Kiss Me, Catalina is the perfect follow up to West Side Love Story. Catalina is a fierce and confident woman who is determined to make a name for herself (and her family) and to pave the way for other women in the male dominated world of mariachis. There is only one man standing in her way and it is none other than mariachi superstar Patricio Galán. As they are sent on tour together they must learn how to work together and how to remain professional when they both seem to catch feelings for the other,

This passionate love story is the perfect blend of romance and comedy. The chemistry between the musicians is fire and the writing is top notch. Fingers crossed for another Capuleta love story in the future!

I really enjoyed this book! Kiss Me, Catalina had lovable characters, I was super hooked by the plot, and it was truly the perfect escape. It took me a few chapters to get into the story, but once I got started, I couldn't put it down.

I absolutely loved loved loved Kiss Me, Catalina! The characters? CHEF'S KISS! Absolutely loved Catalina and Patricio. I really loved that while this was an easygoing read but was still so full of thought provoking ideas! The insertion of music was so so much fun the writing itself was so lovely. This definitely wasn't my last read by Priscilla Oliveras! :)

A Mariachi romance?!?! Yes please! Catalina Capuleta is a fierce leader of the all girl Mariachi group Las Nubes. When they win a battle of the bands competition she is thrown into the spotlight and receives recognition from THE infamous Patricio Galan. She is hired to co write with Patricio for creative inspiration. While Catalina is excited for this opportunity she will not let the machismo Mariachi culture dampen her rise to the top.

I love love love that this story is set in my home state of Texas more specifically San Antonio. It’s always fun to read a book and know the exact context of the setting. I also really love Mariachi music because it reminds me so much of my Papo Rey (aka my grandfather). Need less to say the nostalgia the book gave me was chef’s kiss. My only issue was the slow burn because the steam doesn’t hit until about 80% in. If you’re looking for a slow burn romance with Mexican American culture and music check this one out.

I'm so happy I got to read this before it hit the shelves (even if this review comes rather late) and to discover this cute series!

The romance feels like a telenovela in best way possibile! The characters, both main and side, are perfect and super lovable, the plot is convincing and realistic.
I'll be back for more! <3

The story of Catalina and Patricio. They are both mariachi, and she is on tour with him. She is supposed to be also helping him with songs for his new album, but he has other plans, so what will happen when she learns the truth?
A great read, and good to learn about something i had no knowledge of previously.

Kiss Me, Catalina is a slow-burn romance with a not-so-subtle pinch of forced proximity, inspired by passion and packed with the delightful tension and drama of a Telenovela. And it’s a must-read for those who love music, romance blooming on the road, and fierce female leads!

I adored the chemistry and charged tension Oliveras captured between Catalina and Patricio. Their passion, their dreams, the cheeky banter, and even their wounds; It captured everything realistically and collided with the perfect tease that kept those pages turning.

The acknowledgment of a woman’s uphill battle in a male-dominated industry was something that I admired and expressed Cat’s journey and determination well. She was fiery, passionate, and bold, and I found her confidence to be inspiring as she continued to pave her way into this world of Mariachi. Her stubbornness was equally met in Patricio and, paired with the drive they both exhibited and an understanding they shared, made for a perfect match in which they pushed one another to be the best they could be, on and off the stage. Neither was without their flaws or mistakes, but these made them more likable and relatable to the audience. And those moments stolen behind the scenes during their Puerto Vallarta getaway - magnificent!

The incorporated Spanish and the clever method by which the translations wove into the surrounding text created an immersive and enjoyable experience of the Latinx culture, complimented beautifully by Oliveras’ voice and perspective.

Passionate flames and the embers of a love unstoppable burned within this fierce performance, and I can already see how Cat will go on inspiring and empowering many through this beautiful collaboration of music, family, and tradition, and the art it creates when combined.

I received an advanced copy thanks to NetGalley and Montlake, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Kiss Me, Catalina brings all the heat and humor that readers expect from a Priscilla Oliveras novel!

In Kiss Me, Catalina, rising mariachi star Catalina gets the career break she's been waiting for. Catalina is a no-nonsense mariachi player who is willing to do whatever it takes to get to the top-- even if that means working with Patricio Galan's arrogant self. These two butt heads during their tour together, but could it be because they are too similar? As they spend more and more time on their road trip together their relationship deepens. The only question is can they make it last?

