Ratings25
Average rating3.8
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • A “stunning” (America Ferrera) YA novel about a teenager coming to terms with losing her sister and finding herself amid the pressures, expectations, and stereotypes of growing up in a Mexican American home—from the author of Crying in the Bathroom “Alive and crackling—a gritty tale wrapped in a page-turner. ”—The New York Times Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college. And they do not move out of their parents’ house after high school graduation. Perfect Mexican daughters never abandon their family. But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga’s role. Then a tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago leaves Olga dead and Julia left behind to reassemble the shattered pieces of her family. And no one seems to acknowledge that Julia is broken, too. Instead, her mother seems to channel her grief into pointing out every possible way Julia has failed. But it’s not long before Julia discovers that Olga might not have been as perfect as everyone thought. With the help of her best friend Lorena, and her first love, first everything boyfriend Connor, Julia is determined to find out. Was Olga really what she seemed? Or was there more to her sister’s story? And either way, how can Julia even attempt to live up to a seemingly impossible ideal?
Reviews with the most likes.
*4.5! This book was amazing, like I was freaking attached to the book or something but yeah this one was freaking GOOD!!!
Straight ahead realism, will be highly relatable for teens across gender and ethnic spectrums. All real teen stuff handled and written very well: sex, alcohol/drugs, depression/suicide, parental smothering, dating/friendships
This book went places I didn't expect, but I loved. From the blurb, it sounds like it's going to be about Julia investigating/tracking down Olga's secrets, and while that is definitely a part of the story here, it's also so much more than that. It's about family, secrets, coming of age, depression and family trauma, immigration and being a first-generation child, and loving people who you have a hard time connecting with. That's a lot, but it never felt heavy-handed, preachy, or exploitative. Julia is a difficult and sometimes frustrating narrator, but I found myself cheering for her and wanting the best for her. This book goes to some dark places but does so in the service of a compelling and hopeful story, and it's never just bleak for bleakness's sake. Definitely worth your time.
3.5 stars. I found myself wanting to throttle Julia several times during this book, but I thought it came together at the end in a satisfactory way.