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bridgetbry's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Homophobia and Miscarriage
bookishevy's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Happy Monday, book besties! I hope you had a restful weekend. I finished this read yesterday and couldn't write my thoughts down fast enough.
This story follows Cara Romero as she navigates the job market for the first time in decades after losing her job at the factory of little lamps during the Great Recession. She enrolls in the Senior Workforce Program to get help finding work and narrates her life to the job counselor over the course of 12 sessions.
While discussing her work strengths, Cara ecounts her tumultuous relationship with her son Fernando's father and how that led to her fleeing the Dominican Republic; her love affairs; her tense relations with her mother, sister Angela and neighbor Lulu; her struggles with gentrification in Washington Heights, debt, grief, loss and what really led to her and Fernando becoming estranged.
Cara is quite the character. She's having to start over in her 50s after becoming unemployed, but she keeps going on these tangents during her counseling sessions. She and the counselor rarely discuss job opportunities, but the counselor doesn't seem to mind because Cara is a great storyteller.
Cara's a lot more like her mother than she is willing to admit, which is why her relationship with Angela is so strained and why Fernando walked away from her. She can be temperamental and controlling. She's more worried about how Fernando living his truth will reflect on her as a mother than she is about being supportive and loving. She must make a change if she wants healthy relationships with the people she loves or risk losing them forever.
Cara's a bit of a busy body, but you can't help but root for her. It's taking her a while to find employment, but she does so much for the people in her building. She's one of those women who takes care of her community, and Cruz dedicated the book to such women. The givers.
Cara's fighting spirit and willingness to swallow her pride make her an inspiration.
This story follows Cara Romero as she navigates the job market for the first time in decades after losing her job at the factory of little lamps during the Great Recession. She enrolls in the Senior Workforce Program to get help finding work and narrates her life to the job counselor over the course of 12 sessions.
While discussing her work strengths, Cara ecounts her tumultuous relationship with her son Fernando's father and how that led to her fleeing the Dominican Republic; her love affairs; her tense relations with her mother, sister Angela and neighbor Lulu; her struggles with gentrification in Washington Heights, debt, grief, loss and what really led to her and Fernando becoming estranged.
Cara is quite the character. She's having to start over in her 50s after becoming unemployed, but she keeps going on these tangents during her counseling sessions. She and the counselor rarely discuss job opportunities, but the counselor doesn't seem to mind because Cara is a great storyteller.
Cara's a lot more like her mother than she is willing to admit, which is why her relationship with Angela is so strained and why Fernando walked away from her. She can be temperamental and controlling. She's more worried about how Fernando living his truth will reflect on her as a mother than she is about being supportive and loving. She must make a change if she wants healthy relationships with the people she loves or risk losing them forever.
Cara's a bit of a busy body, but you can't help but root for her. It's taking her a while to find employment, but she does so much for the people in her building. She's one of those women who takes care of her community, and Cruz dedicated the book to such women. The givers.
Cara's fighting spirit and willingness to swallow her pride make her an inspiration.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Homophobia
idesofjaim's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This isn't a new story or a necessarily unpredictable one, but I was captivated by the audiobook narrator and sucked in, and it should be known that my rating of the book is likely swayed by how good this audiobook was.
I've known a Cara Romero or two in my life, and they're both fascinating and frustrating. This is exemplified by Cara's journey to finding any sort of work because she finds reason after reason to turn down interviews and offers. And while these may seem like excuses, it's also a good reflection point for us now as we lose that sense of community in the United States capitalist society. Look at how many employers are forcing people back into the office when it is so obvious just how much remote work and flexibility improves our lives.
Yes, Cara's treatment of her son is disappointing, and I know this will be a turnoff for many people. I feel similarly, as I do of the fact she makes a bit of a martyr out of herself as a mother, especially when she compares herself to Angela. It is disappointing, but it's also realistic, and I'd rather have a realistic character in a novel like this. I will not fault anyone who stays away from this book for that reason.
Now those who don't like the involvement of the psychic and astrology, I'm going to stop you right there and ask you to put some respect on Walter Mercado's name. I get that people don't believe in these concepts and find them foolish, but to disparage a book without understanding how this would culturally make sense for someone like Cara is plain ignorant.
Anyway, I also enjoyed the format of this book. Listening to Cara fill out applications was so ridiculous but entertaining. Do I think a social worker would let someone use their sessions focused on finding a job to be used for free therapy? Most likely, no, and bless the fictional social worker. The irony is not lost on me that Cara doesn't really believe in therapy but that's more or less what she gets.
I would certainly consider further work by Angie Cruz based on this novel.
I've known a Cara Romero or two in my life, and they're both fascinating and frustrating. This is exemplified by Cara's journey to finding any sort of work because she finds reason after reason to turn down interviews and offers. And while these may seem like excuses, it's also a good reflection point for us now as we lose that sense of community in the United States capitalist society. Look at how many employers are forcing people back into the office when it is so obvious just how much remote work and flexibility improves our lives.