I burn, I pine, I perish

I was sent an advanced copy in exchange of my honest opinion

First of all, no manches! Priscilla, qué pedo? This story omg, I can’t even explain

I am from a town so close to the border that going to Texas was like breathing and all the references to this state that I also call home had me swooning and laughing so much

You can’t get over the fact that I am also a sucker for enemies to lovers stories and this delivered… alpha-hole? you got it

I couldn’t help to imagine Patricio like a young Alejandro Fernandez

Thank you for this

Gracias, de veras

I was excited to see another book with the Capuleta family was coming out and it did not disappoint! Catalina is a strong and fierce woman who is trying to make a place for herself in the male dominated world of Mariachi music. I enjoy reading about the Mariachi music world and the in-depth look at touring as described in detail. Catalina and Patricio have quite the chemistry and it made this story fast-paced. Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

At first I was super into this story but after a while all the pining got to me. I liked the natural infusion of Spanish. It made it a more interesting read. Even though they both were in the same business and had issues with family I didn’t see much else they connected on. We don’t get to see much of their interaction on stage which I was hoping for. I wanted to see Catalina push her way into his world and shake things up but I’d say that was minimal. They mostly bickered but I wasn’t feeling any deeper bond through their conversations.. Overall, it was just an okay read. I’d still others read it but it didn’t stand out to me.

Kiss Me, Catalina is a cute, albeit formulaic contemporary romance set in the world of mariachi music. Catalina goes on tour with Patricio and their chemistry ignites. This is a second part of a series and I’ll admit, I should have read the first one as I was definitely missing some pieces from it. I did love the background of Mexican culture and mariachi music. Overall, it was a cute romance and if you read and liked the first book, you will probably like this one as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC. Kiss Me, Catalina is out now.

Over the summer, I was introduced to Priscilla Oliveras’ writing through West Side Love Story. I fell in love with the sisters’ Mariachi Las Nubes band through Mariana and Antonio’s story. With Kiss Me Catalina, it was so fun revisiting the mariachi world again with Cat and Patricio! Cat is a fiery and talented singer-songwriter, who knows what she wants and will not settle for less than her own worth. Patricio is struggling – not only creatively for his next album but also living in the shadows of his talented mariachi father – and invites Catalina to tour with him and write new music. Patricio and Cat both have rules to protect their hearts, but their chemistry is palpable both on stage and off and has them both questioning if there is more to life than running away from their pasts and chasing the limelight.

While I enjoyed the book, there were parts where I felt like I wasn’t as engaged in the story and other times when moments felt rushed, including the ending which didn’t feel fully resolved. With that said, I think this book was a lot of fun to read and Priscilla Oliveras writes captivating characters in her Latinx romance novels. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really love how Oliveras has used Maríachi as the theme for this series. It is a unique and fresh opportunity to share culture and romance.

If you like slow burn then this is the book for you. It actually was slower than I expected, but at least there were sparks throughout.

There was a fair amount of family drama in this story. I actually felt like it was really realistic but at times felt a little overpowering.

Overall a great continuation of the series.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Priscilla Oliveras comes back strong with a rockstar romance, mariachi-style in Kiss Me, Catalina.

Where I felt like book 1 sometimes lagged, Kiss Me, Catalina serves up snappier pacing and a little more steam than Priscilla usually writes. I loved the chemistry and dynamic between Cat and Patricio -- we shouldn't-we shouldn't-we shouldn't, to hell with it, we should. The 3rd act conflict finally hits pretty late (in the 90% range) making the super quick forgiveness a bit of a stretch. But I can't be mad -- the ending is :chefs kiss.

Both Catalina have issues with their dads -- Cat's with her bio dad who abandoned her and her sister, Patricio's with his mariachi superstar father who's a bit of a narcissist. There's some progress for both of them, but I appreciated that years held resentments weren't all magically resolved overnight.

The second installment here surpasses the first and for sure, I'll be back for book 3.

CW: Bio dad abandoned his kids, narcissist parent

ay dios mío!! que libro tan hermoso. what a beautiful book!! i'm not gonna lie, i definitely let the cover sway me on this read, but it was so good! i fell in love with the capuleta sisters and their mariachi band in west side love story. i was so excited for catalina & patricio's book! it was just *chef's kiss* 🥰 i obviously loved the representation of mexican culture. 🇲🇽❤️ but most of all, i loved the important discussions on machismo (toxic masculinity) in the latinx community. oh and of course the español weaved into the books with subtle translations for non-spanish speakers. taming of the shrew adaptations are always some of my favorites so i'm not even shocked i'm obsessed with this book. 😂😅 definitely will be talking about this book until further notice

I love the passionate heroine, family dynamics, musical lyricism, and feel-good romance! I am new to the Queens of Mariachi series but am 100% hooked and will be reading book 1 soon. I am a sucker for Shakespeare tie-ins and girls getting to finally humanize their celebrity crushes! Cheers to Priscilla Oliveras for creating a wonderful ode to mariachi, Latinx pride, long-sought dreams, and epic, sexy longing.

