West Side Love Story

De: Priscilla Oliveras

Narrado por: Karla Serrato

A heart-stirring romance of star-crossed love, feuding familias, and the bonds of sisterhood by USA Today bestselling author Priscilla Oliveras.

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.

©2022 Priscilla Oliveras (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Karla Serrato's animated, upbeat voice enhances this charming enemies-to-lovers romance. Her moderately paced narration quickly picks up as a midnight kiss sparks an affair between Mariana and Angelo, mariachi musicians from rival bands.… Serrato's emotive performance evokes the forbidden passion that draws the pair together.… Serrato notably gives each band member a unique voice befitting their personality, and her use of Spanish and accent work highlights the musicians' community.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Romeo and Juliet gets a fresh retelling through two rival San Antonio families and their dueling mariachi bands.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A sparkling tribute to the rivalries of Romeo and Juliet, with none of the tragedy and all of the swoony romance.”—Library Journal

swoon!

This is the first book I've read/listen to by Priscilla, but I can promise it won't be my last. I love the cappulette familia! and don't get me started on hot swoon worthy Angelo was! I also can't wait for Cat to fall super hard for someone so she feels bad for how harsh she was to Mariana!

Priscilla makes you feel all the feeling in the book so hard! Cue to me bawling about 80% of the way into the book, and needing to put the book down when Mariana and Cat have a fight.

The voice actor Karla also does an amazing job with portraying those intense feeling Priscilla puts forth. Also is really adds somthing when the voice actor actually speaks the secondary language in the book!

if I could I would give it some many more stars!!

A nice modern Romeo and Juliet retelling

This was a nice retelling of Romeo and Juliet. I liked the book. I’m glad Goodreads had it recommended as part of the challenge to end the year.

Beautiful story

I absolutely loved this story. This was a cool twist to Romeo and Juliet with a little West Side story mixed into it. I couldn’t put this book down once I started it.

A tale as old as time

Very reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet with families fighting and a guy from one family falls in love with a girl from the other family.

That being said, this was a very fresh take on a classic story. Two Mexican American families who are both very musical Mariachi groups compete in a contest. One is all male and one is all female.

The main characters are Mariana Capuleta and Angelo Montero. Mariana is the oldest daughter and she is strong and has plans to become a PA from her current status as nurse. Angelo is working under his tio’s (uncle’s) thumb and is strong but feels indebted to his uncle. Angelo has custody of his teenage sister after the death of his parents.

La familia was the central theme which was written really well. I personally really enjoyed that key phrases were in Spanish in this story. Quite understandable for non-Spanish speaking folks.

The narration by Karla Serrato was extremely good and added depth to the story I don’t think I would have appreciated as much by just reading it.

A Wonderful Westside Story Retelling

This was amazing modern version spin of the classic “Westside Story.” The author did a great job on putting her own touch to the story and the narrator was a perfect match for this story.