What do you think?
Rate this book
Arroyo Blanco #1
A Summer for Scandal
Arroyo Blanco, 1911.
When Emilia Cruz agreed to accompany her sister to a boating party, she had no idea that the darling of the literary world would be in assistance—or that he would take such pleasure in disparaging the deliciously sinful serial she writes under a pseudonym. No one save her sister knows she’s the author and to be found out would mean certain scandal.
Stuck on his long-awaited second book, Ruben Torres has begun to edit in secret a gossip paper whose literary reviews are as cruel as they are clever. The more he writes about the mysterious author of a popular serial, the more papers he sells…and the more he is determined to find out her identity before anyone else can.
When Emilia Cruz agreed to accompany her sister to a boating party, she had no idea that the darling of the literary world would be in assistance—or that he would take such pleasure in disparaging the deliciously sinful serial she writes under a pseudonym. No one save her sister knows she’s the author and to be found out would mean certain scandal.
Stuck on his long-awaited second book, Ruben Torres has begun to edit in secret a gossip paper whose literary reviews are as cruel as they are clever. The more he writes about the mysterious author of a popular serial, the more papers he sells…and the more he is determined to find out her identity before anyone else can.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2015
32 people are currently reading
2298 people want to read
About the author
Lydia San Andres
23 books100 followersLydia San Andres (She/Her) lives and writes in the tropics, where she can be found reading, sipping coffee, and making excuses to stay out of the sun. As much as she enjoys air conditioning, she can sometimes be lured outside with the promise of cookies and picnics.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Read
August 29, 2017A lovely low angst m/f histrom set on a Caribbean island 1910 or so. (Spanish Caribbean people, not white expats.) Strongly feminist, with a New Woman heroine making an independent living in a stratified and small world. She is also on the large side, and perfectly happy with it. And she writes sexy romance and stands up for its value to the litsnobs and moral majority. I love Emilia.
The plotting is a bit on the shonky side at points--not that it doesn't work, only that a good development editor could have really brought out more--but the characters are charming, the worldbuilding vivid, and the setting unique in my romance reading. A writer with buckets of potential here, and I really enjoyed the linked f/f story I read too.
The plotting is a bit on the shonky side at points--not that it doesn't work, only that a good development editor could have really brought out more--but the characters are charming, the worldbuilding vivid, and the setting unique in my romance reading. A writer with buckets of potential here, and I really enjoyed the linked f/f story I read too.
November 11, 2017
I’ve been reading this book for weeks and I want to kick myself for leaving it hanging on. It’s so good. *swoons* We have a suffragist heroine, who writes a provocative series under a pseudonym. We have a well-established writer for a hero. Twist: he’s also writing under a pseudonym for a newspaper that scorn the heroine’s ‘striking disregard for anything resembling coherence.’
I love that A Summer for Scandal have recurring themes that mirror the literary issues in our contemporary society. For one, the main-male character is heralded as literary hero, but his female counterpart gets nothing but disdain. She constantly get hate because she writes romance with explicit sex scenes. Woe is me, to most people that’s considered reprehensible; not worthy of literary recognition. Sounds familiar?
I also love that the heroine is a suffragist and she has supportive sister, and some followers. Overall, I love the unconventional heroine and the romance. I will 10/10 rec this.
(Most of my reviews come with a disclaimer now: this is shabby. It doesn’t make sense, I know. I might edit it someday if I’m not feeling lazy)
I love that A Summer for Scandal have recurring themes that mirror the literary issues in our contemporary society. For one, the main-male character is heralded as literary hero, but his female counterpart gets nothing but disdain. She constantly get hate because she writes romance with explicit sex scenes. Woe is me, to most people that’s considered reprehensible; not worthy of literary recognition. Sounds familiar?
I also love that the heroine is a suffragist and she has supportive sister, and some followers. Overall, I love the unconventional heroine and the romance. I will 10/10 rec this.
(Most of my reviews come with a disclaimer now: this is shabby. It doesn’t make sense, I know. I might edit it someday if I’m not feeling lazy)
April 11, 2019
“He was one of the writers she most admired. And he hated her stories.”
