This book has been getting a ton of praise, winning award after award, and just generally become one of the more recent hyped books in YA. And it's all 100% accurate.

I listened to this audiobook all in one afternoon (it's only 3.5 hours!) and I was obsessed. Acevedo herself narrates this book and she does an incredible job. I was so entranced by her rhythm and meter; it felt like I had music on. The poems are quick and sharp with an absolute expert use of language. I need a physical copy ASAP so that I can go in and annotate my favorite verses. She had me laughing, nodding and smiling, and straight up crying as she tackles identity, growing up, religion, parental relationships, and falling in love. Although my life is wildly different from Xiomara's I felt so connected to her, as if she's my best friend I haven't yet met. I'm can't say enough gushing things, and truly I cannot think of any negatives about this book.

Do not sleep on this book. Believe the hype. Get ready to be blown away.