Thanks to Zebra for the opportunity to review the book for an honest opinion.

The setting, atmosphere, and community really stand out in the story. It's easy to follow how each of the main character's interact and work together, along with other members of the community, as many come from the Cuban diaspora of the 1950s and 1960s. Honestly, the community aspect was one of my favorite. Almost a tropical small town setting.

I also loved the way the Spanish was incorporated. No italics, just an answer or question from the next paragraph or speaker. I want to be immersed in the world. Oliveras did a fantastic job of setting up places like the Navarro dinners and Miranda restaurants. It felt really well done.

For the romance, I was lukewarm. Anamaria was a more developed character than Alejandro and had a stronger arc, I think. Ale felt a bit flat with his constant refrains and unwillingness to bridge old gaps, letting old wounds heal. I wanted more for AM because she knew herself after the couple's first breakup. Finding her voice and efforts. I loved watching her journey. Honestly, his lack of development dropped the book down.

Ending seemed super rushed given the relationship between them. Had Ale been more mature and worked within the romance, the book would have been 4 stars.