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When the Vibe Is Right
From the author of Where the Rhythm Takes You comes a delightful enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance set during Trinidad’s Carnival celebration.
There are two things Tess Crawford knows for sure:
• She’s destined to be a great Trinidadian Carnival costume designer like her renowned uncle, Russell Messina, and will one day inherit leadership of the family’s masquerade band, Grandeur.
• Her classmate, the popular social media influencer, Brandon Richards, is the bane of her existence. Everything about him irks her, from his annoying nickname for Tess (Boop) to his association with David, her awful ex.
But when the future of Grandeur nears the brink of collapse in the face of band rivalry, Tess finds to her chagrin that she must team up with Brandon in a desperate attempt to revive the company.
As Tess and Brandon spend more time together, Tess begins to wonder if everything she thought she knew might not be so certain after all. . . .
Set in lush, gorgeous Trinidad, this is a novel about finding love in the most unexpected places.
There are two things Tess Crawford knows for sure:
• She’s destined to be a great Trinidadian Carnival costume designer like her renowned uncle, Russell Messina, and will one day inherit leadership of the family’s masquerade band, Grandeur.
• Her classmate, the popular social media influencer, Brandon Richards, is the bane of her existence. Everything about him irks her, from his annoying nickname for Tess (Boop) to his association with David, her awful ex.
But when the future of Grandeur nears the brink of collapse in the face of band rivalry, Tess finds to her chagrin that she must team up with Brandon in a desperate attempt to revive the company.
As Tess and Brandon spend more time together, Tess begins to wonder if everything she thought she knew might not be so certain after all. . . .
Set in lush, gorgeous Trinidad, this is a novel about finding love in the most unexpected places.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2023
About the author
Sarah Dass
4 books253 followersSarah Dass was born in Trinidad but has lived in Tobago since she was two years old. A graduate of University College London, she works as an office administrator by day and writes stories about the Caribbean by night. When she’s not writing, she’s reading or taking walks with her dachshund.
Sarah’s debut novel is inspired by her childhood, spent in a seaside hotel.
Sarah’s debut novel is inspired by her childhood, spent in a seaside hotel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
June 6, 2024
3/5 ⭐️
- This book was so fun! I really loved the banter between the characters. Loved the Caribbean cultural references too because I learned so much in such a fun way! Tess was so stubborn and it made her feel so realistic & relatable!
- Learning about Trinidadian carnival costume designers and all the work that goes behind it was so cool. I love the build up throughout the whole story and how Tess was working to save her uncle’s business. Even though this story was told in one pov, I feel like I was really able to understand Brandon and his feelings too!
- Loved how Brandon shared his feelings on how his family didn’t accept his career and how he still followed his dreams anyway! Such a great message for readers. A cute story that’s perfect for summer!
- This book was so fun! I really loved the banter between the characters. Loved the Caribbean cultural references too because I learned so much in such a fun way! Tess was so stubborn and it made her feel so realistic & relatable!
- Learning about Trinidadian carnival costume designers and all the work that goes behind it was so cool. I love the build up throughout the whole story and how Tess was working to save her uncle’s business. Even though this story was told in one pov, I feel like I was really able to understand Brandon and his feelings too!
- Loved how Brandon shared his feelings on how his family didn’t accept his career and how he still followed his dreams anyway! Such a great message for readers. A cute story that’s perfect for summer!
October 25, 2023
The vibe is absolutely right and I enjoyed every bit of it!
In Sarah Dass’ second book we meet Tess Crawford, a high school Trinidadian who loves everything Mas! She grew up in a Mas house and wants to keep her family name going, especially because her uncle is thinking about retiring. Tess lives with her cousin, aunt and uncle and spends a lot of her time trying to learn as much as possible about having a successful mas band.
The only think getting in her way is her cousin falling in love with the rival band’s son and Brandon Richards who is in her class and does social media promoting the rival band. With the future of her family’s Mas Band handing in a balance she decides to team up with Brandon- even though she actually cannot stand to be around him….
Who doesn’t love an enemies to lovers trope set in a Mas Band in Trinidad and Tobago? I personally couldn’t get enough of it! Truly this was such a delightful read and I think its because of the rivalry that felt very authentic. I loved Tess as a main character and I could spend a lot of time just reading about her daily life.
If you are looking for a light, fun romance, this is definitely a must read!
In Sarah Dass’ second book we meet Tess Crawford, a high school Trinidadian who loves everything Mas! She grew up in a Mas house and wants to keep her family name going, especially because her uncle is thinking about retiring. Tess lives with her cousin, aunt and uncle and spends a lot of her time trying to learn as much as possible about having a successful mas band.
The only think getting in her way is her cousin falling in love with the rival band’s son and Brandon Richards who is in her class and does social media promoting the rival band. With the future of her family’s Mas Band handing in a balance she decides to team up with Brandon- even though she actually cannot stand to be around him….
