This was an interesting story about a toxic relationship that spans over a decade that starts between an author and a college student. It covers a lot of ups and downs in their relationship and how it ultimately came to where it was at in present.

This book was compulsively readable. I listened to almost the entire book in one day. I found the writing compelling, and I was very curious about Tatum and her history with M. I think I needed more about how she got from the end of her relationship with M to her current, happy life in Chile, but otherwise I loved this book. I will be looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC! This was a brilliantly written and incredibly captivating literary fiction debut, Like Happiness centers on a woman analyzing her toxic yet formative relationship with a well-known writer following allegations of sexual harassment. Since the majority of the storyline is just the happenings of a life, this is definitely a book for readers who want something character-focused. The writing was compelling, the characters' voices were clear and strong, and the growth of the main relationship was masterfully done. The only real complaint I had was that I was hoping there would be a more profound connection between the adult, well-adjusted narrator we saw in the present and her earlier self. Overall, this is a simply stunning novel, and I couldn't believe it was a debut. Wow!

[arc review]
Thank you to Celadon Books for providing an arc, and to Macmillan Audio for providing an alc in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: March 26, 2024

Like Happiness explores power dynamics in a toxic relationship as well as sapiosexuality.

<i>“My circuitry for language and desire are intertwined, which made my learning experience incredibly arousing.”</I>

Tatum initiates a relationship with an author named Mateo via a fan letter when after reading his published work in college, she finds that it greatly resonates with her.
Years later after they’ve parted ways, it’s revealed that Mateo had allegedly sexually assaulted other women, and while that didn’t happen between him and Tatum, as she reflects upon their past interactions, she comes to realize that it was likely that he groomed her.

I can understand where she was coming from at first, having felt truly seen in literature for the first time as a minority race and the comforts that might come with that. But everything else, and the way she inserted herself into his life was a bit much and almost came across like she was full of herself.
I’m unsure if at the end she was able to separate the art from the artist after having built Mateo up to such great lengths, and even masturbating to the things he wrote.

I wasn’t too fond of the writing structure as there was both dual timelines and an alternation between first and second person narration.
Overall, it felt unfinished. It takes until 92% to even learn that Mateo used Tatum as his partial muse for his newest novel, which at the time was a betrayal to her. But aside from the recounting of their decade long relationship in the form of an interview/letter, there really wasn’t enough substantial commentary to the aforementioned themes in the blurb to provide the “complexities” that it’s claiming to delve into. Perhaps a pov from Mateo or the other women he allegedly assaulted would have added more dimension.

Side note: the early audio and ebook versions did differ from each other, so I’m hesitant to review too in depth as I don't know what reflects the final version.
ex.
<i>“Last name?”
“Guy pronounced a word that sounded like a torture device.”</I>
vs
<i>“Last name?”
“Jamie pronounced a name I had never heard.”</I>

This was gifted to me by the publisher & Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I was intrigued by this story in the beginning. We are following Tatum, who has been contacted by a media outlet to get her story on a man that she's known for the better part of her adult life. The man is an author and their relationship was sticky and complicated. Tatum finds herself questioning all of the things that she thought she knew about her friend and deciding if she really wants to tell her story when it was so different from other people's stories.

I was optimistic, but this book ended up not being my cup of tea. I found it to be boring and honestly just not what I wanted from a story like this one, it had so much potential, but fell short for me.

This was a fantastic exploration of academia and the abuse of power within marginalized communities. This story follows Tatum, a young woman struggling to thrive in the academic world until she meets famous author Mateo, who at first seems like a great friend, until he isn’t.
Later in her life, Tatum receives a call from a journalist asking her to comment on the recent S.A allegations against Mateo and how her relationship to Mateo truly was. Told through letter written to Mateo, Tatum recounts her relationship to him and how he held so much power of her.

This was such a wonderful audiobook and overall important book. It touches on topics of racism, classism, and the power men hold over women during financial strain. Highly recommend if you are looking for a book that will make you think about the power we have within ourselves and the power we have to stand up against predatory men.

I gave this audiobook an honest try, but I could not get into it. I felt that it jumped around and I could not understand where the plot (or lack of plot) was going. The book totally failed to engage me,.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC copy!

Like happiness follows our Tatum who leaves her life in Texas for school with grand plans on how life is going to go and what her life will become but after she arrives she realized that things are not quite working out the way she wanted. Then when she is feeling lonely she reaches out to an author who she has been obsessing over.

When she is contacted many years later about allegations against him she decides to write him a letter and their story is written like a letter to the now estranged author about their time together and the impacts that he had on her life, both good and bad.

As the letter progresses Tatum starts to discover more and more about their relationship and the impact he had on her life all these years later, and how her naivety kept her from seeing just how wrong their relationship had been.

It also gives a lot of insight on what the world of academia is like for POCs the undertones of a system built on racism and elitisms.

This book has an interesting and timely premise about power dynamics and toxic relationships that gives readers a fictional window into "me too" claims against celebrities. Tatum Vega is an engaging protagonist and the novel captures several other issues such as racism on elite college campuses and difficulties facing first generation college students. I wish the author discussed Chile and her relationship there more, along with the fallout of the investigation. Great narrator. Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the eARC.

An intriguing story. Will definitely stick with me. Brings a new perspective different than anything I’ve read before.

4.25⭐️

Beautifully written. I was captivated by this tale from start to finish. Tackling toxic relationships, gender dynamics, and power inequalities, Like Happiness tells the story of Tatum Vega in dual timelines. In the present, she’s settled into a contented existence when a call from a reporter forces her to work through her past relationship with a famous writer- leading us to dive into that past alongside her.

This story is brilliantly told, and there were definitely many relatable elements, but I felt increasingly frustrated by past Tatum’s choices. Many of us have found ourselves in similarly unhealthy dynamics at some point or other, but to stay in the sort of limbo she held herself for a full decade was hard to witness or fathom. Still plenty of issues to mull over long after finishing this layered read.

Marisa Blake did a fantastic job of narrating the audiobook, convincingly conveying every facet of Tatum’s emotions and recollections.

Thank you Ursula Villarreal-Moura, Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura dives into the narrative of a young woman who finds herself enamored with an older author. After sending a fan letter and receiving a response, we follow the next ten years of their life and how their relationship evolves and also how it doesn't. Another sad case of a time when the older gentleman should have left the lady alone, but instead drags her along with an undefined role in his life....essentially being groomed. This book was just alright for me. I really wanted to love it, but it was a bit drawn out for my liking. Although it did provide some interesting conversation for book club. It seems many of us can relate to the feeling of being dragged along and allowing ourselves to hold out hope for something that is never going to happen.

LIKE HAPPINESS by Ursula Villarreal-Moura is a compelling exploration of self-discovery, tangled relationships, and the impact of power dynamics. Set in 2015, Tatum Vega, living a seemingly content life in Chile with her partner Vera, is jolted when her past resurfaces. The narrative gracefully shifts between Tatum's present-day struggles and a poignant letter to M. Domínguez, the brilliant author who once dominated her life. The book delves into the complexities of relationships, confronting issues of gender, celebrity, memory, and Latinx identity. Tatum's journey forces a reevaluation of her past, questioning decisions and unraveling the lasting impact of a tumultuous relationship. Villarreal-Moura skillfully navigates themes of resilience and self-exploration, delivering a thought-provoking narrative that lingers in the reader's mind.

What profound story about toxic relationships and power imbalance! What I loved most is that Tatum and Mateo are both Latinx, but there’s still extreme power imbalance within other aspects of their lives—age, money, power, gender.

It’s also a thought-provoking story of what constitutes “grooming” and what is “too much power” in a relationship? can we form true friendships when the lines between mentoring and love are blurred?

I especially loved Taryn’s character development and how throughout the course of her flashbacks/interviews, she gained a deeper understanding of what her relationship with Mateo was really like—even after so many years.

The writing is incisive and powerful. And I’d be recommending this book to everyone!

It started with a letter to her favorite author…now it ends with a letter sent to the same author, detailing their relationship and taking back her reclaiming herself. We go back and forth between current day where Tatum is looking back on the past and telling her story, and the past where she has fallen into Domguez’s arms. He has recently been accused of assault by another woman, and a reporter wants to hear Tatum’s story as well…

This was a really well done debut novel. It’s an age old idea, man in power, younger woman that falls into his traps, well…you know the rest. It did move a bit slowly, but I enjoyed being along for the ride as Tatum learned to take her power back from Dominguez. I certainly had moments of UGH don’t let him do this, but of course it would be a very short book if she didn’t fall for his manipulations. I listened to this one on audio and really enjoyed the narration and taking in the story that way.

Easy read. Relatable in the sense that most women have experienced a man who takes advantage of his power over us in our youth. I like how this book showed that that can happen in more than one way. I wish there had been more nuance to Tatum's queer identity.

I’m not really sure what I was expecting from this audiobook, but it wasn’t the story I listened to. This was a very different book, and it won’t be one I’ll soon forget.

Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of Like Happiness by Ursula Villarreal-Moura.

Oh wow, this is a power house of a debut that packs a punch! Tatum, a woman living in Chile with her partner is stunned to receive a phone call about an author who she had an off-again, on-again romance with. He is being accused of sexual assault, and Tatum is being asked for corroboration. And even though Tatum's experience with the author was different, she can't help but see a lot of problematic elements of their relationship.

This book hops timelines from present day to past, and it hooks you from the first chapter. I LOVED all of the literary references, I can never get enough of books talking about other books. I thought that the exposure of casual, and not-so-casual racism in the literary world was very important, and this was just overall a very good story.

This was absolutely beautifully written!

Ursula Villarreal-Moura’s writing style had me feeling like I was in the room with Tatum Vega as she reflected on her past and combed through her memories of M. Domínguez, dissecting there decade long correspondence and coming to terms with the reality of the present.

Absolutely fantastic debut by Ursula Villarreal-Moura!!

Method Read: 📖 & 🎧

Thank you Celadon Books & Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies!

It all started with a letter so might as well end with another. Tatum wrote that letter to M. Dominguez because his book spoke to her. She felt seen and understood. She wanted to thank him for writing it; she wanted to show her appreciation. When she got a response, she was over the moon. After all, an author took time to respond to her (maybe childish, maybe little too hopeful) letter. Years later when she sat down to write another one, she finally came to terms with what had happened.

Grooming comes in many forms. At a young age, certain things sound and feel like winning that championship ring. They make you feel special than others because you have the attention and you are under the spotlight. Most of the times, there is nothing wrong with these feelings, or compliments or attention you receive. But in those rare moments, words and actions have ulterior motives. A letter back from an author you liked can be first step of his grooming plan.

I appreciated those moments in the second when Tatum realized what had happened yet still held onto the memory. That was a great way to show how years of this treatment cannot be wiped out by changing countries. I enjoyed the storytelling and themes used in this book a lot.