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A review by vynexareads
Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
5.0
"I would have my own stories from the island that, for so long, had been an heirloom I couldn't touch."
Rosa Santos has been cursed. The water has taken the men who helped her have the life she has. She wants to create her own future. Her past seems to have other plans.
PLOT:
From Mother to Mimi, Rosa has been shown that she is carrying a curse she didn't ask for. Both her Father and Grandfather were taken by the sea, leaving the women in her life to figure out this new life alone.
Cuba was always a topic that could never be brought up without the conversation being turned to something else. She feels like she doesn't know her past.
As she falls for a boy who loves the sea and her college plans change, Rosa feels lost and doesn't know who she is anymore.
The plot is part of what hooked me in from the beginning. As a Cuban American myself, I have been in Rosa's shoes when it comes to her heritage. I often times feel lost in my skin and the blood that flows through my veins doesn't always feel like mine.
Even though the plot isn't something out of this world, I enjoyed it. Even though it was for personal reasons.
CHARACTERS:
Rosa's POV is the only one we follow, but to me, it was enough. Going through her thoughts and feelings was like being in my own mind. At times, that can be a bit boring, but I did not think that in this case. Rosa is a very smart and very organized young woman who always goes above and beyond for her studies in order to have a better future.
This is not confirmed, but I feel that Rosa's need to be organized and plan everything in her planner is an effect of losing her mother to her own pain/loss.
Mimi, aka Rosa's grandmother, is like every older Cuban woman I've met in my life. I could smell her scent before it was even described. She is a woman who helps other with her herbs and oils yet doesn't help herself much. She loves Rosa so much and it is felt through the sentences that involves both of them. I love Mimi with my whole heart.
The group of friends was amazing! They're the friends I still want to this day. They were written very well and they're realistic of what 16-19 year olds are like.
I also loved everyone in Port Coral, they felt like a legit community instead of just neighbors.
There was diversity and acceptance which needs to be shown more and needs to be applied in real life. It's beautiful!
WRITING:
Nina Moreno's writing has bits and pieces of beautiful lines and descriptions. There wasn't a moment where I was lost while reading.
Nina places little treasures in her story and once found, they're the best treats.
I cried and laughed so much while reading Don't Date Rosa Santos. Again, I felt seen and understood. Those are things that everyone should feel and experience.
Thank you, Nina. I cannot wait to see what else you put out in this world.
⭐5 STARS ⭐
Rosa Santos has been cursed. The water has taken the men who helped her have the life she has. She wants to create her own future. Her past seems to have other plans.
PLOT:
From Mother to Mimi, Rosa has been shown that she is carrying a curse she didn't ask for. Both her Father and Grandfather were taken by the sea, leaving the women in her life to figure out this new life alone.
Cuba was always a topic that could never be brought up without the conversation being turned to something else. She feels like she doesn't know her past.
As she falls for a boy who loves the sea and her college plans change, Rosa feels lost and doesn't know who she is anymore.
The plot is part of what hooked me in from the beginning. As a Cuban American myself, I have been in Rosa's shoes when it comes to her heritage. I often times feel lost in my skin and the blood that flows through my veins doesn't always feel like mine.
Even though the plot isn't something out of this world, I enjoyed it. Even though it was for personal reasons.
CHARACTERS:
Rosa's POV is the only one we follow, but to me, it was enough. Going through her thoughts and feelings was like being in my own mind. At times, that can be a bit boring, but I did not think that in this case. Rosa is a very smart and very organized young woman who always goes above and beyond for her studies in order to have a better future.
This is not confirmed, but I feel that Rosa's need to be organized and plan everything in her planner is an effect of losing her mother to her own pain/loss.
Mimi, aka Rosa's grandmother, is like every older Cuban woman I've met in my life. I could smell her scent before it was even described. She is a woman who helps other with her herbs and oils yet doesn't help herself much. She loves Rosa so much and it is felt through the sentences that involves both of them. I love Mimi with my whole heart.
The group of friends was amazing! They're the friends I still want to this day. They were written very well and they're realistic of what 16-19 year olds are like.
I also loved everyone in Port Coral, they felt like a legit community instead of just neighbors.
There was diversity and acceptance which needs to be shown more and needs to be applied in real life. It's beautiful!
WRITING:
Nina Moreno's writing has bits and pieces of beautiful lines and descriptions. There wasn't a moment where I was lost while reading.
Nina places little treasures in her story and once found, they're the best treats.
I cried and laughed so much while reading Don't Date Rosa Santos. Again, I felt seen and understood. Those are things that everyone should feel and experience.
Thank you, Nina. I cannot wait to see what else you put out in this world.
⭐5 STARS ⭐