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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
*Received copy for review.*
I love a good retelling. West Side Story is a wonderful musical based on Romeo and Juliet. I was relieved that this book dies not follow either story exactly.
We are introduced to the Capuletas. This family was built the hard way. The mother and father were once a part of an excellent Mariachi band. When they fell in love, they caused a rift with Papo’s best friend as he was in love Mami too. The feud has been raging since. The Capuletas have adopted 8 daughters who are determined to be the first all female Mariachi champions in San Antonio.
The Monteros, lead by the former best friend, is determined to show them that he is better because he’s successful.
On New Years Eve, a Capuleta and a Montero meet by chance and share a life changing kiss. Each is committed to their family and so they should not pursue the attraction.
I loved that this was set around families who are trapped by a stupid fight they don’t understand. They are not supposed to like one another but Mariana & Angelo are drawn to one another. The slow burn is fantastic even with the closed door on sexy times.
This book is so well written and I hope that there will be more about these families.
I love a good retelling. West Side Story is a wonderful musical based on Romeo and Juliet. I was relieved that this book dies not follow either story exactly.
We are introduced to the Capuletas. This family was built the hard way. The mother and father were once a part of an excellent Mariachi band. When they fell in love, they caused a rift with Papo’s best friend as he was in love Mami too. The feud has been raging since. The Capuletas have adopted 8 daughters who are determined to be the first all female Mariachi champions in San Antonio.
The Monteros, lead by the former best friend, is determined to show them that he is better because he’s successful.
On New Years Eve, a Capuleta and a Montero meet by chance and share a life changing kiss. Each is committed to their family and so they should not pursue the attraction.
I loved that this was set around families who are trapped by a stupid fight they don’t understand. They are not supposed to like one another but Mariana & Angelo are drawn to one another. The slow burn is fantastic even with the closed door on sexy times.
This book is so well written and I hope that there will be more about these families.
emotional
medium-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I wanted to love this one.
Set in one of my favorite cities, San Antonio, this is of course, based on West Side Story. But in this story, the two families are the Montagues and the Capuletas, because of an unrequited love years ago that drove the two families apart. On NYE, Marianna accidentally kisses Angelo, not knowing who he is. At the same time, his tio is trying to sabotage her family and their neighborhood, in the interest of gentrification. At the same time, they are both involved in competing Marachi Bands.
I loved the tour through some of my favorite places in San Antonio - Pearl District, the twig bookstore, Mi Tierra and the Majestic. It’s also a mostly sweet love story (a couple steamy-ish schemes but no bedroom scenes).
“Their shared threads of responsibility and allegiance made them alike while also tying their hands, keeping them apart.” Ch 4
“She wanted to give in to her craving for more than friendship. A craving that scared her because it felt too much like a betrayal.” Ch 13
I read this with #cozybookclub22 and our group chat posted lots of similes - here are a couple of examples. I feel like with a few of these edited out, it would have been a better read.
“Relief sluiced through Angelo like water shooting from a lawn sprinkler across their front lawn.” Ch 12
“Pride bloomed in Mariana’s chest like a field full of Texas bluebonnets signaling spring’s arrival.” Ch 15
Set in one of my favorite cities, San Antonio, this is of course, based on West Side Story. But in this story, the two families are the Montagues and the Capuletas, because of an unrequited love years ago that drove the two families apart. On NYE, Marianna accidentally kisses Angelo, not knowing who he is. At the same time, his tio is trying to sabotage her family and their neighborhood, in the interest of gentrification. At the same time, they are both involved in competing Marachi Bands.
I loved the tour through some of my favorite places in San Antonio - Pearl District, the twig bookstore, Mi Tierra and the Majestic. It’s also a mostly sweet love story (a couple steamy-ish schemes but no bedroom scenes).
“Their shared threads of responsibility and allegiance made them alike while also tying their hands, keeping them apart.” Ch 4
“She wanted to give in to her craving for more than friendship. A craving that scared her because it felt too much like a betrayal.” Ch 13
I read this with #cozybookclub22 and our group chat posted lots of similes - here are a couple of examples. I feel like with a few of these edited out, it would have been a better read.
“Relief sluiced through Angelo like water shooting from a lawn sprinkler across their front lawn.” Ch 12
“Pride bloomed in Mariana’s chest like a field full of Texas bluebonnets signaling spring’s arrival.” Ch 15
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
The way I would have given this story a 4.5 if it didn’t have a fade to black scene.
Maybe I’m too prone to reading the spicy books but THE TENSION, THE ANGST, THE LEADUP… HIM CARRYING HER TO THE ROOM… all had the potential to be explosive and than nada… left me annoyed to say the least.
But this was a Romeo and Juliet retelling with mariachi bands and honestly? It was adorable! We love a second chance romance and Angelo being away from the machismo we usually see in Hispanic households was amazing. I love how the author really captured just how deep loyalties are between families and that machismo runs even deeper. I loved the feminism and CHOSEN family bonds because family doesn’t always mean blood.
Overall this was such a cute book I’m glad I picked it up and I might be getting the authors second book when I wrap my head around that not all romance needs spice and that fade to black isn’t really all bad.
Maybe I’m too prone to reading the spicy books but THE TENSION, THE ANGST, THE LEADUP… HIM CARRYING HER TO THE ROOM… all had the potential to be explosive and than nada… left me annoyed to say the least.
But this was a Romeo and Juliet retelling with mariachi bands and honestly? It was adorable! We love a second chance romance and Angelo being away from the machismo we usually see in Hispanic households was amazing. I love how the author really captured just how deep loyalties are between families and that machismo runs even deeper. I loved the feminism and CHOSEN family bonds because family doesn’t always mean blood.
Overall this was such a cute book I’m glad I picked it up and I might be getting the authors second book when I wrap my head around that not all romance needs spice and that fade to black isn’t really all bad.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Death of parent, Deportation
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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:
Yes
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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:
Complicated
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No