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Love & Tacos #1
Ramón and Julieta
When fate and tacos bring Ramón and Julieta together on the Day of the Dead, the star-crossed pair must make a choice: accept the bitter food rivalry that drives them apart or surrender to a love that consumes them.
Ramón Montez always achieves his goals. Whether that means collecting Ivy League degrees or growing his father's fast-food empire, nothing sets Ramón off course. So when the sexy señorita who kissed him on the Day of the Dead runs off into the night with his heart, he determines to do whatever it takes to find her again.
Celebrity chef Julieta Campos has sacrificed everything to save her sea-to-table taqueria from closing. To her horror, she discovers that her new landlord is none other than the magnetic mariachi she hooked up with on Dia de los Muertos. Even worse, it was his father who stole her mother's taco recipe decades ago. Julieta has no choice but to work with Ramón, the man who destroyed her life's work--and the one man who tempts and inspires her.
As San Diego's outraged community protests against the Taco King take-over and the divide between their families grows, Ramón and Julieta struggle to balance the rising tensions. But Ramón knows that true love is priceless and despite all of his successes, this is the one battle he refuses to lose.
Ramón Montez always achieves his goals. Whether that means collecting Ivy League degrees or growing his father's fast-food empire, nothing sets Ramón off course. So when the sexy señorita who kissed him on the Day of the Dead runs off into the night with his heart, he determines to do whatever it takes to find her again.
Celebrity chef Julieta Campos has sacrificed everything to save her sea-to-table taqueria from closing. To her horror, she discovers that her new landlord is none other than the magnetic mariachi she hooked up with on Dia de los Muertos. Even worse, it was his father who stole her mother's taco recipe decades ago. Julieta has no choice but to work with Ramón, the man who destroyed her life's work--and the one man who tempts and inspires her.
As San Diego's outraged community protests against the Taco King take-over and the divide between their families grows, Ramón and Julieta struggle to balance the rising tensions. But Ramón knows that true love is priceless and despite all of his successes, this is the one battle he refuses to lose.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2022
About the author
Alana Albertson
84 books915 followersAlana Albertson is a multi-award winning author, current President of Romance Writers of America's Contemporary Romance Chapter and the former President of both Romance Writers of America’s Young Adult and Chick Lit chapters. Alana Albertson holds a Masters of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University. A recovering professional ballroom dancer, Alana currently writes contemporary romance, new adult and young adult fiction. She lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, two young sons, and four dogs. When she’s not spending her time playing with her sons, dancing, or saving dogs from high kill shelters through Pugs N Roses, the rescue she founded, she can be found watching episodes Homeland, Devious Maids, or Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 866 reviews
February 17, 2022
I know they say if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
But I've been doing this review-every-book-I-read thing for too long to give up now, so...
This book has tacos in it. Tacos are good. Yum.
This concludes the nice section of this review.
I have said this before (but then, I have said most things before. It feels like I have lived a hundred lifetimes on this website), but the thing about straight romance is that it depends entirely on the author's ability to get us all to suspend our disbelief and buy into the concept of a Perfect Man.
Or even a worthwhile one.
Tough stuff, no? I've never experienced one in real life. They're like unicorns, or a full and natural understanding of physics - at this point I have to assume they're made up, unfortunately. Nice as they sound.
That only gets truer in an enemies to lovers scenario. I love enemies to lovers, and, as always, when I say I love something that means I love the idea of it, read every example of it I can find, and enjoy approx 10% of it.
Say it with me: enemies to lovers does not mean assholes to lovers!
Take the love interest in this book, for example: A multimillionaire who has, by his own admission, sold out his own culture and community. He owns multiple $100,000 cars, he buys buildings for cheap to sell them for more and gentrify neighborhoods.
None of that works for me.
But emma, you may be saying. Ever heard of a little thing called character development?
To that I say: currently my memories of well-done character development feel like the memories of the dad character in A Little Princess (film adaptation, sorry bookworms) (insert PAPA, PAPA! here). In other words, they are foggy, distant, all but gone - baby, that is the kind of reading year I am having thus far.
But even when I dust off the definition via good ol' Googling, it appears that the characters are supposed to become more tolerable, even BETTER as the book goes on.
That doesn't happen here.
Ramón and Julieta is a Romeo and Juliet retelling in which Julieta is a hot chef with an indie taco shop and Ramón is a property developer / venture capitalist / owner of a Taco Bell-esque franchise that was founded upon the stolen recipe of Julieta's mother.
Cool guy, no?
It gets better. The way that Ramón undertakes his quest to become a person I, personally, can stand reading about (otherwise known as his character arc) is by hiring Julieta to be the chef of the restaurant he's opening.
Which is - get this - taking the place of a half-dozen working and lower middle class businesses in the historically Mexican neighborhood Julieta lives in.
But it gets EVEN BETTER THAN THAT. Not only does Ramón destroy Julieta's sense of community by making her the enemy of all of them, he appears to have hired her to be (checks notes) the victim of sexual harassment.
Check out this passage, which is supposed to be the kind of steamy swoony content that gets us shipping these two from now until we have mercifully forgotten this read.
"'Would you like to discuss my ideas for the menu?'
'Not exactly.' Ramón's eyes raked over her, dropping to her breasts. He gave her a mischievous smile.
Julieta's nerves tingled. But she hated her body for betraying the way she felt toward him.
After he finally looked away, he reached into his briefcase and pulled out a leather folder. He then took out a super expensive-looking pen and began to write notes.
'Then what?'
Ramón finally focused his attention back on Julieta. 'Well, first, I'm going to watch you.'
Julieta instinctively clasped her hand to her chest. Ramón made those words seem dirty."
I read an e-ARC and quotes are subject to change, so I will just say I am far closer to calling in an anonymous complaint on a fictional character than I am to rooting for these two.
Skin crawling.
Another quote (subject to change) to file under Ramón Finding New And Creative Ways To Get Worse: this interaction with the woman who brought him into this world.
"His mom huffed. 'You aren't still serious about that chef, are you? I looked her up. She has tattoos, Ramón. All over her arms. She's trash.'
"Rage boiled through Ramón. 'No, Mom. She's not trash. You are.'"
This boy called his own mommy trash!
I don't care how much my mom talks sh*t about tattoos, I am never looking her in the eyes - IN PUBLIC IN FRONT OF HER FRIENDS - and calling that woman garbage.
I'm supposed to want happiness for this bozo!? I want to enroll him in court-mandated therapy!
On top of all this, here are a few pesky loose end complaints:
- I tried to get into this so many times and I just couldn't. I just had to force myself through, like I was doing math homework, or eating vegetables
- Every thought these two have about each other is sexual. I've complained before about romance novels in which the love story is only conducted through smut, but this is...wow, yes, the results are in: EVEN WORSE!
- Ramón's dad and Julieta's mom also had a bunch of sex in the past, and there is something about that that is just simply puke emoji to me.
- Finally, this did the really hilarious retelling thing in which the characters are constantly referencing the original? It is so funny to me to imagine these two, who are quoting R&J to each other constantly, failing to be like "Hey wait a second...our families hate each other...we're star crossed...wait, our names are their names? Just what is going on here..."
Well, the main difference is no one dies in this one.
Except my hopes and dreams.
Bottom line: I wish I never read this book? And also that I had a taco.
---------------
currently-reading updates
"When fate and tacos bring Ramón and Julieta together..."
goals.
---------------
pre-review
maybe this time the ending will be different.
...
hope is important.
(thanks to netgalley and co. for the ride)
But I've been doing this review-every-book-I-read thing for too long to give up now, so...
This book has tacos in it. Tacos are good. Yum.
This concludes the nice section of this review.
I have said this before (but then, I have said most things before. It feels like I have lived a hundred lifetimes on this website), but the thing about straight romance is that it depends entirely on the author's ability to get us all to suspend our disbelief and buy into the concept of a Perfect Man.
Or even a worthwhile one.
Tough stuff, no? I've never experienced one in real life. They're like unicorns, or a full and natural understanding of physics - at this point I have to assume they're made up, unfortunately. Nice as they sound.
That only gets truer in an enemies to lovers scenario. I love enemies to lovers, and, as always, when I say I love something that means I love the idea of it, read every example of it I can find, and enjoy approx 10% of it.
Say it with me: enemies to lovers does not mean assholes to lovers!
Take the love interest in this book, for example: A multimillionaire who has, by his own admission, sold out his own culture and community. He owns multiple $100,000 cars, he buys buildings for cheap to sell them for more and gentrify neighborhoods.
