I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading JUST SAY YES by Goldy Moldavsky. I saw the fun cover, read the blurb, and went with it. I ended up dual-listening and reading the book, and I was pleased with that decision. It’s always fun to read with my eyes, but this book was a delight to read with my ears.

Brenda Arteaga-Walsh is a delightful narrator who gets the sound of “ohmigoodness, my world is crashing down around me” seventeen-year-old girl just right. That’s exactly who Jimena Romas is, and I’m glad that Maldavsky didn’t stray from her age, temper, maturity, or personality. Sure, Jimena was annoying at times as a freaked-out teenager. Yes, some of the happenstances were a little fairytale-ish. (It’s a YA novel!) But the book was educational and entertaining.

The ending was a bit quirky, just like the whole book. I hope it’s not open-ended, and we’ll get a follow-up! I’m kinda excited to see what Jimena does next…

Thanks, Wednesday Books, for the arc!

Imagine thinking you’re a US citizen until you find out you’re not at 17 years old…I have had experience with the DREAM act and the immigration process through another person, so I really felt for Jimena in this book. I wish this book was maybe a little more mature, but it was still a good read and had good messages in it!

When Jimena learns that she is undocumented, it threatens to ruin her life plans. Inspired by one too many rom coms (and a trip to a lawyer who advises her it is a bad idea), Jimena sets out to find a legal citizen to marry. The voice of reason is Vitaly, Jimena’s neighbor and friend, whose continued friendship buoys Jimena as she dates her way through her pain in an attempt to find a solution that will enable her to stay. Set in the mid-2000s prior to the DREAM act, this novel has too much fluff without the fun and although it is inspired by reality, it strays too far from what is realistic. A great cover will reel readers in, but those who stick with Moldavsky’s plot through the end will be disappointed.

Thanks to Henry Holt and Co. & NetGalley for providing a copy for review!

I thought this was really insightful. Before DACA, so many people had to do whatever was necessary to pursue their version of the American Dream. It’s not absurd to think a girl who only just discovers she’s undocumented during her senior year thinks that the quickest route to her future is to get married. It’s a very important, albeit fun, read.

We love a great love story with two people who refuses to admit to each other that they love each other and then finally come together.

<i>Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Just wonderful. Truly. This a charming, romantic YA contemporary with such genuine heart to it, balanced out with much more complex, emotional situations. Goldy Moldavsky approaches tough problems with nuance, while never abandoning the vivacious, bubbly nature of Jimena Ramos. I loved the characters, the plot, the romance, the writing, style--everything. A refreshing read!

This was mostly enjoyable overall, although not my favorite YA romance ever. I liked how the romance developed between the two main characters, and while some of Jimena's actions are a little cringy, they made sense with her character and situation. The ending was very rushed, though, and I was not a big fan of it. Cute cover though!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

Adorable friends to lovers romance set perfectly in the early aughts. Captures the anxiety of being an undocumented immigrant combined with rapidly growing up at the end of high school.

This book was so heartbreaking and sweet. When Jimena learns of her undocumented status, she comes up with a plan to stay in the U.S. legally. While following Jimena on her slightly cringe journey of dating and finding love in the most unexpected of places. Overall, the end of the book left my heart happy.

Although slow to start, this book definitely picked up and gave very interesting young adult perspective into green card marriage. It is a cute love story with stances on current political issues we see today. The author did a great job of mixing these together to highlight important themes, while also telling a good story.

Jimena Ramos is about to get the most shocking news of her life.
💍
It’s 2007 and seventeen-year-old Jimena gets brought home by the cops after throwing a party. No big deal, they let her off with a warning, but when her Peruvian mother tells her she has to be more careful because she’s undocumented, it throws Jimena into a tailspin. She used to throw caution to the wind, now she’s overly cautious to the extreme for fear of someone finding out about her illegal alien status and sending her to a country she barely knows anything about. The idea of a green card marriage sounds appealing, but after many disastrous online dating and personal ad attempts have her coming up empty, Jimena keeps asking her neighbor, Vitaly, to marry her. Because he plans to go to Oxford for college, he keeps refusing. The more time they spend together though, it gets harder for Vitaly to turn her down.
👰🏽
If you’ve ready @goldywrites YA books before you know she’s a thriller author…usually. This title has her switching genres to YA romance and I’m so here for it! While this cover is adorable and the romance is definitely there, I think it’s important to note that this novel was set in 2007 for a reason. The DREAM Act went into effect in 2010 and continues to be challenged by certain administrations and members of Congress. It’s so important that we don’t forget that immigrants are people and many need the safe haven that the U.S. can provide for them. This issue is still an ongoing argument and will be in the next election. As a Texan we have many DREAMERS and I wholeheartedly believe they should be allowed to be citizens. I’d love a sequel!

