Customer Reviews

Serenade/Serenata (Encanto)

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Julia Rios is finding refuge in her aunt's salsa dancing class. Although she freely admits she and Cisco were not meant to marry, a broken engagement still brings with it questions, looks and whispers wherever she goes in Old Town. When a smooth talking businessman saunters in and offers to buy her aunt's dance studio from her, Julia immediately jumps to her aunt's defense. Julia agrees to talk with Ricardo Montalvo in his office on Monday morning but demands that he stay off her aunt's property until then. Ricardo doesn't expect that the person he'd be facing in his negotiations be so feisty. Then again he also didn't expect to be dealing with the studio's gorgeous niece either. He reminds himself that this is business and he should leave his emotions at the door. At the heart of this story is the question of change versus tradition, and Sylvia Mendoza illustrates the argument in Ricardo and Julia's tale. Brava Senora Mendoza!

This is the second book I have read by Sylvia Mendoza and I continue to be impressed by her work. Serenade is set in Old Town San Diego on a block where all the businesses are owned by members of one extended family. This includes a dance studio which would be the perfect location for a parking lot for developer and restaurantuer Ricardo Montalvo's new restautant. His first encounter with the heroine Julia Rios is in the dance studio when he comes to share his proposal to buy the studio. Sparks fly when Julia refuses to even consider his proposal. At first I thought there was no way these two could resolve their differences and form a relationship. I forgot, however, how hard it is to resist a sexy Texas cowboy. The interactions between the two main characters are often tense but they are still very lovable and endearing. The reader keeps hoping they stop being so stubborn and find a middle ground. This happens through the secondary character of Julia's beloved grandpa. A great character. He helps to being the story to a happy conclusion. There are many other great secondary characters in this book. Chase, the hero's best friend and former pro-football teammate and Julia's large extended family add color to the story but do not detract from the main storyline. The descriptions of Old Town Sandiego are very vivid. I feel like I have been there. All in all this was a very enjoyable book. I am looking forward to more from this author.