None of that works for me.
But emma, you may be saying. Ever heard of a little thing called character development?
To that I say: currently my memories of well-done character development feel like the memories of the dad character in A Little Princess (film adaptation, sorry bookworms) (insert PAPA, PAPA! here). In other words, they are foggy, distant, all but gone - baby, that is the kind of reading year I am having thus far.
But even when I dust off the definition via good ol' Googling, it appears that the characters are supposed to become more tolerable, even BETTER as the book goes on.
That doesn't happen here.
Ramón and Julieta is a Romeo and Juliet retelling in which Julieta is a hot chef with an indie taco shop and Ramón is a property developer / venture capitalist / owner of a Taco Bell-esque franchise that was founded upon the stolen recipe of Julieta's mother.
Cool guy, no?
It gets better. The way that Ramón undertakes his quest to become a person I, personally, can stand reading about (otherwise known as his character arc) is by hiring Julieta to be the chef of the restaurant he's opening.
Which is - get this - taking the place of a half-dozen working and lower middle class businesses in the historically Mexican neighborhood Julieta lives in.
But it gets EVEN BETTER THAN THAT. Not only does Ramón destroy Julieta's sense of community by making her the enemy of all of them, he appears to have hired her to be (checks notes) the victim of sexual harassment.
Check out this passage, which is supposed to be the kind of steamy swoony content that gets us shipping these two from now until we have mercifully forgotten this read.
"'Would you like to discuss my ideas for the menu?'
'Not exactly.' Ramón's eyes raked over her, dropping to her breasts. He gave her a mischievous smile.
Julieta's nerves tingled. But she hated her body for betraying the way she felt toward him.
After he finally looked away, he reached into his briefcase and pulled out a leather folder. He then took out a super expensive-looking pen and began to write notes.
'Then what?'
Ramón finally focused his attention back on Julieta. 'Well, first, I'm going to watch you.'
Julieta instinctively clasped her hand to her chest. Ramón made those words seem dirty."
I read an e-ARC and quotes are subject to change, so I will just say I am far closer to calling in an anonymous complaint on a fictional character than I am to rooting for these two.
Skin crawling.
Another quote (subject to change) to file under Ramón Finding New And Creative Ways To Get Worse: this interaction with the woman who brought him into this world.
"His mom huffed. 'You aren't still serious about that chef, are you? I looked her up. She has tattoos, Ramón. All over her arms. She's trash.'
"Rage boiled through Ramón. 'No, Mom. She's not trash. You are.'"
This boy called his own mommy trash!
I don't care how much my mom talks sh*t about tattoos, I am never looking her in the eyes - IN PUBLIC IN FRONT OF HER FRIENDS - and calling that woman garbage.
I'm supposed to want happiness for this bozo!? I want to enroll him in court-mandated therapy!
On top of all this, here are a few pesky loose end complaints:
- I tried to get into this so many times and I just couldn't. I just had to force myself through, like I was doing math homework, or eating vegetables
- Every thought these two have about each other is sexual. I've complained before about romance novels in which the love story is only conducted through smut, but this is...wow, yes, the results are in: EVEN WORSE!
- Ramón's dad and Julieta's mom also had a bunch of sex in the past, and there is something about that that is just simply puke emoji to me.
- Finally, this did the really hilarious retelling thing in which the characters are constantly referencing the original? It is so funny to me to imagine these two, who are quoting R&J to each other constantly, failing to be like "Hey wait a second...our families hate each other...we're star crossed...wait, our names are their names? Just what is going on here..."
Well, the main difference is no one dies in this one.
Except my hopes and dreams.
Bottom line: I wish I never read this book? And also that I had a taco.
---------------
currently-reading updates
"When fate and tacos bring Ramón and Julieta together..."
goals.
---------------
pre-review
maybe this time the ending will be different.
...
hope is important.
(thanks to netgalley and co. for the ride)
October 24, 2022
Oh my goodnesses! Oh dios mio! As a resident of Los Angeles, do I truly love Mexican traditions? Absolutely I do! Reading a love story and witnessing those creative, magical, inspirational traditions by a retelling of Romeo and Juliet with no tragic ending and more enemies to lovers vibes ticked all the boxes of my churning heart which is addicted to great romances!
I have to admit: after seeing the cover of the book and stayed transfixed for half and hour , I already judged the book from it’s AMAZING cover and I was so sold to give it five stars!
A love story starts at dias de Los Mortos( Day of the day which is joyful celebration of saints and souls : a vivid, cheerful Mexican holiday!
San Diego is amazing mystic city successfully represents the Latin American soul with its historical background and architectural, cultural reflections. So I can honestly understand why the author chose this place to tell this adorable story more effectively.
Ramon Mortez and Julieta Campos hooks up on the Day of the Dead and Julieta surprisingly realizes that mysterious and hot mariachi who shook her to the core is her new landlord! And it seems like the hostility between their family resulted with Ramon’s father’s stealing her mother’s special taco recipe which also the reason of her mother’s career’s failing!
As the Chicano activists’ protest grows against Taco King takeover, the divide between families eventually grows!
Well, I loved the enemies to lovers theme, sexy, tempting, entertaining storyline: the ultra delicious, mouth watering food, culture, celebration, traditions! I had great time!
Lo pase muy bien!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I have to admit: after seeing the cover of the book and stayed transfixed for half and hour , I already judged the book from it’s AMAZING cover and I was so sold to give it five stars!
A love story starts at dias de Los Mortos( Day of the day which is joyful celebration of saints and souls : a vivid, cheerful Mexican holiday!
San Diego is amazing mystic city successfully represents the Latin American soul with its historical background and architectural, cultural reflections. So I can honestly understand why the author chose this place to tell this adorable story more effectively.
Ramon Mortez and Julieta Campos hooks up on the Day of the Dead and Julieta surprisingly realizes that mysterious and hot mariachi who shook her to the core is her new landlord! And it seems like the hostility between their family resulted with Ramon’s father’s stealing her mother’s special taco recipe which also the reason of her mother’s career’s failing!
As the Chicano activists’ protest grows against Taco King takeover, the divide between families eventually grows!
Well, I loved the enemies to lovers theme, sexy, tempting, entertaining storyline: the ultra delicious, mouth watering food, culture, celebration, traditions! I had great time!
Lo pase muy bien!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
June 29, 2022
I cannot believe that in this, the Year of Our Lord And Savior Lil Nas X, somebody had the audacity to write/publish a romance where the main conflict is gentrification, as told from…the perspective of the gentrifying billionaire CEO of (fake) Taco Bell? But he’s really not an asshole, guys! Really!
Meet Ramón:
Number of times Ramón’s McLaren is mentioned in the book: 30.
Number of times it should have been mentioned: 1, maybe 2 if they had sex in it.
And lest you’re worried about Ramón having any transportation issues, fear not, because:
I’m confused. Does Quintana Albertson think that shoving her protagonist’s gaudy and extravagant spending habits in her readers’ faces is going to endear him to us?
She sure must! Because we get this fun fact in Chapter Twelve:
… I have nothing to say about this that should ever be uttered in (im)polite society.
Aside from being a gross 1%-er who doesn’t pay nearly enough taxes, Ramón is also currently working to buy up a city block in an historically significant Mexican-American community. I could describe this at length, but I feel like Ramón’s own words really say all that is necessary:
Guys! Seriously! He’s NOT a dick. He just wants to rip out existing Chicano-owned business and replace them with pumpkin spice lattes and an endless supply of chalupa gordita crunch. He’s giving the masses what they want! Clearly not an asshole thing to do, guys. Really!
Y’know, if you have to remind yourself, your love interest, and the reader who is (hypothetically) being forced to spectate inside your brain, multiple times that you’re not the bad guy…maybe…okay hear me out: YOU ARE INDEED THE BAD GUY.
Just a thought.
Oh, and of course, Ramón spends a lot of time feeling sad and misunderstood because all of his friends consider him a traitorous “gentefier” and an all around fake Latino. Wonder what gave them that idea, huh?
GUESS IT’S A MYSTERY NEVER TO BE SOLVED.
Have no fear, though! Ramón does (kinda) realize that he’s (slightly) an asshole. But the only reason is because he wants Julieta to deepthroat him on the regular. (Tangent: everybody has their thing, but reading about a nasty-ass millionaire masturbating while he imagines forcefully skull-fucking his tenant is Very Unsexy to me!)
