Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Life can be so unfair! Just when Mariana Ruiz was excited for school to be over and to have the best summer ever, her parents spring a surprise on her and her older brother, Vincent. The two of them are off to Puerto Rico to spend the summer with relatives they never even knew existed.
Mariana's paternal grandfather moved his family to the States when her father was very young. At that point, her grandfather cut all ties with the family in Puerto Rico. Mariana grew up hearing how her grandparents and then her father struggled to achieve a better life in the United States. And it's true. Mariana's father is successful, and she wants for nothing in her Spring Mills home.
But when Mariana and Vincent arrive in Utuado, they couldn't possibly be any further from home. No one speaks English. Mariana and Vincent, even though they are half Puerto Rican, are as American as apple pie. The only Spanish they know is what they learned in their Spanish class at school.
Mariana is livid with her brother when she finds out that they were sent off to Utuado because their parents learned about the party that Vincent had when the two were left alone earlier in the year. Vincent pleaded to go on a European trip with his buddies prior to his leaving for Cornell in the fall, but the trip to Puerto Rico is to be his punishment. Unlike Mariana though, Vincent is laid back about things, and looking forward to an entire summer away from parental supervision. Mariana would rather be in Spring Mills, watching her best friend, Madison, plan her Sweet Sixteen party.
Once the two arrive in Puerto Rico, they are relived that they have a cousin, Lilly, who is their age and speaks perfect English. Mariana has a hard time warming up to Lilly though, after overhearing her tell Vincent that her parents expect her to include Mariana in everything.
It's only after Mariana secretly helps Lilly's mom plan Lilly's Quinceanera that Mariana starts to appreciate the life that her distant relatives have in Puerto Rico. Mariana's family keeps to themselves and avoids confrontations of any kind. The close-knit connection that her Puerto Rican family has is one she envies.
The summer unfolds unexpectedly for Mariana and she has to confront many changes in her life. Her friends might not have been who she thought they were. She may have her first boyfriend. And Lilly has become far closer to her than she would have imagined possible.
AMOR AND SUMMER SECRETS is the first book in a series by new author Diana Rodriguez Wallach. The feelings and struggles that Mariana encounter are real and heartfelt. She struggles to come to understand what family means and how to let down her guard, even just a little. The story flows quickly and leaves the reader with a feeling of anticipation for the follow-up novel, AMIGAS AND SCHOOL SCANDALS.
Life can be so unfair! Just when Mariana Ruiz was excited for school to be over and to have the best summer ever, her parents spring a surprise on her and her older brother, Vincent. The two of them are off to Puerto Rico to spend the summer with relatives they never even knew existed.
Mariana's paternal grandfather moved his family to the States when her father was very young. At that point, her grandfather cut all ties with the family in Puerto Rico. Mariana grew up hearing how her grandparents and then her father struggled to achieve a better life in the United States. And it's true. Mariana's father is successful, and she wants for nothing in her Spring Mills home.
But when Mariana and Vincent arrive in Utuado, they couldn't possibly be any further from home. No one speaks English. Mariana and Vincent, even though they are half Puerto Rican, are as American as apple pie. The only Spanish they know is what they learned in their Spanish class at school.
Mariana is livid with her brother when she finds out that they were sent off to Utuado because their parents learned about the party that Vincent had when the two were left alone earlier in the year. Vincent pleaded to go on a European trip with his buddies prior to his leaving for Cornell in the fall, but the trip to Puerto Rico is to be his punishment. Unlike Mariana though, Vincent is laid back about things, and looking forward to an entire summer away from parental supervision. Mariana would rather be in Spring Mills, watching her best friend, Madison, plan her Sweet Sixteen party.
Once the two arrive in Puerto Rico, they are relived that they have a cousin, Lilly, who is their age and speaks perfect English. Mariana has a hard time warming up to Lilly though, after overhearing her tell Vincent that her parents expect her to include Mariana in everything.
It's only after Mariana secretly helps Lilly's mom plan Lilly's Quinceanera that Mariana starts to appreciate the life that her distant relatives have in Puerto Rico. Mariana's family keeps to themselves and avoids confrontations of any kind. The close-knit connection that her Puerto Rican family has is one she envies.
The summer unfolds unexpectedly for Mariana and she has to confront many changes in her life. Her friends might not have been who she thought they were. She may have her first boyfriend. And Lilly has become far closer to her than she would have imagined possible.
AMOR AND SUMMER SECRETS is the first book in a series by new author Diana Rodriguez Wallach. The feelings and struggles that Mariana encounter are real and heartfelt. She struggles to come to understand what family means and how to let down her guard, even just a little. The story flows quickly and leaves the reader with a feeling of anticipation for the follow-up novel, AMIGAS AND SCHOOL SCANDALS.
