Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
Mariachi Las Nubes is a group of female mariachis who want to fight the patriarchy by championing women in music. All eight members are adopted sisters in the Capuleta family. And they are facing Mariachi Los Reyes, an old boy mariachi group and returning champions, in the Battle of the Mariachi Bands. Mariana is the co-director of Las Nubes, and Angelo Montero is the lead guitarist of Los Reyes. But neither knows who the other is when they first meet, and sparks fly.
I loved how the names threw back to Romeo and Juliet just as much as to West Side Story. And I enjoyed imagining all the possible ways in which the story could be retold not as a tragedy, but as a romance. I was deeply appreciative that the characters were older than in either of the previous stories. Add in the strong feminist vibes and the intelligent discussion of gentrification, and I was thrilled.
This is the original star-crossed lovers trope. And no surprise, I prefer it as a romance. The pacing was a bit slow for me, but it grabbed my attention more as the book continued. I especially loved the Capuleta family and all of the interactions among the sisters. I can't wait to see more of them in Kiss Me, Catalina.
Thank you to Priscilla Oliveras and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
I loved how the names threw back to Romeo and Juliet just as much as to West Side Story. And I enjoyed imagining all the possible ways in which the story could be retold not as a tragedy, but as a romance. I was deeply appreciative that the characters were older than in either of the previous stories. Add in the strong feminist vibes and the intelligent discussion of gentrification, and I was thrilled.
This is the original star-crossed lovers trope. And no surprise, I prefer it as a romance. The pacing was a bit slow for me, but it grabbed my attention more as the book continued. I especially loved the Capuleta family and all of the interactions among the sisters. I can't wait to see more of them in Kiss Me, Catalina.
Thank you to Priscilla Oliveras and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
Super cute fun retelling with a great Latinx twist. Priscilla in the past I think has held back on the Latinx or over explained it, where with this book it is at the forefront.
Super swoony. Not overtly spicy, if that is your thing!
Super swoony. Not overtly spicy, if that is your thing!
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Romeo & Juliet retelling. It’s very cheesy, but it’s cute. There’s not really anything to dislike about Mariana and Angelo. I’m a sucker for a story set in Texas. Loved the mariachi battle of the bands storyline. It’s a fun, quick read that’s a little sexy.
Boring! Boring setup, boring characters, and the dialogue consisted of over explained exposition.
new comfort book right here. this book felt like a warm hug. the cultural setting was so rich and leapt off the page. the love between mariana and angelo somehow captured the “breathless i’m falling in love” feeling and the deeper “this person is my everything” feeling all-in-one; anyone who says this is insta-lovey is just plain wrong. mariana’s serious eldest daughter syndrome was so relatable, and angelo’s “talk to me, let me help you” response was just so perfect. THE LINE ABOUT JUGGLING GLASS BALLS TOGETHER MADE ME WANT TO UGLY CRY. these characters were not perfect, and they could have been fleshed out a bit more, but i still love this book.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This update on Romeo and Juliet, but one in which everyone lives, was so good. Mariana and Angelo are in competing mariachi bands, and also part of a generational family feud. But they also have undeniable feelings for each other. Can they give their all the the mariachi battle of the bands, fix the rift between their families, and fall in love? Spoiler, probs. Also as a Texan, I demand more amazing books like this one (set in San Antonio) that are little love letters to Texas. An all-ages appropriate romance. TW foster care, death of parents, gentrification