Kiss me, Catalina

Oliveras presents another novel about the musical Capuleta sisters and their mariachi performances, following West Side Love Story (2022). Here, Catalina embarks on an exciting phase of her music career. She agrees to tour with the famous and arrogant musician, Patricio, both to perform with him and help him write songs for his new album. Sad to leave her close-knit family, especially after their recent triumph in a mariachi battle, Catalina is nonetheless committed to following her dreams. Patricio is way behind in putting his new album together, and he hopes Catalina's confidence will help him. Their banter and chemistry light up the pages as they each try to overcome hurdles from their past. Patricio's famous father hinders his son's success, and both men are surprised at the way Catalina stands up for Patricio. He, in turn, helps her overcome fears stemming from her difficult childhood. Details about mariachi music and culture add a fascinating overlay to this romance with smart, talented, and feisty characters.

Oliveras shines in this powerful sequel to West Side Love Story and loose riff on Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate. Catalina Capuleta and her sisters have just beaten their archrivals in San Antonio's Battle of the Mariachi Bands, and Catalina is invited to sign with Padua Records to write music for superstar Patricio Galán. Patricio is droolworthy, but Catalina's got one rule: never date a mariachi. Her mariachi birth father abandoned Catalina and her sister, Blanca, as children and, shortly thereafter, their mother was deported to Mexico--events that still haunt Catalina. Though the sisters found a loving home--and a family band--with the Capuletas, Catalina has never wavered in her determination to keep male musicians at arm's length. But as Catalina gets to know the real Patricio (who has a contentious relationship with his own father, an aging mariachi superstar), her conviction wavers. Oliveras makes the couple's explosive chemistry palpable and she has a sure hand with the complex family dynamics. Meanwhile, an apparent betrayal and the unexpected return of someone from Catalina's past provide ample third act drama. This multilayered tale is impossible to resist. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore & Co. (Nov.)

Catalina Capuleta is still flying high after her family's recent win of the Battle of the Mariachi Bands competition in San Antonio. Record executives, so impressed with the all-female band and their original songs, immediately tap Cat to assist with writing songs for Patricio Galán, the Grammy-winning son of the king of mariachi. Patricio has hidden his writer's block from everyone, including his record company and especially his overbearing father. Sparks start to fly between the two when Cat doesn't shy away from speaking her mind and pushing against the status quo of the male-dominated field. Oliveras, inspired by The Taming of the Shrew, creates a bold and feisty main character in Catalina, though the characterization of Patricio is less than magnetic. It's technically a stand-alone, but readers may feel that they missed some background details if they haven't read Oliveras's previous novel, West Side Love Story. VERDICT A feel-good, slow-burn romance that explores new territory with the mariachi setting.--Nicole J. Suarez

Oliveras presents another novel about the musical Capuleta sisters and their mariachi performances, following West Side Love Story (2022). Here, Catalina embarks on an exciting phase of her music career. She agrees to tour with the famous and arrogant musician, Patricio, both to perform with him and help him write songs for his new album. Sad to leave her close-knit family, especially after their recent triumph in a mariachi battle, Catalina is nonetheless committed to following her dreams. Patricio is way behind in putting his new album together, and he hopes Catalina's confidence will help him. Their banter and chemistry light up the pages as they each try to overcome hurdles from their past. Patricio's famous father hinders his son's success, and both men are surprised at the way Catalina stands up for Patricio. He, in turn, helps her overcome fears stemming from her difficult childhood. Details about mariachi music and culture add a fascinating overlay to this romance with smart, talented, and feisty characters. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Catalina Capuleta is still flying high after her family's recent win of the Battle of the Mariachi Bands competition in San Antonio. Record executives, so impressed with the all-female band and their original songs, immediately tap Cat to assist with writing songs for Patricio Galán, the Grammy-winning son of the king of mariachi. Patricio has hidden his writer's block from everyone, including his record company and especially his overbearing father. Sparks start to fly between the two when Cat doesn't shy away from speaking her mind and pushing against the status quo of the male-dominated field. Oliveras, inspired by The Taming of the Shrew, creates a bold and feisty main character in Catalina, though the characterization of Patricio is less than magnetic. It's technically a stand-alone, but readers may feel that they missed some background details if they haven't read Oliveras's previous novel, West Side Love Story. VERDICT A feel-good, slow-burn romance that explores new territory with the mariachi setting.—Nicole J. Suarez

Oliveras shines in this powerful sequel to West Side Love Story and loose riff on Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate. Catalina Capuleta and her sisters have just beaten their archrivals in San Antonio's Battle of the Mariachi Bands, and Catalina is invited to sign with Padua Records to write music for superstar Patricio Galán. Patricio is droolworthy, but Catalina's got one rule: never date a mariachi. Her mariachi birth father abandoned Catalina and her sister, Blanca, as children and, shortly thereafter, their mother was deported to Mexico—events that still haunt Catalina. Though the sisters found a loving home—and a family band—with the Capuletas, Catalina has never wavered in her determination to keep male musicians at arm's length. But as Catalina gets to know the real Patricio (who has a contentious relationship with his own father, an aging mariachi superstar), her conviction wavers. Oliveras makes the couple's explosive chemistry palpable and she has a sure hand with the complex family dynamics. Meanwhile, an apparent betrayal and the unexpected return of someone from Catalina's past provide ample third act drama. This multilayered tale is impossible to resist. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore & Co. (Nov.)