This is the first story in verse I’ve read. I was totally enchanted. The characters are full and rich and endlessly charming. I was surprised by how impactful the story was because it was such a quick read. Despite the brevity inherent in its form, I was really caught up in the emotional world of these two young men. I wholeheartedly recommend this. It’s a joy!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

"I fell in love with your fragility."

Absolutely loved this Sampson & Delilah, novel in verse, retelling. A sweet love story that anyone would fall in love with. Not to mention my two favorite past times: football & Marching Band, with a little supernatural spin thrown in. Cannot wait to get this on my library's bookshelves! Thanks @netgalley for the e-arc.

Written in verse, this short novel is a beautiful story about the relationship between two Latine boys on opposite sides of a town's high school divide. It is part Romeo and Juliet and part Samson and Delilah. I loved the sweetness of their feelings for each other and the visual descriptions of sunsets on the Rio Grande and the beach on South Padre Island. As a former English and reading teacher, I especially appreciated that that the novel is written high/low because it is critical for young adults who struggle with reading English to have deep and interesting texts to read. I loved this and would recommend it to readers of YA romance and who appreciate diverse characters in their books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Being able to read this book a little early and reviewing it after following the author on Instagram is for sure a giddy feeling. I jumped at the chance to read this book.
Going into this book I had a generally idea of what I was getting myself into by reading this book. A star crossed lovers kind of vibe book.
This book was a super short and easy read. No joke finished it in 20 min flat. The writing style for sure was deferent from the books I usually read but in a really interesting way. It was cute seeing Domingo and Samson’s love story play out. For sure a light and easy read that had a lot of underlining messages that I’m still thinking about after reading the last page. Which is the key to a good book. When it leaves you thinking after the last page has been turned.
4 stars
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for an ARC of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

One thing I love about queer novels is when the queer characters are openly queer and they live in a world without homophobia. For a retelling of Samson and Delilah, I didn’t really expect that to be an element in the book. However, it was. Not only that, but Samson and Domingo were both so sweet and loving too.

I don’t really read books in verses, so this is rather a new thing for me. And I think I kind of like it. If there’s something that I’d like to change in this book, I’d want to know how Samson and Domingo first met each other and the development of their relationship. Stable relationships are so comforting to read about, but I want a background, too.

Other than that, I don’t have anything else to say. If you’re looking for something cute and short to read, I highly recommend this.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This story is easily consumable, and it’s beautiful in its simplicity. I love the love for south Texas, and I love the mystical elements thrown in. These two deserve the world, and I’m so grateful kids in this age have stories like this about people who look and feel like them. A++++

Thank you West 44 Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A super cute fast paced read! Samson and Domingo met over the summer and felt an instant connection. They’ve enjoyed their time together over the summer but summer is ending and they go to rival schools can their relationship work when their families, especially Domingo’s older brother Pablo, friends, and classmates don’t like them seeing each other? Samson also has a secret can he trust Domingo with it or will it just cost him everything? A in verse story that is quickly consumed and quite lovely! Samson and Domingo are really sweet and have the cutest relationship. There’s also some magical realism in the story that adds some intrigue! A charming story with some heartbreak as well! Highly recommend for rom com readers!

Teen boys Samson and Domingo navigate their friendship and relationship during a rocky football season where they're involved with opposing teams!
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A cute story for young and reluctant readers, pairing lovely visuals, with real teen drama!
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosen Publishing Group, West 44 Books, and Gume Laurel III for the opportunity to read Samson & Domingo in exchange for an honest review.

Samson & Domingo is an enriching hi-lo novel-in-verse that immerses the reader into their world immediately. This page-turner is a one-sitting read about two boys, their relationship, and the star-crossed aspects to their world determined to put them at odds, but they refuse to relent! My only qualm is the cover; while it's not bad, it certainly doesn't do the content enough justice. The characters are juniors in high school, and the cover should reflect more to an older teen audience for this book to reach those it is meant for.

The novel, told from Domingo's perspective, starts off with the two already in a relationship. It was fun and fresh to see them start at this point, instead of watching the usual meet-cute type of story. Having this already established, the story focuses on Samson's football rivalry with Domingo's older brother, Pablo, as they attend rival schools. Because of Samson's school rivalry, when he comes to the south side, it sure isn't easy. All eyes judge him, but he won't let that stop him from being with Domingo. This puts an obvious tension between the brothers, though at least Domingo's parents seem chill.

While fighting the tensions that come with school and sibling rivalry, Samson shares that he has a secret. It took me out of the novel for just a moment, but I shrugged and rolled with it. It certainly was not something I expected, making for a fun twist of fate in the novels later plot and outcome.

What a dazzlingly written work. It's exciting and eloquent in style from start to finish, immersing the reader within some of the aspects of Hispanic culture that come with the characters and their setting. This novel is great for older teens who want the LGBTQ perspective, a fun sports novel, or anyone who wants to read an exquisite work of brilliance.

A YA retelling of Samson and Delilah, perfect for this generation.
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The summer before their junior year of high school Samson and Domingo fall in love, but Samson is the star player for Domingo’s rival high school. At his high school Domingo plays in the marching band and his brother plays for the football team. In their bubble, the boys are safe and in love, but once their relationship steps into the light, they’ll have to fight for one another and learn to trust more than ever before.
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This book is an ode to all things south Texas, football and band. For those who live here, you’ll recognize references to @whataburger @heb Tex-Mex food, Latinx cultural traditions and homecoming. Samson and Domingo will tug at your heartstrings and make you reminisce for that first love from high school. I loved that this queer love story set in Texas didn’t focus on homophobia or anti-gay storylines. This novel in verse releases 2/16. Be on the lookout for more of @tx.author work—he’s gonna blow you all away!

CW: physical violence, character jumped and given a forced haircut, bullying

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers as well as the author for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this story. So simple and sweet. Samson and Domingo were so cute together. Even Pablo got there in the end. I love stories like these where everyone is accepting and being gay isn’t the main issue in the story. Those stories are fine, but it’s good to see things be normalized. I haven’t read too many novels in verse, so this was a great break from my usual read. I didn’t really know the story of Sampson and Delilah, so this was also refreshing and new for me. If you’re looking for a cute and quick read I highly recommend.