Customer Reviews

Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz: A Quinceañera Club Novel (Quinceanera Club)

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I have been having a hard time trying to figure out how to sum this story up - so sorry if it comes out sounding a little disjointed.

Ana is coping with her husband, Esteban's unfaithfulness and the fact that he has moved out. Her 14-year-old daughter, Carmen, blames her for making her dad leave, when in reality - he is the one who moved out. Ana is trying to protect her daughter and her son, Diego, from their father's affair. When she sees the above ad, she decides that Carmen needs a traditional quinceañera - not so much for the tradition - but because she thinks it will help her and Carmen become close again.

Beatriz, Ana's niece, jumps in to help with the planning - even designing the dresses that Carmen and the damas will wear. She is living with Ana and her kids as her own father is traveling for business and her mother is in a mental hospital - a fact that Beatriz is having to come to terms with on her own.

Ana's son seems to be the calm, rational one when he is really as torn up as Carmen about his dad's leaving but feels his mom needs their support - especially after he starts hearing rumors about what his dad has done.

So, as you can see, this is a multi-layered story with Beatriz and her mom; Ana and her daughter, Carmen; and Ana herself - and the decisions she needs to make about her future with or without Esteban.

My thoughts: To be honest, I almost gave up on this book in the beginning. It had some Spanish phrases in it and I wondered how much of the meaning I was losing. But after reading a review that said the you could get enough of the gist of the Spanish phrases without knowing Spanish and still understand the book, I kept going. I am glad that I did.

I really enjoyed Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz as it portrayed not just one strong woman - Ana, but a strong 'young' woman - Beatriz, and a girl becoming a woman - Carmen. I also have a daughter turning 15 in 2 1/2 weeks so can kind of see the emotions that Carmen was experiencing - and definitely get to see the drama! (a quinceañera is a celebration for a young woman when they turn 15)

DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ: A QUINCEAÑERA CLUB NOVEL by Belinda Acosta was quite the funny and moving read. Full of moments that any mother or daughter can relate to, this story pulled at my heart while leaving me chuckling at the same time. I would highly recommend this book to any lady looking for a nice read, a good laugh and a general feeling of happiness.

All Ana wanted was a nice celebration to mark her daughter's transition into womanhood. How then, did she end up with mass chaos and destruction? The party is in shambles, her daughter hates her and the world is likely about to end. Where did she go wrong?

DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ follows the story of Ana and her daughter Carmen beginning with the day of the big party. The narrator adds quite a bit of humor as she pauses the event and takes us through the chaotic events that are about to happen. To better understand it all, before the whole party explodes, the narrator brings us back to the day that Ana first decided to throw a Quinceañera for her daughter. Of course Carmen is none too pleased, still blaming Ana for her father leaving and makes life fairly miserable.

The story leading up to the party is full of bratty teenage behavior, tender moments, hilarious moments, and an overall story that makes you think that there just might be hope for all distanced mothers and daughters out there. I found DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ to be highly entertaining and actually quite touching. This is definitely a book that earned a treasured spot on the bookshelf.

As I've mentioned, there are quite a few bits of humor thrown throughout the book. Much like the beginning, Acosta writes the story in such a way that you can pause the images in your head and shudder as you know the disaster that's about to happen. I wouldn't say that the story is necessarily predictable, but there are times when it's obvious that something is going to happen. This just made the story that much more enjoyable to me. It added to the humor aspect and then also allowed us to focus on the deeper aspects of the book such as the character's emotions and the reasons that things are happening the way they are.

Another great aspect of DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ for me was the characters. A lot of work obviously went into the creation of each of the characters, including any minor characters. I felt that the reader really got to know each person and become acquainted with them throughout the entire story. The characters were complex, adding a nice amount of depth to the story and giving us more to ponder. Acosta did a great job with this and really managed to bring her characters to life.

One great thing that I found about DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ was how much I got to learn about another culture through reading the story. Through the language and customs, Acosta seemed to stay fairly true to Ana and Carmen's culture. I imagine this would be a great read for many girls wanting to learn a little bit more outside of their own culture.

I would give DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ a much deserved five stars. The story was wonderful, the characters detailed and the pacing was just right. I would warn readers; however, that Acosta does give her characters fairly authentic dialog. Throughout the book, Spanish is used quite freely and occasionally I had to look words up to figure out what was going on. I don't think that it really detracted from the book; instead, I felt like I may have actually learned something in the process!

I remember about 10-15 years ago, there had been an episode of that old PBS program Wonderworks that dealt with the story of a young Mexican-American girl and her quincenera. I had never heard of this celebration before so I was fascinated with the culture and the representation of what it meant. Ever since then, I've been eager to learn more. This book gives a wonderful insider's look to what goes behind the scenes of the makings of a quincenera. People seem to think it's a Hispanic version of a sweet 16 party, when in reality it involves so much more. I really liked the scene when Ana goes to the quincenera convention at the civic center and is pretty much bombarded with all types of vendors and sellers. It was almost like being at a wedding trade show. The relationship between Anna and Carmen is one that is familiar to those of all cultures. You have a mother who's trying to show the daughter that she loves her and will do anything for her. Meanwhile though the daughter constantly blames the mother for her parents' divorce and is blind to the faults of her father. My favorite character would have to be Ana's son. He's not in the book that much but he has the most compassionate personality and is the most understanding. He is protective of his mother and tries to defend her to his sister. He knows the truth about his father but due to his sister blaming their mother, he can't get her to see the light.

The author writes in "Spanglish" a mixture of English and Spanish and doesn't offer any translation for any unknown words. Thanks to my 9 years of Spanish from high school and college (I'm still not fluent though!), I was able to read without major problems. However for someone unfamiliar to the language, while it is possible to read the story without missing any major plot lines, it can be a bit difficult to pick up on little details. Perhaps maybe a glossary in the back of the book for translation might benefit the next book.

Overall, I did enjoy reading this book very much. It gave a great insight into the Hispanic culture as well as giving a good mother-daughter story. If you're looking for a multi-cultural book with a dash of chick lit as well, this is the perfect book for you. I will be looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

Poor Ana Ruiz. A possibly soon to be divorced mother with an angry teen aged daughter has the makings of a horror novel. But instead Acosta delivers a funny, touching novel about family and tradition. Ana wants her daughter Carmen to have a quinceanera, a traditional Spanish party for girls on their fifteenth birthday. She hopes that the planning of this will bring them closer together. But Carmen resents her mother for her father's leaving and just wants him to come home. Ana is torn between keeping her family together and being a strong, positive role model for her children. Diego is Carmen's older brother and more supportive of his mom. Bianca, who I think is my favorite character, is Ana's sixteen year old niece, who never had her own quinceanera, plays the buffer between Ana and Carmen as she helps to plan this party.
I really enjoyed this book, Acosta writes well, though it took me some time to get used to the style of writing, interspersed with Spanish phrases. But soon I was caught up in this family drama and rooting for mother and daughter to find their way through a difficult time. Carmen's desperate hope for her 'apa to come home is heartbreaking and poignant and at times had me in tears. Though it speaks to it's Latin traditions, the novel's themes are universal. I highly recommend this book. It would also be great for a book club pick. I definitely think Acosta should write another book, focusing on Bianca as she also has a story to tell.
[...]

Ana Ruiz has two beautiful children, Diego and Carmen. In addition, Ana used to be married to a wonderful husband...that all changed, when he slept with another woman and moved out to by with her.

Ana has enough respect for her husband t not diss her husband in front of her children. Unfortunately all this has caused is confusion and anger, especially for Carmen. She can't understand why her Apa "father" left her and won't come back. Carmen blames her mother, so much that she can't stand to be around her. Ana understands how much Carmen is hurting and wants to take her mind off her father. Ana wants to throw a quinceanera, this is sort of like a coming out party to introduce young girls as ladies now...like they do in the South. How much longer will Ana be able to battle Carmen before she gives in and tells her the truth?

What a fun, quirky, read Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz turned out to be. It has the right amount of everything in it to give it that special kick...like your favorite kind of salsa. This book has great characters, a good story line, and an author who knows her stuff! Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz is the first book in the Quinceanera Club series. The characters spoke a lot of Spanish in the book. At first I thought I don't know how well I like this, even though I knew this is what made the book. Pretty quickly I was able to identify what the characters were saying. I even found myself starting to speak like them. I read this book in a many of a few hours, it was that good. Don't take my word for it though. Check it out for yourself.

Synopsis:
At the start of Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz, we meet fourteen year old Carmen and her young mother Ana Ruiz. Ana struggles to handle her recent separation from her husband, the demands of her work, and her daughter Carmen's increasing volatility. Carmen blames her mother for her parents' separation and doesn't hesitate to tell her so. Ana suggests the quinceanera as a way to breach the growing divide, but Carmen doesn't seem interested in the quinceanera and takes every opportunity to exclude her mother. It is fortunate that Ana's niece Bianca steps up to act as peacekeeper and party planner. Carmen's older brother Diego, also plays a big role keeping the peace as he comes to terms with his father's absence.

The planning and the quinceanera serve as a backdrop to the ongoing family drama of Ana and her husband Esteban, their children Carmen and Diego, the lovely Bianca, and the rest of their family.

Review:

Before I started Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz, I had suspected that the book would spend much of its time with teenagers and their concerns. It was a delightful surprise to find that the novel followed the mother Ana Ruiz and not the daughter Carmen.

Belinda Acosta's writing is funny, heartwarming and touching at the same time. The characters are carefully and sympathetically drawn - you can't help but care for each of them. I particularly enjoyed reading about the close friendship between Ana Ruiz and her childhood friend, Bianca and her love for her family, Diego and his kindness towards his mother.

Belinda Acosta does a wonderful job giving you each person's story and hinting at how things work out for them in the future. The book was beautifully done - and I am so looking forward to the next in the series.

Note: There are a few Spanish phrases in the novel. I had a few semesters of Spanish close to twenty years ago and recall very little, but you don't need any knowledge of Spanish to understand the few phrases sprinkled in the book. You can make out the expressions from their context in the book. Enjoy!

"Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz" is an insightful, touching, and sympathetically humorous novel. I loved all of the characters, which were complex and acted in realistic and understandable ways. The problems they faced were also realistically complex. The world-building was nice, and the pacing was very good.

The story is written with Spanish words and short Spanish phrases mixed in with the English. It helps if you know some Spanish, but the meaning was often clearly implied by the context or was made clear in the next sentence. Don't let the Spanish hold you back from reading the novel.

Occasionally, mild cuss words were used, and there were a few instances of swearing. There were some sexy descriptions and lustful thoughts, but no sex. (Well, technically, there was, but it's implied rather than explicit.) Many of the characters were Catholic to various degrees, but faith played little role in the story.

If any cussing, swearing, etc., bothers you, then you'll probably not enjoy this book. If you want every female main character who encounters a gorgeous and willing man to jump in bed with him, then you probably won't enjoy this book. The characters in this novel have their own beliefs and way of doing things; they don't act in a stereotypical fashion. I'd highly recommend this well-written, fairly clean read to anyone who thinks it sounds interesting.

--Review by Debbie from Genre Reviews

Ana Ruiz's life is a mess. A college administrator, she is married with two teenage children, or at least that is how it appears to the outside world. But, reality is different. She and Estaban, her childhood sweetheart, have separated and it is unclear what will become of her marriage. Her daughter, Carmen, who is fourteen and a daddy's girl, blames Ana for the breakup and Ana allows her to think so, shielding her from reality. This creates a situation where Carmen is worse than most teenage girls, blaming Ana for everything and acting as if she hates her. Ana, searchinig for a way to reconnect with Carmen, decides to give her the quinceanera (a party marking a girl's transistion to womanhood) that she never got to have.

Carmen grudgingly agrees to the party. As party plans go on, Ana meets a visiting artist at the college. He is charsmatic and exciting, and seems interested in Ana. This interest starts to awaken Ana from the dull deadness of what her life has become. This new interest and the resolution of several plotlines comes at the time the party occurs.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I did a blog tour of it several weeks ago, but didn't have time to read it before the tour. Ana is a great heroine; smart, caring and starting to realise that no one gives you a great life; you have to go out and create it for yourself. I could definately relate to her difficulties with her teenage daughter, as that time is approaching for me as my daughter gets closer to those dramatic years. This book is recommended for readers of female literature as well as those interested in reading about how the Hispanic culture handles everyday life issues.

Things haven't been going as well as they should be between Ana Ruiz and her husband Esteban, and now he's picked up and left. Now she is left to take care of their two children, Carmen and Diego, while he goes off and tries to figure out what he wants to do with his life, and the decisions he has made. It's not easy to take care of two teenage children that don't understand the circumstances of a seperation, and Ana is going loco trying to keep things under control.

Carmen is angry with her mother, Ana. She knows that it's her mother's fault her father has left. It can't possibly be her 'apa that's done something wrong Daddy's little girl knows that he could never do anything to hurt anyone. She shows her mother nothing but disrespect, and outrage, not even sitting with her mother during a meal. It's just too painful to know that her father has left, and might not come back.

Ana wants nothing more than to have a relationship with her daughter Carmen. She can't tell her why her father is not there, because although Carmen is treating her horribly, she can't hurt her daughter with the truth. When the idea of celebrating Carmen's fifteenth birthday arises, Ana suggests throwing a Quinceanera to announce Carmen's arrival into womanhood. Carmen wants nothing to do with her mother, and that includes planning a party with her, even though the party is for Carmen herself. But when her cousin Bianca mentions that Carmen's father, Esteban, must take part in the ceremony Carmen changes her mind. She's determined to make her father participate as much as possible, in hopes that he will change his mind and come home.

I loved this novel, and had a hard time putting it down. It was very easy for me to feel the strong emotions of Acosta's characters, and I even found myself laughing and crying along with them. This author has a wonderful way of giving you the backround history of each important character, while not straying from the plot. I also both loved and disliked the use of the Spanish language throughout the book. It gave it that extra Latin flavor, and I loved that. The only reason I could even say I disliked the use of Spanish in the novel was that I had to think hard to remember what some of the words meant. I haven't been in a Spanish class for more than 5 years, but I'm glad I was able to refresh my memory.

Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz is a novel about love lost, love found, growing up, and growing apart. It gives a wonderful insight to the Latin culture, and a whole new respect for it. I was very lucky to be able to review a copy of this book, thanks to Miriam Parker of Hatchette Book Group. I'm very excited to have been able to take part in the blog tour for this title, and look forward to reading more by Belinda Acosta.

Ana Ruiz has her hands full as her fourteen year old daughter Carmen blames her for her dad Esteban leaving them although he cheated on her and he left. She wonders if she made a mistake hiding Esteban's affairs from Carmen and their other older child Diego.

Regardless Ana desperately wants to regain what Esteban destroyed when he walked out: her closeness with Carmen. She decides to throw a quinceanera gala for her daughter, but Carmen seems disinterested; preferring to punch her mom by exclusion and omission, Ana is hurt more by Carmen's behavior than the womanizing and abandonment by Esteban. Diego plays intermediary between his wary mom and his acrimonious sis while his cousin Bianca takes over the role of quinceanera party planner.

This is a well written family drama that deftly focuses on the extended Ruiz brood. Ironically the "white girl from Kansas" enhances the profound look at a Mexican-American family as she knows more about Mexican music than the Ruiz family. Carmen is angry and but holding her mom culpable while her brother guesses at the truth. Ana is superb as the prime player who feels as if her world has ended yet resolutely hides what Esteban did to her from her daughter. Fans will enjoy this drama that looks into the trials and tribulations of a Mexican-American family.

Harriet Klausner