Kiss Me, Mi Amor

April 24, 2023
Albertson sparkles in her second Love and Tacos romance (after Ramón and Julieta), a riff on The Taming of the Shrew. First-generation Mexican American Carolina Flores is one of California’s “top female farmers,” but her life is dominated by her conservative father, with whom she lives and who is so old-school that he won’t allow her younger sisters to date until Carolina finds a boyfriend. Enter Enrique Montez, a third-generation Mexican American and heir to fast food empire Taco King, who hopes to strike a partnership with Carolina’s farm. Carolina is uninterested—until her father mistakes him for her boyfriend and Enrique agrees to play along. After a storm strands the pair in Carmel overnight, however, Carolina’s father claims she’s shamed the family by spending the night with a man and kicks her out. Newly independent, Carolina must discover who she is without her father making all her choices for her—and where Enrique fits into her future. Albertson’s refreshing, nuanced tale captivates, exploring issues of racial identity, immigrant culture, and breaking free from abusive dynamics—and offering tasty descriptions of tacos along the way. A strong supporting cast (especially Carolina’s sassy younger sister Blanca) adds to the fun. Readers will be enchanted.

May 1, 2023

In Albertson's second "Love & Tacos" novel (following Ram�n and Julieta), a farm owner and a fast-food mogul construct a fake relationship to satisfy their traditional Catholic Mexican families. After years of working on a California farm with her parents and sisters, Carolina Flores purchases the farm and dedicates it to the ethical treatment of its workers and sustainable land stewardship. Meanwhile, Enrique Montez, part owner of the Taco King empire, is interested in charting a more responsible path for his company's future. Enrique tours Carolina's farm and agrees to take part in community celebrations to get in Carolina's good graces and court her as a potential supplier. After Carolina's father experiences a medical emergency, she impulsively invents a fake relationship with Enrique to boost her father's spirits. As Carolina and Enrique spend more time together, they question whether their fake relationship could develop into something real. Carolina's quest for growth and independence from her family's stringent patriarchy is as important as her growing relationship with Enrique; her agency flips this retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. VERDICT Recommended for readers craving a fake-relationship romance set amid family drama.--Shanel Slater

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