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Viva Lola Espinoza
A debut young adult novel that's BOOKSMART with a dash of magic, about a Mexican American teen who spends the summer in Mexico City, meets two very cute boys, attempts to learn Spanish, and uncovers a family secret that changes her life forever.
Lola Espinoza is cursed in love. Well, maybe not actually cursed — magic isn't real, is it? When Lola goes to spend the summer with her grandmother in Mexico City and meets handsome, flirtatious Rio, she discovers the unbelievable truth: Magic is very real, and what she'd always written off as bad luck is actually, truly . . . a curse. If Lola ever wants to fall in love without suffering the consequences, she'll have to break the curse. She finds an unlikely curse-breaking companion in Javi, a seemingly stoic boy she meets while working in her cousin's restaurant. Javi is willing to help Lola look into this family curse of hers, and Lola needs all the help she can get. Over the course of one summer — filled with food, family, and two very different boys — Lola explores Mexico City while learning about herself, her heritage, and the magic around us all.
Lola Espinoza is cursed in love. Well, maybe not actually cursed — magic isn't real, is it? When Lola goes to spend the summer with her grandmother in Mexico City and meets handsome, flirtatious Rio, she discovers the unbelievable truth: Magic is very real, and what she'd always written off as bad luck is actually, truly . . . a curse. If Lola ever wants to fall in love without suffering the consequences, she'll have to break the curse. She finds an unlikely curse-breaking companion in Javi, a seemingly stoic boy she meets while working in her cousin's restaurant. Javi is willing to help Lola look into this family curse of hers, and Lola needs all the help she can get. Over the course of one summer — filled with food, family, and two very different boys — Lola explores Mexico City while learning about herself, her heritage, and the magic around us all.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 21, 2023
I received a free arc from the publisher.
I hate it when authors excuse parents' sociopathic behavior because they're 'ethnic.' Lola gets a C in Spanish (her first C ever, it would seem), so her parents pack her off to Mexico and tell her not to come back until she can speak Spanish. Now I would understand if they discussed this with her a lot earlier: 'It's important to us that you learn Spanish and connect with your extended family, so this summer, you'll be spending X amount of time with Grandma and the aunts and uncles.' Nope. She bombs her final and three days later, with no warning, she's off to Mexico City.
The author includes a LOT of Spanish sentences and random words in this book. I speak Spanish, so it didn't throw me, but if those phrases were in French or Italian, I'd be skipping entire paragraphs, completely lost. You can have a character speaking another language while still writing what they say in English.
And this curse? Lola briefly faints (after spending a day hiking in the heat), has a bout with stomach problems (the first time that's ever happened to a gringa visiting Mexico) and her date has a very mild case of food poisoning. So of course it must be a family curse.
And the guy has a dimple. I can't think of the last time I read a YA novel where the guy didn't have a dimple. At this rate, YA dudes are going to look like golf balls by the end of the decade.
I hate it when authors excuse parents' sociopathic behavior because they're 'ethnic.' Lola gets a C in Spanish (her first C ever, it would seem), so her parents pack her off to Mexico and tell her not to come back until she can speak Spanish. Now I would understand if they discussed this with her a lot earlier: 'It's important to us that you learn Spanish and connect with your extended family, so this summer, you'll be spending X amount of time with Grandma and the aunts and uncles.' Nope. She bombs her final and three days later, with no warning, she's off to Mexico City.
The author includes a LOT of Spanish sentences and random words in this book. I speak Spanish, so it didn't throw me, but if those phrases were in French or Italian, I'd be skipping entire paragraphs, completely lost. You can have a character speaking another language while still writing what they say in English.
And this curse? Lola briefly faints (after spending a day hiking in the heat), has a bout with stomach problems (the first time that's ever happened to a gringa visiting Mexico) and her date has a very mild case of food poisoning. So of course it must be a family curse.
And the guy has a dimple. I can't think of the last time I read a YA novel where the guy didn't have a dimple. At this rate, YA dudes are going to look like golf balls by the end of the decade.
Shelved as 'paused-on-reading'
February 11, 2023Pausing on page 220. This just isn’t working for me. I’m not really feeling connected to Lola and her relationships with family/boys aren’t developed enough for me. I was really looking forward to reading this one! So much potential but it’s just feeling really disjointed and like it could have been tightened up a bit narratively as well.
Thank you to Kokila for the ARC
Thank you to Kokila for the ARC
April 11, 2023
I absolutely adored this story! Dare I say that it's my favorite young adult novel this year?
Young Dani would have adored this sweet little novel. There is so much to treasure about this from learning about the Mexican culture, understanding the importance of family and discovering one's path in life.
It made my heart soar.
High school is a hard place to navigate. Having a social life, getting good grades, appeasing your tough parents and planning for college. It can be overwhelming.
Lola seemed to struggle with it all except for getting good grades until her report card comes. She gets a C in Spanish and her world is turned upside down. Lola is frazzled. All she knows is how to study and achieve her parents goals of earning A's. She is convinced that she is going to experience the wrath of her parents.
Yet, her father grants her a blessing in disguise.
Lola is sent to spend the summer in Mexico City with her extended family to learn Spanish.
Her "punishment" teaches her more than the language of her heritage.
I love love loved the journey that I took with Lola. It warmed my heart just being able to get to grow and learn with her. She not only discovered her deep rooted love for her family in Mexico City but she fell in love with herself. Her arc was extremely delightful.
Seeing her become confident and bold brought me endless joy.
The messages the story conveys to the reader hit so hard. The focus on family was truly what put me right in the feels. It was beautiful to follow Lola discovering the importance of her grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins in her life. You could truly see the growth of her love become so big by the end of the novel and it was so sweet. The ending made my eyes well with tears and give my momma the warmest hug.
Cerón mixed in Spanish throughout Lola's story and I loved it. It made reading so entertaining. I was addicted to getting to each phase and brushing the cobwebs from my noggin. I felt the Spanish that I had learned earlier in my life flooding back to me. It was AWESOME!
I am now immediately going to start planning a trip to Mexico City. This story made me want to brush up on the Spanish I learned in high school and travel to this beautiful city. The setting sounded vibrant and alluring. The food, the people, the architecture, the warmth. It all drew me in.
Thank you Penguin Teen and Ella Cerón for the advance copy of this book! "Viva Lola Espinoza" comes out April 11th! Be sure to support queen Elle by not only pre-ordering this but by following her on all social media platforms!
Young Dani would have adored this sweet little novel. There is so much to treasure about this from learning about the Mexican culture, understanding the importance of family and discovering one's path in life.
It made my heart soar.
High school is a hard place to navigate. Having a social life, getting good grades, appeasing your tough parents and planning for college. It can be overwhelming.