With lively charm, Lydia San Andres has penned a love note to writers/readers with her historical sweet treat “A Summer for Scandal.” Set in a fictional island in the Spanish Caribbean (and part of a series), the story charmed me with its Pride and Prejudice vibe of bickering and bantering between the two MCs. There is even a love-struck friend (being dissuaded from romance) and a smitten sister (encouraged to pursue love).
Both MCs are writers. Under a pseudonym, Emilia writes a wildly popular (and highly sensational & risqué) serial about a former courtesan. Reuben is a lauded literary darling, working on his second book, who also writes under a pseudonym for a gossip paper. His vicious and scathing gossip columns are dedicated to uncovering the identity of the mysterious serial writer.
This story has a fantastic sense of place. I read this while it was snowing, and because the characters were constantly hot and humid, I found myself craving a cool glass of lime juice!
At the heart of this story is Emilia's unapologetic creative passion. She champions women’s rights, and when asked “How are literary women ever to be taken seriously if all they’re known for is lewd drivel?” Emilia states, “I think a woman, even a literary one, ought to be any damn thing she pleases.” Ruben shares Emilia’s creative passions, her activism, and (when he isn’t being a pompous jerk) is supportive and loving.
I loved the linked f/f story that is available via the author’s website: https://lydiasanandres.com/extras/mis...
Highly recommend!
With lively charm, Lydia San Andres has penned a love note to writers/readers with her historical sweet treat “A Summer for Scandal.” Set in a fictional island in the Spanish Caribbean (and part of a series), the story charmed me with its Pride and Prejudice vibe of bickering and bantering between the two MCs. There is even a love-struck friend (being dissuaded from romance) and a smitten sister (encouraged to pursue love).
Both MCs are writers. Under a pseudonym, Emilia writes a wildly popular (and highly sensational & risqué) serial about a former courtesan. Reuben is a lauded literary darling, working on his second book, who also writes under a pseudonym for a gossip paper. His vicious and scathing gossip columns are dedicated to uncovering the identity of the mysterious serial writer.
This story has a fantastic sense of place. I read this while it was snowing, and because the characters were constantly hot and humid, I found myself craving a cool glass of lime juice!
At the heart of this story is Emilia's unapologetic creative passion. She champions women’s rights, and when asked “How are literary women ever to be taken seriously if all they’re known for is lewd drivel?” Emilia states, “I think a woman, even a literary one, ought to be any damn thing she pleases.” Ruben shares Emilia’s creative passions, her activism, and (when he isn’t being a pompous jerk) is supportive and loving.
I loved the linked f/f story that is available via the author’s website: https://lydiasanandres.com/extras/mis...
Highly recommend!
July 11, 2020
Charming. I especially loved Emilia. I do wish we had more relationship development. It felt like one moment they were sparring and then the next in love. Also, I never fully warmed up to the hero and wanted him to be more deserving of the heroine.
May 6, 2018
4/5
I really liked this one! Loved the characters, loved the plot and I really adored the relationship development. I appreciated the social commentary & thought it brought up similar parallels to how romance as a genre is treated in modern times (though obviously not on the same scale). I felt like the conflict could've gone a little longer & the book could've had another round of editing, but all in all I really liked this and certainly look forward to reading more of Lydia San Andres's books.
I really liked this one! Loved the characters, loved the plot and I really adored the relationship development. I appreciated the social commentary & thought it brought up similar parallels to how romance as a genre is treated in modern times (though obviously not on the same scale). I felt like the conflict could've gone a little longer & the book could've had another round of editing, but all in all I really liked this and certainly look forward to reading more of Lydia San Andres's books.
August 15, 2017
A Summer for Scandal has some Lizzie Bennet + Mr. Darcy vibes indeed. Emilia and Ruben have that sort of relationship between dislike and enemies who are always bantering and bickering. It's definitely so much fun to watch/read them argue.
It takes place in a little town, Arroyo Blanco, where gossip flows on the streets. We have our heroine, Emilia, who writes romance stories for a paper, but she does it with a fake name because it'd be a scandal if people knew she was the author. Her stories sell well!!!! So this editor/reviewer for another magazine, with also a fake name, writes about her books and how her stories aren't the greatest thing ever. This person is Ruben. Neither of them know their secret identities when they meet, but Ruben does want to find out the face behind "Miss del Valle" the author of this steamy love stories about a courtesan.
