The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kbairbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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
4.25
Cute! This is such a fun, fresh, tropical beach read that was full of funny, heart warming, sexy, and heart pulling moments. I love the personal growth in the characters and the heart to hearts that were had. It was hard to read about the familial struggles but I liked how all of it was dealt with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual content, Death, Suicide, Car accident, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood and Drug use
morganperks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Cancer and Mental illness
Minor: Drug abuse, Blood, Car accident, Death, Infidelity, and Self harm
idella's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Found the pacing in this really off. The fake dating setup felt too quick and the difference in pace between different parts of the novel felt jarring which stilted the flow of the narrative. The timeline was also far too short for any falling in love to feel remotely realistic.Â
It was also incredibly repetitive. Our protagonist’s thought stream became frustratingly monotonous and read unnaturally. While I appreciate the OSFED rep, I felt like it replaced her personality. She spends so much time talking about her therapy and saying that she has everything under control that it detracted from any other character traits.Â
Unfortunately this book made me suspend my disbelief far too much to really enjoy it.Â
It was also incredibly repetitive. Our protagonist’s thought stream became frustratingly monotonous and read unnaturally. While I appreciate the OSFED rep, I felt like it replaced her personality. She spends so much time talking about her therapy and saying that she has everything under control that it detracted from any other character traits.Â
Unfortunately this book made me suspend my disbelief far too much to really enjoy it.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Sexual content and Car accident
valeriabee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think I can't read books centering on Latine characters and Latine culture cause I can get overly critical of the way things are represented and the use of Spanish language.Â
The cultural aspect was well-done with the music and the dancing and the overbearing family. The language doesnt fit though because...contrary to popular belief, there are grammar rules to Spanglish just like there are with AAVE and other dialects. You cant just say "familia" every time you mean to say family because it doesnt always make sense to use the Spanish.Â
Not gonna lie, I was excited to read about a sexy firefighter 🥵 but when the main character Sara was revealed as a blonde hair, blue-green eyed white girl... I was saddened a bit. Especially a white girl who grew up with a Hispanic nanny so now she feels connected to the culture.Â
My biases are showing. Which is why I bumped this book to a 4 from the 3.25 I would personally rate it. I know that what I don't like about it comes from weird prejudices and biases and gatekeepy tendencies within myself that dont accurately reflect the writing and the story.Â
I will say that I didnt really like the insta-love thing because... well it just doesnt make sense for things to happen that fast...but I wouldnt know.Â
Also the "there was only one bed" trope was right there and it didnt lead us anywhere. Instead the beach was the backdrop for the broken barriers of intimacy. ALSO, WHY WOULD YOU CUT IT OFF BEFORE THE GOOD STUFF. DONT INTERRUPT. THEYRE GOING MULTIPLE ROUNDS AND YOU CANT SHARE WITH THE AUDIENCE? READ THE ROOM, IM HORNY.Â
That is to say, they were getting all intimate and steamy and we were just getting to the good stuff and then FADE TO BLACK and I was unhappy. I did throw the book because thats unfair. It took 200 pages to get there and THEN WE DONT GET THERE.Â
Which brings me to my next two points: 1) they were falling for each other fast on the timeline but it took FOREVER in the narrative for them to do something about it and then 2) the climax and resolution were far too short. The narrative went into painful detail of the first 3 and a half days of the 7 day trip and then we skipped whole ass days to get to the literal final minutes of the trip. The pacing could be better, personally.Â
There was some awesome character growth, even from some of the secondary characters. I appreciated the way the eating disorder plot was handled. It was done with great delicacy and grace and focused on the recovery phase.Â
Unrelated, there was a scene where there is a bit of gore and death that was jarring cause it kind of comes out nowhere. It was startling the way they jump into the details of an unfortunate 911 call that Luis experienced without really easing into it. It threw me for a loop.Â
Given that the ending and resolution are quite rushed, I have to say that the character development for Luis happens too quickly and not quite to satisfaction. I'm realizing that some of Sara's questions for Luis and his necessary healing went unanswered, even to the very end with the HEA.Â
I did cry at one point so I definitely grew an attachment to the relationship. There was just something about their easy intimacy and vulnerability with each other. Also, we love a fake-dating trope. I loved watching their messy lies unravel in front of them, but also seeing how the lies started to blur into truths. Love that for us.Â
The cultural aspect was well-done with the music and the dancing and the overbearing family. The language doesnt fit though because...contrary to popular belief, there are grammar rules to Spanglish just like there are with AAVE and other dialects. You cant just say "familia" every time you mean to say family because it doesnt always make sense to use the Spanish.Â
Not gonna lie, I was excited to read about a sexy firefighter 🥵 but when the main character Sara was revealed as a blonde hair, blue-green eyed white girl... I was saddened a bit. Especially a white girl who grew up with a Hispanic nanny so now she feels connected to the culture.Â
My biases are showing. Which is why I bumped this book to a 4 from the 3.25 I would personally rate it. I know that what I don't like about it comes from weird prejudices and biases and gatekeepy tendencies within myself that dont accurately reflect the writing and the story.Â
I will say that I didnt really like the insta-love thing because... well it just doesnt make sense for things to happen that fast...but I wouldnt know.Â
Also the "there was only one bed" trope was right there and it didnt lead us anywhere. Instead the beach was the backdrop for the broken barriers of intimacy. ALSO, WHY WOULD YOU CUT IT OFF BEFORE THE GOOD STUFF. DONT INTERRUPT. THEYRE GOING MULTIPLE ROUNDS AND YOU CANT SHARE WITH THE AUDIENCE? READ THE ROOM, IM HORNY.Â
That is to say, they were getting all intimate and steamy and we were just getting to the good stuff and then FADE TO BLACK and I was unhappy. I did throw the book because thats unfair. It took 200 pages to get there and THEN WE DONT GET THERE.Â
Which brings me to my next two points: 1) they were falling for each other fast on the timeline but it took FOREVER in the narrative for them to do something about it and then 2) the climax and resolution were far too short. The narrative went into painful detail of the first 3 and a half days of the 7 day trip and then we skipped whole ass days to get to the literal final minutes of the trip. The pacing could be better, personally.Â
There was some awesome character growth, even from some of the secondary characters. I appreciated the way the eating disorder plot was handled. It was done with great delicacy and grace and focused on the recovery phase.Â
Unrelated, there was a scene where there is a bit of gore and death that was jarring cause it kind of comes out nowhere. It was startling the way they jump into the details of an unfortunate 911 call that Luis experienced without really easing into it. It threw me for a loop.Â
Given that the ending and resolution are quite rushed, I have to say that the character development for Luis happens too quickly and not quite to satisfaction. I'm realizing that some of Sara's questions for Luis and his necessary healing went unanswered, even to the very end with the HEA.Â
I did cry at one point so I definitely grew an attachment to the relationship. There was just something about their easy intimacy and vulnerability with each other. Also, we love a fake-dating trope. I loved watching their messy lies unravel in front of them, but also seeing how the lies started to blur into truths. Love that for us.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Sexual content, and Car accident
Moderate: Eating disorder and Cancer
caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
3.0
Island Affair is a summer romance about genuinely likeable characters but at times felt too sad and/or serious.
LOVEDÂ
• Location, location, location. I was totally transported to Key West.
• Summer vacation romance / fling? Sign me up!
• That cover is gorgeous.
• The Latinx representation!
• Luis and Sara are genuinely kind people.
• The strong role that both family and faith play in their lives.
ON THE FENCE – Although I am not a fan of the fake dating trope, it could have worked in this story because it was a summer vacation romance . . . IF the story had taken place over a longer period of time, not just seven days.
DISLIKED
• I totally buy into insta-lust in romance but this book was about insta- emotional trust and vulnerability. It was not earned over time, like it should in healthy relationships, and it made me uncomfortable.
• This was not a slow burn romance, yet it was a slow read.
• The story felt a bit too serious at times due to Luis and Sara’s individual issues. A little humor goes a long way, especially with the fake dating trope.
TW:Â cancer, car accident, eating disorder, death (Luis and his brothers are EMTs/firefighters, so this is a big part of their life / line of work)
LOVEDÂ
• Location, location, location. I was totally transported to Key West.
• Summer vacation romance / fling? Sign me up!
• That cover is gorgeous.
• The Latinx representation!
• Luis and Sara are genuinely kind people.
• The strong role that both family and faith play in their lives.
ON THE FENCE – Although I am not a fan of the fake dating trope, it could have worked in this story because it was a summer vacation romance . . . IF the story had taken place over a longer period of time, not just seven days.
DISLIKED
• I totally buy into insta-lust in romance but this book was about insta- emotional trust and vulnerability. It was not earned over time, like it should in healthy relationships, and it made me uncomfortable.
• This was not a slow burn romance, yet it was a slow read.
• The story felt a bit too serious at times due to Luis and Sara’s individual issues. A little humor goes a long way, especially with the fake dating trope.
TW:Â cancer, car accident, eating disorder, death (Luis and his brothers are EMTs/firefighters, so this is a big part of their life / line of work)
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, and Sexual content
100_pages_hr's review
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Another amazing book from Oliveras! I'm fairly new to the Latinx Romance scene but she has quickly become a favorite!
From the meet-cute all the way to the end I was hooked. I actually really like it when both the guy and the girl have a lot to work through in their personal lives.
I'm not a huge fan of duplicity, but it wasn't really their goal in this book to lie so much as help each other out I actually rather enjoyed it. It had a huge "The Wedding Date" vibes and that is one of my favorite movies.
I loved the theme of familia throughout this book. I loved that Luis never missed mass or family dinner.
I also loved that Sara spoke Spanish. It is always fun when a white girl shocks the Hispanics (I know because it is one of my favorite things to do).
I loved visiting Key West. I loved the historical sights, the beaches, the food, and everything. It totally made me wish I could go right now.Â
One of my favorite parts were the very realistic and authentic character flaws of so many of the characters, but especially Sara and Luis. No spoilers, but I really got invested in reading as they grew and worked through some of their hang ups. I also appreciated the very real struggles they were dealing with. I like books that don't sugar coat issues.
I cannot wait to read book two and any other books Oliveras writes!
From the meet-cute all the way to the end I was hooked. I actually really like it when both the guy and the girl have a lot to work through in their personal lives.
I'm not a huge fan of duplicity, but it wasn't really their goal in this book to lie so much as help each other out I actually rather enjoyed it. It had a huge "The Wedding Date" vibes and that is one of my favorite movies.
I loved the theme of familia throughout this book. I loved that Luis never missed mass or family dinner.
I loved visiting Key West. I loved the historical sights, the beaches, the food, and everything. It totally made me wish I could go right now.Â
One of my favorite parts were the very realistic and authentic character flaws of so many of the characters, but especially Sara and Luis. No spoilers, but I really got invested in reading as they grew and worked through some of their hang ups. I also appreciated the very real struggles they were dealing with. I like books that don't sugar coat issues.
I cannot wait to read book two and any other books Oliveras writes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Cancer, Car accident, Death, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, and Self harm
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