You know what, when I finished listening to this audiobook yesterday, I went on here and gave it 4 stars. Because I liked it, I really did. But it didn't immediately go up there to where my all time faves are. Then again, it is quite a feat to reach my all time faves...
Then, I went through a whole day before coming back on here and changing my 4 star review to a 5 star review. Or, more precisely, a 4.5 star review. Because this is a great book. An amazing book that I enjoyed immensely and that while it does not reach my all time faves list (yet), it is definitely worth more than the 3.81 average it currently has. Here's why: This book stayed with me. I kept thinking about it all day and I kept thinking back to my favourite moments, my favourite quotes. THAT, ladies and gents and everyone in between, is an amazing book.

Let me tell you why this is an amazing book.
When I decided to listen to it, I thought the cover looked cute. I thought the title sounded adorable and I was so ready for a cute, no brainer YA romance. This is what this book is not. Sure, it is a romance but it's so much more than that.

Meet Isa and Alex, two teens who meet on the subway in New York City, and no, they don't immediately fall for each other. But there is some immediate attraction. Which I LOVED. To walk the line between "they meet as strangers and leave as strangers" and "two strangers meet and it's unrealistic love at first sight" is a thin one to walk. Ismée Amiel Williams walked it beautifully. As I said, there is attraction at first sight. Some gentlemanliness from Alex (but I choose to believe that that was because he's just that much of a good person who would've done it for everyone). The love story between them is beautiful. It has so many of my favourite things, there is pining, love-letter-poems hidden on the subway, nervousness, love confessions - ALL of that good stuff.

And then, this novel hits you with this: racism, because Alex is Dominican-American and Isa's mother is Cuban. Mental illnesses in the family. Strict families, families who are so strict it almost suffocates their children (The pressure on Isa to consider becoming a doctor, the pressure on Alex to become a baseball-pro). Insecurity (because of society-made issues). There is violence and street gangs and injuries.

Of course, the book has more positive things to offer than just the romance. Isa's friend who is there for her no matter what. Isa and her brother's relationship. Alex and the way he cares for his little brother, his mother and his friends. The poetry, the going to dance performances, the texting, the hidden Instagram messages - so many things that are highly, HIGHLY enjoyable.

For me personally, the heritage of the two characters is amazing. I loved the usage of Spanish in this book and I enjoyed getting a glimpse into a culture that is very different from mine. I enjoyed seeing family dynamics that are very different from what I know. I enjoyed the descriptions of the food, of the traditions, of the heritage (and I'll also happily listen to Gary Tiedemann speak Spanish for forever).

Let me just tell you this. Do yourselves a favour and get this book. I promise you, you will not regret it.