This book 🤩 I loved it. This book is full of lessons community, culture, traditions, food, finding yourself, doing right by others, & lasting legacy. At less than 300 pages, it truly flies by.

I loved the main characters and felt like the author really nailed the blurred lines between enemies and lovers. I simply couldn’t get enough of the romance & also all the other side characters that added so much dimension to the plot.

My only fault is the use of “instant love” trope… I always feel like it rushes the romance build a bit more than I prefer.

I can’t believe this book isn’t getting more attention - it’s seriously that good!

Ramon and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson was inspired by Romeo and Juliet with a twist. A look into the Latinx world with tacos, neighborhoods, culture and steamy chemistry. Ramon and Julieta hit it off almost immediately and then discover who they are to each other. Julieta wants to save her business and neighborhood. Ramon works for his father’s business and the man who stole something from Julieta’s family. Their chemistry is undeniable, however, there are complications because of their rivalry and future plans. Ramon and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson was a fun and heartwarming read.

Happy reading!

Thank you, @BerkleyPub @BerkleyRomance and @BeritTalksBooks for the e-ARC and buddy read.

This rom-com is a delightful Romeo and Juliet retelling where would-be-lovers connect despite the many forces working against their relationship. Spoiler alert: There is a happy ending.

My rating for this novel is 4.5 stars, which I will round up to 5 stars. It’s no secret that I like my rom-coms to have a serious side so expect a side of heavy topics along with the sweet and steamy aspects. Identity, heritage and class divides are confronted head-on, as is gentrification. I loved that the author decided to open with Ramón’s perspective and my heart ached for his identity struggles and estrangement from his extended family. The author did a stellar job writing about San Diego generally and the community of Barrio Logan specifically. Once again, this is a novel in which food plays a large role- definitely something I gravitate towards! The last reason for my rating is that the author has left me excited for the next book in the series, which I hope will feature Enrique. My fingers are crossed that the mention of Cal Poly SLO in Ramón and Julieta is a seed that will bear fruit in the next novel (so I can armchair travel to the best region of California).

Julieta Campos is too busy running her sea-to-table restaurant, Las Pescas, to think about relationships, especially since her building in San Diego’s Barrio Logan neighborhood is up for sale, and she and the other mom and pop businesses in her block worry that a new owner will raise rents so high only chain stores can afford them.

But on Day of the Dead, a handsome mariachi concealed by traditional make-up serenades her with one of her favorite songs. Also costumed, Julieta is overcome with an attraction she’s never felt before. She’s so overcome that despite her reservations she goes home with him only to learn he is Ramón Montez, son of the Taco King, the man who stole her mother’s fish taco recipe and made a fast food empire. Julieta runs from the house hoping never to see him again.

Ramón, unaware of Julieta’s identity or the history between their parents, cannot believe the beautiful woman fled. After all, he’s accustomed to getting what he wants, from college at Stanford, business school at Harvard, to CEO of the family business, not to mention a multimillion dollar deal to buy property in Barrio Logan.

When Julieta learns Ramón is her new landlord—and that her restaurant will likely be shuttered to make room for a Taco King, she is furious. Ramón, for his part, is shocked to find the mysterious and beautiful woman who ran out on him one of his new tenants, one he will have to put out of business.

As the community learns of Taco King’s plans for the neighborhood, protests target Ramón and his company. Julieta may have his heart, but he’s never let that get in the way of business before. And as much as Julieta stands with the people, she can’t help love Ramón. With feuding families fueled by escalating community tensions, a happily ever after seems elusive for the lovers, unless they can find a deal where everyone wins.

This is a fun retelling of ROMEO & JULIET with a great cast of characters and the perfect setting— the Barrio Logan in San Diego. The love story, with delectable food descriptions throughout the book, also touches on cultural identity, class differences, community empowerment, and gentrification. I particularly enjoyed the Dia de los Muertos celebration and the emphasis on its true meaning. The history of Chicano Park, home to amazing murals, was also informative (and infuriating)! I wasn’t as comfortable with some of the language Ramón used to describe Julieta (for example, nice “rack”), and the sex scenes felt a little clumsy to me. Berkley has a great Book Club Kit on their website that’s worth checking out; it includes an illuminating interview with Alana Quintana Albertson.

Ramón and Julieta by Alana Albertson is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet retelling set in the Mexican community of San Diego. Things that I loved about this book are the stunning cover, all the mouth-watering food descriptions, Mexican culture, and the setting. I want to visit San Diego after reading this book.

