Book Review: "Like Happiness" by Ursula Villarreal-Moura

This was easily one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read in a while. I’m so impressed that this was Ursula Villarreal-Moura’s debut.

Tatum Vega is finally happy with her life. She lives in Chile with her partner, Vera, and works at a museum, finally being able to harness her art history degree and her dreams of doing something related to art.

One day, her relative peace is shattered when she gets a phone call from an investigative journalist for the New York Times. He is looking into sexual assault allegations against the famed writer M. Domínguez, and he asks if Tatum has anything to say in response. He asks because Tatum spent nearly a decade of her life involved with Domínguez in a variety of ways, from admiration to friendship, love, and even occasional obsession.

The reporter’s call upends Tatum’s life, forcing her to truly examine her relationship with Domínguez. It was all-encompassing at times, leaving her a jumble of emotions and often unsure of where she stood with him. She enjoyed their intellectual conversations about books and writers, and had the opportunity to travel with him. But really, how can she describe the way she felt? And why can’t she get him out of her head years later?

The book alternates between present day in Tatum’s life and a letter that she writes to Domínguez, chronicling their relationship from the start, sharing her thoughts, feelings, fears, and observations, which she kept to herself as things were unfolding.

There was a tremendous amount of insightful commentary about the power dynamic that exists in relationships, particularly when the people involved are different ages and at different stages of their lives. It also looked at the lies we tell ourselves and how hard it can be to realize we deserve to be happy.

Book Review: "Cemetery Boys" by Aiden Thomas

Aiden Thomas' Cemetery Boys is a magical, emotional story about finding the courage to show everyone—including yourself—who you really are, with some terrifically creative fantasy thrown in.

First, let me say that I cannot believe I’ve read 300(!) books so far this year. I will read a few more (I’m one of those who reads up until the very end of the year) but this is the most I’ve ever read—and I don’t expect to ever read this amount again! (COVID has really messed with my sleep patterns.)

Now back to the book review...

Yadriel’s family has a hard enough time accepting that he’s trans, and they definitely won’t allow him to participate in the traditional ritual where he becomes a brujo. Determined to prove his worth, he performs the ritual himself, and then, with his best friend Maritza, he plans to find the ghost of his murdered cousin, Miguel, so he can set his soul free.

One problem: he summons the wrong ghost. Instead he summons Julian, a troublemaker from his high school. Julian doesn’t know why or how he died, and wants to figure things out, not to mention ensure his friends are taken care of. He asks for Yadriel’s help. Yadriel reluctantly agrees, but things start to get more complicated when he realizes he has feelings for Julian, and doesn’t want to have to release his soul.

Cemetery Boys was a beautifully told story, about the difficulties in getting your family to accept you and love you for who you are. It’s also a truly inventive fantasy, full of Latinx traditions, and the story is richly drawn and evocative.

I can’t wait to see what Aiden Thomas does next. They are such a talented storyteller!

Book Review: "You Had Me at Hola" by Alexis Daria

You Had Me at Hola is a fun, steamy, and sweet rom-com taking place on the set of a television show.

Jasmine Lin Rodriguez is a popular soap opera actress whose last relationship provided tremendous tabloid fodder. She’s about to star in a bilingual rom-com series, and she wants the public to pay attention to her performance, not her love life.

She and her cousins have put together a “Leading Lady Plan” for her to live by, which includes knowing she doesn’t need a man to make her happy and vowing not to mess around with her costars.

That last rule becomes more difficult to observe when a last-minute casting change puts hunky telenovela actor Ashton Suarez in the role of her leading man. But Ashton, who has secrets of his own, is also determined not to let anyone get close to him, especially his beautiful costar.

When their lack of connection off the set leads to a lack of connection on set (despite their obvious attraction to one another), Jasmine suggests that they start rehearsing together. But as they start letting their guard down, will their vulnerability be a good thing or a bad one? Will Jasmine be able to adhere to her Leading Lady Plan?

Well, you know what’s going to happen if you’ve read a rom-com or two, but You Had Me at Hola is really enjoyable. It was refreshing to read a book with Latinx characters, and a soap opera-esque show is the perfect setting for a story like this. It was also great to have the female protagonist really have the control in the story.

There is LOTS of steam in this one, so if that makes you uncomfortable you’ll need to do some serious page-flipping. But if you’re a rom-com fan, this is a fun one not to miss!