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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
4.25 Stars / 3 Steam Fans
Video review available in Week 49: Dec 5 – Dec 11, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Video review available in Week 49: Dec 5 – Dec 11, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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
A solid 4 star read!
I listened to this via audio and it felt like I was listening to a telenovela. Definitely a nostalgic experience for ms. Also I'm not one to gravitate towards Harlequin books, but this book makes me want to explore them more. The publisher and this particular author's works for that matter.
I'm very interested to read the next installment, especially because of the heroine and the holiday theme. (Actually, I think I might pick it up right after this one?)
I listened to this via audio and it felt like I was listening to a telenovela. Definitely a nostalgic experience for ms. Also I'm not one to gravitate towards Harlequin books, but this book makes me want to explore them more. The publisher and this particular author's works for that matter.
I'm very interested to read the next installment, especially because of the heroine and the holiday theme. (Actually, I think I might pick it up right after this one?)
Audiobook: 3.5 - this was a quick listen & my first Adriana book. This was also my first second chance romance (that I can recall) and I am all about this trope! I am looking forward to reading her other books.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I completely devoured this book. I loved the characters and found myself rooting for both of them. I adored Esmeralda's character and how she went after what she wanted - in everything. She was such a badass. Will definitely be continuing the series.
Thank you to the publisher and author for my ARC copy!
This was very cute! But... it felt very rushed. It reads more like a novella and coming in at just over 200 pages it felt like there was a lot to work through.
I deeply loved Esme from page one - she knows who she is, and while she can jump to conclusions she knows when she is wrong but she is consistently brave and bold. Rodrigo felt a little... wishy-washy to me. I wanted to like him the whole time and I did in the end - but sometimes it felt like he was in fact a sell-out and it wasn't a good look. Their connection was intense but so much of it was just referenced in short bursts that it didn't carry the weight Herrera seemed to be aiming for. Again - a lot of this felt like it happened because it was short.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam:
This was very cute! But... it felt very rushed. It reads more like a novella and coming in at just over 200 pages it felt like there was a lot to work through.
I deeply loved Esme from page one - she knows who she is, and while she can jump to conclusions she knows when she is wrong but she is consistently brave and bold. Rodrigo felt a little... wishy-washy to me. I wanted to like him the whole time and I did in the end - but sometimes it felt like he was in fact a sell-out and it wasn't a good look. Their connection was intense but so much of it was just referenced in short bursts that it didn't carry the weight Herrera seemed to be aiming for. Again - a lot of this felt like it happened because it was short.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam:
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
I love Adriana's style and prose, but this one didn't quite land for me. I LOVE a second chance romance and I think it's perfect for a snappy, Harlequin Desire-length book so I was really excited about what Adriana would do with this trope in this format.
However, there were lots of things about this book that didn't quite track for me. I didn't really understand Rodrigo or the conflict that has kept them apart from the beginning. I felt like a lot of the plot was squishy and I personally didn't feel the tension between these two - either as enemies or as lovers. And finally, it didn't have quite as much sensuality and emotional raunchiness as I expect from an Adriana Herrera book.
On the other hand, I really loved Esme and the strong women in her life. It was such a satisfying quick shot of Afro-Latina badassery.
This might be more your speed if you're looking for something set in NYC and in the television industry. On that note, I didn't grow up with telenovelas or soaps, so I imagine this would hit differently for readers who did and who love that kind of storytelling.
I'll definitely continue to read Adriana's books and am excited for the next in this series.
Thanks to Adriana Herrera for the ARC!
However, there were lots of things about this book that didn't quite track for me. I didn't really understand Rodrigo or the conflict that has kept them apart from the beginning. I felt like a lot of the plot was squishy and I personally didn't feel the tension between these two - either as enemies or as lovers. And finally, it didn't have quite as much sensuality and emotional raunchiness as I expect from an Adriana Herrera book.
On the other hand, I really loved Esme and the strong women in her life. It was such a satisfying quick shot of Afro-Latina badassery.
This might be more your speed if you're looking for something set in NYC and in the television industry. On that note, I didn't grow up with telenovelas or soaps, so I imagine this would hit differently for readers who did and who love that kind of storytelling.
I'll definitely continue to read Adriana's books and am excited for the next in this series.
Thanks to Adriana Herrera for the ARC!
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced