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Santa Ana
Crazy. Stupid. Rich.
When a neurotic statistics geek gets invited to his twenty-five-year high school reunion, he spends his life savings remaking his identity to wow his old classmates. Only one tiny problem: his new persona gets him mistaken for a drug kingpin and sends him running for his life with the very people who used to make it miserable.
Santa Ana is an absurdly hilarious, irreverent, and magical tale about the masks we wear . . . and those strange California winds that blow them all asunder.
When a neurotic statistics geek gets invited to his twenty-five-year high school reunion, he spends his life savings remaking his identity to wow his old classmates. Only one tiny problem: his new persona gets him mistaken for a drug kingpin and sends him running for his life with the very people who used to make it miserable.
Santa Ana is an absurdly hilarious, irreverent, and magical tale about the masks we wear . . . and those strange California winds that blow them all asunder.
262 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2023
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 12, 2023
És molt divertit
dnf
April 27, 2023Thank you to libro.fm for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
DNF at 1%.
I'm obviously not rating this because I listened to less than 6 minutes of this book, but within those six minutes, I heard such gems as:
>multiple uses of the r-slur
>"I'm not on the spectrum, but what I wouldn't give for a touch of Asperger's"
and that was all I need to know. I wasn't invested in the story or the characters, but hearing a character like this made me immediately dislike him and not want to hear any more. Mental illness isn't a punch line for a joke, and this is a horrible way to start a book. After this, there wasn't any reason to keep listening.
DNF at 1%.
I'm obviously not rating this because I listened to less than 6 minutes of this book, but within those six minutes, I heard such gems as:
>multiple uses of the r-slur
>"I'm not on the spectrum, but what I wouldn't give for a touch of Asperger's"
and that was all I need to know. I wasn't invested in the story or the characters, but hearing a character like this made me immediately dislike him and not want to hear any more. Mental illness isn't a punch line for a joke, and this is a horrible way to start a book. After this, there wasn't any reason to keep listening.
March 3, 2024
DNF @ 131 pages ish?
I won this in a Storygraph giveaway, I was hoping I was gonna love this more, but it just felt very much like a book for boys. I dont really get it. Its not my vibe or my humor. I didnt really like it. There was some good parts here and there, but it didnt work for me. :/
I won this in a Storygraph giveaway, I was hoping I was gonna love this more, but it just felt very much like a book for boys. I dont really get it. Its not my vibe or my humor. I didnt really like it. There was some good parts here and there, but it didnt work for me. :/
June 25, 2023
DNF at 25% .
I really, really tried to get into this one but it really didn't hold my interest. I didn't care about the characters, and disliked the tangent style of writing.
I really, really tried to get into this one but it really didn't hold my interest. I didn't care about the characters, and disliked the tangent style of writing.
November 4, 2023
3.5 stars.
I loved the premise and start of this zany story in which a statistics geek braves his high school reunion, only to be mistaken for a drug kingpin named Santa Ana, but the prolonged gory and absurd scenes made me impatient.
Santa Ana is a madcap story about a misfit who's mistaken for a drug kingpin at his high school reunion.
The authors alternate points of view to show the perspectives of the statistics geek, the best friend intrigued by him, the meathead, the "it" girl, and an omniscient narrator with a twisted sense of humor who breaks the fourth wall and directly addresses the reader/listener.
The California setting is vivid, and the story is zany, entertaining, and full of dark humor. I loved the bizarre twist on high school nostalgia.
The absurdity of the premise had me hooked early on, but in the last quarter of the book the screwball events shift into an ongoing, gory bloodbath. This squashed much of my interest, as I couldn't let myself be lost in the insanity any longer because it was so violent.
The drug-fueled hallucinations late in the book felt like an opportunity to explore pure feelings and for the straight-laced main protagonist to cut loose, but these went on too long for me, and I became impatient with them.
I liked the sassy twists at the end of the book and the way the story is wrapped up, and I enjoyed the inclusion of the Santa Ana winds and their mythical, powerful, chaotic effects. The narrators were wonderfully animated.
I listened to Santa Ana courtesy of Libro.fm and Blackstone Publishing.
