"There are really three love stories here: the one between Isabel and Nick, who are dealing with their alcohol-damaged past; the bad-boy uncle's wooing of Isabel's divorced best friend; and, ultimately, the love that flows between Isabel and the children. Readers may find Isabel infuriating as she tries to fight the inevitable, but she comes to her truths honestly and convincingly. This possible lack of sympathy should be assuaged by the pleasure of reading Gallegos' descriptions of coastal Southern California landscape and the lush, mountainous wine region of Argentina. For all readers of women's fiction." (
Booklist on SAY YOU'LL BE MINE )
"[Amante's] characters are sweetly written and complex...[she] writes them with insight..and explores the moderating line where each individual lives, neither good nor bad, but only human." (
RT Book Reviews on SAY YOU'LL BE MINE )
" What a rich, colorful, and completely heart-wrenching book written by a gifted mind. The reader is taken on an emotional ride through the soul with Isabel as she tries to free herself of the baggage she is carrying around while she tries to build a new life. The tapestry for this story is so engrossing you have to keep reading to find out how all this is going to work out for everyone you care that much about these characters." (
The Reading Reviewer on SAY YOU'LL BE MINE Mary Gramlich )
"Julia Amante understands the ties that bind all families regardless of culture and nationality--the struggle for identity, the importance of dreams, and above all, love. I truly enjoyed
Evenings at the Argentine Club." (
New York Times bestselling author Jill Marie Landis on EVENINGS AT THE ARGENTINE CLUB )
"A a big, beautiful novel of love, family, and the close-knit community they inhabit. By turns touching, funny, tragic, and triumphant, it's the story of an endearing group of people in search of their own American dream. This book is a delightful feast for the reader." (
New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs on EVENINGS AT THE ARGENTINE CLUB )
"Julia Amante has created an enchanting community to fall into, true-to-life characters to fall in love with, and a rich story that will fall directly onto readers' keeper shelves. Amante's tale is tantalizing tango for the imagination." (
Lynda Sandoval, award winning author on EVENINGS AT THE ARGENTINE CLUB )
"A fresh and unique perspective into a culture that is at once foreign and familiar. I savored every word." (
Julie Leto, New York Times bestselling author on EVENINGS AT THE ARGENTINE CLUB )
"An engaging story of family, community and the love the binds it all together. " (
RT Book Reviews on EVENINGS AT THE ARGENTINE CLUB )
"The story of Victoria and Eric is a story of family, culture, class, success, and love in the vein of the film
My Big Fat Greek Wedding." (
Booklist on EVENINGS AT THE ARGENTINE CLUB )
"
Evenings at the Argentine Club is a compelling exploration of one woman's search for her identity and of what it means to fall in love just as you're discovering who you are. While the themes are universal, details about Argentine customs and culture add unique depth.
Evenings at the Argentine Club is a gorgeous romance-both between Eric and Victoria and between the Ortelis, the Torres family, and
la patria." (
Michelle Buonfiglio, Romance Buy the Book(romancebytheblog.blogspot.com) on EVENINGS AT THE ARGENTINE CLUB )
Julia Amante had the misfortune of growing up away from the extended family that is so valued in the Latin culture, but missed out on very little of what it means to be Argentine. Asados were sacred meals shared together on weekends. Cheering for the Argentine soccer team was a must, as were the weekly pilgrimages to the Argentine Club in
Los Angeles where the young Americanized kids hid under the tables and watched the adults dance tango until the wee hours of the morning. Julia giggled right along with the rest of the kids at how "geeky" the parents looked, but secretly, was intrigued by the romantic culture and passionate music.