They do have this relationship that reminded me of Lizzie and Darcy plus her sister and his best friend have fallen for each other but Ruben thinks his best friend doesn't have the intent to marry her so he keeps telling Emilia about it, but she is convinced her sister and his best friend do love each other. Even though Ruben does have questionable decisions *lmao* he does them from his heart and because he thinks he's doing something so no one gets hurt. I really love him because he has so much development and specially with Emilia, it's so sweet to see him just drop to his knees for her, he's completely hers.
If you love historical romances, Caribbean characters, small towns, writers as main characters, bantering and flirting at the same time, and being wicked together, pick up A Summer for Scandal! You won't regret it. *I WANT MORE!!!*
It takes place in a little town, Arroyo Blanco, where gossip flows on the streets. We have our heroine, Emilia, who writes romance stories for a paper, but she does it with a fake name because it'd be a scandal if people knew she was the author. Her stories sell well!!!! So this editor/reviewer for another magazine, with also a fake name, writes about her books and how her stories aren't the greatest thing ever. This person is Ruben. Neither of them know their secret identities when they meet, but Ruben does want to find out the face behind "Miss del Valle" the author of this steamy love stories about a courtesan.
They do have this relationship that reminded me of Lizzie and Darcy plus her sister and his best friend have fallen for each other but Ruben thinks his best friend doesn't have the intent to marry her so he keeps telling Emilia about it, but she is convinced her sister and his best friend do love each other. Even though Ruben does have questionable decisions *lmao* he does them from his heart and because he thinks he's doing something so no one gets hurt. I really love him because he has so much development and specially with Emilia, it's so sweet to see him just drop to his knees for her, he's completely hers.
If you love historical romances, Caribbean characters, small towns, writers as main characters, bantering and flirting at the same time, and being wicked together, pick up A Summer for Scandal! You won't regret it. *I WANT MORE!!!*
December 18, 2017
cuuuute!
July 14, 2019
This was good! I am always done for a lady novelist and secret identities are always fun. I wanted a little bit more relationship building, but I would definitely check out this author again.
September 17, 2015
Breaking years of Goodreads silence to tell you all that this book is utterly charming and well worth a read. Suffrage-supporting heroine in 1911 Caribbean writes scandalous romance on the side! Literary sensation hero secretly writes scathing reviews! They bicker about the purpose of Literature as they try to help/stop the romance between his friend and her sister! There are book fairs and small-town secrets, betrayals and forgiveness. Also lagoon dunkings and guava jam.
January 27, 2020
I slept on this one a little bit because I read a novella by San Andres back in December and wasn’t blown away by it, but I’m glad I gave her another shot because A Summer for Scandal is superb. Emilia is the anonymous author of a romantic serial, which is the talk of the town every time a new installment is printed. When she meets Ruben, she knows he’s a journalist but doesn’t know he’s the pseudonymous author of a column that regularly critiques her work. A steamy Caribbean setting, super smart banter, and all the feministy feels--this one’s a winner.
April 1, 2020
Brzo se čita, drži pažnju - sasvim dovoljno za ovu knjigu a la fanfikšn. Ako hoćete da odmorite mozak nečim laganim, ovo je sasvim okej.
February 19, 2023
Attraction, secrets, and delicious banter are the main ingredients in this historical romance set on a fictional Hispanic Caribbean island circa 1910. Emilia Cruz supports her sister and their alcoholic father by secretly writing a racy serial under a pen name. Ruben Torres is a serious novelist who writes a gossip rag on the side, also under a pseudonym, in which he writes scathing takedowns of Emilia's serial and threatens to unmask the author's identity. This isn't quite enemies-to-lovers, but it's close, because these two get off on a very wrong foot. Two people with such a passionate interest in literature can't stay apart for long, though...
Unfortunately, people with secrets are vulnerable, which means the growing relationship between Emilia and Ruben is on shaky ground. I loved the setting, both main characters, Emilia's unapologetic passion for her writing, the many distinct and interesting secondary characters, and as previously mentioned, the clever banter between Emilia and Ruben. The plot gets a little wander-y later in the book, but it all gets tied up in the end, and I enjoyed the dialogue and setting enough to make up for it.
