I love the passionate heroine, family dynamics, musical lyricism, and feel-good romance! I am new to the Queens of Mariachi series but am 100% hooked and will be reading book 1 soon. I am a sucker for Shakespeare tie-ins and girls getting to finally humanize their celebrity crushes! Cheers to Priscilla Oliveras for creating a wonderful ode to mariachi, Latinx pride, long-sought dreams, and epic, sexy longing.

After winning the Battle of the Mariachis with her sisters, Catalina has now been given the opportunity of a lifetime, going on tour with Patricio Galán and helping him write his upcoming album.

Catalina and Patricio are the perfect match. Their shared passion for music and their desire to make a name for themselves that stands on its own was everything! And the way that they both support each other and vocalize it when the other needs it truly makes me swoon.

The mix of family, music, and romance that Priscilla writes in this one is perfect! And it's available on KU now.

So put some Mariachi and rancheras on and enjoy getting swept up in this music filled love story!

Thank you Priscilla for my arc!

I read the first book in this series (West Side Love Story) earlier this year and thought it was really well written with lots to enjoy. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this second novel by Priscilla Oliveras. New readers do not need to read the first book, West Side Love Story, to enjoy this latest book though. It works well as a standalone novel and you will not feel lost with in the story or characters at all as this book has it’s own set of independent characters and it’s own plot.

The thing that caught my eye about this one (besides having read the first book and the author) was of course the beautiful cover and the promise of a unique and untold story. I love that Mariachi plays a big part in these books. It feels like something new and different with a lot of cultural flavor and I loved the sound of a romance formed on the road as part of a Marachi tour.

This is my second book by Oliveras and I was not disappointed. I am eager to pick up other books by this author but this series has been a real delight to read. I know she has written some other standalone novels, a couple of which have been on my radar for quite some time, all of which have been fan hits so if you are looking for your next read you might want to check her out as well as this book, because I liked this one even better than West Side Love Story!

Summary

Dreams come true for an untamable rising star and a mariachi idol in a rousing romance about passion, fame, and family by USA Today bestselling author Priscilla Oliveras.

Ambitious San Antonio singer Catalina “Cat” Capuleta gets the chance of a lifetime when she joins superstar heartthrob and fellow mariachi Patricio Galán on his seven-week concert tour. Demanding and arrogant, Patricio challenges Cat on every level, as an artist and as a woman. But headstrong Cat is determined to be his match. No matter how seductive Patricio’s baritone voice, Cat’s eyes are only on the prize: success and making her familia proud.

No woman gets under Patricio’s skin like Cat. Her talent mesmerizes. Her passion is thrilling. And her drive, stemming from an old unhealed family wound, exposes a vulnerability he secretly recognizes in himself.

When the duo hits the road, the sparks don’t just fly—they detonate. Stage by stage, as each reckons with the past—and with each other’s quick-fire personalities—they bring crowds to their feet, and Cat’s long-held dreams come true. Will their road romance go up in flames? Or could making music together kindle the most rapturous love song of their lives? (summary from Goodreads)

Review

Any time I see things in the summary like ‘no woman gets under XXXXX skin like XXXXX’ I instantly get so excited. I love the enemies to lovers trope because I think it adds so much chemistry to the story and I just know that I will love it. So when I saw something similar in this summary I was even more excited to read it! And through out the book the chemistry between Cat and Patricio (Galan) was satisfactory! I loved them together and I felt like their chemistry was only enhanced by the enemies to lovers troupe. They each have some emotional baggage to sort out but their passion and desires come together really well in this book and I felt super connected and invested in their romance and of course their individual careers within the book too.

In addition to the wonderful chemistry between the characters, I really liked how much culture was represented in this one. I loved the music references along with the customs unique to the Hispanic culture. I felt the same with the other book in this series, and I just love the authenticity and dedication to representation within her books. I felt like I was in a telenovela with all the drama and excitement as well we the rich culture of the Mexican people. I absolutely loved this book for that reason (among many others!). If you are looking for a book that has rich culture and an excellent depiction of mariachi and the Mexican culture this is a fantastic option for you!

