Waking Up in the Land of Glitter

A Crafty Chica Novel

By: Kathy Cano-Murillo

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

With glue guns, glitter, twigs, or yarn, the ordinary can become extraordinary . . . especially at La Pachanga. Owned by Estrella “Star” Esteban’s family, the restaurant has a rep for two things: good food and great art. La Pachanga brings people together—even when it looks like they couldn’t be further apart.

One ill-fated evening, Star jeopardizes her family’s business, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her future career. To redeem herself, she agrees to participate in a national craft competition, teaming up with her best friend, Ofelia—a secretly troubled mother whose love for crafting borders on obsession; and local celebrity Chloe Chavez—a determined television personality with more than one skeleton in her professional closet. If these unlikely allies can set aside their differences, they’ll find strength they never knew they had, and learn that friendship, like crafting, is truly an art form.

An eye-roller from beginning to end

This book is chocked full of old tropes and stereotypes. And, Whelan adds nothing to it. She reads it in her predictable “rhythm,” letting us know that she’s uninterested in the story. This book was a waste of time and the .5 credit.

Not worth the 1/2 credit

I don’t know why all the reviews for this book said it was sweet and heartwarming. I found it crude, sexist and disheartening. For one thing, it describes in detail how the character that is a reporter is sleeping with her repulsive boss in order to get assignments. Also, it had very little to do with crafting. That was just a hook to get people to buy it and Audible won’t let me return it because it was on two for one sale.

Couldn’t finish it

This book was so boring. I always try to give a book the benefit of the doubt. It was not worth the 1/2 credit savings!