Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poignant, funny romance works through serious issues.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
HOW MOON FUENTEZ FELL IN LOVE WITH THE UNIVERSE is the story of 18-year-old Moon in the summer after she graduates from high school. Moon's spent her life in the shadow of her twin sister, Star. Star is tall, blond, perfect, and making lots of money thanks to her huge presence on social media. Moon is short, dark-haired, and has cellulite on her "jiggly" body. Moon also has a mother who never loses a chance to remind Moon what a disappointment she is. Star gets invited to go on a nationwide publicity tour with the creator of a popular social media platform and some of its other top influencers. Her mom won't let her go alone, so Moon is drafted to go with Star as her photographer and tour "merch girl." On the tour she's thrown together with "merch guy" Santiago, who's incredibly good looking but who mostly communicates by scowling and grunting. With everyone crammed together on a tour bus for days and weeks on end, of course tensions run high and secrets get revealed. When things start to fall apart, people's true character gets revealed, too.
Is It Any Good?
This at times funny, dreamy, and moving novel is both a sigh-worthy romance and compelling coming-of-ager neatly woven together with humor and sensitivity. Teens will easily relate to Moon as she falls in love, finds artistic expression, gains greater independence, wonders where she fits in the world, and starts to really believe that she's lovable.
The romance follows a pretty predictable story arch, but lots of witty banter between Moon and Santiago keep it entertaining, and the realistic voices in How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe make the characters believable. The writing really excels when Moon is thinking about nature and the universe, and drives her toward a place where she can explore and appreciate her own value. Food plays an important role, too, with mouthwatering descriptions of Santiago's gourmet cooking. Lots of strong language, frank sex talk, abuse, and mental illness make it best for teens and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe. Is it realistic? Is there too much? Is reading about it different from seeing it in movies, videos, games, and other media?
What about all the sexy stuff? Is it realistic or glamorized? Does that make a difference?
Have you experienced abuse, or do you know someone who has? How can you get help, or how can you help your friend?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Cooking , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publication date : August 10, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 432
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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