Pros: Elena takes an exciting opportunity to study for a semester in San Sebastian, Spain. I found it unique that her inspiration to go was mainly to do something that her siblings had not already done and set herself apart from them. She feels like she is constantly in the shadow of her very intelligent siblings and in the story she finds that her creativity is what makes her exquisite in her own way. Elena finds that her new friends and family, including great aunt Elena, best friend Jenna, guy best friend Alex, and love interest Miguel, are willing to help her express her passion of play writing. There also is a classic opposites attract friendship between Elena and Jenna. Elena is very quiet and reserved around everyone, whereas Jenna is much more outgoing and flirtatious. Elena becomes more open to exotic and new things because of how much Jenna rubbed off on her and they do a bunch of fun things together like going to tapas bars, watching flamenco dancers, going to a bull fight, and even taking an adventurous trip to Madrid for a weekend. In the end, Elena finds out who she is while in Spain, just as she had wanted all along, and she realizes that she is talented and wonderful in her own way. Cons: Like in many stories, there is love interest drama between Elena and Miguel and it is quite predictable and dull. They go through the classic stages of does he/she like me, I think they feel the same way, and then the well known misunderstanding leading to confusion. Of course it ends in Elena and Miguel falling for each other and telling how they feel creating a relationship, only to have to say goodbye the next day, and possibly never see each other again. Another bizarre relationship in the story was the one between Elena and Alex. They meet each other and instantaneously become friends because they live in a similar area of California and both also have a passion for play writing, acting, and directing. They have small instances during the trip where they seem to be more than friends or are just acting out of character towards each other, which makes the story seem choppy and like it had not been looked over thoroughly.Recommendation: In this story I got to learn a lot about the culture of Spain, as well as their gorgeous art and architecture. So if anyone is the slightest bit interested about what it would be like to live there for a semester abroad they should absolutely read this book. It helps people learn about the food, architecture, and how it would be to live with a kind host family, which often seems intimidating but this book gives a nice viewpoint of how that could be. I found that the lifestyle there is very intriguing because it is easy going and not rushed, unlike the lifestyle in the US of constantly being in hasty just to get to the next thing. The tapas bars, cafes, boating, and relaxing on the beaches seem very welcoming and made me interested in to hopefully going to Spain one day myself. Overall it is a nice book for anyone interested in a leisurely read or who loves learning about other cultures and lifestyles. I would absolutely recommend this book.
After being a little disappointed with the first S.A.S.S. book I read, I found this one to be quite a nice surprise. I'm not sure it's quite meaty enough for 4 stars but I'd give it 3 1/2 if I could.It is the basic tale of a shy girl who comes out of her shell after discovering her passion and getting chance to develop her talents. Oh, and being thrown into a new setting thousands of miles from home helps, too. Elena is a character I warmed up to right away, and I enjoyed the group of friends she accumulated once she arrived in Spain. There were no real villains in this story, but somehow there was still enough of a plot to keep me engaged.This was especially fun for me since I spent a summer studying in Spain, though I never made it to San Sebastian where this story takes place.
What do You think about Spain Or Shine (2005)?
I found this book to be much too predictable, with Elena coming to Spain, finding a boy, falling for him, and writing a play, which, as we all knew, would be successful. I didn't feel as though the characters were developed enough, with most of them only being mentioned in passing. I wish that this book would have delved further into Elena's relationship with Miguel, or her past with playwriting/acting. Let's hope there is a sequel which will detail more of Elena's future after her time in Spain.
—Maria
This was a VERY good book, i loved it, is part of the S.A.S.S (students/across the/seven/seas) series, where a student travels to some other foriegn country to study abroad, (they are all in high school or collage), anyway, this gir named Elena Holleway goes to Spain for her country, she is part spanish, so she wanted tpo explore her heratige. When she gets there she finds a cute boy, and meets some wild, but great, new friends, and learns who she is as her passion for theatre flourishes. READ ITT:)
—™yourbeautifulnightmaree™
Much more like it. I mean, the last book I read in the series (Pardon my French) was just so unParisian. Now, Elena Holloway experiences a great time in San Sebastian, Spain. It had so much Spanish and detail about Spanish food, Spanish tradition etc.Pardon My French by Cathy Hapka was pretty much a normal time in Paris like a day with a teenage girl like all the boring boyfriend business (:|) and all the bias. I mean, some people like crepes, and according to her, crepes taste awful, which is pretty much to only some people.Spain or Shine had her experience around Spain, except for the theatre, yet she was to study it. However, Miguel wasn't a very fun part to read. Especially the last part.I wouldn't exactly recommend it 'cause I still didn't find it like Heart and Salsa.3 ***s!
—Ninglu