I wasn't sold on the love story. Ramon and Julieta both behaved erratically, there was very little character growth or relationship development. Ramón was too confident, and his way of showing Julieta love was just buying her expensive presents. Julieta was easily swayed by Ramón's charms (and his money). It felt like she didn't have any trouble giving up her convictions for Ramon. Unlike the original, this book is an actual romance, it does have an HEA, and it doesn't have the angst of the original story. I prefer angsty and emotional romances, so this book fell a little short for me. It might work better for other readers.

Ramón Montez, heir to the Taco King empire, is used to getting whatever he wants. He and his father plan to expand their business by opening a Taco King in the Barrio Logan neighborhood of San Diego. The last thing he needs to get in his way is the beautiful woman he met at the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration.

Julieta Campos, celebrity chef and owner of a sea-to-table taqueria that serves the most divine fish tacos, is outraged when she finds out her landlord sold the building and her restaurant is going to be turned into a Taco King. When she discovers the man she recently fell for and his family are none other than her family’s rival, she has to decide what’s really important to her.

Ramón and Julieta was a highly enjoyable Romeo & Juliet retelling full of vibrant descriptions of Mexican traditions and mouthwatering tacos! Julieta even had a dog named Taco, which I thought was so cute! She was strong, independent, and loyal, and I loved how she stood her ground! I couldn’t stand Ramón at first because he seemed so full of himself, but he started to redeem himself by the end. Their insta love to enemies to lovers relationship was pretty spicy, and I was overjoyed there was no tragic ending! However, there were feuding families, and the history between Ramón’s father and Julieta’s mother added an intriguing layer to the story. I also loved the focus on the meaning behind the Day of the Dead celebrations, the emphasis on the importance of culture and community, and the delectable food descriptions sprinkled throughout this delightful story! This is the first book in the new Love & Tacos series, and I’m looking forward to the next!

I could not have been hungrier reading this book. I loved this one!
.
A twist on Romeo and Juliet, Ramon and Julieta come from restaurant rivalries dating back to their parents. They didn’t know that, however when they met at a Day of the Dead celebration.
.
This is a rom com, and oh the food, but this is also more! This is about community, it’s about maintaining one’s cultural identity and finding your passion.
.
Huge thank you to @berkleypub for an advanced copy.
.
.

Ramon and Julieta
By Alana Quintana Albertson


Who doesn't love Tacos - I am here for it! This book was yummy and hot! AYAYAY Delicioso!

I am from Los Angeles and surrounded by King Taco restaurants, my favorite spot. So reading about Ramon and the Montez family empire of Taco King made this a really fun read for me. I enjoyed the retelling of Romeo and Juliet enveloped in the beautiful sights, sounds, and tastes of the Mexican Tradition. I was completely lost in this story and hungry for Tacos constantly drooling not by the food but also by the sexy descriptions of the attraction between Ramon and Julieta.

I was intrigued from the first sound of Ramon's voice as a balladeer, the strum of his guitarron, and the hum of his McLaren. Ohhh yes he is also rich - filthy rich! Julieta was so smitten by this mariachi ... until she discovers who he really was. Their love was so complex and beautifully told. I loved the families, the side story lines, and the beautiful story telling style that was as vivid and compelling as the writing of the mouth watering food descriptions, and the beautiful culture and traditions.

I really enjoyed this book and so will you!

Ramón and Julieta is a fun, fast read that’s easy to tear through in one sitting. It’s another Romeo and Juliet retelling, this time without the tragic ending, and this version more accurately reflects a forbidden romance in modern times… the only issue is that the stakes of this forbidden romance aren’t all that high for most of the book. Even though there are reasons why we think this Romeo and Juliet might not end up together, the world is not against their romance quite as much as in Shakespeare’s original.

The novel’s basic premise is that Ramón is the CEO of Taco King, a fast-food chain/taco restaurant that his dad started after he stole a fish taco recipe from a woman in Mexico. That woman? You guessed it, Julieta’s mother, who now has inspired the same culinary passion in Julieta— she’s the chef and owner of a popular Mexican restaurant in Barrio Logan (in San Diego, California) called Las Pescas. The problem comes when Barrio Logan goes up for sale, and Ramón becomes the block’s new landlord, with the plan to replace Las Pescas with a flagship Taco King. Where it gets interesting is that Ramón and Julieta meet one day before the auction at a Day of the Dead celebration, disguised so they don’t know who the other is. It’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling that’s full of life and culture, and with descriptions of food that make you crave it.