Who doesn’t love an enemies to lovers trope set in a Mas Band in Trinidad and Tobago? I personally couldn’t get enough of it! Truly this was such a delightful read and I think its because of the rivalry that felt very authentic. I loved Tess as a main character and I could spend a lot of time just reading about her daily life.
If you are looking for a light, fun romance, this is definitely a must read!
July 15, 2023
This was cute, but not as cute as I expected it to be. I was thinking there'd be more romance inside, and the parts of it that were there didn't blow me away.
From the start I had this feeling that the main characters were supposed to be older, and then every once in a while I'd get reminded they were in high school instead. This isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, just an observation.
I also didn't feel strongly about either of them, but did warm up to them a bit as it went on.
What I did like was the Trinidadian culture,
Carnival costumes, the food, and overall plot.
I requested this from my library weeks before it was even out and I do think it was worth the wait because I had a good time listening to it.
3.5
From the start I had this feeling that the main characters were supposed to be older, and then every once in a while I'd get reminded they were in high school instead. This isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, just an observation.
I also didn't feel strongly about either of them, but did warm up to them a bit as it went on.
What I did like was the Trinidadian culture,
Carnival costumes, the food, and overall plot.
I requested this from my library weeks before it was even out and I do think it was worth the wait because I had a good time listening to it.
3.5
July 30, 2024
I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance and this one didn’t completely disappoint. It’s a slow-burn YA novel set in Trinidad and Tobago during Carnival season.
I loved Tess’s passion for designing and how she didn’t allow her uncle’s negativity to deter her from following her dreams. Uncle Russell was so stuck in his ways that Tess had to go behind his back to help save their mas band family business. He was feeling washed up and ready to retire when a rival band gave them a run for their money but Tess wasn’t having it.
Working alongside the one person she despised most classmate/social media influencer Brandon Richards. He helps get Tess’s family name out there to gain traction and a sponsor for their carnival costumes. Being forced to work together so closely we see both characters let down their guards and the romance began to blossom.
I did enjoy the tone the author set with both Tess and Brandon. We get some backstory and realize how similar they really are. Not to mention you could tell they didn’t like each other but really liked each other I know that sounds crazy lol. I loved Hazel’s character too she was the one who believed in love and I think that rubbed off on Tess who was really closed off in the beginning.
Overall, this was a decent read. The book was rich in Trinidadian culture and definitely made me want to visit Carnival at least once. I enjoyed the witty banter, the chemistry building between Tess and Brandon, the authors take on why sometimes it’s important to accept help from others, seeing Tess finally overcome and deal with her grief, and uncle Russell for finally seeing Tess’s true potential. If you’re looking for a heartfelt YA romance with fleshed-out characters you’ll enjoy this book!!!
Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐️
I loved Tess’s passion for designing and how she didn’t allow her uncle’s negativity to deter her from following her dreams. Uncle Russell was so stuck in his ways that Tess had to go behind his back to help save their mas band family business. He was feeling washed up and ready to retire when a rival band gave them a run for their money but Tess wasn’t having it.
Working alongside the one person she despised most classmate/social media influencer Brandon Richards. He helps get Tess’s family name out there to gain traction and a sponsor for their carnival costumes. Being forced to work together so closely we see both characters let down their guards and the romance began to blossom.
I did enjoy the tone the author set with both Tess and Brandon. We get some backstory and realize how similar they really are. Not to mention you could tell they didn’t like each other but really liked each other I know that sounds crazy lol. I loved Hazel’s character too she was the one who believed in love and I think that rubbed off on Tess who was really closed off in the beginning.
Overall, this was a decent read. The book was rich in Trinidadian culture and definitely made me want to visit Carnival at least once. I enjoyed the witty banter, the chemistry building between Tess and Brandon, the authors take on why sometimes it’s important to accept help from others, seeing Tess finally overcome and deal with her grief, and uncle Russell for finally seeing Tess’s true potential. If you’re looking for a heartfelt YA romance with fleshed-out characters you’ll enjoy this book!!!
Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐️
June 1, 2023
Tess is a young designer with dreams of eventually taking over the family business, Grandeur. Built by her grandfather and currently run by her uncle she's not ready to give up despite the business failing for the past few years. In order to help Grandeur succeed she decides to team up with classmate Brandon who is a social media influencer after he gets fired by a rival band.
This story is inspired by Much Ado About Nothing and their are little nods to the story throughout from Tess's first name being Beatrice to her family name being Messina and so much more. The Shakespeare fans will enjoy enjoy those little references, many of which went over my head as someone not as familiar with Shakespeare even though I've seen this play. But it doesn't take away from enjoying the book. It does mean there's some focus on Tess' cousin and the romance she has going on as a side plot.
This a is a fun look behind the scenes at what goes into making the costumes for Carnival Tuesday. Grandeur is an old school style band that doesn't host the fetes over give extra special perks so they've been losing money to flashier competitors. There's a nice conversation in here about how to blend the Carnival of old with the new age.
