Never Too Real

by Carmen Rita

“Rita skillfully reveals the depth of her characters.”-- New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Sheehan

In Carmen Rita's savvy, scandalous, and wise new novel, four close friends who've earned the best of everything are forced to decide what they can afford to lose…

Cat, Magda, Gabi, and Luz. They've helped each other up the ladder with unshakable encouragement--and raw honesty--since forever. But lately, trouble is throwing everything these formidable women thought they knew into doubt.

When outspoken Cat's high-flying T.V. career crashes and burns, she's got to figure out which dream she wants to keep alive the most--her own, or someone else's.

Gorgeous venture capitalist Magda defied her traditional family to make her own way--in her personal life and her career--but an unexpected crisis could finally shatter her chance to resolve the past.

As a therapist, sensitive, supportive Gabi has all the answers. But when her own world falls apart, can she turn her compassion--and her trademark tough love--on herself?

And proud, wealthy Luz thought she knew everything about her upper-class family background--until a revelation she never saw coming threatens to be the one legacy she can't afford.

Now all four women will have to face the truths that make them vulnerable and the failings that give them strength to discover who they really are--and what real happiness means.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction, Contemporary, Adult

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2016

About the author

Carmen Rita is CEO and founder of Malecon Productions, a multi-media content company. She is one of the only Latinas on American television to host a daily national news program, CNBC's On the Money, and has been a national advice columnist for Glamour, Latina, Essence and Good Housekeeping as well as an expert with NBC's Today Show, MSNBC, CNN, CBS This Morning and a regular on ABC's The View. A native New Yorker, Rita has been a guest of the White House as a member of President Obama's 'Business Forward' initiative to further African-American, Latino and Asian business owners. She's been a faculty professor at New York University, serves on the board of several nonprofit organizations and is 'Mami' to a young daughter.

Reviews

[Laura.125Pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on www.125pages.com Never Too Real by Carmen Rita is one of those group friendship books. Where everyone's life falls apart at just about the same time, no one tells the others about said falling apart because they can handle it on their own, and then they realize they cannot and turn to their friends which fixes (almost) everything. The reason there are many books (and movies and TV shows) following the same plot is that it really does work. At times you get frustrated with the characters, but the bond they share is so great that it makes you overlook the "If you just told someone they would help" issue. In this work, four friends - Cat, Magda, Gabi, and Luz are all powerful and proud women. But then (surprise, surprise) shit starts headed south with each of them. Their carefully created veneers begin to crack and they may have to worry less about appearances, and more about just getting through the next day.

I have read the plot of Never Too Real before. But as I said in the first paragraph it works, and that's why it's used. I enjoyed the writing of Carmen Rita. She was able to intertwine multiple story lines and characters in a believable way and have you root for them even when they are being just stupid. I did have issues with the pacing. There were a few unexpected time jumps back, showing hoe the main characters met, but it did not transition as a time jump. It took me until the next chapter to figure out that we had just been in the past. It did hinder my enjoyment as I was confused for a bit on what was going on. The world built was sparse, but that was okay, as the attention was predominately in character development and their feelings and thought and less on locations. There were some great emotions in this read. Any book that centers on four women friends will be chock full of the feels and this did not disappoint. The characters were half and half for me. I loved two of them, was meh about the third and disliked the fourth. I understand they were all in times of flux, but good lord the whining and self involvement of a few just turned me off.

Never Too Real was a good read, but not a deep read. Once I had the characters down and understood the lay of the land, I knew exactly what would happen, and I was right. That did not really bother me, as I enjoyed the writing style of Carmen Rita and did enjoy the emotional journey of the women. This was a good book, but not one I will return to in the future, as I know I will have others with the same premise come around soon enough.

Favorite lines - My American Dream does not live in that house in my dee-luxe apartment in the sky. I think I was chasing fulfillment through accomplishment. But what if accomplishment, true accomplishment, was a result of fulfillment—happiness—instead of the other way around? “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” What if we were to do things that made us feel fulfilled, which would make us better at what we do—which then brings about raises, promotions, recognition, even that house! Many of us who were the hope of our parents grow older and come face-to-face with a scary question: Whom did I do this for? Was this really for me? Is it okay that it wasn’t.

Biggest cliché - As long as appearances look fine, so am I.

 Have you read Never Too Real, or added it to your TBR?This book was most likely received free from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm grateful to have been given an advance copy from the publisher. This is my personal and unbiased opinion of that work.