Lola seemed to struggle with it all except for getting good grades until her report card comes. She gets a C in Spanish and her world is turned upside down. Lola is frazzled. All she knows is how to study and achieve her parents goals of earning A's. She is convinced that she is going to experience the wrath of her parents.
Yet, her father grants her a blessing in disguise.
Lola is sent to spend the summer in Mexico City with her extended family to learn Spanish.
Her "punishment" teaches her more than the language of her heritage.
I love love loved the journey that I took with Lola. It warmed my heart just being able to get to grow and learn with her. She not only discovered her deep rooted love for her family in Mexico City but she fell in love with herself. Her arc was extremely delightful.
Seeing her become confident and bold brought me endless joy.
The messages the story conveys to the reader hit so hard. The focus on family was truly what put me right in the feels. It was beautiful to follow Lola discovering the importance of her grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins in her life. You could truly see the growth of her love become so big by the end of the novel and it was so sweet. The ending made my eyes well with tears and give my momma the warmest hug.
Cerón mixed in Spanish throughout Lola's story and I loved it. It made reading so entertaining. I was addicted to getting to each phase and brushing the cobwebs from my noggin. I felt the Spanish that I had learned earlier in my life flooding back to me. It was AWESOME!
I am now immediately going to start planning a trip to Mexico City. This story made me want to brush up on the Spanish I learned in high school and travel to this beautiful city. The setting sounded vibrant and alluring. The food, the people, the architecture, the warmth. It all drew me in.
Thank you Penguin Teen and Ella Cerón for the advance copy of this book! "Viva Lola Espinoza" comes out April 11th! Be sure to support queen Elle by not only pre-ordering this but by following her on all social media platforms!
April 18, 2023
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the arc. All opinions are my own.
Viva Lola Espinoza is a YA, slice of life, book in which we follow Lola being sent to stay with her family in Mexico for a summer after doing poorly in her high school Spanish class.
Overall, I felt this book was a solid read and appreciated the light it shines on being Mexican-American and feeling disconnected with your culture and heritage.
I liked how many sentences and phrases throughout the book were in Spanish with no translation because that is usually not done in most books.
I wish the book centered around Lola’s struggle with her culture, instead of having so many subplots like the romances and the curse. It dragged the book on too long and kept pulling me out of the story. I wanted more focus on developing one aspect of the book and felt the development was spread too thin, leaving less strong subplots all throughout the book.
Very happy to see more and more books being published with Mexican main characters. I wish younger me had had something like this to read.
Viva Lola Espinoza is a YA, slice of life, book in which we follow Lola being sent to stay with her family in Mexico for a summer after doing poorly in her high school Spanish class.
Overall, I felt this book was a solid read and appreciated the light it shines on being Mexican-American and feeling disconnected with your culture and heritage.
I liked how many sentences and phrases throughout the book were in Spanish with no translation because that is usually not done in most books.
I wish the book centered around Lola’s struggle with her culture, instead of having so many subplots like the romances and the curse. It dragged the book on too long and kept pulling me out of the story. I wanted more focus on developing one aspect of the book and felt the development was spread too thin, leaving less strong subplots all throughout the book.
Very happy to see more and more books being published with Mexican main characters. I wish younger me had had something like this to read.
April 13, 2023
This was a hard read for me.
I really wanted to like it and I did at first. I could relate with a lot of the things Lola was going through but the writing made it super hard to like the story.
I was born and raised (until 10 years old) in Mexico and although I’ve been in the US for majority of my life, it’s very hard to forget the way Spanish is talked, how people interact, and such things. The Spanish that is taught in our schools is not the same that is spoken in Mexico. Much less, the different dialects one comes across throughout Mexico. I found that a lot of the Spanish felt like they were using google translate to look up slang. Very stiff. Awkward. Cringey.
The other element of the book was Lola finding out about the “family curse” (which is totally misleading) and trying to find a way to break it. That journey was very choppy and all over the place. How is a girl who got a C in Spanish expected to read up on folklore in SPANISH and know what it means?
This is a hard pass for me.
I really wanted to like it and I did at first. I could relate with a lot of the things Lola was going through but the writing made it super hard to like the story.
I was born and raised (until 10 years old) in Mexico and although I’ve been in the US for majority of my life, it’s very hard to forget the way Spanish is talked, how people interact, and such things. The Spanish that is taught in our schools is not the same that is spoken in Mexico. Much less, the different dialects one comes across throughout Mexico. I found that a lot of the Spanish felt like they were using google translate to look up slang. Very stiff. Awkward. Cringey.
The other element of the book was Lola finding out about the “family curse” (which is totally misleading) and trying to find a way to break it. That journey was very choppy and all over the place. How is a girl who got a C in Spanish expected to read up on folklore in SPANISH and know what it means?
This is a hard pass for me.
August 15, 2023
It is not unheard of for kids to be grounded for their grades, but to be grounded to another COUNTRY? This is the reality of Lola Espinoza's life when her parents send her to stay with relatives in Mexico City for the summer after she earns a 'C' in Spanish. Lola's parents are determined to make their daughter learn the language, but Lola is going to learn a lot more than she or anyone else bargained for.
I enjoyed the conversations around the complexities of family and cultural identity, but I did have trouble connecting with the romance and the curse, which is a major focus of the story. However, I deeply resonated with Lola's language struggles, and the feelings that come along with being seen as "other" or "less than" for being a Mexican American who does not speak Spanish. I also have a huge appreciation for books that unapologetically sprinkle in a different language without translating it. Overall, this is a slow-paced coming-of-age story about a teenage girl figuring out who she wants to be, and how she fits in to her culture and her family.
I enjoyed the conversations around the complexities of family and cultural identity, but I did have trouble connecting with the romance and the curse, which is a major focus of the story. However, I deeply resonated with Lola's language struggles, and the feelings that come along with being seen as "other" or "less than" for being a Mexican American who does not speak Spanish. I also have a huge appreciation for books that unapologetically sprinkle in a different language without translating it. Overall, this is a slow-paced coming-of-age story about a teenage girl figuring out who she wants to be, and how she fits in to her culture and her family.
January 4, 2023
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a very vibrant and charming book! I enjoyed following Lola discover the depths of her culture and family in Mexico. One small detail that I loved about the novel is how so much of the dialogue was in Spanish without direct translations. Lola felt so relatable as the eldest daughter of immigrant parents and her thoughts about upholding her parents wishes while trying to connect with her Mexican heritage felt incredibly accurate.
Where this book falls short for me is probably the romance. I found the official blurb of the book a little misleading as it seemed the book would be a romance, but the book barely ended with a HEA, which is a genre-defining trait for romance. I also was able to predict the true personality of one of the love interests in the book early on in the novel quite easily, so the "reveal" was not very surprising.
