Kiss Me, Mi Amor

Albertson sparkles in her second Love and Tacos romance (after Ramón and Julieta), a riff on The Taming of the Shrew. First-generation Mexican American Carolina Flores is one of California’s “top female farmers,” but her life is dominated by her conservative father, with whom she lives and who is so old-school that he won’t allow her younger sisters to date until Carolina finds a boyfriend. Enter Enrique Montez, a third-generation Mexican American and heir to fast food empire Taco King, who hopes to strike a partnership with Carolina’s farm. Carolina is uninterested—until her father mistakes him for her boyfriend and Enrique agrees to play along. After a storm strands the pair in Carmel overnight, however, Carolina’s father claims she’s shamed the family by spending the night with a man and kicks her out. Newly independent, Carolina must discover who she is without her father making all her choices for her—and where Enrique fits into her future. Albertson’s refreshing, nuanced tale captivates, exploring issues of racial identity, immigrant culture, and breaking free from abusive dynamics—and offering tasty descriptions of tacos along the way. A strong supporting cast (especially Carolina’s sassy younger sister Blanca) adds to the fun. Readers will be enchanted. (July)