Reviews posted by readers of The 16 Rule
Review by a Goodreads giveaway winner June, 2016
Aida R. rated it liked it
3.5 stars
Won on a Goodreads Giveaway*
I was actually surprised about how much I liked this book. I haven't read any books lately with characters at this age (I think the closest one was Eleanor & Park), manly because I personally didn't had the best time at 15 years old, so I try to stay away from the whole high school theme.
In The 16 Rule, we follow Lucy Aceves and her life as a teenage in America, trying to find freedom within her parents latin roots and strict cultural ideas. She wants to have a life like her friends, specially when Evan (the cute, bad and older guy) comes into picture.
I liked Lucy as a character as much as I like any 15 year-old girl in real life, which I guess means she's quite realistic and relatable. The Latin aspect of her life –the way her parents work as a couple, the way she's treated differently than her brother only because she's a girl, her mom treating her as her "maid" sometimes, etc– is something that, even tho I didn't experienced it quite like that as a Mexican, is something I know to be normal and cultural correct in my parents and friends beliefs.
Although the book does have some editing mistakes such as name swaps and time leaps that might not make much sense at points (keep in mind that english is not my first language, so I'm no expert), I think Evelyn Gonzalez's debut novel is a good one for a light reading, the romance gets cheesy at points and develops a bit fast but, then again, the main character is only 15, so I get it. I found myself smiling and aw-ing at it, so it was definitely an enjoyable real. And if there's a second part to it or Evelyn publishes another book, I really think I'll read it, and most likely enjoy it.
Email from a local librarian:
March 16, 2015
Wanted to let you know.. your book was a HIT !!! Students really like it, they relate with it in many ways. They absolutely loved the bookmarks… I read the book and really enjoyed it. The way your wrote, reminded me of my favorite author “Gary Soto”
When I get my budget next year, I am looking forward to purchasing a few more (if you have any left)…
Thank you again for your generosity and good luck to you in your future writings…
Debra Castanon
EMS Librarian
Posted on goodreads.com
Mar 06, 2015 Amelia Taylor
rated it 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! I won it in a giveaway on here. I am so glad I did. It truly captured young love! It put me back in time when I was 15 and had my first boyfriend. I could not put it down! Their love was so pure and innocent. I recommend this book to anyone who once was 15 and can remember their first love, it will put you back it time
Posted on goodreads.com
By Tatiyana
Rated 5 of 5 stars
As a teenager in the same age range, I found this book to be relatable! The parents are very much like my own, and the familiar atmosphere that the book provided made it very likeable. The book had multiple loveable characters, my favorite being Mario, who made the book go by quickly. I finished the book easily and was shocked to have found myself on the epilogue! The epilogue left me very pleased because the story had worked out exactly as I had wanted it to! I loved this book and I would definitely recommend it!
Posted on Amazon:
By Steve Slagle
“The 16 Rule” is a very good debut novel by Evelyn Gonzalez. It has a great plot that will keep you hooked. Young love, how can that go wrong? But what makes this book stand out is the characters. Ms. Gonzalez has created characters that are real. And what makes the stories issues work is that both sides have a degree of sympathy. OK, who could identify with the father with his “dumb” 16 rule, and Lucy’s mother who goes looking for her daughter if she is 15 minutes late? Then on the other side you have Lucy with her raging hormones and Evan, a senior dating a sophomore, definitely sounds like a no go for dad and mom. But with the way Ms. Gonzalez develops her characters, all sides share a degree of blame and sympathy. Even Evan with his checkered past and boys will be boys attitude comes off with the right amount of understanding from the reader. I am sure that most young adults with identify with Lucy and Evan and for the occasional parent that reads it, they will feel that sympathy toward the sixteen rule. Because everyone involved has some good in them, it keeps you reading and hoping that somehow everything will turn out right. So excellent effort on novel number one, Ms. Gonzalez. I really liked the time I spent on “The Sixteen Rule” and hope your future has a novel number 2.
Posted on Goodreads and Amazon:
Vivianm772 rated it 5 of 5 stars
Evelyn Gonzalez's debut Young Adult novel will appeal to teenagers, as well as adults who remember the intensity of their first love. In the story, Lucy Aceves is a newly fifteen year old who experiences the roller coaster ride of first love with seventeen year old Evan Ellis. The relationship is full of angst as Lucy experiences first kisses, feelings of insecurity and jealousy, and the euphoria of being desired. Evan is an intense, possessive and jealous boyfriend. He jumps right into the relationship with Lucy and has expectations that she will be just as invested as he is. Lucy is overwhelmed by Evan's feelings for her and finds herself falling hard for him. To make the relationship even more difficult, Lucy has very strict parents who will not allow her to date until she is sixteen. Lucy finds herself lying and sneaking behind her parents' back to see Evan. Eventually Lucy is faced with breaking up with Evan to honor her parents' rules or to continue to see him, risking her parents' trust and earning their disappointment.
