Customer Reviews

Amor and Summer Secrets

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It's the summer after her first year in high school, and all Mariana Ruíz can think about is her best friend Madison's upcoming Sweet Sixteen. It's going to be the event of the summer with every perfect detail catered to Madison's expensive needs. But then Mariana's parents force her to accompany her brother Vince on a summer-long vacation to Puerto Rico. Mariana is outraged and devastated; she doesn't understand why she has to miss her friend's birthday blowout to spent time with Puerto Rican relatives she's never met before and frankly has no desire to meet. But she has to go, against her will, and at first, Puerto Rice is everything Mariana has dreaded: conversational limitations due to the language barrier, cramped quarters she has to share, and muggy weather. But gradually, Mariana realizes she can't spend the summer pining for her hometown and its luxuries and stars to embrace her family and her ethnicity. And she just might get some new friends in the bargain.

Amor and Summer Secrets was a cute and well-written story. I really liked Mariana's character; sure, she was spoiled and annoying at times, but she knew her flaws and genuinely tried to be a good person. I could easily relate to her struggles, especially the ones involving her family, friends, and boys. The problems Mariana deals with may see a little generic, but Wallach presents them in a realistic way that makes them appear fresh. I would've liked more development of the minor characters, particularly Lilly and Vince, because they were hard to understand at times, but their characterization was in the end adequate. I also liked how Mariana grew to accept and love her cultural identity. And of course, there's enough romance, drama, and secrets to keep the plot interesting.

I definitely recommend Amor and Summer Secrets and can't wait for the sequel, Amigas and School Scandals. Fans of Cruel Summer by Alyson Noël and Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs will also enjoy this novel with similar themes.

For fifteen-year-old Mariana Ruiz, it's not so much an unexpected vacation as a literal "guilt trip"--her father's way of atoning for ignoring his Puerto Rican roots. But freedom from her parents is little compensation for being forced to spend two months with complete strangers rather than with her best friends in Philadelphia.

Once on "vacation," her worst fears come true. The heat is merciless, the food is spicy, and her great aunt and uncle's mountain house teems with relatives, only one of whom--her distant cousin Lilly--speaks English. Bored, and hoping to make up for missing her best friend's star-studded Sweet 16, Mariana offers to help in the planning of Lilly's Quinceañera. Soon, despite herself, Mariana clicks with new friends who open doors to romance and long-hidden secrets. Suddenly the summer she dreaded is ending way too quickly. It might turn out that the last place she ever wanted to go is the one place she truly finds herself.

Amor and Summer Secrets was a wonderful book. Mariana is like most teenage girls, who when on vacation,are scared that their friends will forget them. The book had romance, secrets, some drama, and even its funny moments but it didn't feel like it was too much, it was just perfect. Although the romance didn't happen until halfway through the book you still want Mariana to stay with him. The are some times when the reader just wants to shake Mariana and tell her to open up and live a little instead of sulking around. Readers will enjoy reading this book and will devour the book cover from cover; it really does capture your attention. The author's writing and fast-paced storyline pulls you in from the start,add Mariana's strong, easy to relate to character, you will find an excuse to put everything off and finish the book. Being the first in the series, readers will eagerly await the sequel due November 2008.

-Carol

[...]

Fifteen year old Mariana Ruiz has her whole summer planned out. She is going to spend it with her two favorite friends. One is having a Sweet 16 birthday party that will rival all Sweet 16 parties. The birthday girl has even hired an event planner! Mariana cannot wait. Mariana was raised by her Puerto Rican father and her white mother who is of Polish descent. Her father gave up much of his heritage, including his accent, years ago. He is now a very successful businessman. Having met very few of her Hispanic relatives, Mariana doesn't really relate to her Hispanic heritage. Her friends find it humorous to call her "Spic."

Mariana's brother, Vince, has made some poor choices regarding drinking and partying. He is experiencing the consequences of his behavior as his dad is denying him a trip to Europe with his friends. When Mariana discovers that her father has made plans for her to go to Puerto Rico with Vince, for the whole summer, she is angry. She thinks that she is being sent to babysit her older brother. She will also miss the Sweet 16 party and have to spend her vacation with people that she has never met, that speak a language that she doesn't.

