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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
This book literally had me at Hola. I was so drawn to the cover and could not wait to read it! I have followed Alexis Daria on Twitter for quite some time now but had not read any of her books yet. My “to read” pile is taller than I am, and I am always adding to it, but after reading YHMAH, this is going to absolutely change! Can’t wait to go back and read her earlier books.
You Had Me at Hola pairs my love of cheesy soap operas and telenovelas with celebrity gossip, romance, and DRAMA. I could simply not get enough of it. The perfect read for this summer, it features a diverse cast of characters, sex positivity, two very lovable Latinx families, and there is no shortage of sexy moments between Jasmine and Ashton.
I absolutely adored the exaggerated drama and one of my favourite things about the book was how the soap was spliced with “real” life. One chapter we’re reading about all of the drama between Carmen and Victor on the show and the next chapter includes the spectacle that is Jasmine and Ashton’s relationship.
Loved the characters and the story and I am really hoping for a second book in the series!
I received an eARC from Edelweiss+ and Avon/Harper Collins in exchange for a fair and honest review, and I’d like to thank them for the advanced copy.
You Had Me at Hola pairs my love of cheesy soap operas and telenovelas with celebrity gossip, romance, and DRAMA. I could simply not get enough of it. The perfect read for this summer, it features a diverse cast of characters, sex positivity, two very lovable Latinx families, and there is no shortage of sexy moments between Jasmine and Ashton.
I absolutely adored the exaggerated drama and one of my favourite things about the book was how the soap was spliced with “real” life. One chapter we’re reading about all of the drama between Carmen and Victor on the show and the next chapter includes the spectacle that is Jasmine and Ashton’s relationship.
Loved the characters and the story and I am really hoping for a second book in the series!
I received an eARC from Edelweiss+ and Avon/Harper Collins in exchange for a fair and honest review, and I’d like to thank them for the advanced copy.
Honestly, I read You Had Me at Hola partly because of its totally cutesy title and pretty cover and partly because I became exposed to the world of telenovelas from Jane the Virgin. And the romance truly didn't disappoint because there was just so much chemistry between our two leads, Jasmine Lin Rodriguez and Ashton Suárez. I have a soft spot for stories about telenovelas actors who are playing characters falling in love and also - in a twist nobody could've seen coming! - are falling in love in real life.
Jasmine is fresh of out of a bad relationship with a musician, who now finds her love life splashed all over the tabloids: Exclusive details from soap star Jasmine Lin's humiliating breakup with rock star playboy McIntyre. Jasmine's eager to put the past behind her, especially her propensity for falling in love with the wrong guys fast, and to focus on a potentially groundbreaking move for her career - playing the lead character Carmen on Carmen in Charge. However, that's easier said than done when her co-star (and on screen ex-husband, Victor) is played by Ashton, a veteran telenovela star who's looking to break into the US market and who is understandably nervous about how well he would pair with Jasmine:
And trust me, both Jasmine and Ashton had me rooting for them because I just totally enjoyed their dynamics. Ashton was a surprising earnest character, who just seemed so sweet about how guilty he felt over spilling his coffee on Jasmine at their very first encounter. Furthermore, his walls against other people are high for a reason, which causes him to come across as standoffish instead. Meanwhile, Jasmine is also understandably nervous about her first truly bilingual role and that the weight of the show rests on her shoulders - she's aware that there's very little room for error, especially with the paps watching her every move.
Love, at least in stories, is always the sweetest when they least expect it and Jasmine and Ashton definitely do not - though their attraction is totally undeniable! Also, I felt like both of them were complex characters, as Jasmine could've so easily come across as a flighty character who simply doesn't have good sense to not get involved with her costar, when she's fresh off a scandal. However, I felt like I really understood her and how much love she had to give and how much love she was looking for too.
I will say that I'm not entirely sold on the third-person perspective that the book uses because it definitely felt a little like we were being told, instead of shown, a lot about how Jasmine or Ashton were feeling in a particular moment. This choice did work for the show that they were filming but I didn't find it as effective as when the characters themselves were interacting.
Jasmine is fresh of out of a bad relationship with a musician, who now finds her love life splashed all over the tabloids: Exclusive details from soap star Jasmine Lin's humiliating breakup with rock star playboy McIntyre. Jasmine's eager to put the past behind her, especially her propensity for falling in love with the wrong guys fast, and to focus on a potentially groundbreaking move for her career - playing the lead character Carmen on Carmen in Charge. However, that's easier said than done when her co-star (and on screen ex-husband, Victor) is played by Ashton, a veteran telenovela star who's looking to break into the US market and who is understandably nervous about how well he would pair with Jasmine:
Ashton had been cast to play Victor Vega, a famous singer. Originally, Victor had been one of Carmen's clients. But the writers had made a big change - Victor was now going to be Carmen's ex-husband.
An ex-husband was a completely different dynamic than a new love interest. There would be an immediate level of familiarity between the characters, a sense of emotional baggage and underlying sexual tension. The whole story hinged on the developing romance between Carmen and Victor.
And trust me, both Jasmine and Ashton had me rooting for them because I just totally enjoyed their dynamics. Ashton was a surprising earnest character, who just seemed so sweet about how guilty he felt over spilling his coffee on Jasmine at their very first encounter. Furthermore, his walls against other people are high for a reason, which causes him to come across as standoffish instead.
Spoiler
The subplot about Ashton's secret son definitely felt like something that could be from a telenovela!Love, at least in stories, is always the sweetest when they least expect it and Jasmine and Ashton definitely do not - though their attraction is totally undeniable! Also, I felt like both of them were complex characters, as Jasmine could've so easily come across as a flighty character who simply doesn't have good sense to not get involved with her costar, when she's fresh off a scandal. However, I felt like I really understood her and how much love she had to give and how much love she was looking for too.
I will say that I'm not entirely sold on the third-person perspective that the book uses because it definitely felt a little like we were being told, instead of shown, a lot about how Jasmine or Ashton were feeling in a particular moment. This choice did work for the show that they were filming but I didn't find it as effective as when the characters themselves were interacting.
This book was honestly okay for me. I feel like the characters took way too long to get together and just express their feelings for each other. However, I do find that they were relatable and unique. I like the way that they both care about the people around them. At the beginning, I really did not like Jasmine and I especially had an issue when (SPOILER) she was about to leave the whole show just because she bought with Ashton. Sis you're a whole LEAD and you're gonna quit over a MAN? be for real.
I wish there could have been other moments in the book just to spice things up--like maybe McIntyre showing up on set and Ashton getting jealous because the plot did get kind of boring at times. In the last few pages, I felt like I just had to push through to finish. All in all, the book was not bad, it was definitely more of a romcom cute vibe :)
I wish there could have been other moments in the book just to spice things up--like maybe McIntyre showing up on set and Ashton getting jealous because the plot did get kind of boring at times. In the last few pages, I felt like I just had to push through to finish. All in all, the book was not bad, it was definitely more of a romcom cute vibe :)
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s romance so the trope is going to trope but I still enjoyed it. Recommended for a light sexy summer fun read.
This was just so fun. It was steamy and sweet and I had a great time.
I loved Jasmin and Ashton being actors. I loved seeing the scenes from Carmen in Charge. The miscommunication of Ashton not revealing he had a kid was predictable but made sense. And the sex scenes were hot.
I loved it and I will for sure pick up the next book in the Primas of Power series.
Edit: I also REALLY loved the way they talked about intimacy coordinators in this. It's such an important part of performing and is becoming more and more prevalent on movie sets and in theater. And it was just a great discussion about what they are and why they're important.
Also we love casual rep of trans folk.
I loved Jasmin and Ashton being actors. I loved seeing the scenes from Carmen in Charge. The miscommunication of Ashton not revealing he had a kid was predictable but made sense. And the sex scenes were hot.
I loved it and I will for sure pick up the next book in the Primas of Power series.
Edit: I also REALLY loved the way they talked about intimacy coordinators in this. It's such an important part of performing and is becoming more and more prevalent on movie sets and in theater. And it was just a great discussion about what they are and why they're important.
Also we love casual rep of trans folk.
emotional
funny
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
I liked this one. The characters were a lot of fun. The romance was a bit fast and the drama was a lot, but it really suited the characters. This was a lot of fun to read.
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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