Overall, I think fans of YA Latinx coming-of-age stories will definitely enjoy Viva Lola Espinoza! I'd give this 3.75 stars, rounded up.
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This was a very vibrant and charming book! I enjoyed following Lola discover the depths of her culture and family in Mexico. One small detail that I loved about the novel is how so much of the dialogue was in Spanish without direct translations. Lola felt so relatable as the eldest daughter of immigrant parents and her thoughts about upholding her parents wishes while trying to connect with her Mexican heritage felt incredibly accurate.
Where this book falls short for me is probably the romance. I found the official blurb of the book a little misleading as it seemed the book would be a romance, but the book barely ended with a HEA, which is a genre-defining trait for romance. I also was able to predict the true personality of one of the love interests in the book early on in the novel quite easily, so the "reveal" was not very surprising.
Overall, I think fans of YA Latinx coming-of-age stories will definitely enjoy Viva Lola Espinoza! I'd give this 3.75 stars, rounded up.
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
July 24, 2023
A fun YA summer romance that sees a Mexican American teen girl spending her vacation with her relatives in Mexico. Full of family, food and first love, we get to follow Lola's coming of age journey as she tries to break a family curse and connect more with her Mexican heritage. Good on audio and recommended for fans of books like Ophelia after all and Somewhere between bitter and sweet. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 14, 2023DNF @ 13%
This book feels very familiar. I’ve read extremely similar storylines and can already tell exactly how it’s going to play out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy.
This book feels very familiar. I’ve read extremely similar storylines and can already tell exactly how it’s going to play out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy.
February 28, 2023
I don't often write reviews, but I was excited to find an ARC in a thrift store. The story was interesting but never really landed for me. It also went on way too long. Less pages, more meaningful, is what I was looking for.
September 13, 2023
4 years of college Spanish and I've used it maybe once since graduating until now. I feel like both Lola and I benefitted from this book!
Lola Espinoza does not date. She does not go out. She does not get bad grades. Lola Espinoza does not live her life for herself, she lives only to be a good daughter. However, when Lola brings home a C in Spanish, she is shipped off to live with family in Mexico for the summer or until she can speak Spanish.
Lola meets a charismatic and handsome boy, Rio, and his serious and moody friend, Javier while working at her cousin's restaurant. Lola also finds out that her entire family is cursed, and she will need to break the curse if she wants to fall in love. Sending her on a chase for answers, Lola will discover more about her heritage and (more importantly) herself than ever before.
Viva Lola Espinoza is an adorable YA contemporary fiction that encompasses the nuances between living and thriving as well as what it means to be Mexican-American. Lola's story reminds it's readers to stop getting in the way of our own happiness and live a life worth living. And also never trust a pretty face.
Lola Espinoza does not date. She does not go out. She does not get bad grades. Lola Espinoza does not live her life for herself, she lives only to be a good daughter. However, when Lola brings home a C in Spanish, she is shipped off to live with family in Mexico for the summer or until she can speak Spanish.
Lola meets a charismatic and handsome boy, Rio, and his serious and moody friend, Javier while working at her cousin's restaurant. Lola also finds out that her entire family is cursed, and she will need to break the curse if she wants to fall in love. Sending her on a chase for answers, Lola will discover more about her heritage and (more importantly) herself than ever before.
Viva Lola Espinoza is an adorable YA contemporary fiction that encompasses the nuances between living and thriving as well as what it means to be Mexican-American. Lola's story reminds it's readers to stop getting in the way of our own happiness and live a life worth living. And also never trust a pretty face.
August 15, 2023
Cute YA summer romance on one hand, thoughtful look at the complexity of identity and the struggle of heritage language learners. Loved the intentional translanguaging. From the language learner/teacher perspective, it was such an interesting writing choice of moving between English and Spanish. There are times when you get guessed at what was said, Spanish with translation, Spanish when Lola understands it too, and Spanish when the reader might have a better idea of what is happening than the protagonist. That was just SO interesting to me. Overall a cute story that maybe has too many things going on. The curse of generational trauma was explored well for the audience, but Rio was so dumb and I would’ve been happy to have his pages dedicated to literally any other character haha
April 16, 2023
Thank you PenguinTeen and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions are my own.
4.75 rounded up. This book simply did not disappoint. The character growth, the struggle with being bilingual(extremely relatable), everything was perfect. The book was so fun and enjoyable. I only had one problem with this book. The Spanish phrases weren't provided with an English translation so I felt like I was missing some moments of the book.
Overall, great book and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
4.75 rounded up. This book simply did not disappoint. The character growth, the struggle with being bilingual(extremely relatable), everything was perfect. The book was so fun and enjoyable. I only had one problem with this book. The Spanish phrases weren't provided with an English translation so I felt like I was missing some moments of the book.
Overall, great book and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Read
May 9, 2024I didn't finish the book because I misplaced it and never found it again.
December 7, 2022
ARC Review.
3 stars.
Comparing this book to BOOKSMART is super accurate in the sense that Viva Lola Espinoza is all about realizing that life is more than studying and working hard. That it is also about having fun, finding yourself, and letting go even for just a little bit.
As someone who is familiar with the identity issues addressed in the book, I could relate to how Lola felt in Mexico and also at home. While it doesn't feel like it, there is no wrong or right way to be Mexican-American or Latine. It looks different for each of us. Speaking Spanish isn't the sole definition of Latine-ity, but too often things like that FEEL like they are what defines Latine-ity.
And while there was a lot I appreciated and enjoyed about this book, I wanted more out of it. I wished for more scenes with Lola letting go and having fun. More scenes with boys. More scenes of just random teenage adventures. I also wanted to see less focus on the curse. For whatever reason, that aspect of the novel was harder for me to connect with.
Besides those issues, the only other issue I had with Viva Lola Espinoza was the switching back and forth between given names and, like, nicknames. Mami is also Letty. Buela is also Rosa. Maybe it's just me but it seemed odd and I personally didn't care for that style.
All in all, Viva Lola Espinoza was a good book that made me feel seen. And I think a lot of readers will feel the same way. I simply wished there was a bit more of Lola's journey of self-discovery and perhaps less focus on the curse.
3 stars.
Comparing this book to BOOKSMART is super accurate in the sense that Viva Lola Espinoza is all about realizing that life is more than studying and working hard. That it is also about having fun, finding yourself, and letting go even for just a little bit.
As someone who is familiar with the identity issues addressed in the book, I could relate to how Lola felt in Mexico and also at home. While it doesn't feel like it, there is no wrong or right way to be Mexican-American or Latine. It looks different for each of us. Speaking Spanish isn't the sole definition of Latine-ity, but too often things like that FEEL like they are what defines Latine-ity.