Overall, it’s a good read for those who want a multicultural romance that doesn’t use generic white leads, and it’s a good read for those who have been wanting a sunny book with an authentic Latin American voice. I loved the cultural aspects of the book, but whenever the book veered more toward Ramón and Julieta’s sexual tension, I found it just wasn’t necessarily for me.

Tropes: strangers to lovers to enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, star-crossed lovers, miscommunication, mutual pining, love shown through food, work adversaries, opposites attract, based on a tragic romance but with none of the tragedy

★ : 3 out of 5

A huge thank you for receiving this e-ARC from Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an honest review.

First, I LOVED the Mexican culture and heritage present in this novel. Chef Kiss perfection! I am so glad to see more representation!

Things I loved:
Julieta’s amazing cooking
The beauty of her mother’s love story

Take it or leave it:
Ramon’s conceited behaviors, I wasn’t much of a fan
Ramon’s father’s behaviors
I could care less about the car- it was distracting from the storyline

If you love a modern, diverse retelling of Romeo & Juliet (without the ending!) then grab this one.

A modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet … with tacos!!!

YOU GUYS!!! I totally loved this book!! Flew through it in less than a day! Albertson’s love for her culture and community came through so big in this story ♥️

The romance was gorgeous, intense, and heartbreaking all at once. There were so many great steamy moments! But, as good as it was, the real stars of this book for me were the community of Barrio Logan and the FOOD!! Wow 🤩 I was blown away by the descriptions of both. The pride in community was obvious and I could feel the joy in their celebrations. I could taste the delicious food and am in serious need of a great fish taco about now….

And don’t worry, this is a true romance and doesn’t have the tragic ending of the original!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🔥🔥🔥

A big thanks to @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for the #gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review!

Included as a top pick in bimonthly February New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

Look, I didn’t appreciate the old bard as much in High School as I do now (I find Shakespeare's characters far more unintentionally humorous now) and so I was quite excited to be given the opportunity to read Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson, a modern day retelling of Romeo and Juliet.

Ramón is a wealthy business developer who recently bought the shopping strip in the barrio where Julieta owns a restaurant, and his family’s initial plan was to replace her location with his family’s chain Mexican restaurant. On top of that? Ramón’s father stole his family’s fish taco recipe from Julieta’s mother eons ago.

Star-crossed lovers doesn’t begin to describe it.

While this story stayed relatively true to the original Shakespearean tragedy (insta-lust, disapproving families, etc etc), instead Albertson mixed things up and provided an honest look at Chicano life in Barrio Logan, including everything from the culture, community, and the food, to the very real issues and struggles of gentrification in these neighborhoods. Albertson even took it a step further and wove in the cultural disparities between Ramón and Julieta, two Mexican-Americans with very different upbringings, one in La Jolla and one in the barrio, and the differences in their everyday lives and motivations. Julieta, who wanted nothing more than to keep her community safe and the patrons happy, and Ramón, who learned that making money maybe isn't always worth the sacrifice in the end, even if it's all he's ever known. It was really well done and, to be completely honest, the entire book made me hungry.

I will say I struggled a bit with the (at times) immature dialogue between our characters (lol they were 30 but definitely didn’t act like it) and the slightly stilted writing style. There was something about it that made me twitchy because it felt like we were jumping thoughts or reasons, and so some of the transitions just didn't make sense and made it hard to follow. And with the immature dialogue or mental dialogue on top of that, it just didn't always work for me.

The love story also never fully felt developed (always a bit rushed in places or lacking in others) and there were a lot of repetitive thoughts and moments, and so I never knew quite where our characters stood. It was insta-love, sure, but at the same time, Julieta wavered a lot on whether or not Ramón's money bothered her, Ramón just never knew what he was doing with his life besides courting Julieta, and I don't know, it was all just kind of strange. I wanted there to be more chemistry between them, especially for all the trouble they went to in order to even have a relationship.

Overall, Ramón and Julieta was a quick read and a well done take on Romeo and Juliet (sans the death at the end). I am very happy to have read it and I truly did have a pretty good time, although, if I never read another page about how rich Ramón is, it will be too soon.

I’m kidding. Kind of.



