This is the story of 3 generations of Mexican American women exploring generational trauma and the quest for identity that took me back to memories of mi abuelita and mi Tia Chela and my vacations in Mexico with them. It reminded me a lot of my other faves, “The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina” and “The House of the Spirits” as well. 

The Olivares women, who have long struggled with the burden of controlling their daughters' destinies through the power of their names. Olvido, (means forgotten) the matriarch, constantly battled with her carefree daughter Angustias (means anguished), leading to Angustias leaving home when she became a pregnant teenager. A decade later, Angustias's daughter, Felicitas (means happy), meets her estranged grandmother, only to find that Olvido is strict, cold, not grandma-like at all, and DECEASED! ☠️ 
Olvido's spirit, unable to cross over due to unfinished business, seeks to mend Angustias's life through Felicitas, the only one who can see and hear her!

Familial duty, cultural expectations, blood bonds that bind to the point of restrictions…raise your hand if that sounds like your childhood!🙋🏻‍♀️ 😆 

If you love magical realism and how creative writers can blend the magical with the deeply human like I do, I highly recommend this one!