This is the second book in the Queens of Mariachi series, and it features Catalina, my favorite character from the first book. I love Cat's way of approaching the world. She goes for what she wants and stands up for herself and for her loved ones. Her push back against machismo and patriarchy are deeply engrained in her. And yet, she also grew as a character throughout this book.

We had also met Patricio in the previous book, but we got to know him much better here. I loved the fit between him and Cat and how much they pushed each other. I wouldn't call this a full enemies-to-lovers because it never was that bad at the beginning. But the two definitely have conflict and chemistry.

I really enjoyed the story, the mariachis and concerts, the many locations, and the family. Though I was thrilled to have already read West Side Love Story, this does stand alone.

Thank you to Priscilla Oliveras for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up

Kiss Me, Catalina swept me off my feet! Romantic and heartfelt, I adored Catalina and Patricio. I’m always a little nervous about the follow-up book in a series, but I had nothing to worry about here. While this is the second book in the Queens of Mariachi series, each one can be read as a stand alone. But I recommend reading them both! You won’t want to miss any of the Capuleta familia. It was so nice to jump right into this story, picking up mostly where the first one left off, familiar with the characters and setting, which allowed me to read for pure enjoyment.

Each novel in the Queens of Mariachi series is a reimagining of a William Shakespeare play and broadway musical. While West Side Love Story tackled Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, Kiss Me, Catalina is inspired by The Taming of the Shrew, and therefore the musical Kiss Me, Kate. Unfortunately, I have never read or seen either of Kiss Me, Catalina‘s inspirations, so I had nothing to compare it to. But now I’m curious about checking out the source materials.

For a shorter book, Oliveras does a great job creating a slow-burn feel. I found myself cheering when these two finally managed to kiss, but there’s plenty of romance and steaminess leading up to the moment. For me, it’s just the right amount. No dragging out of the story, no slump in the middle, just enough build-up and then the well-earned climax and resolution. Perfectly paced.

Oliveras always impresses me with her characters. They’re well-rounded, flawed, and unique. I also love that Catalina and Patricio are so similar. They both have troubled pasts with their fathers, big egos, and stubborn rules about not dating fellow band members. I mean, come on! We all know that’s not gonna last!

In this book we get to travel with Catalina and Patricio on their tour buses, seeing parts of Texas as they perform in various concert venues—some that I’ve actually visited! And as they travel to Patricio’s beach house in Puerto Vallarta, the beautiful setting mirrors the blossoming romance. They wrap up their tour in Las Vegas, a place I’ve visited twice, which always helps books come to life even more for me. It’s part road trip book and part beach read, which are two of my favorite tropes.

Oliveras gives the readers a few scenes with the wonderful Capuleta family, and hints at who will be the focus in the next story, giving readers plenty to look forward to.

Priscilla Oliveras delivers another delightful and swoon-y romance, and I couldn’t help but unwind, becoming immersed in Kiss Me, Catalina!

I may be a bit on the later side, but I’m always down for a pub day party!

#KissMeCatalina:

It’s Priscilla Oliveras, need I say more? Book 2 in the Queens of Mariachi series is here and available on KU today!

Catalina AKA Cat gets her big break when she gets to go on a seven week tour with Patricio! There’s definitely some enemies to lovers vibes as Patricio is arrogant, but Cat is strong willed and determined.

I really liked their journey and it gave me “A Star is Born” but add a little sazón to it. (Ya get me?)

Overall, another solid read from a favorite author! Check out Kiss Me Catalina!

So a hit and a miss for pub day!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! It was incredibly well done and I loved the plot.

Kiss Me, Catalina is a book full of love, music, family drama, a swoon-worthy grand gesture and Latin culture dear to our hearts. It follows Catalina Capuleta as she hits the road with Mariachi superstar El Principe Patricio Galán.

Ay Dios mío, the egos on these two! This was such a fun read. Cat and Patricio have so much in common besides their love of mariachi music, they are out to prove themselves to their families and the music industry. Their chemistry and head butting banter added to the obvious sexual tension that their rules heightened (she will never date a mariachi and he doesn’t date anyone on tour). They built a friendship first and it was great to see how they bettered each other and supported each other.

Gracias to Priscilla & her team for the ARC! Kiss Me, Catalina released yesterday (November 1st)! This can be read as a standalone but definitely check out West Side Love Story!

What we liked:
▪️Badass Latina heroine
▪️ Hot and sweet Mariachi hero
▪️Cat & Patricio’s chemistry🔥
▪️Dual POV
▪️Forced proximity
▪️All the Spanglish!

