This book had the potential to be really good but ended up being one-dimensional. Mika is a bit too much "not like other girls," and insta-love is the catalyst for the whole plot. If the author had taken time to build Sam and Mika's relationship, I would have been more connected to the characters and what was happening to them. The pacing was super inconsistent. At times, the book dragged, only to throw a ton of information in for ten pages, then slow down again.

Breakup from Hell will also rub certain people the wrong way, when it comes to the religious aspect. It bordered on being sacrilegious and almost flippant to religion. I could not tell if the book was trying to mock Catholicism or not. This is super important for readers to know before picking up this book; it has a very specific demographic, and if you are a practicing religious person, I would advise you to just find another book.

What would happen if we took Lucifer, made it YA, and also got inspired by cheesy (not in a bad way) early 2000s TV shows? This book.

This story follows Mica who is a high school student. She lives with her grandmother and has a seemingly normal life. One day, she meets Sam (albeit in weird situations, like a church) - this radiant and fun guy who seems to have her heart from the first second they meet. They start hanging out and dating. But his influence is bad on Mica - she starts lying to her family and friends and these weird visions of Hell on Earth won't leave her alone. This leads to Mica discovering the truth about Sam, herself, her friends, and the town.

I will not be going into spoilers but not only does the author mention Netflix's hit show "Lucifer", but so many plot points/mythology is also taken from it. I don't think the author anticipated a truly unhinged Lucifer fan to read this but here I am. There's one thing that is only mentioned in s1 of the show once or twice but here it's mentioned a lot. That's among other stuff I will not be mentioning - because of spoilers!

I thought this was the younger age range of YA literature and since I'm in my 20s, I found it quite cheesy and sometimes even cringy. It felt very naive to me but I think it's not a bad thing, it's just targeted toward a different audience/age range.

I also didn't see the connection between Mica and Sam, so their inevitable breakup did not hit me at all.

Overall, this book was not for me (which is sad) but I am utterly obsessed with the cover - it is stunning.

3/5 😈

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was invested from the first page. This was an interesting topic for a book I definitely liked the supernatural aspects of the story. I would totally read more and want to learn more about the other characters, if the author writes a sequel.

I received a copy of Breakup From Hell via NetGalley to read and review.


I’ll be honest, around halfway I almost did not finish. I felt Breakup From Hell was being pulled in too many directions. Was this paranormal? Romance? Horror? There were elements of each going on with no real direction and I had no idea what the real story was. Around 60% we finally get some answers and things start coming together. I would have liked a short scene of Mica’s mom to start the book- like the vision Mica has later. Then at least as a reader there’s a backstory as an anchor.

Where Buffy meets Lucifer meets Twilight, this fun, campy YA book exists. I was sold based on the blurb alone, but as I read it I realized it really had the perfect blend of paranormal romance, teen angst, horror & comedy. I really felt like I was in the middle of a Buffy episode rooting for her to take down the Big Bad of the week, and I really hope this author turns this story into a series because it has the potential to be an awesome world for more stories!

This book was really marketed perfectly and was exactly as it was described, which is so hard to find lately! I’m really excited to read more from this author soon.

This book is very YA. I do believe a young teenager would love this book. Unfortunately, as someone in my mid thirties, this book didn’t hit the mark for me.

I found myself scanning through the pages to get through the book faster. There are a lot of cliches that made me want to grit my teeth.

Also, every one is hiding something from the main heroine and won’t tell her anything. Every one keeps saying ,”when the time is right.” That is annoying to keep reading in the book. Why keep foreshadowing that with no real lead behind it? I felt like it was unnecessary to keep saying that statement when other things were definitely foreshadowing that the heroine was something else.

The love interests came off as very cheesy. I couldn’t connect with the romantic aspect of this book.

Overall, I was not into this particular story.

I’m thankful for the publishers and NetGalley for sending over a copy! Thank you!

