When We Were Widows

A Novel

By: Annette Chavez Macias

Narrated by: Karla Serrato, Cynthia Farrell

In this heartfelt story about finding love in loss, three widows are forced under the same roof, where they’ll need to overcome grief, anger, and old secrets to put their family back together.

Since her husband’s death six months ago, Yesica Diaz-Taylor seems to be taking her grief in stride. Then an angry outburst at work shatters the illusion. Her mandated support group counseling doesn’t help much. Yesica has always kept her feelings close, so even when an unlikely friendship blossoms with the group’s facilitator, she still has reasons for holding back. She’s just not ready to share.

Ana Diaz has been widowed for five years and continues to live life exactly as she did with her late husband. When her house floods, she’s forced to shake things up. Although it was never part of her plan, Ana moves in with her eldest daughter, Yesica. But the new living arrangement tests their already strained relationship.

Shadowed by unresolved tensions, Yesica, Ana, and matriarch Mama Melda must learn to share a home, their heartbreak, and, once and for all, the haunting family secrets that have kept them apart.

©2024 by Annette Macias. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Despite the melancholy subject, this novel is sweet and light, ultimately filling the reader with hope.” —Booklist

“5 stars! Another amazing book by Annette Chavez Macias. I absolutely adored this book. When We Were Widows might even be my favorite of hers. There’s a magically emotional power in Macias’ storytelling that somehow breaks your heart while at the same time repairing it. This compelling and beautifully written story is a true testament to the author’s rare talent and skill. This is a must read. And reread!” —Diana Muñoz Stewart, bestselling author of the Black Ops Confidential series

“A poignant and moving novel that deftly portrays the challenges and triumphs of three incredible women. This story should be on your not-to-be-missed list!” —Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author

Sweet Story

The narration was very good, except for the men’s voices which I felt we’re poor.
I enjoyed the story until the end. The ending wasn’t wrong, just way overly sweet and mushy.

Great read

Great narrator!!! Highly recommend listening to this book—does not disappoint! I am an avid audiobook listener as my commute to work is 30-min…this book kept me wanting to listen for more!

The fact that the mom and daughter shared the same relationship story

Absolutely enjoyed this book and the relationship between mom and daughter and how they navigated being widows

Great read

Loved the plot! Really captured the pain of loss, betrayal, and generational struggles. Couldn’t put it down!

Enjoyed the story though I felt the cultural aspects were somewhat overblown!

As a child who also grew up in Los Angeles in the 40s, 50 & 60s, I could identify with it. My first home was in Bell Gardens until we moved to Whittier. I am not Hispanic but many of my friends & classmates are. I lived during the destruction of Chavez Ravine & the building of Dodger stadium but saw it from a different perspective. Sad that progress often has many losses! I appreciated (as a nurse) the discussion of grief & going through it. An enjoyable read!!

My heart

I absolutely loved this book and related to it sooooo much. Even though I’m not a widow, I am a greiver. It is well-written and narrated. Totally recommend!

Grief 3 ways

I very much enjoyed the story of 3 generations of women dealing with grief and it's complications.

4 stars

When We Were Widows by Annette Chavez Macias is a really good book. I enjoyed the dual points of view for mother Ana and daughter Yesica. I deducted a star because there was so much assuming and very little talking or conversation to connect, as well as some immature actions given their ages. It would have been nice to hear from Mama Melda as she was ironically a widow too.

Karla Serrato as Yesica was okay to listen to, but I wasn't a fan of Cynthia Farrell as Ana. Actually, I liked her as Ana, but her voice for Yesica was borderline whiny and unnaturally breathy.

Family Love Story on Healing

As a Chicana I can relate to this, family secrets, white lies to "spare feelings" that snowball, micro aggressive behavior from coworkers/in-laws, over compensation for imposter syndrome and trying to be a people pleaser due to cheating. My only wish was there were alternating chapters of Ana (mom and Yessica (daughter) but the grandmother's view point was left out of the chapter rotation and I feel it would have been better to hear directly from her in the chapter rotation. Her voice is heard and shared but I feel it would have added to the story to have a 3rd prospective on the other two characters. Definitely a great book.

It's a good story with a happy ending. I like Macias's other books too.

Family

Annette's writing makes me proud to be a Mexican American. She knows exactly how I feel about my own family!! this book was amazing in bringing these women together in such a tragic way.