Synopsis:

Dreams come true for an untamable rising star and a mariachi idol in a rousing romance about passion, fame, and family by USA Today bestselling author Priscilla Oliveras.

Ambitious San Antonio singer Catalina “Cat” Capuleta gets the chance of a lifetime when she joins superstar heartthrob and fellow mariachi Patricio Galán on his seven-week concert tour. Demanding and arrogant, Patricio challenges Cat on every level, as an artist and as a woman. But headstrong Cat is determined to be his match. No matter how seductive Patricio’s baritone voice, Cat’s eyes are only on the prize: success and making her familia proud.

No woman gets under Patricio’s skin like Cat. Her talent mesmerizes. Her passion is thrilling. And her drive, stemming from an old unhealed family wound, exposes a vulnerability he secretly recognizes in himself.

When the duo hits the road, the sparks don’t just fly—they detonate. Stage by stage, as each reckons with the past—and with each other’s quick-fire personalities—they bring crowds to their feet, and Cat’s long-held dreams come true. Will their road romance go up in flames? Or could making music together kindle the most rapturous love song of their lives?

Kiss Me, Catalina swept me off my feet! Romantic and heartfelt, I adored Catalina and Patricio. I’m always a little nervous about the follow-up book in a series, but I had nothing to worry about here. While this is the second book in the Queens of Mariachi series, each one can be read as a stand alone. But I recommend reading them both! You won’t want to miss any of the Capuleta familia. It was so nice to jump right into this story, picking up mostly where the first one left off, familiar with the characters and setting, which allowed me to read for pure enjoyment.

…bravery isn’t the absence of fear. It’s recognizing that fear and not letting it stop us.

Priscilla Oliveras, Kiss Me, Catalina

Each novel in the Queens of Mariachi series is a reimagining of a William Shakespeare play and broadway musical. While West Side Love Story tackled Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, Kiss Me, Catalina is inspired by The Taming of the Shrew, and therefore the musical Kiss Me, Kate. Unfortunately, I have never read or seen either of Kiss Me, Catalina‘s inspirations, so I had nothing to compare it to. But now I’m curious about checking out the source materials.

For a shorter book, Oliveras does a great job creating a slow-burn feel. I found myself cheering when these two finally managed to kiss, but there’s plenty of romance and steaminess leading up to the moment. For me, it’s just the right amount. No dragging out of the story, no slump in the middle, just enough build-up and then the well-earned climax and resolution. Perfectly paced.