[I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Ramon and Julieta share a kiss on the day of the dead, and Ramon will do whatever he must to find her again. Julieta is horrified when she discovers that Ramon is her landlord, and it was his father that stole her mothers’ special taco recipe which ended her mother’s career. There may be hostility between their families, but can these two move on from enemies / lovers? This is a delightful story which is filled with culture, traditions, family, intrigue, and love, which leads to a delicious page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

This Romeo and Juliet retelling takes place in modern day San Diego, specifically Barrio Logan, when fate (and tacos of course!) bring Ramón and Julieta together. These star-crossed lovers’ paths cross during the celebrations on Day of the Dead and it is love (or maybe more accurately, lust) at first sight! But can the son of the fast-food restaurant empire Taco King make things work with the lovely lady who has given up everything to make sure her family’s sea-to-table taqueria stays open? Especially when the building Julieta’s restaurant resides in is about to be bought out by none other than Ramón’s family/Taco King itself?

I dare you to go into this one without making, ordering, or daydreaming about tacos! You’ve been warned, do not go into this read in an empty stomach! I was intrigued by this story because of the romance and the tacos, but what I actually enjoyed the most was learning about the Chicano history of Barrio Logan and the neighborhood’s vibrant culture. Unfortunately, these portions of the the novel were just about all I enjoyed.

I don’t know if this book was just not my cup of tea, but I found that the writing and interactions between our MCs… to leave a lot to be desired. All of their interactions felt very surface level and as if neither of them truly ever got to know the other? The plot jumped along in many spots without much detail, which left me wondering why detail was omitted. I can appreciate all that this book brought to the table apart from the romance (exploration of Chicano culture, history, gentrification, and privilege as well as the more lighthearted topic of food), but these pieces unfortunately did not make up for where I felt the story was lacking in other places.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for access to an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Every year I try and make it a priority to read several books by Latinx authors and/or books that feature Latinx characters, and I’m pleased that I got to kick off 2022 with Ramón and Julieta! Not only was I getting to dive into a diverse romance set in San Diego, but I was intrigued that it was a retelling as well! Add in a stunning cover and a focus on food and I was so excited to read this one!

Beginning on Día de los Muertos, Ramón and Julieta follows romantic protagonists from two very different walks of life, both financially and culturally. Ramón is the son of an extremely wealthy family that founded (shadily) a successful chain restaurant empire, and has often felt disconnected from his Mexican roots due to his wealth, privilege and moving in predominantly white business circles. Julieta, on the other hand, is the chef and owner of a small but beloved local restaurant in the heart of a Latinx community in San Diego, and has struggled to get where she is in life and balance her motivations and aspirations with the approval of her tight knit community. When they meet anonymously on Día de los Muertos (thanks to their makeup and attire hiding their identities) they form an instant connection that is broken when Julieta realizes Ramón’s company is purchasing the block her restaurant resides on and planning to price most local businesses out by raising the rent.

As with any Romeo and Juliet inspired tale, the two leads must overcome feuding families (and in this case, business priorities) in order to be together. I liked that there was a realistic amount of tension and obstacles that both had to overcome, especially given their complicated family history (Ramón’s father built his Taco King empire from a recipe he stole from Julieta’s mother back in the day) and it was interesting to see how Ramón and Julieta’s fate was almost a repeat (or do-over) of their parents in many ways. Both characters had a strong sense of familial obligation, but also learned to stand up to their families when they disagreed or felt they were leading them down the wrong path. There was also a huge focus on the local Latinx community in this story, which both Julieta and Ramón having to come to terms with potentially losing their communities based on their decisions (and learning to listen and learn about each other’s complicated relationship with their communities and heritage as well, as while their backgrounds were so different they both had challenges with their Latinx identities).

I’ll be the first to admit I am not really a fan of Shakespeare or of Romeo and Juliet, but I that didn’t prevent me from enjoying this story (although at times the quoting of actual lines from the play had me cringing a little and didn’t feel very organically woven in). I’m sure there were some R&J references/characters that I didn’t pick up on because I haven’t read the play in about 15 years, but it didn’t lessen my experience as a reader (I feel like as long as you’re aware of the star-crossed lovers and feuding families elements in the original you can reasonably see the inspiration in any R&J retelling coming through). I will say, however, that given what a large role the story of their parents’ past played to the core plot, I wish their characters had been explored some more (Ramón’s dad was very one dimensional and unlikable, and though Julieta’s mom was a little more fleshed out she really only functioned to make Julieta feel good or bad about her decisions). I could actually see this having spin off books about other characters such as the parents, Ramón’s brothers, etc.

