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gilliansage's review
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
kaykayroxz's review
4.0
honestly this book is a 3.5 for me maybe less bc it just didn’t hit like the first one!! i was expecting them to get together way earlier in the book so it rlly felt like the book was dragging on with their love-hate relationship until the last chapter/page. like i understand the plot but i wish they could’ve had more time together as a real couple much earlier.
this book took me a bit longer to read than the first one due to me not reading it on my phone/constantly so i think that affected how i feel about the book. the concept is cute & i might’ve would’ve liked it more but it’s just alright for me.
this book took me a bit longer to read than the first one due to me not reading it on my phone/constantly so i think that affected how i feel about the book. the concept is cute & i might’ve would’ve liked it more but it’s just alright for me.
nd09's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
amym84's review
4.0
Anamaria Navarro hasn't seen or spoken to Alejandro Miranda for over ten years, since the day he left to pursue his dreams of being a professional photographer and Anamaria made the decision not to follow him. This subsequently ended their young relationship, breaking both of their hearts in the process.
After suffering an accident while out on a shoot, Ale has reluctantly returned home to Key West to recuperate. He didn't leave on the best of terms. Besides leaving Anamaria behind, a rift with his father caused Ale to scarcely visit in the ten plus years he's been away.
He's not looking forward to facing his father again, and to be honest, he's not looking forward to seeing Anamaria either.
Actually the feeling is mutual, but both of their mothers are bound and determined to bring Anamaria and Ale together at every possible opportunity. To get them off their backs they may just have to face the history that hangs between them, and the feelings that don't seem to have gone away.
All it took in the first book for me to get interested was the small mention we get from Anamaria about getting her heartbroken years ago by her boyfriend. That's it. I was hooked. I knew there would be a story and I'm so happy that we got it in Anchored Hearts.
I'm such a sucker for a second chance romance and Priscilla Oliveras really delivers. Not only on the romance itself, but I could feel the ache between Anamaria and Ale for what broken between them all those years ago. In every interaction they had while they were still tentatively trying to avoid one another, it was such a palpable feeling between them. But I loved that Priscilla Oliveras was really able to tap into that emotion because it made the resolution so much sweeter.
The idea of being young and in love is not a new subject in romance. I appreciated the fact that these two were coming together again after they had time to find themselves and figure out what they wanted out of their lives. It makes a relationship stronger when you don't have to sacrifice who you are and what you want to be for someone else which is what Anamaria would have had to do had she followed Ale in the first place. I love the idea of a relationship forming around who you are as individuals rather than changing you to be someone else in order to make the relationship.
But Anamaria and Ale's relationship isn't the only one that has been fractured, Ale's relationship with his father suffered the moment he decided to pick up a camera. His father saw this as Ale abandoning his family, his history by not taking his place in the family restaurant. It's similar to the first book with Sara's family not understanding / taking seriously her job as an influencer. But instead of not taking Ale's talent seriously, it's more that his father felt betrayed by his son turning his back on what he had painstakingly built over the years.
It all wraps around the history of Cubans coming to America, specifically children who were sent to America on their own by their parents in what was known as Operation Peter Pan. They had to carve out a new life from nothing at very young ages with little to no family support. Ale may have not been able to appreciate all that his father accomplished when he was younger, but his travels have taught him so much about his culture and the human spirit. It's just a point of being able to push past the hurt to show his father that he holds his family and their history in high regard. It's one of the most touching aspects of the story, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up in a few spots.
Overall, I think I enjoyed Anchored Hearts more than the first book. And if we're going on trend that means I should love the next book the most! I'm assuming Navarro sibling Enrique will be featured next. His mysterious abandonment of the art he loved so much is mentioned quite a few times and I'm thinking it's time we get some answers.
This so far has been a really enjoyable series with such heart and depth and wonderful family connections. You can certainly read this second book without having read the first, but I'll guarantee you'll want to go back and start from the beginning if you do.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
After suffering an accident while out on a shoot, Ale has reluctantly returned home to Key West to recuperate. He didn't leave on the best of terms. Besides leaving Anamaria behind, a rift with his father caused Ale to scarcely visit in the ten plus years he's been away.
