Scan barcode
radioactve_piano's review against another edition
2.0
I just am not generally a fan of the power dynamics in Herrara's books, sadly, so I think I should probably stop trying them. Ridiculous tropes on tropes in this one (but that's because she could, and I'm betting it was super fun to write), and pretty great editing (no grammar things that bothered me in other books, so yay Harlequin...?). But yeah, I just am not a huge fan of the characters. Oh well!
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
bookish_corner's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
I didn't like it as much as the first. But it was a decent second chance romance, and still had Adriana's charm and wit. I do really like her writing overall and definitely want to dig into her backlist.
I liked Perla as a character and understood where she was coming from. My main issue with the book was Gael- I didn't like how he was hot and cold through the entire book. This is another second chance romance but their initial break up reasoning was not very compelling. I felt Perla was too easily forgiving and I wish she would have stood up for herself more. It also had a few romance tropes thrown in that felt a bit contrived. Their communication was also a bit off as they got each other's backgrounds from the side characters instead of talking to each other. But I did like the mention of couple's counselling in the end so I was rooting for them to overcome their issues and be together at the end.
I did like the side characters and family dynamics and I am hoping all the siblings get their books as I do enjoy this LatinX media world Adriana has created and would love to read more in this series.
I didn't like it as much as the first. But it was a decent second chance romance, and still had Adriana's charm and wit. I do really like her writing overall and definitely want to dig into her backlist.
I liked Perla as a character and understood where she was coming from. My main issue with the book was Gael- I didn't like how he was hot and cold through the entire book. This is another second chance romance but their initial break up reasoning was not very compelling. I felt Perla was too easily forgiving and I wish she would have stood up for herself more. It also had a few romance tropes thrown in that felt a bit contrived. Their communication was also a bit off as they got each other's backgrounds from the side characters instead of talking to each other. But I did like the mention of couple's counselling in the end so I was rooting for them to overcome their issues and be together at the end.
I did like the side characters and family dynamics and I am hoping all the siblings get their books as I do enjoy this LatinX media world Adriana has created and would love to read more in this series.
bau9's review against another edition
4.0
Snowed in, second chance romance and fake dating a hot Hollywood star?
SIGN ME IN
Perla and Gael were college sweethearts that after breaking up, they stop seeing each other for six years.
Because of a new project in the Sambrano Studios, Perla Sambrano has to face the one man that she can't forget, Hollywood latinx star, Gael Montez.
After arriving to his home in the Hamptons, there is a snowstorm and Perla finds herself stranded with Gael and his family in Nochebuena pretending to be his girlfriend.
This book is full of emotions, cozyness, and so much sweetness.
I enjoyed so much the family dynamic of the Montezes and I loved how the author shows part of the latinx culture through their food and traditions ❤
I'm voluntarily leaving this review in exchange for an ARC copy
SIGN ME IN
Perla and Gael were college sweethearts that after breaking up, they stop seeing each other for six years.
Because of a new project in the Sambrano Studios, Perla Sambrano has to face the one man that she can't forget, Hollywood latinx star, Gael Montez.
After arriving to his home in the Hamptons, there is a snowstorm and Perla finds herself stranded with Gael and his family in Nochebuena pretending to be his girlfriend.
This book is full of emotions, cozyness, and so much sweetness.
I enjoyed so much the family dynamic of the Montezes and I loved how the author shows part of the latinx culture through their food and traditions ❤
I'm voluntarily leaving this review in exchange for an ARC copy
hannahmichele5's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to an unexpected work road trip today I was able to listen to this whole book today. I loved this sweet Christmas second-chance romance so much. It had everything I’ve come to LOVE from Adriana Herrera who has become one of my favorite authors this year.
kelleenmoriarty's review against another edition
4.0
This is the tropiest troptastic romance full of tropes and it was so fun! The second in Adriana Herrera's Harlequin Desire Sambrano Studios series, this quick, tight romance is a second chance, snowed in, fake relationship with fantastic, Latinx and Afro-Latinx leads. It is so lush and sexy, and hot enough to warm up any winter's night. Both Pearla and Gael are compelling, dynamic leads and their love is so easy to root for. There are also a lot of fun Romancelandia Easter eggs scattered throughout!
If you loved, You Had Me At Hola, this one is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC!
If you loved, You Had Me At Hola, this one is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC!
earl_of_book_dragon's review against another edition
4.0
* Hats off to the Easter egg mentioning Jasmine from Carmen in Charge, really from You Had Me at Holla, by Alexis Daria! *
I liked the story and the characters a lot. It’s hard to pack so much Into a category romance, but this author knows how to get it done. I love the found family and close knit family parts of this. I was only disappointed Perla and Gael didn’t talk over their past more, they sure thought about it a lot.
