Absolutely loved this book! Annette’s writing is full of culture, tradition, Spanglish, and food! I felt so much for each one of the characters and was rooting for them to each overcome their traumas. This book will have you experiencing so many emotions and each character is relatable.

This book found me at a great time. This beautiful story of three generations of Mexican American women and their complex relationship had me crying in almost from cover to cover. I needed to finish it in one sitting. Mi alma lo necesitaba .

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this book!

When I first read the synopsis of When We Were Widows, I assumed it would center around the shared sorrow of mothers and daughters, all grieving the loss of their husbands. As someone who enjoys layered, multigenerational family dynamics, this was one of the reasons I picked up the book. While the novel does explore how grief connects the women of the family, it goes deeper, offering a poignant exploration of how the same loss can be processed in vastly different ways by different people.

The story follows three women: Mama Melda, the matriarch; Ana, her daughter; and Yessica, her granddaughter. Told from the alternating perspectives of Ana and Yessica, the narrative unfolds when Ana and Mama Melda temporarily move in with Yessica due to an urgent renovation at Ana’s home. All three women have lost their husbands, though Yessica’s loss is still fresh, having occurred just six months prior. Their grief is as unique as each of their personalities, and I found this exploration of varying mourning processes incredibly moving.

The book’s plot is engaging, and the character development is rich and rewarding. There were so many quotable lines that truly enhanced the experience, and the side characters added warmth and depth to the story. I especially appreciated the subtle romance woven into the plot, which provided a tender contrast to the heavier themes of loss.

I alternated between reading and listening to the book, and the audiobook narration was superb. The Spanish phrases were pronounced beautifully, which reminded me of Gloria from *Modern Family*—a fun touch (IYKYK). My only minor issue was that the book didn’t provide a glossary for non-Spanish speakers, leaving me to rely on context to understand the occasional Spanish sentence. That said, it didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, When We Were Widows, is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant exploration of family, grief, and healing.

What an incredible read that touched me in so many ways. The building of a mother and daughter’s relationship, along with the losses they've endured. They had experienced some of the same situations and didn't know it until it all came out. Powerful, gut punching, relief, etc.

While reading this story, some of my past experiences came to mind that caused me to view them differently. This is one story that will stay with me.

Favorite Quotes:
⚕️I still wanted to be in control of the narrative. My professional reputation depended on it.

⚕️This break could be a good thing for your mental health.

⚕️We were all dealing with our loss in our own ways, I guess. For my mom, that meant focusing on just surviving day to day, and that left little time for having fun.

⚕️You know you’re allowed to let go and have fun.

⚕️Our parents aren’t supposed to be perfect,” he finally said. “We just think they are because when we’re little, we need them to be.

⚕️The three of us clung to each other, alternating between crying and laughing. It was as if something was trying to pull us apart, and the harder it pulled, the harder we held on.

⚕️But the last few years had taught me that life was too short, and there were more important things to do than work.

Title: When We Were Widows
Author: Annette Chavez Macias
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: November 1, 2024

I received a complimentary eARC and ALC copies from Montlake and Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Readable • Heartfelt • Familiar

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Since her husband’s death six months ago, Yesica Diaz-Taylor seems to be taking her grief in stride. Then an angry outburst at work shatters the illusion. Her mandated support group counseling doesn’t help much. Yesica has always kept her feelings close, so even when an unlikely friendship blossoms with the group’s facilitator, she still has reasons for holding back. She’s just not ready to share.

Ana Diaz has been widowed for five years and continues to live life exactly as she did with her late husband. When her house floods, she’s forced to shake things up. Although it was never part of her plan, Ana moves in with her eldest daughter, Yesica. But the new living arrangement tests their already strained relationship.

Shadowed by unresolved tensions, Yesica, Ana, and matriarch Mama Melda must learn to share a home, their heartbreak, and, once and for all, the haunting family secrets that have kept them apart.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Anyone that knows my reading tastes knows that books with grief as a central theme are easy adds to my TBR, such was the case with When We Were Widows. I was particularly interested in a book following three generations of women, in particular three widows.

