West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras is a touching Romeo and Juliet retelling that is centred around rival mariachi bands. I found the idea of the Battle of the Mariachi Bands so compelling, and I enjoyed reading about the main character’s kindness and loyalty to her family. These family dynamics are especially well-written, making this a great read for those looking for something to fill them with love.
Title: West Side Love StoryAuthor: Priscilla Oliveras
Publisher: Montlake
Genres: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: June 1, 2022
Rating:
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 adoptive 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 Hugo Montero, their father’s archnemesis, and his band 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 sacrifices must be made and consequences weighed for two star-crossed lovers to make beautiful music together.
❃ 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. ❃
Review: West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras
For Mariana, family means everything, which is why she is determined to win the Battle of the Mariachi Bands to support them financially. In order to win, however, she must defeat her family’s greatest enemies, the Monteneros. This proves to be much more difficult than Mariana had anticipated, as one of the members of this rival mariachi band turns out to be the man she shared a moment with on New Year’s Eve. As Mariana and Angelo grow closer and the competition heats up, they must balance loyalty to their families while fighting to move forward from the past.
❀ Caring Main Character
Mariana is a caring main character, and I enjoyed following her throughout the book. She has a lot on her plate as an ER nurse, and she also feels responsible for her sisters as she is the oldest in the family. Mariana’s determination to win the prize as a way to thank her family for all they have given her is so admirable, and she proves herself as a selfless character in every chapter. While Mariana is kind and hardworking, she sometimes struggle with this heavy weight on her shoulders, and I enjoyed the way Angelo balances this and teaches her to enjoy herself.
❀ Focus on Family
One of my favourite parts about this book is the focus on family. Mariana’s family, the Capuletas, open their home to children in need, including Mariana, and the environment in this home is so uplifting. Reading about Mariana’s relationship with her sisters and the love they have for one another is so heartwarming, and I loved this theme of unwavering love for one’s family.
❀ A Heartwarming Story
West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras is a heartwarming story about family rivalry, forbidden romance, and the love between sisters. I enjoyed the concept of a Battle of the Mariachi Bands competition, and the main character’s selflessness won me over. I was especially touched by the dynamics in Mariana’s adoptive family, making this a heartfelt story that overflows with love.
About Priscilla Oliveras
PRISCILLA OLIVERAS is a USA Today bestselling author and 2018 RWA® RITA® double finalist who writes contemporary romance with a Latinx flavor. Proud of her Puerto Rican-Mexican heritage, she strives to bring authenticity to her novels by sharing her Latinx culture with readers. She and her work have earned praise from the Washington Post, New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Redbook, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, among others. Priscilla earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and currently serves as adjunct faculty in the program and teaches the online class “Romance Writing” for ed2go. While she’s a romance genre junkie, Priscilla also considers herself a sports fan, beach lover, and Zumba aficionado, who often practices the art of napping in her backyard hammock.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
I love a good family rivalry and forbidden love story! 😍
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Review: The House with the Golden Door by Elodie Harper
Right?! So much fun! 🙂
Thanks for the great review. The book sounds very interesting. Love the cover!
Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
This sounds like a fantastic book.
I have seen this book around but didn’t really know what it was about. It sounds so good! I wasn’t planning on reading it before, but I think I need to now. Great review!
I can’t wait to find out what you think of it! 🙂
I’ve had my eye on this one for a while now. I love a good romance or forbidden romance that is centered around family! Really looking forward to reading it!
It has so much to enjoy, for sure! 🙂
That makes me think of Romeo and Juliet but with more passion! Especially with a name like Capuleta!
Exactly! 🙂
I enjoy a forbidden romance story.
Great review! I definitely want to check this one out.
I love YA stories that have good family dynamics!
Same! 🙂
This one sounds so good! I really need to get my hands on it. I love the mariachi band thing, sounds so unique! Great review!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Blog Tour Review: A Series of Unfortunate Meet Cutes – A Romance Anthology
Absolutely! It is a really unique aspect! 🙂
This sounds like a fantastic book.
Sounds like a book I will enjoy.
i love the updated take on this