Too Soon For Adios
By: Annette Chavez Macias
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: Fiction (Adult), Romance
On Sale March 21, 2023
*Review & quotations are based on a proof copy*
Reviewer Marisa Marquez
Annette Chavez Macias is back with another heart wrenching book that you’re going to absolutely sob over, but you’re going to be happy about it.
Our story follows Gabby Medina, who loves food and dreams of being a chef one day and running her own space. Her dreams are on pause as she is struggling with…a lot! Financially, she is trying to pull herself out of massive debt. Emotionally, she is trying to learn how to cope with the passing of her mother, but their relationship was complicated. The cherry on top is that her estranged father shows up to her mothers funeral and offers a solution to all of her problems. Gabby’s father offers her a house to renovate and sell. But is it worth the emotional toll that will most definitely come with it?
TW: Too Soon For Adios deals with grief, death, and mild sexual harassment/assault. Take care of yourself and take this into consideration before moving forward with this book.
I loved this book for a variety of reasons:
- Mexican American Representation
- It’s about learning to love yourself
- Rediscovering roots
- 4.Lessons on Love
- 5.Lessons on Grief
- An enemies to lovers’ romance.
- Endearing characters
*Spoiler Alert*- Gabby accepts the offer and heads to Sonrisa, New Mexico to fix up her new project. There she finds herself in a small town filled with characters like a sweet librarian, an egocentric realtor, the “neighborhood witch”, and a sexy mayor. Her new surroundings are a bit of a culture shock as she is used to working and living in the big city of Los Angeles, California. Gabby starts off determined to get in and get out; she doesn’t want to make any connections. However, when she discovers her father is a chef running the family restaurant, Carlita’s Cocina, she can’t help, but be curious. What are the odds that her father would have the career of Gabbys dreams?
“ ‘Being a female sous-chef isn’t easy to begin with. But throw in being a Latina? I have to prove I deserve to be in a kitchen even before I cook a single meal. Everything I do, everything I say is dissected and judged. It took me years to get to my first position, but to do it, I had to be smart—but not too smart. I had to be nice—but not too nice. I had to be tough—but not too tough. I had to be attractive—but not beautiful.’ ”
-Chavez Macias, CHAPTER 14
While cleaning up the house (which was her late grandmothers) for resale, Gabby finds an old notebook that contains the original recipes for the family restaurant. Her excitement at her discovery is cute and reading how she remakes classic recipes was so cool; also mouthwatering. Have snacks on hand or take yourself on a reading date at the best Mexican restaurant in town, you’re going to get hungry.
An absolute highlight was reading about Gabby’s mind when it came to recipes. Throughout the entire book there are sprinkles of Mexican American representation. From the food to the history of the town.
In case you don’t know me, let me tell you I am a Mexican American, but some would say I am “white washed” or even a bad Mexican because I am not fluent in Spanish nor do I know everything that there is about the history or culture (but who really knows everything about their culture?).
“ ‘Adelita is the nickname given to a soldadera. It’s taken from a famous Mexican corrido, ‘La Adelita.’ Although, nowadays the name refers to any strong woman who fights for what she believes is right.’ ”
-Chavez Macias, CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Which is why when I read the story of Gabby Medina I related immediately to her struggle with the Spanish language and her annoyance of not meeting the expectations of others. It was comforting to see a character like me, not only through ethnicity, but through our shared struggle with our culture that we’re so proud of, but we’re not sure how to make a connection.
When “St Adelita” was brought into the story I was very curious and appreciated the chance to learn something new about my culture. It was thrilling and I ended up going down a rabbit hole searching for details. You don’t realize what you’re missing until you find it; thank you Annette for this!
“ ‘Real love is like a presence. Someone can say ‘I love you’ all they want, but if you don’t feel it, then they’re just words.’ ”
-Chavez Macias, CHAPTER 30
Although Gabby finds herself enjoying life in Sonrisa, making friends and other connections, she cannot escape herself. She has experienced traumatic events and has to handle panic attacks throughout the story. Stressed from the insurmountable debt she has collected from school loans and as a people pleaser she questions her validity and her abilities. Insecure as she is, leaves for a very complicated slow burn romance (emphasis on slow). Gabby learns to accept herself and love who she is and where she is in life, by doing so she opens herself up to having new relationships. This growth broke my heart; readers will find Gabbys journey compelling as everyone can relate to the idea of not being good enough and it’s magical as well as hopeful to read how Gabby learns to love herself.
My only complaint is that the romance needed to be turned up a notch. It was kind and patient BUT please tell me what happens behind the closed doors! That is the only reason I couldn’t give a full 5 stars, but if full on sex scenes are not for you then you’re in a sweet spot with this one!
“ ‘You can’t think of it as who has more power and who has less power. You’ll never be happy guarding yourself from hurt. It’s not possible. People you love are going to hurt you. People you love are going to leave. People you love are going to die. That’s life.’ ”
-Chavez Macias, CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
My hope is that those who read this story will learn something new about Mexican culture and find a sort of escapism like I did while reading. Overall 4.75 stars ★
Special thanks to the author Annette for reaching out to me and letting me read and review an ARC, it is an absolute honor that you trusted me enough to read your work.
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