Told in alternating chapters from the mother (Ana) and the daughter's (Yesica) perspectives, this structures allows for the grandmother to be an omnipresent character. It unpacks complex and fractured relationships, long held personal secrets, and complicated feelings in grief, yet isn't all about grief. I particularly appreciated the themes of forgiveness, open communication and the efforts to rebuild relationships.

While it is only a small portion of the story, I was intrigued to learn about the history of Chavez Ravine. I had never heard about the history of displacement that took place there and it made me want to do a little more research after reading the author's note, where she details her reasoning for including this little tidbit into the narrative.

The audiobook narrated by by Karla Serrato and Cynthia Farrell was very well done. It was helpful to have two narrators to distinguish between the two perspectives. I felt as if the voices brought the two characters to life and made them even more relatable. The speed and intonation suited the narrative and kept the flow of the story throughout.

While When We Were Widows tackles themes of loss and grief, it does so with understanding and in a lighthearted manner. At the end of the day, it's more a novel about finding ourselves and fixing relationships that has a hopeful undertone. The inclusion of some recipes at the end was an added bonus. This was my first novel from Annette Chavez Macias, but I am definitely interested in going back and exploring her previous publications and keeping an eye out for future projects.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• multi generational stories
• themes of grief
• mother/daughter relationships

⚠️ CW: death, death of partner, death of parent, grief, car accident, medical trauma, infertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, infidelity, panic attacks/disorders, alcohol, forced displacement, toxic relationship, dementia

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Grief, I'd learned didn't have a finish line. It was an endless journey. Some days the path was easy, and other days you'd be running perfectly fine and then, our of nowhere, you'd stumble, and the pain would come roaring back as if your loss had just happened."

Three generations of Chicana mother-daughters, who are unlucky enough to be members of the dead husband club AND dead dad club. Despite the title of the book, the story is not solely focused on their widowhood grief. It’s focused on the complicated relationship dynamics between the mother-daughters. We read through their difficulties being emotionally vulnerable with each other and other close people in their lives. It’s about the impact of intergenerational trauma, guarding secrets, holding grudges, resentment, and yes their grief, too.

The way all three of the characters felt SO relatable in one way or another!!! This is one of those books that makes you feel *seen* as a Latina. Even when I couldn’t identify with some of the characters’ specific experiences, it still touched on such a common experience and worldview passed on through our cultura.

On a lighter note, I loved the references to specific symbols of Mexican culture. Black and white San Marcos cobija with a tiger on it? IYKYK.

This is my second read from Annette Chavez Macias and I think she has become a new auto-read author for me! I also discovered she has written under a pen name (Sabrina Sol), needless to say I have a whole other collection of books to look into!

Thanks to Montlake, via NetGalley, for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review!

A multigenerational story about a trio of Mexican woman navigating life, love and most importantly grief.

Disclaimer: I read this novel as a EArc from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This book shook me to my very core. It handles some heavy and important topics and it's unapologetically Latinx. We follow 3 generations of women (grandma, mom and daughter) who have all become widows under different circumstances. The story follows not only how they deal with their grief and laws, but also how they relate to each other under the same banner. This book broke my heart and put it back together. I related to so much within this novel just on different levels. While I've never been a widow, it does cover some other topics like infertility and miscarriage. As well as family dynamics within a Latinx household.

The audiobook was spectacularly well done and you can tell it's by a native Spanish speaker. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and I found it to be very accessible for both Spanish and English speakers alike. I highly recommend reading this literary fiction that left me reeling.

Annette Chavez Macias can do no wrong her writing is so emotional makes the reader feel seen. She writes Perfect characters that you can connect to and that you love and that you think about long after you're reading the book when we were widows is an absolute must read story!

There were so many moments where my jaw was on the floor, I clutched at my heart, and I got angry/heartbroken on behalf of (and sometimes AT) Mama Melda, Ana, and Yésica. I love reading intergenerational stories and I absolutely love how complex, interesting, relatable, and, at times, frustrating each of these women are.

This is a heartwarming and relatable read that will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced loss, is seeking a story of hope and healing, and is drawn to tales of female friendship, family dynamics, and the transformative power of love and forgiveness.

