Yes to the Spanish Reboot, is a sweet story of a girl who decides to leave behind her oppressive family and culture to get a fresh start and discover herself. She arrives in Spain, where she doesn’t know the language or culture, and has the strength to explore, make friends, hilariously learn the language, and discover who she is without the weight of her past.
My heart truly felt for the FMC, Nadia, and all she went through in her past relationships and struggles with her family/cultural expectations. Her strength to pack up and leave for a country she knows nothing about was truly inspiring. Throughout the book I felt as though I was learning about Spain, the language, and even her relationships right alongside of her. It was a very immersive experience!
Nadia’s friend Joshua was a treat and their banter was great. Diego was such a sweet love interest and it was wonderful to see Nadia find a love she deserved!
Recommend if you like your romances with self-discovery and a lot of food haha!
Yes to the Spanish Reboot is a unique and unexpectedly refreshing book. It’s unlike any book I have ever read before. With my love of romance novels and addiction to traveling…it kind of fell into my lap. Whatever I was expecting…it was not this book.
The beginning starts the way I’m sure many of us feel at some time or another, as a young adult needing to get out from under the rigid structure of home/family and feel free to find ourselves and lead our own lives. Oh boy does Nadia do that. She doesn’t just move out of the house or across town or even across country…she moves out of the country. Gone is the rigid structure of the culture she knows…welcome to the care free fluidity of Spain. Reading about her journey to find herself and not only fit in but eventually belong and feel at home in Spain in a way she never really imagined was so much fun. I love that Nora Qin doesn’t only focus on sunshine and rainbows. She focuses on the raw moments too. The hard times. The embarrassing moments. Those moments are what really make a journey. I found myself many times nodding alone or saying out loud “I totally would have done that!” Or “that definitely would have to me!” Nadia and Diego’s characters are just so perfect and real. Joshua is hilarious. I just can’t.
The book writing is different than any other Ive ever read. It doesn’t seem to go in a traditional timeline of arrival to departure. It seems to flit around back and forth like it has a mind of its own. More fluid than rigid. I had moments where I was confused because we had read about something in previous chapters (sugar issues) that would be a big deal and then it was like it never happened. I don’t think that was the case, I just think it was a different time. It felt kind of life reading a really really good travel blog/journal. Or having a conversation with someone about their vacation where there is more fluidity in the storyline than strict timeline. I don’t know if it makes sense or if I’m explaining it right. The timeline thing don’t really bother me. My ADHD brain has no problem keeping up!
My wish is that there was more follow-up/resolution on certain things. Like the sedan than seems to cause serious drama and suddenly vanishes and there’s no comment on it again? Or the whole sugar issue? There were things that were mentioned big at one point then just gone without a comment on the resolution. Then there was a comment made about how she called and texted her family but no one responded. They show her thinking about them, but not calling or texting. I think that could have really added to the depth and story line.
Overall…it was a really light and fun read! If you like traveling, I recommend giving it a try! I laughed quite a bit! It was good! If you need a few quotes to help pull you in, here are some of my faves….
“Great. Of course I would order a penis sandwich.”
“So you’re telling me I just gave my sneakers a butt bath!?”
“Ten out of ten. Would frolic again.”
“And just like that the rest of the continent didn’t feel like a distant dream anymore. It felt like a to-do list. With snacks.”
Thank you to Nora Qin, the Author, for the privilege of being an ARC reader of her Debit novel in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the laughs! The bidet scene will be with me forever! 😂
Nadia FMC Diego - MC - Maybe love of her life 💖 Joshua. - BFF Tropes: Toxic family relations 🏠⚡ Found family 🫂 Rediscovering yourself 🦋 #FoundFamily #HealingJourney What I loved - lack of time concept ⏳. It felt very consistent with Nadia’s new life. Time flows differently in Barcelona 🇪🇸🍷, it lacks the concern of watches and calendars. Sometimes the story takes you back and forth between the present and the “sometimes in the past”. It’s similar to how I feel about my past. (Was it 5 years ago that covid happened or 3? Feels like 10 😵💫.) Nadia feels pretty real. She makes a major decision when “the cup” of family badgering becomes full, and not only she moves away from the not so comfortable home (her family home) 🏚️, but she moves continents ✈️🌏. It’s a brave decision, and it’s running away from her problems. I feel it’s one of the most human things we do. Be coward and brave at the same time 🎭. #CharacterGrowth #BarcelonaLife Among other things, she leaves Singapore broken hearted 💔, with two broken engagements under her belt due to being cheated 🙅♀️💍. That left her insecure about people and her relationships. She becomes a serial dater 🥂 until she finds what I hope is the one 💘. #RomanceReader #ExpatLife The book takes her through her time navigating being an expat in Barcelona, finding new people, finding love, discovering cultural differences 🌍🥘. And it brings us the possibility of healing her relationship with her family. I am guessing we’ll know more in the next book 📚🔜. #BookSeries #AsianRepresentation A couple of things bothered me, some inconsistencies (in my humble opinion) 🤔: Nadia is from Singapore, from what is described as a very traditionally Asian household 🇸🇬. But none of the names of family or acquaintances are Asian. There are some things that happened, clearly to make a point about Nadia, but it’s left unresolved. SPOILER HERE!!! ⚠️ → she is being followed by a man in a car 🚗👤. She realises at some point when he makes contact with her. She sees him after a few times. And then nothing. By the end of the book, over 2 years have passed and we hear nothing else about the stalker 🕵️♂️❓. SPOILER ENDS!! #BookTalk #PlotHoles
Love me some quotes: “Señorita, you cannot ride the luggage carousel.”
