I was such a fan of Sonora Reyes' first novel and even more excited when I learned that their second novel would feature an autistic protagonist, and it did not disappoint. This book deals with some heavy themes, but it is also an incredibly powerful, affirming book that I could not put down. I loved all the members of the Luis Ortega Survival Club, and I loved seeing their friendship (and other relationships) grow and bloom over the course of the novel. Sonora's books don't shy away from addressing some of the deep & painful realities of young people's lives, but their books always leave the reader with hope that whatever they might be going through now, it will get better. I know this book will help so many young people, and I hope it gets all the attention that it so rightfully deserves.

I was a big fan of Sonora Reyes first book, The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, so I had high hopes for The Luis Ortega Survival Club, and it did not disappoint! Ariana Ruiz, a selectively mute autistic teen, just wants to belong. When high school hottie Luis Ortega shows her attention, she’s thrilled! Just like in their first novel, Reyes tackles tough subjects - disability, neurodivergence, sexual assault, slut shaming, bullying - in a way that doesn’t make the reader feel pity for anyone. It makes you root for Ariana and the other teens to get revenge on this predator and those like him. Reyes’ characters are so well done and fleshed out that you can’t help but feel like you truly know them.

DNF - Book needs additional trigger warnings for sexual violence. I couldn't get past the first section because of how uncomfortable it made me feel.

Perfect on every level. This book will change so many people’s lives and I’m so glad it exists in this world. Sonora Reyes is a treasure to have in the YA space.

3.5 stars overall

I wanted to give this 4 stars but I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this book. I loved these characters and the message. The way that their relationships evolved over the course of their plotting was nice to see. I loved that they got the justice they were working towards (even if it's not that realistic). I appreciated the diversity in sexuality and cultural backgrounds but also in neurodivergence as well. It's a very quick read that' pretty easy to get into and that made the overall story enjoyable.

Buuuutttt, I didn't love the writing itself all that much. The writing was kinda flat. The dialogue between certain characters (mostly Ari and her mother) was uncomfortable at best and their relationship as a whole was something else. I won't go too deep into this because the way that I view familial relationships is not necessarily the norm but *spoiler ahead* I did appreciate that the view on therapy from Ari's parents shifted majorly by the end of the book.

Again, overall, I really enjoyed The Luis Ortega Survival Club. It's a quick read and it definitely put Sonora Reyes's other book on my TBR.

Wildly underrepresented protagonist in an equally underrepresented plot, coupled with a painful premise make The Luis Ortega Survival Club hard to read but harder to miss.

I definitely recommend going into this text fully aware of what it’s about: a serial predator at a high school specifically targeting victims who either have little to no support system, or, victims like our protagonist who are non-verbal and “can’t say no.”

Thinking, naively, I suppose, based on the title that this would be maybe a revenge group or support group for teens dumped by the same boy... I. Was. Wrong.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is definitely a book you’re going to want to read the content warnings on before you dive in, because it can be a difficult read at times. But also, such an important read, so that people, especially teen girls know that 1) they’re not alone and 2) it’s not their fault. The catharsis felt at the end was so so satisfying. Yes, I cried (as always, I need to put the disclaimer here that I cry very easily, but this was a very emotional one). I also like that the autistic MC was self-diagnosed. As a self-diagnosed ADHDer, I understand how difficult it is to access a diagnosis, and how your neurodivergence is still valid, even without that rubber stamp from a doctor/therapist.

All this is not to say that there aren’t moments of happiness and levity in this book. There definitely are. The new friend group formed from these events was so lovely, and the romances? Amazing. Such a powerful book that should have a place in every library serving young adults.

I got an ARC of this book.

This book is so wonderful. There is so much that is addressed and actually wrapped up by the end. This is the first time I have ever seen it addressed in a YA when a parent uses the child as a therapist. I was beyond excited to see this! Ariana didn’t like how it felt, especially since her parents were anti-therapy. This led directly into self diagnosis of autism. Ariana is autistic, she knows it. Everyone else knows it. She just doesn’t have the formal diagnosis. The diagnosis doesn’t change her reality. It was amazing to see someone who was self-diagnosed as a MC.