I dunno...if hard pressed to make a decision about this book, I really don't know how to feel. It's a great formula, a bunch of other authors have used it, and it has obviously worked. The character development was solid and most readers would likely be able to relate to each one of them through some common thread. Maybe that's it...there's just so much to keep up with, with only marginal connective threads. These individual friends didn't seem to spend much time together other than attending a few functions along the way. Although it was interesting to learn of their individual struggles, I found the entire setup to be a bit forced and missing something. By the time that Gabi and Cat have a heart-to-heart discussion, I found myself not really believing in them as close friends. It felt like everyone was living in their own little world, and then the author sprinkled in just enough context to make them seem relevant to one another. Although I enjoyed their stories as touching, almost vignettes, I found it hard to embrace them as true "sistah-girls" in the concept of how I view that in the real world. Additionally, I respected the author's attempt to incorporate her heritage in the lives of her characters. While that was refreshing, it was also at times a little overplayed. At some points I found myself saying, "Ok, we get it." As a woman of color myself, I am a huge advocate for and proponent of the expression of all our shades. That said, there is still something to be said about trying just a little to hard to drive that point home.

Please don't assume by virtue of my words above that I didn't find anything admirable within the pages of this awesome summer read. It was easy to pick up and keep my attention while at the beach, and I think it will reverberate with those of us who have tight and enduring female relationships. There was a character to relate to for all of us, and their triumphs and trials struck a chord within me as I read. I don't know if anyone else did this, but I found myself comparing each character to a woman in my personal circle of friends. It's that sort of book; you enjoy it for what it is, don't judge it for what it's not, and move on.

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like a lot of what this book was doing. It features a group of four devoted friends, all smart and professionally driven, all Latina but from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, all facing serious challenges. It's a great setup, and the author manages to create four very distinct main characters that never blur or jumble together. The characters are 100% the book's strongest point. Where I started to have problems was in the plot itself - not because the plot was inherently problematic, but because we have four fully fleshed-out characters with their own distinct character arcs squeezed into a 260 page novel. In my opinion, 260 pages would have made a light contribution to just one of these women's stories, so having all four in that space felt remarkably insubstantial. To get all that story in such a small space, major plot events were happening "offstage" and being referred to in passing. There was so much material in these women that I felt shortchanged whenever I didn't get their full stories. I really think the book would have benefitted so much from a little length - the characters deserved the time.

[Lauren Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I couldn’t finish this book. I wanted to love it—a friend-mance about four strong LatinX women. But the writing was choppy and the bouncing back and forth from past to present without any indication, sometimes in the same scene was so confusing. Also there seemed to be a few places where head hopping was happing from one character’s POV to another’s in the same scene. It was just too difficult to follow

[Billie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light summer beach read. It is a time of discovery for the four main characters, Cat, Magda, Gabi, and Luz. These characters make for an enjoyable read. There are some funny moments. Some parts were rather challenging. I received this book free from Goodreads Giveaways for a review.

[Janka H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I just find this novel being full of the modern "cliches" and the characters and situations are quite shallow. The concept of four gorgeous, strong, intelligent women with the problems pouring into their lives has been done better before.

[AMY · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my thing

[Andrea Meier · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this. 😦😞 I really wanted to like al, the main female characters, but the writing was choppy and I couldn't get into it.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of people and happenings, but a good (and quick) read. Will definitely read the next one if I come across it.

[Krys]

dnf

[Renee Cowdery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an arc for review. I really enjoyed it. This is a book about good friendship and these four women being there for each other.

[BlogIsTheNewBlack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading #CarmenRita's novel #NeverTooReal and I am a mixture of emotions. The book is a lot of things and in some ways perhaps TOO many things. The four central characters, Lux, Cat, Gabi and Magda are all compelling in their own way. My issue is that perhaps there is too many of them and as such you never fully get to devote your time to one character and therefore never truly fall in love with one of them. However, if I was #CarmenRitaWong I do not know which character I could cut. Each of these women of colour represent such a different issue, be it infidelity, career crisis, heritage or sexuality. No one issue eclipsed the other, and while some are less interesting they make up for it by having very satisfying conclusions. The one heroine I found lacking actually had the most endearing resolution and perhaps was what truly won me over in the end of the novel. My other issue was the language barrier. Let me point out that I am not any of these particular women. I do not suffer through racism and bigotry and stereotypes every day. I'm heterosexual and white. I could not be in an easier category. So while I did not have personal experience with most of these ladies' struggles, I felt that as a 26 year old single female, they were still relevant. I am not currently worried about a husband or fertility or ailing parents. That did not mean that I didn't bond with these issues or care about their outcomes. However one thing that did occasionally jar the experience for me was the dialogue. The author was trying to create an image of a woman who spoke as her friends spoke and as she herself spoke growing up, I get that. But I found myself thrown out of the moment when reading words such as "dat" and "brotha". A minor fault but enough to impact my ability to get lost in the novel. I do believe that it is perfect however for people who have grown up with this type of pronunciation and who will actually be able to equate it with their friends and family who may speak like this. For me, it was a learning curve but one filled with many rewards. I find myself now much less ignorant of the struggles of people different to myself and better for it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
blogisthenewblack#BlogIsTheNewBlack #BookIsTheNewBlack #BookReview #BookWorm #AdvancedCopy #Bibliophile
blogisthenewblackFor anybody interested in a tale of four women of colour who support each other through the best and the worst, this book is available the 31st of May! Check. It. Out. You will be enlightened.

