Watercolors and Tears

Title: Watercolors and Tears

Author:  Jose Orlando Casteneda

Genre: Romance

Publisher: EBL Books

Published Date: 2023

Book Length: 310

Format Read: E Book supplied by the author in return for an honest review

Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend

About Book: Manuel, a young Ecuadorian, sells medicinal herbs in the market and paints watercolors in his spare time. In search of a better life, he emigrates to Port Chester (New York). Elvira, his wife, intends to join him by sea, but she is shipwrecked. Her plans change after her rescue, and she ends up in Madrid, where she is employed as a nanny. Antonio, the father of the children in her care, discovers her secretly reading a novel from his antique books collection. He slyly labels a passage with a strip of paper, intending for her to read it. Intrigued, Elvira responds by indicating her own phrases in the book. That’s the beginning of an innocent exchange of literary quotes through which love quietly slips in. While Manuel takes refuge in his paintings and herbal remedies on the other side of the world, Elvira finds herself falling for Antonio. When her hopes are dashed through a casual blunder, she seeks to regain her marital home and travels to Port Chester to be with her husband. Confronted by an unexpected tragedy, she discovers the watercolors that Manuel has painted in his solitude. His brushstrokes cut deep into her heart.

My Thoughts: Watercolors and Tears is a romance novel that follows a couple, Manuel and Elvira, who are separated by circumstance and determined to reunite. Told from both of their perspectives, the story unfolds at a steady pace, immersing the reader in their emotional journey.

Blending gentle romance with harsh realities, the novel is rich in love, sadness, determination, and resilience. Manuel and Elvira are not just lovers but fighters, facing adversity with unwavering strength. My words almost feel inadequate in capturing the depth of their struggles, yet through it all, they remain full of warmth and love.

More than just a romance, Watercolors and Tears explores life’s trials, relationships, and the bonds we share with others. I felt a full spectrum of emotions while reading, which is a testament to Castañeda’s powerful storytelling. This is a beautifully written, deeply moving novel that lingers in the heart long after the last page.