I loved the way the book progressed. The group became a way of healing for all of them, even while it started as a way to get revenge. It was amazing watching these characters heal and grow. Watching them discover new hobbies, new friendships, new loves. I was enthralled the entire book. Don’t even get me started on the character growth of Ariana’s parents! I can’t start, because it would be a big spoiler. Just know that every character has a chance for growth.

My biggest issue is the epilogue. I just need authors to stop throwing in legal stuff. Based on the accusations, four months is not enough time unless he pled guilty at the very start and even then, it would have taken that whole time. The police would need to interview each and every girl. There would be witness interviews. There would be so many interviews and even then, it was he said, she said so the likelihood of Luis actually facing any consequences is very low. Add in, there would also be a charge of threatening a witness that was never mentioned. The overturning a sentence part would involve an appeals process and that takes SO LONG. So yeah, please stop. The ending had a feel good ending, but it was not real at all. If the book had ended at the dance while Luis was being investigated, some nerves about court, then I would have been all over it. It was closed, but not unrealistic. The joys of working criminal law, so books are ruined.

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- a searingly powerful story about speaking out against sexual violence, finding community in survivors, and healing. with unflinchingly raw storytelling and complex characters with good representation, this story will stick with me for years to come.

- tw/ off page rape, slut shaming, bullying, rape culture, sexual harassment

This book was powerful!
This is a story about abuse: emotional and sexual abuse on many fronts and for many of the characters, and it is handled with care. Sonora does a great job making whole characters that deal with their trauma in ways that many can relate to.
I'd recommend it!

When selectively verbal autistic Ariana goes to a party she thinks Louise is doing her a favor when he takes her off to a bedroom and when his ex girlfriend Shawneyy tries to stop them Ariana thinks she’s going to be mad at her because she must still like Louise. When he takes advantage of her her mind doesn’t know what to make of it because she keeps thinking he didn’t even ask her. When she returns to school on Monday and everyone is calling her a slut and staring at her as she walks down the hallway even worse Luis‘s friends and other boys try to come on to her and even slap her bottom. For the next couple of days only a few people at friendly with her but what scares Ariana is Shawnee tells her she wants to talk to her later, a conversation Ariana definitely doesn’t want to have. She thinks Shawney is upset with her and wants possibly to fight her but when she receives an anonymous note with a tumblr address Ariana is suspicious but goes home and creates a Tumblr account to see who this person is it seems she isn’t the only person Louis has ruined the reputation of an although the few people may have different levels of dislike for Louise they all want some form of retribution so they form a revenge club for Luis Ortega and try to come up with ways to give him the payback that he deserves it first it’s a rubber spider but all it gets better so much better but sometimes revenge isn’t always sweet. This was a great book I love that I love Ariana Shawney I especially loved Ariana‘s relationship with her parents I love Angel and I love the ending of the book because Ariana will like somebody that also likes her back and OMG I’d love that! This is a great book the really says a lot about Laurie not for those who are against you but hold hands with those who are for you because there are always the most important. Also this book is a great example of how a little communication could go along way because head some of these people just spoke to each other a lot of this drama wouldn’t have went as far as it did in a lot of Ariana‘s worrying would’ve been less and I understand in her case because she’s selectively verbal but I felt so bad for her when she thought Shawney headed out for her. I love this book and it has lots of great lessons not to mention a great plot if you love stories about revenge do not pass this fucked up it is so good and it doesn’t just hold your interest but has a couple lol moments and even when you finish the book it will be one you think about days after I truly loved it a definite five star read. I received this book from NetGalley and a publisher that I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

The Luis Ortega Survival Club is a book that is equal parts so important and needed, while simultaneously incredibly difficult to read. To anyone who has difficulty reading about sexual assault and r*pe, I would caution you about reading this one. If it is something you can read though, I can’t recommend it enough. This book examines consent, especially when it comes to those who are non-verbal, something I feel hasn’t been discussed nearly enough. It also discusses what someone might be feeling after being assaulted by someone, and how feelings can get muddled and confused. It’s something I think all teens who are able to, need to read, and something that should be taught in school. There are so many important lessons to be learned when reading this book.

