I have a soft spot for coming-of-age novels, especially stories like these that explore important themes like identity and belonging, and social stratification.

The Border Between Us is a well-written novel that hit all the right spots for me. It reminded me of my college friends who came from impoverished towns in Texas that straddle the Mexican border.

The MMC, Ramón, is a relatable character (I also grew up working class and went to fancy university with rich kids), and the easygoing writing style made this a relatively straightforward read. It felt like listening to a friend telling you about their youth and how they got to where they are. Kudos to the audiobook narrator, Eddie Lopez, for making this story feel so real.

I wish that there was more emphasis on Ramón's life in NYC, like Ramón meeting other Mexican Americans going to college and living in the city. His dating life with a rich girl wasn't really my vibe, and the sole emphasis on that made his art school studies feel like it played second fiddle. It helped to highlight the wealth inequity between them, but then again, romance isn't really my favorite thing to read about. Especially since Ramón was partially used as a charity case (which, I suppose, was the main point).

But other than that, I had a great time and I'd love to read more of Rudy Ruiz's novels.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley for this arc.

This book was an incredible read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The narrator did a fantastic job, bringing the story to life in a way that was both engaging and entertaining. I loved how multidimensional the story felt, tackling real-life challenges faced by its diverse characters. At its core, this is a tale of resilience, strength, self-discovery, and the true meaning of family and life. While the ending was bittersweet, it was beautifully fitting and left a lasting impression.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would at the start! Very well written and reflects on a lot of deep issues in a very real way. The narrator did a great job as well.

The Border Between Us is a book that all Americans must read. When hate for immigrates is at an all time high, this is what Americans need to read to truly understand what immigration entails. The dreams, aspirations, and ambitions that are just a fingertip out of reach for so many people is devastating. In this coming of age novel you will discover the most profound truth of how everyone’s journey is different and every path taken is one step closer to your own journey of discovery. I adore books that highlight the journey of immigrants because we often take for granted all that we have in America and it truly shows us that the things that we never stop to appreciate is what other can work their entire life trying to achieve. Such a beautiful novel that highlights so many heart heavy topics. I am very much looking forward to reading more by this wonderful author.

A heartbreaking book that is also so full of love and family. Get the tissues out!! I’m so excited for this book to be out in the world bc I want people to talk about it with. I loved the audio book narrator as well who did an amazing job. The book does an amazing job of showing how some families migrate frequently btw the US and Mexico and it doesn’t need to be viewed as a criminalized venture… it’s just a part of border culture and familial needs. I hope it also helps to change the narrative that makes immigrants villains.

This book was a a beautiful reflection on the dichotomies (some true, many others false) that exist when straddling two worlds, physically and metaphorically.

Eddie Lopez’s narration complimented the book wonderfully. Be aware that occasionally brief Spanish phrases are used but not translated, though within the context of the story you should capture the gist of it even if you don’t speak the language.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for access to the book!

✨ Review ✨ The Border Between Us by Rudy Ruiz

Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

{I'm so mad at myself for not reviewing this one while it was fresh in my mind}

Ruiz is a master storyteller of borderlands stories. I loved Valley of Shadows and so I was quick to pick this one up, but it was so incredibly different, and yet just as good!

This one follows Ramón Lopez throughout his teen years (and maybe a bit beyond). The child of immigrants and the older brother to a boy with some significant disabilities, Ramón always feels like he's not quite supported by his family. As they straddle the border and his dad straddles a range of economic opportunities, their family is frequently in economic distress, and he ends up moving in with his grandma.

The book tackles the complexity of the American Dream -- is it something to aspire to? Is it even possible? Is it even desirable? As Ramón seeks to pursue his interests in art, he faces down troubles and grief of all varieties, and we are left with the question, is it worth it?

The book is a story of aspiration, of borderlands travails, of economic struggles, of family drama and so much more. The writing is complex and beautiful and thought-provoking. I'm so glad I picked this one up!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: contemporary fiction, literary fiction
Setting: Texas-Mexico borderlands, NYC
Pub Date: Aug 27 2024

Rudy Ruiz's The Border Between Us is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the immigrant experience, narrated with exceptional skill by Eddie Lopez. This audiobook delves into the complex emotions, cultural clashes, and societal pressures faced by those who cross borders in search of a better life.

Lopez's narration is both empathetic and powerful, capturing the nuances of the characters' emotions and the raw intensity of their struggles. His performance brings the story to life, making it a truly immersive listening experience.

Ruiz's writing is both sensitive and unflinching, as he tackles sensitive topics such as family, love, and the American Dream. The characters are well-developed and relatable, drawing the listener in and making them care deeply about their fates.

Whether you're familiar with the immigrant experience or not, The Border Between Us is a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you've finished listening.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

Overall, I enjoyed this book and Ramon's story. At times I felt like I would have enjoyed it more as a series of standalone short stories, which I now feel even more after listening to the acknowledgments at the end of the book. However, the overarching narrative was a good one and I understand the creative choices Ruiz made turning a series of his life experiences into a work of fiction like this. I also appreciated how seen this book made me feel at many points -- special shoutout to the tidbit of there not being any jobs titled "emerging Latino artist" lol

I loved this audiobook! This story really touched my heart ❤️ the narrator was perfect and it made the story feel put together beautifully. I was left absolutely devastated in some parts of this story and tears were shed. I knew I was gonna resonate with this story which exactly why I requested without a doubt. Idk if I would consider this as HEA but it I wasn’t disappointed either.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone especially for my Latinos and Latinas.

Thank you to Rudy Ruiz, Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for this audiobook.

If you read the print version I'd advise reading the author's acknowledgements first. It explains so much about the origins of this novel ie it being the culmination of manypreviously published short stories written by the author about his upbringing on the border between the US and Mexico. It might, as it did me, make me feel less irritated by the protagonist who has a tendency to mope and feel sorry for himself far longer than is actually necessary.

I listened to the audio version, which was excellently narrated by Eddie Lopez. No histrionics, no melodrama (despite the sometimes harrowing stories), just a good clear voice with enough inflection to easily distinguish between characters.

The novel itself describes the story of Ramón López, a boy whose family live a precarious existence just over the US border in Brownsville, mainly due to Ramon's father's schemes, which invariably end with him losing rather than making money. Ramon wants to be an entrepreneur like his father but seems to be as successful. However he is also a talented artist and his travels take him to New York to further his career.

This book did not go as I expected and, as I said previously, there are times when Ramon drove me crazy with his self-doubt and self-pity. It does have strong Mexican characters and the women are the most memorable.

This book feels like a love letter to those people who made us, who guide us and who support us throughout our lives. Apart from the odd page or two I found it extremely interesting and engaging and I'd definitely recommend it. The audio version is a delight to listen to.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing- Audiobooks for the audio advance review copy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Eddie Lopez does a fantastic job narrating this story! I highly recommend the audiobook!

This is a well written novel that explores what it means to be a Mexican-American living on the border between the USA and Mexico. There is so much going on in the book which I would classify as a coming of age story. The author explores familial relationships, social perceptions, success, failure, and the glaring disparity in socio-economic conditions between the USA and Mexico. The writing pulls you in so adeptly that you can hear, smell and see the story. Excellent!