What we didn’t like:
▪️Cat’s father drama felt rushed
▪️Still no soundtrack 😜

Another solid addition to the Queens of Mariachi series featuring a two rival San Antonio families. In this book Catalina, "Cat" finally gets her big break touring with Patricio, an established singer in his own right who is experiencing writer's block.

I loved the chemistry between these two! Catalina is such a strong, career-driven woman who wants to succeed not just for herself but to make her family proud and help support them. She doesn't have time to get sidetracked by romance, especially not a playboy like Patricio.

This forced proximity, steamy open door, dual POV workplace romance gave me all the feels, great banter and sizzling on page action. Plus I adore this big-hearted, Latinx family and how central their relationships are to the story. It was great getting to know more about the Capuleta sisters and I'm excited to read what comes next!

Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy. I listened to this on audio and found the narration by Karla Serrato top notch!

Catalina Capuleta está diante da chance de alavancar sua carreira como compositora, ao assinar um contrato para ajudar Patricio Galán nas suas composições, ao mesmo tempo que participa da sua nova turnê.

O que começou como implicância logo muda à medida que os dois vão convivendo juntos, principalmente nos momentos de criação. E assim cada vez mais difícil de resistir a crescente atração mútua.

Kiss Me, Catalina é o segundo livro da série Queens of Mariachi. Eu não li o primeiro, mas isso não atrapalhou o entendimento durante a leitura. Enquanto no primeiro temos uma releitura de Romeu e Julieta, aqui temos A Megera Domada.

Eu adoro como Priscilla insere a cultura latina em seus livros. Nesse livro, assim como na série, temos como pano de fundo o gênero musical mariachi, bastante famoso da cultura mexicana. Durante a história vemos Cat querendo fazer seu nome, mas ela sabe que será necessário enfrentar o machismo que o gênero traz. Já Patricio tem suas inseguranças devido ao seu pai, que é um ícone do gênero musical assim como ele.

Cat é uma personagem determinada, forte, criativa e não leva desaforo pra casa. Patricio é um homem charmoso e sedutor, mas também tem um lado bastante carinhoso e atencioso. Eu adorei a dinâmica deles. O modo como a amizade e o companherismo entre os dois nasceu durante seus momentos de criação, como eles vão se abrindo e se sentindo confortável na presença um do outro. E o melhor de tudo, sem deixar a atração influenciar no seu relacionamento profissional.

A relação entre Cat e Patricio é cheia de flertes e provocações, o que deixa a leitura bem divertida. Fora que a tensão entre eles salta das páginas. Mas um ponto que também gostei bastante foi o desenvolvimento individual de cada e tendo o apoio um do outro durante essa jornada.

O conflito entre eles não é tão difícil de se adivinhar, mas nem por isso a leitura deixou a desejar. Ainda mais com aquele final clichê mas maravilhoso. Finalizei já ansiosa pela próxima irmã Capuleta a estrelar.

ARC COPY REVIEW
Book #2 in the Queens of Mariachi series

latinxromance, mariachi, mariachi star, music idol, taming of the shrew retelling, contemporary romance, family, road trip romance, forced proximity

The story of Catalina and Patricio was cute because of the animosity and stubborn nature of the two but overall the story was okay for me and a bit too predictable. I did like the diversity included and liked their overall relationship but the story itself fell short towards the end of the book.

Singer-songwriter Cat gets her big break when she collaborates with superstar Patricio and goes on tour with him. The chemistry between them is explosive, but what happens when she discovers his secret?

This is an intense and emotional story. Cat is fiercely independent, while Patricio is often private, leading to miscommunication and bad assumptions. Given the press scrutiny, they're wary of giving in to the feelings between them. They don't want to become fodder for the tabloids. It takes patience for them to learn to trust each other.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The heroine joins the hero's concert tour and sparks fly between them. Both have pasts that helped shape them, and when the two collide, it brings up old wounds that stops them from moving forward. Will they take that step to overcome the pasts that are holding them back so that they can have their own happy ending?

