2.5 rounding up to 3

what I liked
- Different narration format: the story is told as a one-sided phone conversation with the MCs older sister
- I liked the discussion of generational trauma and I think it's important from young audiences to hear it from the POV of a senior in high school.

But this book wasn't for me
- I the whole time reading this I was wondering if I would have enjoyed this more if I was the age of the MC and I think I would have. While I liked that the narration format was new and different for me, I think listening to it was frustrating/ annoying because of how dramatic the MC is. And again, I think she's being so dramatic because she's a senior in HS so everything feels like the end of the world or like a personal attack but it felt like I was just listening to her whine.

A very clever book that was a little long for my liking. However, it was full of details, they just got a little monotonous at times. I liked the way the story was told primarily through phone calls. Very original!

Luciana's grandmother is in danger as a hurricane heads for Miami, and she refuses to leave her home. So starts the story of the cementing of Luciana's relationship with her Abue, who was already one of the central forces in her life, when she moves in with her family. Through a series of phone calls to her older sister Mari who's away at college, she regales her sister of all that's happening on the homefront during her senior year of high school in Oye by Melissa Mogollon.

While the story feels fresh and original, I wasn't won over. I didn't like the one-sided phone calls with Luciana's sister and the occasional conversations interspersed that were also happening behind the scenes or with other members of the family. It wasn't even the colloquial nature of the calls. It just didn't flow naturally for me.

The main character grated on my nerves as well. Luciana has a lot to say and, sometimes, I didn't want to hear it. I understand she feels abandoned by her older sister, but I felt there could have been more understanding. I didn't like that I couldn't gauge what her sister Mari was like. Abue was pretty funny at times, and I thought it was hilarious that Luciana was crushing on Abue's doctor who resembled Sandra Bullock. Otherwise, I couldn't connect with this girl. Was it the age difference or maybe she was too abrasive?

Many of the stories that Abue reveals about her life were very tragic but necessary to move the story along. I could empathize with her and was horrified that she had to go through all the things that she did. I still didn't feel connected to any of the characters even after all this time and was disappointed.

Maybe this story simply wasn't for me. I could see how some readers would adore Luciana and Abue and like the clever way it's written. Even though I didn't love this, and even thought about giving this a two, it's not a bad book. It just wasn't gelling with me despite the colorful cover.

This was a good story, told in a slightly unusual format. It was mostly a win for me, but I'm knocking a star off because I wish we could have gotten both sides of many of these conversations, instead of just one. But all in all I enjoyed it and will read more from the author! 4 stars.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

Melissa Mogollon’s debut, Oye, is a quirky, coming-of-age story full of humor, drama, and family dynamics. Luciana, the youngest member of her vibrant Colombian-American family, finds herself unexpectedly stepping into the role of caretaker for her eccentric grandmother, Abue, during a hurricane evacuation. Told entirely through one-sided phone calls to her older sister, Mari, the novel is an inventive attempt to capture Luciana’s complicated family life and her own coming-of-age journey.

The humor and family dynamics are the book’s strongest aspects. Luciana’s voice is engaging, filled with wit and relatable frustration as she navigates her unexpected responsibilities. The dramatic nature of her family and their quirks add an almost telenovela-like energy to the plot, making for an entertaining and often heartwarming experience.

However, the novel’s format of only having Luciana’s side of the phone calls left me struggling to keep track of the larger story. The absence of dialogue from the other characters, especially Mari, made it difficult to fully connect with or understand their perspectives, which hindered the emotional depth of certain moments. The unique format, though inventive, ultimately made the plot feel disjointed and harder to follow. While Oye is undoubtedly a fun and original read with sharp humor, the format and pacing left me wanting more clarity and cohesion. It’s a promising debut, but some elements felt underdeveloped.

Oye was an engaging story about the generational relationships of the women in Luciana's family. I found the storytelling through Luciana's perspective, along with the introduction of the characters. This coming of age story will be one that I recommend frequently.

Nana (Luciana when she’s in trouble) is in her senior year of high school, and it’s promising to be an eventful one. This is the year she needs to buckle down to get into college, but a tense relationship with her mother and the antics of her grandmother, Abue, are already a hurdle. When an evacuation order comes to Miami due to an impending hurricane, Abue refuses to leave with Nana and her mother. The hurricane’s path may have missed Miami, but there’s more trouble ahead: Abue, Nana’s favorite person in the world, is sick. As the family in all its moderately dysfunctional glory takes care of Abue Luciana is confronted with her family’s secrets.