"Amor and Summer Secrets" is a coming of age story about a teenager who learns about her heritage while discovering the importance of family. As she learns about herself, she also discovers that her family holds some very serious, painful secrets. Part of her growing up experience involves her learning to make the right choices and decide what is right. This is a tough for a teenager; however, Mariana seems to carry a great deal of wisdom within. While learning to overcome her need for her vapid, materialistic friends, Mariana spends her summer growing up and falling in love for the first time.

I loved this book! "Amor and Summer Secrets" is a story that will be enjoyed by women of all ages. Diana Rodriguez Wallach has written a tale that teenagers will be able to relate to and enjoy, however, she also gives it a depth that allows it to reach out to older women. I found myself reminiscing about my own teen angst years. I also think that the aspect of the story that involved the heroine learning to accept an important part of her heritage is extremely important for teens today. They need to be proud of who they are. That is so much more important than how much they have. I highly recommend this book!

to my teen years. Makes me wish and feel like I was there with Mariana! Couldn't put it down! Read it in 2 days and wished i had the next one to keep going! Awesome read Diana, keep it up and keep 'em coming!

WOW! Sorry I could only give this book a 5 Star rating...I wish Amazon would allow 10 Stars. This book is incredible. I could not put it down. I read it during every possible free time I had. This book may be labeled for Young Adult but people of all ages will enjoy it...just like I did. Great job Diana! I can not wait for the next installment of the series to come out!!

In Philadelphia an argument occurs between forty-five years old Lorenzo Ruiz and his eighteen years old son Vincent over what is family and their heritage. Lorenzo having arrived in Camden as a ten year old accomapnying his older brothers and their parents never looked back. However the fight shames Lorenzo who ignored his roots and Americanized his offspring. To atone for his slap at his DNA pool, he decides to send Vince and his other child fifteen-year old Mariana to spend time learning their heritage. Instead of hanging out with her friends and attending sweet sixteens, an unhappy Mariana and a euphoric Vince are shipped to some distant relatives she never met in Puerto Rico for the summer.

Mariana feels punished for her father's sins and in the remote mountain home of her great aunt and uncle finds herself bored and lonely. There is no air except the occasional breeze that blows hot; no fast food only ultra spiced meals she cannot pronounce; no English except for cousin Lilly; no privacy or even posters on walls. So why she wonders is she having the greatest summer of her life.

The characters especially Mariana make for a strong entertaining contemporary tale. Vince sets the tone with his bet on the flight down that his sulking sister will cry on the way home because she will be sad that the most wonderful summer of her life is over. The story line contains a strong cast that provides deep insight into Puerto Rican extended families with a divide between those living on the island and those residing in the States. Diana Rodriguez Wallach provides a superb intelligent tale about how friendships make a place feel like home even when you first believe the Doors are right that "People are strange when you're a stranger".

Harriet Klausner

Mariana Ruiz doesn't know why she's being exiled to Puerto Rico for the summer. She should be at home, helping her best friend, Madison, celebrate her Sweet Sixteen. Instead she's sent to visit relatives she's never met before, most of whom don't even speak English.

Mariana is part Puerto Rican and part Polish, but the only Spanish she's ever picked up has been from her classes at school. Her cousin, Lilly, speaks English, but Mariana doesn't trust her motives, and keeps her distance, despite Lilly's attempts to be friends. Instead she helps her aunt plan Lilly's Quinceanera.

An unexpected romantic surprise awaits Mariana at Lilly's party, and soon she finds she's enjoying the summer she never wanted to happen. But along with amor, she also finds out about a family secret that shocks her.

This fast-paced and tension-filled story pulls the reader into Mariana's world, as she experiences her first adventure off her own turf and finds love. Amor and Summer Secrets is an enjoyable read, and once you pick this book up, you won't be able to put it down. The first of three books, it will leave you wanting to read more from this talented new author.

Reviewer: Alice Berger, Bergers Book Reviews

I'm Puerto Rican, born and raised, and I picked up this book to see how a United States author sees us. It was a quick, fun read, but she never really got to explore Puerto Rico.

