¡VIVA LOLA ESPINOZA!

A 17-year-old Californian enjoys a transformative summer before senior year with her mother’s relatives in Mexico.

A quiet and studious people-pleaser, Lola Espinoza feels pressured by Mami and Papi to make their college dreams for her come true. But when she gets a C in Spanish despite trying her best, they send her to Mexico City to stay with her maternal grandmother and master Spanish. Though initially upset about being forced to go, Lola is soon swept up by life with her enormous extended family, working as a hostess at her cousin’s restaurant, and the interest of two cute co-workers—popular, charming Río and stoic, levelheaded Javier. But every time Lola kisses a boy, she gets sick. Upon learning of a curse that makes following your heart extra challenging for women in the Gómez family, Lola is determined to do whatever she must to free herself from its power. Javi, who turns out to be contending with family issues of his own, volunteers to help her. Humor and insights abound throughout Lola’s curse-breaking quest, and readers will root for the considerate protagonist as her confidence grows. The story thoughtfully touches on identity and heritage: Lola’s paternal grandparents were undocumented, Papi attended college in Mexico, and Lola feels sensitive about her language struggles. It also explores colorism in Latine communities; Lola has tan skin, Rio is light-skinned, and Javi, who has a darker complexion, has a Zapotec mother.

A tender coming-of-age story about family and first love.