Houston, We Have a Problema

Gwen Zepeda's novel "Houston, We Have a Problema" is bound to be pushed into some pretty narrow genre categories -- latina chick lit, perhaps -- which is a pity, because Zepeda has written an engaging and fun work that transcends its regional and cultural environment and is quite simply a well-written and entertaining piece of work. Jessica Luna is a single twentysomething standing on the edge of change. She finds herself confronting the prospects of changing jobs while at the same time hurtling towards decisions that must be made in her dating life, romantic choices that seem to mirror her career in flux. She jockeys for promotion at an insurance company job that she finds unfulfilling even as she dreams of a career in the art world. At the same time, she teeters between Jonathan, the successful Anglo executive who represents safety but also a step away from her passion and her culture, and the temperamental artist Guillermo, who frustrates her with his unreliability even as he haunts her on a visceral, emotional level. Jessica's superstitious nature leads her to consult Madame Hortensia, a pragmatic fortune teller whose guidance mostly serves to turn her gaze inward. Jessica Luna will find her own answers, if only she can learn to trust her heart. "Houston, We Have a Problema" reads like good solid chick lit, but Zepeda delves into topics of race and family dysfunction that give the novel an unexpected depth. It does so, however, with subtlety and humor, and most of all with nuanced, believable characters. This isn't a book I would have naturally gravitated to, mostly because of the genre, but to have missed out on this charming story would have been a real pity. I've been aware of Gwen Zepeda's writing for a while now, but with "Houston, We Have a Problema", she now has my undivided attention.

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (4/09) Jessica Luna is single, attractive and smart. She has a job that pays relatively well, freelances in a field that makes her happy, goes partying with good friends and has a devastatingly handsome lover, if not quite a boyfriend. There are tons of people more than willing to advise her on how to lead her life. Her mother's advice on whom to date and whom not infuriates Jessica greatly, since she thinks that advice will only lead her down the same path her sister Sabrina took. Sabrina married a nice guy, but not a Latino, and in Jessica's eyes she's a bit of a "coconut" (brown on the outside, white on the inside). Her coworkers think she should try for a promotion within the company; her friends think she should take her freelancing full-time and forget the corporate world. Her lover, Guillermo, makes her happy in bed, but also makes her feel neglected and forgotten most of the time outside of it. Jessica's also extremely superstitious and looks for "signs" in any and everything, which also means she consults the local psychic, Madame Hortensia, before any decision, no matter how small. Madame Hortensia's readings are ambiguous at best, but Jessica follows them like gospel. When those readings announce the upcoming major change, Jessica braces for it - but is she really ready? A not-so-chance meeting with one of her brother-in-law's coworkers, Jonathan, throws her for a spin. Is she ready to date outside of her race? Is Jonathan seeing her as "exotic" and only dating her because of that? Should she return to Guillermo? I've greatly enjoyed Gwendolyn Zepeda's "Houston, we have a problema" by Gwendolyn Zepeda. While it is clearly geared towards the Latina population, Jessica's struggle with her identity as well as her growing-up process should strike a chord with any chick-lit lover. Sprinkled with enough humor, and written in an engaging, chatty style, the book delves quite deeply into the matters of one's identity and quest for it. The characters are engaging and fully fleshed, and their dilemmas, actions and reactions fresh and interesting. Whether the reader is among the many who like to consult psychics or firmly in the ranks of skeptics, I am sure that Madame Hortensia's explanation of readings will amuse them greatly. Contemporary, engaging and heart-warming, this book screams for a sequel!

Houston, We Have A Problema is the story of Jessica Luna and her various life trials. She is trying to come to terms with her own racial identity, the racial identity of others, familial expectation and career aspirations. The story follows her through destructive relationships, conflicts with her family, and failed (and successful) career aspirations. Needless to say I loved this book. I was so entertained by this book. I had trouble putting it down. I fell in love with Jessica on page one and was sad to leave her at the end of the book. Jessica was such a compelling character even though there was nothing really extraordinary about her. She is a normal girl in her early 20's trying to find her way. I can really identify with that. I found myself laughing sometimes because something in Jessica's life reminded me so much of my own life. Jessica is a character you will cheer for. She never becomes boring or annoying as some characters can become. Zepeda portrays Jessica's faults as well as her virtues equally. Another particular draw to Houston, We Have A Problema is Zepeda's writing style. It is so vibrant, so engaging. The author really draws you into the story from the beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a really, really good book to distract them. It is wonderful. I can't wait to see what Gwendolyn Zepeda does next.

Houston, We Have a Problema by Gwendolyn Zepeda Jessica Luna is a not so average Latina 20 something career woman, with all the problems that comes with it. She is stagnating in her job, she has some issues with her younger married sister, her mother and father are having their own difficulties, and of course she has problems with her love life. Many, many problems. But most of all she has problems of knowing herself and helping herself. So, she does what any other non-typical 20 something would do to help with her life's path...she relies on the "plastic Virgin Mary that hangs in her car" and has weekly visits with her neighborhood psychic, Madame Hortensia!!! Funny, introspective, thought provoking are just some of the adjectives I would use to describe this thoroughly delightful novel that deals in issues a bit more important than just your average chick lit The biggest issue; the one that is the "pink-elephant" in the room. is the issue of racism. This is an issue that is handled with skill and finesse by Ms. Zepeda, although not until the last few eye-opening chapters. I loved this novel. I couldn't put it down until I finished every page of it. Well plotted, tightly written and very amusing secondary characters. I cheered for Jessica to get her head clear and see her potential in a new light, and she does! Although I felt that several secondary characters were given a bit of a short shrift and deserved to be fleshed out a bit more, I suppose had they been given bigger parts they may have taken away from the course of action Jessica finally takes. I did wonder, though, what the heck happened between her and Xavier? Well who knows? Maybe Ms Zepeda has plans for another book starring Jessica Luna? I for one can only hope!

Gwendolyn Zepeda has made a grand entrance as a novelist. After a great collection of short stories and a children's book Zepeda proves her wide range of talent again. Houston, We Have a Problema is a fun book to read. The heroine Jessica is hilarious and there are many other memorable characters, like her best friend Toby and her bossy big sister. Madame Hortensia is the busy fortune teller who means well, as she tries to give Jessica advice or tries to sell her soap that will make her break out in a rash. This book will have you laughing all the way through!