alliepeduto's review against another edition
3.0
If you want a book that will make you dream of beach vacations, this novel is for you! With a fake relationship and a hunky firefighter male lead, this had all the elements I was looking for in a romance, but ultimately I was more drawn to the locale than the people. And while I felt it was a little flat in terms of characters, Key West shines all on its own.
Sara Vance is a blogger extraordinaire, and while she's holding her own in the social media influencer world, her family, all doctors, just don't understand. This family vacation celebrating her mom beating cancer is the time for her to show them how much she's grown, but her boyfriend flakes out, leaving her desperate for a backup plan. Enter Luis Navarro, a firefighter who has been forced to take leave to deal with some of his own issues. What ensues is your classic "fake relationship" trope, where the romance is contrived but the feelings are all real.
I loved the premise of this novel, but found the character development a little lacking. Sara and Luis felt more like cardboard cut-outs of real people, and the family drama seemed too stereotypical. But in stark contrast to the flimsy setup and lack luster people, Key West shone through in all it's gorgeous glory. I loved the descriptions of the food and the sunsets, and I could all but smell the sea salt air. I'm already dreaming of a vacation there, which is exactly what I wanted from this book.
Overall, this was a fun distraction from the world's problems, and a great family-focused affair!
Sara Vance is a blogger extraordinaire, and while she's holding her own in the social media influencer world, her family, all doctors, just don't understand. This family vacation celebrating her mom beating cancer is the time for her to show them how much she's grown, but her boyfriend flakes out, leaving her desperate for a backup plan. Enter Luis Navarro, a firefighter who has been forced to take leave to deal with some of his own issues. What ensues is your classic "fake relationship" trope, where the romance is contrived but the feelings are all real.
I loved the premise of this novel, but found the character development a little lacking. Sara and Luis felt more like cardboard cut-outs of real people, and the family drama seemed too stereotypical. But in stark contrast to the flimsy setup and lack luster people, Key West shone through in all it's gorgeous glory. I loved the descriptions of the food and the sunsets, and I could all but smell the sea salt air. I'm already dreaming of a vacation there, which is exactly what I wanted from this book.
Overall, this was a fun distraction from the world's problems, and a great family-focused affair!
booksandcoffee79's review against another edition
4.0
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Both a sweet and steamy book, this is perfect for summer reading. Admittedly, this took me awhile to get into. I had a hard time "getting into the lives" of the two main characters and the way the story started (because, let's face it, who would actually agree to be a fake fiance and join her on vacation for one week? Dude could be an ax murderer. ) I digress: once I got into it about 25% through, I very much enjoyed it (even if they did lie for the entire book).
As I said, it's a fake fiance situation. Our main character, Sara, was basically ditched by her boyfriend who was supposed to go on a week long family vacation with her to Key West. She bumps into Luis on the street, a stranger (a fireman) who she convinces to take the place of her ex-boyfriend and join her on this family vacation. Under the ex-boyfriends name and living his life. Realistic? Probably not. But, still made for a cute story.
Along with the cuteness, there were definitely some heavy topics in this book. Cancer, eating disorders, family issues, etc.
It was a cute read. I enjoyed the ending!
Thanks NetGalley and author for allowing me to read a copy of this book!
Both a sweet and steamy book, this is perfect for summer reading. Admittedly, this took me awhile to get into. I had a hard time "getting into the lives" of the two main characters and the way the story started (because, let's face it, who would actually agree to be a fake fiance and join her on vacation for one week? Dude could be an ax murderer. ) I digress: once I got into it about 25% through, I very much enjoyed it (even if they did lie for the entire book).
As I said, it's a fake fiance situation. Our main character, Sara, was basically ditched by her boyfriend who was supposed to go on a week long family vacation with her to Key West. She bumps into Luis on the street, a stranger (a fireman) who she convinces to take the place of her ex-boyfriend and join her on this family vacation. Under the ex-boyfriends name and living his life. Realistic? Probably not. But, still made for a cute story.
Along with the cuteness, there were definitely some heavy topics in this book. Cancer, eating disorders, family issues, etc.
It was a cute read. I enjoyed the ending!
Thanks NetGalley and author for allowing me to read a copy of this book!
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
3.0
The best thing about Island Affair is it feels like a vacation. Canceling our 10th anniversary trip to Hawaii due to the evil virus has me pretty bummed (first world problems, I know, but it still stings). At this point I’ll take a tropical escape any way I can get it, and Priscilla Oliveras is very, very good at making you feel like you’re in Key West. Like, maybe in another life she was a set designer or something. Reading about the sun, sand, and ocean breeze made me yearn for flip flops, a flirty skirt, and a frozen beverage (preferably with rum in it).
Sara is a social media influencer, one of those millennials who’s found a way to make a living by being her own brand. Her parents and siblings are all doctors and don’t really understand her version of success. She’s nervous to spend a week with the whole family in Key West, but she’s going because the trip is a celebration of her mother being cancer-free. When her boyfriend flakes on her at the airport, she runs into hunky firefighter Luis, who she immediately recruits to pretend to be her boyfriend for the week so she can save face. Luis has just been put on mandatory leave at work, so he jumps at the chance to distract himself with a pretty girl for a week.
Luis is a great hero—he’s a genuinely decent guy (my favorite!). I liked that his kindness is portrayed realistically—he’s learned that sometimes good people get taken advantage of by people who are less good, and he’s still processing a major betrayal from years ago. The fact that he continues to be a kind, helpful, generous person despite how it has blown up in his face in the past really impressed me. I also liked that the book is as much about Sara and Luis’s budding relationship as it is about Sara mending fences with her family. She has a lot of baggage with them, particularly her mother and sister, and it’s satisfying to see some of those issues get ironed out.
I will say that I wasn’t 100% comfortable with the depiction of Sara’s eating disorder—she’s in recovery and appears to be doing well, but the narration glorifies thin bodies as the ideal, describing her tiny waist, slender hips, and toned legs, and I just didn’t know what to do with that. I wish the focus had been on her body being attractive because of her confidence and how she carried herself, rather than because it fit what society considers the correct proportions.
Sara is a social media influencer, one of those millennials who’s found a way to make a living by being her own brand. Her parents and siblings are all doctors and don’t really understand her version of success. She’s nervous to spend a week with the whole family in Key West, but she’s going because the trip is a celebration of her mother being cancer-free. When her boyfriend flakes on her at the airport, she runs into hunky firefighter Luis, who she immediately recruits to pretend to be her boyfriend for the week so she can save face. Luis has just been put on mandatory leave at work, so he jumps at the chance to distract himself with a pretty girl for a week.
Luis is a great hero—he’s a genuinely decent guy (my favorite!). I liked that his kindness is portrayed realistically—he’s learned that sometimes good people get taken advantage of by people who are less good, and he’s still processing a major betrayal from years ago. The fact that he continues to be a kind, helpful, generous person despite how it has blown up in his face in the past really impressed me. I also liked that the book is as much about Sara and Luis’s budding relationship as it is about Sara mending fences with her family. She has a lot of baggage with them, particularly her mother and sister, and it’s satisfying to see some of those issues get ironed out.
I will say that I wasn’t 100% comfortable with the depiction of Sara’s eating disorder—she’s in recovery and appears to be doing well, but the narration glorifies thin bodies as the ideal, describing her tiny waist, slender hips, and toned legs, and I just didn’t know what to do with that. I wish the focus had been on her body being attractive because of her confidence and how she carried herself, rather than because it fit what society considers the correct proportions.
shn808's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.25
thebookconfessions's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun and heartwarming read, a perfect book for the summer. I'd enjoy this book even more if I read it on a beach with a cocktail in my hand. But it was still a cute read.
I really connected with the characters and I loved the family dynamics. The writing was beautiful and the story was welll balanced. It had enough romance, lots of humor that made me laugh often and all that with a touch of family drama which I always welcome.
This would be a great read for all romcom lovers and I'd definitely read the other books in the series.
I really connected with the characters and I loved the family dynamics. The writing was beautiful and the story was welll balanced. It had enough romance, lots of humor that made me laugh often and all that with a touch of family drama which I always welcome.
This would be a great read for all romcom lovers and I'd definitely read the other books in the series.
dannycakez8808's review against another edition
3.0
This book has your typical "fake dating" trope that we see in many books and movies. Itbisbset in the beautiful background of Key West. The cover is what really drew me in. It is absolutely stunning and full of life. Sara, a social media influencer, gets stood up on her way to a family vacation so she recruits Luis, a sexy fireman, to stand in as her boyfriend. The thing that is funny about this to me is that I do not think I know anyone who would actually do such a thing. This book was filled with light hearted moments as well a somewhat more serious issues. Although I did enjoy the story it all just felt average and like I'd heard the story before several times. I would be interested to see what else this author can bring to the table.
jageorge's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a cute book. Was it spicy? Maybe more like a bell pepper. But honestly I didn’t miss the crazy spice you might get in other romance novels. And I’m not saying this didn’t have spice. It does. And the tension is *chefs kiss* I’m excited for book two!
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
3.0
Are you in need of a vacation but can’t get away? Island Affair was the opportunity I needed to escape to Key West each evening while still making it to work every morning.
Sara is about to meet up with her family for a vacation there. Right when she arrives, she learns her boyfriend isn’t going to show up and it’s the final straw. She ends things with him. But - that leaves her on her own to spend a week with her family and she’s always felt insecure about measuring up to her siblings. Enter Luis - who just happens to be in the right place at the right time. Who doesn’t love a good fake boyfriend story??
What I loved:
- the Key West setting - all the beautiful ways it was described and ESPECIALLY the Cuban food. Did I have to change my dinner plans and pick up Cuban this week? Absolutely.
- the family dynamics - Luis and Sara each have challenges with some of their sibling dynamics. And their family interactions are different in some ways - I really enjoyed seeing both.
What I didn’t:
- Sara’s eating disorder recovery is a major subplot of the story. Something about the way it was a major factor combined with the descriptions of her perfect string bikini body and many references to her weight just didn’t sit right for me. I recognize this could very much be my own issue and not bother anyone else.
Thank you very much to Kensington for the advance reading copy.
Sara is about to meet up with her family for a vacation there. Right when she arrives, she learns her boyfriend isn’t going to show up and it’s the final straw. She ends things with him. But - that leaves her on her own to spend a week with her family and she’s always felt insecure about measuring up to her siblings. Enter Luis - who just happens to be in the right place at the right time. Who doesn’t love a good fake boyfriend story??
What I loved:
- the Key West setting - all the beautiful ways it was described and ESPECIALLY the Cuban food. Did I have to change my dinner plans and pick up Cuban this week? Absolutely.
- the family dynamics - Luis and Sara each have challenges with some of their sibling dynamics. And their family interactions are different in some ways - I really enjoyed seeing both.
What I didn’t:
- Sara’s eating disorder recovery is a major subplot of the story. Something about the way it was a major factor combined with the descriptions of her perfect string bikini body and many references to her weight just didn’t sit right for me. I recognize this could very much be my own issue and not bother anyone else.
Thank you very much to Kensington for the advance reading copy.
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
4.0
Island Affair // by Priscilla Oliveras
From the Netgalley description: "...family dinners, bike tours, private snorkeling trips . . . sharing secrets, and slow, melting kisses."
Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras is a fun beach romance novel with a Latin twist. Social Media Influencer Sara Vance is stood up last minute at the Key West airport by the boyfriend she is supposed to bring to her family vacation - a vacation that is supposed to be stress-free and relaxing for her mother who is recovering from a serious illness. Desperate to not disappoint the family she has been wanting to impress for so long, she propositions the hot firefighter she meets outside the airport. Luis Navarro, who was just put on a mandatory break by his boss and who usually never does anything like this, surprises both Sara and himself when he agrees to be her pretend boyfriend. Last-minute studying and a lot improvising in front of her and his family has them stumbling through the week and over some not-so-pretend feelings. Will one week be enough to work through their past issues and mistakes or is this just a flash-and-burn beach romance after all?
The premise sounded very unbelievable to me (obviously I don't read many romances) but after I read the First Look on BookishFirst, I knew I wanted to read this one anyway because I just cannot say no to a smoking hot Latino firefighter. Unbelievable or not, I enjoyed this novel a lot! The tensions between Sara and Luis, both sexual and related to their past troubles, keep you on your toes and the two completely different family dynamics are both so easy to relate to. I really like how Oliveras regularly used Spanish phrases throughout the book but kept the story flowing well with the translations. Was it a little predictable? Definitely. Did I care? Not at all. I thoroughly enjoyed this beach read and am excited for the next one!
From the Netgalley description: "...family dinners, bike tours, private snorkeling trips . . . sharing secrets, and slow, melting kisses."
Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras is a fun beach romance novel with a Latin twist. Social Media Influencer Sara Vance is stood up last minute at the Key West airport by the boyfriend she is supposed to bring to her family vacation - a vacation that is supposed to be stress-free and relaxing for her mother who is recovering from a serious illness. Desperate to not disappoint the family she has been wanting to impress for so long, she propositions the hot firefighter she meets outside the airport. Luis Navarro, who was just put on a mandatory break by his boss and who usually never does anything like this, surprises both Sara and himself when he agrees to be her pretend boyfriend. Last-minute studying and a lot improvising in front of her and his family has them stumbling through the week and over some not-so-pretend feelings. Will one week be enough to work through their past issues and mistakes or is this just a flash-and-burn beach romance after all?
The premise sounded very unbelievable to me (obviously I don't read many romances) but after I read the First Look on BookishFirst, I knew I wanted to read this one anyway because I just cannot say no to a smoking hot Latino firefighter. Unbelievable or not, I enjoyed this novel a lot! The tensions between Sara and Luis, both sexual and related to their past troubles, keep you on your toes and the two completely different family dynamics are both so easy to relate to. I really like how Oliveras regularly used Spanish phrases throughout the book but kept the story flowing well with the translations. Was it a little predictable? Definitely. Did I care? Not at all. I thoroughly enjoyed this beach read and am excited for the next one!