Reading who aren't familiar with Trinidad get a peak into the culture and some different areas of the island.
The romance is a slow burn and the story took a little bit for me to get into but there's plenty of banter and great chemistry to prevent readers from being bored.
My only real critique is that Tess and Brandon feel at least early to mid 20s rather than 17 and 18 year olds and it's not just because of their responsibilities. Nothing really would changed if she had made them college students.
Full review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
This story is inspired by Much Ado About Nothing and their are little nods to the story throughout from Tess's first name being Beatrice to her family name being Messina and so much more. The Shakespeare fans will enjoy enjoy those little references, many of which went over my head as someone not as familiar with Shakespeare even though I've seen this play. But it doesn't take away from enjoying the book. It does mean there's some focus on Tess' cousin and the romance she has going on as a side plot.
This a is a fun look behind the scenes at what goes into making the costumes for Carnival Tuesday. Grandeur is an old school style band that doesn't host the fetes over give extra special perks so they've been losing money to flashier competitors. There's a nice conversation in here about how to blend the Carnival of old with the new age.
Reading who aren't familiar with Trinidad get a peak into the culture and some different areas of the island.
The romance is a slow burn and the story took a little bit for me to get into but there's plenty of banter and great chemistry to prevent readers from being bored.
My only real critique is that Tess and Brandon feel at least early to mid 20s rather than 17 and 18 year olds and it's not just because of their responsibilities. Nothing really would changed if she had made them college students.
Full review
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
May 25, 2023
OK yes yes and yes. I loooved this one. Tess and Brandon were so fun to read. The banter. the bickering. the backdrop of a mas camp preparing for carnival was so fresh!! I've played mas once and attended jouvert twice, but getting a look at the behind the scenes of teh costume making, amidst the budding thing between our MC was really refreshing.
I've been to mas camps before and have had family members who have been involved in some part time costume making but i've never actually done it but I feel like it was captured pretty well here. Similar to book one where we see Tobago so alive like a character in it's own right I felt the same thing here with the Trinidad setting. It's always a great feeling to see places you know and are familiar with in a books so reading Caribbean yayyy.
I must say the romance here was pretty front and centre which I was happy about. This I think was an improvement from book 1 :) Immediately we see that Tess and Brandon doh take to each other like that. and i love a good a good "they annoying but cute which makes them even more annoying" vibe LOL.
Alsoooo Tess' cousin being a budding romance writer ayyyye.
I was frustrated with Tess at times since she had a bit of growing to do where some of ehr ideas about social media and influencers wee concerned, but i think the author portrayed, the characters flaws and vulnerabilities well, while showcasing how they've learnt.
So I highly recommend this one!!
I've been to mas camps before and have had family members who have been involved in some part time costume making but i've never actually done it but I feel like it was captured pretty well here. Similar to book one where we see Tobago so alive like a character in it's own right I felt the same thing here with the Trinidad setting. It's always a great feeling to see places you know and are familiar with in a books so reading Caribbean yayyy.
I must say the romance here was pretty front and centre which I was happy about. This I think was an improvement from book 1 :) Immediately we see that Tess and Brandon doh take to each other like that. and i love a good a good "they annoying but cute which makes them even more annoying" vibe LOL.
Alsoooo Tess' cousin being a budding romance writer ayyyye.
I was frustrated with Tess at times since she had a bit of growing to do where some of ehr ideas about social media and influencers wee concerned, but i think the author portrayed, the characters flaws and vulnerabilities well, while showcasing how they've learnt.
So I highly recommend this one!!
September 7, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was quite sweet, but I really struggled to connect with any of the characters. I loved the inclusion of Trinidadian culture, with the Carnival costumes especially, it was a lot of fun to read about! I also did enjoy the tropes that we got in this book, although I don't feel that I was particularly invested in how the romance played out because I couldn't get on with the characters. Tess, our main character, is incredibly stubborn and bullheaded to the point of fault, and I just needed her to have some more personality other than that. I also felt that the dialogue was quite stiff at times. However, this was a lot of fun, and it's perfect for summer, and it's definitely not for me to say that other people wouldn't enjoy this as I think there is a lot to be enjoyed, it just wasn't for me.
This was quite sweet, but I really struggled to connect with any of the characters. I loved the inclusion of Trinidadian culture, with the Carnival costumes especially, it was a lot of fun to read about! I also did enjoy the tropes that we got in this book, although I don't feel that I was particularly invested in how the romance played out because I couldn't get on with the characters. Tess, our main character, is incredibly stubborn and bullheaded to the point of fault, and I just needed her to have some more personality other than that. I also felt that the dialogue was quite stiff at times. However, this was a lot of fun, and it's perfect for summer, and it's definitely not for me to say that other people wouldn't enjoy this as I think there is a lot to be enjoyed, it just wasn't for me.
Read
August 22, 2024DNF @ 30%. This is so boring.
March 19, 2023
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this! I always like frenemies-to-lovers and this was really sweet all the way through! This has givena lot of attention Carnival festival in Trinidad and family rivalries and that fun to read.
My only real issue was that some of the dialogue passages but extremely cute read.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this! I always like frenemies-to-lovers and this was really sweet all the way through! This has givena lot of attention Carnival festival in Trinidad and family rivalries and that fun to read.
My only real issue was that some of the dialogue passages but extremely cute read.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2023
** I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review!
The idea of a YA romance about Carnival was is what made me want to get my hands on this beautiful book. A true enemies to lovers if I ever read one!! Beatrice is an up and coming costume designer in Trinidad who is very misunderstood by her peers. Her biggest rival is Brandon and the two couldn't be more opposite. She helps out with her uncle's Mas band Grandaur and is immediately on defense when a competing band starts a nefarious campaign against her uncle's historic Mas band...it just so happens that Brendon is working for their biggest competitor Royalty. With the help of. a perceived enemy can Tess and her friends save Grandeur and expose the people trying to bring them down?!
If you love Carnival or would like to experience it in the pages of the book...this is the one for you!
The idea of a YA romance about Carnival was is what made me want to get my hands on this beautiful book. A true enemies to lovers if I ever read one!! Beatrice is an up and coming costume designer in Trinidad who is very misunderstood by her peers. Her biggest rival is Brandon and the two couldn't be more opposite. She helps out with her uncle's Mas band Grandaur and is immediately on defense when a competing band starts a nefarious campaign against her uncle's historic Mas band...it just so happens that Brendon is working for their biggest competitor Royalty. With the help of. a perceived enemy can Tess and her friends save Grandeur and expose the people trying to bring them down?!
If you love Carnival or would like to experience it in the pages of the book...this is the one for you!
May 23, 2023
*4.5/5 Stars Rounded-Up*
In When the Vibe is Right we follow Tess, a seventeen year-old girl, who dreams of becoming a professional Trinidadian Carnival costume designer like her esteemed Uncle Russel. Not many teenagers can say they have a nemesis, but Brandon Richards is truly the textbook definition for Tess. From his annoying nicknames for Tess to his never-ending social media posts he is the bane of her existence. But when Uncle Russel’s costume design company needs a modern miracle to keep them from ruin…suddenly, Brandon might be the exact opposite of who Tess thought he was all along!
This was such a fun read with a nice slow-burn enemies to lovers romance! I loved the build-up throughout the story as Tess and Brandon had such good banter with one another. The story just felt so natural and authentic to this weird time in life where you’re kind of an adult, but also still kind of a kid and trying really hard to balance the two. In terms of characters, I felt that the main and side characters were incredibly well-rounded. I really loved Tess as a main character…maybe because I related to her a bit too much, but let me have my bias! However, her character arc throughout this novel was truly amazing to read. I also loved Brandon and it was seriously amazing to see main male characters who were not emotionally stunted and able to express themselves! Although this novel is told in only one POV, I felt like Brandon was fully fleshed out and never remained elusive to the reader.
More generally, in terms of the writing, I loved Sarah Dass’s writing style and found it hard to put this book down! Furthermore, I appreciated learning more about Trinidadian Carnival costume design and culture, as well as the incorporation of Indo-Trinidadian culture. It was especially heart-warming hearing abut the significance of Carnival and its evolution from Tess! The writing definitely skews to upper-YA, which is a personal favorite of mine. However, I will note that there are a lot of references to Shakespeare in this; some of which I could understand the symbolism of and others where I think the connections went over my head. Obviously, this is subjective so readers your mileage may vary on if you enjoy these references or not. I also wish that the ending had been just a little longer because there was a lot going on within the last fifty pages and it all felt a bit rushed. Overall though, this was still such a great read and a real standout for me in YA romance! I look forward to reading more of Sarah Dass after this lovely introduction…and definitely rereading this one!
Thank you to the publisher, Balzer + Bray for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
In When the Vibe is Right we follow Tess, a seventeen year-old girl, who dreams of becoming a professional Trinidadian Carnival costume designer like her esteemed Uncle Russel. Not many teenagers can say they have a nemesis, but Brandon Richards is truly the textbook definition for Tess. From his annoying nicknames for Tess to his never-ending social media posts he is the bane of her existence. But when Uncle Russel’s costume design company needs a modern miracle to keep them from ruin…suddenly, Brandon might be the exact opposite of who Tess thought he was all along!
This was such a fun read with a nice slow-burn enemies to lovers romance! I loved the build-up throughout the story as Tess and Brandon had such good banter with one another. The story just felt so natural and authentic to this weird time in life where you’re kind of an adult, but also still kind of a kid and trying really hard to balance the two. In terms of characters, I felt that the main and side characters were incredibly well-rounded. I really loved Tess as a main character…maybe because I related to her a bit too much, but let me have my bias! However, her character arc throughout this novel was truly amazing to read. I also loved Brandon and it was seriously amazing to see main male characters who were not emotionally stunted and able to express themselves! Although this novel is told in only one POV, I felt like Brandon was fully fleshed out and never remained elusive to the reader.
