Description:

Victor and Jaqueline Torres imagined moving to the U.S. would bring happiness and prosperity-instead they found a world of frustration. While Victor put long hours into his restaurant business, Jaqui devoted her life to her daughters, until they grew up and moved on. Even their eldest, Victoria, is torn trying to reconcile being the perfect Argentine daughter and an independent American woman. Antonio and Lucia Orteli face the same realities, especially when their only son Eric leaves their close-knit Argentine community in pursuit of his own dreams. When Eric unexpectedly shows up at the Argentine Club-the heart of the Argentine community in southern California-he starts a series of events that will bring these two families closer than ever. New relationships are formed and old ones are put to the test, as everyone must learn how to balance different cultures-and different dreams-without hurting those they love. ** ### From Publishers Weekly In Amante's warmhearted if flat debut, the Argentine Club provides a place for Argentinean immigrants living in Southern California to keep their cultural traditions alive. For Victoria Torres, 28 and still living with her parents, it also offers the backdrop for a big surprise when her childhood friend, Eric Ortelli, shows up. He's also 28 and single and appears one night at the club like an Adonis. Victoria's immediately attracted but wary as Eric enlists her interior decorating help for his real estate business. Meanwhile, Victoria's parents suffer through marital unrest, and Eric's parents wonder if Eric's home to stay. While Victoria's an engaging lead and the romance that eventually develops between her and Eric is sweet, the story lacks passion, conflict and spice—a real shame, given the possibilities. *(Sept.)* Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ### Review "Julia Amante understands the ties that bind all families regardless of culture and nationality--the struggle for identity, the importance of dreams, and above all, love. I truly enjoyed *Evenings at the Argentine Club*." (***New York Times* bestselling author Jill Marie Landis** ) "*Evenings at the Argentine Club* is a big, beautiful novel of love, family, and the close-knit community they inhabit. By turns touching, funny, tragic, and triumphant, it's the story of an endearing group of people in search of their own American dream. This book is a delightful feast for the reader." (**New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs** ) "In Evenings at the Argentine Club, Julia Amante has created an enchanting community to fall into, true-to-life characters to fall in love with, and a rich story that will fall directly onto readers' keeper shelves. Amante's tale is tantalizing tango for the imagination." (**Lynda Sandoval, award winning author of Unsettling and Who's Your Daddy?** ) "A fresh and unique perspective into a culture that is at once foreign and familiar. I savored every word." (**Julie Leto, *New York Times* bestselling author** ) "An engaging story of family, community and the love the binds it all together. " (***RT Book Reviews*** ) "The story of Victoria and Eric is a story of family, culture, class, success, and love in the vein of the film *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*." (***Booklist*** )