“if you were a financial strategy, you’d be a high-risk, high-reward investment.”
“He’s got that mild-mannered biologist, but secretly an action hero vibe.” “I wasn’t just adapting. I was becoming.” “The day it rained music and romance in baguette-scented air.” “But… sugar is my love language.” This was an ARC review. Thank you to the author for the opportunity. Looking forward dor the next adventures of Nadia.
Thank you to the author, Nora Qin for providing me with E ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*
What a cute debut novel! What I loved about Yes To The Spanish Reboot is that it’s different from the other books; this story is not just about starting over somewhere new but rediscovering yourself. I can’t imagine starting over the way that Nadia did, especially in a new country. I loved that it took place in Barcelona. While reading Yes To The Spanish Reboot, I wanted to go and explore, especially try all the food. Although Nadia tried her best to fit; I felt like she didn’t figure out what she wanted.
I liked how this story reflected real life, especially when it comes to starting somewhere new. It couldn’t be easy to move away from her family and learn to navigate everything on her own. I liked Nadia, though sometimes I wondered what she was thinking about some of her decisions. I did get confused by timelines sometimes; the way it transitioned, I wasn’t sure which one I was reading at first. Also, I liked Diego and how he was with Nadia and tried to help, but I felt they fought a bit too much. It felt as if they were always fighting the same way, and the way Diego would put her down. Of course there were times that I loved him when he was they boyfriend that every girl dreams about.
In general, I loved this story, and I felt as if I were traveling to Barcelona while reading. I am kind of curious to see what happens after. I also loved the chapter titles. Yes To The Spanish Reboot will also make you laugh, which was another of my favorite parts of this book. I highly recommend checking out this book.
Yes to the Spanish Reboot is a love story to Spain, food, and discovering new parts of yourself that you never knew existed. Nadia is a delightfully realistic narrator. She is funny, adventurous, and very aware of her shortcomings. The stumbles she experiences while trying to traverse Spanish culture genuinely made me laugh. The best part of this novel is her relationship with Diego. The relationship is real. There are often moments I thought that it would crumble at the smallest hints of trouble (either due to Diego’s nonchalant attitude or Nadia’s insecurities), but every time they worked it out through healthy communication. I enjoyed the deep detail put into each location, food, and experience Nadia has. Her feelings about her family and how she battles her thoughts of inadequacy with her home sickness were more relatable than I had realized they would be and when she finally rekindles that connection, I liked that it wasn’t a perfectly normal and happy interaction wrapped in a bow. Reading this novel was like sitting down to have coffee with an old friend who you haven’t seen in a while. It was real emotions that I could relate to and experiences so rich in detail that I felt like I was right there experiencing it with Nadia. I highly recommend it for anyone that enjoys learning about new cultures and journeys of self-discovery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
ARC REVIEW This was not my normal read, so I went into it blindly. It started off slow and began picking up a bit. Nadia left her toxic family at home in Singapore & moved to Barcelona. This book goes on the journey of Nadia discovering herself. I was excited and was rooting for her. It showcased all the struggles one could face leaving a family where you were provided everything. As the story continued I began noticing a lot of repetition and a lot of the scenes were just thrown in as fillers. I wasn't understanding what direction the story was going in. She met Diego her boyfriend and even their relationship was a little awkward. I couldn't take the repetitive arguments between them at one point I literally said when will you two just break up?? There was swooning but no romantic connection between them. He was constantly kissing her on the cheek or head and it felt more like a brother relationship. Then there was a scene of a car following her multiple times and that was it. Never knowing who or why. I did enjoy the corny jokes or how Nadia constantly found herself in odd predicaments especially because of the language barrier but towards the end I found myself skipping sentences just to finish the book.