Evelyn Gonzalez successfully portrays the extreme emotions of first love. Her story also expresses the importance of involved parenting and respecting one's culture. Congratulations to the author for her realistic portrayal of teenage romance!
Posted to Goodreads:
Lisa Tooley rated it 5 of 5 stars
Evelyn, I loved your book.
Readers from any culture can relate to Lucia, the Latina heroine of The 16 Rule, whose strict parents want to keep her a little girl as long as possible . Lucy narrates her fifteenth year, as she tries to toe the line her parents have set with the "No Dating until 16" Rule. As she starts having feelings for Evan, a 17 year old she meets at school, she resorts to sneaking and lying to get around her parents’ restrictions. Lucia must make some hard choices to sort out the mess this creates.
Gonzalez’s characters feel like real, likeable teenagers with their joy, doubts, fears, guilt and inevitable highs and lows as they learn about love. This story will appeal to readers who are imagining, living, or remembering their first love.
Christine Callaway rated it 5 of 5 stars
I have read many Young Adolescent lit books and The 16 Rule is the first book which made my culture visible. Other Latin YA books didn’t quite capture the family dynamics as did The 16 Rule. Although a story for young readers, it touches on issues and experiences many of us of other generations have gone through and is a great read. It’s a story of the love and respect for family and the desire to follow your heart.
Ms. Gonzalez taps right into the core of many Mexican American families and brings forth a wonderful story of culture, choices and teenage love. What is in store for Lucy Aceves? I can’t wait to read the next one…….
Joni Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars
Enjoyed reading the story of this young girl because it sort of reminded me of my own life growing up with a strict Italian immigrant father. Her struggles were mine at this young age. I admired the fact that she loved her family and wanted to respect them at the same time she was living in this generation where rules were some times over looked and peer pressure was getting the best of poor Lucia. She was conflicted with her new love feelings and the deep respect and love of her family. Eventually through trials of new gained trust with her parents and the long waiting of acceptance from her father , Lucia was able to get through her rough patch with all her growing pains and learn valuable lessons from her father.
Posted on Facebook- The Sixteen Rule and The 16 Rule
Therese Thomas
July 18 · Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Evelyn my younger daughter who is almost 14 started reading the book today. She was very impressed that someone I know wrote it and really wants to meet you. We are going to do our best to make it to the August 3rd signing. I just went in her room and she is glued to the book. She loves it!!!
Review written by April Hueftle Watkins.
"The 16 Rule" was an amazing and very relatable read for teenagers and just about any general audience. With humor, romance, the perfect amount of drama and relatable characters full of diversity, I highly recommend this great piece of literature to anyone looking to lose themselves in an interesting and compelling novel.
Eileen Gonzalez Caballero
July 2
Wow talk about a "can't put it down book". I was so hooked, and read it from cover to cover, laughed and cried all at once, revitting, and kept me in suspence throughout the twists and turns through the end. Its definitely a must read, can't wait for the sequel!! Lookin foward to the book singing at Antique Showcase in Covina to celebrate my sister's success. You go girl!
Aaron N Trish Smith
July 20 · Lake Elsinore, CA
Evelyn, I finished reading The 16 Rule today. I loved it!!! I honestly could not put it down. I started it yesterday and I had so many chores to do and errands to run. I found myself upset when I had to stop reading and accomplish my next chore. Over and over again I returned to your book every chance I had until I finished it today. I am excited to read book #2!! The 16 Rule is enjoyable for all ages. What a beautiful love story!!
Christy Callaway
July 2
I got my book yesterday, started reading at 9:30 last night and didn't put it down till I was done at 2:00 this morning! Excellent book and so very much like my family & culture when growing up. This gives Hispanic readers something visible to relate too, which is important and so very cool! I can't wait for the next one and for you to sign my copy! Congrats to Evelyn Gonzalez!!!!!!
Phil Caballero
June 29
My sister-in-law has written an amazing book. She says it's written for teenage girl but I have to disagree. I is so well written that I sat on my couch and read it in one sitting. My but is still a little numb. I highly recommend it to any one who was ever fifteen. It hits a little close to home and is very thought provoking if you have teenage kids like I do. Congratulations Evelyn Gonzalez and I hope to see more books from you.