After winning the Battle of the Mariachis with her sisters, Catalina has now been given the opportunity of a lifetime, going on tour with Patricio Galán and helping him write his upcoming album.

Catalina and Patricio are the perfect match. Their shared passion for music and their desire to make a name for themselves that stands on its own was everything! And the way that they both support each other and vocalize it when the other needs it truly makes me swoon.

The mix of family, music, and romance that Priscilla writes in this one is perfect! And it's available on KU now.

So put some Mariachi and rancheras on and enjoy getting swept up in this music filled love story!

Thank you Priscilla for my arc!

I read the first book in this series (West Side Love Story) earlier this year and thought it was really well written with lots to enjoy. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this second novel by Priscilla Oliveras. New readers do not need to read the first book, West Side Love Story, to enjoy this latest book though. It works well as a standalone novel and you will not feel lost with in the story or characters at all as this book has it’s own set of independent characters and it’s own plot.

The thing that caught my eye about this one (besides having read the first book and the author) was of course the beautiful cover and the promise of a unique and untold story. I love that Mariachi plays a big part in these books. It feels like something new and different with a lot of cultural flavor and I loved the sound of a romance formed on the road as part of a Marachi tour.

This is my second book by Oliveras and I was not disappointed. I am eager to pick up other books by this author but this series has been a real delight to read. I know she has written some other standalone novels, a couple of which have been on my radar for quite some time, all of which have been fan hits so if you are looking for your next read you might want to check her out as well as this book, because I liked this one even better than West Side Love Story!

Summary

Dreams come true for an untamable rising star and a mariachi idol in a rousing romance about passion, fame, and family by USA Today bestselling author Priscilla Oliveras.

Ambitious San Antonio singer Catalina “Cat” Capuleta gets the chance of a lifetime when she joins superstar heartthrob and fellow mariachi Patricio Galán on his seven-week concert tour. Demanding and arrogant, Patricio challenges Cat on every level, as an artist and as a woman. But headstrong Cat is determined to be his match. No matter how seductive Patricio’s baritone voice, Cat’s eyes are only on the prize: success and making her familia proud.

No woman gets under Patricio’s skin like Cat. Her talent mesmerizes. Her passion is thrilling. And her drive, stemming from an old unhealed family wound, exposes a vulnerability he secretly recognizes in himself.

When the duo hits the road, the sparks don’t just fly—they detonate. Stage by stage, as each reckons with the past—and with each other’s quick-fire personalities—they bring crowds to their feet, and Cat’s long-held dreams come true. Will their road romance go up in flames? Or could making music together kindle the most rapturous love song of their lives? (summary from Goodreads)

Review

Any time I see things in the summary like ‘no woman gets under XXXXX skin like XXXXX’ I instantly get so excited. I love the enemies to lovers trope because I think it adds so much chemistry to the story and I just know that I will love it. So when I saw something similar in this summary I was even more excited to read it! And through out the book the chemistry between Cat and Patricio (Galan) was satisfactory! I loved them together and I felt like their chemistry was only enhanced by the enemies to lovers troupe. They each have some emotional baggage to sort out but their passion and desires come together really well in this book and I felt super connected and invested in their romance and of course their individual careers within the book too.

In addition to the wonderful chemistry between the characters, I really liked how much culture was represented in this one. I loved the music references along with the customs unique to the Hispanic culture. I felt the same with the other book in this series, and I just love the authenticity and dedication to representation within her books. I felt like I was in a telenovela with all the drama and excitement as well we the rich culture of the Mexican people. I absolutely loved this book for that reason (among many others!). If you are looking for a book that has rich culture and an excellent depiction of mariachi and the Mexican culture this is a fantastic option for you!

As I mentioned earlier, I really liked the first book in this series but that I liked this one even more. Both are great books but this one felt more relaxed and confident in a way that West Side Love Story was not. West Side Love Story was a solid start to the series, but I felt like we needed to explore the family dynamics more for it to really jive, but this book things felt more flushed out and developed. The chemistry was better, the backstory and progression of both Cat and Patricio’s careers within the mariachi world was better and this one just overall felt more confident and less constrained by the classic Romeo and Juliet angle. This was an excellent read and I am looking forward to more books from Oliveras in the future!

Book Info and Rating

Format: paperback, 284 pages

Publisher: November 1st 2022, by Montlake Publishing

ISBN: 154034426

Free review copy provided by publisher, Montlake Publishing in partnership with the Tall Poppy Writers/Bloggers, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Genre: romance, women’s fiction, chick lit

Music, career, and love drama - this was such a fun read. Catalina is a driven mariachi, venturing out for the first time from her family, and the dynamics as she gets on tour were a nice balance of emotions. I can't wait to read the first book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for the ARC.