More generally, in terms of the writing, I loved Sarah Dass’s writing style and found it hard to put this book down! Furthermore, I appreciated learning more about Trinidadian Carnival costume design and culture, as well as the incorporation of Indo-Trinidadian culture. It was especially heart-warming hearing abut the significance of Carnival and its evolution from Tess! The writing definitely skews to upper-YA, which is a personal favorite of mine. However, I will note that there are a lot of references to Shakespeare in this; some of which I could understand the symbolism of and others where I think the connections went over my head. Obviously, this is subjective so readers your mileage may vary on if you enjoy these references or not. I also wish that the ending had been just a little longer because there was a lot going on within the last fifty pages and it all felt a bit rushed. Overall though, this was still such a great read and a real standout for me in YA romance! I look forward to reading more of Sarah Dass after this lovely introduction…and definitely rereading this one!
Thank you to the publisher, Balzer + Bray for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
July 11, 2024
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
I have never read any books by this author before but I loved the storyline, the banter and characters of When The Vibe Is Right. There was a lot I liked and I think that's also due to the fact that I listened to the audiobook instead of reading the book physically. I think the narrator did an amazing job bringing the story to life.
The book follows Tess who dreams of becoming a famous Carnival costume designer much like her renowned uncle who's business, Grandeur, she dreams of taking over one day. When her uncle's company falls on the brink of collapse, Tess needs to partner up with her annoying classmate and social media influencer, Brandon to help save Grandeur. As Tess spends more time with Brandon, she begins to wonder if she was wrong about him all along.
I absolutely loved the banter between Brandon and Tess. It was easily one of my favourite elements of the book along with the characters in general. Though the book was in first person, I think we got heaps of glimpses into Brandon's personality and character to really understand him. I also enjoyed the pacing and the Trinidadian setting. I have never read a book set in Trinidad and it feels like forever since I read a book set in the Caribbean.
I enjoyed the pacing of the book but my main criticism is that it felt like there were so many things happening at times that it was sometimes difficult to keep track of. Apart from that, I really enjoyed this book and I can see myself recommending this in the future.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
I have never read any books by this author before but I loved the storyline, the banter and characters of When The Vibe Is Right. There was a lot I liked and I think that's also due to the fact that I listened to the audiobook instead of reading the book physically. I think the narrator did an amazing job bringing the story to life.
The book follows Tess who dreams of becoming a famous Carnival costume designer much like her renowned uncle who's business, Grandeur, she dreams of taking over one day. When her uncle's company falls on the brink of collapse, Tess needs to partner up with her annoying classmate and social media influencer, Brandon to help save Grandeur. As Tess spends more time with Brandon, she begins to wonder if she was wrong about him all along.
I absolutely loved the banter between Brandon and Tess. It was easily one of my favourite elements of the book along with the characters in general. Though the book was in first person, I think we got heaps of glimpses into Brandon's personality and character to really understand him. I also enjoyed the pacing and the Trinidadian setting. I have never read a book set in Trinidad and it feels like forever since I read a book set in the Caribbean.
I enjoyed the pacing of the book but my main criticism is that it felt like there were so many things happening at times that it was sometimes difficult to keep track of. Apart from that, I really enjoyed this book and I can see myself recommending this in the future.
February 6, 2024
This is for sure a YA romance and it does several annoying tropy things that I'm not a big fan of... BUT I loved it! It takes place in Trinidad and the audiobook is very enjoyable to listen too. The characters were cute and I found myself fully invested in the story despite the silly things it did. Our two main characters have a frenemies type relationship after a poor first impression and some additional misunderstandings over the years which do continue into the now. Regardless the book was fun, and for some reason, I didn't seem to mind.
July 22, 2023
When the Vibe is Right
Okay but how cute is this YA book?!
Oh Sarah!!!! This was beauuuuuuutiful!!!!!
The vibe is this sophomore novel was just right!
Tess has high hopes of taking over her family business in costume designing but the company, run by her uncle Russell, is in jeopardy of going under.
They're struggling to keep up with new, trending designs from their competitors and the social media presence needed to help them thrive. The problem is that Tess is an introvert. She prefers to be behind the scenes, creating designs that speak to her family legacy. She's also a hard-core bookie, and I love how that was incorporated throughout the story.
Surprisingly, she ends up getting the help of her long-time nemesis, Brandon, who's Mr. Popular and the latest social media star and has the potential to help the company get back into the limelight.
Tess tries to persuade Uncle Russell to try some new branding to keep the family legacy going but he wants none of it, he's old school and a man of principle but I love how this story shows how much the older generations can learn and thrive from young brilliant, creative minds! Together, Tess and Brandon are just that!
