Reviews

Just for the Holidays... by Adriana Herrera

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thenaptimewriter's review against another edition

3.0

Thanks to the author & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

Second chance romance often isn’t my fave but I don’t turn down an opportunity for a new Adriana Herrera book.

Just for the Holidays is a second chance, snowed in, fake dating romance between an executive in charge of casting & the *super* hot Hollywood actor who unexpectedly dumped her six years ago, after they’d been together & in love for two.

Perla Sambrano has never forgotten Gael Montez. But she wants him to sign on to a series made by her family’s studio about a Puerto Rican freedom fighter & she thinks she can get him to do it. Even though feelings

stephsromancebooktalk's review against another edition

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4.0

4 Stars / 2.5 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.

womanwill's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.0

risseandshine's review against another edition

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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

4.5

4.5 stars!

This was surprisingly so sweet! And I definitely liked this better than the previous installment. When I found out that, in addition to being a second chance romance this is also has a fake dating aspect, (I jumped into this without reading the blurb) I was SOLD. Not to mention I rooted so hard for both the characters, which is a win in my book.

Even though this didn't really focus too much on the holidays just like the title suggests, I'd still recommend this quick and sweet read during Christmastime. I hope the author writes more books in this series! (Marcos and Onyx????? My interest is piqued...)

ladysadiereads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? No

4.0

At this point, Adriana Herrera is an autobuy author for me. (Even these Harlequin titles that are short and with less steam than some of her other stuff.) I loved Perla. I would read all the books about Perla. She is learning to hold space for herself and stand up in her own way. Gael is also wildly wonderful. A bit dashing like a proper silver screen star, and a bit broody like a good romance hero. Their deep connection was lovely and I would have wanted to hang in that angst and see more of it honestly. I also just love the supporting cast - except for.... who won't be mentioned. Be ready to be hungry from the descriptions of the food and have all the heart squeezes.

TL/DR Review
Stars: four stars (would have been more but it is short and I was left wanting.)
Steam: moderate levels of steam - slow burn but not on the kinkier side of Herrera's backlist
Tropes: fake dating, second chance, snowed in
For Fans Of: Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert
Theme Song: Winter Song by Ingrid Michealson and Sara Bareilles
Subgenre: contemporary romance
CW/ TW: family manipulations, mentions/ references to parental abandonment

Content Warnings