To see my full review on The Bossy Bookworm, or to find out about Bossy reviews and Greedy Reading Lists as soon as they're posted, please see Santa Ana.
Find hundreds of reviews and lots of roundups of my favorite books on the blog: Bossy Bookworm
Follow me on Instagram! @bossybookwormblog
Or Facebook! The Bossy Bookworm
I loved the premise and start of this zany story in which a statistics geek braves his high school reunion, only to be mistaken for a drug kingpin named Santa Ana, but the prolonged gory and absurd scenes made me impatient.
Santa Ana is a madcap story about a misfit who's mistaken for a drug kingpin at his high school reunion.
The authors alternate points of view to show the perspectives of the statistics geek, the best friend intrigued by him, the meathead, the "it" girl, and an omniscient narrator with a twisted sense of humor who breaks the fourth wall and directly addresses the reader/listener.
The California setting is vivid, and the story is zany, entertaining, and full of dark humor. I loved the bizarre twist on high school nostalgia.
The absurdity of the premise had me hooked early on, but in the last quarter of the book the screwball events shift into an ongoing, gory bloodbath. This squashed much of my interest, as I couldn't let myself be lost in the insanity any longer because it was so violent.
The drug-fueled hallucinations late in the book felt like an opportunity to explore pure feelings and for the straight-laced main protagonist to cut loose, but these went on too long for me, and I became impatient with them.
I liked the sassy twists at the end of the book and the way the story is wrapped up, and I enjoyed the inclusion of the Santa Ana winds and their mythical, powerful, chaotic effects. The narrators were wonderfully animated.
I listened to Santa Ana courtesy of Libro.fm and Blackstone Publishing.
To see my full review on The Bossy Bookworm, or to find out about Bossy reviews and Greedy Reading Lists as soon as they're posted, please see Santa Ana.
Find hundreds of reviews and lots of roundups of my favorite books on the blog: Bossy Bookworm
Follow me on Instagram! @bossybookwormblog
Or Facebook! The Bossy Bookworm
April 24, 2023
This audiobook was perfection.
It has a full cast of characters so each of the alternating perspectives have their own narrator to voice their POV, and each of the narrators did such a great job.
I laughed out loud while listening to this. It’s silly, witty, and so entertaining.
Basically, it’s about a nerdy man who wants to make a big impression at his high school reunion and he flaunts his money to portray himself as super successful. He doesn’t know that the cartel was informed that a rival drug boss will be at the reunion, and in his desire to be noticed and envied, he has made it to the top of the cartel’s suspect list.
The story format was unique and breaks the fourth wall and the characters address the readers directly at points (think: Lizzie McGuire type of situation).
Fans of Saturday Night Live skits and satirical dark humor will enjoy this quirky and amusing read. I think it will appeal to Millennials a lot as we have experienced the whole “high school reunion” scenario and also will get some of the jokes that are made.
Thanks @librofm for gifting this great audiobook. It was the comedic relief I didn’t even know I needed right now and so much fun to listen to.
It has a full cast of characters so each of the alternating perspectives have their own narrator to voice their POV, and each of the narrators did such a great job.
I laughed out loud while listening to this. It’s silly, witty, and so entertaining.
Basically, it’s about a nerdy man who wants to make a big impression at his high school reunion and he flaunts his money to portray himself as super successful. He doesn’t know that the cartel was informed that a rival drug boss will be at the reunion, and in his desire to be noticed and envied, he has made it to the top of the cartel’s suspect list.
The story format was unique and breaks the fourth wall and the characters address the readers directly at points (think: Lizzie McGuire type of situation).
Fans of Saturday Night Live skits and satirical dark humor will enjoy this quirky and amusing read. I think it will appeal to Millennials a lot as we have experienced the whole “high school reunion” scenario and also will get some of the jokes that are made.
Thanks @librofm for gifting this great audiobook. It was the comedic relief I didn’t even know I needed right now and so much fun to listen to.
May 10, 2023
Santa Ana by Addison J. Chapple is a fun, action-packed read full of twists and turns. Chapple's simple and accessible writing style makes Santa Ana a great choice for a casual reader just looking for a fun time. While at times the plot seems a little rushed and some of the characters feel underdeveloped, it's still a fun story full of misfits, mistaken identity, and an action adventure.
