Big Chicas Don't Cry

by Annette Chavez Macias

Overview

Four cousins navigate love, loss, and the meaning of family over the course of one memorable year in this heartfelt family drama.

Cousins Mari, Erica, Selena, and Gracie are inseparable. They aren’t just family but best friends—sharing secrets, traditions, and a fierce love for their abuelita. But their idyllic childhood ends when Mari’s parents divorce, forcing her to move away. With Mari gone, the girls’ tight-knit bond unravels.

Fifteen years later, Mari’s got the big house and handsome husband, but her life is in shambles. Erica’s boyfriend just dumped her, and her new boss hates her. Selena can’t seem to find her place in the world—not Mexican enough for her family, not white enough for her colleagues. And Gracie is a Catholic school teacher with an all-consuming crush, but she can’t trust herself when it comes to romance.

As rocky as the cousins’ lives have become, nothing can prepare them for the heartbreaking loss of a loved one. When tragedy reunites them, will they remember their abuelita’s lessons about family and forgiveness—or are fifteen years of separation too much to overcome?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781542039291
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	09/01/2022
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	74,097
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Annette Chavez Macias writes stories about love, family, and following your dreams. She is proud of her Mexican American heritage, culture, and traditions, all of which can be found within the pages of her books. For readers wanting even more love stories and guaranteed happily ever afters, Annette also writes romance novels under the pen name Sabrina Sol. A Southern California native, Annette lives just outside Los Angeles with her husband, three children, and four dogs.

Editorial Reviews

06/06/2022

Four cousins spend a year resolving old issues and healing past wounds in this addictive family drama from Chavez Macias (Her Sweet Seduction, written as Sabrina Sol). Cousins Marisol, Erica, Selena, and Gracie were exceptionally close as children, until Marisol’s parents divorced and she was forced to move away as a teen, straining her relationship with the others. Now 28, she’s unhappy in her marriage and feels like the family outcast. Meanwhile, Erica struggles to find satisfaction in her job even as she crushes on her new boss. Selena’s fear has her denying her true feelings for her friend with benefits, pushing him to break off their arrangement when he wants more. And Graciela, a devoutly religious teacher, struggles with her physical attraction to her school’s new PE teacher, a man she had a crush on years ago. All four women must face their issues head-on when they come together to grieve the loss of the family matriarch. Through heart-to-hearts, good food, and family tradition, the women rebuild their relationship with one another—and with their significant others. Chavez Macias loads her well-rounded story with charismatic characters, vivid descriptions, and appealing cultural specificity. This is a treat. Agent: Sarah Younger, NY Literary. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Through heart-to-hearts, good food, and family tradition, the women rebuild their relationship with one another—and with their significant others. Chavez Macias loads her well-rounded story with charismatic characters, vivid descriptions, and appealing cultural specificity. This is a treat.” —Publishers Weekly

“[Annette] Chavez Macias has given readers a joyful exploration of family and friendship featuring four memorable characters whose struggles and triumphs will resonate with readers. It’s a great choice for fans of Susan Mallery and Mariah Stewart.” —Booklist

“Big Chicas Don’t Cry is a life-affirming novel centered on relationships, love, and loss. This heartwarming family drama uses alternating points of view to skillfully reveal nuanced characters, tangible emotions, and the enduring ties of a Mexican American family. I adored every minute I spent with this familia. It was as if Annette Chavez Macias took slivers of the people and experiences I’ve known and delicately etched them onto the page. An enduring family drama with heart, beauty, and vibrant culture.” —Diana Muñoz Stewart, bestselling author of the Black Ops Confidential series

From the Publisher

A supremely talented quartet of narrators will delight listeners with their vibrant and expressive voices. This addictive story follows four cousins who are navigating life as individuals and as part of a large Mexican American family. As children, they were very close, but family dynamics pushed them apart. Now, as adults, they wonder if they can be close again. All four women face challenges in their careers while trying to navigate their romantic relationships with men. Listeners will laugh, cry, and find themselves deeply invested in all four characters. The four narrators ably pronounce Spanish words, adding to the authenticity of this beautiful story. They excel as individuals but also as an ensemble, placing listeners right in the heart of this large, wonderful family. A.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2022 - AudioFile