CW: immigration issues, deportation, unwanted touch

I ended up enjoying this so much more than I thought I would (not that I thought I wouldn't like it)! A teenage girl dead-set on getting married in order to obtain citizenship is not a typical YA plot, but it worked so well. Jimena is honestly such a character and I loved her character arc from a somewhat stuck-up and self-centered teenage girl to someone who is really aware of the difficulties a lot of people, especially Latine people, face.

While this book is serious and does touch on some important immigration policies and the hardships undocumented people face, it's also funny and a really good time. I found myself tearing up at moments AND bursting out laughing (all at Jimena's antics). There's a really good balance between the reality of finding out you're undocumented unexpectedly as a teenager and the hilarity of the whole marriage "scheme."

This is not contemporary—it's set in the early 2000s and uses some outdated language like "illegal alien" (and honestly outdated fashion lmao). There is a really nice scene between Jimena and her friend that explains how people can't be illegal or alien, even if they are undocumented, which I appreciated.

Quick note that I love how *technically* untranslated a lot of the Spanish scenes with Jimena's mother are. Even if you don't understand the language, you'll still be able to follow along!

This is sweet and heartfelt; I appreciate Jimena's vulnerability in what is, undoubtedly, a horrifically stressful situation, but I also loved the banter and realistic development of her and Vitaly's relationship (well, except for the ending...which feels rushed and slightly dissatisfying). Also, I'm a big fan of the Spanish dialogue remaining intact; I think it'll help a lot of YA readers see themselves in Jimena.

I have not read anything by this author before, but I will definitely be looking out for their work in the future. I loved seeing the story unfold and seeing the characters grow.

This is the third title from Moldavsky that I've read and it is my favorite by far! Jimena is dreaming of college, but the revelation that she is undocumented puts an end to that unless she can find a way to stay in the U.S. legally. She decides the quickest way is to get married. We follow her as she navigates what her life is now that she knows she is undocumented and dates prospective husbands. We have a slow romance with her friend that is just so sweet. Jimena really feels like a Latin teen, struggling with such a large issue. This book handles DREAMers in such a good way. It didn't feel preachy. It was one girl's experience, where her status is one part of her life, along with school , friendships, and relationships. Strangely enough, I liked the ending. It was giving The Graduate, but with added hope. The 'what now' of so many previously closed opportunities now open, but also of two kids making a desperate decision to get that hope.

A coming of age, Heart warming book. A story of finding out you no longer fit where you thought you did in the world.

I enjoyed this one! It had all the components of a good book. It was a slow start for me, but I loved the writing style and grew to love the characters💖

This book is by a new to me author, and is the first book I’ve ever read by her!

I’ve read a TON of romcoms, lots of YA, and few contemporaries. But I’ve never read a book that focuses on the topic of immigration! And what I loved about this, is not only is it an extremely important topic to be educated on, and to approach sensitively and with care, it is also presented in an entertaining way that will keep you rooting for the main character and hoping for the best for her!

It threw me off at first that parts of this book were in Spanish (only because I do not speak it personally), and I feared I was going to miss out on a lot of the storyline by my lack of understanding. However, the author did a good job of re-expressing the thoughts and dialogue in Spanish again in English, by making it seem more like the main character was processing it and asking questions in her thoughts in the language she was accustomed to (English).

I’ve heard of getting married for a “green card”, and the only other book/ movie I’ve seen with this topic was The Proposal, and that has much more of an enemies to lovers vibe and is quite different.

Friends to lovers is a favorite trope of mine and it was expressed great in this book. The story had lots of emotion that had my feelings switching from laughter, to sadness, to excitement, to suspense, and all over a rollercoaster! And I loved all the highlights referencing to stores and popular things in America during the year this was based (2007). I remember that time myself and the book does a pretty accurate job of setting that scene and the generation’s interests and trends!

I recommend this book to any who want a unique and interesting read with a splash of romantic comedy and a good message.

This a cute YA story, about a high senior named Jimena whose family immigrated from Peru when she was three years old. After an incident with police from a party she throws on the roof of apartment building. After the police knock at the door of her home Jimena's mother becomes very nervous. Jimena notices the change in her mother's disposition, and she asks her mother what the problem is. Jimena then discovers that she is an undocumented immigrant, and that she is not the US citizen she believed herself to be. Jimena's mother lives in fear of being found out by the police and being deported back to Peru. Finding out that she is not a citizen brings a halt to Jimena's plans to go to college because the Dreamer Act has not been passed by Congress, so it is very difficult for undocumented people to go to school.