And just in case you were on the fence as to whether Ramón deserves anything more than sharing a prison cell with Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, I must sadly report that he’s also a misogynist who likes Julieta because she’s Not Like Other Girls:
I have a wild suspicion that Ramón’s disdain toward women is returned in full force and effect. Especially if he’s been expecting all of them to give porno-style blowjobs whenever he feels horny!
To conclude: FUCK ALLLLLL THE WAY OFF.
Sure, Jan.
Full Disclosure: I DNFed the book the second Ramón decided to buy a 3 million home because the commute from his 10 million dollar home in La Jolla was too arduous.
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Meet Ramón:
Ramón was grateful to have the privilege and the opportunity to be the CEO of a restaurant group at such a young age. He owned an oceanfront home in La Jolla and drove a lime-green McLaren sports car. Financially, he had everything he could possibly want.
Number of times Ramón’s McLaren is mentioned in the book: 30.
Number of times it should have been mentioned: 1, maybe 2 if they had sex in it.
And lest you’re worried about Ramón having any transportation issues, fear not, because:
The garage opened. It had more cars in it than an auto lot, including a Tesla SUV, a Porsche, a Lamborghini, a classic lowrider Mustang, and a pimped-out Ford Raptor.
I’m confused. Does Quintana Albertson think that shoving her protagonist’s gaudy and extravagant spending habits in her readers’ faces is going to endear him to us?
She sure must! Because we get this fun fact in Chapter Twelve:
Ramón drove up the street the next morning to the La Jolla Country Club, one of the most exclusive clubs in San Diego. It cost one hundred thousand dollars to join, required two member recommendations to even apply, and there was a three-year waiting list. Not to mention the annual sixty thousand dollars in dues.
… I have nothing to say about this that should ever be uttered in (im)polite society.
Aside from being a gross 1%-er who doesn’t pay nearly enough taxes, Ramón is also currently working to buy up a city block in an historically significant Mexican-American community. I could describe this at length, but I feel like Ramón’s own words really say all that is necessary:
Ramón wasn’t a dick—he would try to work with the businesses to see if they could stay there. But he knew most of them wouldn’t be able to afford the new rent increase.
The current tenants had all been paying under-market rent for years. If they had to relocate, then that was sad but just business. He would revitalize the street and bring in new ventures. A flagship Taco King, one that was a bit more authentic, would anchor the street no matter what. And maybe he could convince Starbucks or a small-format Target to lease the other open spaces. The possibilities were endless.
Guys! Seriously! He’s NOT a dick. He just wants to rip out existing Chicano-owned business and replace them with pumpkin spice lattes and an endless supply of chalupa gordita crunch. He’s giving the masses what they want! Clearly not an asshole thing to do, guys. Really!
Ramón focused his gaze on Julieta. “Look, Julieta, your food is out of this world. I wish I could tell you that you could stay here. But the truth is that even if I didn’t buy the property, someone else would’ve. You have been paying below-market rent for years. You’re a good businesswoman; you know that. I’m not the bad guy.”
Y’know, if you have to remind yourself, your love interest, and the reader who is (hypothetically) being forced to spectate inside your brain, multiple times that you’re not the bad guy…maybe…okay hear me out: YOU ARE INDEED THE BAD GUY.
Just a thought.
Oh, and of course, Ramón spends a lot of time feeling sad and misunderstood because all of his friends consider him a traitorous “gentefier” and an all around fake Latino. Wonder what gave them that idea, huh?
GUESS IT’S A MYSTERY NEVER TO BE SOLVED.
Have no fear, though! Ramón does (kinda) realize that he’s (slightly) an asshole. But the only reason is because he wants Julieta to deepthroat him on the regular. (Tangent: everybody has their thing, but reading about a nasty-ass millionaire masturbating while he imagines forcefully skull-fucking his tenant is Very Unsexy to me!)
Taco King would be replacing a beloved local independent restaurant run by a local chef who lives in the community with a reviled chain. Ramón had known this all along, but the issue hadn’t been abundantly clear to him until today, when he had seen Julieta and been inside her apartment.
And just in case you were on the fence as to whether Ramón deserves anything more than sharing a prison cell with Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, I must sadly report that he’s also a misogynist who likes Julieta because she’s Not Like Other Girls:
He couldn’t explain it, but there was something special about his Juliet. Most of the women he dated were like his mom’s fine china–gorgeous to look at but very fragile and too focused on appearing perfect and acting like prim and proper ladies. They always wanted to talk about the two Fs—the future, in which they saw a big ol’ wedding, and his finances, which Ramón wasn’t keen to discuss.
I have a wild suspicion that Ramón’s disdain toward women is returned in full force and effect. Especially if he’s been expecting all of them to give porno-style blowjobs whenever he feels horny!
To conclude: FUCK ALLLLLL THE WAY OFF.
Ramón didn’t want to hurt his culture; he wanted to celebrate it.
Sure, Jan.
Full Disclosure: I DNFed the book the second Ramón decided to buy a 3 million home because the commute from his 10 million dollar home in La Jolla was too arduous.
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January 10, 2022
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the review copy; all opinions are my own!
What a beautifully immersive story. RAMÓN AND JULIETA explored themes of identity, gentrification, heritage, community, & forgiveness, and love, in such an effortlessly readable way. With sharp, on-point parallels to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, RAMÓN AND JULIETA brought to life a truly high-stakes, emotional love story between two people from such disparate worlds whose hearts could not be more alike. Both hard-workers, fighters, and impassioned people, Julieta and Ramón connect swiftly in this story yet quickly realize their families are enemies, their parents once impassioned lovers, and their businesses are now at odds.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, this story hits many parallels to the original: an instant connection, outside forces keeping them apart, a longstanding grudge between families, & a hard-fought journey to be together. Just swap out the Montagues & Capulets for the Montez & Campos families, their enmity forged over heartbreak & a stolen taco recipe, tensions along fault lines of wealth, privilege, & community, set in the vivid backdrop of San Diego’s La Jolla & Barrio Logan.
While I enjoyed Ramón & Julieta’s instant & effortless chemistry (sometimes you just need a couple who immediately knows they’re attracted to each other, they’d be good together, & wants each other reallll bad), what swept me away was this rich, vibrant world Alana gives us in Barrio Logan: the depth with which she immersed her reader in its Mexican-American culture, language, food, history, pain & passion, struggles & resilience.
I also deeply appreciated how this romance showed the real struggle Julieta and the community living in Barrio Logan faced, and how thoroughly it explored Ramón's conviction and identity as a member of the Mexican-American community to use his immense privilege to right wrongs and to fight for Barrio Logan.
If I had to pick a favorite part, it was that first Día de los Muertos, when Ramón saw straight to Julieta's heart; when he found her a candle, a light, tequila and glasses, pencil and paper, and he brought not only his guitarrón but his heart and supported her need to honor her father and his life. It was such a loving, intimate, caring gesture, and I think it did such an incredible job of foreshadowing how deeply they belonged together, how much sense they made, the happily ever after they could have.
Thankfully, one way this story departs quite drastically from its Shakespearean inspiration, is these star-crossed lovers get that happily ever after, after all.
What a beautifully immersive story. RAMÓN AND JULIETA explored themes of identity, gentrification, heritage, community, & forgiveness, and love, in such an effortlessly readable way. With sharp, on-point parallels to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, RAMÓN AND JULIETA brought to life a truly high-stakes, emotional love story between two people from such disparate worlds whose hearts could not be more alike. Both hard-workers, fighters, and impassioned people, Julieta and Ramón connect swiftly in this story yet quickly realize their families are enemies, their parents once impassioned lovers, and their businesses are now at odds.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, this story hits many parallels to the original: an instant connection, outside forces keeping them apart, a longstanding grudge between families, & a hard-fought journey to be together. Just swap out the Montagues & Capulets for the Montez & Campos families, their enmity forged over heartbreak & a stolen taco recipe, tensions along fault lines of wealth, privilege, & community, set in the vivid backdrop of San Diego’s La Jolla & Barrio Logan.
While I enjoyed Ramón & Julieta’s instant & effortless chemistry (sometimes you just need a couple who immediately knows they’re attracted to each other, they’d be good together, & wants each other reallll bad), what swept me away was this rich, vibrant world Alana gives us in Barrio Logan: the depth with which she immersed her reader in its Mexican-American culture, language, food, history, pain & passion, struggles & resilience.
I also deeply appreciated how this romance showed the real struggle Julieta and the community living in Barrio Logan faced, and how thoroughly it explored Ramón's conviction and identity as a member of the Mexican-American community to use his immense privilege to right wrongs and to fight for Barrio Logan.