I liked the story and the characters a lot. It’s hard to pack so much Into a category romance, but this author knows how to get it done. I love the found family and close knit family parts of this. I was only disappointed Perla and Gael didn’t talk over their past more, they sure thought about it a lot.
lenoreo's review against another edition
4.0
https://celebrityreaders.com/2021/12/13/just-for-the-holidays-by-adriana-herrera/
4 stars — Well this was a solid second chance celebrity romance! I have quite a few books by Ms. Herrera in my collection, but surprisingly this is the first I’ve read (if you don’t count hearing her read from her book at an event). I kind of love that Harlequin is really embracing the move forward to include more books with characters of colour by authors of colour, and not having it be a separate line. As a white girl, I always felt a bit intimidated trying out a line that’s not marketed towards me (which is my own fault), but I doubt I’m alone.
Anyways. Gael had your typical hero moments of believing something rather silly since childhood, but because it made an impact that young, it stuck with him. It was a tiny bit frustrating, but I’ve definitely read worse, more thickheaded men. And even though he did have great support from the female family in his life, it still took him a bit to get his head screwed on right. But we got satisfying moments where you could see that foundation cracking along the way, so it made it worth it when he got there eventually. And it felt more authentic that he had to straighten himself out, and not just believe someone else immediately. I loved the way he loved his family, and had great relationships with them. And I loved how much he appreciated Perla, and missed her, and how you could see it in so many little ways.
Perla was a fantastic strong heroine to love. I appreciated that she may have been more meek and vulnerable in the past, but the Perla we meet is working her way to the strong woman she always was inside. She wasn’t all the way there, but she gets closer and closer as the book goes on. She’s passionate about her work, sassy, caring…just pretty easy to love. I could tell how much her new family mattered to her, and how much she wanted that love and togetherness.
They were pretty awesome together too. Yes, there was a lot of tension and conflict given their history, but you could feel the chemistry between them.
Lots of great secondary characters, my favourites definitely being Gael’s family — his twin Gabi, his Mom, and his Abuela. They were just kind of perfect. And seeing glimpses of Esme has me curious about her book now.
There was even a fantastic mention of a character from Alexis Daria’s You Had Me at Hola!! I was like “wait, isn’t that…?” and it was!! Super fun.
So yeah. Had some great holiday moments, and was a solid second chance book.
4 stars — Well this was a solid second chance celebrity romance! I have quite a few books by Ms. Herrera in my collection, but surprisingly this is the first I’ve read (if you don’t count hearing her read from her book at an event). I kind of love that Harlequin is really embracing the move forward to include more books with characters of colour by authors of colour, and not having it be a separate line. As a white girl, I always felt a bit intimidated trying out a line that’s not marketed towards me (which is my own fault), but I doubt I’m alone.
Anyways. Gael had your typical hero moments of believing something rather silly since childhood, but because it made an impact that young, it stuck with him. It was a tiny bit frustrating, but I’ve definitely read worse, more thickheaded men. And even though he did have great support from the female family in his life, it still took him a bit to get his head screwed on right. But we got satisfying moments where you could see that foundation cracking along the way, so it made it worth it when he got there eventually. And it felt more authentic that he had to straighten himself out, and not just believe someone else immediately. I loved the way he loved his family, and had great relationships with them. And I loved how much he appreciated Perla, and missed her, and how you could see it in so many little ways.
Perla was a fantastic strong heroine to love. I appreciated that she may have been more meek and vulnerable in the past, but the Perla we meet is working her way to the strong woman she always was inside. She wasn’t all the way there, but she gets closer and closer as the book goes on. She’s passionate about her work, sassy, caring…just pretty easy to love. I could tell how much her new family mattered to her, and how much she wanted that love and togetherness.
They were pretty awesome together too. Yes, there was a lot of tension and conflict given their history, but you could feel the chemistry between them.
Lots of great secondary characters, my favourites definitely being Gael’s family — his twin Gabi, his Mom, and his Abuela. They were just kind of perfect. And seeing glimpses of Esme has me curious about her book now.
There was even a fantastic mention of a character from Alexis Daria’s You Had Me at Hola!! I was like “wait, isn’t that…?” and it was!! Super fun.
So yeah. Had some great holiday moments, and was a solid second chance book.
megfang315's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
loveinpanels's review against another edition
5.0
Everything I want in a soapy holiday romance. The perfect balance of sweet and angst.