As I mentioned earlier, I really liked the first book in this series but that I liked this one even more. Both are great books but this one felt more relaxed and confident in a way that West Side Love Story was not. West Side Love Story was a solid start to the series, but I felt like we needed to explore the family dynamics more for it to really jive, but this book things felt more flushed out and developed. The chemistry was better, the backstory and progression of both Cat and Patricio’s careers within the mariachi world was better and this one just overall felt more confident and less constrained by the classic Romeo and Juliet angle. This was an excellent read and I am looking forward to more books from Oliveras in the future!

Book Info and Rating

Format: paperback, 284 pages

Publisher: November 1st 2022, by Montlake Publishing

ISBN: 154034426

Free review copy provided by publisher, Montlake Publishing in partnership with the Tall Poppy Writers/Bloggers, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Genre: romance, women’s fiction, chick lit

Music, career, and love drama - this was such a fun read. Catalina is a driven mariachi, venturing out for the first time from her family, and the dynamics as she gets on tour were a nice balance of emotions. I can't wait to read the first book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for the ARC.

This is the second book in the Queens of Mariachi series, and it features Catalina, my favorite character from the first book. I love Cat's way of approaching the world. She goes for what she wants and stands up for herself and for her loved ones. Her push back against machismo and patriarchy are deeply engrained in her. And yet, she also grew as a character throughout this book.

We had also met Patricio in the previous book, but we got to know him much better here. I loved the fit between him and Cat and how much they pushed each other. I wouldn't call this a full enemies-to-lovers because it never was that bad at the beginning. But the two definitely have conflict and chemistry.

I really enjoyed the story, the mariachis and concerts, the many locations, and the family. Though I was thrilled to have already read West Side Love Story, this does stand alone.

Thank you to Priscilla Oliveras for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up

Kiss Me, Catalina swept me off my feet! Romantic and heartfelt, I adored Catalina and Patricio. I’m always a little nervous about the follow-up book in a series, but I had nothing to worry about here. While this is the second book in the Queens of Mariachi series, each one can be read as a stand alone. But I recommend reading them both! You won’t want to miss any of the Capuleta familia. It was so nice to jump right into this story, picking up mostly where the first one left off, familiar with the characters and setting, which allowed me to read for pure enjoyment.

Each novel in the Queens of Mariachi series is a reimagining of a William Shakespeare play and broadway musical. While West Side Love Story tackled Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, Kiss Me, Catalina is inspired by The Taming of the Shrew, and therefore the musical Kiss Me, Kate. Unfortunately, I have never read or seen either of Kiss Me, Catalina‘s inspirations, so I had nothing to compare it to. But now I’m curious about checking out the source materials.

For a shorter book, Oliveras does a great job creating a slow-burn feel. I found myself cheering when these two finally managed to kiss, but there’s plenty of romance and steaminess leading up to the moment. For me, it’s just the right amount. No dragging out of the story, no slump in the middle, just enough build-up and then the well-earned climax and resolution. Perfectly paced.

Oliveras always impresses me with her characters. They’re well-rounded, flawed, and unique. I also love that Catalina and Patricio are so similar. They both have troubled pasts with their fathers, big egos, and stubborn rules about not dating fellow band members. I mean, come on! We all know that’s not gonna last!

In this book we get to travel with Catalina and Patricio on their tour buses, seeing parts of Texas as they perform in various concert venues—some that I’ve actually visited! And as they travel to Patricio’s beach house in Puerto Vallarta, the beautiful setting mirrors the blossoming romance. They wrap up their tour in Las Vegas, a place I’ve visited twice, which always helps books come to life even more for me. It’s part road trip book and part beach read, which are two of my favorite tropes.

Oliveras gives the readers a few scenes with the wonderful Capuleta family, and hints at who will be the focus in the next story, giving readers plenty to look forward to.

Priscilla Oliveras delivers another delightful and swoon-y romance, and I couldn’t help but unwind, becoming immersed in Kiss Me, Catalina!