If I had to pick a favorite part, it was that first Día de los Muertos, when Ramón saw straight to Julieta's heart; when he found her a candle, a light, tequila and glasses, pencil and paper, and he brought not only his guitarrón but his heart and supported her need to honor her father and his life. It was such a loving, intimate, caring gesture, and I think it did such an incredible job of foreshadowing how deeply they belonged together, how much sense they made, the happily ever after they could have.
Thankfully, one way this story departs quite drastically from its Shakespearean inspiration, is these star-crossed lovers get that happily ever after, after all.
March 24, 2022
This failed to deliver on every front and I believe more that Ramón in love in his cars than Julieta.
June 16, 2022
I’m ALL for books about my culture okay, but this is a total embarrassment for Latinx/e representation. I can’t believe this was published. Truly a disappointment and played so much into stereotypes that I honestly consider this harmful. 😐
March 17, 2022
”Romance was dead”
exactly. after this book, romance might as well be dead holy shit
literally what the fuck did i just read. my brain cant comprehend ummmm please send medical assistance
n e ways this book was just a random book i decided to pick up so i see no reason to do a proper review for it lol. also i have no time to put that much effort into a book that’s just so boring skjnfdkjsenf
no but can we just address something. WHY TF DID SO MUCH HAPPEN IN A SPAN OF LIKE 50 PAGES?? THEY GOT TOGETHER, HAD SEX, SAID I LOVE YOU, GOT MAD AT EACH OTHER THEN MADE UP WTF like in what world does that make sense or would happen umm
and then there’s the writing. holy fuck did it give me a brain aneurysm help??? literally could not keep a straight face at all and i think my soul left my body
the smut??? PLEASE IT HAD ME CACKLING i literally could not breathe while reading this just look :
“He tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t let him. She sucked him so hard, so deep. He finally let go, and she swallowed.
That was epic.”
”tHat wAs ePic” ummm help??? what is going on please jsnfdksjef it doesn’t even get better
“She nodded, pursing her lips, which now turned into a frown.
“About that. I lied. I’m crazy about you. Will you be my girlfriend?”
again, this is all happening in like 50 pages but wtf. ummm yeah… so that happened and then this also happened
“Ramón: Can I see you tonight?
Julieta: No, it’s Lotería night at my aunt’s house.
Ramón: Sounds fun. Can I come?
Julieta shuddered. That was a horrible idea. What a nightmare it would be. First off, Mamá wasn’t even talking to her. And Mamá hated Ramón. Add in her crazy aunts, her weird cousins, all drunk . . . what could possibly go wrong?
Julieta: Sure, come on over.”
please. pleaseeeeeeee. save my soul holy fuck skjndfksnf what is this. oh this is a bad idea but yes come over and face the consequences while i complain it about some more
…..
n e ways
“She lay back, and he kissed her neck as she welcomed him deep into her soul.
“Oh, Ramón.”
literally no words. just… no word. deep in my soul??? deep. in. my. soul. im leaving
there is so much more that i had saved to shit on but at this point im running on half a brain cell so i can’t keep going
wait no their romance was so poorly paced i giggle. she would literally talk about how he hates him and then kisses him… because he gave her a garden….. as basically a bribe…. for her to work for him….. after shutting down her family business….. yet she still kisses him…????
alsoooo tell me why she is surprised here
“He had kissed her good night and held her as she fell asleep. He hadn’t even tried to fuck her—what was wrong with him?”
processing………
isn’t that just normal?? shouldn’t you like… expect that to begin with??? now im starting to question the people she’s interacted with cause wtf
im leaving. can’t suffer through this anymore. ok bye <3
May 3, 2022
I am always here for diverse retellings but I don't think this worked for me.
The food and cultural descriptions were excellent, however!
Content warning: slut shaming, racial slurs, past parental neglect, death of a parent (mentioned), sex scenes
The food and cultural descriptions were excellent, however!
Content warning: slut shaming, racial slurs, past parental neglect, death of a parent (mentioned), sex scenes
Want to read
October 22, 2021FOOD ROMANCE AND ENEMIES TO LOVERS????
March 8, 2022
Feeling very meh about this one. I won’t speak about representation in this one since it’s not my place but as a book and a romance, it was very underwhelming. Our main lead was nothing but an asshole. And not even a good one
April 8, 2022
3.5 stars!
September 12, 2021
I was really looking forward to this book. There were somethings I loved and others I didn’t. Disclaimer: I am not Mexican and all latinx experiences are different so while this book ultimately didn’t work for me, I think others might love.
What I loved: the latinx culture celebrated, specifically Mexican traditions and customs. San Diego history surrounding Mexican communities and Chicano activists. This book will make you hungry! And I love a book that has great food references. A few on page orgasms that were spicy but were very quick.
What I didn’t love: There’s a plot of gentrification, cultural identity, and classism that is woven in that was refreshing to read about but ultimately felt very superficial. Actually the whole book felt very superficial. From the lengthy and constant descriptions of how much money Ramon has and the things he own vs Julieta. There’s a brief mention of someone getting deported that had no purpose so like why? The banter between Julieta and Ramon just didn’t do it for me. I wasn’t sold on their love at all mainly because I felt like they barely had conversations? i felt like I skipped the part of the book where this happens?
What I loved: the latinx culture celebrated, specifically Mexican traditions and customs. San Diego history surrounding Mexican communities and Chicano activists. This book will make you hungry! And I love a book that has great food references. A few on page orgasms that were spicy but were very quick.
What I didn’t love: There’s a plot of gentrification, cultural identity, and classism that is woven in that was refreshing to read about but ultimately felt very superficial. Actually the whole book felt very superficial. From the lengthy and constant descriptions of how much money Ramon has and the things he own vs Julieta. There’s a brief mention of someone getting deported that had no purpose so like why? The banter between Julieta and Ramon just didn’t do it for me. I wasn’t sold on their love at all mainly because I felt like they barely had conversations? i felt like I skipped the part of the book where this happens?
April 1, 2022
After reading this fun, steamy, romantic retelling of
Romeo and Juliet
(without the tragic part), I’ve decided that there should be a sub-genre of books called “Books Not to Be Read on an Empty Stomach.” I have read so many to put in that classification, and this book had my stomach growling late at night!!
Ramón Montez is the dutiful son of the scion of a fast-food empire. He’s always been willing to help his father, and the company has set its sights on a Taco King in Barrio Logan, the center of the Chicano movement in San Diego in the 1970s. The neighborhood has resisted until now.
One night, at a Day of the Dead party, Ramón, dressed up as a mariachi, hooks up with a beautiful woman. It turns out this woman—with whom he has intense chemistry—is none other than celebrity chef Julieta Campos, whose struggling taqueria now has Ramón as its landlord.
But to make matters worse, the Montez and Campos families have decades of bad blood between them, all because Ramón’s father once stole Julieta’s mother’s taco recipe and destroyed her career.
Can they truly ignore the passion between them, however? Do they choose family loyalty over true love? I so enjoyed this look into this culture, to the gentrification battle being fought in Barrio Logan, and the characters in this book. And how can you resist a book which is, at its heart, about love and tacos?
Many thanks to BookSparks and Berkley for inviting me on the tour for Ramón and Julieta and providing me a complimentary copy of the book as part of #WRC2022!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2021 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2021.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Ramón Montez is the dutiful son of the scion of a fast-food empire. He’s always been willing to help his father, and the company has set its sights on a Taco King in Barrio Logan, the center of the Chicano movement in San Diego in the 1970s. The neighborhood has resisted until now.
One night, at a Day of the Dead party, Ramón, dressed up as a mariachi, hooks up with a beautiful woman. It turns out this woman—with whom he has intense chemistry—is none other than celebrity chef Julieta Campos, whose struggling taqueria now has Ramón as its landlord.
But to make matters worse, the Montez and Campos families have decades of bad blood between them, all because Ramón’s father once stole Julieta’s mother’s taco recipe and destroyed her career.
Can they truly ignore the passion between them, however? Do they choose family loyalty over true love? I so enjoyed this look into this culture, to the gentrification battle being fought in Barrio Logan, and the characters in this book. And how can you resist a book which is, at its heart, about love and tacos?
Many thanks to BookSparks and Berkley for inviting me on the tour for Ramón and Julieta and providing me a complimentary copy of the book as part of #WRC2022!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2021 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2021.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
December 27, 2021
I LOVED this book SO much, and am thrilled that it's just the first book in the Love & Tacos book series! The way Albertson wrote her culture and traditions into this romance was just what I hope for when reading a retelling, and this may be one of my favorites ever.
