Lina Flores loves socks, sports, and science. She does not love English class, Literature, or her Dad's obsession with living his life with his nose in a book. Her dad's gotten worse since her mom died. Thankfully, Lina has her best fiend Vanessa—well, until Vanessa gets a secret boyfriend. Suddenly Lina is feeling very alone and more than a little angry.

This compelling novel follows Lina's efforts to sort out her feelings and her relationships. I enjoyed the voice and authenticity of the novel. Lina felt very much like a real girl. Her problems and her reactions seemed spot on. Even when she wasn't making the best choices, the reader is completely on her side and rooting for her all the way. I have to admit, I'm very happy the death rate for parents in the real world is quite a bit lower than it is in middle grade and young adult novels—but if you don't mind one more dead-mother book, this one delivers far more than angst as we follow Lina through conflicts and crises common to every young girl.

I also very much enjoyed the fact that Lina and Vanessa were definitely young Latina girls. We laugh with the smashing cascarones, attend a warm and lovely Quincinera, and learn from wise dichos that are well worth committing to memory. This is Diana Lopez's first novel and I'm looking forward to more from this talented writer.