Scan barcode
A review by okiecozyreader
West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I wanted to love this one.
Set in one of my favorite cities, San Antonio, this is of course, based on West Side Story. But in this story, the two families are the Montagues and the Capuletas, because of an unrequited love years ago that drove the two families apart. On NYE, Marianna accidentally kisses Angelo, not knowing who he is. At the same time, his tio is trying to sabotage her family and their neighborhood, in the interest of gentrification. At the same time, they are both involved in competing Marachi Bands.
I loved the tour through some of my favorite places in San Antonio - Pearl District, the twig bookstore, Mi Tierra and the Majestic. It’s also a mostly sweet love story (a couple steamy-ish schemes but no bedroom scenes).
“Their shared threads of responsibility and allegiance made them alike while also tying their hands, keeping them apart.” Ch 4
“She wanted to give in to her craving for more than friendship. A craving that scared her because it felt too much like a betrayal.” Ch 13
I read this with #cozybookclub22 and our group chat posted lots of similes - here are a couple of examples. I feel like with a few of these edited out, it would have been a better read.
“Relief sluiced through Angelo like water shooting from a lawn sprinkler across their front lawn.” Ch 12
“Pride bloomed in Mariana’s chest like a field full of Texas bluebonnets signaling spring’s arrival.” Ch 15
Set in one of my favorite cities, San Antonio, this is of course, based on West Side Story. But in this story, the two families are the Montagues and the Capuletas, because of an unrequited love years ago that drove the two families apart. On NYE, Marianna accidentally kisses Angelo, not knowing who he is. At the same time, his tio is trying to sabotage her family and their neighborhood, in the interest of gentrification. At the same time, they are both involved in competing Marachi Bands.
I loved the tour through some of my favorite places in San Antonio - Pearl District, the twig bookstore, Mi Tierra and the Majestic. It’s also a mostly sweet love story (a couple steamy-ish schemes but no bedroom scenes).
“Their shared threads of responsibility and allegiance made them alike while also tying their hands, keeping them apart.” Ch 4
“She wanted to give in to her craving for more than friendship. A craving that scared her because it felt too much like a betrayal.” Ch 13
I read this with #cozybookclub22 and our group chat posted lots of similes - here are a couple of examples. I feel like with a few of these edited out, it would have been a better read.
“Relief sluiced through Angelo like water shooting from a lawn sprinkler across their front lawn.” Ch 12
“Pride bloomed in Mariana’s chest like a field full of Texas bluebonnets signaling spring’s arrival.” Ch 15
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury