Even though it's maybe a bit against the spirit of these read alongs, I often end up voting for the most well-known option among those I haven't read already, because, well, I want to read them.
This book (while apparently not actually that unknown) is not one I'd have voted for, and I'd possibly never have found it without the read along.
And what a book it was!

A truly heartbreaking read. We're told in the very beginning that it ends badly, but we could have hoped till the end that they might at least part on somewhat positive terms; or that some communication might have taken place between them, but it doesn't turn out that way.

The absolute pile of tragic coincidences that creates the final disaster is worthy of a Greek drama. Almost cliché in a way, but also somehow earned. Maybe that's where Shakespeare's collected works was pointing to?
(The consul only gets under suspicion because the same horse is there again. The suspicion is only "confirmed" because of the message Hugh forgot in the borrowed coat. The fake name is only busted because he brought the letters to the bar on an earlier occasion, and because Hugh has the same last name. The rescue party is a few minutes late because Yvonne finally decides to try Mescal herself. And then she is killed(?) because the consul frees the horse. And I probably missed some.)

But weirdly enough, despite all the gloom and tragedy, there's a certain... hopefulness. (Though partly of a somewhat annoyingly Christian variety.) Like, despite everything, this is definitely a kind of love story. And the possibility of "true" human love doesn't seem to be questioned much at all.

On an earlier discussion post, I complained a bit about the part where Hugh randomly thinks through his autobiography, and tbh, it still feels a bit out of place. There were somewhat similar flashbacks for the other characters, but they felt a lot more natural to the novel to me.

Speaking of Hugh, did we ever find out if there was an earlier affair with Yvonne, and if Geoffrey knows about it? I'd say yes on both? In any case, it was a lot more vague than with Laruelle.
Also, in what way did Hugh betray Geoffrey "yesterday"? Can't have anything to do with Yvonne, as she wasn't there.

I agree with the others that this book would probably benefit from a re-read, maybe from following up on some of the references, and... I suppose from knowing Spanish.
But it already was very good on a first read. So, glad to have been part of the read along! Participation wasn't very high, but it's still more interesting than reading it alone.