Cannot wait to share my full review closer to pub day, watch for the blog tour with Berkley! #BerkleyPartner
Cannot wait to share my full review closer to pub day, watch for the blog tour with Berkley! #BerkleyPartner
January 29, 2022
Ramon Montez is a career-focused businessman, currently running his father’s Taco King empire. His latest project brings him to the Barrio Logan neighborhood of San Diego, where he and his father plan to buy the block and build a new flagship restaurant. Celebrity chef Julieta Campos is struggling to keep her restaurant in Barrio Logan when she finds out her landlord is selling the building. Fearful for her business and her community, she is furious when she finds out the new owner plans to close her restaurant to turn the location into a Taco King. A Day of the Dead celebration brings Ramon and Julieta, but can they stay together when their goals are so at odds?
Ramon & Julieta is a vibrant novel that alternates perspectives in the third person between Ramon and Julieta. It draws inspiration from Romeo and Juliet, while also having a refreshingly new take on the story. Ramon and Julieta have palpable chemistry right from their first meeting at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration. Ramon plays the guitar for Julieta, helps her honor her dead father, and sweeps her off her feet in the process.
A major theme of this story is gentrification and its impact on the communities. Barrio Logan is a predominantly Mexican-American community filled with small businesses owned by members of the community. When Taco King buys the block and raises the rent, it threatens the culture of the community and the livelihood of the people who live there.
One of my favorite things about Ramon and Julieta is the vivid descriptions. I loved all the scenery of the various neighborhoods of San Diego and the surrounding areas! It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit, and the descriptions make it easy to imagine. The only thing better than the settings is the descriptions of the amazing food Julieta creates. The tacos alone sound fabulous!
Thank you to BookSparks, Netgalley, and Berkley Romance for the review copy! All opinions are my own.
Ramon & Julieta is a vibrant novel that alternates perspectives in the third person between Ramon and Julieta. It draws inspiration from Romeo and Juliet, while also having a refreshingly new take on the story. Ramon and Julieta have palpable chemistry right from their first meeting at the Dia de Los Muertos celebration. Ramon plays the guitar for Julieta, helps her honor her dead father, and sweeps her off her feet in the process.
A major theme of this story is gentrification and its impact on the communities. Barrio Logan is a predominantly Mexican-American community filled with small businesses owned by members of the community. When Taco King buys the block and raises the rent, it threatens the culture of the community and the livelihood of the people who live there.
One of my favorite things about Ramon and Julieta is the vivid descriptions. I loved all the scenery of the various neighborhoods of San Diego and the surrounding areas! It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit, and the descriptions make it easy to imagine. The only thing better than the settings is the descriptions of the amazing food Julieta creates. The tacos alone sound fabulous!
Thank you to BookSparks, Netgalley, and Berkley Romance for the review copy! All opinions are my own.
February 6, 2022
This was my first book by Alana and I fell in love with her writing immediately. The way she incorporated so much culture, food, and love in the story made it really difficult to put this book down. I loved how Julieta and Ramon met on the Day of the Dead. After a night of romance and wooing, they go there separate ways.
Ramon is a huge deal in the food industry, his family owns a huge food chain, who is planning on taking over Julieta’s restaurant. Ramon’s father had stolen Julieta’s mom’s recipe in the 70’s which is now their number one selling fish taco. When Ramon shows up to Julieta’s restaurant to basically see where there new shop was going in, he’s in awe that he found his “Juliet”. What he doesn’t expect is finding out his dad took her moms recipe, and he is shutting down Julieta’s dream of owning her own restaurant.
I really really loved the audio for this book. I felt like it was really easy to listen to. I loved the descriptions of San Diego, the food, and all the details. The author made it really easy to picture the story because of all the beautiful details. What I wanted was MORE ROMANCE :) I thought the writing was beautiful but I wanted more of the “Romeo and Juliet” theme incorporated into the story. I felt like the story became more about their love for cooking and running a business than their actual romance with each other, and there is nothing wrong with that but I personally wanted more romance :) Ramon fell quickly for Julieta and what she wanted, and granted pretty much anything she wanted…. think I wish there was more banter between the two of them. But all in all I would definitely read another book by Alana!
3.5/5 ⭐️
Ramon is a huge deal in the food industry, his family owns a huge food chain, who is planning on taking over Julieta’s restaurant. Ramon’s father had stolen Julieta’s mom’s recipe in the 70’s which is now their number one selling fish taco. When Ramon shows up to Julieta’s restaurant to basically see where there new shop was going in, he’s in awe that he found his “Juliet”. What he doesn’t expect is finding out his dad took her moms recipe, and he is shutting down Julieta’s dream of owning her own restaurant.
I really really loved the audio for this book. I felt like it was really easy to listen to. I loved the descriptions of San Diego, the food, and all the details. The author made it really easy to picture the story because of all the beautiful details. What I wanted was MORE ROMANCE :) I thought the writing was beautiful but I wanted more of the “Romeo and Juliet” theme incorporated into the story. I felt like the story became more about their love for cooking and running a business than their actual romance with each other, and there is nothing wrong with that but I personally wanted more romance :) Ramon fell quickly for Julieta and what she wanted, and granted pretty much anything she wanted…. think I wish there was more banter between the two of them. But all in all I would definitely read another book by Alana!
3.5/5 ⭐️
January 28, 2022
CWs:
some discussions of divorce, infidelity, and parental estrangement; references to parental death and grief; brief mention of ICE/deportation; and some explicit sexual content
Ramón and Julieta is a fun, enjoyable take on a classic. It's like Romeo & Juliet meets Gentefied. You get those star-crossed lovers vibes but with a healthy dash of Mexican-American culture, history, and food. The story also attempts to address the all-too-real issue of gentrification and how historic communities and spaces are not only being systemically white-washed but also stripped away from the very communities that have shaped them, which is just the modern day evolution and continuation of colonization.
What I enjoy about this story is that it takes the basis of Romeo & Juliet with these two rival Mexican restaurants, but it's not a beat-for-beat retelling of the classic tragedy. It's more inspired by that dynamic of generational animosity, and what I appreciate is that it actually provides a reason as to why these two families are enemies. It's not just the fact that they're competitors in a capitalist market, but because Ramón's father stole the family recipe for fish tacos from Julieta's mother when they met in Mexico and used that to establish his own successful business in the States.
I also appreciate how the story celebrates Mexican-American culture while also showing how Latine experiences, even for those who share the same heritage, are not monolithic. There is a vast cultural difference between Ramón and Julieta even though they're both Mexican-American. Not only is there a stark contrast in their business ethos, but there's also a significant gap when it comes to their wealth, where and how they were raised, how they engage with their own culture, and even in their values. I think it's admirable how the story doesn't try to force either one of them to assimilate to their partner's experience of Mexican-American culture, but rather allows them to grow from those differences.
But by far what I enjoyed the most about this romance is how it centers Chicane history, food, and culture. The story is set in Barrio Logan in San Diego, and I love how everything about the story is firmly grounded in that specific neighborhood. There's a profound sense of place that the story is able to capture, and I appreciate that the setting is essential to the narrative as opposed a throw-away detail. Throughout their courting, Ramón and Julieta explore the beauty and richness of Barrio Logan and they comes to understand its unique history. The story is truly a celebration of this historic place and how it is intrinsically tied to Mexican history and culture, and I think the book really respects that.
With that said, you might be wondering why this is a three-star book for me. I enjoyed pieces of it, I enjoyed the message and I respect what it's trying to do, but at the end of the day, the romance itself and the characters feel a little superficial to me.
Ramón, as a gajillionaire, never really feels like a grounded, empathetic romantic hero to me. I connect with his fear of never being seen as "Mexican-American enough," feeling estranged from his own culture, wanting to reconnect with his roots and his happiness, but at the same time, he never checks his extreme privilege enough for my taste. I also wasn't convinced by how he confronts his toxic parents. They're very much portrayed as the stereotypical, one-dimensional, irredeemable villains who are just cruel for the sake of being cruel, and I don't think they're written with the kind of depth that would allow them to grow in the future. Not only that, but the way Ramón "handles" them doesn't leave for those relationship to evolve either.
Julieta was a much more grounded character, in my opinion. I like how strong and decisive she is and how she goes for exactly what she wants. But I also found her character to be a little inconsistent, because she doesn't really bat an eye when Ramón drops lavish amounts of money on their dates, but then she turns around and says that they can never be together because they come from two completely different worlds. She also knows from day one that Ramón is taking over her business, and not only does she willingly agree to work for him, but she continuously frames it as a positive for her long-term career. But then, towards the end of the story, she claims that she can't be seen "siding" with the gentrifier. To be clear: I don't disagree with how conflicted she feels, but I do take issue with how it seems that she only tries to hold Ramón accountable when it's convenient.
On top of that, the chemistry and the steamy scenes feel a bit perfunctory to me at times. The romantic dialogue can be a little cheesy and over-the-top, which isn't necessarily a "bad" thing, but then I was also slightly put off by the frequency at which these characters quote Shakespeare to each other, unironically. Intellectually, I get it. It's fun to nod towards the source material at times, but for my taste it was a little bit excessive. There were also times when I felt the research regarding Chicane history in San Diego could have been better integrated into the story as opposed to just dropped in wholesale.
So that's kind of how it shakes out for me. I appreciate the vision and the message, I can see how much research and heart when into shaping this story, and of course I have a soft spot for the cultural relevance of this particular romance. But in terms of the character and the romance itself, I found myself wanting a little bit more. I can already see how this story might branch off into future companion books, which I'm sure will be equally entertaining and enjoyable, so that's definitely something to look forward to if you happen to enjoy this romance. While I can't say for sure whether I would read on, I definitely do not regret the time I spent with this story at all. It's fun, it's sweet, it's ambitious in its commentary, and overall I enjoyed it.
Ramón and Julieta is a fun, enjoyable take on a classic. It's like Romeo & Juliet meets Gentefied. You get those star-crossed lovers vibes but with a healthy dash of Mexican-American culture, history, and food. The story also attempts to address the all-too-real issue of gentrification and how historic communities and spaces are not only being systemically white-washed but also stripped away from the very communities that have shaped them, which is just the modern day evolution and continuation of colonization.
What I enjoy about this story is that it takes the basis of Romeo & Juliet with these two rival Mexican restaurants, but it's not a beat-for-beat retelling of the classic tragedy. It's more inspired by that dynamic of generational animosity, and what I appreciate is that it actually provides a reason as to why these two families are enemies. It's not just the fact that they're competitors in a capitalist market, but because Ramón's father stole the family recipe for fish tacos from Julieta's mother when they met in Mexico and used that to establish his own successful business in the States.
I also appreciate how the story celebrates Mexican-American culture while also showing how Latine experiences, even for those who share the same heritage, are not monolithic. There is a vast cultural difference between Ramón and Julieta even though they're both Mexican-American. Not only is there a stark contrast in their business ethos, but there's also a significant gap when it comes to their wealth, where and how they were raised, how they engage with their own culture, and even in their values. I think it's admirable how the story doesn't try to force either one of them to assimilate to their partner's experience of Mexican-American culture, but rather allows them to grow from those differences.
But by far what I enjoyed the most about this romance is how it centers Chicane history, food, and culture. The story is set in Barrio Logan in San Diego, and I love how everything about the story is firmly grounded in that specific neighborhood. There's a profound sense of place that the story is able to capture, and I appreciate that the setting is essential to the narrative as opposed a throw-away detail. Throughout their courting, Ramón and Julieta explore the beauty and richness of Barrio Logan and they comes to understand its unique history. The story is truly a celebration of this historic place and how it is intrinsically tied to Mexican history and culture, and I think the book really respects that.
With that said, you might be wondering why this is a three-star book for me. I enjoyed pieces of it, I enjoyed the message and I respect what it's trying to do, but at the end of the day, the romance itself and the characters feel a little superficial to me.
Ramón, as a gajillionaire, never really feels like a grounded, empathetic romantic hero to me. I connect with his fear of never being seen as "Mexican-American enough," feeling estranged from his own culture, wanting to reconnect with his roots and his happiness, but at the same time, he never checks his extreme privilege enough for my taste. I also wasn't convinced by how he confronts his toxic parents. They're very much portrayed as the stereotypical, one-dimensional, irredeemable villains who are just cruel for the sake of being cruel, and I don't think they're written with the kind of depth that would allow them to grow in the future. Not only that, but the way Ramón "handles" them doesn't leave for those relationship to evolve either.
Julieta was a much more grounded character, in my opinion. I like how strong and decisive she is and how she goes for exactly what she wants. But I also found her character to be a little inconsistent, because she doesn't really bat an eye when Ramón drops lavish amounts of money on their dates, but then she turns around and says that they can never be together because they come from two completely different worlds. She also knows from day one that Ramón is taking over her business, and not only does she willingly agree to work for him, but she continuously frames it as a positive for her long-term career. But then, towards the end of the story, she claims that she can't be seen "siding" with the gentrifier. To be clear: I don't disagree with how conflicted she feels, but I do take issue with how it seems that she only tries to hold Ramón accountable when it's convenient.
On top of that, the chemistry and the steamy scenes feel a bit perfunctory to me at times. The romantic dialogue can be a little cheesy and over-the-top, which isn't necessarily a "bad" thing, but then I was also slightly put off by the frequency at which these characters quote Shakespeare to each other, unironically. Intellectually, I get it. It's fun to nod towards the source material at times, but for my taste it was a little bit excessive. There were also times when I felt the research regarding Chicane history in San Diego could have been better integrated into the story as opposed to just dropped in wholesale.
So that's kind of how it shakes out for me. I appreciate the vision and the message, I can see how much research and heart when into shaping this story, and of course I have a soft spot for the cultural relevance of this particular romance. But in terms of the character and the romance itself, I found myself wanting a little bit more. I can already see how this story might branch off into future companion books, which I'm sure will be equally entertaining and enjoyable, so that's definitely something to look forward to if you happen to enjoy this romance. While I can't say for sure whether I would read on, I definitely do not regret the time I spent with this story at all. It's fun, it's sweet, it's ambitious in its commentary, and overall I enjoyed it.
March 13, 2022
4⭐️
Thank you first to Duolingo for providing me with basic Spanish knowledge, I would've had to google translate my way through some important parts of this book if not for you🦉.
Set in San Diego 'Ramón and Julieta' is about a billionaire (Ramón) and a chef (Julieta). Throughout the book, there is also a major focus on cultural identity, food😏, ethics, gentrification and family. Ok so basically, Ramón and his father own a chain of restaurants called Taco King, but the problem is the restaurant is based on Americanized Mexican food. So from the jump, Ramón and his family are called out for being traitors to their community and culture, especially when they plan to buy a block of a historically Mexican-American neighbourhood. And you know how gentrification works, they come in, raise rent prices, force tenants out etc. So when Ramón and Julieta meet at a Dia de los Muertos festival (Day of the Dead), they are immediately attracted to each other, but the problem is on the block Ramón and his father want to purchase sits Julieta's restaurant. They have no idea the rivalry between their parents, Ramóns' tendency to please, and Julieta's need to stay loyal to her community may just put a wedge in their relationship.
I must say, I was sceptical to go into this book at first. I requested it on NetGalley because i love the cover and you know I basically go into every book blind. But because i was in a bit of a slump i needed a book that was going to slap. I checked Goodreads for the reviews and I must say, I was disappointed. But I gave it and I'm glad I did because it was truly enjoyable. In the beginning, i was bored but it truly picked up when Julieta and Ramón met at the festival. I was so eager for them to get together. I also loved how their families tied in together because it actually made sense with the timeline.
Julieta's character arc was much less complicated than Ramón's but nevertheless, very satisfactory. I admired her a lot. It is hard to decide whether you choose the heart of your head and I truly understood her struggle. A vast majority of Julieta's arc was her reacting to things going on around her. This includes the news of who Ramóns family was, her mother throwing an ultimatum at her, her communities reaction to her relationship with him.
However, Ramóns character arc was the one that had me going through the most emotions. In the end I was truly won over. Also, note that Roman's character drives a lot of the plot. Ramón’s interest in connecting with his roots and with his family, and his internal conflicts with pleasing his father and ultimately questioning what he had become was indeed relatable. It was his conflicts that made him a likeable character even when his wealth and lifestyle seemed to create a barrier to finding him "palatable".
In terms of book setting, I give a huge thumbs up. I haven't been to SD yet so i can't say much but thw descriptions alone...omg. And the food sounded absolutely amazing, I literally love tacos more than anything.
I also really loved how well the main characters loved each other. Their communication was great and even when there were understandings, they talked and were honest with each other. It was a beautiful love story, truly.
thank you to netgalley who originally provided me with this arc
Thank you first to Duolingo for providing me with basic Spanish knowledge, I would've had to google translate my way through some important parts of this book if not for you🦉.
Set in San Diego 'Ramón and Julieta' is about a billionaire (Ramón) and a chef (Julieta). Throughout the book, there is also a major focus on cultural identity, food😏, ethics, gentrification and family. Ok so basically, Ramón and his father own a chain of restaurants called Taco King, but the problem is the restaurant is based on Americanized Mexican food. So from the jump, Ramón and his family are called out for being traitors to their community and culture, especially when they plan to buy a block of a historically Mexican-American neighbourhood. And you know how gentrification works, they come in, raise rent prices, force tenants out etc. So when Ramón and Julieta meet at a Dia de los Muertos festival (Day of the Dead), they are immediately attracted to each other, but the problem is on the block Ramón and his father want to purchase sits Julieta's restaurant. They have no idea the rivalry between their parents, Ramóns' tendency to please, and Julieta's need to stay loyal to her community may just put a wedge in their relationship.
I must say, I was sceptical to go into this book at first. I requested it on NetGalley because i love the cover and you know I basically go into every book blind. But because i was in a bit of a slump i needed a book that was going to slap. I checked Goodreads for the reviews and I must say, I was disappointed. But I gave it and I'm glad I did because it was truly enjoyable. In the beginning, i was bored but it truly picked up when Julieta and Ramón met at the festival. I was so eager for them to get together. I also loved how their families tied in together because it actually made sense with the timeline.
Julieta's character arc was much less complicated than Ramón's but nevertheless, very satisfactory. I admired her a lot. It is hard to decide whether you choose the heart of your head and I truly understood her struggle. A vast majority of Julieta's arc was her reacting to things going on around her. This includes the news of who Ramóns family was, her mother throwing an ultimatum at her, her communities reaction to her relationship with him.
However, Ramóns character arc was the one that had me going through the most emotions. In the end I was truly won over. Also, note that Roman's character drives a lot of the plot. Ramón’s interest in connecting with his roots and with his family, and his internal conflicts with pleasing his father and ultimately questioning what he had become was indeed relatable. It was his conflicts that made him a likeable character even when his wealth and lifestyle seemed to create a barrier to finding him "palatable".
In terms of book setting, I give a huge thumbs up. I haven't been to SD yet so i can't say much but thw descriptions alone...omg. And the food sounded absolutely amazing, I literally love tacos more than anything.
I also really loved how well the main characters loved each other. Their communication was great and even when there were understandings, they talked and were honest with each other. It was a beautiful love story, truly.
thank you to netgalley who originally provided me with this arc
August 28, 2021
I could not put this book down. The characters, the story, the romance…and yes, the deeper issues that were woven throughout this story. Sometimes we don’t want to see past the surface to what’s really happening, and I’m so glad there are books like these that remind us of what’s important.
February 22, 2022
iba a ponerle 2 estrellas porque sé que no es tan deep pero la forma en que se supone que tienes que simpatizar con un millonetis que se aprovecha de la gentrificación de un barrio inmigrante hasta que descubre que Eso Es Malo por encoñarse de una pava not like other girls ...... boy bye
Want to read
June 18, 202117.06.2021 how pretty is this cover oh my god.
August 17, 2023
Well, it’s true to the source material at least. Ramón is a singularly focused and privileged fuckboy whose conscience (social awareness?) awakens too-little-too-late. The poor little rich boy angle was left hanging without a Mercutio character to call him on it, though. And Julieta is a walking hormone, abandoning her convictions with the turn of a page and the repeated glimpse of a pretty face. A low self-esteem ball of anxiety bargaining with herself to justify some sex. And everyone is thinking marriage after barely a kiss… they’re insufferable… sooooo … it really is Romeo and Juliet. Kudos, I guess.
Somebody call HR, ‘cause there’s something rotten/fishy in Denmark (and it’s not the tacos)… okay, wrong Shakespeare play but I couldn’t resist. Also, it’s San Diego, but you get the point. Wildly inappropriate sexual conduct. It wasn’t sexy or steamy or flirty. It sounded crude and toxic.
The author’s use of food and descriptions of the Chicano areas of SD were amazing. Top notch. She painted an amazing and heartfelt picture of the culture and people. And then she burned it all to the ground with the horrible leads. If I could cut the plot out and just read about Barrio Logan and the food and people, then I would call it a success. But as it stands, I wish it had been even truer to Shakespeare and had ended in death.
Somebody call HR, ‘cause there’s something rotten/fishy in Denmark (and it’s not the tacos)… okay, wrong Shakespeare play but I couldn’t resist. Also, it’s San Diego, but you get the point. Wildly inappropriate sexual conduct. It wasn’t sexy or steamy or flirty. It sounded crude and toxic.
The author’s use of food and descriptions of the Chicano areas of SD were amazing. Top notch. She painted an amazing and heartfelt picture of the culture and people. And then she burned it all to the ground with the horrible leads. If I could cut the plot out and just read about Barrio Logan and the food and people, then I would call it a success. But as it stands, I wish it had been even truer to Shakespeare and had ended in death.
November 19, 2021
First things first, this book was absolutely amazing! I needed a good romance to read after reading so many Thrillers in honor of Halloween, and this satisfied my needs, lol.
I didn't know how much I would enjoy this because I didn't care for the original Romeo and Juliet play, but Ramon and Julieta exceeded my expectations! I sincerely appreciate Latinx culture, and Albertson did a phenomenal job of genuinely capturing it. I think the traditions, the foods (the description of the tacos and various AUTHENTIC Mexican foods made me so hungry!), the colors, music, and the language are stunning. I loved that Dias De Los Muertos was included, and it was a central point of the story. I feel like we don't get too many books with that holiday emphasized, and we should because it's a heartbreakingly beautiful day, and its concept is fascinating.
As for Ramon and Julieta, I loved their characters so much. They both had a lot of character development/growth from the first chapter to the end. Their chemistry was undeniable, and this was, of course, a good representation of an actual star-crossed lovers' situation, which is one of my favorite tropes!
I cannot wait until this publishes and I hope everyone gives this a read. I'm looking forward to reading more from Albertson! Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley, for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I didn't know how much I would enjoy this because I didn't care for the original Romeo and Juliet play, but Ramon and Julieta exceeded my expectations! I sincerely appreciate Latinx culture, and Albertson did a phenomenal job of genuinely capturing it. I think the traditions, the foods (the description of the tacos and various AUTHENTIC Mexican foods made me so hungry!), the colors, music, and the language are stunning. I loved that Dias De Los Muertos was included, and it was a central point of the story. I feel like we don't get too many books with that holiday emphasized, and we should because it's a heartbreakingly beautiful day, and its concept is fascinating.
As for Ramon and Julieta, I loved their characters so much. They both had a lot of character development/growth from the first chapter to the end. Their chemistry was undeniable, and this was, of course, a good representation of an actual star-crossed lovers' situation, which is one of my favorite tropes!
I cannot wait until this publishes and I hope everyone gives this a read. I'm looking forward to reading more from Albertson! Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley, for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 19, 2022
This book 🤩 I loved it. This book is full of lessons community, culture, traditions, food, finding yourself, doing right by others, & lasting legacy. At less than 300 pages, it truly flies by.
I loved the main characters and felt like the author really nailed the blurred lines between enemies and lovers. I simply couldn’t get enough of the romance & also all the other side characters that added so much dimension to the plot.
My only fault is the use of “instant love” trope… I always feel like it rushes the romance build a bit more than I prefer.
I can’t believe this book isn’t getting more attention - it’s seriously that good!
Thank you Berkley Romance for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the main characters and felt like the author really nailed the blurred lines between enemies and lovers. I simply couldn’t get enough of the romance & also all the other side characters that added so much dimension to the plot.
My only fault is the use of “instant love” trope… I always feel like it rushes the romance build a bit more than I prefer.
I can’t believe this book isn’t getting more attention - it’s seriously that good!
Thank you Berkley Romance for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 1, 2022
Ramon and Julieta
By Alana Quintana Albertson
Who doesn't love Tacos - I am here for it! This book was yummy and hot! AYAYAY Delicioso!
I am from Los Angeles and surrounded by King Taco restaurants, my favorite spot. So reading about Ramon and the Montez family empire of Taco King made this a really fun read for me. I enjoyed the retelling of Romeo and Juliet enveloped in the beautiful sights, sounds, and tastes of the Mexican Tradition. I was completely lost in this story and hungry for Tacos constantly drooling not by the food but also by the sexy descriptions of the attraction between Ramon and Julieta.
