Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

This was so fun! I love books about sisterhood, especially when they’re latinx. I found all the characters lovable, even in their questionable decisions, and the story felt transcendent. Like they’re going to continue their lives beyond the page, which I love, but don’t feel that way in many books

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

One of, if not THE, best contemporary YA novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Coming-of-age, sibling relationships, a sprinkle of romance, so much mess, it's truly a jewel! One sister who has it all together (maybe TOO MUCH SO) and one who's just vibing through life, two main characters who are going to be held close to heart for a long time.

For that Booksmart shaped gap in your heart. The voice of this was fun and fresh! I loved how different the girls were, since so often dual narratives can slip into a confusing sameness.

I think this book will definitely appeal to some people more than others. I grew frustrated with Lulu's constant assumptions about other people, which were usually wholly incorrect. I much more preferred Milagro's journey, and her eventual understanding of who she could be. Either way, I thinkk readers could learn plenty from either.

This book is a delight! Funny, heartfelt, and REAL!!! I cannot wait to see what Angela Velez does next. She is officially an auto-buy author for me!

Thank you, HCC Frenzy and Harper Collins Canada, for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity is a coming-of-age story featuring two sisters, a cross country road trip, and many misunderstandings. This was a cute story with memorable characters, and I am very glad that I picked it up.

The first thing I want to talk about is the two main characters. Lulu and Milagro are sisters. Lulu is the youngest, Milagro is the middle child, and their older sister, Clara, is away at college. Lulu and Milagro don’t have a lot in common. Lulu is brilliant; she has big academic dreams and wants to make a difference in the world. Milagro spends a lot of time in detention, and she’s still trying to figure everything out, she doesn’t think she’s as smart as her siblings, and she’s not sure what her future holds, but she wants to have fun right now. I thought both of these characters were memorable, and I loved reading about them trying to figure everything out. I also loved how much Milagro cared about Lulu and how good she was at hyping her up and looking out for her.

I also liked that this book featured a cross-country college road trip. I liked seeing the different campuses, and I liked the buddy system in this book. I liked that all of the characters from the all-girls catholic school were paired with a character from the all-boys catholic school. I liked watching the friendship blossom between Milagro and her partner and Lulu and her partner. I also liked that while the characters were on the college tours, they got to sit in on classes and that there were activities planned to give them a taste of the campus.

One of my issues with this book was the lack of communication between Lulu and Milagro and their tendency to assume what the other was thinking. It usually annoys me when the plot of a book hinges on a lack of communication, but I was okay with it in this book because the characters are teenagers, and they were dealing with a lot. It would have been nice if Lulu had told Milagro that she was trying to figure out what was going on with Clara because I think they could have worked together to solve that mystery, but they did have a lot going on.

Overall, this was a cute, coming-of-age story. I liked the characters, the road trip, and watching the characters try to figure everything out. I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for the next book that this author writes because I will be adding it to my TBR.

Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity is a beautiful, hilarious, heartwarming coming of age story about two Sisters trying to find their place in the world. I love that the book was told from both sister’s points of view, and was instantly drawn in by their very distinct voices. I particularly identified with Lulu, and really appreciated that although she was gently nudged out of her comfort zone by the people who loved her, she was also never told she had to change to make other people happy. It was also fantastic to see a classic “party girl” character turned on its head in Milagro. Her journey of finding herself tugged at my heart, and I loved reading about her learning that finding herself in a different way from her sisters was okay. I would highly recommend Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity to anyone, and am really looking forward to reading what Angela Velez writes next

My main takeaway from this was generational trauma will really impact you without you noticing. Lulu and Milagros mother was living still in the shadow of her own parents expectations. It was nice to see her break away and do better by her daughters..

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher (which I very much appreciate!) but my schedule became so hectic that I didn’t have a chance to read that.

Instead, I picked up a finished copy of LULU & MILAGRO’S SEARCH FOR CLARITY and immediately got sucked in by the voice-y prose. Both POV sisters are so distinct and different, but the plot unfurled and flowed so well, with themes of sisterhood, family, opening your heart, and more.

I can easily imagine the HS students I work with connecting to the funny Zavala sisters and their heartfelt quests to find themselves as well as their places within their families. Although the romantic elements are not as important as the family and college plot lines, the chemistry between Lulu and Leo is immediate and adorable. As a fellow Desi, I really liked Leo! I also love the unapologetic use of Spanish and other cultural details for the protagonists and members of their family.

This book is very much a celebration of sisterhood! I loved every bit of it! Although what I read was the finished version and not the ARC, this is still my honest review.

Family drama, adventure, and romance make for an entertaining book. Although the plot was not necessarily realistic from start to finish, that doesn’t stop it from being a fun story to read. I wanted more character development from the girls’ classmates that play larger roles in the story.