After speaking to a lawyer Jimena comes up with the idea of getting married so she can file for citizenship. To be a citizen she must marry a U.S citizen, and Jimena decides she must get married. Jimena confides in her best friend Vitaly who's family are Russian immigrants, about doing online dating and finding someone to marry. Jimena then starts to date and starts a fake relationship with Blue in hopes of getting married near her 18th birthday.

I really found this story interesting because I happen to know of people who have gotten married for citizenship. As a New Yorker, I know people who really want to stay in the United States and do what they can to stay here. This is a nice story that focuses on the stresses that some immigrants, and why the Dreamer Act is so important for children who are. brought here as children.
I give it 3.5 stars
I thank Netgalley, Macmillian Publishers and Henry Holt and Co (BYC)

Thank you to #NetGalley, Goldy Moldavsky and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jimena is 17 and loves her life in New York City! When Jimena finds out that her and her mom are in the US illegally she is determined to marry someone so she can get her green card and stay in the United States. Even better she knows the perfect person, her best friend and next door neighbor, Vitaly. Vitaly has his own plans for the future and getting married at 17 is not one of them. What is Jimena going to do?

A wonderful YA read that is sometimes a look into how scary life can be for members in our communities. It was a little weird to think of two 17 year olds getting married, but understandable given the circumstances.

Just Say Yes dives into the topics of the DREAM Act and what it means to be undocumented in the US. Told through the lens of a senior in high school, we really get to see the kind of impact this undocumented status has on teens who were brought to the US when they were so young, they don’t remember the country they came from.

Jimena, the main character, has her world torn apart by the revelation that she is not, as she had grown up assuming, in the country legally, a fact she only learns the day before her senior year starts. Seventeen years old is one of those ages where you feel like you’re growing up and know a lot of things, but you actually don’t know a lot still, and I feel like Moldavsky wrote Jimena very realistically in that regard. Jimena’s plans to try to fix the problem of her undocumented status swing wildly from faking her age and dating random guys on a dating site to hopefully get married to trying to get anyone willing to marry her to do the part.

And the whole time, her childhood acquaintance/neighbor/classmate Vitaly has had a front seat to it, since he’s the first one she opens up to about the news that turned things upside down. Jimena’s relationship with Vitaly was definitely one of the cutest parts of this whole book, considering the fact that a good portion of this book is pretty heavy due to the subject matter. I love how Vitaly and Jimena both open up to each other and understand each other. That freaking PowerPoint made by Vitaly was the sweetest thing, ahhhhh. And that he went with her on her dates to chaperone from outside the cafe. And they hung out after all of those and got closer and made each other laugh. The tension between them, mixed with the angst of their will-they-won’t-they dynamic, made for a romance I rooted for.

I loved the romance, although I will say this book is first and foremost Jimena’s story; I love what we do get of Vitaly and the backstory she learns about him and his different facets made him precious, but since this is first person POV, we’re in Jimena’s head the whole time. She’s a teenager for sure and makes mistakes and doesn’t think things through properly all the time, but my heart really hurt for her in the situation she was in. She’s dealing with so much stress and fear, and it stressed me out too. I loved getting to see her perspective on her situation change as she grew over the course of the book/her senior year. Jimena’s initial anger toward her mother for putting her in this situation smooths out as she comes to understand how much her mom sacrificed and has always tried to do what was best for her daughter. The language barrier aspect also hurt my heart; it’s a common immigrant family experience, I think, and it makes me sad that the US doesn’t really make it easy for children of immigrants to hold onto this central aspect of their heritage through language.

The friendship Jimena has with Sofia and the way it’s changed by Jimena’s new secret was done well, and I loved the eventual developments after she tells Sofia (honestly made me cry).

I have mixed feelings about that epilogue because of the open-ended questions on it (understandable, given their ages, but it didn’t really give closure since we don’t really get to see Jimena and Vitaly as an actual couple), but the second to last chapter was really adorable (all the scenes with Jimena and Vitaly are pretty darn cute).

Thank you to Netgalley/Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC!

3.5 stars rounded up.

if you want to see the brokenness of our immigration system (in 2007, but still now in 2024), but also read a YA romcom, this book is the perfect fit for you! there were certain anachronisms for the time but i honestly think that a teenager would not notice so that's fine. it's hard to make a marriage of convenience plot feel good for a 17-y-o (and there were parts of it that made me uncomfortable!), but this book pulled it off.

this could be good in HS libraries.