When We Were Widows follows three generations of Mexican-American women who all happen to be—you guessed it—widows. The tone is light and compulsively readable, while still treating the subject matter with the respect and attention it deserves. Annette nails the intergenerational voices and complicated family dynamics, spinning a tale that is by turns heartbreaking, romantic, and oh so relatable. You won’t be able to put it down. Book clubs, make this your next pick!

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for access to this title. All opinions are my own.

A contemporary story about three generations of Mexican-American women, Imelda, Ana, and Yesica who over six weeks tackle the heartache and secrets that have kept them apart.

This book kept me engaged as chapters alternated between Ana and Yesica who have never had the easiest relationship. I would have loved at least one chapter from grandmother Imelda's p.o.v as she seemed quite interesting. There is a little bit of romance for both the mother and daughter and even a little bit of history concerning the Chavez Ravine. Many Mexican Americans were forced out of their homes in the early 1950s so that the city of Los Angeles could build Dodger Stadium.

A few trigger warnings as this one deals with topics such as infertility and infidelity.







#WhenWeWereWidows #NetGalley
Publication Date 01/11/24
Goodreads Review 03/11/24

This was a beautiful and emotional read! Here are 15 of my thoughts of the book:

1. My initial thoughts going in: the way this book started off, ok I’m invested!
2. So far I’m relating to both Ana and Yesica. Our families tend to go thru these generational cycles and trying to break these cycles are difficult to do especially if we’re not aware of them.
3. The fact that all three of these women are living under the same roof is causing me anxiety.
4. I completely get the miscommunication and or lack of. Some of my family members hardly speak, so I can relate.
5. I wanted to slap Yes for disrespecting her mother in front of other people.
6. I’m rooting for Ana and Lucas!
7. Even tho I wanted to slap Yes earlier, I feel so much for her cause she is carrying a lot… without giving away spoilers.
8. Lawd, these women sure do know how to hang on to these secrets.
9. Now, I want a plate of entomatadas.
10. I appreciate that the author included the history of Chavez Ravine. That many Mexican Americans were forced out of their homes in the early 1950’s so that the city of Los Angeles could build the Dodger stadium.
11. I feel such a relief now that those three have let go of all their secrets.
12. When Yesica confronted Amber, and then Yes got back into the car and she let out of all that pain and anguish, I cried at this part. It felt like I was in the car with her and could feel that release of emotions.
13. Another moment where I balled my eyes out when Yesica gave Henry back the train. This made me think about my great grandmother 😭😭
14. I grew to love Ana, Yesica and Mama Melda equally! What a trio.
15. Oh my goodness, there’s recipes in the back of the book! Not me thinking I can make these entomatadas!

Highly recommend this book! Annette Chavez Macias is becoming a favorite!

thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book early.

this book my friends, it’s a GEM! I loved everything about this book. This story follows three generations of women who have lost their husbands but, soon realize, they lost much more than that along their lives. We experience through them: grief, pain, regret, sadness, anger, resentment, the consequences of gentrification, the discrimination against women of color but, also Latinx communities and, how they are not taken into consideration when building new stadiums is more important than people’s housing, and so much more. We have the chance to see how every story connects itself and how each woman reacted to that experience.

I loved the conversations on mother x daughter relationships. in some cases, it’s not the healthiest. A lot goes on in that relationship that we have been able to see lots of expectations and dynamics being perpetuated that usually doesn’t happen in mother x son relationships.
Ana and Yesica have spent their entire lives not getting along. we learn little by little why the relationship is strained and how both of them feel about this distance. I appreciated the author explaining the importance of understanding that the people who are our parents ARE NOT PERFECT while also, reminding ourselves that they can be great parents but horrible partners and vise versa. Recognizing that we put our fathers (sometimes) in a pedestal because our mothers have made it their lives mission to protect them and us from heartbreak and suffering by discovering who they really are.

My favorite character was Ana, she was by far the one I wanted to see achieve her goals, discover herself and find out what is life without THAT MAN. I loved seeing her growth and how she had to learn that keeping secrets and pain, can cause even more damage than being truthful.

If you guys are looking for a book that’s gonna be funny, interesting, focuses on mother x daughter dynamics, Latinx experiences and, deep emotional feelings and processes, then this is for you!

