This was in a "free ARCs for staff" pile at the library sometime last year. I loved the title, and it sounded pretty intriguing, so I grabbed it. Just now got to it. And let me just say, having not seen a single other review for it anywhere on bookstagram, that it is definitely not getting the hype it deserves. 

Y'all. I was into this story. Like, I am not here to comment on its historical accuracy or anything. As you know, this like 1970s/80s (ish) time that is too late for history classes to cover but too early for me to have lived/remember personally, is a time period I don't know a lot about. And I am working on learning, of course. But I do want to preface this review with a caveat/cyoa announcement that if the history (of Cuba and Castro and revolutionaries and counterrevolutionaries and Nicaragua/sandinistas and US policies around "drug cartels" and general interference in those movements) is not all presented correctly, I don't know enough (yet) to comment. Regardless of accuracy though, this is definitely a period with a lot of built up "mythology" around it, on all sides. And I really appreciated this perspective, of a “real person/people” living those events and that time period, someone(s) just “caught up in the flow of history,” as opposed to running/deciding it. 

Other than the historical aspects, Tell It to Me Singing had a very telenovela-like drama and storyline, page-turningly so, and was also super compelling in a very real life sense. There was a look at Cuban-American culture and family and sense of history and place and unsettlement that might appeal to readers of Chanel Cleeton (see my review of Next Year in Havana) or books like Of Women and Salt. Side note here: shoutout to Ramírez for making a clear and open nod to the oft under-acknowledged conservative lean of this Cuban-American community. All in all, the cultural placement just felt very present. The intergenerational secrets and cycles, full of drama enough to keep me interested, but *just* likely enough to be believable, had me all the way invested. 

And the humanity. My goodness. *chef's kiss* Ramírez has written an entire cast of characters that is flawed but good. There's not really a single unlikable one on the list, despite them not always making the best choices or struggling to be the best version of themselves/to live their own truths. We can all relate and empathize with that level of complex and messy choices and relationships. But you can also see how they're all trying their best/giving best intent, so you can' help but fall for them. It's just a great depiction of truthful humanity.