ARC provided by the author’s publicity team
Priscilla Oliveras writes gorgeous Latinx family and culture. If you’ve read her other books, you know. And they’re definitely the strong suits in her Romeo and Juliet inspired-West Side Love Story.
The Capuletas have fostered several girls who have become a family of musicians with unbreakable bonds. Mariana, who also works as an ER nurse, is their ringleader. I loved the girl power of an all-female mariachi band going up against the Goliath in the Battle of the Bands.
Overall, I liked this unique take on Romeo and Juliet between two rival mariachi bands/families, but just found the pacing so slow. After the halfway point, I was checking almost every 10%. I think it was because the book was juggling multiple storylines — integrating grumpy teenager Nina, their latest foster daughter, into the family; uncovering what was driving the rift between the Capuletas and the Monteros; and the Battle of the Bands.
The romance is insta-attraction at first (it is Romeo and Juliet-inspired after all) but steadily grows into something more grounded despite the fact that Mariana and Angelo have to keep it on the down low for quite awhile. (BTW – no one dies). As is usual with Priscilla, it’s closed door.
While it wasn’t my favorite of hers, I’ll be back for book 2 in the series: Kiss Me, Catalina.
CW: ICE raid
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Check out my reviews of Priscilla’s previous books:
