I’m in love with a novela again. I was heartbroken when Amor Bravío ended and have been searching for a novel to take its place. I thought La Tempestad would do that, but it didn’t measure up. Porque El Amor Manda was good, but it still wasn’t at the level of Amor Bravío .

In November, Univision began airing Lo Que La Vida Me Robó and I finally found what I’ve been looking for — characters and storylines that keep me coming back for more.

The love triangle is what really hooked me. Montserrat first falls in love with José Luis, but he never makes the move to talk to her father about them and Montserrat’s mother, Graciela, doesn’t like him because he has no money.

Montserrat’s family stands to lose everything. So what does Graciela do? She brings in Alejandro who has just inherited his father’s hacienda.

From the time they met on the beach, Alejandro has been in love with Montserrat. For him, it is love at first sight. He makes a deal with Graciela that he will help out the family, but he wants Montserrat. Of course, he wants Montserrat to love him in return. That isn’t so easy. Montserrat hates him, but she makes Alejandro believe she is in love with him. It isn’t until they get married that Alejandro learns the truth.

While I felt bad for Alejandro, I also thought he was loco. How could he possibly think Montserrat was in love with him? She ran hot and cold all the way up to the wedding. Is that a woman in love? I think not.

In a freakish set of circumstances, José Luis is framed for murder by Graciela and Montserrat’s brother, Dimitrio, he fakes his death, and ends up working for Alejandro under the name of Antonio. Despite several attempts by José Luis to get Montserrat to leave with him, Montserrat tells him she can’t go because she is married. Also, despite all the problems they have had, Montserrat has fallen in love with Alejandro.

José Luis is a good man because he saves Alejandro’s life a couple of times. The second time forces him to have to leave because the police are after him for killing a crooked cop. Alejandro, being a good man himself, helps José Luis escape.

Lo Que La Vida Me Robó has its villains. Graciela and Dimitrio are obviously evil. They will do whatever it takes to get their hands on money, including sending an innocent man to jail. Pedro Medina , the mayor, is corrupt and is set on making Alejandro’s life miserable. I was glad to see Juventino and Efraín Loreto get their due. Juventino thought he was such a big shot, running his little gang and doing whatever Loreto wanted and then Loreto kills him. I wish someone would take care of Pedro, but he’s a good villain so I have a feeling he’ll be around for a while.

If you’re looking for a good novela, I highly recommend Lo Que La Vida Me Robó. Thank you Televisa for producing a novela worthy of my time.

Are you watching Lo Que La Vida Me Robó? What do you like about it?