I'd read San Andres's novella The Infamous Miss Rodriguez before I read this, and the cameo by Graciela Rodriguez here was a delightful surprise. Here's hoping that San Andres keeps writing, because the romance genre needs more diverse stories like this.
Unfortunately, people with secrets are vulnerable, which means the growing relationship between Emilia and Ruben is on shaky ground. I loved the setting, both main characters, Emilia's unapologetic passion for her writing, the many distinct and interesting secondary characters, and as previously mentioned, the clever banter between Emilia and Ruben. The plot gets a little wander-y later in the book, but it all gets tied up in the end, and I enjoyed the dialogue and setting enough to make up for it.
I'd read San Andres's novella The Infamous Miss Rodriguez before I read this, and the cameo by Graciela Rodriguez here was a delightful surprise. Here's hoping that San Andres keeps writing, because the romance genre needs more diverse stories like this.
December 27, 2018
This was a wonderful historical romance set in a small town on a fictional island in the Spanish Caribbean. I LOVED the setting and it helped give some tropes a nice twist. Emilia writes scandalous erotic stories under a pseudonym. Ruben is a famous writer who is also writing scathing reviews of Emilia’s stories under his own pseudonym. They meet during a boating party, where Emilia accidentally topples him into the water. She thinks he’s a pretentious snob, so there’s an enemies-to-lovers aspect at the beginning, but after she accidentally knocks him into a fountain, they have this great running joke about her trying to drown him that shows they both have a good sense of humor. They end up spending a lot of time together because Emilia’s older sister, Susana, is being courted by a childhood friend, Luis, who also happens to be Ruben’s best friend. When Ruben encountered writer’s block for his second book, Luis convinced him to spend the summer in Arroyo Blanco.
Sparks fly and watching these two fall in love with the added bonus of the sweet secondary romance between Susana and Luis was lovely. While there were some editing issues and a few typos that distracted me at times, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the story. This is a new-to-me author that I’ll be watching out for!
Sparks fly and watching these two fall in love with the added bonus of the sweet secondary romance between Susana and Luis was lovely. While there were some editing issues and a few typos that distracted me at times, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the story. This is a new-to-me author that I’ll be watching out for!
May 24, 2020
Trigger warnings: I honestly don't remember because I read this book at the beginning of April and then forgot to review it whoops.
I was so excited about this one because it's historical fiction set in an unspecified country in the Caribbean with a completely Latinx cast of characters and OMG WHAT GIVE IT TO ME IMMEDIATELY!!!
But unfortunately, I didn't quite gel with the writing and as a result it was just sort of...aggressively FINE but totally forgettable. It probably didn't help that I'd basically just read a book with a similar sort of "the romance between a virginal well-to-do girl secretly writes smutty romance books under an alias and the man who's trying to discover her identity" plot literally a month earlier...
I was so excited about this one because it's historical fiction set in an unspecified country in the Caribbean with a completely Latinx cast of characters and OMG WHAT GIVE IT TO ME IMMEDIATELY!!!
But unfortunately, I didn't quite gel with the writing and as a result it was just sort of...aggressively FINE but totally forgettable. It probably didn't help that I'd basically just read a book with a similar sort of "the romance between a virginal well-to-do girl secretly writes smutty romance books under an alias and the man who's trying to discover her identity" plot literally a month earlier...
September 18, 2015
This book was a really nice change of pace from the historicals I've read lately. It had a sexy-sweet feel to it, and the tension between Emilia and Ruben was entertaining, because it was a well-done game of "Who, me? Couldn't be!"
My only beef is that, apart from the setting/clothes and plot devices, it reads a bit too contemporary, but a lot of the recent Eloisa James stuff does, too, so it's a minor quibble.
My only beef is that, apart from the setting/clothes and plot devices, it reads a bit too contemporary, but a lot of the recent Eloisa James stuff does, too, so it's a minor quibble.
May 18, 2017
What a lovely romance! Set in the Spanish Caribbean, which I don't think I have encountered before, with an almost entirely Hispanic cast of characters. Ruben and Emilia are a fun, believable couple. It's fade to black on sexy times but none the worse for that. I thought the pacing of some of the plot was a little off, and it really needs a solid proof-reading - but I'd definitely read more Arroyo Blanco.
