REVIEW : Flirting in Spanish by Susan McKinney de Ortega

Title : Flirting in Spanish : What Mexico taught me about love, living and forgiveness

Author : Susan McKinney de Ortega

Published : July 1st 2011 by Antaeus Books, Inc.

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Blurb :

"Running from paralyzing memories of an attempted rape and the decade of silence and shame that followed, Ortega lands in Mexico at 33, trying not to fall for a much younger local. In 1992 the author, the daughter of champion NBA coach Jack McKinney, was teaching English to Mexican teenagers when she met 19-year-old Carlos, who ardently pursues her despite the age and huge cultural differences. She resists at first, due to their divergent backgrounds--Ortega's childhood was one of summer vacation rentals and white gloves at Mass, while Carlos was a high school dropout who didn't have running water until age 10. But when she realizes that she is surprised a man could be kind to her like her father, "I didn't feel like a nervous wreck of a person anymore." It's not an instant happy ending as Ortega contends with the extreme poverty Carlos and his family live in, the machismo culture, and her own lingering doubts, with one foot in Mexico and the other wavering. When she finally achieves hard-won contentment, it's a joyous moment.." --Publishers Weekly

*E-book courtesy of the author.




In her thirties, Susan McKinney de Ortega moves to Mexico where she teaches  English to high school students. One student catches her attention : Carlos.  Never did she expect to fall in love with her nineteen year old student.  She resists at first but then realizes they both have feelings for each other and more important, Carlos helps her get through dark times.  She moves in with Carlos and his family but suffers from cultural shock.  The daughter of a champion NBA coach now has to deal with poverty.  In the house there's no water, no telephone and everyone shares the same room.  But love can conquer all and through this, Susan learns more about herself.


The author has wonderfully penned her memoir. The reader gets to "travel" to Mexico and discover their culture and how difficult it can be for someone to adjust to theirs. The author has written about real lives, perfect or not.  Serious issues are dealt with in this book : poverty and attempted rape.  The author doesn't sugarcoat anything.  The writing is so good that you actually feel like you're part of the family in Mexico that sticks together through good times and bad.  It's as if we witness her journey right there with her.  Flirting in Spanish is a touching read that will make you laugh, smile and even shed a tear. 

A recommended read for both fiction and non fiction lovers.

4 out 5 stars!



**Stay tuned for an interview with the author!