This is the second book in the Queens of Mariachi series. The book can be read by itself, but it would be good to read the first book to have a good image of some secondary characters that were mentioned in the previous book. The main couple were likable characters, even with flaws. I enjoyed learning a lot about the mariachi world, and the book cover is delightfully colorful. I would have liked some more details in some parts of the story, but it wasn't detrimental in my reading. Overall, a solid addition to the Queens of Mariachi series and I look forward to reading the next book in the future.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy, clever and held my interest. I wanted to find out what was going to happen. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

This was such a cute story and I really enjoyed it. Kiss Me, Catalina is book 2 in the Queens of Mariachi series which follows the love story of Catalina and El Principe of Mariachi, Patricio. This story gives a slight nod to Kiss Me, Kate/ The Taming of the Shrew set in the mariachi world with Cat and Patricio traveling from Texas to Cali, Puerto Vallarta, and Vegas. As much as this is a love story it also focuses on past family drama, foster care/adoption, emotional trauma, and how one faces their fears to make their dreams a reality. Definitely pick this one up if you’re looking for:

💋 passionate quick-fire personalities
🎺 rising star and a mariachi idol
🚐 road trip romance
🥰 bonds of sisterhood
🏠 old familia wounds
🎵 a swoony courtyard serenade
🔥 a stuck zipper and a warm helping hand

Many thanks to Priscilla and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. .

This is a slow burn romance that is full of chemistry. Catalina, cat, is a singer from San Antonio who has been invited to go on tour with the famous mariachi singer Patricio. Patricio is known as demanding and is very popular. Cat is ambitious and determined to make the most of this opportunity. It is interesting to see the romance unfold while they are on tour. Also both characters have to deal with issues in their past. It’s written in a way that makes you feel like you were listening to the music as they describe it. This is a delightful romance that I would recommend.

I loved getting to see more of Cat and Patricio, but felt like something was missing with this one. Maybe the absence of the sisters as much as West Side Love Story

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this slow burn and finding out more about Mariachi bands. this was a fun world to be in and the development was enjoyable

This book was absolutely delightful! A rising woman mariachi star goes on tour with El Principe (the prince) of Mariachi and tries to get him to overcome his creative block and write new music while also trying not to fall in love with him?! Shenanigans ensue. It was such a fun ride with Catalina and Patricio! Highly recommend this fun romance!

I enjoyed reading Kiss Me, Catalina. I fell in love with Patricio and loved Catalina's fearless attitude. They both show passion to their music and to each other. They did not give up and rose above. Thank you so much for this arc and I can not wait for more in the series.

Kiss Me, Catalina, book 2 In the Queens of Mariachi series, takes place in San Antonio, Texas, after the Capuletas win the Battle of the Mariachi Bands
Through a fresh retelling of A Taming of the Shrew, we follow Cat during the contentious period of song writing and touring with THE Patricio Galán, one of mariachi’s superstars. Despite his hesitance to grow close to Catalina, for reasons she knows not, they find themselves drawn together. Both have a no-dating-musicians rule (that seems meant to be broken) and are constantly butting heads. Cat is focused on her family’s future while Patricio tries to find his inspiration again. The more they play together though, the more their mutual passions show and we see the characters for who they hope to grow into…
I loved West Side Story and now, I’m happy to say that, book #2 was just as fascinating! The culture, the familial angles, and the strong women; que divertida!

Thank you Priscilla Ontiveras and Montlake for the copy in exchange for my honest review 💕

“Kiss Me, Catalina” is a great follow-up to the first book of the series, “West Side Love Story.” Instead of watching the mariachi bands compete in a Battle of the Bands concert, readers get taken on a mariachi tour through the southwest.

I was so thrilled when I found out the next book was about Catalina. She was a standout character to me in the first book (which is about her older sister Mariana). Her spunk and confidence were contagious then, and that didn’t change when the story transitioned to focus on her. Her backstory is heartbreaking, but it’s amazing to see the strength she has despite knowing going down the same career path as her father could result in the same outcome.

Patricio was the perfect counterpart. He could match her toe for toe while also recognizing when she had to be vulnerable or when her strength waivered. The two of them having similar family issues worked well, since both fuel them in their careers. Though, at times, it did feel a bit spiteful. Can’t they want the same thing as their parents without trying to prove something?

My only hang-up with “Kiss Me, Catalina” was I felt the third-act fallout came too late. I felt like as a reader I didn’t have time to marinate in why there was an issue before it was just suddenly fixed.

Another awesome novel by Priscilla Oliveras. I can’t wait to see who the third book is about (I’m hoping it’s Blanca).

I enjoyed the tension between Patricio and Cat smooch. This was a bit of a modern spin of “The Taming of the Shrew”, but with a lot more breaking down of patriarchal views and the tackling of machismo.

I don’t think that Patricio was really clear about what he wanted to do song writing wise with Cat until the end, which was frustrating as a reader to not be part of the knowledge.

I don’t know if I felt true resolution on the subject of Cat’s dad, which was a little annoying because his lack of involvement in her life was a big motivator in her succeeding as a mariachi.

Overall I really enjoyed this book by Priscilla Oliveras and cannot wait to read another book by her.

4/5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own.