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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Adding Rocco to the book boyfriend list. He rescued a cat!!
Julia del Mar Ortiz is a strong, funny, sexy, former New Yorker, now working a job she absolutely loves, AND which is socially important, in Dallas. Fellow New Yorker Rocco Quinn is on assignment - and he knows it - to take that job away from her, before he returns to NY.
This book has so much to love. Julia is from a close-knit Afro-Dominican family, and most of her friends are also in that demographic, but Rocco, although a blue-eyed gringo, is fluent enough in the culture and language that even Julia's abuela (grandmother) likes him. The heat between these two and the sex scenes, wow!
As a gringa myself, the frequent interspersion of Hispanic words and foods wasn't overwhelming to me, and context made most of it clear. I liked it a lot, but I'm still an outsider. I suspect readers who ARE from this culture will really love it. The circles of family and friends are wonderful, if not without some painful family dysfunction, as well. She's drawn so many great, distinct characters, all the way down to Pulga, the kitten. Great, fun read.
This book has so much to love. Julia is from a close-knit Afro-Dominican family, and most of her friends are also in that demographic, but Rocco, although a blue-eyed gringo, is fluent enough in the culture and language that even Julia's abuela (grandmother) likes him. The heat between these two and the sex scenes, wow!
As a gringa myself, the frequent interspersion of Hispanic words and foods wasn't overwhelming to me, and context made most of it clear. I liked it a lot, but I'm still an outsider. I suspect readers who ARE from this culture will really love it. The circles of family and friends are wonderful, if not without some painful family dysfunction, as well. She's drawn so many great, distinct characters, all the way down to Pulga, the kitten. Great, fun read.
Read even more book reviews at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile.com/
Here To Stay follows the story of Julia who is a social worker who helps run a non profit program at Sturm's. When her program is at risk of being cut, she'll have to do her best to fight to keep it. She has to team up with Rocco, her "enemy" and crush to prove that her program is needed for the community all while not falling for him. Both are making a home away from home and they find commonplace in coming from their New York backgrounds.
Julia has such a bright personality that shine through. She's hard working and passionate about providing resources to those in the non profit program. This one of reasons why Rocco is so drawn to her as a person. Even though they come from different backgrounds they share a lot of common experiences. They fall for each other.
I also love the variety of characters in this group. The group of friends that come together cleverly named the "Gotham Exiles" find comfort in each other, their background, and being away from their home base, New York. Each of them is out of their comfort zones and they are a source of support for each other. Their group text and conversation had me smiling and admiring their tight knit friendship.
As for the romance! Woo boy! The steam level in this book was so spicy! Rocco and Julia have got it bad for each other. They fall hard for each other, but also recognize that they both have to work through thing in their pasts to develop a solid relationship. I loved that Rocco was so kindhearted and caring, he's just a softie at heart. He doesn't have a huge support system like Julia does and it was so sweet how she and exiles got him to open up and support them.
Here To Stay follows the story of Julia who is a social worker who helps run a non profit program at Sturm's. When her program is at risk of being cut, she'll have to do her best to fight to keep it. She has to team up with Rocco, her "enemy" and crush to prove that her program is needed for the community all while not falling for him. Both are making a home away from home and they find commonplace in coming from their New York backgrounds.
Julia has such a bright personality that shine through. She's hard working and passionate about providing resources to those in the non profit program. This one of reasons why Rocco is so drawn to her as a person. Even though they come from different backgrounds they share a lot of common experiences. They fall for each other.
I also love the variety of characters in this group. The group of friends that come together cleverly named the "Gotham Exiles" find comfort in each other, their background, and being away from their home base, New York. Each of them is out of their comfort zones and they are a source of support for each other. Their group text and conversation had me smiling and admiring their tight knit friendship.
As for the romance! Woo boy! The steam level in this book was so spicy! Rocco and Julia have got it bad for each other. They fall hard for each other, but also recognize that they both have to work through thing in their pasts to develop a solid relationship. I loved that Rocco was so kindhearted and caring, he's just a softie at heart. He doesn't have a huge support system like Julia does and it was so sweet how she and exiles got him to open up and support them.
(Received an advanced copy via Netgalley; thanks Carina Press/Harlequin!)
HOT. I love the depth and well-woven threads of diversity throughout the book, and the very excellent and feasible conflict for the protagonists, but HOT. This book is HOT. Those are some spicy sex scenes and I am HERE FOR IT. The only thing I didn't like was the amount of "primitive Neanderthal" possessiveness the male protagonist had so early on; I get creeped out by that element in romance novels because it usually goes downhill pretty fast, but otherwise thrilled to have gotten the chance to read this book!
HOT. I love the depth and well-woven threads of diversity throughout the book, and the very excellent and feasible conflict for the protagonists, but HOT. This book is HOT. Those are some spicy sex scenes and I am HERE FOR IT. The only thing I didn't like was the amount of "primitive Neanderthal" possessiveness the male protagonist had so early on; I get creeped out by that element in romance novels because it usually goes downhill pretty fast, but otherwise thrilled to have gotten the chance to read this book!
WHOA! I finished this book in 24 hours! I loved the accurate Latinx representation! Especially the family representation. Usually when it comes to authors writing Latinx families they exaggerate to make it more comical but more and more I'm seeing it done correctly which is we need more representation.
I loved how they mentioned the foundation and all of the issues it had with people who didn't look like them that ran the centers. It needs to be mentioned more because people that aren't part of them need to be educated on it.
The character development is amazing. The subject matter touched in this book is very delicate and I'm glad to see it being handled this way. It destigmatizes mental health and therapy in Latinx households.
Rocco & Julia are just perfect the relationship is a rollercoaster of so many emotions. There aren't many steamy scenes but the ones that are are just woah!!! The found family trope is ideal. Moving from a huge city to another huge city and having your life upended like that is devastating but Julia manages to make the best of it. This book is just perfect and I am reading On The Hustle right after.
I loved how they mentioned the foundation and all of the issues it had with people who didn't look like them that ran the centers. It needs to be mentioned more because people that aren't part of them need to be educated on it.
The character development is amazing. The subject matter touched in this book is very delicate and I'm glad to see it being handled this way. It destigmatizes mental health and therapy in Latinx households.
Rocco & Julia are just perfect the relationship is a rollercoaster of so many emotions. There aren't many steamy scenes but the ones that are are just woah!!! The found family trope is ideal. Moving from a huge city to another huge city and having your life upended like that is devastating but Julia manages to make the best of it. This book is just perfect and I am reading On The Hustle right after.
She had it all figured out. New dream job, move, and boyfriend. Only the boyfriend ends up dumping her and moving back. And her dream job doesn't come without a bump. A consultant was hired to help the story, and his first order of business, fire her.
It's up to her to show him, that her work matters. It would be easier if he wasn't so hot. :)
It's such a cute enemy to loves romance. It's was very quick to read and very fun too. :)
received from NetGalley
It's up to her to show him, that her work matters. It would be easier if he wasn't so hot. :)
It's such a cute enemy to loves romance. It's was very quick to read and very fun too. :)
received from NetGalley
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
4/5 stars
3/5 steam
Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera is a steamy contemporary romance and the first book in her Dating in Dallas series. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at nine and a half hours and is narrated by Carmen Vine and Sean Crisden. We follow our two main characters with first-person points-of-view.
Julia del Mar Ortiz moved to Dallas with her boyfriend, until he dumped her and scuttled back to New York City after less than a month. She is working at her dream job--running a charitable foundation for one of the most iconic high fashion department stores. Then the store hires Rocco Quinn, a consultant with a smart mouth and beautiful blue eyes, to help take the company public. But in order to go public, they'll have to make some budget cuts, and the foundation may be on the line.
I'm a big fan of the enthusiastic consent and female empowerment that Herrera includes in her books so often. She works as a trauma therapist in NYC as her day-job and shows a bit of that side of her here as Julia is a social worker.
Warning: this book may make you really hungry for Dominican food.
Tropes in this book include: latinx main characters, found family, curvy main character, friends to lovers, nyc transplants
CW: domestic violence, deportation of immigrants, gaslighting, toxic family members, racism
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog and my bookstagram!
3/5 steam
Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera is a steamy contemporary romance and the first book in her Dating in Dallas series. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at nine and a half hours and is narrated by Carmen Vine and Sean Crisden. We follow our two main characters with first-person points-of-view.
Julia del Mar Ortiz moved to Dallas with her boyfriend, until he dumped her and scuttled back to New York City after less than a month. She is working at her dream job--running a charitable foundation for one of the most iconic high fashion department stores. Then the store hires Rocco Quinn, a consultant with a smart mouth and beautiful blue eyes, to help take the company public. But in order to go public, they'll have to make some budget cuts, and the foundation may be on the line.
I'm a big fan of the enthusiastic consent and female empowerment that Herrera includes in her books so often. She works as a trauma therapist in NYC as her day-job and shows a bit of that side of her here as Julia is a social worker.
Warning: this book may make you really hungry for Dominican food.
Tropes in this book include: latinx main characters, found family, curvy main character, friends to lovers, nyc transplants
CW: domestic violence, deportation of immigrants, gaslighting, toxic family members, racism
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog and my bookstagram!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
This is the first book from Adriana Herrera for me. It took me just a few chapters to warm up to this book, but it quickly captivated my attention. I love the duel POV in this book. Rocco is easy to fall for and champion for. He’s damaged but it doesn’t set his entire character in a bad light. Julia is sassy and strong. I would love to learn more about the Gotham Exiles Club! Perhaps some future books about Jose and Tariq are in order! I received an ARC from NetGalley.