I was intrigued from the first sound of Ramon's voice as a balladeer, the strum of his guitarron, and the hum of his McLaren. Ohhh yes he is also rich - filthy rich! Julieta was so smitten by this mariachi ... until she discovers who he really was. Their love was so complex and beautifully told. I loved the families, the side story lines, and the beautiful story telling style that was as vivid and compelling as the writing of the mouth watering food descriptions, and the beautiful culture and traditions.
I really enjoyed this book and so will you!
By Alana Quintana Albertson
Who doesn't love Tacos - I am here for it! This book was yummy and hot! AYAYAY Delicioso!
I am from Los Angeles and surrounded by King Taco restaurants, my favorite spot. So reading about Ramon and the Montez family empire of Taco King made this a really fun read for me. I enjoyed the retelling of Romeo and Juliet enveloped in the beautiful sights, sounds, and tastes of the Mexican Tradition. I was completely lost in this story and hungry for Tacos constantly drooling not by the food but also by the sexy descriptions of the attraction between Ramon and Julieta.
I was intrigued from the first sound of Ramon's voice as a balladeer, the strum of his guitarron, and the hum of his McLaren. Ohhh yes he is also rich - filthy rich! Julieta was so smitten by this mariachi ... until she discovers who he really was. Their love was so complex and beautifully told. I loved the families, the side story lines, and the beautiful story telling style that was as vivid and compelling as the writing of the mouth watering food descriptions, and the beautiful culture and traditions.
I really enjoyed this book and so will you!
March 6, 2022
3.5⭐️
February 5, 2022
A family feud over a stolen fish taco recipe. This is a sweet retelling of Romeo and Juliet with no tragic ending.
Julieta is a talented chef and owns an authentic Mexican restaurant with her mother Linda. Ramón and his father are successful restaurateurs who own a fast-food Taco King empire and are now Julieta’s and Linda’s new landlord. Julieta and Ramón have no idea about their parents' past. They soon both learn that the famous fish taco recipe Ramón’s father used to build his empire is the one he stole from Julieta’s mother, when they were younger.
I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down. The story was fast paced and well written. I enjoyed watching Julieta and Ramón grow and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved reading about the culture, food and I appreciated how the author included the big issue happening all over the US today, gentrification and its impact on the communities.
This is a delicious read that will leave you hungry for more!
Julieta is a talented chef and owns an authentic Mexican restaurant with her mother Linda. Ramón and his father are successful restaurateurs who own a fast-food Taco King empire and are now Julieta’s and Linda’s new landlord. Julieta and Ramón have no idea about their parents' past. They soon both learn that the famous fish taco recipe Ramón’s father used to build his empire is the one he stole from Julieta’s mother, when they were younger.
I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down. The story was fast paced and well written. I enjoyed watching Julieta and Ramón grow and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved reading about the culture, food and I appreciated how the author included the big issue happening all over the US today, gentrification and its impact on the communities.
This is a delicious read that will leave you hungry for more!
April 14, 2022
4.5 Stars
I finished this in basically one setting. Loved this!
Ramon and Julietta is everything my heart wanted when Jane the Virgin went off air! It stands on its own, but had me feeling all of the feels that the class warfare and gentrification and true love and almost magical feeling of love with conquer all that Jane the Virgin gave us.
Told as a loose spin of Romeo and Juliet, our lovers meet at the Day of the Dead event in Barrio Logan in San Diego. Ramon’s family are the wealthy Mexican Americans coming in with their chain taco stand that is gentrifying all of San Diego. Julietta’s family is struggling to keep their taqueria afloat in their proud Chicano neighborhood. They meet and fall quickly for each other, but realize their families pasts and present plans might have doomed them before they even met.
The story moved quickly and I devoured this so quickly. I felt like the conflict and issues were entirely believable for this couple and the resolution felt realistic. Ramon did often seem to be at war with his machismo side, but Julietta often curbed that! I also loved how he got her to appreciate the fruits of her labors more as well. Despite the financial differences, these two really were well matched.
There was incredible commentary from an own voices author around pride in your community and culture, while also paving way for growth and compromise without losing that culture, and what it means to stand up and defend your way of life and community from gentrification.
I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to see what else comes next for this author!
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review*
I finished this in basically one setting. Loved this!
Ramon and Julietta is everything my heart wanted when Jane the Virgin went off air! It stands on its own, but had me feeling all of the feels that the class warfare and gentrification and true love and almost magical feeling of love with conquer all that Jane the Virgin gave us.
Told as a loose spin of Romeo and Juliet, our lovers meet at the Day of the Dead event in Barrio Logan in San Diego. Ramon’s family are the wealthy Mexican Americans coming in with their chain taco stand that is gentrifying all of San Diego. Julietta’s family is struggling to keep their taqueria afloat in their proud Chicano neighborhood. They meet and fall quickly for each other, but realize their families pasts and present plans might have doomed them before they even met.
The story moved quickly and I devoured this so quickly. I felt like the conflict and issues were entirely believable for this couple and the resolution felt realistic. Ramon did often seem to be at war with his machismo side, but Julietta often curbed that! I also loved how he got her to appreciate the fruits of her labors more as well. Despite the financial differences, these two really were well matched.
There was incredible commentary from an own voices author around pride in your community and culture, while also paving way for growth and compromise without losing that culture, and what it means to stand up and defend your way of life and community from gentrification.
I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to see what else comes next for this author!
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review*
March 1, 2022
Did it pain me to DNF this book and then come here to write a review- YES
Am I prioritizing placing my opinions over books that receive tons of hype- HELL YES
I tried picking up this book multiple times but I just could not.
The two main characters have an enemies-to-lovers type feud going on due to past drama between their parents. Ramon is kind of a douche and not in a "oh he can get better way" but an obnoxious you can solve world hunger and I still wouldn't like you way. This is coupled with the unrealistic lifestyle the author has set up for him- a millionaire with countless cars and girls in his bed but woe is him because he has daddy issues?
I get the attempt to make a parody of sorts with Romeo and Juliet and I am the first person advocating for diversity, BIPOC authors but this one fell flatter than the tacos Julieta is making.
Despite all this, I was willing to push forward but the thing that made it an "immediate no" was the cringy sexual tension- the awkward boob staring and flat attempts at making us believe Julieta wanted him and vice versa.
OVerall, this wasn't for me but maybe you'll have better luck with this than I did
Am I prioritizing placing my opinions over books that receive tons of hype- HELL YES
I tried picking up this book multiple times but I just could not.
The two main characters have an enemies-to-lovers type feud going on due to past drama between their parents. Ramon is kind of a douche and not in a "oh he can get better way" but an obnoxious you can solve world hunger and I still wouldn't like you way. This is coupled with the unrealistic lifestyle the author has set up for him- a millionaire with countless cars and girls in his bed but woe is him because he has daddy issues?
I get the attempt to make a parody of sorts with Romeo and Juliet and I am the first person advocating for diversity, BIPOC authors but this one fell flatter than the tacos Julieta is making.
Despite all this, I was willing to push forward but the thing that made it an "immediate no" was the cringy sexual tension- the awkward boob staring and flat attempts at making us believe Julieta wanted him and vice versa.
OVerall, this wasn't for me but maybe you'll have better luck with this than I did
December 26, 2021
I devoured this book like Ramón did any time he had Julieta's food. Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorite works by Shakespeare, so I'm always hesitant of retellings, but Alana Quintana Albertson put a great modern day spin on the forbidden lovers classic.
You could feel the chemistry between Julieta and Ramón, but I enjoyed that their romance was a slow burn as Julieta battled with her feelings for him, what his father did to his mother in the past, and what his family planned to do to her business. I liked the growth that happens to Ramón throughout the book as he figures out who he truly wants to be.
Ramón and Julieta is a celebration of Latin culture. The descriptions of San Diego, and the neighborhoods the characters visited was so descriptive that I felt like I was transported to California. Don't read this book on an empty stomach, because all of Julieta and her mom's dishes sounded incredible.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
You could feel the chemistry between Julieta and Ramón, but I enjoyed that their romance was a slow burn as Julieta battled with her feelings for him, what his father did to his mother in the past, and what his family planned to do to her business. I liked the growth that happens to Ramón throughout the book as he figures out who he truly wants to be.
Ramón and Julieta is a celebration of Latin culture. The descriptions of San Diego, and the neighborhoods the characters visited was so descriptive that I felt like I was transported to California. Don't read this book on an empty stomach, because all of Julieta and her mom's dishes sounded incredible.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
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