First, I want to talk about Ariana’s autism. She doesn’t have an official diagnosis because her parents won’t take her to a doctor, but after a lot of research, she decides that autism fits her and helps her understand herself better. Self-diagnosis is valid and I’m so glad this book included that! There are a lot of reasons why people can’t get a diagnosis, and if a person has done significant research and has decided that self-diagnosing themself helps, then shouldn’t we be glad about that? No one should ever be made to feel less than because they can’t access a diagnosis. There aren’t a lot of examples of self-diagnosis in media, so having this is a great next step.

Additionally, Ari is non-verbal a lot of the times. She calls it selective mutism since she can talk in places she feels comfortable and with those she trusts. A really important part of The Luis Ortega Survival Club is the fact that Ariana is r*ped because she, as her abuser puts it, “can’t say no.” A lot of disabled people are taken advantage of and abused because of this. It’s something that is so real and that happens every day. We need to be talking about it more. Autistic people especially are often taken advantage of because we have trouble reading social cues. A lot of the time, we might not even realize we’re being harassed or assaulted because we misread the situation. This is really dangerous and something abusers tend to take advantage of. Because of this, books like The Luis Ortega Survival Club are super important because they bring awareness about this and help us know what to look for.

I can’t tell you enough how important this book is. Yes, it was hard to read. Ariana goes through a lot in the story, and most of the time, people don’t believe her, even when they’ve witnessed something with their own eyes. It made me so angry, not just because it was happening to her, but because it happens all the time in real life.

That’s not to say that the Luis Ortega Survival Club was all anger and sadness, though. Ari has a group of friends that she grows with during this book that I absolutely loved. Their dynamic wasn’t what you’d expect, but it felt like a safe place in what to them was a chaotic environment. They were able to be there for each other and provide a shoulder to lean on at all times.

Ari also has a romance with one of the other characters. These two warmed my heart so much. They were perfect for reach other, and that character (I don’t want to name in case of spoilers), was so understand and accommodating of Ari’s needs without Ari ever asking her to be.

Additionally, the ending left me with satisfaction and a huge smile on my face. Maybe it’s not the most realistic outcome, but it’s the kind of outcome that I wish we could hope for more often. It’s the justice that Ari and her group of friends deserved.

Truly, I’m so glad that this book exists. If you haven’t read it yet, you absolutely need to.

I have found a new favorite book of all time. I'm obsessed, I can't stop thinking about it and while I am sorry I didn't get to the eARC right away before its release, I'm so happy I waited for the audiobook because the narrator, Elisa Meléndez, totally brought it to a whole other level!

Arianna - Ari - is autistic and non verbal. She can only speak when she feels safe, when she's with people she knows and is comfortable with; the rest of the time, it's like a monster has her in its grip and the words can't come out, they stay stuck in her throat. In spite of that, or perhaps because of it, she puts care into what she's wearing because she wants to be seen, to be noticed.
And she does get noticed by a guy at her school, Luis Ortega. In the beginning she cannot be happier, because Luis is the type of guy who'd never go for someone like her and he doesn't mind that she doesn't/can't really speak with him.
All is going well, until the night of the party, when Luis takes her into a bedroom and Ari doesn't stop him from doing something she didn't want to do and didn't consent to.
The following day, everyone at school is looking at her. Is it possible that they know? She had asked Luis not to say anything, could it have been his ex, Shawny, who saw them going into that bedroom and has warned her more than once to stay away from him?
The rumors keep on getting worse, other guys start groping her in the school corridors when she's alone and sending her DMs asking her to "be nice to them as well". If all that wasn't enough, she overhears Luis telling his friends that it was so easy to have sex with her, because "it's not like she could say no". Ari can't take it anymore, she's alone and she doesn't know how to make them stop because no matter what she has to say on the matter, nobody believes her. Then one day she finds a note in her locker with an email, someone named TLOSC who tells her she's not alone and she can reach out to them to talk.
And so it is that Ari meets a group of kids who have been similarly wronged by Luis Ortega. She doesn't tell them what really happened to her yet, but they team up to support each other and to try and make sure Luis Ortega will pay for everything he did.