It was a cute read! Very YA in terms of themes, development, and reading level. However, the writing style was a bit clunky in terms of flow and pacing, descriptions were sometimes lacking or almost contradictory. I felt that while Milagro felt believable as a person, Lulu and Clara were not fully or consistently developed. It was a sweet story about sisterhood and coming into your own, but not as polished as I would have liked! I love the idea though and I am excited to see the author continuing to grow and tighten up her writing. She is a great storyteller!
3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed it! Lulu and Milagro and Clara couldn't be more different and I loved seeing their different journeys. Plus, the college road trip format was just so fun! I also loved the feminist, environmental and sex positive themes.

Lulu and Milagros Search for Clarity is a beautifully written coming of age novel following two (hilarious) sisters on a road trip. This is a book about family and sisterhood. How one siblings actions can have a rippling effect on the others. How as you get older, dynamics and perspectives change and the mould you used to be in doesn’t fit any longer. How your family gets used to seeing you a certain way even though you’ve grown and changed. The dual POV was so well done and each sister had a distinct personality and voice that made them come alive. This story has so much heart and I enjoyed reading about each sisters personal journey

Sisters on a Catholic school-sponsored college tour confront their family issues: single -parent immigrant mother and sibling relationships. Starts with Milagro trying to lose her virginity and goes downhill from there. Feels like the author couldn't decide if this is to be a book about self-identity or some sexy romance.

A sweet road trip-type story about sisterhood and finding yourself. The POVs were nicely differentiated and yet still thematically connected, and although I was easily able to connect with Lulu's personality, Milagro grew on me as well. The twist with older sister Clara wasn't entirely surprising, and the relationships with side characters didn't necessarily feel as fleshed out as they could have been, but certainly a quick, fun read. Also, if Lulu/Leo ever get a ship tag on tumblr, it has to be otp: like lab partners?

Sisters Lulu and Milagro couldn’t be more different: Milagro’s favorite things include glitter, makeup, and miniskirts, while her younger sister Lulu is a science nerd and overachiever like their older sister Clara, who recently left for college—which has caused a big rift in their family and has made their mother even more overprotective. While on a school road trip to visit college campuses, Lulu and Milagro begin to find common ground; meanwhile, Lulu is terrified that her mom won’t let her pursue her big collegiate dreams and becomes determined to fix what went wrong with Clara.

This YA contemporary thoughtfully explores themes of sisterhood and family over the course of a life-changing school trip, while alternating between Lulu and Milagro's perspectives. They each had incredibly distinct voices and felt like real, fleshed out characters. Both are struggling with feeling boxed in and are afraid to push back against who they think they're supposed to be.

I love that this book stars two Peruvian-American girls! It's a compelling story of sisterhood and coming-of-age, and it had me both laughing and crying. It's a fun, fast paced story that also deals with heavier themes. Readers who liked "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" or "Fat Chance, Charlie Vega."

I was sucked in during the first chapter! I enjoyed reading about the Zavala sisters. Even though the story is from Lulu and Milagro's POV, you also learn about the oldest Zavala sister, Clara, throughout the story.
First off, Milagro and Lulu are relatable characters. They could be me, you, your friends, your tias, etc. They are the complete opposites, but both are 'held back' by their mom and oldest sister, Clara.
Lulu and Milagro jump on the chance to take a college tour during Spring Break, although both have different reasons for going. I love how Lulu and Milagro's relationship with each other and with themselves changes throughout the story as they search for clarity.
I read this book in one evening. I didn't want to put it down. It had me in my feelings. I took a stroll down memory lane to when I was a teen, having fun with my boyfriend and also getting ready to leave for college. I loved the messages of self love, finding yourself, family relationships. Two thumbs up!

The Zavala sisters are my new best friends!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Literally! What makes it even better is their relatability. They make up both parts of me—the academic 📖 and the wild🎉. But also the fearful and uncertain parts of me. Yes, this book had me in my feelings the ENTIRE time. Keep reading to find out why:

I have to admit, I SWALLOWED this book whole. Stayed up until the early hours of the morning reading until my eyes forced themselves shut. Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity taught me the importance of dreaming, adventuring, and welcoming the unexpected detours that life brings. Nothing in life ever goes as planned. But there is so much joy to embrace within the unknown!! Hence the way I cried like FIVE times during the end.

alez has a way with words. Not only did I FEEL like I knew these girls personally, I FELT their fear, excitement, heartbreak, and uncertainty. I also learned a lot. About myself. About self-love. Forgiveness. And sisterhood. I am totally gonna hug my two sisters more because of this. I am SO glad for the opportunity to read an early copy of this!! I cannot wait to watch Lulu and Milagro capture the hearts of readers everywhere and I can’t wait to see what other amazing stories Angela Valez has to share with us!