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caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Island Affair is a summer romance about genuinely likeable characters but at times felt too sad and/or serious.
LOVED
• Location, location, location. I was totally transported to Key West.
• Summer vacation romance / fling? Sign me up!
• That cover is gorgeous.
• The Latinx representation!
• Luis and Sara are genuinely kind people.
• The strong role that both family and faith play in their lives.
ON THE FENCE – Although I am not a fan of the fake dating trope, it could have worked in this story because it was a summer vacation romance . . . IF the story had taken place over a longer period of time, not just seven days.
DISLIKED
• I totally buy into insta-lust in romance but this book was about insta- emotional trust and vulnerability. It was not earned over time, like it should in healthy relationships, and it made me uncomfortable.
• This was not a slow burn romance, yet it was a slow read.
• The story felt a bit too serious at times due to Luis and Sara’s individual issues. A little humor goes a long way, especially with the fake dating trope.
TW: cancer, car accident, eating disorder, death (Luis and his brothers are EMTs/firefighters, so this is a big part of their life / line of work)
LOVED
• Location, location, location. I was totally transported to Key West.
• Summer vacation romance / fling? Sign me up!
• That cover is gorgeous.
• The Latinx representation!
• Luis and Sara are genuinely kind people.
• The strong role that both family and faith play in their lives.
ON THE FENCE – Although I am not a fan of the fake dating trope, it could have worked in this story because it was a summer vacation romance . . . IF the story had taken place over a longer period of time, not just seven days.
DISLIKED
• I totally buy into insta-lust in romance but this book was about insta- emotional trust and vulnerability. It was not earned over time, like it should in healthy relationships, and it made me uncomfortable.
• This was not a slow burn romance, yet it was a slow read.
• The story felt a bit too serious at times due to Luis and Sara’s individual issues. A little humor goes a long way, especially with the fake dating trope.
TW: cancer, car accident, eating disorder, death (Luis and his brothers are EMTs/firefighters, so this is a big part of their life / line of work)
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, and Sexual content
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another amazing book from Oliveras! I'm fairly new to the Latinx Romance scene but she has quickly become a favorite!
From the meet-cute all the way to the end I was hooked. I actually really like it when both the guy and the girl have a lot to work through in their personal lives.
I'm not a huge fan of duplicity, but it wasn't really their goal in this book to lie so much as help each other out I actually rather enjoyed it. It had a huge "The Wedding Date" vibes and that is one of my favorite movies.
I loved the theme of familia throughout this book. I loved that Luis never missed mass or family dinner.
I also loved that Sara spoke Spanish. It is always fun when a white girl shocks the Hispanics (I know because it is one of my favorite things to do).
I loved visiting Key West. I loved the historical sights, the beaches, the food, and everything. It totally made me wish I could go right now.
One of my favorite parts were the very realistic and authentic character flaws of so many of the characters, but especially Sara and Luis. No spoilers, but I really got invested in reading as they grew and worked through some of their hang ups. I also appreciated the very real struggles they were dealing with. I like books that don't sugar coat issues.
I cannot wait to read book two and any other books Oliveras writes!
From the meet-cute all the way to the end I was hooked. I actually really like it when both the guy and the girl have a lot to work through in their personal lives.
I'm not a huge fan of duplicity, but it wasn't really their goal in this book to lie so much as help each other out I actually rather enjoyed it. It had a huge "The Wedding Date" vibes and that is one of my favorite movies.
I loved the theme of familia throughout this book. I loved that Luis never missed mass or family dinner.
I loved visiting Key West. I loved the historical sights, the beaches, the food, and everything. It totally made me wish I could go right now.
One of my favorite parts were the very realistic and authentic character flaws of so many of the characters, but especially Sara and Luis. No spoilers, but I really got invested in reading as they grew and worked through some of their hang ups. I also appreciated the very real struggles they were dealing with. I like books that don't sugar coat issues.
I cannot wait to read book two and any other books Oliveras writes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Cancer, Car accident, Death, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, and Self harm
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