Reviews

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras

jeanettesreadingcorner's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

practicingshelfcare's review

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5.0

I am a sucker for second chance romances and boy did Priscilla Oliveras deliver! I adored her first book in the Keys to Love series and Anchored Hearts was a fantastic follow up. This book has all of the elements readers loved from Island Affair, including meddling family members, mouth-watering descriptions of food, beautiful island scenery, and most importantly, sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Needless to say, I devoured this book in one sitting and cannot wait to read whatever Oliveras writes next (please let it be a story about Enrique!).
Anchored Hearts follows Anamaria, paramedic for the Key West Fire Department and fitness blogger as she reunites with her ex-boyfriend from high school, Ale. Ale is a world famous photographer now and he has no roots to speak of. Estranged from his father and constantly moving from shoot to shoot, Ale’s lifestyle cannot be more different from Anamaria’s. And yet, they cannot deny their attraction for each other. It is clear these two are meant to be, yet the universe keeps throwing challenges their way. Will they be able to make up for good, or is this just an island fling?

lilybeloving's review

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

Ah, my first Cuban female main character. This lovely read has made me more proud of my culture. Got to go call my Mami and Papi now and smother them with love and appreciation.

lalaluluj's review

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It was making me sleepy 😬 the pacing was too slow and the characters lacked chemistry

bookishinseattle's review

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3.0

I loved Sara and Luis’s story and I was excited to read this one. I do not typically read a lot of second chance romances but this one was such a cute story. I love the way Priscilla weaves Spanish and English throughout the book in a beautiful way. Anamaria and Alejandro are both passionate about their work and fighting their attractions to each other. Anamaria is strong, independent and started her own business. Ale is a professional photographer recovering from an injury. Both show growth throughout the story and I loved their chemistry. Plus, they have adorable meddling Cuban moms!

I loved the strong relationships in this story and sense of community. The location makes this a perfect book to escape from the real world!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.

ashleypawlowski's review

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emotional 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? Yes

4.5

eteniamagnum's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

elcanaldevenecia's review

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Anamaria Navarro’s life has treated her unfairly and after Alejandro abandons her, she decides that it won't be enough to break her spirit because she has to be there for her family as well.

This story is about second chances and above all how you can encounter those fears that keep you away from happiness.

Ana is a very complex character, filled with all the spice of a Latina and full of the pride that characterizes us. The story takes us to the growth of both characters, in order to find a balance and to achieve what they really want.

Alejandro did not stop to wait for his love, he ran to learn to walk with her. His life went on, he fought for his dreams but the most important lesson he will learn will be to learn from his mistakes to avoid them and to forgive from the bottom of his heart.

They both have to learn to forgive and to value those sacrifices that in life we all have to make at least once.

The writer has a wonderful spark that I think we should admire. Congratulations Priscila.

“Princesa, I screwed it up before. But there’s never been any doubt about what I want. You.”

::Español::

A Anamaria, la vida la ha tratado injustamente y después que Alejandro la abandonara, ella decide que no será suficiente para derrumbar su espíritu porque tiene que estar para su familia también.

Esta historia trata de las segundas oportunidades y sobre todo cómo puedes encontrarte con aquellos miedos que te mantienen lejos de la felicidad.

Ana es un personaje muy complejo, llena con todo el sazón de una latina y llena del orgullo que nos caracteriza. La historia nos lleva a un crecimiento de ambos personajes, para poder encontrar un balance y poder lograr lo que de verdad quieren.

Alejandro no se detuvo a esperar su amor, él corrió para poder aprender a caminar junto con ella. Su vida siguió, luchó por sus sueños pero la lección más importante que aprenderá será aprender de sus errores para evitarlos y perdonar desde el fondo de su corazón.

Ambos tienen que aprender a perdonar y a valorar aquellos sacrificios que en la vida todos debemos de realizar al menos una vez.

La escritora tiene una chispa maravillosa que considero que debemos admirar. Muchas felicidades Priscila.

evarano's review

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2.0

Anchored Hearts is the second book in the Keys to Love series. I enjoyed the first one but wasn't overly thrilled. Despite that, I still decided to request this one to see how it compared!

Anamaria and Alejandro were high school sweethearts-until Alejandro left to pursue his passion of photography around the world. He returns when he is injured on a shoot, causing drama when Anamaria is called on by his mother to care for him. the two haven't spoken in years, although the connection between them is still quite strong. Anamaria is pursuing her own passion of starting a fitness brand, which has been quite successful. Alejandro is dealing with family drama-namely his father not forgiving or speaking to him. Throughout the story the two run into each other over and over again, both through a plot to get them back together, and by chance. They discover if their connection is strong enough to rekindle or if they should let it go for good.

I didn't really enjoy this story. For some reason I did at times want to keep reading-but it took me so long to get through. I would pick it up and read a chapter, then leave it for a week, then pick it up and skim and skim. I found so much of it unnecessary, it was easily understood just searching for the dialogue. Their connection seemed overly cheesy and I cringed at times. I appreciated that the author included Spanish in both the first book and this story, but found it annoying that every Spanish line or word had to be repeated in English for the reader to understand, it made it even longer than it needed to be. The intimate scenes were very lacking and I found the way the characters spoke very awkward and hypocritical. At times it was hard swearing, then it was very G rated, so odd. I couldn't connect with the family intervention and found it so overbearing and traditions. Although the cover is beautiful, this story is a total miss. I could predict what would happen from the beginning, and I have a very strong idea of what the next story will be, Enrique and Natalia.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review!

enticingtitles's review

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4.0

Okay, if you mention ropa vieja in a book, I'm already hooked. But top that off with the badass Anamaria and her smoking hot love interest Alejandro and you've got the recipe for a fantastic romance!