He's not looking forward to facing his father again, and to be honest, he's not looking forward to seeing Anamaria either.
Actually the feeling is mutual, but both of their mothers are bound and determined to bring Anamaria and Ale together at every possible opportunity. To get them off their backs they may just have to face the history that hangs between them, and the feelings that don't seem to have gone away.
All it took in the first book for me to get interested was the small mention we get from Anamaria about getting her heartbroken years ago by her boyfriend. That's it. I was hooked. I knew there would be a story and I'm so happy that we got it in Anchored Hearts.
I'm such a sucker for a second chance romance and Priscilla Oliveras really delivers. Not only on the romance itself, but I could feel the ache between Anamaria and Ale for what broken between them all those years ago. In every interaction they had while they were still tentatively trying to avoid one another, it was such a palpable feeling between them. But I loved that Priscilla Oliveras was really able to tap into that emotion because it made the resolution so much sweeter.
The idea of being young and in love is not a new subject in romance. I appreciated the fact that these two were coming together again after they had time to find themselves and figure out what they wanted out of their lives. It makes a relationship stronger when you don't have to sacrifice who you are and what you want to be for someone else which is what Anamaria would have had to do had she followed Ale in the first place. I love the idea of a relationship forming around who you are as individuals rather than changing you to be someone else in order to make the relationship.
But Anamaria and Ale's relationship isn't the only one that has been fractured, Ale's relationship with his father suffered the moment he decided to pick up a camera. His father saw this as Ale abandoning his family, his history by not taking his place in the family restaurant. It's similar to the first book with Sara's family not understanding / taking seriously her job as an influencer. But instead of not taking Ale's talent seriously, it's more that his father felt betrayed by his son turning his back on what he had painstakingly built over the years.
It all wraps around the history of Cubans coming to America, specifically children who were sent to America on their own by their parents in what was known as Operation Peter Pan. They had to carve out a new life from nothing at very young ages with little to no family support. Ale may have not been able to appreciate all that his father accomplished when he was younger, but his travels have taught him so much about his culture and the human spirit. It's just a point of being able to push past the hurt to show his father that he holds his family and their history in high regard. It's one of the most touching aspects of the story, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up in a few spots.
Overall, I think I enjoyed Anchored Hearts more than the first book. And if we're going on trend that means I should love the next book the most! I'm assuming Navarro sibling Enrique will be featured next. His mysterious abandonment of the art he loved so much is mentioned quite a few times and I'm thinking it's time we get some answers.
This so far has been a really enjoyable series with such heart and depth and wonderful family connections. You can certainly read this second book without having read the first, but I'll guarantee you'll want to go back and start from the beginning if you do.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
diannis0821's review
5.0
I absolutely loved the story. Really wish we had a look deeper into Anamaria's and Alexandros future
aldarakamey's review
5.0
I feel like I need to clarify that I really enjoyed the book and for real is one of my favorite reads through NetGalley, is the story of Anamaria and Alejandro, they dated when they were young and they breakout because their lives were taking them in different directions, but life brought them together, specially since Alejandro had an accident and it force him to go back home and face the results of his life changing decision...
That being said I loved the story, I loved the lead characters, it did an amazing job portraying the personalities of a latin house hold. The love story is so sweet but not unnecessary sweet.
Now my issue with this book is my issue with Latin stories by Latin authors, I understand that for some people in order to validate our stories, all the Spanish (or Portuguese) used by the characters on the story needs to be translated, and by all, I mean ALL, like: "Buenos días" "good morning he said", etc, This isn't a jab to the author who did an amazing job with the story, like I said I understand how the industry works and what latin authors needs to do in order to get their stories published.
That being said this book is amazing, if you can give it a chance you won't be let down if you are a romance lover like I am.
That being said I loved the story, I loved the lead characters, it did an amazing job portraying the personalities of a latin house hold. The love story is so sweet but not unnecessary sweet.
Now my issue with this book is my issue with Latin stories by Latin authors, I understand that for some people in order to validate our stories, all the Spanish (or Portuguese) used by the characters on the story needs to be translated, and by all, I mean ALL, like: "Buenos días" "good morning he said", etc, This isn't a jab to the author who did an amazing job with the story, like I said I understand how the industry works and what latin authors needs to do in order to get their stories published.
That being said this book is amazing, if you can give it a chance you won't be let down if you are a romance lover like I am.
andrea_author's review
4.0
Anamaria and Alejandro were high school sweethearts—until Alejandro's father kicked him out for refusing to come work at the family restaurant. Twelve years later, Alejandro is a successful wildlife photographer who returns to Key West to recuperate after a work-related injury. Anamaria wants nothing to do with him—she still resents him for choosing a life of adventure over her. But their interfering families have other ideas, and circumstances keep forcing the two together. If they renew their romance, will Alejandro stick around this time?
As usual, this author's work immerses the reader in Latinx culture. This is a low-angst story with a strong heroine who gives the hero the kick in the butt he needs to make peace with his family. If you like second-chance romance and interfering relatives, this book is a good choice.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
As usual, this author's work immerses the reader in Latinx culture. This is a low-angst story with a strong heroine who gives the hero the kick in the butt he needs to make peace with his family. If you like second-chance romance and interfering relatives, this book is a good choice.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
samanthabooks19's review
3.0
3.5 Stars*
Thank you to Bookish-First and the Publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I enjoyed this one slightly more than the last, but they both hold the same positive aspects. I loved the family and cultural involvement. It was really nice to delve back into the community of people presented in this series. The continued development from the last book put even more character to the people in this book. The Latinx culture was presented in an excellent way in both books. Having Spanish sprinkled throughout made the atmosphere very immersive. The author did a phenomenal job at explaining what the Spanish sentences meant, but in a very natural way. We always knew what had been said, even if it was in Spanish.
For this book specifically, and not the series as a whole, I enjoyed the way the second chance trope was done. It wasn’t like the two main characters had once had a heated brake up or something. They just drifted when they went their separate ways as they got older. This made it a lot more realistic when they still have feelings for each other. There is also the aspect of them having been very close friends since they were young.
Moving back to the aspect of family involvement in this book, it was fun to see the interaction of all the members of both families. The aspect of the families being close made the story just a little bit more appealing. Both families wanted what was best for both members involved in the relationship that is developed in this book. However, the aspect of family shown in this book isn’t always the supportive kind. There are people in this book that have their issues. This side plot gave a dynamic and realistic feel.
The romance was sweet and fun to read about. Although, I did not feel much stake or risk in it. Nothing really happened that had me at the edge of my seat. However, it is a perfect fast, summer read that envelopes you in the vibrant setting of Key West.
Thank you to Bookish-First and the Publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I enjoyed this one slightly more than the last, but they both hold the same positive aspects. I loved the family and cultural involvement. It was really nice to delve back into the community of people presented in this series. The continued development from the last book put even more character to the people in this book. The Latinx culture was presented in an excellent way in both books. Having Spanish sprinkled throughout made the atmosphere very immersive. The author did a phenomenal job at explaining what the Spanish sentences meant, but in a very natural way. We always knew what had been said, even if it was in Spanish.
For this book specifically, and not the series as a whole, I enjoyed the way the second chance trope was done. It wasn’t like the two main characters had once had a heated brake up or something. They just drifted when they went their separate ways as they got older. This made it a lot more realistic when they still have feelings for each other. There is also the aspect of them having been very close friends since they were young.
Moving back to the aspect of family involvement in this book, it was fun to see the interaction of all the members of both families. The aspect of the families being close made the story just a little bit more appealing. Both families wanted what was best for both members involved in the relationship that is developed in this book. However, the aspect of family shown in this book isn’t always the supportive kind. There are people in this book that have their issues. This side plot gave a dynamic and realistic feel.
The romance was sweet and fun to read about. Although, I did not feel much stake or risk in it. Nothing really happened that had me at the edge of my seat. However, it is a perfect fast, summer read that envelopes you in the vibrant setting of Key West.