I don't even know where to begin here, the list of things I loved is too long and my brain is going in a million different directions because every single page of this was absolutely perfect and I wouldn't change a thing and I want to dissect everything but I also don't want to spoil anything for anyone? Gosh this is hard.

I'll try to approach it in a "chronological order", if you will, with the event that started the avalanche: the night of the party. The rape happens off page, so it is not described in the book, but that didn't in any way diminish the impact it had on me and the sheer horror of what happened: you can truly feel it on your skin as the first chapter opens and Ari is running away from the party, running back to her house, locking herself in the bathroom and trying to wash away the memories, the filth she feels on her body, scrubbing and scrubbing until her skin is raw. I may not have "seen" it happening, but it was there, right in front of my eyes, and it made me feel sick to my stomach and enraged at what girls and women have to go through because someone else, a disgusting twisted man, thought they had a right over their body and acted on that inexcusable thought; how we live in a society where it has become a *privilege* to go about your life as a woman and not have that happen to you.
The author didn't shy away from showing how hard it is for the victims, their conflicting inner monologues when they try to come to terms with what happened, to try and explain to themselves why they feel guilty, and even worse, how the attraction battles against the fear when you've been taken advantage of by someone that you knew and were actually attracted to. It was raw and uncensored, powerless yet powerful when Ari begins to react and to take manners in her own hands because nobody else is willing to do something about it, to do what needs to be done to have some weak resemblance of justice.

It broke my heart to see Ari blame herself. This is not a spoiler - and I want to discuss it because it is so damn important. Ari can't understand why she doesn't want to share her story, why she feels so embarrassed and guilty. She only figures it out when a member of the TLOSC group says it to her: she feels guilty because she has to; because if she's the one to blame for it, it means she could have prevented it and it's not just something that happened to her, she could have actually done something to stop it. In blaming herself, she's trying to remove the randomness from such a violent act, but the harsh truth is she did nothing wrong and could not have done anything to stop it and that is another trauma to add on top of everything else that rape victims have to go through.

I hated - hated - Luis Ortega, with a passion. Not only he is a rich spoiled brat who has that arrogance that comes from being able to get away with anything (cuz his daddy is a judge), but he perfectly knows what he's doing - and what he's doing is wrong on all the possible levels. He targets girls that are alone, that do not have a support system and thus can be more easily manipulated and trapped into undesirable situations and nobody ever challenges him because they're afraid of him, and he has the actual power to get back at them tenfold.
In their note, the author discloses why they named the rapist, why his name is in the title: there's an empowerment in naming one's abuser, because names and identities have power and once you give something a name, you take away some of the power it has over you, some of the fear that is linked to the unknown. And we see it happening to Ari, the strength and empowerment that come from finally sharing what happened to her, and the freedom that follows suit.

She probably wouldn't have gotten there if it weren't for her support group, the friends that had first teamed up to make Luis Ortega but soon became so much more than that, taking away from him even that power over their lives. I loved their friendship, I loved how they were always so respectful and always having each other backs. I loved, loved, loved more than I can say the small gestures that are not small at all: for instance, Shawny (or others in the group) would always leave a pen and paper for Ari on her desk since they knew she couldn't talk to them; it was something so small, yet it shows the attention they paid to her need, the acceptance of her being different and the kindness and love for never showing annoyance or never pushing her to do something she wasn't comfortable with. It was so wholesome and precious and it warmed my heart throughout the book, the sunlight that increasingly dimmed the darkness born out of that terrible night.
Not only did she have her friends, Ari could also count on her parents' support. Their relationship is strained at the beginning, because her parents are also working through some issues of their own, but they love their daughter, and they will learn to accept her and be there for her in the way she needs them to.