There's the usual miscommunication trope, trying to ignore and make excuses for their feelings for each other when a lot of untold history starts to reveal itself but when it does, these two spark like no other! Tell me you didn't like how Brandon just worked his way around and charmed everyone in Tess' family?
Thoroughly enjoyed Tess and Brandon's story! They're just the cutest! Their personalities are so different but I 100% felt their chemistry, the banter and eventual connection was so real.
And Uncle Russell! He's is the man!
This is my second YA book in recent weeks that was an absolute hit! Please don't sleep on these YA stories y'all
Okay but how cute is this YA book?!
Oh Sarah!!!! This was beauuuuuuutiful!!!!!
The vibe is this sophomore novel was just right!
Tess has high hopes of taking over her family business in costume designing but the company, run by her uncle Russell, is in jeopardy of going under.
They're struggling to keep up with new, trending designs from their competitors and the social media presence needed to help them thrive. The problem is that Tess is an introvert. She prefers to be behind the scenes, creating designs that speak to her family legacy. She's also a hard-core bookie, and I love how that was incorporated throughout the story.
Surprisingly, she ends up getting the help of her long-time nemesis, Brandon, who's Mr. Popular and the latest social media star and has the potential to help the company get back into the limelight.
Tess tries to persuade Uncle Russell to try some new branding to keep the family legacy going but he wants none of it, he's old school and a man of principle but I love how this story shows how much the older generations can learn and thrive from young brilliant, creative minds! Together, Tess and Brandon are just that!
There's the usual miscommunication trope, trying to ignore and make excuses for their feelings for each other when a lot of untold history starts to reveal itself but when it does, these two spark like no other! Tell me you didn't like how Brandon just worked his way around and charmed everyone in Tess' family?
Thoroughly enjoyed Tess and Brandon's story! They're just the cutest! Their personalities are so different but I 100% felt their chemistry, the banter and eventual connection was so real.
And Uncle Russell! He's is the man!
This is my second YA book in recent weeks that was an absolute hit! Please don't sleep on these YA stories y'all
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2024
This book had me in shambles in the best way😭
August 20, 2023
A fantastic young adult romance with a stunning setting! I enjoyed learning about Carnival and getting a glimpse into Tess and Hazel's world. This was an absolutely fantastic Much Ado About Nothing retelling, and I can't wait to read more of Dass' work. Beautifully narrated on audio by Antonevia Ocho-Coultes.
August 18, 2024
2.5 Stars
The characters were all equally boring and there was barely any romance in it if any at all. It’s a shame since the plot had potential but the bland characters pretty much made it lackluster.
The characters were all equally boring and there was barely any romance in it if any at all. It’s a shame since the plot had potential but the bland characters pretty much made it lackluster.
September 21, 2023
There's a lot to love about this book. I listened to the audiobook, and I thought the narration was great. There were a lot of charming elements, just like in Sarah Dass's previous book, but I have to admit I clicked with that one more. The story here felt slightly too chaotic at times, as I felt like there was just so much going on all at the same time.
February 20, 2023
I adored this so much. Tess and Brandon are so cute together and I rooted for them. Plus reading this during the 2023 T&T carnival season made it seem extra special.
Thanks to the publishers and Edelweiss for granting me access to the e-ARC.
Teens are going to love this romance.
Thanks to the publishers and Edelweiss for granting me access to the e-ARC.
Teens are going to love this romance.
July 19, 2023
Loved this one even more than the first! Tess is my gyal. 🤗💜 Review later.
September 9, 2023
Summer Reading 2023 28/33
April 30, 2024
NetGalley ARC.
May 21, 2023
“As we let out the old and welcome the new, only good vibes.”
Tess has her future all figured out: Trinidadian Carnival costume designer. She lives for Carnival and fashion, planning to take over her illustrious uncle Russel’s masquerade band, Grandeur. Yet, her future is jeopardized when a long-standing feud with a rival band tanks Grandeur’s sales and threatens to close the company's doors. The only chance Tess sees to save the band is to modernize the branding, and there is no one else more qualified to help than social media influencer and her archnemesis Brandon. However, during the revitalization of Grandeur, Tess begins to see Brandon in a new light and questions where love can grow.
When the Vibe Is Right is an enemies-to-lovers tale with a Trinidadian Carnival twist. I loved the dynamic setting in Trinidad and the inclusion of rich Trinidadian culture and food, like gyros. I did not know very much about Carnival when I started reading, but my favorite aspect of the book was Tess’ outfits and costume designs. One main theme throughout is the tension between the traditions of the past and the emerging practices of the present. All of the adult figures disdain the explosion of social media and do not understand the importance of growing an online presence and interacting with customers to have a successful business. This prominent theme might be very relatable to readers, especially those interested in entrepreneurship or social media. While The vibrant setting, fascinating costumes, and interesting themes kept me engaged, unfortunately, Tess and Brandon’s romance fell flat. The enemies aspect of their relationship, which was based on a childhood misunderstanding, felt completely unrealistic. Disappointingly, I also felt no romantic tension building between the characters. I actually enjoyed watching the side romance between Tess’ cousin Hazel and her new boyfriend Chris progress more than the main love interest. There is little to no direct interaction between the two bands or memorable moments between Tess and Brandon. Another aspect of the novel that could have been developed further was the feud between Tess’ uncle’s band Grandeur and their rival, Royalty.