December 29, 2018
I really enjoyed this for the Pseudonymous Literary Scene Rivals Who Fall in Love! There's a bit of an Austenian vibe, especially Emilia's sister and Reuben's friend forming the secondary relationship but, given the 20th century setting, there is also a lot of discussion regarding women's suffrage, women in the workplace, and feminism.
April 13, 2018
This deserves a review, because it was GREAT. Well-written, funny, smart, with lots of heart. She's a pseudonymous romance writer! He has his own pseudonym and secret! (He's a snarky literary critic and struggling writer who reads all her work just to lambast it! But secretly he admires her and has basically memorized her books, duh.) She's a suffragette but one of the other ladies in the club wants them to protest her smutty writing... not knowing that the notorious smut peddler is her!
It's GOLD, all of it. The plot is awesome, the setting is fantastic, but most of all the author balances all this awesome plotting with a solid emotional arc. Highly recommended.
It's GOLD, all of it. The plot is awesome, the setting is fantastic, but most of all the author balances all this awesome plotting with a solid emotional arc. Highly recommended.
April 3, 2022
A historical romance that's NOT set in England? Yes plz. This is set in a fictional Caribbean Island in 1910, and I loved the setting. The characters are very charming, although the plot felt a bit rushed at times. Overall, very enjoyable.
Read
August 1, 2021DNF at 50%, which is longer than I usually go before deciding to stop. But the writing just seemed...clunky and expository. Maybe historical romances featuring lady authors of scandalous books and the men who are trying to find and expose their secret identity just aren't my thing.
December 1, 2018
This was really lovely - strong, independent heroine!
I lovely historical romance set on an imaginary Caribbean island in the early 1900s. It features two MCs who are rival writers under pen names. I loved the strong strong, independent, modern heroine. They made a nice match with hero though he came off as weaker, more confused and uncertain. The story is very atmospheric and you could literally feel the heat coming off its pages. It's fun and relatively low on angst with emphasis on women's issues. hero needed to do more groveling to heroine and to his best friend from make up for his awful behaviour before. I wish his father's mistakes were more strongly condemned. I could see it a movie - the heat in the area at all times, the turn of XIX c fashion, the buildings the scenery - very present without being overly descriptive.
I lovely historical romance set on an imaginary Caribbean island in the early 1900s. It features two MCs who are rival writers under pen names. I loved the strong strong, independent, modern heroine. They made a nice match with hero though he came off as weaker, more confused and uncertain. The story is very atmospheric and you could literally feel the heat coming off its pages. It's fun and relatively low on angst with emphasis on women's issues. hero needed to do more groveling to heroine and to his best friend from make up for his awful behaviour before. I wish his father's mistakes were more strongly condemned. I could see it a movie - the heat in the area at all times, the turn of XIX c fashion, the buildings the scenery - very present without being overly descriptive.
May 19, 2019
Book Riot Task 16: An historical romance by an AOC. This was a really fun challenge and I am glad that I chose this book. A departure on the usual romances that I choose (sci-fi/fantasy), but still ticking the main boxes (strong heroin and a decent plot). Actually the plot was one of the things I really enjoyed the most about the book. The characters felt dimensional and interesting, not just heaving bosoms and bulging biceps. The had complex families and passions and interests that extended beyond gazing longingly into each other's eyes. I also loved the exchange of dialogue between the protagonists, it made the chemistry all that more believable.
I would definitely read more in this series or by this author; it was fun, it was fast-paced, the characters were interesting, and the setting supported the unfolding love story.
I would also say if you are a bit squeamish when it comes to romances (because of the sex), this one was pretty lite touch. Yes it was there, but it barely featured in the whole story.
I would definitely read more in this series or by this author; it was fun, it was fast-paced, the characters were interesting, and the setting supported the unfolding love story.
I would also say if you are a bit squeamish when it comes to romances (because of the sex), this one was pretty lite touch. Yes it was there, but it barely featured in the whole story.
February 22, 2018
hurray for diverse historical romance! And this one set in a fictional island in the Spanish Caribbean was so delightful!
Me fave thing about historical rom, and well any romance really, is the banter and back and forth between the heroine and hero. and this book had loads of it! Especially because our heroine writes a salacious serial under a pen name and our hero writes scathing reviews about it. whoops!