Review by a Goodreads giveaway winner June, 2016
Aida R. rated it liked it
3.5 stars
Won on a Goodreads Giveaway*
I was actually surprised about how much I liked this book. I haven't read any books lately with characters at this age (I think the closest one was Eleanor & Park), manly because I personally didn't had the best time at 15 years old, so I try to stay away from the whole high school theme.
In The 16 Rule, we follow Lucy Aceves and her life as a teenage in America, trying to find freedom within her parents latin roots and strict cultural ideas. She wants to have a life like her friends, specially when Evan (the cute, bad and older guy) comes into picture.
I liked Lucy as a character as much as I like any 15 year-old girl in real life, which I guess means she's quite realistic and relatable. The Latin aspect of her life –the way her parents work as a couple, the way she's treated differently than her brother only because she's a girl, her mom treating her as her "maid" sometimes, etc– is something that, even tho I didn't experienced it quite like that as a Mexican, is something I know to be normal and cultural correct in my parents and friends beliefs.
Although the book does have some editing mistakes such as name swaps and time leaps that might not make much sense at points (keep in mind that english is not my first language, so I'm no expert), I think Evelyn Gonzalez's debut novel is a good one for a light reading, the romance gets cheesy at points and develops a bit fast but, then again, the main character is only 15, so I get it. I found myself smiling and aw-ing at it, so it was definitely an enjoyable real. And if there's a second part to it or Evelyn publishes another book, I really think I'll read it, and most likely enjoy it.
Email from a local librarian:
March 16, 2015
Wanted to let you know.. your book was a HIT !!! Students really like it, they relate with it in many ways. They absolutely loved the bookmarks… I read the book and really enjoyed it. The way your wrote, reminded me of my favorite author “Gary Soto”
When I get my budget next year, I am looking forward to purchasing a few more (if you have any left)…
Thank you again for your generosity and good luck to you in your future writings…
Debra Castanon
EMS Librarian
Posted on goodreads.com
Mar 06, 2015 Amelia Taylor
rated it 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! I won it in a giveaway on here. I am so glad I did. It truly captured young love! It put me back in time when I was 15 and had my first boyfriend. I could not put it down! Their love was so pure and innocent. I recommend this book to anyone who once was 15 and can remember their first love, it will put you back it time
Posted on goodreads.com
By Tatiyana
Rated 5 of 5 stars
As a teenager in the same age range, I found this book to be relatable! The parents are very much like my own, and the familiar atmosphere that the book provided made it very likeable. The book had multiple loveable characters, my favorite being Mario, who made the book go by quickly. I finished the book easily and was shocked to have found myself on the epilogue! The epilogue left me very pleased because the story had worked out exactly as I had wanted it to! I loved this book and I would definitely recommend it!
Posted on Amazon:
By Steve Slagle
“The 16 Rule” is a very good debut novel by Evelyn Gonzalez. It has a great plot that will keep you hooked. Young love, how can that go wrong? But what makes this book stand out is the characters. Ms. Gonzalez has created characters that are real. And what makes the stories issues work is that both sides have a degree of sympathy. OK, who could identify with the father with his “dumb” 16 rule, and Lucy’s mother who goes looking for her daughter if she is 15 minutes late? Then on the other side you have Lucy with her raging hormones and Evan, a senior dating a sophomore, definitely sounds like a no go for dad and mom. But with the way Ms. Gonzalez develops her characters, all sides share a degree of blame and sympathy. Even Evan with his checkered past and boys will be boys attitude comes off with the right amount of understanding from the reader. I am sure that most young adults with identify with Lucy and Evan and for the occasional parent that reads it, they will feel that sympathy toward the sixteen rule. Because everyone involved has some good in them, it keeps you reading and hoping that somehow everything will turn out right. So excellent effort on novel number one, Ms. Gonzalez. I really liked the time I spent on “The Sixteen Rule” and hope your future has a novel number 2.
Posted on Goodreads and Amazon:
Vivianm772 rated it 5 of 5 stars
Evelyn Gonzalez's debut Young Adult novel will appeal to teenagers, as well as adults who remember the intensity of their first love. In the story, Lucy Aceves is a newly fifteen year old who experiences the roller coaster ride of first love with seventeen year old Evan Ellis. The relationship is full of angst as Lucy experiences first kisses, feelings of insecurity and jealousy, and the euphoria of being desired. Evan is an intense, possessive and jealous boyfriend. He jumps right into the relationship with Lucy and has expectations that she will be just as invested as he is. Lucy is overwhelmed by Evan's feelings for her and finds herself falling hard for him. To make the relationship even more difficult, Lucy has very strict parents who will not allow her to date until she is sixteen. Lucy finds herself lying and sneaking behind her parents' back to see Evan. Eventually Lucy is faced with breaking up with Evan to honor her parents' rules or to continue to see him, risking her parents' trust and earning their disappointment.
Evelyn Gonzalez successfully portrays the extreme emotions of first love. Her story also expresses the importance of involved parenting and respecting one's culture. Congratulations to the author for her realistic portrayal of teenage romance!
Posted to Goodreads:
Lisa Tooley rated it 5 of 5 stars
Evelyn, I loved your book.
Readers from any culture can relate to Lucia, the Latina heroine of The 16 Rule, whose strict parents want to keep her a little girl as long as possible . Lucy narrates her fifteenth year, as she tries to toe the line her parents have set with the "No Dating until 16" Rule. As she starts having feelings for Evan, a 17 year old she meets at school, she resorts to sneaking and lying to get around her parents’ restrictions. Lucia must make some hard choices to sort out the mess this creates.
Gonzalez’s characters feel like real, likeable teenagers with their joy, doubts, fears, guilt and inevitable highs and lows as they learn about love. This story will appeal to readers who are imagining, living, or remembering their first love.
Christine Callaway rated it 5 of 5 stars
I have read many Young Adolescent lit books and The 16 Rule is the first book which made my culture visible. Other Latin YA books didn’t quite capture the family dynamics as did The 16 Rule. Although a story for young readers, it touches on issues and experiences many of us of other generations have gone through and is a great read. It’s a story of the love and respect for family and the desire to follow your heart.
Ms. Gonzalez taps right into the core of many Mexican American families and brings forth a wonderful story of culture, choices and teenage love. What is in store for Lucy Aceves? I can’t wait to read the next one…….
Joni Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars
Enjoyed reading the story of this young girl because it sort of reminded me of my own life growing up with a strict Italian immigrant father. Her struggles were mine at this young age. I admired the fact that she loved her family and wanted to respect them at the same time she was living in this generation where rules were some times over looked and peer pressure was getting the best of poor Lucia. She was conflicted with her new love feelings and the deep respect and love of her family. Eventually through trials of new gained trust with her parents and the long waiting of acceptance from her father , Lucia was able to get through her rough patch with all her growing pains and learn valuable lessons from her father.
Posted on Facebook- The Sixteen Rule and The 16 Rule
Therese Thomas
July 18 · Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Evelyn my younger daughter who is almost 14 started reading the book today. She was very impressed that someone I know wrote it and really wants to meet you. We are going to do our best to make it to the August 3rd signing. I just went in her room and she is glued to the book. She loves it!!!
Review written by April Hueftle Watkins.
"The 16 Rule" was an amazing and very relatable read for teenagers and just about any general audience. With humor, romance, the perfect amount of drama and relatable characters full of diversity, I highly recommend this great piece of literature to anyone looking to lose themselves in an interesting and compelling novel.
Eileen Gonzalez Caballero
July 2
Wow talk about a "can't put it down book". I was so hooked, and read it from cover to cover, laughed and cried all at once, revitting, and kept me in suspence throughout the twists and turns through the end. Its definitely a must read, can't wait for the sequel!! Lookin foward to the book singing at Antique Showcase in Covina to celebrate my sister's success. You go girl!
Aaron N Trish Smith
July 20 · Lake Elsinore, CA
Evelyn, I finished reading The 16 Rule today. I loved it!!! I honestly could not put it down. I started it yesterday and I had so many chores to do and errands to run. I found myself upset when I had to stop reading and accomplish my next chore. Over and over again I returned to your book every chance I had until I finished it today. I am excited to read book #2!! The 16 Rule is enjoyable for all ages. What a beautiful love story!!
Christy Callaway
July 2
I got my book yesterday, started reading at 9:30 last night and didn't put it down till I was done at 2:00 this morning! Excellent book and so very much like my family & culture when growing up. This gives Hispanic readers something visible to relate too, which is important and so very cool! I can't wait for the next one and for you to sign my copy! Congrats to Evelyn Gonzalez!!!!!!
Phil Caballero
June 29
My sister-in-law has written an amazing book. She says it's written for teenage girl but I have to disagree. I is so well written that I sat on my couch and read it in one sitting. My but is still a little numb. I highly recommend it to any one who was ever fifteen. It hits a little close to home and is very thought provoking if you have teenage kids like I do. Congratulations Evelyn Gonzalez and I hope to see more books from you.