I may be a bit on the later side, but I’m always down for a pub day party!

#KissMeCatalina:

It’s Priscilla Oliveras, need I say more? Book 2 in the Queens of Mariachi series is here and available on KU today!

Catalina AKA Cat gets her big break when she gets to go on a seven week tour with Patricio! There’s definitely some enemies to lovers vibes as Patricio is arrogant, but Cat is strong willed and determined.

I really liked their journey and it gave me “A Star is Born” but add a little sazón to it. (Ya get me?)

Overall, another solid read from a favorite author! Check out Kiss Me Catalina!

So a hit and a miss for pub day!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! It was incredibly well done and I loved the plot.

Kiss Me, Catalina is a book full of love, music, family drama, a swoon-worthy grand gesture and Latin culture dear to our hearts. It follows Catalina Capuleta as she hits the road with Mariachi superstar El Principe Patricio Galán.

Ay Dios mío, the egos on these two! This was such a fun read. Cat and Patricio have so much in common besides their love of mariachi music, they are out to prove themselves to their families and the music industry. Their chemistry and head butting banter added to the obvious sexual tension that their rules heightened (she will never date a mariachi and he doesn’t date anyone on tour). They built a friendship first and it was great to see how they bettered each other and supported each other.

Gracias to Priscilla & her team for the ARC! Kiss Me, Catalina released yesterday (November 1st)! This can be read as a standalone but definitely check out West Side Love Story!

What we liked:
▪️Badass Latina heroine
▪️ Hot and sweet Mariachi hero
▪️Cat & Patricio’s chemistry🔥
▪️Dual POV
▪️Forced proximity
▪️All the Spanglish!

What we didn’t like:
▪️Cat’s father drama felt rushed
▪️Still no soundtrack 😜

Another solid addition to the Queens of Mariachi series featuring a two rival San Antonio families. In this book Catalina, "Cat" finally gets her big break touring with Patricio, an established singer in his own right who is experiencing writer's block.

I loved the chemistry between these two! Catalina is such a strong, career-driven woman who wants to succeed not just for herself but to make her family proud and help support them. She doesn't have time to get sidetracked by romance, especially not a playboy like Patricio.

This forced proximity, steamy open door, dual POV workplace romance gave me all the feels, great banter and sizzling on page action. Plus I adore this big-hearted, Latinx family and how central their relationships are to the story. It was great getting to know more about the Capuleta sisters and I'm excited to read what comes next!

Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy. I listened to this on audio and found the narration by Karla Serrato top notch!

Catalina Capuleta está diante da chance de alavancar sua carreira como compositora, ao assinar um contrato para ajudar Patricio Galán nas suas composições, ao mesmo tempo que participa da sua nova turnê.

O que começou como implicância logo muda à medida que os dois vão convivendo juntos, principalmente nos momentos de criação. E assim cada vez mais difícil de resistir a crescente atração mútua.

Kiss Me, Catalina é o segundo livro da série Queens of Mariachi. Eu não li o primeiro, mas isso não atrapalhou o entendimento durante a leitura. Enquanto no primeiro temos uma releitura de Romeu e Julieta, aqui temos A Megera Domada.

Eu adoro como Priscilla insere a cultura latina em seus livros. Nesse livro, assim como na série, temos como pano de fundo o gênero musical mariachi, bastante famoso da cultura mexicana. Durante a história vemos Cat querendo fazer seu nome, mas ela sabe que será necessário enfrentar o machismo que o gênero traz. Já Patricio tem suas inseguranças devido ao seu pai, que é um ícone do gênero musical assim como ele.

Cat é uma personagem determinada, forte, criativa e não leva desaforo pra casa. Patricio é um homem charmoso e sedutor, mas também tem um lado bastante carinhoso e atencioso. Eu adorei a dinâmica deles. O modo como a amizade e o companherismo entre os dois nasceu durante seus momentos de criação, como eles vão se abrindo e se sentindo confortável na presença um do outro. E o melhor de tudo, sem deixar a atração influenciar no seu relacionamento profissional.