This is not my typical genre, but I couldn't resist that cover! I really liked the concept and there were many funny parts throughout the book. I loved the Latinx heroine and the ancestor storyline. Some parts were a bit cheesy and predictable but this was still a fun read and I would definitely recommend it to my students.

Mica is your average angsty teen who lives in a small town. She fights with her Abuela and is so ready for college, that is until Sam comes into town and she totally falls for him. She's totally under his spell and then some odd things start happening to her, her friends, and her town. She finds out more about Sam's past and knows she has to break things off completely, but that brings a world of trouble and it's up to her and her friends to take care of it.

While the pacing was a bit off for me, this was still a fun and light read for me. Oh, and Sam busting out a Bad Bunny song was a perfect touch!

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins Children's Books!

This one was a chaotic ride. I loved it, but looking back, it felt like a fever dream. I literally gasped a few times, I was that caught off guard by the chaos. Again, loved it, but it was a journey.

I'll admit, I found the romance in this one difficult. I couldn't ship Miguela and Rage, I just couldn't. I was too stuck on Miguela and Sam. I know, it doesn't make logical sense. Clearly I've been reading too much enemies-to-lovers

But other than that, I loved this! The supernatural elements were so much fun. And the characters were even better! Every friend was adorable, I never got tired of their antics. This was a super fun read, and one I'd definitely recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Comment

This book was such great fun to read! Cardinal creates super strong characters who you immediately root for, and expertly balances the small town Vermont setting with the big world stakes and magical elements. It was a great pace and the romance was realistic. I loved the infusion of Puerto Rican culture. It was done flawlessly and very realistically.

What a great book. The trope of a girl falling for a hot bad boy and does not see the boy who has loved her all along seems to be in a lot of new books coming out right now. The difference with this one is refreshing because the boy is hot and he really is bad. Loved the supernatural story. It was a refreshing read on an old storyline.

Fun spooky book to get you into the Halloween spirit.

Miguela attracts dangerous Sam and gets involved in a world wind, fast pace romance.

Not my favorite, not a super complexed story, but definitely exactly what it claims to be. I want to start off by saying I really like the concept. It’s very much a cozy read you can sink your teeth into when you want something light, or if you want a supernatural romcom.

My problems were the pacing and the writing. Like I said, not super complexed, but the writing lacked a bit for me. Some remarks about other women were a bit “I’m not like other girls” for me. There’s an extremely rude remark in the beginning about a girl's breast that made me annoyed.

Still, a fast pace read to get into the spooky vibe.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

A small-town good-girl is bored with her life and falls in insta-love with a new guy in town. Strange things start happening and she starts to realize her new relationship has got to end. This was cheese-tastic, lots of fun.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Teen for allowing me to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Breakup From Hell is an entertaining, fast paced, fun read! If you like City of Bones and Percy Jackson, I think you'll enjoy the ridiculousness of Breakup From Hell.

"I have a feeling, Miguela, that's only the beginning of what we can do together."

The cover is what drew me to this story. I love the little animated graphics and the promise of a hell-ish break up.

Sam is new to town and Miguela falls instantly for his charming ways. But when they start dating, certain events start taking place... Things are not what they seem as Mica and her friends begin to experience changes to their bodies and their parents are having secret meetings about them. Oh, and Sam's sister wants to kill Mica?...

"I've broken up with boys before, but none of them made my root beer boil and tried to kill me with a flying stool top."

I really liked the light hearted romance and how it reminded me of YA books from the early 2000s. The action and horror was silly and had the original Evil Dead-vibes. There are archangels and demons, well-developed friendships, and religious tones. I'm not much of a believer but I did like how the revelations were used.

There were a few cringe inducing moments but it didn't hinder my reading experience too much. I'm not one for weird nicknames especially ones that feel forced or unnecessary.

Overall I think Breakup From Hell is an unexpected surprise and, as much as my own dark soul wanted to follow Sam to the underworld, I'm glad Mica didn't. It made for a thrilling rom-com and I recommend it if you're looking for a lighter YA book.