Pick up a copy of When the Vibe Is Right to learn about Trinidadian culture, fall in love with Carnival costumes, and experience a small splash of romance.
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Tess has her future all figured out: Trinidadian Carnival costume designer. She lives for Carnival and fashion, planning to take over her illustrious uncle Russel’s masquerade band, Grandeur. Yet, her future is jeopardized when a long-standing feud with a rival band tanks Grandeur’s sales and threatens to close the company's doors. The only chance Tess sees to save the band is to modernize the branding, and there is no one else more qualified to help than social media influencer and her archnemesis Brandon. However, during the revitalization of Grandeur, Tess begins to see Brandon in a new light and questions where love can grow.
When the Vibe Is Right is an enemies-to-lovers tale with a Trinidadian Carnival twist. I loved the dynamic setting in Trinidad and the inclusion of rich Trinidadian culture and food, like gyros. I did not know very much about Carnival when I started reading, but my favorite aspect of the book was Tess’ outfits and costume designs. One main theme throughout is the tension between the traditions of the past and the emerging practices of the present. All of the adult figures disdain the explosion of social media and do not understand the importance of growing an online presence and interacting with customers to have a successful business. This prominent theme might be very relatable to readers, especially those interested in entrepreneurship or social media. While The vibrant setting, fascinating costumes, and interesting themes kept me engaged, unfortunately, Tess and Brandon’s romance fell flat. The enemies aspect of their relationship, which was based on a childhood misunderstanding, felt completely unrealistic. Disappointingly, I also felt no romantic tension building between the characters. I actually enjoyed watching the side romance between Tess’ cousin Hazel and her new boyfriend Chris progress more than the main love interest. There is little to no direct interaction between the two bands or memorable moments between Tess and Brandon. Another aspect of the novel that could have been developed further was the feud between Tess’ uncle’s band Grandeur and their rival, Royalty.
Pick up a copy of When the Vibe Is Right to learn about Trinidadian culture, fall in love with Carnival costumes, and experience a small splash of romance.
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
July 20, 2023
3,5 ⭐️
I received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tess is a young designer and there are two things she knows for sure…
She’s destined to be a great Trinidadian Carnival costume designer like her uncle (and her mother) and will one day inherit leadership of the family’s masquerade band, Grandeur.
Her classmate, the popular social media influencer, Brandon, is the bane of her existence. Everything about him irks her, from his annoying nickname for Tess (“Boop”) to his association with David, her awful ex.
But when the future of Grandeur nears the brink of collapse in the face of band rivalry, Tess finds to her chagrin that she must team up with Brandon in a desperate attempt to revive the company.
I loved the haters to lovers theme with Tess and Brandon and see them turn to lovers the more time they spend together (Brandon is such a sweetheart, it turns out).
It's a fun romance, but I found the romance part in this book to short. Also what happened with Royalty. I loved how Tess stood up to Prince and would have like to see were Grandeur and Tess would stand a year later.
Tess’s cousin Hazel is such a lovely person, I would have enjoyed reading more about her (background).
Overall it is such a fun read and a nice feel good romance book.
I received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tess is a young designer and there are two things she knows for sure…
She’s destined to be a great Trinidadian Carnival costume designer like her uncle (and her mother) and will one day inherit leadership of the family’s masquerade band, Grandeur.
Her classmate, the popular social media influencer, Brandon, is the bane of her existence. Everything about him irks her, from his annoying nickname for Tess (“Boop”) to his association with David, her awful ex.
But when the future of Grandeur nears the brink of collapse in the face of band rivalry, Tess finds to her chagrin that she must team up with Brandon in a desperate attempt to revive the company.
I loved the haters to lovers theme with Tess and Brandon and see them turn to lovers the more time they spend together (Brandon is such a sweetheart, it turns out).
It's a fun romance, but I found the romance part in this book to short. Also what happened with Royalty. I loved how Tess stood up to Prince and would have like to see were Grandeur and Tess would stand a year later.
Tess’s cousin Hazel is such a lovely person, I would have enjoyed reading more about her (background).
Overall it is such a fun read and a nice feel good romance book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2023
When Tess finds out that her family’s mas band, Grandeur, is in trouble, she enlists the help of her nemesis, Brandon. With his almost 100k social media followers, Brandon is the only person she knows that can help generate enough publicity to ensure that Grandeur sees another year.
