I found this to be really interesting read. I was really invested in all the characters and felt like the book was well paced. I loved the look into Latina culture and I really loved the characters relationship to their culture. I also really liked how the friendship dynamics were not dramatically effected by romance. I loved the book being set over a year and loved seeing these characters grown and change. I hope to read more by this author in the future. ( )

I found this to be really interesting read. I was really invested in all the characters and felt like the book was well paced. I loved the look into Latina culture and I really loved the characters relationship to their culture. I also really liked how the friendship dynamics were not dramatically effected by romance. I loved the book being set over a year and loved seeing these characters grown and change. I hope to read more by this author in the future. ( )

I was given an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was not a book for me. There were 4 POV’s that switched regularly and just too much going on for me to relax and enjoy. It was almost as hectic as my own life, and I generally read to escape that hectic-ness.

I did love the Latino rep and the Spanish conversations, as well as the LGBT rep. ( )

Four teenagers, best friends, nearing the end of their high school career in Denver, CO. All four of them feeling like they are lacking, or lack agency in their lives. The new year's resolutions they make for each other take them through a bumpy year, but everyone learns to be a bit more independent or vulnerable in the end. As all four of them are latinx, you see different ways in which that aspect of their identity shows up in their decisions and their family relationships. ( )

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Goodreads. This is an honest review.*

The Resolutions was a slow start for me, but I ended up really enjoying this book. The characters just pulled me into their world and I couldn’t help but to fall in love with all of them.

This book has a lot of great things going for it. First, it’s beautifully diverse, with bi-racial representation, and a couple of main characters who are on various parts of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Garcia has created teen characters who are incredibly thoughtful in their actions and how they respect other people. Romantic interests actually ask permission before touching and kissing, which I think should be standard, but it so often isn’t in stories. I love this because it creates a mindset that this should (and it should) be the norm and expectation. I also love that the romances aren’t clichéd. Girls make the first moves sometimes, or sometimes boys make the first moves; the gender norms are mostly broken and I love that it reflects such a genuine representation of reality. This thoughtfulness carries into every aspect of her writing and I just appreciated the story so much more because it felt so carefully and beautifully done.

Garcia is able to do all of this and still accurately represent the hardships and struggles that her characters go through; self-doubt, anxiety for the future, trying so hard to please parents, etc. All of these are very common, relatable teenage (and older) concepts that everyone has dealt with, and it’s this everyday real-life stuff that provides the conflict and crux of her characters’ lives. I loved that we get four very different main characters who have different perspectives and things going on in their lives, but they’re all connected through their friendship.

Overall, this is an entertaining read that delves into some “serious issues” territory while still feeling fun and light. It dragged a little in places, but the characters really pulled me through it and I become super invested in all of their stories. I will definitely be on the watch for future books from this author.

Also posted on Purple People Readers. ( )