3.5 stars

One thing about me? I’m gonna fall for the bad boy.

Every.single.time.

Breakup from Hell follows teenager Miguela Angeles as she unravels her family’s story…or should I say secret?
In the midst of her “I’d rather be anywhere but here” origin story, Miguela meets Sam - an attractive stranger who seems too good to be true. Even though he makes her feel things she’s never felt before (please note, this is very much burying the lead) things get really weird, really fast. Like…apocalyptically so.

Can Miguela exit the relationship without ending the world?


This story, was so, SO cute and a perfect kickoff to spooky season! This book made me laugh, made me holler, and made me smile even though I knew she needed to leave this man A L O N E. If you’re looking for a feel-good quick read with a powerful heroine, a hidden bloodline/chosen one trope with Latinx rep, this is the book for you!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5054342186?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

DNF this because the plot was boring and WAYYYY too cliche

2 stars because I liked Sam as a character and that’s it - Rage was great too but the story is just so BORING

Not for me sorry 🙅🏻‍♀️

This is one of my favorite Ya paranormal/horror books that i have read in a while.

Yes it was very predictable and yes it was very cheesy but its just what i needed i ate this book up.

I really don't want to say to much about this book because i think the Synopsis does a good job of explaining everything without spoilers. Sam gave me Damon Salvatore vibes tbh.

BREAKUP FROM HELL by Ann Davila Cardinal is cute and funny. Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books for the digital review copy.

Well, this is fast pacing, entertaining, enjoyable paranormal romance you may finish in one sitting! The characterization is good! The love story is insta and pacing needs a little balance ( it starts quiet fast, after insta love story blooms, the ex caution of the events gets a little slow down and the conclusion wraps up a little abruptly) but overall: just like its strikingly beautiful cover, it’s worth to dive into and enjoy the full wild ride!

Mica ( Miguela) Angeles, a badass and bookish Puerto Rican teenager, earning her black belt by her talent in martial arts, living in an ordinary, uneventful life in her small town, looking for some action to change the direction of her life, getting frustrated because she thinks her abuela keeps secrets about true history and roots of their family.

Then enigmatic young man Sam and his disturbing sister moves moves to their small Vermont town and she finds herself into a whirlwind romance. Throughout their relationship Mica gets estranged from her friends and feels the change in her body: she feels so powerful and extra story. But the visions she starts seeing give her creeps.

As soon as she finds the truth about the secrets her abuela keeps about her family roots, she realizes she has to end her relationship urgently but now the creepy sister comes for her and she has no intention to run without a fight!

Overall: I had so much even though I found the romance parts a little instant! But it was quick, gripping reading and I highly recommend if you’re into YA paranormal romance reads and badass heroines!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Books / Harper Teen for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Mica Angeles adores horror books, martial arts, and cant wait to get out of her small town of Vermont. When she meets an extremely attractive guy named Sam, who just happens to love the same horror author as her she becomes smitten. Yet strange things start happening ever since meeting Sam, particularly that she’s been getting visions of the world ending, those she loves dying, and the world in fire, yeah not so great right? It doesn’t help that her grandmother has been even more secretive, especially about her heritage. The more time she spends with Sam the more she becomes suspicious that he is hiding something from her and wants something from her. When she discovers his family roots and what he really wants and is... Mica realizes that this is going to be one hell of a break up and that hopefully she can end this relationship without ending the world. This was a fun and predictable story, I had fun with it! It was funny, had some cool supernatural moments, and overall was a nice easy read!

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Books, Harper Teen for an ARC of Breakup from Hell!

Breakup from Hell is an easy, fun, supernatural read. The cover really caught my eye and when I read the premise, I thought it was a cute idea. I do think some of the pacing was a bit off, but other than that the book was very enjoyable. I got bad vibes from Sam right from the start of the book. I did like the build up to finding out what Mica’s Abuela was hiding from her and her friends. If you like YA supernatural books, you will enjoy this one.