Told by cousins, 'Carmen and Grace' is a complicated tale of family, loyalty and survival.
Carmen and Grace act as our narrators, moving smoothly between events in the past and the present day as they struggle to survive.
As children, living in the Bronx in NYC, the girls are largely neglected and left to their own devices. It is only when as a teenager that
Grace meets Toro, the son of Doña Durka, a Puerto Rican Mafia boss, and both of their lives take a dramatic turn. As time progresses, Doña Durka has welcomed Grace into her family and Grace will be her successor. However, when Durka is murdered, Grace is placed in danger.
Interestingly, it is less the lure of money buy rather loyalty that ties the cousins to each other and to Durka.
Utterly absorbing, Carmen and Grace is a complex story, but one that becomes engaging as the author explores the complex themes of family, loyalty and motherhood through the eyes of two young women.

A very unusual book. The image of dealing drugs and no go neighborhoods, is blown out of the water. Told from two perspectives , two female cousins who are drawn in not by the drugs or money but a sense of family and order.
From the age of fourteen they disconnect from the neglected upbringing they know and become part of a different if just as dysfunctional family. No obvious neglect and school attendance is compulsory.
Follow their roads together and separately.

Carmen and Grace will have you up late at night turning the pages for one or maybe two more chapters as you are caught up in the lives and predicaments of the lives of Grace and Carmen.

Its a story about relationships both good and bad.

It's a story about mother's and daughters, sisters, cousins and friendship.

Carmen and Grace are cousins raised as sisters and as well all know life changes relationships but seldom the bond.

It is both heartbreaking and heart warming at times.

It's a journey the reader should and must take on their own so that is all I will say.

Book Clubs will be adding this to their must read list.

Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus, Apollo for a unforgettable read.

Carmen and grace have been inseparable since they were little girls, more like sisters than cousins, survivors of a childhood marked by neglect and addiction, and a system that never valued them - for too long all they had was each other. That is until Dona Durka swept into their lives and changed everything, taking Grace into her home, providing stability and support, and playing an outsized role in Carmen's upbringing too. Durka is more than a beneficent force in their Bronx neighbourhood though. She's also the leader of an underground drugs empire, a larger-than-life matriarch who understands the vital importance of taking what power she can in a world too often ruled by violent men.

This is a emotional and gripping read. The story is told from Carmen and Grace's perspective. It's not always easy to read with parts being written in Spanish. We also have a dual timeline = the present day and the past, when they were children. The girls are survivors of abuse, neglect, addiction, and much more. It did take me a little while to get into the story due to the authors writing style. But there's something raw and beautiful about this book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HeadofZeus #Apollo and the author #MelissaCrossAquino in exchange for an honest review.

This was a slow starter, but well worth sticking with. The characters develop in a way that they stay with you long after you finish reading, absolutely superb

“It is your very brokenness that will allow you to give light to others”

The book follows the story of two childhood friends, Carmen and Grace, who grew up in the Bronx: two lost girls looking for a way out of their bleak circumstances, and they find solace in each other's company. The narration alternates between Carmen’s and Grace’s perspectives, and it follows a non-linear structure.

Melissa Coss Aquino weaves a masterful tale, “Carmen, and Grace" is an engaging and powerful book that delves into complex themes and characters, with an incredibly fresh viewpoint. This is not just a story of crime and betrayal, but one of found family and the true meaning of motherhood.

Grace meets Toro, the son of Doña Durka, a Puerto Rican Mafia boss, and her life, as well as Carmen’s, takes a sharp turn. Durka takes Grace under her wing, treating her like an adopted daughter and teaching her the ways of the family business. Grace starts building her own sisterhood, once referred to as “Miss Grace’s School for Lost Girls”, or the D.O.D. Daughters of Durga’ as she baptises them. Despite Durka's cancer diagnosis, Grace's future looks bright as she is poised to inherit the empire. When Durka dies under mysterious circumstances, the battle for control of the family business erupts into a full-blown war. Grace must navigate treacherous waters as she fights to hold onto her power and protect the sisterhood, all the while knowing that one misstep could lead to their downfall. So, what now that Carmen has become pregnant?

“there were thousands of stories like mine in there’ says Carmen “and some of us really did know how to tell them; we had just never bothered to write them down because no one had asked, and no one cared’. Well, I cared very much. This book is a must-read.

Looking forward to reading more Aquino's books.

This was hard for me to get into, I struggled to get absorbed in the story and connect with the characters and writing style. However I do think the premise is really interesting and I think there is a good audience for this out there but sadly it just wasn't me.

Carmen and Grace have been inseparable since they were little girls - more like sisters than cousins, survivors of a childhood marked by neglect and addiction. For too long, all they had was each other.

That is, until Doña Durka swept into their lives and changed everything, taking Grace into her home and influencing Carmen's upbringing too. But Durka is more than a beneficent force in their Bronx neighbourhood. She's also the leader of an underground drug empire, a larger-than-life matriarch who understands the importance of taking what power she can in a world too often ruled by violent men.

So when Durka dies suddenly, Carmen and Grace's lives are thrown into chaos. Grace has been primed to take over and has grand plans to expand the business, but Carmen is ready to move on - from Durka's shadow, and from always looking over her shoulder in fear.

How to break toxic cycles , a cruel upbringing and a need to survive ! This hard hitting novel has you holding your breath !

Thank you for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately this book was a struggle for me especially at the beginning and I nearly gave up. It was also rather long and unfortunately I don’t speak Spanish which added a little to the confusion. However I continued and while I got to know the characters a bit more and was less confused, the story of friendship between the two main characters didn’t seem much of a friendship. The writing style was enjoyable though. This would suit someone who enjoys contemporary literature fiction.

A struggle for me, indicted up a few times but finally had to give it a this book isn't fir je.
The writing style doesn't pull you in and I need to atleast connect with one character to want to continue...sadly this didn't happen


Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book

What a brilliant, engaging read. I loved the writing style and became immediately invested in this epic saga.
Carmen and Grace are poor Latino girls living in rough New York. The book graphically describes their lives as ‘ daughters’ of Dona Durka under whose wing they flourish in the murky underworld of drugs, but also experience love, belonging and education. When Dona dies things take a huge turn and they must navigate the fallout.
A great tale of life, love and loyalties.
“You can be standing right where you started and be someone completely different”

An impressive debut that paints a gritty, realistic, picture of choice and ambition, trust and betrayal and the life bonds between people that endure no matter what. A story for our time that ultimately offers hope.
My thanks to NetGalley, and Head of Zeus for granting this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok. Not an easy read with bits of Spanish thrown in. Also you are thrown into a story set in different time periods with a lot of characters without any idea or introduction about who they are. As the book progresses, it becomes more clear. Not the book for me, I am afraid.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchnage for an honest review

An emotional and powerful read about “damaged” cousins and best friends, Carmen and Grace, lured into the underground drug trade at a young age by the formidable matriarch Doña Durka. Following her death under mysterious circumstances, Carmen and Grace’s lives are thrown into chaos. Grace has grand plans to expand the business whilst Carmen, now pregnant wants to build a new life before the baby arrives.

It’s easy to become really invested in these characters and their journey. It’s a compelling book of sisterhood and the power of friendships.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus, Apollo for the opportunity to read and review this riveting read.

DNF - The ARC formatting was strange and the first few chapters did not draw me in, so that I wanted to continue with the story.

‘We were a tribe of lost daughters …’

Living in the Bronx neighbourhood, Carmen and Grace have been inseparable since childhood. They are cousins, closer than sisters, who have managed to survive neglect occasioned by addiction and a ‘welfare’ system that does not care. Grace wants power, while Carmen wants to escape. Then Grace meets Doña Durka’s son. Doña Durka welcomes Grace into her home, treats her like a daughter. She looks out for Carmen as well, and the girls have some stability in their lives. Grace sees Doña Durka as an inspiration, and while she has some idea that Doña Durka is involved in the drug trade, she admires the way in which she has taken control of her world.

When Doña Durka dies in mysterious circumstances, Grace is ready (she thinks) to take over the business, and keen to expand it. Carmen wants to escape – she is pregnant and wants a better life for her baby. But how can she leave?

‘How do you stop a train wreck from happening when it is already underway at full speed, and you are on the train? How do you jump off?’

Grace’s plans for the future gather momentum, but others are interested in occupying the space once owned by Doña Durka. Carmen is trapped: the tight group of women who work for Grace are the only family Carmen has.

How will this end? You will need to keep reading in order to find out. Melissa Coss Aquino brings these young women and the challenges confronting them to life, showing both the strength of their friendship and the constraints they operate within. Most of the time, the choices we make are constrained by the limited possibilities we see available.

I finished this novel hoping for a brighter future for those who survived.

‘The street is full of stories that are only ever half true if that. You taught me that.’

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Thanks very much to the publishers and netgallery for this advanced copy!

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me as I struggled with the writing style and for such an intriguing premise that should hold lots of depth, struggled to connect to the characters which appeared to be the focal point of the story

Carmen and Grace are inseparable cousins. Coming from a harsh background, the only constant in their life was their beloved abuela, but when she dies they are returned to their mothers. When Toro turns up on 14 year old Grace’s doorstep one day looking for her mother who owes him money, the girls lives change beyond all their imaginings.

This is a fascinating story. Told from the POV of each girl, it travels in time from when they are children through to adulthood, with all the trials that they experience.

An enjoyable book, though a struggle to read at times, thank goodness for Kindle translator!

Thank you NetGalley.

I really enjoyed how this story reeled me in from the very first page. I admit: I went into this not really knowing what to expect. by the very last page - which I got to very quickly - I was feeling all of the emotions. High on the list is awe. I hope to read more books from Melissa, she clearly has a way with words.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Many thanks to the Publishers for this opportunity.

This read reveals the harsh reality of those on the fringe of society from a country that now doesn't see them and who fall into the hands of those who give false protection all the while grooming them for the drug trade. The story is of two girls who have experienced neglect and addiction, two inseparable cousins Carmen and Grace who are taken in by an underground drug dealer Doña Durka. Their situation becomes difficult when Doña dies leaving Grace exposed to those wanting to take over the helm when the plan had been for her to do so. The brutality of this type of life is well exposed, all the women are pretty tough, language tough but with their leader gone it all begins to unravel.

Carmen who relates the story becomes pregnant to her lover and amongst all that is going on they marry. She is imprisoned just after the birth of her daughter and during this time she learns of Grace's death. After her release she is able to reconnect with her daughter, now a young adult. There is good news for her revealed at the end, an unexpected surprise and of enlightenment.