Recent Reads: Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova

Series: Meant to Be #3
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Publication Date:  August 1, 2023

 

Format: Paperback ARC


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and her sisters—together, known as the band Siren Seven—have been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids. On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she’s the girl who has everything. 

But lately, she wants more . Siren Seven is wrapping up their farewell tour, and Ariel can’t wait to spend the summer just living a normal life—part of a world she’s only ever seen from the outside. But her father, the head of Atlantica Records, has other begin her breakout solo career immediately, starting with a splashy announcement on a morning talk show. 

The night before, Ariel and her sisters sneak out of their Manhattan penthouse for a night of incognito fun at a rock concert in Brooklyn. It’s there that Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band. Unaware of her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel disobeys her father—and goes with him. 

Caught between the world she longs for and the one she’s left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love, and, somehow, find her own voice?

Review: 

While this is a book in the Meant to Be series, it can be read as a standalone. They all follow a Disney princess in retellings and modern adaptations. 

Kiss the Girl follows pop/singer 'princess' Ariel del Mar and her sisters as they end their pop group careers to move into adulthood, but daddy has another plan and tried to force Ariel into a new solo contract instead of letting her just live. She decides the only way to be free is to become the merch girl for a new up and coming band touring the US. ..but in secret of course. She changed her appearance and is not using her real name. 

This is a slow burn romance with communication issues and the someone blows it trope. Ariel is so innocent and read younger that she seemed to be. Eric is your a band-boy in attitude but looking for love, often in the wrong places and while they are both told to stay away from each other, that forces them together. I liked the characters a lot in this book, it was a lot of fun to read - the band's relationship with each other and crew and the conversations the del Mar sisters have are LOL funny.

I liked the overall plot but wanted more addressing of the daddy-issues for both Ariel and Eric but feel like that never came full circle. I also loved some of the Latino/a flair thoughout, but wanted it to be more. It felt like it wanted to be diverse but only because it should be. I think they should have gone for it and embraced it more.

The romance was pretty cute and perfect, the will they won't they, betting, and the cute times together were great. 

I really liked that Ariel was trying to find herself, granted not in the best way possible, but it was something. I liked her journalling and found it a refreshing addition - love a good to do list. 

Overall, even though I wanted more in some areas, this book was so adorable, made my heart happy to read it. 

(no spicy, pretty clean romance, behind doors scenes, and some innuendo texts)