And while there was a lot I appreciated and enjoyed about this book, I wanted more out of it. I wished for more scenes with Lola letting go and having fun. More scenes with boys. More scenes of just random teenage adventures. I also wanted to see less focus on the curse. For whatever reason, that aspect of the novel was harder for me to connect with.
Besides those issues, the only other issue I had with Viva Lola Espinoza was the switching back and forth between given names and, like, nicknames. Mami is also Letty. Buela is also Rosa. Maybe it's just me but it seemed odd and I personally didn't care for that style.
All in all, Viva Lola Espinoza was a good book that made me feel seen. And I think a lot of readers will feel the same way. I simply wished there was a bit more of Lola's journey of self-discovery and perhaps less focus on the curse.
April 16, 2023
I absolutely adored spending the summer with Lola! Everything was so well-described that it all felt real—down to the tumultuous feelings of being a teenager figuring out your place in the world.
April 17, 2023
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Read a physical copy that I was sent by the publisher and a kindle copy from the library.
“Lots of things happen to lots of families. Why not curses?”
Viva Lola Espinoza follows a young woman by the name of Lola whose father is sending her to Mexico for the summer to be with family so she can raise her grade in Spanish up from a C to a higher one. The problem is that for Lola Spanish does not come easy at all, in fact, it's the one area of her life that has never made sense to her when it came to school. So getting shipped off for the summer to be with family that she barely even knows to learn a language she doesn't understand isn't exactly how she wants to spend her summer. But once there she tries to make the most of it and helps out at the family restaurant and learns secrets that she didn't know about her family before.
“I didn’t know where to start. This was the only idea I had. And I always know. That’s my thing at school. Lola Espinoza’s got the answer. Let the teacher call on her. It’s weird that I don’t know now.”
Overall I loved this book. Lola grows so much as a person and we see her come out of her shell and actually figure out some of what she wants. Instead of just being the good girl that everyone expects her to be she is having fun, and exploring all while learning Spanish and spending time with her family. Javi was a character that I wasn't sure if I would like or not at first, but he grew on me and I loved how passionate he was about history. Javi and Lola worked really well together and helped each other grow and really see things from a different point of view. For Javi that meant being questioned on why he didn't study more of what he loved instead of just listening to his father, and for Lola it meant learning Spanish and living a little instead of just being so obsessed with grades. Lola's family was chaotic but lovely in Mexico and I loved seeing the dynamic between all of her aunts and uncles compared to her mom. The curse itself was interesting and shows how when we put power or belief in something then we start to think it is real.
I highly recommend this book as it is a nice coming-of-age summer read. There is quite a bit of the Spanish language in this book as that is the whole point of Lola going to Mexico for the summer. I ended up surprising myself a little bit with how much I remembered from undergrad as Spanish did not come easy to me.
“If you’re going to run to every corner of la ciudad to talk spirits into taking pity on you, why not make it easier and bring you to them?” he added. “If they curse you more, they curse us both, so at least you won’t be lonely.”
Read a physical copy that I was sent by the publisher and a kindle copy from the library.
“Lots of things happen to lots of families. Why not curses?”
Viva Lola Espinoza follows a young woman by the name of Lola whose father is sending her to Mexico for the summer to be with family so she can raise her grade in Spanish up from a C to a higher one. The problem is that for Lola Spanish does not come easy at all, in fact, it's the one area of her life that has never made sense to her when it came to school. So getting shipped off for the summer to be with family that she barely even knows to learn a language she doesn't understand isn't exactly how she wants to spend her summer. But once there she tries to make the most of it and helps out at the family restaurant and learns secrets that she didn't know about her family before.
“I didn’t know where to start. This was the only idea I had. And I always know. That’s my thing at school. Lola Espinoza’s got the answer. Let the teacher call on her. It’s weird that I don’t know now.”
Overall I loved this book. Lola grows so much as a person and we see her come out of her shell and actually figure out some of what she wants. Instead of just being the good girl that everyone expects her to be she is having fun, and exploring all while learning Spanish and spending time with her family. Javi was a character that I wasn't sure if I would like or not at first, but he grew on me and I loved how passionate he was about history. Javi and Lola worked really well together and helped each other grow and really see things from a different point of view. For Javi that meant being questioned on why he didn't study more of what he loved instead of just listening to his father, and for Lola it meant learning Spanish and living a little instead of just being so obsessed with grades. Lola's family was chaotic but lovely in Mexico and I loved seeing the dynamic between all of her aunts and uncles compared to her mom. The curse itself was interesting and shows how when we put power or belief in something then we start to think it is real.
I highly recommend this book as it is a nice coming-of-age summer read. There is quite a bit of the Spanish language in this book as that is the whole point of Lola going to Mexico for the summer. I ended up surprising myself a little bit with how much I remembered from undergrad as Spanish did not come easy to me.
“If you’re going to run to every corner of la ciudad to talk spirits into taking pity on you, why not make it easier and bring you to them?” he added. “If they curse you more, they curse us both, so at least you won’t be lonely.”
November 1, 2023
I didn't really feel anything while reading this book. At times I was interested in the story and at times I was bored with it. It is nothing if not predictable in its resolution of the central love triangle. I hesitate to call it a love triangle since very little happens romantically or sexually.
Rio gets hammered by the author but he did nothing wrong. All the characters seem to agree that because he flirted with a girl and kissed her once (never dated her) that he then has an obligation to be monogamous with that girl even though they have never even gone out together. Actually he had no such obligation. Rio did nothing wrong. The mc should have fucked him quickly and enjoyed every minute of it. What a boring prude she is!
Javi is a sourpuss and extremely dull. The entire trip to the mountains near the end of the book is pointless. I groaned every time Javi entered or spoke. Dull.
The POV that Mexico is the home of black magic and witchcraft is real weird. Simultaneously, we get a very idealized portrait of Mexico that leaves out its shocking murder and kidnap rates. The business owners in this book never have to deal with crime and corruption, which is rampant. But this is a love letter to Mexico, so it is unfair to expect an expose. The idea that second generation Mexican-Americans are somehow Mexican is a strange idea that does not bear much scrutiny. Like most of the dull philosophizing in the book, it is a life outlook strongly informed by liberal political ideas. If that interests you, you will probably find this fascinating. I got bored with all the talk and philosophizing. It is pretty interesting to imagine people in a rural Mexican village talking like a hippie life coach in Beverly Hills, but I guess it could happen.
In the afterword, the author explains what she was trying to accomplish with the way she wrote the Spanish into the book. Anyone should read that short essay before criticizing her work. I understand what she was going for, but, ultimately, I think it reads as an uncomfortable compromise.
I think this author has some promise and I would be open to reading more from her; I just don't think this book worked. The character I will remember the most is the reviled Rio. Wish she had done more with that charming rogue!
Rio gets hammered by the author but he did nothing wrong. All the characters seem to agree that because he flirted with a girl and kissed her once (never dated her) that he then has an obligation to be monogamous with that girl even though they have never even gone out together. Actually he had no such obligation. Rio did nothing wrong. The mc should have fucked him quickly and enjoyed every minute of it. What a boring prude she is!
Javi is a sourpuss and extremely dull. The entire trip to the mountains near the end of the book is pointless. I groaned every time Javi entered or spoke. Dull.
The POV that Mexico is the home of black magic and witchcraft is real weird. Simultaneously, we get a very idealized portrait of Mexico that leaves out its shocking murder and kidnap rates. The business owners in this book never have to deal with crime and corruption, which is rampant. But this is a love letter to Mexico, so it is unfair to expect an expose. The idea that second generation Mexican-Americans are somehow Mexican is a strange idea that does not bear much scrutiny. Like most of the dull philosophizing in the book, it is a life outlook strongly informed by liberal political ideas. If that interests you, you will probably find this fascinating. I got bored with all the talk and philosophizing. It is pretty interesting to imagine people in a rural Mexican village talking like a hippie life coach in Beverly Hills, but I guess it could happen.
In the afterword, the author explains what she was trying to accomplish with the way she wrote the Spanish into the book. Anyone should read that short essay before criticizing her work. I understand what she was going for, but, ultimately, I think it reads as an uncomfortable compromise.
I think this author has some promise and I would be open to reading more from her; I just don't think this book worked. The character I will remember the most is the reviled Rio. Wish she had done more with that charming rogue!
April 9, 2023
📖 ARC REVIEW 📖
Thank you @penguinteen for an early copy of Viva Lola Espinoza by @ellaceron. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍
Viva Lola Espinoza is a coming-of-age story about Lola, who was sent to Mexico to spend her summer with her grandmother for the summer by her father when they found out at the end of her junior year that she got a C in her Spanish class, and she can’t come back home to California until she learns how to speak and read Spanish fluently. She got to spend time with all of her family from her mother’s side in Mexico, along with meeting handsome and flirtatious Rio, and discovers that she and every female in her family are cursed in love. If she wants to fall in love without suffering the consequences, she needs to break the curse, and with the help of Javi, who’s willing to help Lola look into the curse, and with her Spanish as well. Over the summer, Lola explores Mexico City while learning about herself, and her heritage.
While there was a lot of Spanish dialogue in this book (I really suggest reading this on a Kindle as the translation feature is such a big help!), this was such a fun and charming read! I really enjoyed how Lola was able to come out of her comfort zone and live her life during her stay in Mexico. She has always been the overthinker, the one who doesn’t want to be a burden to her family, and always stuck up on her grades and achievements. It was fun to see her live and act her age, enjoying the company of her family and newfound friends in Mexico.
While I enjoyed all of those, I found that her search to break the family’s curse was quite underwhelming, but I did enjoy all her moments with Javi during their search. Don’t be too swayed though, this novel isn’t really a romance novel as the blurb suggests. There are just tid bits of romantic moments in the story, but pick this one up if you enjoy a heartwarming coming-of-age novel!
Rating this ⭐⭐⭐.5/5. Releases April 11th, 2023!
Thank you @penguinteen for an early copy of Viva Lola Espinoza by @ellaceron. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍
Viva Lola Espinoza is a coming-of-age story about Lola, who was sent to Mexico to spend her summer with her grandmother for the summer by her father when they found out at the end of her junior year that she got a C in her Spanish class, and she can’t come back home to California until she learns how to speak and read Spanish fluently. She got to spend time with all of her family from her mother’s side in Mexico, along with meeting handsome and flirtatious Rio, and discovers that she and every female in her family are cursed in love. If she wants to fall in love without suffering the consequences, she needs to break the curse, and with the help of Javi, who’s willing to help Lola look into the curse, and with her Spanish as well. Over the summer, Lola explores Mexico City while learning about herself, and her heritage.
While there was a lot of Spanish dialogue in this book (I really suggest reading this on a Kindle as the translation feature is such a big help!), this was such a fun and charming read! I really enjoyed how Lola was able to come out of her comfort zone and live her life during her stay in Mexico. She has always been the overthinker, the one who doesn’t want to be a burden to her family, and always stuck up on her grades and achievements. It was fun to see her live and act her age, enjoying the company of her family and newfound friends in Mexico.
While I enjoyed all of those, I found that her search to break the family’s curse was quite underwhelming, but I did enjoy all her moments with Javi during their search. Don’t be too swayed though, this novel isn’t really a romance novel as the blurb suggests. There are just tid bits of romantic moments in the story, but pick this one up if you enjoy a heartwarming coming-of-age novel!
Rating this ⭐⭐⭐.5/5. Releases April 11th, 2023!
June 14, 2023
2.5 stars
Tell me you're a California/L.A.-born Mexican without telling me you're a California/L.A.-born Mexican. (I'm not necessarily saying this in a negative way lol so chill. It's just...obvious. This book also made me feel hella old because the teens acted so, um...young. *cries*)
As a story, it's your basic contemporary YA teen drama so if that's your cup of tea then you'll likely be entertained by this one. For me, I guess I just expected a bit more magic and bit less (ironically) Americanness? Some things were done well and it's definitely cool having more books out there highlighting Mexico/Mexican culture, but there were also more than a few things that were irritating to the point I changed from reading to just skimming with less and less enthusiasm as I went. It's...it's akin to many of those Netflix teen movies, if ya know what I mean.
Oh, but I did at least appreciate the main character's struggle with Spanish despite being of Mexican heritage haha. I'm great at Spanish tests in school, but in real life application? Brain static.
Tell me you're a California/L.A.-born Mexican without telling me you're a California/L.A.-born Mexican. (I'm not necessarily saying this in a negative way lol so chill. It's just...obvious. This book also made me feel hella old because the teens acted so, um...young. *cries*)
As a story, it's your basic contemporary YA teen drama so if that's your cup of tea then you'll likely be entertained by this one. For me, I guess I just expected a bit more magic and bit less (ironically) Americanness? Some things were done well and it's definitely cool having more books out there highlighting Mexico/Mexican culture, but there were also more than a few things that were irritating to the point I changed from reading to just skimming with less and less enthusiasm as I went. It's...it's akin to many of those Netflix teen movies, if ya know what I mean.
Oh, but I did at least appreciate the main character's struggle with Spanish despite being of Mexican heritage haha. I'm great at Spanish tests in school, but in real life application? Brain static.
March 31, 2023
Thank you so much Penguin Teen for sending me an ARC of this book for an honest review!