And last but not least, I loved the romance blossoming between Ari and her love interest, Shawny. It was slow and tender yet overwhelming to the point of sensory overload for Ari; it was sweet and exciting, but most importantly always wanted. There isn't a single touch, hand holding, nor kiss that isn't given consent to. Even when they get together, Shawny never touches Ari without checking in with her first; if she wants to hold her hand, she turns her palm up and waits for Ari to take it, a silent nod that makes it sure beyond any reasonable doubt that Ari is okay with it and wants the same thing. And I honestly can't stress enough how important it is and always has been to make sure you have consent even within a relationship. You don't owe your partner anything. You don't have to kiss or have sex just because you have a partner, if it's not what you want. Your partner has no right to touch you or pressure you into anything if that is not what you want.
It is so, so damn important and I loved how the author showed how effortless that is, how it should be the norm, how it is not frustrating or repetitive, but it's kind and so sweet and respectful instead. Small acts of love, that are not small at all.

I loved every single page of this book and I won't stop talking about it. Ever.
Can't wait to read more from Sonora Reyes.

🩵BOOK REVIEW🩵

The Luis Ortega Survival Club - Sonora Reyes
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

“Ariana Ruiz wants to be noticed. But as an autistic girl who never talks, she goes largely ignored by her peers—despite her bold fashion choices. So when cute, popular Luis starts to pay attention to her, Ari finally feels seen.

Luis’s attention soon turns to something more, and they have sex at a party—while Ari didn’t say no, she definitely didn’t say yes. Before she has a chance to process what happened and decide if she even has the right to be mad at Luis, the rumor mill begins churning—thanks, she’s sure, to Luis’s ex-girlfriend, Shawni. Boys at school now see Ari as an easy target, someone who won’t say no.

Then Ari finds a mysterious note in her locker that eventually leads her to a group of students determined to expose Luis for the predator he is. To her surprise, she finds genuine friendship among the group, including her growing feelings for the very last girl she expected to fall for. But in order to take Luis down, she’ll have to come to terms with the truth of what he did to her that night—and risk everything to see justice done.”

I loved the neurodiversity and queer representation in this book. I also really enjoyed the bonds that the friends make and how included they make each member of the group feel. I think it was such an important, under appreciated point that healing and justice is different to each member of the group - some were ok openly sharing their stories, others chose not to do so, some - because that is an accurate portrayal of how survival of SA is not one size fits all. This definitely had the teen drama and angst expected in YA (like some parental issues that seemed unnecessary) but also handles some heavy topics with great care.

Recommend if you like:
- Revenge/Justice plot lines
- Neurodiverse rep
- Bisexual rep
- Sapphic romance
- Found family
- Heavy topics handled without graphic details

Thank you @netgalley, @harpercollinsch, and the author for the ARC. This one is ✨out now!✨

I loved their previous book but this one was just okay. I found the storyline with the parents troubling.

Ariana Ruiz wants to be noticed, but she is autistic and selectively mute. She loves making bold fashion choices to be noticed by her classmates and is flattered when Luis Ortega pays attention and compliments her look. He also invites her to a party. She attends, but things take a turn when Luis has sex with her. Soon everyone at school will know what happened. Ariana thinks that Luis' jealous ex Shawni is to blame, but soon finds that this could not be further from the truth.
As Ariana contemplates what has happened, she comes to realize that she never said yes, but she also was unable to say no. At the same time, the boys at school start to harass her thinking she is a girl who does not say no. Eventually Ariana discovers a mysterious note in her locker that leads her to a group of students who are also determined to expose Luis for the predator he is.
This novel is a great read alike for readers of Laurie Halse Anderson's novel Speak, A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl by Tanya Lee Stone and On the Record by Camryn Garrett. The novel examines sex, sexual assault, and the definition of consent.
The novel is also an ode to finding a family of supportive friends despite terrible circumstances who can be your family when you are having a hard time with your real family.
The diverse cast of characters will allow readers to find themselves within the book. Although this is not the best YA novel I have read on this topic, it is a much-needed addition to the shelf as it has excellent representation of the neurodivergent. It also offers solace and advice for readers who may have been victims of sexual assault themselves. 3.5/5 stars

This is one of those books that gets you fired up. I think most women have either been sexually assaulted or know someone who has been, so the story hits you hard and makes you want justice for everyone that's had to go through this.

