An older author befriends a younger fan (our protagonist), which starts a decade-long relationship that is ill-defined, asymmetrical, and understood and explored in different ways by both parties. There has been a lot of discussion of this book from a "MeToo" perspective. Truth be told, there is very little if any "MeToo" issue here, but Tatum is convinced there is. If that turns you off, as it did me, fear not, for this book plumbs the depths of the human heart and the psyche. If you've ever had a crush on someone who didn't return your sentiments, you will find yourself in Tatum. If you have ever been a young person stuck at the crossroads of teenhood and adulthood, you will see yourself in Tatum. I found this coming-of-age story beautiful and rich, revealing a tapestry of emotions and poignant episodes. ( )

I love books about books, so this one was hard to resist.

“Toxic relationships are like ticking bombs. Once I pulled the pin and acknowledged your disregard, your disingenuousness, your betrayal, we could never rewind and begin again.”

This unique coming-of-age story covers themes of identity, self-actualization, isolation, toxic relationships, and power dynamics, which often go hand in hand. It follows Tatum’s life over ten years, from her college years to her early thirties, and her relationship with older renowned writer, M. Domínguez, whom she idolizes (or more precisely – whose writing she’s obsessed with). I loved that it was written in the form of a letter. It felt very personal, and it made it easy to understand Tatum’s perspective and emotions. Even though I couldn’t connect to her character personality-wise, some of her experiences felt relatable.

Overall, this was a solid debut! The writing style was beautiful, and the story was engaging. The outcome of their relationship was predictable, but there was also a twist I didn’t see coming.

Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher Celadon Books, and author Ursula Villarreal-Moura for the ARC copy! My review is based on an uncorrected text. I received a free copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ( )

Like Happiness is the most recent novel from Ursula Villarrea-Moura. A gripping tale of obsession, grooming, toxic relationships, and the invisibility of of Latinas/Latinos in literature and education. *Please note that I used the terms the author used in the book. I believe LatinX wasn't used due to the timeframe of the story when the new term hadn't started being used yet.*

Tatum Vega has always loved reading and art, so when she reads M. Dominguez's novel Happiness, it's the first time that she's seen herself and her culture shown in a book. She becomes almost obsessed with the book, re-reading it over and over. When she begins corresponding with M, she had no idea how that would change the direction of her life. Told in a dual-timeline of the 10 years they knew each other and her current life in Chile in 2015, most of it was narrated in a casual way, where she's directly speaking to Mateo.

When Tatum and M start spending time together, she just keeps falling more in love with him. He makes her feel special in the beginning, frequently staying in contact, seeing her regularly, having conversations about race, writing, and travel. As his career takes off, he's traveling a lot so he's in and out of her life, but she stays loyal to him, even when she finds out he's seeing other women. Mateo becomes the center of her world, and she knows that at some point he'll stop keeping her at arms length and she'll become the center of his. Then the novel he's been working on for 10 years finally comes out, and there's a falling out between them.

So when Jamal calls Tatum for an interview about M because a woman named Maria Luz has filed allegations against Mateo (although we never get the full details of what allegedly happened to her - which is probably one of the things I didn't like - I wanted to hear more of her story), for the first time in years Tatum reflects on her life with him.

All in all, this was a great novel! It was a fast read, and went right into the story with minimal build-up and foundation, which is always a good thing. I was slightly disappointed with the ending, but the rest of the story was interesting and well paced. I felt like it just kind of stopped with no solid resolution.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @CeladonBooks for a digital copy for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own. ( )

A powerful debut novel, multi-layered and nuanced, taking you out of your comfort zone and making you re-read passages as you realize how much each layer reveals.

Tatum Vega is 30 years old now and finally content with her life in Chile: a job she loves surrounded by the art she loves, a full life with a partner that makes her happy. But when a reporter from the US asks for an interview about someone she once knew she wonders if the past is really in the past.

From the minute Tatum happened upon his book Happiness she was entranced – or maybe obsessed is the better word – with author M. Domínguez. The book seemed to be speaking to her and her alone. She was certain she knew what was behind every word of it, every hidden meaning. It was as if she had found her soulmate. She contacted him via letter. A fan letter, really, and she hardly expected to hear back. But he did reply and so began a twelve-year relationship. A very odd, unbalanced, unfair relationship which was likely apparent to everyone but Tatum. A relationship that kept her in a kind of limbo, accepting, settling, hoping.

Domínguez has now been accused of assault and the reporter from the US is looking for corroboration from Tatum. As she thinks about her response she insists (to herself) she was never assaulted, but realizes she believes he is capable of it. This forces her to examine that relationship again and to write a letter to him recounting and re-examining that relationship in perhaps a new and startling light. Along the way we relive Tatum’s struggles with her and the variety of difficult issues she’s had to face her entire life. And her growing realization of just what that relationship involved, and what it cost her.

Tatum is an unusual, interesting character with an active mind and much talent. The dual narrative alternating between her present day and the letter she writes to Domínguez works very well. The ending feels a little abrupt and I thought too much is made of the 8-year age difference, but this did not take away from my enjoyment of the story.

Like Happiness is another surprising – and surprisingly satisfying – book from Celadon Books as a Celadon Reader. Always the best titles. Thanks to Celadon for providing an advance copy of Like Happiness via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. ( )

Like Happiness follows Tatum Vega, a young woman from Texas, one of the only Latina students at a predominantly white Massachusetts college. As a result of her isolation, Tatum contacts the author of her favorite book. When the author, M., emails her back, she is excited, and they bond over their Latinx identity and love of literature.
Tatum recounts her story in dual timelines - one focuses on her life in NYC and her 10-year relationship with M., and one describes her present life in Chile, living with her partner Vera and working at a museum.
Like Happiness explores a toxic relationship in which a man wields his fame, power and money to manipulate and control a woman. Tatum puts her professional and personal life on hold for M., until a revelation occurs which allows her to extricate herself from the abuse. As a reader much older than Tatum, it was very emotionally difficult to read, at times, as the red flags, grooming and trauma were transparent to me but not obvious to young Tatum. Tatum's character growth is skillfully portrayed as she gains strength, confidence, embraces her sexual identity and comes to recognize M. for what he is.
This well written, mesmerizing, powerful and gripping debut will resonate with many.
Thank you to BookishFirst and Celadon Books for an ARC. ( )