When Tito Loved Clara (Jon Michaud)

I'm pretty sure I decided to read this book after reading a very positive review, but for the life of me I can't remember from what publication. Still, I'm glad I stumbled upon that review. That's one of the reason's book sections should never die. Readers need more ways of finding great books.

Anyway, When Tito Loved Clara tells a story from three perspectives. Of course, the narrative comes mostly from Tito and Clara. They were high school sweethearts. They kept their relationship under wraps because their fathers had a falling out. You'd think both fathers would come across negatively, but Michaud definitely has some villains in this story and Tito's father isn't one of them. Clara's father--well.

Clara and Tito end have taken very different roads. Clara went to college, married a white man, moved to the suburbs, and basically avoids going back to her old neighborhood at all cost. Tito still lives with his parents, in the same apartment, and has held the same job since high school.

And although they have the same ethnic background--they are both Dominicans--their family roots differ in key ways. Clara's father and stepmother abuse her, while Tito's parents treat him lovingly. Actually, they kind of spoil him. Most of the story takes place while these two are in their mid-thirties, so, really, Tito shouldn't still live with his parents.

Clara's life, of course, isn't the stuff of fairy tales. Even though she's achieved a certain lifestyle, she still has plenty of problems. Even though she and her husband (Thomas, by the way) have a little boy, they are having problems getting pregnant again. She also has to deal with a crazy sister that dumps her pregnant teenage daughter on her. Not the mention some drama with her laid off husband that she doesn't even know about.

Tito, in the meantime, has dreamed up a happy alternative life while not doing all that much to make that happen. He still carries a torch for Clara, even though he hasn't seen her since the summer after graduating high school. Honestly, though it may seem sweet for a little bit, after a while Tito can get a little creepy.

Dominican culture features prominently. It's enjoyable, though some stereotyping inevitably happens. Although, really, plenty of stereotypes about use Caribbean Latinos have at least some truth to them. Happily, my sister is NOTHING like Clara's sister. Lord help anyone that does.

Good first book. I'm glad I read it.

Next up: The Countess, by Rebecca Johns.