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kaitrates's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Aurora saved lives and Manuela made art and Luz Alana made rum, but each of them found joy and passion in their work. They' been reared to be ladies, but they found purpose beyond society's expectations. Manuela could no longer let her life be dictated by others. Not even by th ewoman who owned her heart.
Y'all I FINISHED A BOOK! MY FIRST BOOK IN NEARLY A MONTH! HUZZAH!
Ok this was my third time trying to read this. The beginning didn't hook me this time either; however, I was ✨determined✨ to finish b/c: I want out of this slump so badly!
I'm so glad I did because this one did grow on me eventually and left me very satisfied in the end. Manuela is my girl and I simply adore her and her effervescence and her determination to slut it up for a summer.
I really struggled to like Cora, sadly. I understood her motivations and why she made the decisions she did but I didn't agree with them and hated how she hardened herself. I was so glad that her aunt, stepson, and, eventually, Manu, reallllly let her have it straight (even though yes I felt ad that they kicked her while she was down).
Regardless, this is how you do a character arc! Both Manu and Cora's arcs were incredible and I loved watching them step into their own power and identify what and whose opinion really mattered to them.
This was a sensual feast, from the art descriptions to the parties to the sex scenes (in true Herrera fashion). I was disappointed we didn't get a "teach me" type moment from Cora—like I fully expected her high handedness to spill over into the bedroom—even though it did make sense for Manuela to dive right in. Pun intended.
Other things I loved: Tia Osiris (I legit want a generational saga with her story), Alfie (can we please get him his HEA?!), and seeing more of Apollo and Aurora who I just know are gonna wreck me when their book comes out next year. High key cannot wait to see them get wrecked for one another. 🤭
All in all, I'm so glad I read this one and that Herrera is writing historicals!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
callidoralblack's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
madscientistcat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
ajb24's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Since I loved the first book, I had high expectations going into this; and after reading the author's note I really wanted to love this! Unfortunately this just didn't do it for me :/
I DID love the ending reconciliation, but mainly for its broader themes of self-determination, perseverance, and acceptance. The actual relationship kinda fell flat for me. Something about the initial setup of the relationship (as a business transaction) gave me the ick, and nothing that happened afterwards fully convinced me that Cora and Manuela have a "real" relationship (like, a foundation that goes deeper than lust and necessity.)
There were also several typos I came across which is always disappointing to see in published work.
I DID love the ending reconciliation, but mainly for its broader themes of self-determination, perseverance, and acceptance. The actual relationship kinda fell flat for me. Something about the initial setup of the relationship (as a business transaction) gave me the ick, and nothing that happened afterwards fully convinced me that Cora and Manuela have a "real" relationship (like, a foundation that goes deeper than lust and necessity.)
There were also several typos I came across which is always disappointing to see in published work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
toffishay's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
readsandsuch's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked it, but didn’t love it. It was too cyclical and slow. I thought the “scandal” would play a bigger role than it actually did.
I do really love how this series highlights latina women in professional spaces.
I do really love how this series highlights latina women in professional spaces.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Lesbophobia
Minor: Infidelity
carbs666's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
The badness of the title of this book stopped me from reading it for months but I'm glad I finally did because it is genuinely very good!! There's so much to love here - kismet meetings, chemistry, yearning, mixing business and pleasure, hotnsex scenes, art lesbians coming together to form a collective and support each other's aspirations!
I think the thing I liked most was the resolution. Cora didn't get to make a grand gesture and have all her sins forgiven, and Manuela had to learn to live by her values and stand on her own two feet. Overall I really enjoyed this book and strongly recommend it!
I think the thing I liked most was the resolution. Cora didn't get to make a grand gesture and have all her sins forgiven, and Manuela had to learn to live by her values and stand on her own two feet. Overall I really enjoyed this book and strongly recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
takarakei's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.25
Wish we got more of the 'dates'/ nightlife experiences on page (as opposed to just being told about them) as that was the basis for Cora and Manuela's meeting.
🌶️4/5
🌶️4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship and Violence
emfass's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This one did not capture me as much as A Caribbean Heiress in Paris for whatever reason, but YES PLEASE to Adriana Herrera writing historicals and just anything, really. LOVED reading about a sapphic historical romance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
meganbyrd77's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Lesbophobia