Like Happiness is a poignant story of manipulation and coming of age for a young women. From her time in college, Tatum's fandom for a author consumed her being. In one letter, she soon becomes the author's paramour. Their illicit relationship goes from friends to lovers repeatedly throughout their years of acquaintances. Now approached by reporter to discuss recent charges brought forward against the author, Tatum reflects on her time with him.

Power and courage run through this story as one women finds closure with an unhealthy relationship from her youth.

Thank you, Celadon Books

This is a highly literary and introspective story about a queer Mexican American woman named Tatum who is contacted by a journalist to discuss her previous undefined relationship with an older Latino author (Mateo) accused of assault. The journalist's investigation prompts Tatum to confront the searing memories of the man she once idolized almost to the point of obsession. Narrated across dual timelines in an epistolary format, readers become privy to the gradual unraveling of the tumultuous dynamic between Tatum and Mateo.

For starters, this was a well written debut with prose that is both evocative and engaging. I found myself breezing through this in two days, which speaks to the author’s skillset. I loved the references to other literary works in this story and the portrayal of the profound impact books can have on readers. I equally appreciated the exploration of Latinx culture, sexuality, identity, and imbalanced relationships.

I did find some of Tatum’s decisions and naïveté a bit perplexing. Initially, I was unable to fathom how she kept Mateo in her life for so long when he exhibited several red flags. That being said, I believe the author intentionally aimed to depict such nuances of the human experience. It is evident that Tatum feels out of place as a Latina in predominantly White spaces and simply vies for a connection - one which, sadly, results in her being subtly manipulated by Mateo over time.

While I do not typically gravitate towards slow progressing stories as these, I thought this one was well executed for the most part. The ending did feel somewhat abrupt but it appears to have served its purpose.

Overall, this is a solid debut and I would be interested in seeing what the author publishes next.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

In general, literary fiction is defined as something that emphasizes meaning over entertainment. Although I’m all for being entertained sometimes, I really like impactful depth. Perhaps my entertainment is more easily found in something meatier that I can chew on. In that respect, Like Happiness, a newly released literary fiction debut, sounded like it would be right up my alley.

But, and I suppose this is my subjective stance, I feel the meaning should come from what is illustrated. I don’t want the author to tell me what they think and I don’t want them to tell me how to think. I want the text to make me think.

I do not feel I found that here. Instead, I found an author who felt the need to explain everything to me.

I also found the writing in this to be quite simple, and often had a stilted tone. I found the fact that the narrator was addressing Mateo the whole time to be irritating, not because I think it’s a poor literary device, but because the execution felt forced and clunky. The narrator seemed juvenile and it felt more like I was reading a heavily detailed journal than a novel. You might argue that she was processing her feelings about her relationship with Mateo, which would make the journal aspect feeling practical, but I still feel the execution was awful.

Additionally, I felt that rather than developing a character well, the author name dropped regularly to create the illusion of a nuanced character who appreciated art, literature, and alternative rock. Tatum was not interesting. Her personality mainly relied upon the interesting accomplishments of others.

I found Like Happiness to be an annoyance and a disappointment, despite the important themes it addressed. I’ve no doubt many will appreciate those themes, but I didn’t think it had the substance of a good story.

I am immensely grateful to Celadon Books, BookishFirst, and NetGalley for my copies. All opinions are my own.

Part literary appreciation, part coming of age story and part disturbing manipulation... Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura is a novel that will evoke a magnitude of emotions from readers and for me, this is the best kind of story.

Soon after starting this book, I stopped reading, closed my Kindle cover and asked out loud "what even is this book?" It was at that moment I knew this novel would become a five-star book for me! Once I started reading, I devoured this story, but was always aware of and waiting on the impending car crash at the end.