There first meeting had me cackling! poor Ruben, never safe around bodies of water where Ms Cruz is concerned. hehe
I really enjoyed the characters and their relationship as it grew. I wanted to shake Ruben thoroughly for acting a fool but he made up for it i think. And wow, the build up to sexy times...sooo worth it. talk abut tension. the swimming scene and finallyyy steamy tiiimes.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of books by Ms. San Andres. especially about Miss Rodriguez who had a brief appearance in this book. that should be fun!
Great read. i need more diverse historical romance in my life!
Me fave thing about historical rom, and well any romance really, is the banter and back and forth between the heroine and hero. and this book had loads of it! Especially because our heroine writes a salacious serial under a pen name and our hero writes scathing reviews about it. whoops!
There first meeting had me cackling! poor Ruben, never safe around bodies of water where Ms Cruz is concerned. hehe
I really enjoyed the characters and their relationship as it grew. I wanted to shake Ruben thoroughly for acting a fool but he made up for it i think. And wow, the build up to sexy times...sooo worth it. talk abut tension. the swimming scene and finallyyy steamy tiiimes.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of books by Ms. San Andres. especially about Miss Rodriguez who had a brief appearance in this book. that should be fun!
Great read. i need more diverse historical romance in my life!
December 31, 2019
Rivals writers fall for each other and they don't know their identities! A historical romance set in a fictional Caribbean island! Everyone is Latinx!
This book feels a little like Pride and Prejudice: an opinionated and loud heroine with a quiet sister, both of them have a romance going on. The hero is stubborn and a little bit of prejudice, his friend has his head over the clouds with love... Heroine and hero fight constantly until they realize they don't hate each other that much.
So you can guess, I loved some aspects of the story. Some of my favorite things here! Sadly my pet peeve, keeping bi secrets from your partner, was also here. Although it didn't ruin everything, I was annoyed a good part of the story and I wished towards the end, it would have been addressed better.
This book feels a little like Pride and Prejudice: an opinionated and loud heroine with a quiet sister, both of them have a romance going on. The hero is stubborn and a little bit of prejudice, his friend has his head over the clouds with love... Heroine and hero fight constantly until they realize they don't hate each other that much.
So you can guess, I loved some aspects of the story. Some of my favorite things here! Sadly my pet peeve, keeping bi secrets from your partner, was also here. Although it didn't ruin everything, I was annoyed a good part of the story and I wished towards the end, it would have been addressed better.
June 3, 2018
I LOVED this. I had either forgotten or didn't know that it was Pride & Prejudice-inspired so there was a dawning realization as I read on and then I was like, "OH HELL YES." It's not a variation but a homage, and San Andres does a fabulous job of capturing the essential parts of Elizabeth and Darcy in her Emilia and Ruben but still making them her own characters, perfectly situated in their own time and place. The flirting and tension between them is wonderful. I also loved that Emilia was a mix of Lizzy Bennet, witty and headstrong and badass, and Jane Austen, quietly writing without recognition and then slowly becoming more popular than expected. I enjoyed this book so, so much. I can't wait to read more from Lydia San Andres in the future.
June 10, 2018
Yeeeeeeeees give me all your capable ladies and their supportive love interests
April 1, 2021
Fluffy romance set in the early twentieth century Caribbean. Oddly it reminded me strongly of Louisa May Alcott in some respects: our heroine, Emilia, is a writer who lives with her beloved sister in a small house and has to deal with a father who isn't capable of supporting the family. She scribbles scandalous stories under a pseudonym, although unlike Jo March (and presumably Alcott herself) she doesn't feel particularly guilty about it. There's a little Pride and Prejudice in here too: Emilia supports her sister's infatuation with a local heartthrob, while the hero, Ruben, discourages the relationship (although it's because he thinks the guy is too much of a flake for it to be a good idea, rather than that he thinks Susana is inferior). Emilia can sometimes get aggressively pro-smut in her public views, but I think the twentieth-century setting helps - it feels much less "inserting modern views into the past" and a lot more "woman speaking her mind in a period-appropriate way." Between the cars, the typewriters and my over-exhaustive reading of Kathleen Norris it all felt very realistic. Emilia's a great heroine, very relatable and easy to root for.