The recent Me Too movement has shed a lot of light on just how often people, especially women, are being harassed or assaulted and it's been swept under the rug or made out to be the victim's fault. We see that in this book, when the girls are afraid to accuse Luis for fear of not being believed or be blamed. I'm glad more victims are speaking up recently, but we have a long way to go.

This book made me sad, angry, and upset, but it also made me hopeful for the future and I loved how strong the group was at the end. The friendship was definitely the best part and I rooted for the club to get justice and begin healing from their trauma.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Balzer + Bray and NetGalley for the copy.

I just finished this and have no idea where to even begin. This book had me in a chokehold from the first few pages. This book deals with a lot of heavy but important topics such as sexuality, infidelity, rape, consent and family issues. It also had a bisexual, autistic high schooler as the lead and she finds a lovable, diverse group of friends who make her feel seen and safe. I fell in love with each one of them.

The book was amazing. I laughed, I cried, I raged. I think this story is beautifully told, endearingly honest and worth a read by anyone and everyone.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for letting me enjoy this early in exchange for my honest review.

Ahh okay this review is coming a little later but I finished the book during the semester and had little time to gather my thoughts, but! They are here now, and just in time for the release!

I had the opportunity to get to meet and chat with Sonora at an event at my university, and yes, they are as lovely as could be. They remembered me a few months later and were kind enough to gift me an e-ARC to review. So, thank you very much to Sonora, as well as NetGalley for my copy!

Now, I read The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School last year and absolutely adored it, so I had high expectations coming into this book. I swear I’m not being biased when I say I was not disappointed. The book was so touching and heartwarming but also very satisfying to my little vengeful heart. So here’s a little round up of my thoughts while reading:

- The neurodivergence! I really liked the depiction of neurodivergence and autism specifically. I think TLOSC is a great example of why OwnVoices books are so important, because the depiction of autism felt very authentic and added so much to the story. I do not identify as autistic but I saw myself reflected in certain aspects like Ariana’s aversion to touch, or her inner monologue while around others and it was a very comforting thing to read.
- I do not identify as a survivor, but it is my perception that SA in the book is handled very well and very respectfully. It is a very important aspect of the book, so I do wish to give a TW for that, but I do think that Sonora’s choices in the depiction and aftermath were not at all graphic and handled very delicately. I also just think that it gave light to scenarios that happen to often and are important to have a discussion around, so props to Sonora for depicting it in the book. I also think the revenge plot line was very satisfying and such a powerful way to depict survivors taking back their agency and control.
- The main queer relationship was so sweet! I definitely think that the enemies-to-lovers blurb was a bit misleading (at most it’s a misunderstanding to lovers) but I really adored their dynamic. I think that all of the relationships in the book were cute, but the main couple was definitely my favorite. They were developed very well and I just have to stan!
- Having met Sonora and had a lengthy conversation with them, I noticed just how much of their voice came through in the text, more so than in The Lesbiana’s Guide. This is in no way a criticism, but just an observation. I could quite literally hear Sonora’s voice in my head while I was reading, and it was just a fun experience.
- As I have seen others say, I do think that the side plot regarding Ariana’s mom/dad felt a bit out of place at times, but I also think it was very important in terms of exploring Ari’s relationship with her family and what psychological safety meant for her. I’m sort of split on its inclusion.

I think that as a reader whose tastes have begun to mature, The Lesbiana’s Guide was a bit more my taste, but I do believe that TLOSC is perfect for its target audience, and still very very much enjoyable for anyone outside that age range. I overall really loved the book and think that this is a must read. 4.5/5 stars rounded up, and I definitely, definitely recommend! Super excited to see what Sonora writes next.

Such an important and powerful read! My highlights were Ariana's character development and the Luis Ortega Survival Club growing into their own little found family.

I won this eARC in a giveaway the author hosted on Twitter!