I’m back on my “Romeo and Juliet” obsession and so when I saw this star crossed lovers romance book, I knew I had to read it! If you’re a fan of lovers that go against their family, tons of yearning, and family secrets, then you have to read this one. Keep reading this book review to find out my full thoughts.
Summary
Ramón Montez always achieves his goals. Whether that means collecting Ivy League degrees or growing his father’s fast-food empire, nothing sets Ramón off course. So when the sexy señorita who kissed him on the Day of the Dead runs off into the night with his heart, he determines to do whatever it takes to find her again.
Celebrity chef Julieta Campos has sacrificed everything to save her sea-to-table taqueria from closing. To her horror, she discovers that her new landlord is none other than the magnetic mariachi she hooked up with on Dia de los Muertos. Even worse, it was his father who stole her mother’s taco recipe decades ago. Julieta has no choice but to work with Ramón, the man who destroyed her life’s work–and the one man who tempts and inspires her.
As San Diego’s outraged community protests against the Taco King take-over and the divide between their families grows, Ramón and Julieta struggle to balance the rising tensions. But Ramón knows that true love is priceless and despite all of his successes, this is the one battle he refuses to lose.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The stage is set from the beginning in Ramon and Julieta. Star crossed for generations, Ramon and Julieta’s love has some serious hurdles to overcome. Can their love survive the challenges, the resentment and hurt that has been simmering and their differences in class? At the heart of Ramon and Julieta is a story about dreams and love. About feeling that we are trapped by our life – when we think we know what we want. But how it’s just an illusion we are trapped in, a comfortable denial.
While Julieta was my favorite character – no doubt – Ramon’s internal struggle is a huge part of Ramon and Julieta. He has to figure out what he will sacrifice and what the right decision is.Torn between feeling part of his community and his life, Ramon isn’t sure how to reconcile the parts of his identity. Not only that, but also how he has been shaped, for better or for worse, by his own family. All while Julieta has to decide if their worlds can truly combine.
I definitely skewed towards resonating more with Julieta, mostly because we agree on more in general, but I enjoyed watching their characters get to know each other. Over time, I ended up warming up to Ramon, by about halfway through the book, it just took me more time. Maybe being so convinced – while allowing for little doubts to creep in – resonated a little too close to home. Overall, I breezed through Ramon and Julieta which was both steamy and poignant in the ways they explore gentrification and fitting into your community.
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This one is on my TBR, glad to hear it was good! Great review!