This is dual timeline, told from the awareness that comes with age in Chile 2015, and an earlier time looked back on in memory, hinting at the naivety present during Tatum’s younger years. This book is disturbing in its nuanced ways, and shows just how powerful it is to have the upper hand in a relationship. I was repulsed and my skin crawled with indignation as I read. This would be an amazing book club read, where it can be discussed and dissected at length.

The audiobook is well done, performed with respect for the words and subject matter. Marisa Blake's voice somehow had an air of conceded acknowledgement in one timeline, yet innocence and trustfulness in the other.

There is a powerfulness to the cover’s depiction, and it's a beautiful symbolism to the story inside.

This novel made me think and question: if the protagonist of a story feels a certain way towards the antagonist, is the reader expected to feel the same way, or is it acceptable to have a completely opposite opinion of that same character?

Thank you NetGalley, Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

LIKE HAPPINESS
Ursula Villarreal-Moura

I have five books I could’ve talked about today March 26, 2024. There are a lot of great titles that will be published today. Take a look at my Book List page for all my most anticipated releases categorized by month.

Today, I’m choosing to talk to you about LIKE HAPPINESS by Ursula Villarreal-Moura. Because of its voice, its questions, and its individuality.

Let’s talk about LIKE HAPPINESS!

Now:
Tatum is living in Chile with her partner in 2015. She is miles and miles from the place and time she spent with Dominguez, a famous writer in New York. One day she receives a phone call from that faraway place. A reporter has a request for a statement and asks her to revisit a tender time she’s still recovering from.

Then:
He reminds her of home. She knew when she met him, he would either give her life or be the death of her. For him, she was willing to take the risk. What she didn’t know was that she’d die a hundred deaths in his wake.

Parts of him made parts of her make sense. She molded herself to fit the space he allotted her only to lose shape of who she was. But what does all of this, and all of him, mean to her after all these years? How did their relationship influence who she is or isn’t today? Will the space from time and distance allow her to see what she was too close to see before?

In LIKE HAPPINESS we go back and forth to revisit the time in New York with Dominguez. And reflect on it in current times through a letter written to Dominguez.

LIKE HAPPINESS is about books and literary life, religion, sexuality, influence, and power—the dangers of falling in love with your whole heart, and trading power for connection.

I liked the voice. For that alone I will watch what Villarreal-Moura does next. I’m excited to hear stories through her lens as a writer.

I enjoyed reading LIKE HAPPINESS for the most part or the most. My complaint is that it skimmed the surface of topics instead of going into depth in any one area. I gave it three stars and recommend it to readers looking for a fresh perspective on an old conversation.

Thanks to Netgalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies. I enjoyed reading in audiobook format and appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback!

LIKE HAPPINESS…⭐⭐⭐

Tatum, a Williams college student sends off an effusive fan letter to her favorite author, Mateo, who writes her back much to her astonishment and strikes up a friendship. Tatum, growing up in San Antonio in a working-class Mexican immigrant family, feels alienated and lonely at her mostly white college. She finds herself as a Latina literature and art history major struggling to relate to works almost all by white creators. She feels transported when discovering a book of stories, Like Happiness, that powerfully captures her Latina roots and experience. Tatum is smitten by its author Mateo. Their friendship is mostly platonic, but sometimes sexual, and Tatum feels herself endlessly swept along the allure of both Mateo’s fame and his professions of love that she is “his life.” Tatum and Mateo each have different relationships but continue to circle each other until an explosive revelation as Mateo finally manages to publish a second novel.

Years later living in Santiago, Chile with her girlfriend, Tatum gets contacted by a New York Times reporter looking for comments on a story he’s writing about accusations of sexual abuse by Mateo of another Latina woman. Over a series of conversations, Tatum realizes she wants to resolve her own unrequited feelings and lingering hurt, and so she crafts a letter to Mateo reflecting back on their ambiguous and now broken friendship. Was he abusive to her emotionally, especially given their wildly unbalanced power dynamic? Did Mateo groom Tatum as a young woman? When does deep betrayal constitute abuse?

Amidst poetic language and haunting shared memories, the emotional complexity and obsessive relationship powerfully grabs you.

Thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

This was such an intriguing debut!

I can always count on @celadonbooks for stories with deep character development and stories that make me think!

Tatum is a character I really grew to like and I loved how much she loves literature! I even wrote down a few of her favorite books and others she references.

There are dual time lines and themes of friendship, power dynamics, betrayal, and how the past can blur and change as time goes on.

I really am looking forward to reading more from

Thank you @netgalley and @celadonbooks for the early copy!

I adored Like Happiness! The writing is so sharp and effervescent. Villareal-Moura perfectly captures young adulthood and how we look back on our behavior and thinking in the future. We meet our protagonist Tatum when she's in her late 30s living in Chile. She is contacted by a reporter from the New York Times about the relationship she had in her 20s with an acclaimed writer M. Dominguez, who is now accused of sexual assault by a much younger woman. In the novel she speaks directly to him recounting the duration of their relationship and her formative twenties.

Tatum is entranced by M. Dominguez's short story collection and writes him a letter expressing what his work means to her. They begin an epistolary relationship that swiftly develops to an in-person, largely platonic relationship. He is about a decade older than her, working as a professor at Columbia in New York. The author captures so perfectly that feeling of being in your 20s, you're trying to find your way and feel you're more mature than you actually are. Tatum is constantly lost in books and this book was so appealing to me as a former English major. The author writes so beautifully and thoughtfully, looking back on her formative years during their relationship.

Though this topic has been covered a lot in literature, this was so well-done. Villareal-Moura shows the nuances and complexities of relationships. Our narrator has a different experience with Mateo than the accuser, showing that a someone's relationship with an individual can vary greatly. In our society, we are still trying to reckon with unclear power dynamics that have been pushed into the spotlight. This book was so thought-provoking.

Ursula Villarreal-Moura writes a dramatic and powerful tale with Like Happiness

In Like Happiness, the reader is introduced to Tatum and her life partner, Vera, as they are trying to put their life together, since they moved to Chile. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. The story is told with two different narratives, one a letter, and another present day. Tatum wants to get away from the past, and especially her old boss, a famous author. Her relationship with him was unhealthy and very destructive. Just when she thinks the past is behind her, she is contacted by someone from the United States, with a lot of questions, especially about her former boss. Ursula Villarreal-Moura has a great imagination. Ursula Villarreal-Moura not only tells the story but shows it with words as well. Tatum tells her own story, as she goes through the ups and downs, tragedies and triumphs. A definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down. This story is written in a way that it may have stemmed from the headlines, but it is all too many times a true story. Nowadays, people can talk about it and come forward. This story is filled with a powerful subject and plotline, having also intertwined a love story, and a truthfulness to being herself and who she loves. It's a very unpredictable story, my favorite kind! Like Happiness is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.

This is a beautifully crafted narrative with a unique perspective on a consuming relationship. First, I want to thank Net Galley and Celadon Books for providing me with an eARC of this book. There is such strength and intimacy in telling the story through a letter to the other partner. As the story progressed, the well-paced plot had me eagerly anticipating how it would all unfold. Tatum, the main character, is portrayed with reverence and judgment, offering a nuanced look at her journey and growth. Throughout the book, Villarreal-Moura skillfully explores themes of minority identity, power dynamics, financial disparities, and fandom. Rather than presenting these issues in black and white, the story explores the complexities and gray areas, particularly regarding power abuse in relationships. While it may not fit the traditional definition of a feel-good story, it is undeniably empowering. Tatum's journey as a Mexican woman finding strength and self-discovery is inspiring. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a wonderfully told story of personal development and reflection.

Tatum Vega thought she had moved on from Mateo Domínguez. But when a New York Times reporter calls her requesting an interview, the past rushes back to her in full force. Mateo is being accused of sexual assault, and Tatum isn't exactly surprised to hear this. While her relationship with Mateo seemed fine to her on the surface, her come-of-age self starts to realize that maybe things hadn't been as good as she thought.

