This was a cute, eye-opening YA read. I enjoyed how the characters grew throughout, and how their lives intersected.

I really enjoyed this book. It was really cool to see as the main character started to care about school and her future, which is not common in real life or in books. I also loved how much emotion there was.

Shut Up, This is Serious — A Remarkable YA Realistic Fiction Journey

I absolutely loved reading "Shut Up, This Is Serious" by Carolina Ixta! From start to finish, this YA realistic fiction book had me hooked with its relatable storyline. The strong beginning captivated me right away, thanks to the superb monologue that beautifully portrayed the two prominent characters and their personalities.

Throughout the book, I appreciated the author's skillful portrayal of diverse characters without resorting to stereotypes. It was refreshing to see a story that acknowledged the complexities of a Latine family, particularly when it came to racism and colorism. The book delved into these topics with depth and authenticity, shedding light on the challenges that these characters faced.

One aspect that stood out to me was the portrayal of a family that sought help from a therapist to deal with the feelings of abandonment and rejection and to mend their relationships. In the Latine culture, there can often be a stigma surrounding therapy, but the book tackled this issue well and demonstrated the importance of seeking professional assistance. This added another layer of realism to the story and showcased the characters' growth and resilience.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the majority of the book, there were moments in the second half where the metaphor of heaviness to describe sadness and grief became a bit repetitive. At times, this repetition started to feel tedious and could have been trimmed down to make the story more concise. However, this minor flaw did not overshadow the overall impact of the book.

In conclusion, "Shut Up, This Is Serious" is a fantastic YA realistic fiction novel that tackles important themes with grace and authenticity. Carolina Ixta's writing is both relatable and thought-provoking, making this a must-read for fans of diverse stories and complex family dynamics. I highly recommend this book and applaud the author for her creativity, smart storytelling, and ability to create characters that readers can truly connect with..

As a Latina living in the Bay Area from a super Catholic family, I was instantly interested in this after reading the synopsis.

In Shut Up, This is Serious, we follow two best friends Belén and Leti. Belén is the more rebellious of the two, while Leti is nerdy, good girl and very religious so it is an absolute shock when Leti is the one that gets pregnant.

Much of this book and characters felt realistic and authentic. Would especially recommend to my fellow grew-up-Catholic Latina's who want to read about a character similar to themselves.

This was a great book. The plot was very well thought out and the characters were also three dimensional. I enjoyed this book and love forward to more from this author.

What a phenomenal read. I am struggling to find words to describe how much I loved this book, but I know my patrons will LOVE this book. This touches on some serious topics, but I loved how they all meshed together.

Fantastic debut novel about the harsh realities faced by two friends as they prepare to graduate from high school. This book deals with teen pregnancy, parental abandonment, racism, abuse and other difficult topics as Belen and Leti navigate unexpected detours in life.

Definitely more of a high-school-level read, but there are a lot of discussions to be found here.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Shut Up, This Is Serious is somehow a book I feel will be important upon it's release and a story I know will stay with the readers. (ALSO Carolina Ixta has superior music tastes & that Skyline To Reference 😫🫶🏾🫶🏾) anyways, I really loved this book and its focuses on generational and family trauma, mental health, racism, internalized racism and most importantly sisterhood. I love how it was based of the author's real experiences and Ruth and Naomi!!

She doesn't try to squash and throw too many topics into the book, but they all fit together with the plot amazingly. This book was too good and a phenomenal debut.

Lastly, Belén isn't a perfect character and she makes many mistakes, but I found myself rooting for her success and wanting her to overcome her depression.

Thanks to NetGalley/publishers for the ARC.