Yes, Cara's treatment of her son is disappointing, and I know this will be a turnoff for many people. I feel similarly, as I do of the fact she makes a bit of a martyr out of herself as a mother, especially when she compares herself to Angela. It is disappointing, but it's also realistic, and I'd rather have a realistic character in a novel like this. I will not fault anyone who stays away from this book for that reason.
Now those who don't like the involvement of the psychic and astrology, I'm going to stop you right there and ask you to put some respect on Walter Mercado's name. I get that people don't believe in these concepts and find them foolish, but to disparage a book without understanding how this would culturally make sense for someone like Cara is plain ignorant.
Anyway, I also enjoyed the format of this book. Listening to Cara fill out applications was so ridiculous but entertaining. Do I think a social worker would let someone use their sessions focused on finding a job to be used for free therapy? Most likely, no, and bless the fictional social worker. The irony is not lost on me that Cara doesn't really believe in therapy but that's more or less what she gets.
I would certainly consider further work by Angie Cruz based on this novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
ciwanski's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
I was completely charmed by this story!! The storytelling was so good and felt so natural!
We are not perfect people, but taking part in and holding onto community can help us learn and grow and love, and this novel shares that message.
I definitely recommend the audiobook!!
We are not perfect people, but taking part in and holding onto community can help us learn and grow and love, and this novel shares that message.
I definitely recommend the audiobook!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Outing, and Deportation
kaybee23's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I recommend the audiobook. Having a knowledge of Carribbean Spanish will make it more enjoyable but it's not required.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Kidnapping and Alcohol
kaela35's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
This was incredibly well written. I picked it up on a whim after I’d previously read summaries and decided it wasn’t for me, but I’m glad I did. Cruz managed to write a heroine that I was pulling for to the end, despite her many flaws and problematic views. The format was really well done, and I sped through this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
cassielaj's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have never read a novel with such a clear character voice. You can practically hear Cara telling you her story as this book goes along, with all her tangents and stories and Spanglish. I loved it. I loved her. As she weaves her story, the novel explores aging, family dynamics, immigration and citizenship, work, and all the unpaid labor that many people, especially women and especially older women, contribute to society. The fact that Cara’s sessions were interspersed with various documents and job applications only further developed her voice and her story. An excellent read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual content
leontyna's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book! The story was really touching and I really liked the way it was told, through session transcripts and job applications. The main character and all her community seemed so realistic and vivid and I finished the book wanting to hear more stories about them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Medical content
alysereadsbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Listened to the audiobook and it was AMAZING. the production quality and narration was great. Well written, gut wrenching, examination of generational trauma.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Medical content
hollyrebecca's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A funny, reflective and uniquely told tale about searching for a job in times of economic slump. Though in reality, this is a tale of life, a tale of finding yourself and understanding the consequences of your actions, a tale family and friendship, a tale of community and culture.
Cara Romero is enrolled on a career counselling scheme to help her find a new job. She has 12 weeks in which to do this and 12 sessions to help her, with the story told through Cara’s side of these sessions. But Cara has more than the lack of a job to think about. Her sister is planning to move away, her son remains estranged despite her best efforts, she’s falling behind on rent, and her friends are struggling with their own lives despite Cara’s tireless efforts to help.
Cara is such an interesting character. So very human with all of her fallibilities and quirks, I’d be hard pressed to say she’s a good person despite all of her apparent good deeds.
It’s important to recognise that we only hear this story from Cara herself, and everyone is bias when relating their own story. Cruz provides interesting insights between chapters in the form of bills and letters either corroborating or contradicting the story told by Cara. This provides an extra layer to the tale as you wonder about the reliability of Cara’s storytelling.
I listened to the audiobook for this story and it added much more weight to the tale. The delivery was very engaging and made me feel like the counsellor sat listening to Cara. Cruz has an uncanny way of knowing exactly what I’m thinking and, as such, Cara responds to the questions and thoughts in my own head.
A wonderful and engaging story!
Cara Romero is enrolled on a career counselling scheme to help her find a new job. She has 12 weeks in which to do this and 12 sessions to help her, with the story told through Cara’s side of these sessions. But Cara has more than the lack of a job to think about. Her sister is planning to move away, her son remains estranged despite her best efforts, she’s falling behind on rent, and her friends are struggling with their own lives despite Cara’s tireless efforts to help.
Cara is such an interesting character. So very human with all of her fallibilities and quirks, I’d be hard pressed to say she’s a good person despite all of her apparent good deeds.
It’s important to recognise that we only hear this story from Cara herself, and everyone is bias when relating their own story. Cruz provides interesting insights between chapters in the form of bills and letters either corroborating or contradicting the story told by Cara. This provides an extra layer to the tale as you wonder about the reliability of Cara’s storytelling.
I listened to the audiobook for this story and it added much more weight to the tale. The delivery was very engaging and made me feel like the counsellor sat listening to Cara. Cruz has an uncanny way of knowing exactly what I’m thinking and, as such, Cara responds to the questions and thoughts in my own head.
A wonderful and engaging story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia