Customer Reviews

Houston, We Have a Problema

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gwen Zepeda's novel "Houston, We Have a Problema" is bound to be pushed into some pretty narrow genre categories -- latina chick lit, perhaps -- which is a pity, because Zepeda has written an engaging and fun work that transcends its regional and cultural environment and is quite simply a well-written and entertaining piece of work.

Jessica Luna is a single twentysomething standing on the edge of change. She finds herself confronting the prospects of changing jobs while at the same time hurtling towards decisions that must be made in her dating life, romantic choices that seem to mirror her career in flux. She jockeys for promotion at an insurance company job that she finds unfulfilling even as she dreams of a career in the art world. At the same time, she teeters between Jonathan, the successful Anglo executive who represents safety but also a step away from her passion and her culture, and the temperamental artist Guillermo, who frustrates her with his unreliability even as he haunts her on a visceral, emotional level. Jessica's superstitious nature leads her to consult Madame Hortensia, a pragmatic fortune teller whose guidance mostly serves to turn her gaze inward. Jessica Luna will find her own answers, if only she can learn to trust her heart.

"Houston, We Have a Problema" reads like good solid chick lit, but Zepeda delves into topics of race and family dysfunction that give the novel an unexpected depth. It does so, however, with subtlety and humor, and most of all with nuanced, believable characters. This isn't a book I would have naturally gravitated to, mostly because of the genre, but to have missed out on this charming story would have been a real pity. I've been aware of Gwen Zepeda's writing for a while now, but with "Houston, We Have a Problema", she now has my undivided attention.

This is a really fun and heartwarming book about a twenty-something's journey through love, work and family. During the day Jessica works a dull job at an insurance firm but all she wants to do is design websites. To ease her stress she's been seeing a sexy artist but she's unhappy about where the relationship is going. Jessica is superstitious and turns to signs, omens, and especially Madame Hortensia to help her decide what path to take in love and life. Mix in a little family love, drama and some cultural tension and you have the makings of a lovely story!

I really enjoyed this book! Starting my first full-time job about a year ago I'm always interested in stories involving twenty-somethings in the work place. It's fun to compare and contrast their experiences with my own. I also loved Jessica's background and interest in the arts, seeing as though I have that same background!

Going into this I thought this would be your basic chick-lit, but it was more than that. It deals a lot with family and the tension that can arise between sisters and even husbands and wives. I also was very interested in the growth that Jessica goes through when it comes to accepting others for they are on the inside rather than what they appear to be on the outside.

This is a great book, full of interesting characters, humor, and growing up! It's very satisfying to see a character evolve throughout a book, learn to depend on themselves, and go out and get what will really make them happy!

Jessica Luna, like many people in the world, believes in good luck charms and psychics. Though no one can really say whether these things and people are nothing but a hoax, some still swear by it. There is nothing wrong with that, unless you are Jessica in Gwendolyn Zepeda's Houston, We Have a Problema.

Jessica is a melodramatic, 26 year-old, Mexican, wondering what the cards say is in her future. Each time she returns to Madame Hortensia to get guidance she leaves with information not as clear as a crystal ball. It was not until Madame Hortensia put aside all her charms, that Jessica was able to see what lay ahead in her future. In seeing what she wanted in a job and possibly in a relationship, Jessica grew insight into herself as a person. Did she like who she was? Or would she have to make a drastic change in order to find happiness?

Jessica reminds me of someone near and dear to me. They ask for a person's input, but do not always hear the words spoken to them. Both Jessica and my love one learn best from their own personal mistakes. They have to have a light bulb moment in order to realize the same flaws they saw in others, they actually possess themselves. Zepeda created a realistic 26 year-old. Her topsy-turvy emotions and decision making skills reminded me of people I have known, including myself. I recommend Houston, We Have a Problem to readers who enjoy multicultural books and a melodramatic character.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

Okay, this is chick lit, so you know that I AM SO THERE. So, it was with huge enthusiasm that I started Houston We Have a Problema. Unfortunately, this book just did not deliver what I had hoped.

Although it is not horrible by any means, it left me with very little impression after I was done with it. Even now, as I write this review, I keep having to go back to the book for reference - its like I did not retain much of the storyline.

This storyline features all the staples of a chick lit, a somewhat confused main character (Luna), a break up and a new romance and job woes. Except that, for me, none of these meshed together as they should have.

Luna was, frankly, annoying for the most part. She seems completely incapble of making a decision - which is partly what the storyline is based on - but it got to be too much after a bit. Everything else just felt too pat and tried to me.

I don't expect high art when I read chick lit, all I want is to be entertained and, unfortunately, this book did nothing of the kind for me.

Houston, We Have a Problema by Gwendolyn Zepeda

Jessica Luna is a not so average Latina 20 something career woman, with all the problems that comes with it. She is stagnating in her job, she has some issues with her younger married sister, her mother and father are having their own difficulties, and of course she has problems with her love life. Many, many problems. But most of all she has problems of knowing herself and helping herself. So, she does what any other non-typical 20 something would do to help with her life's path...she relies on the "plastic Virgin Mary that hangs in her car" and has weekly visits with her neighborhood psychic, Madame Hortensia!!!

Funny, introspective, thought provoking are just some of the adjectives I would use to describe this thoroughly delightful novel that deals in issues a bit more important than just your average chick lit The biggest issue; the one that is the "pink-elephant" in the room. is the issue of racism. This is an issue that is handled with skill and finesse by Ms. Zepeda, although not until the last few eye-opening chapters.

I loved this novel. I couldn't put it down until I finished every page of it. Well plotted, tightly written and very amusing secondary characters. I cheered for Jessica to get her head clear and see her potential in a new light, and she does! Although I felt that several secondary characters were given a bit of a short shrift and deserved to be fleshed out a bit more, I suppose had they been given bigger parts they may have taken away from the course of action Jessica finally takes. I did wonder, though, what the heck happened between her and Xavier? Well who knows? Maybe Ms Zepeda has plans for another book starring Jessica Luna? I for one can only hope!

I loved the fact that book was based in Houston. Being from Houston and being Latina help me identify with Jessica. Not sure how it plays out for people not from Houston. A lot of the race issues that Jessica had towards Anglo Americans was great to actually see in print. I don't think many books express this at all. Jessica reminded me of so many of my female friends with the superstition and bad men. Even though I enjoyed the book, I felt like it was too long and at times Jessica got annoying. The way she could not make a decision with out consulting everybody was bothersome. I was disappointed with the ending, cause at 1st I thought the book was a love triangle with the reader rooting for the good guy but then it fell flat. At least she was able to find herself and make a decision.

This book remind me that I was young. She has problems with boyfriends,her family and her job. So she goes to ask the fortune teller whenever she can't decide by herself. I did same way! Make me laugh and tears!

I really enjoyed this book and actually bought more than one copy for others.

The novel centers about Jessica Luna, a twenty-six year old woman who is trying to change her life. She relies on a psychic to give her advice and the results are often hilarious. As Jessica comes to terms with her love life, her work life, and her parents relationship, we get to know the real Jessica. By the end of the book I was rooting for her and was surprised at some of the twists and turns that the story eventually took.

More than being just chick-lit, this book made me think about and question my own ideas on race and family. I love a book that not only makes me laugh but also makes me think.

Houston, We Have A Problema is the story of Jessica Luna and her various life trials. She is trying to come to terms with her own racial identity, the racial identity of others, familial expectation and career aspirations. The story follows her through destructive relationships, conflicts with her family, and failed (and successful) career aspirations.

Needless to say I loved this book. I was so entertained by this book. I had trouble putting it down. I fell in love with Jessica on page one and was sad to leave her at the end of the book. Jessica was such a compelling character even though there was nothing really extraordinary about her. She is a normal girl in her early 20's trying to find her way. I can really identify with that. I found myself laughing sometimes because something in Jessica's life reminded me so much of my own life. Jessica is a character you will cheer for. She never becomes boring or annoying as some characters can become. Zepeda portrays Jessica's faults as well as her virtues equally. Another particular draw to Houston, We Have A Problema is Zepeda's writing style. It is so vibrant, so engaging. The author really draws you into the story from the beginning.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a really, really good book to distract them. It is wonderful. I can't wait to see what Gwendolyn Zepeda does next.

Gwendolyn Zepeda gives us Jessica - a character who is easy to cheer on. I really wanted her to succeed - in her job aspirations, her family relationships, and her romantic situation. Houston, We Have a Problema is a fast-paced novel about a young woman figuring out her life and working out exactly who she is. I enjoyed it.