Annette Chavez Macias’s sophomore novel is a beautiful and charming story of loss, grief, and learning to live through them both.

The FMC, Gabby Medina, loses her mother. Her mom’s two best friends (aunties) are supporting her in every way that they can, until a stranger at the funeral reveals that he is her biological father…and he has a gift for her. He offers her a house to live in and sell when she’s ready. The money will be all hers, no strings attached. She just has to move from L.A. to a small town in New Mexico, called Sonrisa.

Gabby has lost her mom, her job, and a bit of herself. So against her aunties wishes, she accepts the offer. Upon her arrival, she meets the town’s mayor who also happens to be the handyman in charge of renovating her new house. Will Gabby open herself up to having relationship with her father? Will the handsome handyman/mayor teach her to love this new town? Will the town witch poison her?

There are several types of loss, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, a home, loss of identity, and the loss of a dream. All of these play an intriguing role in this story and are catapults for thought provoking discussion.

Despite some of the heavier subject matter, this was a fun and charming read. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Mexican American author writes Mexican American main character and is then read by Mexican American reader. Full circle, eh? Call me a narcissist but I’m damn proud of my heritage and I really loved seeing the representation in this book. I felt so many parallels between myself and Gabby: same age, Los Angeles natives, lost souls, no relationship with their biological dad. I wanted to say all of this to stress that this probably a biased review because of the deep connection I felt to it.

Too Soon for Adiós is a beautiful piece of women’s fiction! Absolutely loved it. The story is about a 29 year old woman named Gabby and her journey to connect with her father, past, and Mexican roots immediately after losing her mother to cancer. It was such a heartwarming read filled with humor. One of those books where you finish it and think “That was such a nice read.”

The descriptions of the food, characters navigating grief, found family, small town setting, the scary part of your late 20s when you don’t have your life figured out yet, navigating massive student debt, and falling in love when you’re still figuring out how to love yourself all made for my type of contemporary read. The book definitely tackles tough themes but does it in such a thoughtful way. And I loved the romance in this so much! Diego is totally my new book bf and the urge to move to a small town to bag me a hot mayor/handyman/former doctor has never been stronger. Gabby and Diego had fantastic chemistry and I was straight up swooning at some parts. The book was predictable in the way that these type of books normally are but I don’t read this genre for shock value so I wasn’t bothered. Really loved the ending!

I also loved the learning about the soldaderas in the Mexican Revolution. Strong woman in history often get snubbed from the textbooks and I loved how this was such a big part of the Gabby’s journey as she learns about her heritage.

4.5 ⭐️ I didn’t rate this 5 stars for a couple reasons, mainly down to some technical issues with the writing that I’m sure will be fixed in the final edit, but it is absolutely worth reading if you’re a fan of women’s fiction.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Montlake and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Well developed characters in a novel that’s like a comfortable pair of jeans. It just fits.

CW: sexual assault, parent loss

Gabby Medina has just lost her mother and lost her job. At her mother's memorial, her biological father, who she hasn't ever met, shows up and offers her a house that she can fix up and sell as a gift. With no other offers, Gabby takes this opportunity to move to Sonrisa, NM where she meets Diego Paz, the local handyman and mayor of the town. Will Gabby open up her heart to new family and love?

I relate heavily to Gabby having also lost my father a couple years ago. The grief she feels is so real. The plot was a bit predictable, but I really liked learning about the adelitas who were real historical figures. I think it's really awesome to learn about other cultures.

I would recommend this book to people who like women's fiction.