A review by xandriaisreading
West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras

3.0

I was really excited about this book seeing as San Antonio is my home. My entire family is from here!

The story was a fun twist on a classic. The characters were okay. With a lot of time jumping, it was hard to see it go from 0 to 100 so fast. The book takes place over the course of a month!

The San Antonio bits? Not for San Antonians. The use of fiesta for every party isn't a thing, especially when Fiesta is a huge event in the city and the only time you hear "fiesta" is in reference to that. Calling papel picado doilies? It being so cold people are wearing sweaters in March (ha!)? It felt like someone researched San Antonio and just put stuff places without really knowing the city. Even some of the references were off; no calls the Pearl the Pearl District, a random line about the Alamo, the diss on the River (we know it's gross, but like it's got it's pretty parts too). Maybe because I love my city so much I went in with too critical an eye.

However, the discussion about gentrification? Spot on.