This book just didn't do it for me. The romance piece was so rushed, leaving me confused as to whether these two were really right for each other in the first place. Then, there is the confusing timeline, the odd and inconsistent paranormal rules established, and the chapters that randomly bring other perspectives into the story but without illuminating the relationship at the core. I'm not really sure who this book is for or who might connect with it. The magical elements seemed inconsistent to me and the romance was lacking.

One Year Ago in Spain is a wonderful romance story about 2 people with some major opposing lifestyles wrapped up in a little magical bow. I loved watching Matías and Claire’s relationship develop over the year as well as during the present. I loved the de Leon family so much, and wish we heard some more from them. I also loved watching Claire grow in several ways during her time in Spain. I did feel like the story was very slow to develop, especially in the middle. I sometimes found myself just wanting to get to the end, as it began to get a bit repetitive.

The story was beautiful, but something was missing emotionally from it. It didn’t hit hard, the way I wanted it to. I think the finale fell flat.

Likely an easy three to four stars for the target audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for the ARC.

What a cute and heart felt story! The characters were so easy to fall in love with and relate to. Ramon was a breath of fresh air and the sweetest. Definitely recommend to pick this one up.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I was. When I first read about this book it very much gave off just like heaven vibes and I was absolutely excited for that but it did not go the way that I expected. I wish I could have gotten to know more about the couple prior to this accident but there was not much telling from the past. I know that they are dating but it felt more like friends to me than they were lovers until the last bit of the book. I did love that there was quite a bit of Spanish in this book and Evelyn Skye did a good job on making sure everything was translated for us readers. I did really enjoy the ending to this book though and thought that it was a very good ending to this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for giving me an ARC of this book for my honest opinions.

This was an amazing book. The plot was very well thought out and I loved the setting very much! The romance was perfect.

3 stars

-multiple POV. Not just the main characters but the main guys family too
- paces really quickly
- couple meets fall in love then flash forward 11 months feel like I missed a lot
- major accident with multiple deaths
- opposites attract
- he fell first

I can honestly say this book took me on an adventure I didn't know what was going to happen. It starts out very fast paced and then Claire spends the book finding herself and her way back to Matias. The book puts you in your feels and I def cried


Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for sending me a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Pub date July 30 2024

I love how this book captures your attention from the first page. Everything about this emotional rollercoaster of a book has me on tenterhooks to see how things will eventually be resolved for these two incredible characters. I seriously couldn’t seem to get enough of it.

*2.5

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for sending me a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

One Year ago in Spain is a romantic magical book which takes our FMC Claire through emotional journey to save her boyfriend, Matías from the grips of death herself.

Given the premise of the book, it reminded me so much of "Dead Romantics" by Ashley Poston! Which I enjoyed.

I originally intended to give this book a higher rating but unfortunately, a few things about the novel fell short for me.

For starters, the pacing of the book was unfortunately really confusing. We had the main couple meet for the first time and suddenly they fall in love so there was no build up towards the beginning so their chemistry isn't exactly THERE in the first half of the book.

As the book continues to progress they share a couple of cute moments and there is somewhat of a spark there but as soon as we get that spark and BAM! Suddenly it's the END.

Another part that I wasn't a fan of was the moments where we got different POVs that weren't Matías or Claires because this book is promoted as a romance I wouldn't expect to have side characters POV that had nothing to do with the romance itself. They didn't really add anything to the plot or story they were simply what I found unnecessary.

Finally, There was one specific scene that rubbed me the wrong way. There was a moment in the book where Claire the FMC was spending time with the MMC's family and they're looking at older family pics and the genitals of a literal baby are discussed for a moment. This is what really turned me off from the book. It made me feel uncomfortable, and honestly, I didn't understand why this scene was added.

Overall this book was decent, it had potential but it didn't meet my standards. I'm pretty sure that others could enjoy this book much more than I did which I really hope is the case!

Opposites attract, magical realism, NYC/Madrid setting, work/life balance.

Claire is a high-powered lawyer, control freak and as a result has a lackluster love life.

Matías is an artist, exhibiting in NYC for the first time. He left everything behind in Madrid to live in NYC and teach art at a college.

They meet at his gallery opening and hit it off immediately. Fast forward almost a year and Claire is spiraling, stressed and thinking they are too different. She finds a ring in the back of his sock drawer and is in the middle of negotiating a huge merger and it's too much for her. She backs out of the trip they have planned to Spain to meet his family.

Instead, Matías goes to Spain on a boy's trip with his crazy childhood friends and is in an accident leaving him in a coma. Claire drops everything to be there, and her work obviously suffers. It also reminds her how small her family is, foster parents having passed away after college.

While in Madrid, Claire sees Matías' soul through astral projections but from a year ago with no memories of her. She has to make him fall for her again to bring his soul back into his body.

Gives all the feels, and makes me want to visit Madrid!