Overall: This was a fun, easy to read romance that’s immersed in Latinx culture and has some amazing food descriptions! If you’re looking for a fun twist on a Shakespeare retelling you’ll definitely get that from this title!

Tacos and fate brought Ramón and Julieta together on the Day of the Dead, but tacos may also be the catalyst to tear them apart.

Starting with Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers, Ramón and Julieta took familiar elements from the play like instant chemistry and families at odds with one another, set it in a modern day neighborhood of San Diego, and switched out the tragic ending with a HEA. I loved the Romeo and Juliet quotes sprinkled throughout as well as the vibrant Mexican-American culture that came across on every page with descriptions of the food, celebrations, and tight community.

Layered within this romance were also deeper themes of gentrification and privilege and the effects it has on every aspect of a community.

This spicy romance is best paired with tacos and a beer. Or in my case tacos plus paletas (popsicles), especially mango with chammoy and tajin. I loved all aspects of this romcom and look forward to more by this author.

The Romeo and Juliet trope begins. Oh my my!

I love the Hispanic originality in this book. All I could think of as I read this book was tacos. I've never had one, but I tried it out of curiosity. As an African who loves spicy foods, I was blown away!

From meeting Ramon to Julietta, I was blushing profusely. Which man quotes Rome and Juliet and doesn't have my heart 😩**faints** **faints again**.

And then you have one of my favorite musicians, Julio Iglesias. Oh, my God!

I'm writing this as I read lol😂 it's not a first date, but they both wore their best outfits, that tells you how much they're crazy about each other.

This is the first Romeo and Juliet retelling, but with a very sweet HEA! despite all the hurdles thrown at this unique couple, the love they had for each other pulled them through. My hope was for Ramon and his father to make up, because I'm all about family, but the way it ended was satisfying.

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for this awesome arc.

Ramon and Julieta is a passionate story about community, heritage, culture, and of course - the power of love.

What appealed to you the most in this story?

I just loved the culture and food represented in this story. Y’all know I’m a complete foodie, so I loved reading about all the food, dishes, and how Julia’s mind worked when creating a new dish.

I also loved how Quintana Albertson combined culture and atmosphere in her writing of modern-day San Diego. I felt like I was right there as Julieta lived in and explored different parts of the city.

How was the romance?

I really enjoyed this modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet. Although, I think this story packed so much more into it, and I just loved the family backgrounds and connections that kept me attached to their individual stories.

As for the romance itself - this was an enemies to lovers/insta-love with a bit of a slow burn, and the chemistry was palpable between the two.

I also really loved how it was the male lead (instead of the female), Ramon, who grew as a character throughout the story through Julieta’s influence.

Steam level - Open Door Romance with some excellent steamy scenes.

How was the pace?

This is a fast-paced story that will suck you in from the very beginning, and I devoured (pun intended) it in less than 24 hours…Which is a good thing because, I would have eaten my way through this story. Definitely don’t read this one with an empty stomach.

Do you recommend this book?

Yup! This is just so much more than a “fun” romcom. It is passionate, full of culture, and personal growth. I’m really hoping this is a start to a new series, so that I can see where the lives of Ramon’s brothers go.

P.S. The author, Alana Quintana Albertson has rescued 500 death-row shelter dogs! What an amazing woman!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Fate and tacos bring Ramón and Julieta together on Día de los Muertos. Ramón Montez is a determined, focused, incredibly sexy businessman. After a chance encounter with a beautiful señorita named Julieta on the day of the dead, Ramón will do whatever it takes to find her again. Julieta Campos has fought for her family’s taqueria in Barrio Logan and will stop at nothing to keep its doors open. To her horror, she discovers her new landlord is none other than the gorgeous mariachi she met on Día de los Muertos. Julieta has no choice but to work alongside the man who could potentially destroy everything she has worked so hard for.

Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays and I loved seeing those elements in this book! The culture added so much color and richness to the story. I loved learning more about the Hispanic culture! And I highly recommend not reading this book when you’re hungry, I was always craving tacos 🌮 Despite their differences, Ramón and Julieta made the perfect pair. Love love loved the banter between them! I’m a big fan of enemies to lovers so I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. Thank you to Berkley Publishing, the author, and NetGalley for my E-ARC!

This book releases 02.01.22