[Fluff Smut & Murder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley.com and to the publisher for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Latina Fluff!! I loved it!! Four friends with fiery personalities complete with drama makes for a terrific read. While there were some stereotypical elements to the story – they were all side characters and each of these ladies showed that the color of your skin means absolutely nothing as to the amazing character you may have on the inside.

What I loved: My favorite part was Cat’s off the cuff speech towards the later part of the book. Not only was it honest – it was completely relatable for me and I think I easily took some of her musings to heart and will put into play within my own life.

What I didn’t love: The flash forward to 1 year later for the ending chapter where everything was wrapped up in a neat little bow for the four main characters was a little disappointing. I would have preferred a hopeful ending and a sequel that showed the progress in detail all of these strong women made in their journeys instead of a few paragraphs on each.

What I learned: My high school Spanish isn’t as rusty as I thought!

Overall Grade: B


www.fsam15.wix.com/fluffsmutandmurder

[Linda Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would guess that Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez's Dirty Girls Social Club series influenced Carmen Rita's writing of this novel. There are similarities in style and character. I like this book, especially the strong characterizations and the depictions of their racial identities and the challenges they face as women of color. However, I wish the storylines had a better flow. The overall plot seems choppy as it moves between the four protagonists. It's confusing. Also, I wish the author had introduced the women as a group rather than separately. I could have learned about each woman before being launched into their individual scenarios. Their stories are a bit flat, with the emphasis on emotions and dialogue, rather than actions.

I sense perhaps Rita created this book as an introduction to these characters and will explore them more deeply in future novels. If that's the case, I like this one enough to read any that might follow.

[Marie Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the beginning I wasn't ever sure I was going to get through this book. It was a little too in your face, raw, bold in some ways. I was lost at first, but quickly caught on. The story snowballed at times to the point where I felt I was there, invested in these people's lives. Bad choices, ugly realities, stoic recoveries, or at least attempts. These woman put Carrie Bradshaw and her group of girls to shame. Its vivid, deafening, heartwrenching, nauseating, makes you want to stand up and cheer one minute and have a glass of wine to calm the nerves the next. Predictable? As is life, it's not a mystery novel. You are the fly on the wall to these brave, stunning, risk taking women. Now I'm not one for drama, but holy crap! I was invested a quarter of the way through to the very end.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads. I've never read anything quite like it, with four successful Latina friends as the main characters. It was a very interesting insight into glamorous lives (that I've never experienced) through the eyes of a woman of color (also never experienced). This is a pleasant summer read for anyone, but I think this book could be very inspirational to young Latina girls. Bravo to Carmen Rita! The only downside for me was my lack of knowledge of the Spanish terms in the book; it would have been easy enough to look up those words had I been inclined.

[Revae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more from this book. It was a lot to digest in the beginning. There was a lot of background to cover on each women and it felt a little rushed at times. Once I read through the first three or four chapters, I was able to keep up with the flow and the pace of the book. The four women are likeable characters with interesting stories to tell as they navigate through adulthood - marriages, families, parents, careers, etc. By the end of the book, I wanted to know more about each girl. I will be reading the sequel, just to see how things pan out for Magda, Gabi, Luz, and Cat.

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

When it comes to fiction, I look for books that involve me completely —whether it’s because of the beautiful writing, the power of the story, or the characters, and in a perfect book it’s all three. So by the time I got to the end, I knew I’d just read a novel that mixed all the elements for the a good chick lit..

I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

[Shekenah · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway**

I have mixed emotions regarding this novel. I like most of the characters, especially Cat and I appreciate the journeys of these women, however I never emotionally connected to them. I feel like there was too much crammed into the story. I do appreciate the diversity in the women. The novel also jumps around when telling the stories which I didn't enjoy. Overall, I am pleased I had the opportunity to read this, but I don't consider this a must read.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done, well written "women's fiction" of four friends, some of whom (Cat, Magda) seem more complex than others (Luz and Gabi). The first quarter of this book was a little confusing as it switched from person to person and time frame to time frame. That said, it all untangled in the end. Recommend this if you enjoy books about diverse female friends. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Suzanne Sotzing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a nice, quick read, filled with the complex lives of four women and how they help each other in times of good and bad. The book is sprinkled with Spanish language that keeps the dialogue current, but for this reader, I could have a used a translation for some of it! (;-) Like a Sex in the City episode, this was certainly entertaining!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the Goodreads First Reads program.

A Latin Sex and the City. Four women lean on eachother friendships as their lives all take drastic turns. I loved the authentic look into the diverse community that is collectively called "Latin". My favorite part of the book was the end as we get a look at how all the women have risen like a phoenix from the ashes of their lives.

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads' First Reads.

Overall I enjoyed this book. I really liked that it was written from a Latina perspective because you hardly see that in Women's fiction. All the diversity and social commentary was great. It did feel a bit rushed especially towards the end, but that didn't hinder the overall reading experience.