A big thank you to the author for sending me an advanced copy of this book. There was a lot to like, especially the way moving to a new place was portrayed. The awkwardness of messing up slang or language felt very relatable as someone who was once in the same psotion . There were plenty of cute, feel good moments and some funny lines. I also really liked seeing a wide range of people and cultures represented. I honestly think this story would make a great TV show. That said, there were a a few things I dident enjoy. The timeline jumps around quite a bit, which can work well, but I found it confusing at times and felt that the characters could have been much more developed. There were also moments that were introduced but never had much impact on the overall story. One thing that really stood out to me was the repeated arguments between the main character and her boyfriend. It felt like the exact same fight with the same resolution happening over and over, which became frustrating and took away from the character growth I was hoping to see. This review is completely my own words and opinion.
Yes to the Spanish Reboot is a light-hearted read. Nadia leaves her home and family in Singapore, but carries her upbringing and insecurities to another country, Spain! She struggles back and forth between who she is, who she thinks she should be, and what she was brought up to be. The story moves back and forth in time to capture the back and forth Nadia does internally as she grows. There’s space for resolution for many things Nadia presents, but like life, not everything gets resolved at once!
Diego, her boyfriend, is the opposite of Nadia. He is calm and steady and exactly what Nadia needs. He is committed to her, cheers her on, and is not afraid to show her his world or allow her to change his (e.g., views on marriage). Nadia’s friends are a hoot! And she needs them to step out of her shell.
The book felt like catching up with an old friend who shared the good with the bad, but especially the good laughs!
i really enjoyed this book. its very cheeky and a light read. I enjoyed "watching" Nadia struggle to become her own person and to figure out who she is. which is totally relatable. I love that she is a foodie and she truly enjoys trying new things. i am team Diego anf Nadia even though they have issues they still figure out a way to overcome obstacles and you can really tell they love each other very deeply. i love the banter and the jokes between Nadia and her friends: Joshua, Enrique and Daniela. they are all hilarious together and its so funny. my fave quote and fave part of the book: "So you're telling me I just gave my sneakers a butt bath?" i literally laughed so har during this scene.
This was such a calm and serene read compared to my usual reads. Nadia is a normal person with anxiety, stress, worries, and heart. She battles depression, life changes, heartache, and homesickness. She also raves about food, fun, freedom, and life! You'll fall in love with Barcelona through her hearty descriptions if the town, people, and food, and want to book your own trip! While the ending is good, subtle, and well-written, I was mildly disappointed because I'm so used to books with a "we got married, had babies, and lived HEA" that I built that expectation up in my own head. Solid 8/10, and I can't wait to see what she puts out next! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. These opinions are my own, and reflect only my thoughts.
Yes to the Spanish Reboot is a really fun read about starting over in a new country and figuring things out as you go (often the hard way). Nadia’s move to Barcelona comes with plenty of awkward moments and culture shocks, dating mishaps, and “wait…that’s not how this works here?” situations that are both hilarious and painfully relatable (I've live abroad too so I experienced similar situations). It’s a light, witty, and honest book about what it’s actually like to rebuild your life somewhere new, learning a language to navigate friendships and romance. If you’ve ever taken a leap into the unknown (or thought about it), you’ll definitely see yourself in this story.
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this book, and it is a total gem!
Nora has turned the "Spanish dream" into a comical, romantic, and truly fantastic novel. From the very first page, I found myself completely immersed, I could already see myself in the story. The way Nora portrays Nadia, with all her brilliant ups and relatable downfalls, is absolute perfection. It is a must-read for anyone looking for a story with heart and humor. I can’t recommend it enough!
Ora felt stifled by her family situation in Singapore. It wasn’t that she was treated badly, it was the pressure she felt would stifle the life out of her. She took a teaching job in another country. In the course of her accommodation to demands that she meet social obligations, complete her education, and find and marry a suitable partner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a lighthearted read that made me want to pack up and move to Barcelona myself. The vibes were adventurous, lovely, funny, and clearly showed appreciation for the culture of Spain. I liked that the author briefly explained the cuisine, customs, etc. without it feeling like an info dump.
I do wish Nadia could’ve grown up a bit more, but I get that it was probably hard for her to shake off years of customs, family expectations, and culture.
I seriously enjoy this book. Nadia leaves Singapore behind her, as well as her family. She locates to Barcelona, and from there, the life she once had no longer exists. Nadia is finding herself, and while doing so, she meets some new, amazing friends, a new love, Diego, and if you know Nadia, her previous relationships did not end well. In coming to find herself, Nadia does end up in some questioning situations.
loved it !! love Nadia and Diego... this is her reboot... a well paced rom/com drama... about leaving everything that you know and hate.. toxic family... and going to Barcelona... learning a new language and culture... finding a job, friends and even a boyfriend... it's funny !!! and relatable... !.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was amusing at first but it jumps around timewise and became repetitive. Clueless and scatty is charming initially but after a while I just kinda wanted her to grow a bit. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.