Member Reviews
This was an interesting and overall good novel about the messiness of life. Wasn’t quite for me but not bad necessarily.
I did not end up getting around to this book but am trying to clear out my NetGalley account. I am auto-approved by this publisher and took more books than I could actually read.
"Houston, We Have a Problema" is a fun and cute read that's impossible not to enjoy. Gwendolyn Zepeda's storytelling is a fiesta for your imagination, and her characters are the life of the literary party. If you're in the mood for a book that will make you laugh, sigh, and crave Tex-Mex cuisine, this one's a must-read. So, grab a margarita, kick back, and get ready to have a blast in the heart of Houston!
This has been on my NetGalley shelf for over a year, and I still haven’t picked it up. I've tried, but it just isn't for me (right now). I hope other people enjoy it more than I did.
This was a fun read, and I appreciated the chance to get this book with the rebranding. Love the cover! The story was a super easy read, but did feel a bit juvenile at times. The original publishing date was 2009, so I did feel some of the topics/tropes didn't age as well as more current romances, but still enjoyable!
I wanted to like this book but ultimately it fell flat for me and I DNF'ed it. The main character felt so immature, it was hard to connect with the plot because of it.
Thank you Forever and Netgalley for my copy.
This was a solid read for me, a quick easy read. I liked how this book tackled a lot of real life problems.
I have been hesitant to put into words that I struggled through this story. It was great but maybe not quite for me. There was a mystical element that I had a hard time getting into which maybe had to do with me and not the story because I think that conceptually that's a great idea. The writing was great and the characters were amazing. I am here for representation though and I have to say I love that the publisher and author put this out there.
This was such a fun and unique book and I absolutely adored it.
I adored the mystical element to the story and the tarot cards, as well as fun relationships and dialogue that felt fresh and real.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
This was a cute book, but it wasn’t for me. I felt like the character was a little too young for my liking. It’s a super quick read. I know others loved this one, so I recommend checking out their thoughts on it!
Honestly, I only made it to chapter five before I couldn't handle the fatphobic comments any longer. Being skinny isn't all there is to life.
Loved this book , I love that it’s about a Hispanic girl. We need more representation when it comes to Mexicans. Thank you to NetGalley for this arc
When I saw the premise of this book I was so excited. I wanted to love this one but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. Jessica felt a lot younger and more immature than 26 and her reliance on Madame Hortencia got to be a bit too much by the end. I wanted her to be able to make a decision for herself, and by the time I finally started to feel she was making progress the book was over. I do adore the new cover though!
I really liked Zepeda’s writing style and the overall storyline. I did feel that the story was a little long. I liked Jessica, but it took her far too long to get a clue and start being the woman she was clearly destined to become. A fun book if you are looking to disconnect.
THERE'S NO HEA!!! It's NOT a romance and should not be marketed as such. I read the first little bit, found Jessica annoying and immature then skimmed the rest. I get that this book is a reprint from 20 years ago, but it's one that feels really old. I know that the author is hispanic so she's within her rights to write the book this way, but I found a lot of the language used to describe the latino characters to be racist. I don't think I will be returning to this author.
I wanted to love this book, but Houston We Have a Problema ended up being a miss for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. I was looking forward to reading this since I, too, am a Latina. I definitely could relate and see some of my friends and family with the superstition aspect. It was definitely more than what people would consider ‘chick-lit’ (not that there is anything wrong with that term, although unfortunately, there is ‘something’ attached to it) since it covered issues such as family and the dynamics between everyone.
I’m glad to have read this book, even though at parts I found it a little long and running. I will definitely be recommending this book to people who are looking for something both fun yet still containing substance.
3.5 stars
What I loved about Houston, We Have a Problema (and what is hard to find for someone so well-read) is uncertainty, unexpected events, surprise. If Gwendolyn Zepeda gets one thing right, it's the intrigue. But, of course, she gets many things right, from pacing, dialogue, character development, setting, humor, and, most importantly, romance! The timing of events flows well, and plot lines are neatly tied off with a ribbon.
Jessica is such a relatable main character, even to me, a white girl who never goes out. Her hopeless romantic antics and desperation for a sign speak to every twenty-something. Despite being republished from sometime in the 2000s, Houston is relevant and timely as ever!
I wish there had been more of a fairytale ending, but I am happy with how the story concluded anyway.
Zepeda made a good call with republishing (and with the updated cover!); Houston, We Have a Problema is bound to be a summer hit!
Thank you @NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for the ARC of Houston, We Have a Problema in exchange for my honest review.
I really wanted to love this book. Rom-com, Mexican culture, telenovela drama, relationship issues, a physic, building a future...but this book fell apart for me. The ending was not what I was expecting. This book is listed as a rom-com, but there wasn't a relationship HEA. Relationships were the theme with a little self awareness sprinkled in. Then the book took a huge turn, ditched the romantic relationships and became solely about the MC's personal/professional life without romance. The ending was incredibly rushed. It's okay to have that moment of self appreciation for the MC, but then continue the story. The MC even hinted at a "healing period" but then the storyline stopped, and stopped abruptly. What happened to her parents? What happened to her sister? What happened with Xavier and the waiting?
I was really bummed with how this book turned out.
I really wanted to love this book - I loved the early 2000s feel. I loved the Latino culture and Spanish language integration (and I see where this can be amazing representation). However, I struggled to get past the toxic relationship the MC had and had a hard time getting on with her lack of self-worth. Rating it 3 stars for the rep but DNF this one.