The entire novel is Luciana’s side of phone calls with her older sister Mari, a sophomore in college. It may take a minute to adjust and adapt to the rhythm of the story, but it’s worth it. Luciana is a completely believable 17 year old girl, and you’ll find yourself thinking “just one more conversation” until you’re done reading. She’s dramatic, occasionally self-centered, and overwhelmed. But she’s also fiercely protective of her family, funny, and good-hearted.

I really enjoyed this book. Recommended for anyone who’s ever been just a little too interested in someone else’s phone call, and readers with a sibling who helps them get through life.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

Luciana, the youngest in her Colombian-American family, usually avoids the spotlight. But when her sister Mari goes off to college, Luciana has to take charge during a hurricane evacuation. Things get more complicated when their grandmother, Abue, is diagnosed with a serious illness, and Luciana begins uncovering family secrets.

I struggled with this book at first in e-book format, but the audiobook really brought it to life with a great narrator. The story is told through Luciana’s one-sided phone calls to Mari, which felt unique but sometimes repetitive and info-heavy.

The book felt more plot-driven than character-driven, with Luciana seeming flat and not growing much. The standout character was definitely Abue, who brought humor and energy to the story. Overall, the family themes were strong, but the format made it harder to connect emotionally.

This book is written as a series of phone calls. From one sister to the other. The pressure on Luciana being the youngest sister and still at home in school. SHe s rreplaying everything going on in the house to her older sister. who is away in college. Much against her mothers wishes.


This was a fun book. I loved it so much I listened to the audio book as well which was even better. I

This was so much fun! A coming of age telenovela and I absolutely devoured it!

It's heartwarming and it was about family, identity and intergenerational relationships. Highly recommend this one!

Oye by Melissa Mogollon was an interesting read. The format took some getting used to for me, as it mostly is one sided dialogue from phone calls between 2 sisters regarding their grandmother's stubbornness. However, once I got used to the format, I was drawn into the family drama and grew to love the characters and pacing. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books from this author.

Oye by Melissa Mogollón is a vibrant and evocative exploration of culture, identity, and love, with a refreshing narrative that pulls you in from the first page. The author’s rich storytelling and authentic voice make it a truly engaging and thought-provoking read.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I really liked this family drama that is written in the most unique way! I didn't know what to expect going into it, but the narrative style was really cool and I've never read anything like that before! Luciana is the younger daughter in a Columbian American family. She becomes the voice of reason when her sister Mari leaves for college, her mother getting ready to evacuate the family due to a hurricane, and her grandmother, Abue, refusing to leave. When Abue becomes sick, Luciana must continue to help her family while dealing with their eccentricities. This entire book is told through phone calls Luciana makes to Mari. While we never hear Mari's side of the phone calls, Luciana paints a picture of what is going on with the family while airing out her own concerns and frustrations. I really liked Luciana as the main protagonist. I really liked her coming of age story and I loved that all of her emotions came across so as the reader I felt all of them. Abue is the most eccentric character, and I loved that through her, we get to learn the family history.

The structure of the novel really blew me away. I truly have never read anything like this before and this books lends itself to a fantastic audio narration. The audiobook was so fun to listen to and the production was done so well. There were times when I laughed and times when I teared up. This was truly a fantastic read and I would highly highly recommend the book, especially the audio!

Oye, Melissa Mogollon's debut novel, is a humorous exploration of identity and family dynamics through the eyes of 18-year-old Luciana, who navigates young adulthood while caring for her sick grandmother. Oye is a tender coming-of-age tale.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

While I certainly enjoyed the cultural aspects of this book that were new to me, the “Oye” story itself wasn’t that memorable to me. The importance of family and community I could appreciate, but the plot left me wanting for more. 3 stars ⭐️ for this one. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review.

Oye is a coming-of-age story rooted in Latinidad, finding yourself and navigating family problems and drama. Luciana is the story's narrator, set up as one-sided phone calls to her sister, who recently left for college. Feeling neglected as the only child remaining at home, she complains about her struggles with her mother accepting he illnesses, her grandmother's illness, her struggle with her sexuality, and so much more. The storytelling is set up captivatingly and evokes a feeling of nostalgia at certain points.

This is a creative way to tell a messy family history. The main character, Luciana keeps her sister away at college informed of the family happenings. The reader is privy to the conversations but never really gets the sister’s responses. One of the major family events is the grandmother’s illness and how the family dynamics play out from the illness.

Luciana is in high school so the reader gets to see her thoughts about high school, family, and sexuality. This is a multi-layered book.

I simultaneously read and listened to the book. Elena Ray narrates the audiobook skillfully.

I was sent an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, Penguin Random House.

I so wanted to love this book, but each time I try it just didn’t work for me. I will continue to look forward to reading other titles by Mogollon.