Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira is an entertaining story about a summer internship that takes a turn. I enjoyed the tension of the family drama, and I was excited to finally see a book about a quinceañera. While the concept has promise, I found the execution wasn’t as strong as it could have been, and parts of the book drag. However, those looking for a fun and unique romcom will enjoy this one.
Title: Once Upon a QuinceañeraAuthor: Monica Gomez-Hira
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: March 2, 2021
Rating:
Jenny Han meets "Jane the Virgin" in this flashy and fun Own Voices romcom from debut author Monica Gomez-Hira.
Carmen Aguilar just wants to make her happily ever after come true. Except apparently “happily ever after” for Carmen involves being stuck in an unpaid summer internship! All she has to do is perform! In a ball gown! During the summer. In Miami.
Fine. Except that Carmen’s company is hired for her spoiled cousin Ariana’s over the top quinceañera.
And of course, her new dance partner at work is none other than Mauro Reyes, Carmen’s most deeply regrettable ex.
If Carmen is going to move into the future she wants, she needs to leave the past behind. And if she can manage dancing in the blistering heat, fending off Mauro’s texts, and stopping Ariana from ruining her own quinceañera Carmen might just get that happily ever after after all.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira
After quitting her internship as a video editor, Carmen finds herself working for an party company over the summer in order to graduate from high school. Her duties involve dressing up as Belle for children’s parties, but things get more complicated when her cousin, who she hasn’t spoken to in years, books the company for her quinceañera. Tension rises when Carmen’s ex-boyfriend returns to Miami and ends up working for the same company, as the Beast. This one has such a fun concept, and going behind the scenes with Carmen as she works as a party princess is an interesting experience. There are also themes of family, which I always love to see, and I enjoyed the dynamics between Carmen’s and her cousin’s family.
❀ Main Character is Hard to Connect With
Carmen is an independent and realistic character. I really felt for her, as she never got a quinceañera of her own and has to help her cousin, who is the reason why Carmen’s quinceañera was cancelled, get everything she couldn’t. Carmen has been hurt by many people, and she rightfully feels a lot of anger, but sometimes her actions as a result of this anger made me dislike her. Normally, I love to see flawed characters, but in this case, I had trouble connecting with her.
❀ Characters are One-Dimensional
My biggest issue with the book is the execution. There are many points throughout the story with a lot of backstory all at once, and this reduces the tension and makes everything drag. I also found many of the characters to be one-dimensional, and I would have especially liked to see more about Carmen’s cousin. Because of this, I found myself getting bored about halfway through the book.
❀ A Fresh Story
Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hirais a fresh story about party planning and family drama. I loved the parts of the book that feature Carmen’s experiences as Belle, and she is an easy character to sympathize with. However, I wasn’t a fan of the infodumps throughout the book that make the story drag. I would still recommend this one, though, to those who have an interest in the subject of quinceañeras.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
Too bad you couldn’t connect with her as that story had indeed potential.
It does! 🙂
I liked this more than you, and though I wasn’t always happy with Carmen’s decisions, I was happy with her growth.
I am glad that you enjoyed it, Sam! 🙂
Ugh. I hate when an MC isn’t easy to connect with. It really makes it hard to love a book.
Exactly! 🙂
Thank you for the review!
Infodumps are a lot to deal with sometimes so I get what you’re saying.
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Cover Reveal: Claiming His Forbidden Witch by Selena Blake
Yeah it overwhelms the reader sometimes, for sure! 🙂
Slower contemporary stories are always a bit hard for me. The color of the cover is gorgeous though! That orange would look great on a bookshelf.
Nikki Swift recently posted…From the Bookshelf of… {Where I Shop My Owned TBR}
It absolutely would be lovely on a bookshelf! 🙂
This sounds like a book targeted for younger readers than me. I didn’t realize until recently how important a quinceañera can be to a family!
Same! I am really intrigued by the whole thing! So exciting! 🙂
Cute concept, but one-dimensional characters are a pet peeve of mine!
Same, Angela! 🙂
I just got an ARC of this because I was so excited for the rep! I’ve been seeing that the MC has been hard to connect with. Makes me nervous going in.
It is exciting for the rep! I hope that you enjoy it more than I did. 🙂
This sounds like a perfect book for my niece.
Thanks for sharing another great read!!
Ah, too bad it wasn’t as good as you’d hoped. I’ll still probably order a copy for my school library because I think the students in our area will be excited for a book that is about a quinceanera. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Blog Tour Review: Bet the Farm by Staci Hart
Absolutely! I love that this book has a unique and interesting concept. I have never seen a book that featured a quinceañera before. 🙂
My niece loves fun and unique romcoms . She would love this.
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I hope that she enjoys it if she gives it a try! 🙂
It’s a bummer when you can’t connect with the main characters. Anyhooo, loved your review.
Poulami @ Daydreaming Books recently posted…Anybody home? // Trying to come back to the blogosphere once more
Thank you! 🙂
Great for the younger people.
I’ve never heard of quinceanera!
Definitely a fun and interesting celebration! 🙂
interesting premise
I agree! 🙂