Reading a book about a family weathering a drought and wildfires is a bit surreal considering the current status of our state. (Pun somewhat intended.) The story follows the Alvarado family during one year, 2016. I'll admit I am a bit skeptical that so much could have happened within the confines of those 365 days, but it did make for interesting reading. I liked the balance between Oscar's overall secret, the smaller secrets of others in the family, and the general "slice of life" feel to the story. This resulted in a rich read that kept me wanting to read but also lulled me in to their family life. With so many characters, I was impressed with how well each one was developed and how unique they were. Additionally, the combination of familial love and subtle bits of humor kept what could have been an overall depressing book.

I tried, but I just couldn't connect with this book. I didn't like any of the characters, the plot seemed to be almost nonexistent - or maybe it was buried somewhere there in the meandering writing style.

Oscar and Keila have been married almost forty years, but due to Oscar’s obsession with the weather, they may be headed toward divorce. Their daughters, Claudia, Olivia, and Patricia, are also married, but once they hear about their parents’ impending divorce, they start questioning their own relationships, as well. The book takes us on a year-long journey as the Alvarados face some big issues. The reader will likely find themselves, as I did, asking some hard questions: Is my family adequately prepared if I were to become incapacitated? How am I contributing to the state of the environment? Am I making the most of my life? Am I a good parent? A good wife? Why don’t I cook more authentic Mexican food? (That last one may just be because I’m hungry.)

Overall, I liked the book. I loved the way Amparo Escandon is not afraid to get political. I enjoyed the transparency of her writing, the wearing of her activist’s heart on her proverbial sleeve. I struggled a bit with the depth of the characters. The real strength of this novel is in the author herself - her voice, her convictions, her contribution. Unfortunately, for me, that didn’t quite translate into her characters (with the exception of Oscar) or the story itself. I liked the characters, but I didn’t connect to them. I didn’t become invested in the outcome of the story, but I hung on every word of the author’s thoughts on climate change, immigration, the L.A. community, and what it means to her to be “a Californian.” I would love to see some non-fiction work from her, particularly something auto-biographical.

I recommend the book, as it provides detailed insight into California weather patterns and the disastrous impact of climate change. We need more authors who aren’t afraid to speak the truth and hold us accountable. This one should be on shelves Tuesday, September 7, 2021.

Thanks to Maria Amparo Escandon, Flatiron Books and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

L.A. Weather reads like a Mexican telenovela played out in print. The story centers around the Alvarado family and we are immersed into their big, messy life. Marriage, divorce, affairs, and more - I didn't find any of the characters very likable, but it was an entertaining read.

Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my review.

I tried multiple times to read this, but just could not finish it. I didn't care for the storyline, all of the characters just felt shallow and unlikeable, and I couldn't get invested in anyone's storyline because of that. It may just be a matter of tastes and this book just didn't mesh with my tastes.

I was so excited to be approved for a copy of LA Weather! Overall, this book is a solid family drama and if you like this category of books you're going to love this! I thought the book was slow at time and sometimes the storylines were hard to track, but I definitely ended up enjoying it.

L.A. Weather covers a family dynasty with equal parts humor and drama. It follows the Alvarado family as they handle the shock of their parents ending their long, storied union. Oscar and Keila's three daughters are strong in their own right, yet they are handling life changing ordeals. This is a strong Mexican-American family upended with struggle and change. Their stories kept me riveted until the surprising final pages!

Thank you Flatiron Books and Netgalley for the gifted copy!

I truly enjoyed this book! The dated timelines made the stories feel more personal. So often I read books and I never understand how much time has passed but your format was very helpful; It emphasized the growth of the Alavarado family and how much work still needs to be done. Each storyline was very realistic and the attention to detail with the LA landmarks and cuisine made be feel like I was back home in SoCal! Although there wasn’t resolution with the breast cancer scare and Felix eventually finding out about the embryo s, it left the reader with just the right amount of yearning for more but also confidence in knowing the Alavarado family will overcome anything life brings them!

Well written family drama the characters the family come alive.Enjoyed the part LA plays in the story.I was really involved in the story.The author has an engaging writing style.Will be recommending #netgalley#flatironbooks

This was a DNF for me.

The storylines were very hard to follow and do incredibly dull. The fact that all three sisters were divorcing at the same time was just so unbelievable. I did not like any of the characters or the story.

L.A. Weather is about the Alvarado family who are Mexican/Jewish and their lives and the tragedy that strikes. This family goes through a lot and the novel is ultimately a story of love and familial bonds and heart-breaks. I loved Escandon’s descriptive language of the LA area, the character building and ultimately, the real feel that she brought emotionally through out the book. Overall, I thought this book was absolutely fantastic and I’d definitely recommend to friends.

Such a great book! I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into the lives of the Alvarado family. The author was able to beautifully weave Los Angeles and its weather into the story. Thank you, NetGalley!

The weather in LA weaves throughout this complex book about a Mexican American family. The story takes place over a year in the family’s lives and it’s one tragedy after another. This year of tragedy tests the family ties with secrets, deception, failed relationships, illness, financial struggles, addiction and more. The year proves to be one that will tear them apart or bring them closer together.

While I usually enjoy family sagas, this one was ok for me. It was good enough for me to be interested enough to finish it and to know what happened to the family. But there was just too much of everything happening to them that it started to feel fake and far-fetched with one tragedy after another with no real growth in the characters. I stopped feeling for them even though what they were going through was serious but none of those issues were fleshed out. I had a difficult time with the writing style as well. Every single thought of every single character was shared with the readers – it became tedious. I also felt like it took too long to understand what Oscar’s secret was and when we finally know, he completely changes how he was dealing with it and goes into action. I did enjoy the sense of place with the descriptions of L.A. and the climate related issues that affected them as well as the descriptions of the culture. The cover is also very beautiful and suits the novel perfectly.

Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

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Well, I’m not quite sure what to say about this book. On the one hand, I read it all the way through because I wanted to know about the Alvarado family and all of the members’ goings on. On the other, I wanted to wring each one of the adults necks.

Let’s start with the good. So, as I said, I read the entire book, staying up to read the last half. I found the adult characters to be interesting and mean and loving and sad and frustrating. This family is a mess and I love it. Too many times, families like the Alvarados, with all of their complexities and problems, are usually white. But this Jewish-Mexican family has issues. Oscar, the patriarch of the family, has a secret that is driving everyone crazy. The author makes sure that readers are just as annoyed and pissed off with Oscar’s secrecy and weird behavior as his wife and daughters. Several times, I kept saying, “my god just say it already” out loud while reading because the secrecy was making me crazy.

I have complicated feelings towards the Alvarado women. Keila (the matriarch), and Olivia, Claudia and Patricia (the daughters) were all pretty mean for a good part of the book, especially the daughters. The way they were so demanding with their parents didn’t sit well with me. But I had to remember that there are so many adult children who talk to their parents like the Alvarado daughters do and it’s normal. But then they all had their own problems to work out and deal with, which had me rooting for them all, especially Patricia. Although Oscar was the rock of the family, he was nothing without the women in his life.

The dialogue is what I took issue with the most because at times it just felt like it was put together too quickly. Some of the conversations either ended too abruptly or felt like social justice speeches. I liked that the author tried to include real life issues, but some of them could have been kept out of the book (like the election of the former clown).

The book also felt like it was trying to wrap up all of the problems the Alvarados faced with a pretty bow and that didn’t work for me. For one, I just didn’t find Keila’s reaction to Oscar’s confession believable. I can’t imagine anyone being that calm after such a reveal. Also, Oscar’s secret was silly. I understood his reasons for not saying anything, but for that long?? No way. Instant divorce.

I found the most compelling part of the book to be Claudia’s arc because it came out of nowhere and threw a monkey wrench into everything. This is where the Alvarados are the strongest and where the book really picked up for me.

All in all, I did enjoy the book, although I didn’t love it, and would recommend it to my readers. I think many of them would really like or love it themselves.

I really tried to like this book but unfortunately the writing style just isn't for me. I like books that I can connect with immediately, and this one tends to ramble and isn't my style. Sorry!

L.A. Weather by Maria Amparo Escandon

Thank you to NetGalley and FlatIron Books for sending me an ARC of L.A. Weather, in exchange for my honest review of the novel. When I was asked by a friend to tell her what the book was about, my response was “Tragedy.” The Alvardo’s family was struck by a tragic event in each chapter of the novel, which was divided into months of one year. To me, it was a very depressing book and one that I was eager to finish. I thought the story was tedious and I really didn’t feel connected with the characters. All the characters were self-centered and cruel; to each other and their spouses. The plot told of drowning, divorce, drought, and deception. And the Weather….. on practically every page. If there was humor in this story, I couldn’t find it. My rating is 2 stars.

The characters were insufferable. About an older gentleman carrying around secrets that might cause conflict with his wife, and grown-up children. There was no one to root for. The writing was average. Too long winded for my taste. The cover is beautiful though.

L.A. Weather weaves the themes of family and weather into this complex novel of a Mexican American family living in Los Angeles. Eye-opening, mesmerizing and thought-provoking, author Maria Amparo Escandon presents a year in the life of the Alvarado family as they cope with everyday trials and disasters. How will they survive the challenges attempting to break them apart?

Oscar, patriarch, worries about a dark secret that he keeps from his wife Keila while his daughters juggle their difficult marriages with careers, children, and uncontrollable weather conditions. Daughters Claudia, Olivia, and Patricia have successful careers with questionable husbands and circumstances that attempt to tear them apart. They also face the break-up of their parents, family turmoil, health scares, and near-death experiences—all in a year.

I enjoyed the descriptions and references to Southern California destinations and culture. Escandon brilliantly meshes both Jewish and Mexican traditions represented by Oscar and Keila in raising their three daughters and grandchildren. The novel expressed the modern-day issues that all families can relate to with wit, humor, and love. I thank NetGalley for letting me read and review L.A. Weather. #LAWeather #NetGalley #familysaga

The Alvarado family live in LA where the weather stays a steady 70 and sunny. At first glance, this family is also steady and sunny by nature. As the book unfolds all adult three daughters are forced to reckon with their lives and choices while the parents who have been married for 30+ years determine whether or not to divorce. One of the themes is the secrets that many of the family members or partners are keeping from each other. Slowly, as you read on, you discover the secrets.

Along the way, many madcap events take place that keep the story light and humorous. The ending is also satisfying and believable. However, I felt that I was plunked down in the middle of the book rather than the start of a story. The beginning did not grip me. The Father, Oscar's secret, is a main theme in the story it was not tantalizing enough for me to believe that it could have the impact that it did.

All in all, a great family story. I live multiple view points, and multiple family layers and stories and this certainly fit the bill! Recommended to those that enjoy multigenerational stories, family crisis, and modern day hilarity in ordinary activities.

Thanks to the author, Flatiron Books, and @NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review. #LAWeather #NetGalley

Overall, I liked this book. I did feel it was a bit too busy. It took me a while to get all the characters and their individual story lines figure out. Lola's importance to the entire story arc felt a little off as well. I did really enjoy the underlying weather plot line and finally understanding why this was such an important part of the family's well-being.