It used to be that I obsessed over Ares Hidalgo from afar.
But that was before he climbed
–Through My Window
Sometimes it can be difficult to choose your next read. Other times the choice is made for you. That’s what happened when I decided to check out Through My Window by Ariana Godoy. As most people may already know, Ariana is a very popular author on Wattpad and is ranked as number one in the Spanish-language teen fiction writer’s category. I wasn’t familiar with her until recently when I saw the trailer for the upcoming Netflix film that has been adapted from her book A través de mi Ventana. Through My Window is the English translation of the book which was released this month.
When I saw the trailer, I had to know more. Book to screen adaptations are very popular and it’s one of the things that often introduces readers to a new author or even a new genre they hadn’t typically been interested in. We love Romance here at Fangirlish, so it wasn’t a hard choice for us to check this book out. I personally love to read a book before watching the film or television series its based on. Some people prefer to read the book afterwards, but I feel like reading the book gives me more insight that I wouldn’t necessarily get just from the film on its own.
As I mentioned, we love Romance. One of my favorite genres is New Adult because it’s got just enough angst and the stories can be really relatable. It’s a genre I wish was around when I was a teen. Through My Window checked off all these boxes for me.
Here’s the synopsis:
Raquel Álvarez is hardworking and serious about her future. She’s only got one goal—to become a psychologist. Well, that and to get Ares Hildago to notice her.
For as long as Raquel can remember, she has been obsessed with Ares. Even though he lives next door, Raquel has never spoken to him. Yet, she can’t help thinking there’s more to him than his rich, hot playboy image. . . and she can’t help imagining what it’d feel like to kiss him.
After a chance encounter reveals her crush is anything but unrequited, their steamy attraction grows into what can only be described as hands-down hot. They fall hard and fast for one another.
Raquel is all in with Ares. But Ares can’t, or won’t, commit. His life has been spelled out for him from the beginning. Once he’s done with school, he’ll join the family business. For now? Stay cool. Stay unconnected. And don’t fall in love.
What burns bright burns fast, but for Ares and Raquel, can it last?
Through My Window was one of those reads that I just couldn’t put down. From beginning to end I was drawn in. I invested so much of myself into Raquel and Ares’s relationship, and I was rooting for them every step of the way. When I first started reading this book, I thought it was going to be more of an enemy to lovers’ type of story, but I was wrong. Sure, Raquel and Ares have their moments with one another but their feelings for each other are undeniable and that trumps everything else. If you like stories like After by Anna Todd, this is the perfect book for you because it is very reminiscent of that.
Raquel and Ares don’t have the same familial issues that Hardin and Tessa do but like Hardin and Tessa, they have a lot of obstacles to overcome. Ares has commitment issues, and he tends to mess with Raquel’s emotions. She puts up with a lot from Ares, but I was happy with her refusal to let him constantly keep her hanging on by a thread because he couldn’t make up his mind about the two of them. I was also glad that we learned why Ares felt so conflicted about admitting his feelings to Raquel because it made me understand him so much better. His reasoning was actually a very relatable one that even I could identify with.
Through My Window doesn’t have a whole lot of conflict like I thought it would, but it is a really good story because it is literally a book about teenagers falling in love. They are dealing with everything it means to be a teenager. Transitioning into adulthood as they navigate their final year of High School, and falling in love on top of that adds just the right amount of drama.
Character development is so important in any story, and I was glad that there was so much growth from both Raquel and Ares. Their relationship gets better when Ares begins to open up because as we all know communication is key. Also, the fact that both of them support each other in their educational goals, that’s swoon-worthy right there. We love a supportive couple.
I have to talk about the love scenes too because while it’s not the reason we read the books per se; it is important to have good love scenes that don’t make us want to cringe. None made me cringe thankfully. Also, Ariana is really good at writing sexual tension because I was feeling it all the way until the very first kiss. Those slow burn moments in books always get me.
While I enjoyed all of the love scenes in Through My Window, what I loved more was the intimacy. Those moments when Raquel and Ares were just sharing the same space and having deep conversations were so meaningful.
Now, to the things I didn’t particularly care for. Like I said, I really enjoyed this story and Ariana’s writing however, there were a few inner monologues from Raquel that got a little repetitive. The number of times I heard “Virgin of abdominals” was very much like EL James’s use of the “Inner Goddess” in Anastasia Steeles head. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by that considering there is a reference to Fifty Shades of Grey in this book. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind inner monologues at all but when it’s the same thing said over and over, it’s a little eye-roll inducing and pretty soon it just becomes something you want to skip over when you see it coming.
My other issue was the overconsumption of alcohol. Now I know that may not be a big deal and I know people are like, “But teens drink.” That may be true but, it was literally everywhere and at every single thing Raquel went to. Even the prom. I get that teens drink, but it was excessive at times.
Despite these things that I mentioned above, Through My Window really is a good story. It actually brought me to tears and I truly wasn’t expecting that at all. There were so many endearing moments and even after I finished the book, I found myself wanting more of Raquel and Ares. Their story doesn’t feel done to me and I would not mind getting another book about them in the near future.
Favorite Quotes
- “I’m the most interesting girl you’ve ever met in your life.”
- “I get why they say, ‘never judge a book by its cover.’ You have a beautiful cover, but your content is empty, and you’re not a book I’m interested in reading.”
- Asking for forgiveness can be so difficult. It requires maturity and courage. Admitting that you were wrong means facing yourself. It means facing the fact that you are not perfect and never will be, and that you are capable of making mistakes like everyone else.
- The worst mistakes are those that you can’t erase. No matter if someone apologizes, no matter how much they do, it leaves a scar on your heart. Scars that still hurt when you remember them.
- “Don’t give up on me, love me, chase me, but don’t forget me, please.”
- The one who felt everything, and the one who felt nothing. Now we both feel more than enough.
Through My Window is available now wherever books are sold. The film adaptation will premiere February 4th on Netflix.