Content Warnings: emetophobia, mild sexual content, excessive swearing, recreational drug/alcohol use, graphic descriptions of death and murder, vague animal abuse, suicidal ideation
Content Warnings: emetophobia, mild sexual content, excessive swearing, recreational drug/alcohol use, graphic descriptions of death and murder, vague animal abuse, suicidal ideation
February 20, 2024
This book almost felt experimental in the way it was written. Not meaning that it was so artful that it was hard to read but written different than most books are written and formatted. I think for the vibe the book was trying to give off and the story being written, the quirkiness of it works well. Most of the characters are insufferable so it can make the book hard to read at times. However, I liked the book overall. Interesting, slightly funny storyline and it doesn’t take its self too seriously.
May 11, 2023
Santa Ana by Addison J. Chapple is a book that defies most logic and convention and any amount of normalcy. It’s told in alternating voices between several of the different characters and one whose identity remains hidden until the very end. It’s a madcap adventure full of improbabilities and ridiculous events; and I was a bit confused at first as to who was who, but after I got the characters straight in my head I was able to appreciate the absurdities for what they are: pure fun.
January 13, 2024
A case of mistaken identity causes a major kerfuffle at a highschool reunion.
This book was a ride, while I did not love some of the writing, as well as some of the verbiage used in this book, the overall story was enjoyable.
Having said that it felt very choppy and kind of all over the place, Like if a drunk person, or a toddler was excitedly telling you a story ... that's how it felt at times.
This book was a ride, while I did not love some of the writing, as well as some of the verbiage used in this book, the overall story was enjoyable.
Having said that it felt very choppy and kind of all over the place, Like if a drunk person, or a toddler was excitedly telling you a story ... that's how it felt at times.
May 10, 2023
I was gifted this e-book in a Storygraph's giveaway.
It was unexpected... I thought we would get one narrator. While he was peculiar, the back and forth between characters felt forced and didn't quite convince me.
The ending was bizarre and there are some loose ends as to how things happen.
If you are up for a weird, random and quick read, this is your book.
It was unexpected... I thought we would get one narrator. While he was peculiar, the back and forth between characters felt forced and didn't quite convince me.
The ending was bizarre and there are some loose ends as to how things happen.
If you are up for a weird, random and quick read, this is your book.
Read
May 20, 2024This is one hellish read and ride through the mid-life crisis of a nerd from a California high school invited to his 25th high school reunion. The result is the impersonation of what can happen when we wear masks to cover the real person. The book is irreverent and funny. It helps one take a look at their relationships and status in life to realize how important friends are.
April 19, 2023
Well plotted, entertaining, and fun to read. I liked the storytelling and the style of writing, good character and plot development.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
February 16, 2023
Really clever author who knows how to turn a phrase. Very entertaining book!
April 2, 2023
One of the best ARC books I've ever read. Silly, chaotic fun like that found in Tim Dorsey's Serge A. Storms series.
January 2, 2024
This was a crazy whirlwind read. I really enjoyed it and it would make a good movie!
May 8, 2023
This book is definitely different than anything I’ve ever read! It kept me on my toes and laughing as well! The cast of narrators on the audio version are absolutely fabulous!
June 27, 2023
Tristan receives an invitation to his 25-year high school reunion and he is absolutely distraught over it. He feels he can’t go as himself (totally rational 😂) and decides he must go as a better person. He decides he has to be a better version of himself and become impressive, successful and desirable. Tristan is determined to buy his way to happiness – even if it is for just one night. He concocks a master plan to transform himself into someone he isn’t and you just know this won’t end well.
This was a really fun book to listen to so I would highly recommend the audiobook. You do have to go into this book knowing it is satire. In the best way, it is a fantastical, crazy mess! I couldn’t help but laugh throughout this book!
This was a really fun book to listen to so I would highly recommend the audiobook. You do have to go into this book knowing it is satire. In the best way, it is a fantastical, crazy mess! I couldn’t help but laugh throughout this book!
April 10, 2023
3 1/2 Stars - Libro.FM Influencer Book
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews