moodyromancereader's Reviews (135)

Fast Cars: A Novella (Amigas and Primos Series #1)

5.0

I absolutely loved this novella 🥹This is a latiné romance (🇲🇽/🇲🇽) between Reyna and Mario. Mario is a mechanic who owns his shop, and Reyna is an artist with her art gallery next door. They can’t stand each other, but at the same time, they have been crushing on each other for years. Reyna gets upset when Mario parks his cars in front of her business and is always yelling at him to move his vehicles 😂 Everyone around them is just waiting for them to get together finally, and I love stories like this when it’s so evident that they like each other except to the mc’s.

I don’t want to spoil any parts of the book, but wow, what Mario does for Reyna!! He is so loving and supportive of his dreams and exemplifies, “If they wanted to, they would!”

The book also handles some complex topics, and I feel like this is when the MCs shine. Reyna battles with meeting her family’s expectations, and we see Mario stand up for her and let her know she has his full support. Mario’s dad has Alzheimer’s (TW) and we witness his family navigate this and how Reyna supports Mario and his family. These scenes were so touching and made me cry.

I love the LA / So Cal representation! It made my heart so happy! I cried and swooned; this book ticked so many boxes that I love to see in romance! I absolutely recommend you read this novella. I cannot wait for future work by this author

Content Warnings

Guava Flavored Lies

J.J. Arias

4.0

Yours, for Now

Leonor Soliz

4.5

When you pick up this book, ensure you have a nice cafecito ready. ☕️This book is cozy, fake dating, slow burn, workplace romance.

The chemistry between Lina and Gabe was sizzling. The slow burn was delicious with this one. I couldn't stop reading as their fake dating progressed (and the tension)! I had to see how everything unfolded. I also loved that Lina and Gabe are both successful in their careers and how they collaborate to achieve their dreams. Gabe respects and admires her and gives Lina the recognition she deserves.

I enjoyed seeing his healthy relationship with his parents and how comfortable he is going to them to discuss his thoughts. I was reading this and thinking, these are my goals for my husband and me!

This book also tackles serious topics, such as misogyny, toxic family members, and unhealthy relationships. I cheered for Lina the entire book.

This is my second book by Leonor Soliz, and I love her writing so much. I love the plus-size representation and the Chilean representation in her books. You can feel the love she has for her characters as a writer. She handles her characters with so much love and care, and it exudes off the page as you read.

A Dance With Fire

Aleera Anaya Ceres

5.0

Solito

Javier Zamora

5.0

This is one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. I loved the writing in this memoir; as a reader, Javier truly takes readers with him on his journey from El Salvador to Guatemala to Mexico and into the United States. The details of the moments of each day made this story stand out. While this is an emotional read, small moments of joy woven into this story made me feel all the emotions. This book made me both laugh and cry.

This is not an easy story to read, but it is an important one. It made me reflect on the experiences of my family, friends, clients I used to represent, those who are displaced and forced out of their homes, Palestine and, of course, individuals who never make it to their destination.

I loved seeing so many references to Salvadoran culture. Cipotes will feel so seen! 🇸🇻 As a first-gen salvadoreña, this is a book that I needed to read.

I also appreciated reading about the racism and prejudices that exist within Central and Latin America. I feel it’s a topic rarely discussed, but that exists and is extremely harmful.

On the Hustle

Adriana Herrera

4.0

The Truth According to Ember

Danica Nava

5.0

Mold My Future

Ami Bella

3.5

I was really excited to read Ami Bella's debut novel because the blurb and the plot sounded really interesting.

The story is told in dual POVs by Rosie and Victor. Although, I did feel as if I was reading one person’s POV the entire time.

The MMC, Victor, is a millionaire and comes across as too perfect. I felt that Victor didn’t have any depth as a character, and we don’t really learn much about him besides knowing he’s a millionaire and his business. He just seems to be the answer to all of Rosie’s problems. He does seem caring, but again, no depth.

When it came to Victor and Rosie’s relationship, every conflict that Victor and Rosie had in their relationship was solved by his money. It just felt like their relationship ship lacked depth as well. It is insta-love, but I would have enjoyed seeing their relationship develop further.

I enjoyed learning about Rosie, including that she is Latina, has her own business, and her passions. But there is also a lot of unresolved trauma, and again, Victor is there to solve the problems with his wealth. We don’t see Rosie heal in this story. Victor’s ability to solve her issues felt very superficial. And aside from Rosie’s business and family issues, it would have been great to see more growth in her character.

I am eager to read book two. And to see how Rosie’s business does, even if she is a side character in future books.

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC.