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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ever move cross country for a guy and then get dumped for your efforts? Well that is what happened to Julia. While she might have loved to move back to her beloved NYC, she loves her job! Getting to work at a company that thrives doing charitable work, which she is now in charge of running, can you say dream job.
However on of the siblings of the company wants to take the business public to an IPO, and they bring in consultants to evaluate the company's charitable giving, and position to bring it public. Enter Rocco, a fellow New Yorker, he is riding on this job to go well so he can get a promotion and help his family. It doesn't help that he finds Julia attractive, but he tries to keep his distance. I loved the camaraderie in the group Julia creates of the exiled New Yorkers. Each character was supportive, and sweet, funny, and intrusive when they needed to be. I love the sharing of Julia's family and her culture. How loud, sweet, loving, and caring they were, accepting Rocco into the fold when they meet him. It is the kind of family we should all hope to have, and want to be apart of.
This was my first book from this author and I enjoyed this book so much it certainly won't be my last.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
However on of the siblings of the company wants to take the business public to an IPO, and they bring in consultants to evaluate the company's charitable giving, and position to bring it public. Enter Rocco, a fellow New Yorker, he is riding on this job to go well so he can get a promotion and help his family. It doesn't help that he finds Julia attractive, but he tries to keep his distance. I loved the camaraderie in the group Julia creates of the exiled New Yorkers. Each character was supportive, and sweet, funny, and intrusive when they needed to be. I love the sharing of Julia's family and her culture. How loud, sweet, loving, and caring they were, accepting Rocco into the fold when they meet him. It is the kind of family we should all hope to have, and want to be apart of.
This was my first book from this author and I enjoyed this book so much it certainly won't be my last.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
HERE TO STAY about set my kindle on fire because Julia and Rocco were hot together! They're somewhat enemies because Rocco's report on the Sturm corporation's finances could take away funding for their humanitarian arm where Julia works. But in reality they can't stay away and they don't dislike each other at all, the complete opposite in fact. As two New Yorkers in Dallas they bond over their shared experiences growing up in NYC and I loved seeing the friendships that Julia and Rocco created with the rest of the Gotham Exiles as they called themselves.
I loved Julia as our heroine! She's passionate about her work, dedicated to her family, and not afraid to ask for what she wants. Julia was a lot of fun and I enjoyed watching her find her place in Dallas and take control of her life. I also laughed every time she referred to Rocco as "Rocco fucking Quinn". And speaking of Rocco, he's my favorite kind of hero; sweet and kind but also wild in bed. Bless Rocco's dirty, dirty mouth! Rocco doesn't want to hurt Julia's job but he needs his upcoming promotion to help his sister and niece and basically he couldn't be anymore perfect. Both Rocco and Julia have some ups and downs but their connection is undeniable and I loved watching them fall in love.
This doesn't appear to be a series but I'll keep my fingers crossed that maybe we'll get stories for the rest of the Exiles because they were so much fun. Adriana Herrera is a master at character development and I felt like I really knew the side characters and fell for them just as much as Rocco and Julia.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Rocco Quinn didn't just make me nervous. He made me want to run my hands all over that big-ass body and moon over his almost but not quite curly hair and blue eyes, in spite of the fact that I knew he was out here gunning for my entire program. And yet, I still wanted to kiss the hell out of him while I climbed him like a sequoia.
I loved Julia as our heroine! She's passionate about her work, dedicated to her family, and not afraid to ask for what she wants. Julia was a lot of fun and I enjoyed watching her find her place in Dallas and take control of her life. I also laughed every time she referred to Rocco as "Rocco fucking Quinn". And speaking of Rocco, he's my favorite kind of hero; sweet and kind but also wild in bed. Bless Rocco's dirty, dirty mouth! Rocco doesn't want to hurt Julia's job but he needs his upcoming promotion to help his sister and niece and basically he couldn't be anymore perfect. Both Rocco and Julia have some ups and downs but their connection is undeniable and I loved watching them fall in love.
