Searching For Emiliano - by Ryanna Hammond (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

What's supposed to be a typical Saturday, in a quaint suburb in the outskirts of Los Ángeles, turns into the start of a nostalgic story: Rachel Williams and Emiliano Morales cross paths during a soccer game in the city of Old Oak.

Rachel: White California Girl. Emiliano: Southern Califas Chicano. Rachel: Book smart. Perfectionist. Emiliano: Street smart. Laid-back.

Very different people from two very different worlds-and yet, in the midst of outdated beliefs, they are pulled together by otherworldly love. Their old school and modern world personalities light this journey through sports, music, pop culture, and, ultimately, self-discovery.

Drama. Joy. Lies. Truth. Fear. Wisdom. In the face of adversity, is love enough?

Review Quotes

"An old school love story for the ages, a seamless bilingual integration...that's exactly what Ryanna Hammond has crafted ever so carefully. She questions beliefs on race and socioeconomic systems while weaving a narrative of love that we all have faced."

- Amanda Karch, author of Her Favorite Color Was Sunshine Yellow

"Hammond's debut novel delivers what's promised: the angsty, complicated version of love we all experience in our early 20s. The characters seem to struggle between finding one another and finding themselves-an internal battle readers know well. Hammond's writing is accessible without being pedestrian, and masterfully navigates through snippets of Spanish narration."

- Kirsten Timco

"The details in Hammond's debut novel, of an authentic and raw young love, are carefully written...and through Hammond's Spanish narration, I have been given a new perspective of Mexican American culture."

- J. A. Bishop, author of Her Colored Scars

"A pleasure to read. Every detail made me feel I was watching it live. I loved the mixture of romance, soccer, and family love...a very good understanding of the Mexican American culture."

- Maria E. Nava

"It was so unpredictable...This was truly like nothing I have ever read. It felt so real and raw."

- Jenna Harry

"The imagery of Emiliano and Rachel kissing...that's just great writing. The level of details are top-notch and I applaud Ryanna's ability to tell a story."

- Denison Kappas

"Such an enjoyable read-I couldn't put it down! Ryanna Hammond does a great job integrating heavy themes and guiding messages...Her writing style is intentional and helped create an incredible visual and deep emotional connection."

- Kirby Brock