That said, this wasn't without flaws. Firstly, Ruben. Secondly, Ruben's father. He's a really minor character but the set-up makes me uncomfortable:
So just in general, I guess, some issues of morality and forgiveness were kind of glossed over/swept through in favor of making the book light and fun. The issue with Ruben's father probably won't bother anyone but me, but the issue with Ruben is a lot more central to the romance and made it hard to root for him as a hero, frankly.
That said, this wasn't without flaws. Firstly, Ruben. Secondly, Ruben's father. He's a really minor character but the set-up makes me uncomfortable:
So just in general, I guess, some issues of morality and forgiveness were kind of glossed over/swept through in favor of making the book light and fun. The issue with Ruben's father probably won't bother anyone but me, but the issue with Ruben is a lot more central to the romance and made it hard to root for him as a hero, frankly.
March 30, 2019
A Summer for Scandal by Lydia San Andres, published in 2015, is an e-read story chosen by my book group. It looked interesting to me, as well, because of its unusual setting and diverse characters.
San Andres’ story is set in 1911 in a fictional Caribbean island country. Emilia Cruz and her older sister Susana are trying to keep a roof over their heads in light of their poet father’s submersion into alcoholism after their mother died. Both women have jobs outside the home, but Emilia is not only a typist at a local company, she also secretly writes “salacious” stories about a courtesan that has been serialized in a local literary magazine. Although scandalous, the stories are extremely popular. Emilia, however, has been writing them under a pseudonym and quietly bristles at some of the criticism, especially by noted writer Ruben Torres. What Emilia does not know is that Ruben not only publicly questions the value of these stories, but, under his own pseudonym, he edits a competing journal and has published blistering reviews of Emilia’s work.
As the story opens, Ruben has recently moved to Emilia’s town of Arroyo Blanco. He has left his home in the city behind in a dispute with his father and decides to take up residence in the small town of a school friend, Luis. However, Ruben is struggling financially and is having difficulty with his new book. So, he decides — in order to boost his fortunes — that he needs to land a coup for his magazine and find out who the mystery writer is. The problem is, he’s beginning to suspect Emilia, but he’s also beginning to fall in love with a woman he has vowed to expose.
This is a gem of a story that has some unfortunate problems. First, I so appreciated the Caribbean setting and the focus on the local townspeople. In fact, I kind of liked the ensemble feel of the story as we get to know family, various friends, and foes. I felt the author did a good job of fleshing out some of these characters without diminishing the central story. We even spend a little time in the city from which Reuben hailed, with his family, exploring the issues that drove him away. However, some of the characters suffered from the relatively huge cast. It would’ve been nice to know more about both Emilia’s and Reuben’s fathers who are the driving forces for their children’s actions. Also, Reuben’s sister and his partner Manuel could’ve used a little more substance. So, on the one hand, I felt some characters were well drawn but others were sketchy. But, the biggest problem with the story were the numerous typographical errors that had to be the result of poor proofreading. At one point Reuben is even referred to as Roberto, so I’m guessing the author changed his name along the way. A couple of errors are okay, but when I began to lose count … that irritates me. I’d give this a “C”.
San Andres’ story is set in 1911 in a fictional Caribbean island country. Emilia Cruz and her older sister Susana are trying to keep a roof over their heads in light of their poet father’s submersion into alcoholism after their mother died. Both women have jobs outside the home, but Emilia is not only a typist at a local company, she also secretly writes “salacious” stories about a courtesan that has been serialized in a local literary magazine. Although scandalous, the stories are extremely popular. Emilia, however, has been writing them under a pseudonym and quietly bristles at some of the criticism, especially by noted writer Ruben Torres. What Emilia does not know is that Ruben not only publicly questions the value of these stories, but, under his own pseudonym, he edits a competing journal and has published blistering reviews of Emilia’s work.
As the story opens, Ruben has recently moved to Emilia’s town of Arroyo Blanco. He has left his home in the city behind in a dispute with his father and decides to take up residence in the small town of a school friend, Luis. However, Ruben is struggling financially and is having difficulty with his new book. So, he decides — in order to boost his fortunes — that he needs to land a coup for his magazine and find out who the mystery writer is. The problem is, he’s beginning to suspect Emilia, but he’s also beginning to fall in love with a woman he has vowed to expose.
