Reviews

I forgot I downloaded the audio and e-book but had a bunch of time during my flights to listen and read. A great debut with an equally gorgeous cover. You really sympathize / empathize with Vi as she struggles to know where her heart belongs ( Colombia or New York?) Loved the food descriptions as well as the descriptions of an actual coastal city in this South American country. Abuela was also at the heart of this novel and you could really feel her spirit throughout the book.

readwithandreina's review

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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

4.0

annakinsun's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Why did I force myself to continue reading this book when I knew from the get go that I was not going to like it?

I picked this up 1) for the gorgeous cover and 2) the synopsis sounded like it was going to be a great book. Unfortunately... I found myself dreading finishing it (if only I knew how to DNF books, I could have had a better time).

Vi is one of the most frustrating female characters I've ever read in my entire life. She has a fiancé in New York who loves her so fiercely and is so supportive, and she always says he makes her feel safe and that he feels like home. However, once her grandmother dies back in Colombia and she goes back for the funeral/to help with the family restaurant, apparently he is "unsupportive" even though she is the one who doesn't want him to come with her. She emotionally cheats on him the entire time she's visiting Colombia, and when he comes down, she gets angry that he wants to be there for her.

THEN let's talk about how she hasn't talked to her high school sweetheart since she was 18 and he proposed and she said no. AND YET, TEN YEARS LATER, SHE'S STILL IN LOVE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVEN'T TALKED ONCE SINCE THEN!!! Girl, get up!!

All of the characters are incredibly annoying (except for Liam), the story is ULTRA repetitive, and most of Vi's process of saving the family restaurant is highly unbelievable to me. I appreciated what the author was trying to do with making the story about how even when you move away, family and the place you grew up can always call you back. But it just wasn't portrayed in a way to make me root for any of the characters whatsoever. Unfortunately, a major letdown.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

bookdragon217's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

lulu_reads_books's review against another edition

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In "The Waves Take You Home," author María Alejandra Barrios Vélez crafts a heartfelt story that explores the interplay between family, heritage, and self-discovery, set against the vibrant backdrop of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.

The story follows protagonist Violeta Sanoguera who is torn between the life she built in New York City and her ancestral roots in Colombia. When her grandmother passes away, Violeta returns home, haunted by her grandmother’s ghost. She discovers that she is the heir to the family restaurant—a place she was once advised to flee. As Violeta grapples with her past, she embarks on a transformative journey of healing and understanding.

Barrios Vélez’s prose is evocative, capturing the essence of Colombian street food, culture, and the Caribbean sea. The novel delves into themes of love, identity, and the ties that bind us to our origins. The ghostly presence of Abuela adds a magical realism element, infusing the narrative with both nostalgia and hope.

The Waves Take You Home is a captivating debut that celebrates the strength of women, the power of memory, and the beauty of homecoming, as it weaves together a story of love, loss, and the resilience of its characters. This novel is a must-read for fans of Gabriel García Márquez and those who appreciate richly textured storytelling.

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