This was hard to get into it's a different format but once you get used to it it's very good - love having books about a Columbian family! - it's a sweet coming of age story I love grandma most of all- pick it up for a good wholesome read!

I’ve tried picking this up a few times now, but each attempt has ended with me setting it down unfinished. I really wanted to love this book—the premise sounded like exactly my kind of story, but for some reason, it just hasn’t been clicking with me. Maybe it’s a pacing issue, or I’m just not connecting with the characters the way I’d hoped. It’s possible I’m not in the right headspace to fully appreciate it, so I’m planning to give it another shot down the road when I’m in a different mood.

I DNF’d this twice. From the description, this is a “my type of book.” I really don’t know what it was that couldn’t get me into it. But maybe I’ll try again sometime.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

Conceptually a great idea but unfortunately the format took away from the plot to the point it was just dragging out the story. I think the concept was great. I wish the execution was better.

Oye offers an intriguing look into the complexities of identity and cultural heritage, weaving together a tapestry of experiences that reflect the diverse lives of its characters. The narrative captures the vibrant nuances of the community it portrays, filled with moments of humor and heart. The author's keen observations and descriptive prose create a rich setting that invites readers to immerse themselves in the story, highlighting both the beauty and challenges of navigating cultural expectations.

However, the pacing can feel uneven, with some sections dragging while others rush through important developments. Certain characters, while relatable, occasionally lack depth, leaving their arcs feeling incomplete. Despite its strong premise and engaging moments, Oye ultimately falls short of fully realizing its potential, making it an enjoyable but somewhat uneven read that leaves readers wishing for a deeper exploration of its themes.

"Oye" is a captivating exploration of identity, culture, and the immigrant experience. Melissa Mogollón’s writing is both lyrical and poignant, weaving personal narratives with broader social themes. The prose is rich with vivid imagery and emotional depth, drawing readers into the complexities of her characters' lives. Particularly the use of a phone call is different and innovative. Mogollón's storytelling shines through her ability to balance humor with heart-wrenching moments. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, reflecting the intricacies of language and communication within diverse communities. The themes of belonging and self-discovery resonate powerfully, making "Oye" not just a personal story but a universal one.

I read this as audio book as well, and this has to be a top read of the year. It is hilarious, entertaining, emotional, and remind everyone what it's like to feel the pressure of filling in adult roles in your family when you're still a child.

As the younger sister, Luciana is navigating her sister leaving to college and filling that role at home while they discover their grandmother is sick. The entire novel is narrated through calls Luciana makes to her sister Mari. Melissa Mogollon did an amazing job at not only unfolding the story but also have every call feel so real.

I HIGHLY recommend this one!

This novel gets tops marks for its refreshingly unique narrative style, and for its ability to flesh out the complexity of the book’s characters through this format. I always appreciate it when a book surprises me, and Oye surprised me throughout. I am also excited to read more from this author in the future!

OYE was such an interesting format for a novel! It took me a bit to get acclimated to the one-sided phone call, but I ended up adoring the relationship between Luciana and her stubborn grandmother. Luciana's antics did grate on me at the beginning of the story but I really appreciated her character growth as the story progressed. I respect that debut author Melissa Mogollon took a chance on a unique premise and look forward to reading more from her in the future.

RATING: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4 stars)
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this one-of-a-kind book with a protagonist you can't help but love! A Colombian American family in Miami is rocked by an impending hurricane, and then by a concerning diagnosis for their matriarch. Told through youngest child Luciana's one-sided phone conversations with her older sister, it's laugh-out-loud funny, dramatic, and tender.

The format of one sided conversations was creative and original, although the bouncing back and forth between phone calls and conversations the protagonist had irl was confusing at times. This was a very strong debut that starts lighthearted but builds depth in a profound way. I would be interested in future publications by this author.

A brilliant and innovative work of fiction narrated through one-sided phone calls.

It's reminiscent of a daytime telenovela, brimming with relatable family drama. The story offers an authentic portrayal of modern family dynamics. Exceptionally well-written, this novel deserves all the acclaim it's receiving.

Oye is structured as a one-sided phone conversation between Luciana, a senior in high school, and her older sister Mari, a sophomore in college. Over the course of the year Luciana calls Mari to vent, complain, and share updates about their grandmother, Abue, a fiercely stubborn woman who has recently been diagnosed with caner. After Abue’s diagnosis, she reluctantly moves into Luciana’s bedroom and regales her with long-lost family secrets from her life in Colombia, which Luciana dutifully relays to Mari despite frustration over Mari’s absence. Every conversation with Mari seems to begin with Luciana’s disdain that Mari has chosen to stay away rather than be near at the end of Abue’s life, and because the reader is never given Mari’s side of the conversation, the dramatic angst emanating from Luciana can become tiring. I appreciated that Mongollon was trying to be unique in the way she wrote the story, but the amount of spoken “OMGs” and “LOLs” verged on unbelievable. If you’re going to read this book, I recommend listening to the audio because the narrator puts on a performance.

Oye by Melissa Mogollon is the story of two sisters and their story unfolds in a phone conversation.that the reader experiences in the back and forth between them.. The technique is a creative one that didn't altogether work for me but others may really enjoy it. This book is a mixed bag for me, it's well written but I just didn't love the format.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion. Oye is available now.

READ THIS BOOK AS AN AUDIO. Elena Rey makes this book come to life in a way the paperback can’t.

Literary coming of age might be one of my fave genres and stories like this one are why. I’m not the youngest or Hispanic but I really enjoyed Nana as a character. She was a bit chaotic, funny, rude but secretly caring and trying to figure out how to express herself. Her journey. I would’ve loved to see her find herself a bit more through fashion and love but understanding who she was with and without her family was beautiful. I think keeping things from her POV was interesting and made me empathetic to my younger siblings. The other characters and general story felt realistic. I’d definitely recommend this one to those with complicated familial relationships and trying to find themselves.

I really wanted to love this book, but the writing style didn’t resonate with me. The use of phone calls to reveal the plot was an interesting approach, and I appreciated the FMC's quick wit and the vibrancy she brought to the storytelling. However, overall, the characters felt one-dimensional. Thank you to the publisher for an e-arc is this book.

Such beautiful story. I am grateful to have had the chance to read it. Thank you for this arc. I hope that everyone who reads this takes away the same love I held for this book for themselves.

I did enjoy this book the format did take me a little bit to get into. I will admit it was hard for me to get into due to the format and long conversations but once I was finally able to get it that when I was able to really enjoy it.

I came to a point where I read multiple examples of various themes, plots, eras, and characters. Now you can get my attention with different writing styles (Janice Hallett got me hooked up with her emails, texts as prose). Melissa Mogollon did this by telling her story as one side of the phone conversation. It's stream of consciousness. It's one sister venting to the other on the other side of the phone.

Storm was about to hit Luciana's town. Her mom lost it and decided to start to trip to north just to get out of the storm's way, but her grandma did not want to leave her home. Story starts there. Then we dove into Luciana's phone conversations with her sister in college about their weird relatives. their mother's episodes. Luciana's troubles, and Mari's absence in this process. Slowly, conversation would change from storm to Abue's (grandma) health issues taking an emotional turn.

I saw bits of every family in this book: how our certain relatives drive us crazy, yet how we still show up for each other. how our siblings or cousins are closest confidants, and how elders do what elders want to do. I did not have any expectations starting this book, but I was pleasantly surprised with characters I met.