Breakup from Hell by Ann Davila Cardinal is a fast-paced, paranormal romance that playfully merges horror with humor, there were moments when the rapid pace and character dynamics left little room for deeper connection​, but I think it was a fun romp!

Such a wild ride! Great read for a long car drive, read it on a road trip and was entertained the whole way. definitely will re read again someday without the motion sickness

In the sleepy town of Stowe, Vermont, high school senior Miguela "Mica" Angeles finds herself drawn to the enigmatic newcomer, Sam, who brings excitement and danger into her mundane life. Despite her grandmother's strict religious upbringing, Mica embarks on thrilling escapades with Sam, breaking rules and uncovering hidden aspects of her Puerto Rican heritage. As Mica and her friends develop supernatural abilities and face apocalyptic visions, they realize their destinies are intertwined with their ancestry and the looming threat of catastrophe. With a fast-paced narrative rooted in Catholic lore, this empowering fantasy follows Mica's journey to embrace her identity and confront the forces threatening her world. Featuring a diverse cast and a touching portrayal of family bonds, this is a gripping tale of friendship, discovery, and the battle between light and darkness.

Fast paced, enjoyable ish read, predictable and characters sorta 2 dimensional. Definitely fit for the ya contemporary crowd and a easy light read.

Breakup from Hell was an okay read. It was a very interesting book that was fast & fun to read.

The characters did not have much depth, but were relatable at times. The writing was mediocre and cringey, but it wasn’t bad enough to dnf the book.

The romance would have been amazing, if it was given the time to develop. It was insta-love, which isn’t my favorite, but it was cute and messy like a normal teen romance.

Overall, this book was fun. It held my attention and had an interesting storyline. I only wish it was executed better. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Teen for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

At first glance this book has the feel of a teenybop Rom-Com, but it is definitely not. Very much a good girl who falls for the bad boy story, everything changes when Mica finds out the truth about Sam and his family. Once the supernatural bits got added I was hooked. It took it from a good book to a great book for me. Definitely better than I was expecting.

This was different. I loved it. Miguela is a fierce bada** who falls for a guy until she learns the truth about him. She tries to break it off and he doesn’t take it so well. Add in the supernatural aspect and it is the perfect recipe for entertainment.

Step into the infernal world of "Breakup From Hell" as Ann Dávila Cardinal guides readers through a devilishly delightful journey of teenage romance, supernatural chaos, and self-discovery. Miguela "Mica" Angeles, a spirited small-town girl yearning for a taste of California's sunshine, finds herself entangled in a web of demonic secrets when Sam, a mysterious newcomer, enters her life.

From the first glance, "Breakup From Hell" beckons with its alluring cover and a promise of a tale where angels, demons, and the pitfalls of teenage relationships collide. Cardinal deftly navigates the fine line between humor and high-stakes drama, crafting a narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The plot, while racing at a brisk pace, unfurls a tapestry of supernatural mayhem, challenging the conventional boundaries of fantasy and romance.

While the romance between Mica and Sam may initially seem like a typical teenage love story, Cardinal weaves in unexpected twists, making it a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The witty banter and comedic moments provide levity, balancing the darker undertones that come with dating the son of Satan. The narrative cleverly explores the complexities of relationships, both earthly and otherworldly, without shying away from the pitfalls.

The fusion of Christianity and fantasy elements adds a unique flavor to the story, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of faith, magic, and culture. Cardinal masterfully integrates religious undertones without passing judgment, creating a narrative that resonates with authenticity, especially through Mica's Puerto Rican heritage.

The characters, led by the relatable Mica, are a vibrant ensemble with quirks that inject life into the story. While Sam brings a devilish charm, supporting characters like Barry and Rage offer comedic relief that punctuates the narrative's intensity. The dynamics between the characters, be it friendships or the tumultuous romance, add layers to the storytelling.

"Breakup From Hell" is a captivating blend of Lucifer-esque mischief, Buffy-esque drama, and a dash of supernatural oddities that will appeal to fans of fantasy and teen romance alike. Cardinal's approachable writing style ensures accessibility for teen readers, coupled with a narrative that subtly delivers messages without heavy-handedness.

- I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

3.5 Stars

This was an exciting and fast read. Very fun and hilarious. I highly recommend this for all the ya fans out there.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

What did I just read?! That was so unexpected and so much fun!! The cartoony cover made me think it was a silly little rom com but it's not. It's so different and so much better. Definitely a surprising read! And funny!

This one wasn’t really for me. I thought I’d like the plot, but it turns out I wasn’t too much of a fan!

Great read. I could not put this book down. This is a new author to me. And I will be watching out for more books by her. The friendships are real and great. Sam and mica are great characters. Angst and quick read.

