Title: West Side Love Story
Author: Priscilla Oliveras
Genre: Romance
Published On: June 1, 2022
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Source: digital (Netgalley)
Pages: 331
Synopsis:
Two familias in Texas, both alike in dignity, rivalries, and passion . . .
Having grown up in the nurturing household of Casa Capuleta, Mariana will do anything for familia. To solve her foster parents’ financial problems amid their rapidly changing San Antonio comunidad, Mariana and her younger sisters are determined to win the Battle of the Mariachi Bands. That means competing against Casa Montero, their father’s arch nemesis, and escalating a decades-old feud. It also raises the stakes of Mariana’s forbidden attraction for a certain dark-eyed mariachi who sets her heart racing.
To Angelo Montero’s familia, Mariana is also strictly off limits. But that doesn’t stop him from pursuing her. As their secret affair intensifies and the competition grows fierce, they’re swept up in a brewing storm of betrayals, rivalries, and broken ties. Against the odds, they vow to bring peace. But what sacrifices must be made and what consequences must be weighed for two star-crossed lovers to make beautiful music together and win an impossible happy ever after?
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
Priscilla Oliveras’ refreshing romance West Side Love Story is the first book in her new Queens of Mariachi series. Set in San Antonio, Texas, the reader is immersed in the Latin culture of two rival families as they compete in the Battle of the Mariachi Bands. Inspired by West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet, I adored this enemies to lovers tale about sisters, music, and a secret romance!
“In the heart of San Antonio, a city lush and culturally rich;
Priscilla Oliveras, West Side Love Story
A long-simmering rivalry heatens, rising to a fevered pitch.”
Living in Texas, I’ve been to San Antonio multiple times, but I can’t recall ever reading a book set in the beautiful city. It brought the book alive even more for me, especially when some of the scenes are set in locations I’ve been to, including the well-known Mi Tierra restaurant where we always stop to eat when we visit. I enjoyed the familiarity of the setting, which is always a nice bonus.
West Side Love Story is told from two points of view, Mariana the eldest of the Capuleta sisters and Angelo Montero, nephew to Hugo Montero, who has a long-standing grudge against Mariana’s adoptive parents. After a Shakespearean-inspired prologue, the book opens with an enchanting meet-cute between our two star-crossed lovers.
I liked our leads from the start. Mariana has a heavy load on her shoulders, feeling responsible for her siblings, her parents, and her patients where she works at the local hospital. She takes her role very seriously, but she can’t resist how being with Angelo seems to lighten her burdens, reminding her to enjoy life, as well.
Angelo was forced to grow up fast when his parents passed away, leaving him responsible for his younger sister. He’s kind and self-assured and he doesn’t fight his feelings for Mariana, which I found so refreshing.
While this one is promoted as an enemies to lovers romance, just like its inspiration, it’s the families that are enemies, forcing our love interests into a secret relationship, which is fun to read. Especially when our two leads hold themselves to a high moral standard, wanting to do the right thing, but unable to fight their attraction. While this one is a closed door romance, it still had plenty of spice with Oliveras’ gift for captivating love scenes.
Besides the romance, this story also centers on Mariana’s relationship with her sisters, especially her younger foster sibling, Nina, who has recently come to stay at the Capuleta home but is struggling to accept her new family. And, of course, at the heart of the book is the Battle of the Mariachi Bands. I’m always a fan of books that also feature music, and knowing Oliveras was inspired by her own family’s musical history made the story even more endearing.
Make sure to add West Side Love Story to your summer reading list, especially if you’re longing to immerse yourself in a local culture and a romance with a satisfying ending!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Priscilla Oliveras and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
Rating:
Barnes and Noble | Target | Indiebound | Bookshop | Amazon
About the Author
A Song For A Book
In a book about battling bands, Oliveras mentions several songs and artists, but as I started searching for the perfect song to highlight, I decided to share “Quisiera” by Flor de Toloache, a current all female mariachi band. This beautiful song also features John Legend.
Quisiera ser el canto que te anima
Quisiera ser el rizo de tu pelo
Quisiera ser tu séptimo sentido
Quisiera ser el sueño de tu ombligo, oh
Quisiera, oh oh
Quisiera
(translation according to Google)
I’d like to be the song that cheers you up
I’d like to be the curl in your hair
I’d like to be your seventh sense
I’d like to be your belly button’s dream, oh
I’d like, oh oh
I’d like
Have you read West Side Love Story? Will you be adding it to your TBR? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
This sounds really cute! I’m planning to pick it up for sure.
Yay! I look forward to your thoughts on it!
I don’t think I’ve read a book set in San Antonio before, it’s such a beautiful city.
Yes! It needs more book settings. 🙂
The cover really caught my eye when I first heard about it but it does sound so good! I went out to find it and saw that it was on KU so I immediately borrowed it 😍 Great review!
Thanks Dini! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. <3