I absolutely loved this book! I thought it was fun, vibrant and engaging. I appreciated the usage of Spanish dialogue throughout the story! I find myself in a similar boat as Lola where my family and I are Puerto Rican but English is my first language. I speak Spanglish if anything! I wish I pushed myself harder to learn Spanish but that is something I am working on now much like Lola throughout this story.
She gets a C in her class and her parents send her to Mexico City to her relatives to learn Spanish and while that doesn’t sound comfortable at first, it really seems like the best way to emerge into the language and culture!
As for the two love interests Río and Javi- Río seemed off very early on. Wasn’t too sure about him until iykyk… But Javi, he was a keeper. Loved him!!
Lola’s journey was so fun to read. Even the dynamics with her family members (especially her cousins) was interesting to read about! Hispanic families are often VERY large! And even if we haven’t seen each other in YEARS, we always find a way to make a celebration out of everything. And I found the book to highly represent that side of Hispanic culture!! And the food!! Can’t forget about that!
Warning: this book is not as heavy on the romance as much as it may be assumed from reading the synopsis! It’s there but it’s not the main plot point! This is about a girl learning about where her family comes from and their secrets while also running into a little romance of her own.
Loved the story, it’s characters and the setting!! Highly recommend!!
I absolutely loved this book! I thought it was fun, vibrant and engaging. I appreciated the usage of Spanish dialogue throughout the story! I find myself in a similar boat as Lola where my family and I are Puerto Rican but English is my first language. I speak Spanglish if anything! I wish I pushed myself harder to learn Spanish but that is something I am working on now much like Lola throughout this story.
She gets a C in her class and her parents send her to Mexico City to her relatives to learn Spanish and while that doesn’t sound comfortable at first, it really seems like the best way to emerge into the language and culture!
As for the two love interests Río and Javi- Río seemed off very early on. Wasn’t too sure about him until iykyk… But Javi, he was a keeper. Loved him!!
Lola’s journey was so fun to read. Even the dynamics with her family members (especially her cousins) was interesting to read about! Hispanic families are often VERY large! And even if we haven’t seen each other in YEARS, we always find a way to make a celebration out of everything. And I found the book to highly represent that side of Hispanic culture!! And the food!! Can’t forget about that!
Warning: this book is not as heavy on the romance as much as it may be assumed from reading the synopsis! It’s there but it’s not the main plot point! This is about a girl learning about where her family comes from and their secrets while also running into a little romance of her own.
Loved the story, it’s characters and the setting!! Highly recommend!!
April 11, 2023
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
After scoring a C on her Spanish final, Lola Espinoza finds herself sent to Mexico City for the summer to learn Spanish, and discover more about her family. Initially thinking it a punishment, Lola soon realises that the Gomez family is more than it appears on the outside, and she has more in common with her aunts, uncles, and cousins that she ever thought. However, it’s not all good news. The family is cursed, and Lola isn’t immune just because she was raised in America.
Well this book just blew me away. I wasn’t overly sure what to expect, what with it being a contemporary with fantasy aspects, but I found myself not wanting to put the book down at all. Lola was a character I could relate to. She only really focused on her school work, and pleasing her parents, with the goal of getting into a good college. She had missed out on a lot of ‘normal’ high school experiences, but while in Mexico City, she found that there was more to life than just school, and has fun for the the first time in forever. The curse aspect was woven into the plot line seamlessly, and rather than being something that was conflicting to the story, it added to it. I didn’t really like the love triangle aspect, but I had an idea on which of the love interests was for Lola, and am glad to say I backed the right guy. My favourite part of the book, though, was how Spanish and English was written side by side. It really helped with the flow of the book, and made the reader appreciate Lola and her family that little bit more. A great book to read this Spring!
After scoring a C on her Spanish final, Lola Espinoza finds herself sent to Mexico City for the summer to learn Spanish, and discover more about her family. Initially thinking it a punishment, Lola soon realises that the Gomez family is more than it appears on the outside, and she has more in common with her aunts, uncles, and cousins that she ever thought. However, it’s not all good news. The family is cursed, and Lola isn’t immune just because she was raised in America.
Well this book just blew me away. I wasn’t overly sure what to expect, what with it being a contemporary with fantasy aspects, but I found myself not wanting to put the book down at all. Lola was a character I could relate to. She only really focused on her school work, and pleasing her parents, with the goal of getting into a good college. She had missed out on a lot of ‘normal’ high school experiences, but while in Mexico City, she found that there was more to life than just school, and has fun for the the first time in forever. The curse aspect was woven into the plot line seamlessly, and rather than being something that was conflicting to the story, it added to it. I didn’t really like the love triangle aspect, but I had an idea on which of the love interests was for Lola, and am glad to say I backed the right guy. My favourite part of the book, though, was how Spanish and English was written side by side. It really helped with the flow of the book, and made the reader appreciate Lola and her family that little bit more. A great book to read this Spring!
May 5, 2023
I wanted to love this one so much. A girl who goes to Mexico City to unfurl her roots and learn the language of her ancestors?!? YES PLEASSSSSSE!
But, well, not really. Lola is forced to go to Mexico to learn the language (she somehow got a C in Spanish at school, but As in everything else, including AP courses? And she spends most of here free time reading and studying?). She, along with her parents and brother, were poorly drawn, unreliable characters.
Once in Mexico, I thought the book would explode in color and noise and well… sabor!!!! On her first drive home from the DF airport, she gets in the car and then arrives at the house. Ummmm…I know the author has driven in Mexico City before, it is loud, chaotic, and fearful! Why not paint that image with words? We find that the abuela and Tia are great chefs, but the food is only described as “delicious” and even street tacos feel as bland as the page they are written on. Lola also goes to Xochimilco, the vibrant, beating heart of Mexico City! Full of flowers and smell (and odors!) and people and vendors and borrachos and food…and the whole focus is on this curse her family has passed down to her. Same for Teotihuacán and the sprawling, colorful markets in the colonias. Waaahhh. :(
I did like the romantic triangle and the “figuring out your family to figure out yourself” piece. So much of that was well-done. I was just hoping for a beautiful picture of Mexico (yes, travel porn!) and that wasn’t this book. The author has her own right to the story she wants to tell, and that’s great! Just wasn’t for me.
Recommended for teens and YA readers.
But, well, not really. Lola is forced to go to Mexico to learn the language (she somehow got a C in Spanish at school, but As in everything else, including AP courses? And she spends most of here free time reading and studying?). She, along with her parents and brother, were poorly drawn, unreliable characters.
Once in Mexico, I thought the book would explode in color and noise and well… sabor!!!! On her first drive home from the DF airport, she gets in the car and then arrives at the house. Ummmm…I know the author has driven in Mexico City before, it is loud, chaotic, and fearful! Why not paint that image with words? We find that the abuela and Tia are great chefs, but the food is only described as “delicious” and even street tacos feel as bland as the page they are written on. Lola also goes to Xochimilco, the vibrant, beating heart of Mexico City! Full of flowers and smell (and odors!) and people and vendors and borrachos and food…and the whole focus is on this curse her family has passed down to her. Same for Teotihuacán and the sprawling, colorful markets in the colonias. Waaahhh. :(
I did like the romantic triangle and the “figuring out your family to figure out yourself” piece. So much of that was well-done. I was just hoping for a beautiful picture of Mexico (yes, travel porn!) and that wasn’t this book. The author has her own right to the story she wants to tell, and that’s great! Just wasn’t for me.
Recommended for teens and YA readers.
Read
April 23, 2023I feel bad for not finishing this one but I really struggled reading this book.
This is in large part due to external circumstances:
1)the ebook I borrowed would only load up in Overdrive and that was a mess. I can’t tell how many hours left of reading in the book. I can’t tell easily what percentage of the book I’ve read. And the page number isn’t even right so I can’t just compare it to somewhere else.
2)I had my iPad in airplane mode so I wasn’t able to use the translate function. Though, is there a translate function in overdrive? I don’t even know. But a lot of this book was in Spanish and I don’t remember Spanish well enough to translate it myself and when I tried to search phrases it didn’t go smoothly.
This book has potential. I was excited to read it and the cover is adorable. But I need to stop. Overdrive has made this much too difficult today. And can I mention the irony? The lead character gets sent to Mexico because she gets a C on her Spanish test. This could have been frame as a fun summer trip, but from the little I got to know of her dad, it felt like a punishment. Her parents don’t go with her. She’s about 17 and they send her by herself, with no real understanding of Spanish, to spend the entire summer living with her relatives. Everyone is speaking in Spanish around Lola atleast part of the time, she probably felt as lost as I did without a translation option.
If you read this book, I would recommend an ebook rather than a physical book so you can translate (unless you know Spanish well). And make sure it’s an app that does translations.
This is in large part due to external circumstances:
1)the ebook I borrowed would only load up in Overdrive and that was a mess. I can’t tell how many hours left of reading in the book. I can’t tell easily what percentage of the book I’ve read. And the page number isn’t even right so I can’t just compare it to somewhere else.
2)I had my iPad in airplane mode so I wasn’t able to use the translate function. Though, is there a translate function in overdrive? I don’t even know. But a lot of this book was in Spanish and I don’t remember Spanish well enough to translate it myself and when I tried to search phrases it didn’t go smoothly.
This book has potential. I was excited to read it and the cover is adorable. But I need to stop. Overdrive has made this much too difficult today. And can I mention the irony? The lead character gets sent to Mexico because she gets a C on her Spanish test. This could have been frame as a fun summer trip, but from the little I got to know of her dad, it felt like a punishment. Her parents don’t go with her. She’s about 17 and they send her by herself, with no real understanding of Spanish, to spend the entire summer living with her relatives. Everyone is speaking in Spanish around Lola atleast part of the time, she probably felt as lost as I did without a translation option.
If you read this book, I would recommend an ebook rather than a physical book so you can translate (unless you know Spanish well). And make sure it’s an app that does translations.
Read
April 25, 2023Thank you PenguinTeen for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Viva Lola Espinoza is a story about a girl who is sent to spend the summer in Mexico with her extended family after receiving a poor grade in Spanish class that year. All Lola wants is to stay in the States with her outgoing friend but they’re forced to send the summer apart. It’s not until Lola discovers there’s a curse placed on the women in her family and if she wants to pursue a crush she has to solve this curse.
What I enjoyed about this story were the sections of Spanish. I read Spanish pretty well so it was fun challenging myself to work out sentences. That being said a non-Spanish speaker would find themselves googling phrases quite a bit. It worked out on my Kindle translate but on paper it might be a labor of love to translate.
The pacing did feel slower than I typically read. Maybe it’s because the MC is shy and reserved so she’s not prone to make a splash or go out on the town but the day-to-day pacing got pretty slow. I got pretty stuck about halfway.
The curse placed on the family is very open-ended and I think the story would have been more concise if it had a clear curse, like in other curse tropes. It makes okay sense for the ending but just for a reader’s standpoint a more direct curse might have made all the curse-hunting sections more interesting.
Overall this story was light and sweet, it would be perfect for a Spanish-savvy middle grade or young YA reader.
Viva Lola Espinoza is a story about a girl who is sent to spend the summer in Mexico with her extended family after receiving a poor grade in Spanish class that year. All Lola wants is to stay in the States with her outgoing friend but they’re forced to send the summer apart. It’s not until Lola discovers there’s a curse placed on the women in her family and if she wants to pursue a crush she has to solve this curse.
What I enjoyed about this story were the sections of Spanish. I read Spanish pretty well so it was fun challenging myself to work out sentences. That being said a non-Spanish speaker would find themselves googling phrases quite a bit. It worked out on my Kindle translate but on paper it might be a labor of love to translate.
The pacing did feel slower than I typically read. Maybe it’s because the MC is shy and reserved so she’s not prone to make a splash or go out on the town but the day-to-day pacing got pretty slow. I got pretty stuck about halfway.
The curse placed on the family is very open-ended and I think the story would have been more concise if it had a clear curse, like in other curse tropes. It makes okay sense for the ending but just for a reader’s standpoint a more direct curse might have made all the curse-hunting sections more interesting.
Overall this story was light and sweet, it would be perfect for a Spanish-savvy middle grade or young YA reader.
January 3, 2024
you can tell that this is a debut novel and not in a good way.
I have so many issues with this book - first of all, it was half-baked. The best friend shows up in the middle of the book in Mexico - for no really great reason? She's there and then Lola decides to ghost her for no apparent reason?
Then Javi (love interest #2) states that Lola is there (in Mexico) to learn Spanish (which she is), which is weird, because Spanish is not the only language spoken in Mexico. But guess what?? It is the majority language spoken by most people! Including all of Lola's family! And 90% of the people she interacts with! I get that the author was trying to point out indigenous languages spoken in Mexico but there are better ways to do so - when I was in Mexico, I visited an indigenous museum and learned about indigenous Mexican languages through that. Are you telling me MEXICO CITY doesn't have any of those opportunities?
Also there's a love triangle and that's stupid.
A major plot point is this family curse - which is never fully explained and never really resolved. It's the most half-baked element of this whole story. Why doesn't it get introduced earlier in the plot? Is the story supposed to be about Lola learning Spanish or resolving this curse? The book doesn't know either!
