Wow, this book was amazing. I read Sonora Reyes' previous book and loved it but the writing and storyline is a great improvement on this book. This story was so heartfelt and covered very sensitive subject matter in such an amazing way. The diverse characters were all very heartfelt. Even "background" characters felt fairly fleshed out and had very distinct personalities. Reyes is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

i loved this book. i love ariana with my whole heart. she is not perfect, but her heart is in the right place. she is flawed and she makes mistakes, but she is brave and she is kind, and she wants to make a difference.
while this book deals with heavy subjects, Sonora Reyes does so masterfully. there is a balance between the heavy and the light, and there is a focus on the power of community to help us heal.
this book helped cement Reyes as one of my favourite authors, anything they write i will read, knowing it will heal parts of me that i didn't even know needed healing.

3.5

‘The Luis Ortega Survival Club’ is a well written novel following serious topics that are rarely covered. This is a powerful story that had me rooting for our main character Ari all throughout. There are many content warnings to be aware of when reading but they’re all written with sensitivity. I couldn’t fall asleep after starting this so I ended up staying up until 5 reading it. I picked this up because of how much I loved the authors prior novel and despite not liking this one as much, I still enjoyed it.

Our main character, Ariana, has (undiagnosed) autism and selective mutism which is something I haven’t seen in books. I’m really glad it’s getting a portrayal in this one! This does factor into the whole premise of the novel because of how it plays into the assault at the start of the book. There are many things in this novel that make it a difficult read but there are also some lighter stuff to enjoy as well. At its core there’s sapphic romance, friendship, and a hopeful tone.

a revenge story told with nuance, heart, and the possibility of healing

a heartfelt novel.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this review copy

This book is a powerful narrative about the important topics of consent and exploration of sexuality. Wow. Just wow. I had a constant ache in my soul for Ari and her friends. This was a masterful handling of trauma representation, and I will be thinking about this one for a long time.

Another great book by this author with another cast of likeable characters! Hope she continues to write!!

The Luis Ortega Survival Club was the revenge story I didn't know was missing from my tbr until I had it. It offers the most real and honest perspective I've read of high schoolers dealing with sexual assault and realizing, maybe for some of them for the first times in their life, that the people they've grown up thinking will protect them sometimes won't and that it can be hard to get people to care about justice, even when they should. It is honest in the character's admittance to placing blame on the wrong people, probably because it feels like the less painful option for them in the moment, and it discovered the complicated web of problems that can be created by trying to find justice in an unjust system.

Above all, I loved the community the friends built within themselves as they plotted their plans to revenge, and the point it drove home that we're never alone. I was excited to read this following the incredible The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, and I'll definitely be sure to check out any more books by Sonora Reyes.

**Thank you so much to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Sonora Reyes does it again with another amazing YA. The unique and relatable characters had full and meaningful arcs and the important message of the story is never heavy handed or condescending. This is a vital story about standing up for yourself that should be in every high school library.

The Luis Ortegal Survival Club is a story about lot of things. It's a story about revenge, about hurt, about sexual assault. It's about being frustrated with a world that refuses to see you how you want to be seen — as who you really are. But most of all, it's a story about understanding yourself and finding the people who are willing to try to understand you.

TLOSC follows Ariana Ruiz after going to a party with Luis, the only boy who has really paid her any attention at school. Ari is nonverbal most of the time, so when Luis initiates something more with her, Ari can't say 'no.' But before Ari can process what just happened, rumors start spreading all over the school about what Ari and Luis did at the party. Then Ari gets a note in her locker and she starts to wonder whether she's really alone in what Luis did to her.

This book, as you can probably tell, deals with some heavy topics. Please, for your own safety, check the trigger warnings (listed at the end) before reading. This is not a book you want to go into blind.

TLOSC cemented Sonora Reyes as a favorite author for me. I loved The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, and their sophomore novel pulled through. I love how they wrote this story with a canonically autistic and sapphic girl. Without making the story about these facets of identity, they still authentically showed how these aspects of living impact how we ultimately go through life.

Ari wasn't perfect; there were moments she did things that she ultimately regretted, times when she didn't consider the implications of what she was doing. But this recognition of how life can be — imperfect and often blindsided — brought realism to the story.

I really appreciated the care and thought Sonora put into all the conversations surrounding sexual assault, as well as consent. While at a couple points the dialogue around it felt a bit scripted, it was always validating and spoken about with the utmost care and attention. I am very glad this wasn't a book that just focused on Ari's anger, or her need for revenge. Instead, it gave these aspects the weight they deserve, and also explored Ari's processing of her trauma and the ways she can heal from it.

TLOSC is a heartfelt story, one I'm so glad exists. It was not an easy read, but it was easy to fall into and empathize with. I hope this story reaches those who are struggling with the unfairness of the world. I hope they read this story and know that it's possible for them to heal, to have their revenge, and best of all, to love again.

Trigger Warnings: bullying, rape (aftermath, not on-page), sexual assault (a slap on the butt), sexual harassment, gaslighting, ableism

The Luis Ortega Survival Club is such an important book. Please read the trigger warnings before reading this one, there were so many moments I just wished I could hug one of these characters. Sonora did a fantastic job of bringing a group of mistreated young women in to grieve, grow, and support one another during such a hurtful time. This book was so delicate and advocative, I had never felt as proud of a group of fictional characters before.

