. highly recommend on audio!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Infidelity
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death, and Child abuse
sofipitch's review
emotional
funny
reflective
- 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
The way Cara Romero talks was so like my grandmother and occasionally my dad it felt strange and comforting at the same time. Many of her beliefs echoed theirs too, the main difference is while Cara changes to where she becomes more open and loving to others, they haven't. But I guess it's meant to give you hope of that change, and I really appreciate how while there was some hope that maybe she would reconcile with her estranged son, he didn't owe it to her to come back
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death
lportilla's review
funny
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
angievansprang's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.75
This was a really entertaining audiobook! I absolutely fell in love with our main character, Cara Romero. She is so human that she feels like a real, off-page person. You get to know her so well and the author gives you just enough information to keep you always wanting more about Cara’s life. Beautifully told story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Classism, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Trafficking, Sexual violence, and Death
kaynova's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
the audio version of this book is the best thing ever. i was immersed into the story, the characters, and always hoped for the best for every character. rossmery almonte's voice is so riveting and pulls you in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Alcoholism