It was twice as long as it needed to be and I'm so glad it's done and over with
I have so many issues with this book - first of all, it was half-baked. The best friend shows up in the middle of the book in Mexico - for no really great reason? She's there and then Lola decides to ghost her for no apparent reason?
Then Javi (love interest #2) states that Lola is there (in Mexico) to learn Spanish (which she is), which is weird, because Spanish is not the only language spoken in Mexico. But guess what?? It is the majority language spoken by most people! Including all of Lola's family! And 90% of the people she interacts with! I get that the author was trying to point out indigenous languages spoken in Mexico but there are better ways to do so - when I was in Mexico, I visited an indigenous museum and learned about indigenous Mexican languages through that. Are you telling me MEXICO CITY doesn't have any of those opportunities?
Also there's a love triangle and that's stupid.
A major plot point is this family curse - which is never fully explained and never really resolved. It's the most half-baked element of this whole story. Why doesn't it get introduced earlier in the plot? Is the story supposed to be about Lola learning Spanish or resolving this curse? The book doesn't know either!
It was twice as long as it needed to be and I'm so glad it's done and over with
April 9, 2023
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review
VIVA LOLA ESPINOZA is a summer YA following Lola as she is sent to Mexico City to live with her extended family for the summer to learn Spanish and more about her culture. Along the way, she gets a job at the family restaurant, gets involved in a bit of a love triangle, and may even get caught up in a family curse. This was cute, but I didn't fall in love with the story. The romances she had didn't feel very meaningful or romantic to me; they were more flings than anything. I also thought the curse element was not necessary since it didn't do much for the story and didn't seem very fleshed out; this isn't a magical-realism book by any means. I enjoyed that Lola was primarily on a mission to improve herself and bond with her family, and that her family played such a big part in her summer. I also really loved seeing her learn Spanish and more about Mexico City. There was a discussion about Lola being Mexican-American and not feeling like she fit in in either the US or Mexico, which was interesting to read about, too. The book was longer than I think the story warranted, but it was a pretty good story overall.
VIVA LOLA ESPINOZA is a summer YA following Lola as she is sent to Mexico City to live with her extended family for the summer to learn Spanish and more about her culture. Along the way, she gets a job at the family restaurant, gets involved in a bit of a love triangle, and may even get caught up in a family curse. This was cute, but I didn't fall in love with the story. The romances she had didn't feel very meaningful or romantic to me; they were more flings than anything. I also thought the curse element was not necessary since it didn't do much for the story and didn't seem very fleshed out; this isn't a magical-realism book by any means. I enjoyed that Lola was primarily on a mission to improve herself and bond with her family, and that her family played such a big part in her summer. I also really loved seeing her learn Spanish and more about Mexico City. There was a discussion about Lola being Mexican-American and not feeling like she fit in in either the US or Mexico, which was interesting to read about, too. The book was longer than I think the story warranted, but it was a pretty good story overall.
April 14, 2023
When Lola gets to spend a summer in her mom's home town in Mexico City (for disciplinary reasons) it becomes an adventure she soon will not forget. It started as a trip she did not want to take, she doesn't know enough Spanish, she doesn't want to leave her friends.. when she arrives in Mexico City she learns more about her family than she could've ever expected.
This novel felt like home to me. The family drama, (la abuela dramatica, we all have one), her hardworking mother who left everything for a better life (and the love of her life) to live in the United States (this is literally my mom and dad), and the summer romance that took us to unexpected places.
I loved reading about Lola and her journey, I also wanted to be there, present in the market, en las calles de la ciudad. I was born in Mexico, and like many Dreamers, I haven't been able to go back to my home country to visit, and this kind of novel, makes me feel right at home, missing a place I never knew. Highly recommend this read!
P.S. Extra points for the Bad Bunny mention. ♥️
This novel felt like home to me. The family drama, (la abuela dramatica, we all have one), her hardworking mother who left everything for a better life (and the love of her life) to live in the United States (this is literally my mom and dad), and the summer romance that took us to unexpected places.
I loved reading about Lola and her journey, I also wanted to be there, present in the market, en las calles de la ciudad. I was born in Mexico, and like many Dreamers, I haven't been able to go back to my home country to visit, and this kind of novel, makes me feel right at home, missing a place I never knew. Highly recommend this read!
P.S. Extra points for the Bad Bunny mention. ♥️
April 24, 2023
This was a nice blend Mexican culture and charm. Who knew getting a C in Spanish would be life changing?! Lola is typically a straight A student, except this one time where she gets a C and grandpa came to her rescue. What better way to learn Spanish than to be sent to your relatives in Mexico City?
As colorful and vibrant as the cover is, so is the story and the imagery. Experiencing Lola’s growth through this story was amazing and fulfilling. I did expect a little more romance, and the curse threw me a bit. However, I loved that some of the book features the Spanish dialogue, which is a beautiful language.
The dynamics between Lola and her family was beautiful and fun. I do wish the book wasn’t so heavy on the curse (even though it threw me, I enjoyed it), I think I would have rather it focused a little more on her family connection and Lola’s coming-of-age story… maybe even a little more romance. LOL.
Overall, this was a charming debut that came to life for me.
As colorful and vibrant as the cover is, so is the story and the imagery. Experiencing Lola’s growth through this story was amazing and fulfilling. I did expect a little more romance, and the curse threw me a bit. However, I loved that some of the book features the Spanish dialogue, which is a beautiful language.
The dynamics between Lola and her family was beautiful and fun. I do wish the book wasn’t so heavy on the curse (even though it threw me, I enjoyed it), I think I would have rather it focused a little more on her family connection and Lola’s coming-of-age story… maybe even a little more romance. LOL.
Overall, this was a charming debut that came to life for me.
July 23, 2023
This was such a fun read. The story of bookish teen and always gets straight A’s at school but not in life. Lola’s heritage is Mexican but being born in the US she struggles to learn Spanish. After receiving a C in Spanish her family sends her to spend the summer with her abuela. While in Mexico Lola discovers that there is more to life than books and studying.
I really enjoyed this book having a connection the the Hispanic culture but struggling with the language I could connect with Lola’s struggles. Lola’s character arc is the perfect example of most teenagers as they are ending their academic journey and trying to figure out what’s next. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters and the dialogue between members of the family. It was very relatable and realistic.
I would suggest if you are not a Spanish speaker reading this as an ebook to more easily look up phrases and words that you are unfamiliar with.
I really enjoyed this book having a connection the the Hispanic culture but struggling with the language I could connect with Lola’s struggles. Lola’s character arc is the perfect example of most teenagers as they are ending their academic journey and trying to figure out what’s next. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters and the dialogue between members of the family. It was very relatable and realistic.
I would suggest if you are not a Spanish speaker reading this as an ebook to more easily look up phrases and words that you are unfamiliar with.
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