I thought I knew where this novel was going at first. Tatum and Mateo's relationship was clearly based on obsessive idolization and severe solitude, respectively. Mateo always had more power in the relationship, though he never specifically abused it. I was hoping to read about Tatum coming into her own, breaking free of her childish idealizations, and developing as a main character. Instead, we are shown only her weak past, with flashes of her partially healed future.

Then, the book ends.

There is an attempt to discuss identity (gender, sexual, ethnic, cultural, etc.) and relationships, but they fall flat. Tatum's obsession with Mateo is the book's focus --the "nucleus," in her words -- and leaves little room for much else. Who is Tatum outside of her desire to love and be loved? I'm not quite sure.

I love books with bookish elements and I absolutely loved Like Happiness. This is a debut that feels both old and original. I mean that in the best way. This was complex yet readable and an absolute breathe of fresh air when it feels like a lot of the same. SO GOOD.

Thanks to NetGalley and Caledon Books for this read. This was a good read devein though it was a bit slow. The slowness didn’t pull from the fact that it was interesting. This was a deep read and enjoyable to read.

This was a strong debut novel. While I found the plot a bit predictable (which, to be fair, is kind of the point? These are stories we hear again and again and again … But I digress), I didn’t necessarily mind because the writing was so damn good. I loved the exploration of power and how an imbalance of that can lead to a toxic relationship. I loved the use of culture to add an additional layer to Tatum and Mateo’s connection. And I thought the structure was really interesting, and I especially enjoyed the chapters directed at M.

I will say this was a bit slow at times, and I did really want something more to happen (as I said above, the ending is fairly easy to guess), but overall I really enjoyed this and it gave me a lot to think about.

Thank you to Celadon and Netgalley for this ARC. Like Happiness comes out tomorrow!

This book is a really touching and poignant coming of age story. I started the book on audiobook and finished reading it in book form and I liked the book better than the audiobook. I thought the narrator did a good job trying to bring Tatum to life, but she is a complicated character and I liked the voice I gave her better. The book takes place in two parts or timelines the present tense in 2015 and as a letter Tatum writes outlining her relationship with her friend and well known author M. Dominguez. Tatum fell in love with M. Dominguez’s first book, a collection of short stories about Latino people which was the first she saw herself represented in literature. Almost finished with her degree but not enjoying her small school in Massachusetts she writes a fan letter and to her surprise it is answered. What follows was hard to read at times because Tatum put her life on hold in hopes Mateo would see her at some point. In 2015 she is contacted by a reporter after a young woman raises an allegation about Mateo. Tatum is initially resistant to an interview, but she ends up giving one and more so reflecting on her own experiencing and letting herself have closure.

Tatum lives in Chile with her partner, Vera and is enjoying her life. One day, a journalist reaches out to her from the US and asks her about her relationship with the famous author and professor, M. Dominguez as he writing a piece about allegations brought forth from another woman.. This brings Tatum to narrate her story (directed towards M)
In the story, Tatum recounts how she first met M as young college student. It was only supposed to be a fan letter and she was surprised when he wrote back. Over the next decade, the two developed a toxic relationship where M exercised his power over Tatum and she readily gave parts of herself up for him, missing out on a fulfilling life for herself. It is near the end where the shocking event occurs that drives Tatum to finally confront the power she has given M and to finally stand up for herself.
I found this novel to be very thought-provoking as Tatum slowly slides into the submissive role and doesn't realize what is happening until she is in too deep. It brings to light how easily men manipulate women and play on their insecurities by filling them with empty promises. And I absolute loved the way the story ended.
Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for an early digital copy of this novel.