This was honestly so cute and I loved that it transported me into a country and culture I’ve never experienced. This is set in Trinidad and Tobago and focuses on Tess’s family business which is to design Carnival costumes for their masquerade band. I enjoyed reading about the hard work and creativity that goes into the design of the gorgeous costumes I’ve only ever seen photos of.
The characters were also all really great (both main and side) and I particularly enjoyed the funny banter between Tess and Brandon—it was obvious to everyone but them that they had chemistry. That being said, they are both dealing with some pretty heavy issues that felt kind of glossed over in favor of the less heavy topic of saving the band. These additions help the reader understand them as characters (which is always a plus for me) but it also felt like they weren’t dug into deep enough.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing a NetGalley ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was honestly so cute and I loved that it transported me into a country and culture I’ve never experienced. This is set in Trinidad and Tobago and focuses on Tess’s family business which is to design Carnival costumes for their masquerade band. I enjoyed reading about the hard work and creativity that goes into the design of the gorgeous costumes I’ve only ever seen photos of.
The characters were also all really great (both main and side) and I particularly enjoyed the funny banter between Tess and Brandon—it was obvious to everyone but them that they had chemistry. That being said, they are both dealing with some pretty heavy issues that felt kind of glossed over in favor of the less heavy topic of saving the band. These additions help the reader understand them as characters (which is always a plus for me) but it also felt like they weren’t dug into deep enough.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing a NetGalley ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 27, 2023
Oh I have mixed feelings about this one. I came to love Brandon, he's my little sweetie. Tess, on the other hand, really did not do it for me for most of the book. I found the reasons for Tess' strong dislike of Brandon to be weak as hell. I enjoy an enemies-to-lovers plot, but these two were not enemies because Brandon NEVER or disliked Tess. I did love the tension between the two of them. Romantic tension is one of my favourite plot points in a romance book. I felt very meh the most of the interactions between the two of them though. I wish the characters were a little more aged because I kept forgetting they were in high school.
I enjoyed ALL the side characters. Uncle Russel did infuriate me throughout the book, but that's typical of a Caribbean man. I love love loved Hazel. I enjoyed how the cousins supported each other. I loved that Hazel got her own side plot that was threaded in throughout the main one. David was meh, I wish there was no forgiveness or that he turned out to be a good guy. Sometimes people need no redemption.
The passage of time was funny to me. I thought it moved weird way. It seemed like we were stuck in one month then three months had passed. I enjoyed the Trinidadian culture. I loved that we got to go all over the island. I wish it had been "built" a little better for my mind to conceptualize where different locations were without trying to look them up on an actual map. I loved seeing how carnival costumes are built and the concepts behind them. It was nice seeing what goes on behind the scenes in bands.
I enjoyed ALL the side characters. Uncle Russel did infuriate me throughout the book, but that's typical of a Caribbean man. I love love loved Hazel. I enjoyed how the cousins supported each other. I loved that Hazel got her own side plot that was threaded in throughout the main one. David was meh, I wish there was no forgiveness or that he turned out to be a good guy. Sometimes people need no redemption.
The passage of time was funny to me. I thought it moved weird way. It seemed like we were stuck in one month then three months had passed. I enjoyed the Trinidadian culture. I loved that we got to go all over the island. I wish it had been "built" a little better for my mind to conceptualize where different locations were without trying to look them up on an actual map. I loved seeing how carnival costumes are built and the concepts behind them. It was nice seeing what goes on behind the scenes in bands.
August 29, 2023
read for Reading Challenge Champs: TBR Knockout !
Prompt: Book with a Carnival/Circus
You know what? This book was fine. I wasn’t blown away by it or the characters, but I like the colourful and fun atmosphere of the Trinidadian carnival and culture. The slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc was cute since I’m a sucker for fun and, albeit, immature banter. I liked them together by the end.
Prompt: Book with a Carnival/Circus
You know what? This book was fine. I wasn’t blown away by it or the characters, but I like the colourful and fun atmosphere of the Trinidadian carnival and culture. The slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc was cute since I’m a sucker for fun and, albeit, immature banter. I liked them together by the end.
April 11, 2023
3.5/5 - Such a fun read! I love an enemies to lovers story - maybe the only trope I love. This was a fun story and cute match. The dialogue read awkward at times, at least via audiobook. Otherwise, big fan and would recommend if you’re looking for a quick YA romance read. Thanks to NetGalley and Audiotoure for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2023
My favorite kind of audiobook. Enemies to lovers in the context of creating costumes for Carnival in Trinidad. The characters seem to be older than high school, but the dialog is funny and sharp… and the audio version really adds to the story. I love that the main character, Tess, is sassy and also self reflective. I will read all of Sarah Dass' books, this is her 2nd one.
July 29, 2023
I loooved this on audio. I smiled and laughed through many parts of the book. I was invested in the characters, Tess and Brandon, and learned much about the Carnival festival in Trinidad. I would highly recommend this closed door YA romance on audio, and I enjoyed this book as much as her first one:)
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