February 1, 2023
A 17-year-old Californian enjoys a transformative summer before senior year with her mother's relatives in Mexico. A quiet and studious people-pleaser, Lola Espinoza feels pressured by Mami and Papi to make their college dreams for her come true. But when she gets a C in Spanish despite trying her best, they send her to Mexico City to stay with her maternal grandmother and master Spanish. Though initially upset about being forced to go, Lola is soon swept up by life with her enormous extended family, working as a hostess at her cousin's restaurant, and the interest of two cute co-workers--popular, charming R�o and stoic, levelheaded Javier. But every time Lola kisses a boy, she gets sick. Upon learning of a curse that makes following your heart extra challenging for women in the G�mez family, Lola is determined to do whatever she must to free herself from its power. Javi, who turns out to be contending with family issues of his own, volunteers to help her. Humor and insights abound throughout Lola's curse-breaking quest, and readers will root for the considerate protagonist as her confidence grows. The story thoughtfully touches on identity and heritage: Lola's paternal grandparents were undocumented, Papi attended college in Mexico, and Lola feels sensitive about her language struggles. It also explores colorism in Latine communities; Lola has tan skin, Rio is light-skinned, and Javi, who has a darker complexion, has a Zapotec mother. A tender coming-of-age story about family and first love. (Fiction. 13-18)
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April 10, 2023
A high-achieving teen learns that she’s been cursed to be unlucky in love in Cerón’s vibrant debut. Seventeen-year-old Mexican American Lorena “Lola” Gómez has always been under pressure from her parents to perform well in school. So when she gets a C in Spanish, her parents send Lola to live with extended family in Mexico City for the summer so she can improve her Spanish-speaking skills. Lola quickly falls head-over-heels for Río, an employee at her aunt’s restaurant, but when she mysteriously faints following their first kiss, Lola learns that the women in her family are cursed, and that romance may be a real danger to Lola’s health. Desperate to change her fate, Lola begins unraveling her family’s history with the help of Javi, one of Río’s friends. As Lola’s Spanish skills improve and romantic entanglements blossom, Lola finds that both love and the true origins and cure of the Gómez enchantment might be simpler than she thought. While Lola’s lengthy musings sometimes stall narrative flow, candid conversations surrounding colonialism provide heft, while Cerón’s vivid descriptions of Mexico City and the effortlessly woven Spanish dialogue present throughout ensure a rollicking fun read. Ages 13–up.
May 1, 2023
Gr 9 Up-Readers will fall for Lola, a character who loves to read and adores adventure. Lola travels to Mexico City to spend time with her grandmother. While Lola is adventurous, she's frustrated and feels she's been cursed in the love department. At the same time, she feels like magic does not exist and hopes she will someday find someone special. While in Mexico City, she meets the flirty Rio, who makes her realize that there actually is a curse stopping her from falling in love. The story progresses as a love triangle blooms, especially when she meets Javi, a nice but quiet-even standoffish-boy, whom she meets while working in her cousin's restaurant. What follows is an adventure, full of dramatic moments, as Javi, a curse breaker, attempts to help Lola; readers will not only relate to Lola but also to the confusion from falling for two very different boys. VERDICT This debut novel is cute and warm; it will keep readers flipping through the pages and swooning over the romantic moments, as well as interested in the well-written and engaging story.-Aurora Dominguez
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Starred review from April 1, 2023
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Cer�n's debut novel impeccably depicts the exhausting emotions young adults can face when living up to a parent's expectations. It's the beginning of summer before senior year, and introverted, straight-A student Lola Espinoza has gotten a C in Spanish. Crestfallen by this low grade, Lola's parents ship their begrudging daughter off from California to Mexico City, informing her, "You come back when you can speak Spanish." Having never stepped out of line or even gone on a date (all to please her parents), Lola is flustered about having to assimilate to a new environment. To her surprise, she embraces time spent with her maternal relatives and working at her cousin's restaurant. She also finds courage in starting up romances, particularly with the handsome, introspective waiter who joins her on a quest to undo a family curse. This novel will resonate with readers who understand the difficulties of breaking out of their comfort zone, especially when it comes to conquering the obstacles of love and parents. Cer�n's beautiful tale is a reminder that life lessons often come from outside of schools, books, or snapshots. The only way this book can improve is if a sequel follows!
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