This is a gem of a story that has some unfortunate problems. First, I so appreciated the Caribbean setting and the focus on the local townspeople. In fact, I kind of liked the ensemble feel of the story as we get to know family, various friends, and foes. I felt the author did a good job of fleshing out some of these characters without diminishing the central story. We even spend a little time in the city from which Reuben hailed, with his family, exploring the issues that drove him away. However, some of the characters suffered from the relatively huge cast. It would’ve been nice to know more about both Emilia’s and Reuben’s fathers who are the driving forces for their children’s actions. Also, Reuben’s sister and his partner Manuel could’ve used a little more substance. So, on the one hand, I felt some characters were well drawn but others were sketchy. But, the biggest problem with the story were the numerous typographical errors that had to be the result of poor proofreading. At one point Reuben is even referred to as Roberto, so I’m guessing the author changed his name along the way. A couple of errors are okay, but when I began to lose count … that irritates me. I’d give this a “C”.
September 18, 2023
She had just changed out of the dark blue skirt she had worn to the office where she worked as a typist and into a threadbare pink housedress, and had been looking forward to spending the hottest part of the day in the cool shadows of the front porch, sipping lime juice and penning the latest adventures of Valeria Del Valle, the protagonist of The True Accounts of a Former Courtesan, a serial she was writing for a magazine.
I felt liked this could have used an editor - there were some clunky passages (like the one above) and grammatical errors, but I also felt like there were too many characters and storylines going on for a 250 page book.
And I found myself really annoyed by two storylines. The first has to do with why Ruben no longer talks to his father. In my mind, he was 100% justified in leaving and Violeta's defense of their father was infuriating - to say that at least their father wasn't abusive is a low bar to clear. I ended up really not liking her.
The other storyline that got me was Ruben's relationship with Luis. Ruben was completely wrong in the way he went about things - I don't understand why he never calls Luis out for his behavior - but Luis is not a great guy and I can see why Ruben was so concerned.
Read
October 25, 2021Heat Factor: There’s a little bit of spice.
Character Chemistry: Well, she dunks him in a lagoon at their first meeting, so I think we’re off to a great start!
Plot: Emilia writes dirty stories under a pen name; Ruben writes scathing critiques of these stories under a pen name – and wants to write an exposé of the author. Banter and shenanigans ensue.
Overall: The set up is so strong, but the ending felt rushed.
I liked a lot of things about A Summer for Scandal. I loved the setting – a Spanish-speaking Caribbean island in 1911; it helps that San Andres gives enough sensory detail that there’s a really strong sense of place, which I always love in a novel (romance or otherwise). Emilia and Ruben are likable protagonists: they have stellar banter while arguing about things like the literary merit of trashy books. And the central conflict, which centers on Ruben discovering Emilia’s secret identity and then his decision about whether to reveal her, is compelling. The first chunk of the book moves slowly, but in a good way. Whenever I picked up the book, I could really settle in and live with the characters as Ruben and Emilia talked and flirted and just got to know one another in what felt like a very natural progression.
However, in the second half of the book, things start moving much more quickly.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Character Chemistry: Well, she dunks him in a lagoon at their first meeting, so I think we’re off to a great start!
Plot: Emilia writes dirty stories under a pen name; Ruben writes scathing critiques of these stories under a pen name – and wants to write an exposé of the author. Banter and shenanigans ensue.
Overall: The set up is so strong, but the ending felt rushed.
I liked a lot of things about A Summer for Scandal. I loved the setting – a Spanish-speaking Caribbean island in 1911; it helps that San Andres gives enough sensory detail that there’s a really strong sense of place, which I always love in a novel (romance or otherwise). Emilia and Ruben are likable protagonists: they have stellar banter while arguing about things like the literary merit of trashy books. And the central conflict, which centers on Ruben discovering Emilia’s secret identity and then his decision about whether to reveal her, is compelling. The first chunk of the book moves slowly, but in a good way. Whenever I picked up the book, I could really settle in and live with the characters as Ruben and Emilia talked and flirted and just got to know one another in what felt like a very natural progression.
However, in the second half of the book, things start moving much more quickly.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews