West Side Love Story

By: Priscilla Oliveras

Narrated by: Karla Serrato

A heart-stirring romance of star-crossed love, feuding familias, and the bonds of sisterhood by USA Today bestselling author Priscilla Oliveras.

Two familias in Texas, both alike in dignity, rivalries, and passion...

Having grown up in the nurturing household of Casa Capuleta, Mariana will do anything for familia. To solve her adoptive parents’ financial problems amid their rapidly changing San Antonio comunidad, Mariana and her younger sisters are determined to win the Battle of the Mariachi Bands. That means competing against Hugo Montero, their father’s archnemesis, and his band and escalating a decades-old feud. It also raises the stakes of Mariana’s forbidden attraction for a certain dark-eyed mariachi who sets her heart racing.

To Angelo Montero’s familia, Mariana is also strictly off-limits. But that doesn’t stop him from pursuing her. As their secret affair intensifies and the competition grows fierce, they’re swept up in a brewing storm of betrayals, rivalries, and broken ties. Against the odds, they vow to bring peace. But sacrifices must be made and consequences weighed for two star-crossed lovers to make beautiful music together.

©2022 Priscilla Oliveras (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Karla Serrato's animated, upbeat voice enhances this charming enemies-to-lovers romance. Her moderately paced narration quickly picks up as a midnight kiss sparks an affair between Mariana and Angelo, mariachi musicians from rival bands.… Serrato's emotive performance evokes the forbidden passion that draws the pair together.… Serrato notably gives each band member a unique voice befitting their personality, and her use of Spanish and accent work highlights the musicians' community.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Romeo and Juliet gets a fresh retelling through two rival San Antonio families and their dueling mariachi bands.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A sparkling tribute to the rivalries of Romeo and Juliet, with none of the tragedy and all of the swoony romance.”—Library Journal

swoon!

This is the first book I've read/listen to by Priscilla, but I can promise it won't be my last. I love the cappulette familia! and don't get me started on hot swoon worthy Angelo was! I also can't wait for Cat to fall super hard for someone so she feels bad for how harsh she was to Mariana!

Priscilla makes you feel all the feeling in the book so hard! Cue to me bawling about 80% of the way into the book, and needing to put the book down when Mariana and Cat have a fight.

The voice actor Karla also does an amazing job with portraying those intense feeling Priscilla puts forth. Also is really adds somthing when the voice actor actually speaks the secondary language in the book!

if I could I would give it some many more stars!!

Beautiful story

I absolutely loved this story. This was a cool twist to Romeo and Juliet with a little West Side story mixed into it. I couldn’t put this book down once I started it.

A nice modern Romeo and Juliet retelling

This was a nice retelling of Romeo and Juliet. I liked the book. I’m glad Goodreads had it recommended as part of the challenge to end the year.

It was good

I enjoyed the modern take of Romeo and Juliette mixed with the very Latin vibe. I found it was a very good representation of how our culture is, how siblings do take on rfamily responsibilities, especially when they are older. Our love and loyalty to family is always at the forefront, as in most communities. Being Latina myself I always enjoy books that sprinkle the spanglish.

Sisterhood

I loved this story focused on Mexican American lives, relationship, and sisterhood. How even though the family is of a collectivist culture they still encouraged goals, dreams and aspirations.