Genre: Literary Fiction
TW: sexual assault, toxic relationships, grooming behaviors

When reading the description of this novel, I was so excited to get my hands on it. This sounds like a novel that is everything I love...complex characters, unique writing style, and an unpacking of relationships over time. Unfortunately, this novel just fell flat for me. If you were to really ask me to explain this novel and what it was about...I just couldn't. While it was a beautifully written novel, which honestly is why I continued to read it to the end, there was no substance to the plot. I love a slow burn novel that dives into character over plot so normally that wouldn't stray me from loving a novel however even the characters were hard to feel any connection to.

I will say, Ursula Villarreal-Moura has a beautiful writing style and I really enjoyed the unique format of the novel. The novel is written as a letter to the main character's previous love interest and also fluctuates between timelines which made for a very interesting read overall. While this is not my cup of tea, I can see a lot of readers finding themselves in the pages of this novel and I may just not be the right audience.

Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura is a story draws you in gently and holds you captive.
The writing was beautiful and I felt utterly invested in each of the characters Mateo and Tatum.
Ursula Villarreal-Moura deals with emotions very skillfully. Very impressive work. A pleasure to immerse myself in this world.
I think this is a relatable and realistic debut novel.
I'd certainly keep an eye out for more work by this author. Highly recommended.

Thank You NetGalley and Celadon Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I tore this this book really quickly and thought it was excellent. It tells the story of a messy and complicated relationship between Mateo, a well-regarded author, and Tatum, a soon to be college graduate as they strike up a friendship. The friendship is unbalanced in many ways -- in age, socioeconomic status, life experience, gender. For years Tatum lets this relationship define her life (limiting her along the way) but the same isn't always true in reverse. As I was reading it I sort of got Sally Rooney or Claire Daverley vibes -- a somewhat messy coming-of-age story with lots of external factors playing into the relationship. I have no critiques of the novel -- I really enjoyed it, found it interesting and thought provoking, raw and sad at times, but a beautifully written account of Tatum's life in her formative years.

✨ Review ✨ Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura; Narrated by Marisa Blake

Thanks to Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

I had big feelings about this book - I loved it and I was endlessly frustrated by it!

It's 2015 and Tatum Vega's living in Chile with her girlfriend when she's called by a reporter asking about her relationship with the famous author M. Domínguez, based on another woman's accusations of his treatment of her. Did Tatum experience this in her long friendship with Domínguez?

The book then follows a dual timeline, alternating between Tatum reflecting on their relationship in 2015 alongside excerpts of a letter she's writing to Domínguez reflecting on her life and their relationship which lasted approximately 10 years from her time in college through her 20s. While she doesn't see herself being groomed by Domínguez, as the reader, we have a different view on this and it's not comfortable to read.

Tatum's parents live in San Antonio, and her time spent there is some of my favorite in the book -- from scenes at the famous Mi Tierra and Trinity University to her potato, egg, and avocado breakfast tacos with her dad -- it just felt like she nailed SA (and as an SA local I guess this isn't surprising!).

The book also makes me as a reader think about the cult of fame assigned to certain authors and whether this should exist. They are normal people just like us in many ways, so why do we put so much reverence behind them? And what are the consequences of this fame and reverence?

I also was left wondering how the story changes if Domínguez was a woman or younger or older or different in so many different ways? How would that change this relationship and its expectations?

The audio narration was excellent and the book is on the shorter end of novels, making this a quick and engaging read!

Overall, this was a super compelling book that will draw you in and give you lots to think about. It's such a rich reflection on gender, sexuality, fame, literature, and racial representation. I'm so glad I had the privilege to read this, even if it's still keeping a tight hold on my brain 😂

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.25)
Genre: literary fiction, general fiction, queer, new adult
Setting: NYC, Chile, San Antonio, Massachusetts
Pub Date: 26 March 2024
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Read this if you like:
⭕️ messy inner / interpersonal stories
⭕️ Latinx representation
⭕️ stories about race, gender, and identity
⭕️ books about books