This doesn't appear to be a series but I'll keep my fingers crossed that maybe we'll get stories for the rest of the Exiles because they were so much fun. Adriana Herrera is a master at character development and I felt like I really knew the side characters and fell for them just as much as Rocco and Julia.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Rocco Quinn didn't just make me nervous. He made me want to run my hands all over that big-ass body and moon over his almost but not quite curly hair and blue eyes, in spite of the fact that I knew he was out here gunning for my entire program. And yet, I still wanted to kiss the hell out of him while I climbed him like a sequoia.
It was hot spicy emotions all over the place a great introduction to this author. I’ll be checking out more of her work, but I really wish authors would get away from the third act break up
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Here to Stay
Dating in Dallas, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Everand
Dates Read: 4/27/24 - 4/30/24
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Almarie Guerra, Sean Crisden
The Characters:
Julia Del Mar:
Rocco Quinn:
Gotham Exiles, Julia’s Family, Rocco’s Family
The Story:
A very enjoyable if somewhat predictable story. I loved the characters. I want to hang out with the exiles. This was my first read from this author but will not be my last. I also really enjoyed the narrators as it was my first time hearing them also.
Dating in Dallas, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Everand
Dates Read: 4/27/24 - 4/30/24
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Almarie Guerra, Sean Crisden
The Characters:
Julia Del Mar:
Rocco Quinn:
Gotham Exiles, Julia’s Family, Rocco’s Family
The Story:
A very enjoyable if somewhat predictable story. I loved the characters. I want to hang out with the exiles. This was my first read from this author but will not be my last. I also really enjoyed the narrators as it was my first time hearing them also.
funny
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I listened to this audiobook through my library via Libby.
#23For23 (learn more at: https://www.23for23.net/)
Brief Summary: Julia del Mar Ortiz's big move to Dallas has not gone as planned. It's been a complete disaster. She moved across the country to start a new chapter with her boyfriend, when he broke up with her after a week in Dallas. As Julia tries to make the best out of a bad situation she finds a community of fellow NYC transplants to Dallas and begins to enjoy her work at the charitable foundation. Introduce Rocco Quinn, a big wig from NYC hired by the company overseeing the charitable foundation where she works. As Rocco's position threatens to pull the funding for Julia's beloved job, she and Rocco must navigate their budding feelings for each other.
Thoughts: I enjoyed this book a lot. Herrera can convey emotions on the page in a beautiful and heartwarming way that makes you not only feel like you are a part of the story but also makes you fall in love with the characters.
I loved Julia as a character. From her relationships with her family to the new friendships that she developed throughout the book she was so three-dimensional and I wanted her to have every success 20 pages into the story. I also enjoyed how she developed a crush on Rocco from viewing his profile picture and things steadily grew from there.
Rocco was also a great male character. He could be a bit pompous, but he was not irredeemable so because he had such honest motivations. I loved the connection that he had with his sister and niece.
This is a great book. If you love work place romances and/or two genuinely good and interesting people falling in love I highly recommend this book!
#23For23 (learn more at: https://www.23for23.net/)
Brief Summary: Julia del Mar Ortiz's big move to Dallas has not gone as planned. It's been a complete disaster. She moved across the country to start a new chapter with her boyfriend, when he broke up with her after a week in Dallas. As Julia tries to make the best out of a bad situation she finds a community of fellow NYC transplants to Dallas and begins to enjoy her work at the charitable foundation. Introduce Rocco Quinn, a big wig from NYC hired by the company overseeing the charitable foundation where she works. As Rocco's position threatens to pull the funding for Julia's beloved job, she and Rocco must navigate their budding feelings for each other.
Thoughts: I enjoyed this book a lot. Herrera can convey emotions on the page in a beautiful and heartwarming way that makes you not only feel like you are a part of the story but also makes you fall in love with the characters.
I loved Julia as a character. From her relationships with her family to the new friendships that she developed throughout the book she was so three-dimensional and I wanted her to have every success 20 pages into the story. I also enjoyed how she developed a crush on Rocco from viewing his profile picture and things steadily grew from there.
Rocco was also a great male character. He could be a bit pompous, but he was not irredeemable so because he had such honest motivations. I loved the connection that he had with his sister and niece.
This is a great book. If you love work place romances and/or two genuinely good and interesting people falling in love I highly recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I listened to the sequel first and I prefer this one. Felt like I got to know characters better.
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:
Yes