REVIEW: Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson 💫

Please go pre-order this one now. I absolutely loved it!!

This book is everything. I was sold on the premise alone of a Romeo and Juliet re-telling alone - I love, love star crossed lover stories and retellings. But I absolutely loved that their meeting was at a Día de los Muertos celebration. I was a Spanish Studies minor in college and have studied this important Latinx holiday, and it was so cool seeing a love story centered around a chance meeting.

It’s discussed more in the author’s note but this is truly a celebration of Latinx joy that also discusses class, gentrification, erosion of culture. This book has both all of the romance and discussed complex topics. Like I said, this book is everything 🤍

Read this if you like:
✨ Romeo and Juliet retellings
✨ Fated Love
✨ Chance meetings
✨ Insta love
✨ Latinx joy
✨ Día de los Muertos

Pub Date: February 1st, 2022

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for the copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Starting with the pros, the multicultural aspect is strong in this novel; everything from the food to the traditions and history is memorably vivid. Interestingly, the effects of gentrification are genuinely explored here rather than just mentioned. The book has a lot to say on that topic and it adds a layer of reality that I appreciate seeing discussed in fiction.

Here's the bad part: there is no improvement on or transformation of the OG R&J. In fact, this story frequently seems to lose sight of its version of "the two houses" conflict, then suddenly remembers it's gotta be A Thing and interrupts the romance to remind you. The authenticity of the feud is further muddled by the childish drama of the parents' past, which gets more boring with every reveal of the buried details. This version only barely resembles the play; it probably goes without saying but this obviously isn't a tragedy.

Despite the mentioned wrinkles (as well as some unmentioned ones), I'd still recommend this as a vacation read.

Beautiful romance filled with Latinx culture, mouthwatering good descriptions and a stunning cover. I really enjoyed this retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Thank you to berkley for this ARC.

First things first, this book was absolutely amazing! I needed a good romance to read after reading so many Thrillers in honor of Halloween, and this satisfied my needs, lol.

I didn't know how much I would enjoy this because I didn't care for the original Romeo and Juliet play, but Ramon and Julieta exceeded my expectations! I sincerely appreciate Latinx culture, and Albertson did a phenomenal job of genuinely capturing it. I think the traditions, the foods (the description of the tacos and various AUTHENTIC Mexican foods made me so hungry!), the colors, music, and the language are stunning. I loved that Dias De Los Muertos was included, and it was a central point of the story. I feel like we don't get too many books with that holiday emphasized, and we should because it's a heartbreakingly beautiful day, and its concept is fascinating.

As for Ramon and Julieta, I loved their characters so much. They both had a lot of character development/growth from the first chapter to the end. Their chemistry was undeniable, and this was, of course, a good representation of an actual star-crossed lovers' situation, which is one of my favorite tropes!

I cannot wait until this publishes and I hope everyone gives this a read. I'm looking forward to reading more from Albertson! Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley, for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this retelling of Romeo and Juliet !! I adored this book. It was so good.I love the tension and the romance. It’s the perfect retelling.

Wow, this was fantastic! Ramon and Julieta follows the titular characters as they meet on Day of the Dead in San Diego, form and instant connection but have no idea about their parents' secret past. Years ago, Ramon's father was "inspired" by Julieta's mother's seafood taco recipe - so much so that he stole her recipe and used it to create his fast-food empire. Now, Ramon and his father own the block where Julieta's mother's restaurant resides, and Ramon's father plans to replace their restaurant with one of his own.

Ramon and Julieta have an instant attraction to one another, despite Ramon's betrayal. But once they start falling for each other, Ramon vows to make things right in any way he can. There was so much tension and uncertainty in the third-act break-up, I found myself wondering many times how the two were going to get out of this mess. When it finally came, I was on the edge of my seat until the resolution came and I finally knew peace again. I love the way everything resolved and came together in the end, and as a Mexican-American who, like Ramon, has never felt "Mexican enough", I'm so glad this story exists.

Oh my goodnesses! Oh dios mio! As a resident of Los Angeles, do I truly love Mexican traditions? Absolutely I do! Reading a love story and witnessing those creative, magical, inspirational traditions by a retelling of Romeo and Juliet with no tragic ending and more enemies to lovers vibes ticked all the boxes of my churning heart which is addicted to great romances!

I have to admit: after seeing the cover of the book and stayed transfixed for half and hour , I already judged the book from it’s AMAZING cover and I was so sold to give it five stars!

A love story starts at dias de Los Mortos( Day of the day which is joyful celebration of saints and souls : a vivid, cheerful Mexican holiday!

San Diego is amazing mystic city successfully represents the Latin American soul with its historical background and architectural, cultural reflections. So I can honestly understand why the author chose this place to tell this adorable story more effectively.

Ramon Mortez and Julieta Campos hooks up on the Day of the Dead and Julieta surprisingly realizes that mysterious and hot mariachi who shook her to the core is her new landlord! And it seems like the hostility between their family resulted with Ramon’s father’s stealing her mother’s special taco recipe which also the reason of her mother’s career’s failing!

As the Chicano activists’ protest grows against Taco King takeover, the divide between families eventually grows!

Well, I loved the enemies to lovers theme, sexy, tempting, entertaining storyline: the ultra delicious, mouth watering food, culture, celebration, traditions! I had great time!
Lo pase muy bien!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Can we talk about the book cover for a second?

I have to say this was the main reason that I requested a copy for this book, but then as soon as I started it I fell in love with it.

The characters the romance and the story . . . I just couldn’t put it down.

Loved the representation and the addressing of serious topics.

I was really looking forward to this book. There were somethings I loved and others I didn’t. Disclaimer: I am not Mexican and all latinx experiences are different so while this book ultimately didn’t work for me, I think others might love.

What I loved: the latinx culture celebrated, specifically Mexican traditions and customs. San Diego history surrounding Mexican communities and Chicano activists. This book will make you hungry! And I love a book that has great food references. A few on page orgasms that were spicy but were very quick.

What I didn’t love: There’s a plot of gentrification, cultural identity, and classism that is woven in that was refreshing to read about but ultimately felt very superficial. Actually the whole book felt very superficial. From the lengthy and constant descriptions of how much money Ramon has and the things he own vs Julieta. There’s a brief mention of someone getting deported that had no purpose so like why? The banter between Julieta and Ramon just didn’t do it for me. I wasn’t sold on their love at all mainly because I felt like they barely had conversations? i felt like I skipped the part of the book where this happens?

I could not put this book down. The characters, the story, the romance…and yes, the deeper issues that were woven throughout this story. Sometimes we don’t want to see past the surface to what’s really happening, and I’m so glad there are books like these that remind us of what’s important.

I enjoyed this multicultural romance that loosely follows the Romeo and Juliet trope. Ramon and Julieta are star crossed loved from rival restaurant families. What happens when Julieta realizes she's fallen for the head of the Taco King empire--the same family who stole her mother's secret recipe and her heart so many years ago. The novel is a little sweet, a little sexy and fun.