A relação entre Cat e Patricio é cheia de flertes e provocações, o que deixa a leitura bem divertida. Fora que a tensão entre eles salta das páginas. Mas um ponto que também gostei bastante foi o desenvolvimento individual de cada e tendo o apoio um do outro durante essa jornada.

O conflito entre eles não é tão difícil de se adivinhar, mas nem por isso a leitura deixou a desejar. Ainda mais com aquele final clichê mas maravilhoso. Finalizei já ansiosa pela próxima irmã Capuleta a estrelar.

ARC COPY REVIEW
Book #2 in the Queens of Mariachi series

latinxromance, mariachi, mariachi star, music idol, taming of the shrew retelling, contemporary romance, family, road trip romance, forced proximity

The story of Catalina and Patricio was cute because of the animosity and stubborn nature of the two but overall the story was okay for me and a bit too predictable. I did like the diversity included and liked their overall relationship but the story itself fell short towards the end of the book.

Singer-songwriter Cat gets her big break when she collaborates with superstar Patricio and goes on tour with him. The chemistry between them is explosive, but what happens when she discovers his secret?

This is an intense and emotional story. Cat is fiercely independent, while Patricio is often private, leading to miscommunication and bad assumptions. Given the press scrutiny, they're wary of giving in to the feelings between them. They don't want to become fodder for the tabloids. It takes patience for them to learn to trust each other.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The heroine joins the hero's concert tour and sparks fly between them. Both have pasts that helped shape them, and when the two collide, it brings up old wounds that stops them from moving forward. Will they take that step to overcome the pasts that are holding them back so that they can have their own happy ending?

This is the second book in the Queens of Mariachi series. The book can be read by itself, but it would be good to read the first book to have a good image of some secondary characters that were mentioned in the previous book. The main couple were likable characters, even with flaws. I enjoyed learning a lot about the mariachi world, and the book cover is delightfully colorful. I would have liked some more details in some parts of the story, but it wasn't detrimental in my reading. Overall, a solid addition to the Queens of Mariachi series and I look forward to reading the next book in the future.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy, clever and held my interest. I wanted to find out what was going to happen. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

This was such a cute story and I really enjoyed it. Kiss Me, Catalina is book 2 in the Queens of Mariachi series which follows the love story of Catalina and El Principe of Mariachi, Patricio. This story gives a slight nod to Kiss Me, Kate/ The Taming of the Shrew set in the mariachi world with Cat and Patricio traveling from Texas to Cali, Puerto Vallarta, and Vegas. As much as this is a love story it also focuses on past family drama, foster care/adoption, emotional trauma, and how one faces their fears to make their dreams a reality. Definitely pick this one up if you’re looking for:

💋 passionate quick-fire personalities
🎺 rising star and a mariachi idol
🚐 road trip romance
🥰 bonds of sisterhood
🏠 old familia wounds
🎵 a swoony courtyard serenade
🔥 a stuck zipper and a warm helping hand

Many thanks to Priscilla and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. .

This is a slow burn romance that is full of chemistry. Catalina, cat, is a singer from San Antonio who has been invited to go on tour with the famous mariachi singer Patricio. Patricio is known as demanding and is very popular. Cat is ambitious and determined to make the most of this opportunity. It is interesting to see the romance unfold while they are on tour. Also both characters have to deal with issues in their past. It’s written in a way that makes you feel like you were listening to the music as they describe it. This is a delightful romance that I would recommend.

I loved getting to see more of Cat and Patricio, but felt like something was missing with this one. Maybe the absence of the sisters as much as West Side Love Story

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this slow burn and finding out more about Mariachi bands. this was a fun world to be in and the development was enjoyable

This book was absolutely delightful! A rising woman mariachi star goes on tour with El Principe (the prince) of Mariachi and tries to get him to overcome his creative block and write new music while also trying not to fall in love with him?! Shenanigans ensue. It was such a fun ride with Catalina and Patricio! Highly recommend this fun romance!