ARC Review: Julieta and the Romeos by Maria E. Andreu

*I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to HarperCollins and Maria E. Andreu.*

Synopsis:

Julieta isn’t looking for her Romeo–but she is writing about love. When her summer writing teacher encourages the class to publish their work online, the last thing she’s expecting is to get a notification that her rom-com has a mysterious new contributor, Happily Ever Drafter. Julieta knows that happily ever afters aren’t real. (Case in point: her parents’ imploding marriage.) But then again, could this be her very own meet-cute?

As things start to heat up in her fiction, Julieta can’t help but notice three boys in her real life: her best friend’s brother (aka her nemesis), the boy next door (well, to her abuela), and her oldest friend (who is suddenly looking . . . hot?). Could one of them be her mysterious collaborator? But even if Julieta finds her Romeo, she’ll have to remember that life is full of plot twists. . . .

Review:

I’m genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed Julieta and the Romeos, not that I went into it with any preconceived notions. But I’m always a little wary of teen romances as they can often be a bit too cheesy. This did not happen here though. The romance was actually pretty mature and I loved the mystery side of the story.

Books about writers are always a hit with me. I’m always left wondering how much of it is based on the author’s own life and opinions. I actually really enjoyed the story that was written by Julieta and her collaborator. I now want to someone to actually write a story about someone being left anonymous notes by an admirer, it would be super cute.

The fact that this book called Complicated by Avril Lavigne an old song has made me feel both very sad and very old. I’m only 24 but still, that was my anthem when I was a kid and now apparently it’s old. I’m not having it.

Every time they would mention that the restaurant had seen better days I felt so bad for the family, but also I wasn’t surprised it was failing considering they’re not on social media. I know it’s sad to say, but it really is important these days.

I genuinely love both Ryan and Lucas. They are definitely the more interesting love interests. Sorry Calvin, but you were very rude to Julieta for no reason and I’m aware that she said you have a good heartfelt apology, but I wasn’t feeling it. It felt empty and generic.

Why did the author have Julieta go on multiple outings with Calvin but only tell us in passing? I’m not fully complaining because I didn’t like him, but you’ve given me no reason to root for him other than the fact he’s nice to her Abuela.

The childhood friends to potential lovers thing that she has with Lucas is very cute and they definitely have chemistry, but I’m liking Ryan more. They have a shared passion and they’ve also known each other just as long. It has the potential of, not enemies to lovers as personally I don’t think that exists in contemporary books, but dislike to lovers and I also love that trope.

I had a lot of fun reading Julieta and the Romeos and I genuinely did not want to put it down. The chemistry between the characters was incredible and I enjoyed the ‘will they, won’t they’ Julieta has going on with both Ryan and Lucas. I’m not going to give away the ending, but it turns out pretty well in my opinion.