Mariana Ruiz, half-Polish/half-Puerto Rican, is your typical U.S.A. teenager. At the end of her freshman year at Spring Mills High, she is sent to Puerto Rico for the summer with her brother, Vincent Ruiz, in order to learn about that side of their heritage. Vincent is excited about the trip to Puerto Rico, an alternative to his original plan of backpacking through Europe with friends, and takes full advantage of his time there, even calling himself "Vicente" while he's with "the locals," exploring the Island with Lilly and her friends.

Mariana, however, takes an instant dislike to the whole idea of "babysitting" her brother for the summer and being "exiled" to Puerto Rico, and spends all her time working at her great-uncle's hotel or in her great-aunt & -uncle's house in the mountains of Utuado. Since the story is being told from Mariana's perspective, the reader never gets to see beyond that mountain; except for one trip to a remote beach.

However, the author does show Puerto Rican family dynamics well; the craziness, love, lack of privacy, humor, tenderness, and tough love are all present. The author also does a good job of showing Mariana's growth from the girl she was at the airport before Puerto Rico to who she has become after her experience there; although you don't fully see the change in her until you read the second book, "Amigas and School Scandals."

Overall, it's fun and well-written. Although it is just a peek into family life in the mountains of Puerto Rico, and not an in-depth social portrait of the Island, I found that what the author did convey was fairly accurate.

Life can be so unfair! Just when Mariana Ruiz was excited for school to be over and to have the best summer ever, her parents spring a surprise on her and her older brother, Vincent. The two of them are off to Puerto Rico to spend the summer with relatives they never even knew existed.

Mariana's paternal grandfather moved his family to the States when her father was very young. At that point, her grandfather cut all ties with the family in Puerto Rico. Mariana grew up hearing how her grandparents and then her father struggled to achieve a better life in the United States. And it's true. Mariana's father is successful, and she wants for nothing in her Spring Mills home.

But when Mariana and Vincent arrive in Utuado, they couldn't possibly be any further from home. No one speaks English. Mariana and Vincent, even though they are half Puerto Rican, are as American as apple pie. The only Spanish they know is what they learned in their Spanish class at school.

Mariana is livid with her brother when she finds out that they were sent off to Utuado because their parents learned about the party that Vincent had when the two were left alone earlier in the year. Vincent pleaded to go on a European trip with his buddies prior to his leaving for Cornell in the fall, but the trip to Puerto Rico is to be his punishment. Unlike Mariana though, Vincent is laid back about things, and looking forward to an entire summer away from parental supervision. Mariana would rather be in Spring Mills, watching her best friend, Madison, plan her Sweet Sixteen party.

Once the two arrive in Puerto Rico, they are relived that they have a cousin, Lilly, who is their age and speaks perfect English. Mariana has a hard time warming up to Lilly though, after overhearing her tell Vincent that her parents expect her to include Mariana in everything.

It's only after Mariana secretly helps Lilly's mom plan Lilly's Quinceanera that Mariana starts to appreciate the life that her distant relatives have in Puerto Rico. Mariana's family keeps to themselves and avoids confrontations of any kind. The close-knit connection that her Puerto Rican family has is one she envies.

The summer unfolds unexpectedly for Mariana and she has to confront many changes in her life. Her friends might not have been who she thought they were. She may have her first boyfriend. And Lilly has become far closer to her than she would have imagined possible.

AMOR AND SUMMER SECRETS is the first book in a series by new author Diana Rodriguez Wallach. The feelings and struggles that Mariana encounter are real and heartfelt. She struggles to come to understand what family means and how to let down her guard, even just a little. The story flows quickly and leaves the reader with a feeling of anticipation for the follow-up novel, AMIGAS AND SCHOOL SCANDALS.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

A Philadelphia princess goes to Puerto Rico and finds her Latinidad. I publish The Latinidad List, an annual round-up of the best books by and/or for Latinos, and Amor and Summer Secrets by Diana Rodriguez Wallach is a standout among 2008's young adult novels. [...]