*DNF @ 27%*

This book was actually kinda painful to read. The writing was mediocre and the characters didn’t really have complex personalities. It felt very flat and one dimensional. The concept for this is so interesting and i wanted to love it but the writing was so clunky i actually could not get through it :(

This started out cute but it quickly turned very cliché and predictable. I preferred some of the secondary characters over the main character, such as Z. There were many times where they main character just came off as annoying. I also feel like it was very heavy on the Christianity. I don't mind learning about religion in books but this one came across preachy at times. I did like the connection between the main character and her 3 friends. Their friendship border more on them being family in a way and I always enjoy friendships like that.

I like the show Lucifer and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and was hoping this would have similarities to that. What little resemblance to those there was just didn't have the same heart.

It's possible part of the problem was that I am not the target audience for this book. It's possible that there are people out there who will enjoy this but for me it was overall just ok and not something I would likely read again.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Whomp! Whomp! This was a very mid book to me. My first book of 2023 did not start the year off with a bang, but with a whimper. I didn't have a great time reading this book just an okay time.

This YA paranormal romance is about a Catholic teenager, who loves horror books, who seems to fall for the devil's son.

The romance between the characters was very lackluster for me, the characters themselves were very flat and for a character who loves horror books, the horror aspect was not nearly played up as it should have been. The main character is very boring, as she doesn't feel fully formed not does she jump off the page.

What I did like was the found friendship, the friendships in this book are done really well, a character who loves horror and the relationship between the main character and her abuelita.

I recommend this book for readers who like YA paranormal romance and for romance readers who want something a little different.

"Breakup from Hell" by Ann Davila Cardinal is a supernatural roller coaster of a novel that combines romance, mystery, and the otherworldly in a way that had me hooked from the very beginning. This book is an exhilarating blend of the paranormal and the emotional.

Cardinal's writing style is immersive and suspenseful, drawing readers into a world where the supernatural collides with the ordinary. The characters in the novel are multidimensional, each grappling with their own fears and desires as they navigate both earthly and otherworldly challenges.

At the heart of the narrative is a compelling mystery that intertwines with themes of love, betrayal, and self-discovery. The author's ability to seamlessly weave the supernatural elements into the story adds a layer of intrigue that kept me guessing until the very end.

"Breakup from Hell" successfully merges the thrilling with the emotional, offering a narrative that balances the eerie with the heartfelt. The exploration of supernatural forces and the personal journeys of the characters create a truly immersive reading experience.

In conclusion, "Breakup from Hell" is an enthralling and suspenseful novel that takes readers on a supernatural journey. If you're looking for a story that blends the otherworldly with human emotions and relationships, this book offers an engaging and unpredictable ride that will leave you wanting more.

Well this was an interesting read. It has some things that I myself don't think should be in a YA book. Check the trigger warnings. But the storyline was ok the book was ok. I read it I didn't hate it. Just kind of feel like I wanted more with every turn of the page.

I got some vibes from that TV show Lucifer in the mix. It was an interesting storyline. There were some parts where you just flew threw. The authors style of writing was good but I felt like there was something holding back like if they had done this as an adult book it could have rocked our world. I asked my 14yr old if she wanted to read this and after reading the synopsis her response was no thanks i'm good.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.25 out of 5 stars.

Yes, this is a YA book, and yes, it hits all the YA tropes on the nose, but it was still pretty cute. Miguela "Mica" lives with her abuela (grandmother) in a sleepy Vermont town where nothing exciting or dangerous ever happens. They moved there from Puerto Rico after Mica's mom died under mysterious circumstances and her father just kind of...drifted away.

She's got her ride-or-dies: Barry, Zee, and Rage. She has been accepted to UCLA, but hasn't told her abuela yet because it seems like everyone wants Mica to just stay where she is.

At the carnival, Mica meets Sam, and there is an instant attraction. When they save some kids who wander too close to the fireworks, it seems to bring them even closer. Mica accepts when Sam asks her out, which will happen right after she is un-grounded because she got home half an hour late that night.

But weird things have started happening since Sam (and his sister, Rona) have come to town: near-hallucinatory visions that are terrifying, the weather is too hot for November in Vermont, not to mention strength and speed seem to be a thing now for "The Host," as Mica and her friends call themselves.

When Mica and Zee go out to try to find where Sam is staying, they find something neither of them could have imagined. Then they overhear Mica's abuela talking to Zee's, Barry's, and Rage's parents about something clandestine and strange.

Confused and wondering just how well their parents and abuela all know each other and how influential they are in town and at the school that they attend, not to mention who and what are Sam and Rona, the Host make plans to get to the bottom of it all.

Well, maybe not The Bottom.

I enjoyed this tiny little book, although after I started it, I kind of got caught up in other books, which is why it took me four months to get through the mere 300 pages. I am glad I finished it, though. There were some very interesting and intriguing parts, particularly when it came to some ancient entities.

Honestly, though, I feel like this could have been so much more. The author is a good writer - from dialogue to character development. I feel that latching on to a certain franchise and box has limited her capacity. She is funny and builds suspense well. If this had been a little longer and a little less ... trope-y YAish, it could have been something phenomenal.

But again, I did enjoy reading it. It was a nice weekend read between larger tomes, and I would definitely read more by the author as I am interesting in how her writing evolves.