Caballeros

De: Sylvia Castillo

Narrado por: Madison Mitts, Theodore Zephyr

Warning Triggers: Child abuse aftermath (but abuse, not depicted in detail)

“Childhood romances never work out… or so I thought.”

Growing up together in Laredo, Texas, Juliana and ‘Gordo’ are inseparable. That is, until Juliana's mother passes away and her father moves them to California. Juliana is devastated and loses contact with her best friend. But as the years pass, the hurt fades.

Years later, in California, Juliana follows in her late mother's footsteps and becomes a teacher. Feeling a longing to return to her roots, she makes the decision to go back to Texas. On the night of her going away party, she makes a bold claim to find a Texan bull rider to "ride all night long." Little does she know that back in Texas, the man of her dreams, Joaquin, is waiting for her. This tall, handsome stranger seems familiar, but Juliana just can’t quite put her finger on it…Throw in a child, a volatile ex-girlfriend and a court case, and the story gets juicer and more dramatic.

Caballeros is a sweet friends to lovers romance that will leave you smiling. The heart-warming and often steamy story of Juliana and Joaquin will keep you gripped and leave you longing to find out more. This is book 1 in the Caballeros series..

©2018 Sylvia Castillo (P)2025 Sylvia Castillo

A Beautiful Journey Back to First Love

I’ve read thousands of books in my lifetime—everything from Stephen King and James Patterson to Jane Austen and Edgar Allan Poe, and so many more I could name. When I came across Sylvia Castillo’s Caballeros, it definitely wasn’t the cover that drew me in. It was the promise of the story itself.

I’ve delayed writing this for far too long, but this book absolutely deserved to be the first review I’ve ever written on Audible. With my busy schedule, I rarely get the chance to sit down with a physical book, so Audible has become my best friend. This book has been out for a few years, and I finally decided it was time to give it my full attention. I started reading the print copy, but life got hectic again, so finding it on Audible was perfect.

From the moment the story began, it felt like coming home. The characters are incredibly relatable, and I was immersed immediately. It was almost as if parts of my own life were being read aloud back to me. The story flows smoothly, giving just enough detail to keep you fully engaged without ever feeling overwhelming. Once you start, you truly don’t want to put it down.

The journey of reconnecting with a first love after many years, then navigating the choices, consequences, and emotions that come with that, was heartfelt and believable. Both characters face their struggles in ways that many readers will be able to relate to. I’m excited to see if the next two books dive even deeper into their shared history.
I’ve read plenty of books that overload you with detail, but this one strikes the perfect balance: quick, easy to follow, and emotionally gripping. I even found myself blushing at some of the romantic scenes! The ending wasn’t rushed, but it did move quickly, from marriage to paperwork all in one day, yet it still made sense within the story.

Overall, this book took me on a meaningful, intimate journey with two people who found their way back to each other after years apart. I’m looking forward to reading (or listening to) the second and third books from this author, who clearly pours her heart into her writing. As a Chicana reader, it’s especially wonderful to see a Latina author creating stories that feel authentic, relatable, and full of heart.
Highly recommended for a few hours of escape into a world that feels both comforting and real.