Reviews

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

rachaelwinterling's review against another edition

2.0

Yerba Buena is a brilliant debut into adult fiction, steeped in complex familial relationships and the open wounds of childhood trauma. This slow-burning, character-driven story braids together vivid prose, tenacious hope, and the tender exploration of sexuality. The driving forces of love, acceptance, and resilience are masterfully depicted with youthful LGBT representation. I loved this story, and, for audiobook listeners, it was beautifully narrated by Julia Whelan.

sarahbass's review

4.0

this book wasn’t what i expected but i liked how the two lives intersected and i did really like the writing

peanutbitter97's review against another edition

emotional relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

isvargas's review

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

no notes 
first booked the book up in 2022 and I can't believe it's taken me so long to read a book about gay bartending and plants 
one of my new favorite book 
Incredible writing, great characters, beautiful from cover to cover. 

carolined56's review

emotional hopeful mysterious 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

5.0

e1ean0rrigby's review

5.0

Nina LaCour wrote another beautifully visceral novel with vibrant descriptions of everything from flowers to food to lovers. The main characters are flawed and fascinating, have rich inner lives and painful histories. This book was a joy to read from start to finish.

sydneyonearth's review

hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.0

janaebeaver's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad 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

5.0

starlessblossom's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

eweaver1028's review

4.0

This was an interesting literary fiction type read. I haven’t read any other books by Nina LaCour, so I don’t really have anything to compare it to. I liked all the different types of relationships this book explored, and how the romance was not the central part as a result. There was kind of a lot going on but the pacing was pretty decent. Be aware of intense themes such as addiction and sexual trauma.