When We Were Widows by Annette Chavez Macias was a sweet story of family relationships and grief.
What an incredible, heart-warming story.
The way it encapsulated grief and moving on was perfect.
Such a beautiful story.

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

This is a heartbreaking yet beautiful story of three generations of strong Latinas who find themself back under one roof having to face the secrets they have been keeping from each other.

This is a book filled with complex family dynamics, emotions, fears, loss and grief but written in the most beautiful and powerful way and so full of love.

A very emotional book and I cried a few times reading it and felt so connected to the characters.

I look forward to reading more books by this author because this was such an incredible story and I highly recommend that you check it out!

Thank you to Hear Our Voice Tours and Annette Chavez Macias for this e-arc.

This is one of those books that made me feel so many things that I don't know where to start this review. 

Three generations of women under one roof will always be interesting and complicated, especially among women of color. Younger generations tend to bottle things up because they know some things just aren't going to be well received. As a result, it leads to miscommunication. Typically, I wouldn't say I like the miscommunication trope; however, it worked and was realistic. Yesica, Ana, and Mama Melda are members of a club that no one really wants to be a part of, and they all grieve in different ways. 

There were moments of frustration, some humor, and a lot of crying. Family secrets were revealed, and there were twists and turns. It was nice to see each character well-developed, and there were great cultural references. I do wish that Mama Melda had a perspective, but her presence was in every chapter. It was interesting to see the mother-daughter dynamic and how difficult it can be to negotiate those relationships. 

This story made me think about how I grieve any loss. I tend to try to suppress my emotions and keep going. In my mind, if I stop to think about the loss, I'll break down and "I don't have time for that." 

This was a beautiful story that, at times, was tough to read (emotionally). It had great Latinx representation and cultural references, and I felt like I knew each character.

“No matter how old we get, we all need our mothers to take care of us again at some point.”

When We Were Widows by Annette Chavez Macias

It’s quite rare that a book grabs hold of me so fully that I finish it in a day, but this book did just that for me. Once the story really started going I just couldn’t put it down. When We Were Widows follows three generations of widows in the same family as they are forced to confront their pasts, their secrets, and their grief. This novel examines how grief can create chasms within families, especially in Latin (and in this novel specifically, Mexican) ones. It is ingrained in us to keep our heads down and keep pushing, not stopping to realize that we don’t have to handle everything alone. Macias does a wonderful job at exploring this theme, and I really enjoyed the mother-daughter dynamics in this book. Although the story follows three women, it is a dual POV between Ana and Yesica which allowed for Mama Melda’s character to be a more omniscient presence. All of the women’s individual traumas inform how they navigate these complex relationships, and Macias writes about such heavy topics with extreme care. Even though this can be a tough read emotionally, it is also incredibly hopeful. We get to see these women start to come out the other side and take control of their lives once more.

A beautiful heartfelt story about the complexities of the relationship between mothers and daughters. The story deals with grief and how each woman dealt with it differently. The writing was amazing and I loved the character development of each woman especially Ana and Yesica. I definitely recommend this book.

This book was everything I didn’t know I needed!

Yésica, Ana, and Mamá Melda are all widows. Their circumstances led them to be under one roof, even though communication and trust is not fully there.
These three women share the loneliness and the nerve racking feeling of having to be independent after being with their spouse for so long. Although they share a home, they still struggle with vulnerablility and dealing with loss of who they were before. The pain, although different for all three, is still very much present.

Yesica, Ana, and Mama Melda are women before anything else. Women who by sismilar situations, bond over the loss of someone they loved or at least cared for.
The relationship between mother and daughter across generations are explored and we get to see generational trauma be addressed and discussed . I loved how the topic of being a mother/daughter was portrayed as something in addition to who they are as a person. The rediscovery of who you want to be and what you desire to accomplish in your life is a very important and beautiful journey that these women go through together.

There is so much emotion and lessons packed in this book. I learned from them to not judge our parents and learn to forgive and listen to them because at the end of the day they are just as lost and trying their best like everyone else.

I highly recommend this book to all, especially Latinx readers!

Thank you to the author and to (IG: hearourvoicestour) for the opportunity to read and review this book.