I was such a fan of Sonora Reyes' first novel and even more excited when I learned that their second novel would feature an autistic protagonist, and it did not disappoint. This book deals with some heavy themes, but it is also an incredibly powerful, affirming book that I could not put down. I loved all the members of the Luis Ortega Survival Club, and I loved seeing their friendship (and other relationships) grow and bloom over the course of the novel. Sonora's books don't shy away from addressing some of the deep & painful realities of young people's lives, but their books always leave the reader with hope that whatever they might be going through now, it will get better. I know this book will help so many young people, and I hope it gets all the attention that it so rightfully deserves.

I was a big fan of Sonora Reyes first book, The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, so I had high hopes for The Luis Ortega Survival Club, and it did not disappoint! Ariana Ruiz, a selectively mute autistic teen, just wants to belong. When high school hottie Luis Ortega shows her attention, she’s thrilled! Just like in their first novel, Reyes tackles tough subjects - disability, neurodivergence, sexual assault, slut shaming, bullying - in a way that doesn’t make the reader feel pity for anyone. It makes you root for Ariana and the other teens to get revenge on this predator and those like him. Reyes’ characters are so well done and fleshed out that you can’t help but feel like you truly know them.

DNF - Book needs additional trigger warnings for sexual violence. I couldn't get past the first section because of how uncomfortable it made me feel.

Perfect on every level. This book will change so many people’s lives and I’m so glad it exists in this world. Sonora Reyes is a treasure to have in the YA space.

3.5 stars overall

I wanted to give this 4 stars but I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this book. I loved these characters and the message. The way that their relationships evolved over the course of their plotting was nice to see. I loved that they got the justice they were working towards (even if it's not that realistic). I appreciated the diversity in sexuality and cultural backgrounds but also in neurodivergence as well. It's a very quick read that' pretty easy to get into and that made the overall story enjoyable.

Buuuutttt, I didn't love the writing itself all that much. The writing was kinda flat. The dialogue between certain characters (mostly Ari and her mother) was uncomfortable at best and their relationship as a whole was something else. I won't go too deep into this because the way that I view familial relationships is not necessarily the norm but *spoiler ahead* I did appreciate that the view on therapy from Ari's parents shifted majorly by the end of the book.

Again, overall, I really enjoyed The Luis Ortega Survival Club. It's a quick read and it definitely put Sonora Reyes's other book on my TBR.

Wildly underrepresented protagonist in an equally underrepresented plot, coupled with a painful premise make The Luis Ortega Survival Club hard to read but harder to miss.

I definitely recommend going into this text fully aware of what it’s about: a serial predator at a high school specifically targeting victims who either have little to no support system, or, victims like our protagonist who are non-verbal and “can’t say no.”

Thinking, naively, I suppose, based on the title that this would be maybe a revenge group or support group for teens dumped by the same boy... I. Was. Wrong.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is definitely a book you’re going to want to read the content warnings on before you dive in, because it can be a difficult read at times. But also, such an important read, so that people, especially teen girls know that 1) they’re not alone and 2) it’s not their fault. The catharsis felt at the end was so so satisfying. Yes, I cried (as always, I need to put the disclaimer here that I cry very easily, but this was a very emotional one). I also like that the autistic MC was self-diagnosed. As a self-diagnosed ADHDer, I understand how difficult it is to access a diagnosis, and how your neurodivergence is still valid, even without that rubber stamp from a doctor/therapist.

All this is not to say that there aren’t moments of happiness and levity in this book. There definitely are. The new friend group formed from these events was so lovely, and the romances? Amazing. Such a powerful book that should have a place in every library serving young adults.

I got an ARC of this book.

This book is so wonderful. There is so much that is addressed and actually wrapped up by the end. This is the first time I have ever seen it addressed in a YA when a parent uses the child as a therapist. I was beyond excited to see this! Ariana didn’t like how it felt, especially since her parents were anti-therapy. This led directly into self diagnosis of autism. Ariana is autistic, she knows it. Everyone else knows it. She just doesn’t have the formal diagnosis. The diagnosis doesn’t change her reality. It was amazing to see someone who was self-diagnosed as a MC.

I loved the way the book progressed. The group became a way of healing for all of them, even while it started as a way to get revenge. It was amazing watching these characters heal and grow. Watching them discover new hobbies, new friendships, new loves. I was enthralled the entire book. Don’t even get me started on the character growth of Ariana’s parents! I can’t start, because it would be a big spoiler. Just know that every character has a chance for growth.

My biggest issue is the epilogue. I just need authors to stop throwing in legal stuff. Based on the accusations, four months is not enough time unless he pled guilty at the very start and even then, it would have taken that whole time. The police would need to interview each and every girl. There would be witness interviews. There would be so many interviews and even then, it was he said, she said so the likelihood of Luis actually facing any consequences is very low. Add in, there would also be a charge of threatening a witness that was never mentioned. The overturning a sentence part would involve an appeals process and that takes SO LONG. So yeah, please stop. The ending had a feel good ending, but it was not real at all. If the book had ended at the dance while Luis was being investigated, some nerves about court, then I would have been all over it. It was closed, but not unrealistic. The joys of working criminal law, so books are ruined.

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- a searingly powerful story about speaking out against sexual violence, finding community in survivors, and healing. with unflinchingly raw storytelling and complex characters with good representation, this story will stick with me for years to come.

- tw/ off page rape, slut shaming, bullying, rape culture, sexual harassment

This book was powerful!
This is a story about abuse: emotional and sexual abuse on many fronts and for many of the characters, and it is handled with care. Sonora does a great job making whole characters that deal with their trauma in ways that many can relate to.
I'd recommend it!