Better Off

Changing Hearts, Book 0

By: Yesenia Vargas

Narrated by: Ramona Master

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

There's a lot Ariana isn't allowed to do...

Ariana has never had a boyfriend. After meeting Carlos at a quinceanera party, she wants one. But her parents, who grew up with the traditional ways of Mexico, simply won't allow it.

And she just decided she doesn't need permission anymore...

Ariana is ready for the freedom that comes with having a driver's license. But she must convince her brother, Jimmy, to not say anything when she starts seeing Carlos behind their parents' back, and even then, having a boyfriend isn't what she thought it would be. Because Carlos is still hurting from his past.

Is she ready for the consequences of her decision?

Ariana never would have guessed finally having a boyfriend would come at such a huge price. She doesn't know how long she can keep up the lie to her parents. And she never realized how much her heart might have to pay if this relationship isn't something Carlos is ready for. When Carlos starts showing her just how damaged he is, Ariana isn't sure she's ready for this either.

©2013 Yesenia Vargas (P)2017 Yesenia Vargas

Good prequel

I was starting to get frustrated with the heroine. Glad she got that Carlos issue resolved. “I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Great Read

Any additional comments?

Better Off by Yesenia Vargas was a great read. Ariana has never had a boyfriend but wants one after meeting Carlos. She decides that she wants freedom from her overprotective parents. Unfortunately Carlos isn't the person she thought he was. I loved reading this book and can't wait to read more by Yesenia Vargas.

Like Fear (1996) but Chilled Out

Trigger Warning: Douchebag BF with anger & violence tendencies.

I loved this! It's very refreshing and realistic. I can easily see Arianna living in the better neighborhood near me. Myra reminds me of my best childhood friend.

I loved how Facebook and texting were included, how their relationship moves slowly through the awkward getting to know each other and nervousness.

The narrator did an amazing job with Arianna and Myra. Her voice changed and dragged out slowly for the guys, which was realistically annoying. Dudes, just spit it out!

The only thing is it's a contemporary romance "with a not so conventional HEA". But it's not an actual happily ever after with a couple like most would expect from romance. It's a happy ending that I loved but the real HEA comes with the first book, Without You.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed this story, and the characters. I can totally see this story playing out in real life. I angrily wanted to strangle Carlos. The narrator did a great job. I also enjoyed the author's commentary at the end of this book.

Good story, but I dozed off

The writer did an excellent job with this book, but the narrator's voice put me briefly to sleep. Granted it was only for a moment, but still.

YA Romance with a latinx MC

What did you love best about Better Off?

Interesting YA contemporary romance. It featured a character named Ariana navigating through high school despite having strict, but very loving parents. I liked that the main character was latinx, and that her love interest was also latinx(both Mexican-Am if I'm not mistaken) even if he turned out to be a jerk. Ariana reminded me of a realistic teen, sometimes she understood what was going on, sometimes she didn't understand why her parents adhered to gender roles, that almost always affect girls differently than boy in latinx homes(I'm after Afro-Latinx, and while Mexican culture is much different than Afro-Cuban, I can still relate). I'm speaking from experience, but I wish parents would give better explanations for such. It just makes us resentful that boys are kicking up their feet playing video games while the women are cooking and cleaning.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a really good job, she really embodied a teenager's voice =)

A good girl gets a boyfriend! But is he a bad boy?

This is a great story about teenage love. She is a naïve, good girl who figures that he is a grown-up. After all, she is turning 16, only two years away from being an adult. She should be able to start making her own choices. So when a guy starts to like her and wants to be her boyfriend, the rules of her parents should no longer apply. But, does she have the knowledge to realize if he is a good guy or a bad boy? An interesting tale. I really enjoyed the ending where the author talks about the background of the story and how it came to be written. I also enjoyed the narration of the book.

Better Off

Better Off is a well written story about a teenage girl coming into her own.

Ariana has strict parents and there is definitely a double standard when it comes to what she is allowed to do, and what her younger brother is allowed to do. When Ariana decided to go against her parents wishes and pursue a relationship with Carlos things don't turn out as she expects. How will Ariana deal with the consequences of her decisions?

Thought provoking!

I loved this story. It dragged me right in. Took me back to teenage years. You've got to read it. I'm excited for more!

would recommend

I loved it. great story. Retains the Hispanic flavor without being hard to understand. I am a little older than her normal demographic (I'm 50) but I still enjoyed it. Would not hesitate to recommend it to a young girl, Jr high to highschool. It's very realistic but not too graphic. if I had to give it a rating like a movie I'd have to say pg13