This is more than a frenemies-to-lovers young adult novel. It’s also a loving tribute to the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles and the immigrants who settled there starting in the early 1900s. In this story, the focus is on the Cuban families who fled after Castro took power and how their history is slowly but steadily being forgotten and painted over due to gentrification.

Clary Delgado’s family runs a florist shop that, thanks to a high-profile celebrity wedding, does a booming business. Her childhood nemesis Emilio Avalos’s family owns the bike shop across the street. They’re part of a handful of original Cuban businesses that still exist, and Clary has made it her mission to try to get a historical designation for the Sunset business district “to preserve the area and honor its role in fostering Cuban culture on the west coast.” Author Namey, who is half Cuban and a SoCal resident, pays homage to the artists who created the numerous colorful murals that decorate the neighborhood and feature strongly in Clary’s life. Sadly, many of them have been painted over by new business owners, but others have been restored. In the book, Clary learns that there is no mention of the Cubans’ contribution to the neighborhood on the local historical society website (which doesn’t surprise me given that I live nearby and have witnessed the whitewashing of the neighborhood and entitlement of the newer, white NIMBY residents). She is committed to honoring those memories and ensuring that those that came before her aren’t forgotten.

The slow burn romance between Clary and Emilio is very sweet, but the family relationships are equally central to the story. Namey does a wonderful job of describing the value that they place on their culture (through music, food, celebration and more) as well as the loyalty and devotion they have for each other. A few years ago, I invited Namey to visit our school library where we served Cuban pastries from Porto’s Bakery, so I got a kick out of reading about the characters in this book enjoying them as well. I highly recommend this poignant and, at times, poetic story.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Atheneum Books for Young Readers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

When a seventeen year old florist life is thrown for a loop by a visit from her half sister (which she had no clue she had) and the fact that many of the other Cuban immigrant founded businesses around her are gone. Clary is determined to inherit her family's florist shop and leave behind a legacy. She's determined to keep the stronghold of her family's business and the only other Cuban founded business around is the bicycle shop where Emilio, a charming flighty boy works. Emilio is determined to leave his family's bicycle shop after he graduates and Clary doesn't understand why he would want to. Clary and Emilio begin spending time together and sharing their secrets as both their lives are getting more difficult. Yet as they start falling for one another, can a romance really work between a boy who wants to go and a girl who is determined to stay? This story deals a lot with family, community, guilt, and secrets. The romance was sweet overall but the emphasis on the community and family aspect of this book was what made it really well done. I liked that it was a sweet read overall and that the community and culture is shown throughout the book.

Release Date: August 27,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Atheneum Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Laura Taylor Namey’s latest YA novel is true to its title, in that it’s full of love and full of Echo Park. Within the vibrant Los Angeles neighborhood is our FMC Clary, who works in her family flower shop and plans to stay there for the rest of her life. She carries some deep abandonment issues because of her runaway birth mother, so she clings to her home and the people in it. The golden-haired neighborhood boy Emilio, however, wants to sever ties with their home and explore the world. And here we have our opposites who eventually attract.

Namey has a lot of strong suits — bringing a setting to life, expressing her love for Cuban culture — but her strongest is hands down establishing friendships between characters. Clary’s heart is already filled to the brim thanks to her family and best friend, and then along comes Emilio. Freaking Emilio with his smartass comments and his sweet bike ride lessons (ah, those bike scenes were romcom perfection). Even though their romance is definitely a slowburn, it doesn’t feel as slow when you get to see their friendship blossom.

I also enjoyed the friendship that developed with Clary’s surprise visitor. With this visitor and Emilio, Clary’s personal journey unfolds beautifully. That said, I didn’t get as much impact as I did with Namey’s When We Were Them or as much squee as I did with A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. Still a fantastic read — was just missing that extra oomph I wanted.

As someone who is realizing I am in my YA era, I absolutely loved this book. While I requested this because of the enemies to lovers romantic story line, I got so much more than I bargained for. Don’t get me wrong, the romance story line is absolutely swoon worthy, but it’s not the whole thing. You wind up continuing to read about family, community guilt, and secrets. I don’t even think I can do this book justice with a review. Seriously, if you like YA, please pick up this book.

A very special thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, Laura Taylor Namey has crafted a beautiful story about hispanic pride and the culture of community. With Love, Echo Park is a story that blends the love of your community and culture and the romantic HEA love. Clary and her journey of learning that attachment isn’t bad was beautifully done and her relationship with Jada was well done and showcased the love that can be found and earned.

With Love, Echo Park is a story that is multi-faceted. On one hand, there's very much the swoony romantic story line about love in place we wouldn't expect. And on the other hand, there's a story about family secrets that hurt and heal. I came for the romance and ended up staying for the story about family. About family which should come with no strings attached, be unconditional love, and ends up being twisted with feelings of guilt. People who try to protect us and only end up hurting us. With Love, Echo Park is a story about community. Family, friends, and the history of our homes.

omg i love the name clary from the mortal instruments so im so glad to love another clary form books this was such a great book! i absolutely loved it

I liked Clary and Emilio and how much they actually care for each other but don't want to show it.
Clary is dealing with a lot as she learns some things about her mother and the past as someone new shows up in her life.
I loved the flowers and Clary's creativity. I loved how much she cares about her family's legacy.
A great look at family, generations and how they shape us.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Super cute!! I loved the subtle education about gentrification, and the characterization of Clary and her family/friends was great. Clary & Emilio were so cute, and I loved that. Incredible YA read, would definitely recommend.