maidcc's review
4.0
3.5 / 5 [ESP/ENG]
ESP:
Resumiendo es un ex-best friends to lovers con representación latina y LGBT+. Con muchas dosis de gestión emocional por parte de los dos protagonistas con muchas escenas de cama de las buenas. De las que aportan desarrollo dentro de la relación *cheff kiss*
Con este pack es difícil que la cosa salga mal. Y ya avanzo que no ha ido mal. Ha ido muy muy bien.
Quizás no le dé toda la nota que podría darle porque creo que se ha exprimido un poco demasiado el tema del drama y cayendo un poco en el cliché culebronesco de la comunidad latina.
He de admitir que el bilingüismo que hay aquí y ahí al principio me chocaba un poco pero como bilingüe que soy tengo que admitir que es totalmente cierto y verídico que hablamos así xD así que me tengo que tragar mis palabras.
En general recomendaría a Alexis Daria porque se nota que le pone mucho mimo en crear personajes sólidos, modernos, con representación, feministas y conscientes de su entorno que buscan una buena comunicación con su comunidad y parejas. Y aunque la gestión te pueda gustar más o menos está ahí y creo que solo por la intención ya merece puntos.
ENG:
This was a former best friends to lovers plot with fanfic in the middle, LGTB+ and latinx representation (all of that with lots of good sex). And I was here for it!
Alexis Daria deserves a round of applause just for including all of that. Plus having mature characters that actually want to grow as a person, trying to overcome their hardships, communicate with their significant others and go after their dreams.
Perhaps the only thing that I'd say is that it had too much drama. It almost felt cliché. Like all latinxs are like the ones in telenovelas...
Scribd narrator: Seraphine Valentine. She's GOOD.
ESP:
Resumiendo es un ex-best friends to lovers con representación latina y LGBT+. Con muchas dosis de gestión emocional por parte de los dos protagonistas con muchas escenas de cama de las buenas. De las que aportan desarrollo dentro de la relación *cheff kiss*
Con este pack es difícil que la cosa salga mal. Y ya avanzo que no ha ido mal. Ha ido muy muy bien.
Quizás no le dé toda la nota que podría darle porque creo que se ha exprimido un poco demasiado el tema del drama y cayendo un poco en el cliché culebronesco de la comunidad latina.
He de admitir que el bilingüismo que hay aquí y ahí al principio me chocaba un poco pero como bilingüe que soy tengo que admitir que es totalmente cierto y verídico que hablamos así xD así que me tengo que tragar mis palabras.
En general recomendaría a Alexis Daria porque se nota que le pone mucho mimo en crear personajes sólidos, modernos, con representación, feministas y conscientes de su entorno que buscan una buena comunicación con su comunidad y parejas. Y aunque la gestión te pueda gustar más o menos está ahí y creo que solo por la intención ya merece puntos.
ENG:
This was a former best friends to lovers plot with fanfic in the middle, LGTB+ and latinx representation (all of that with lots of good sex). And I was here for it!
Alexis Daria deserves a round of applause just for including all of that. Plus having mature characters that actually want to grow as a person, trying to overcome their hardships, communicate with their significant others and go after their dreams.
Perhaps the only thing that I'd say is that it had too much drama. It almost felt cliché. Like all latinxs are like the ones in telenovelas...
Scribd narrator: Seraphine Valentine. She's GOOD.
apmcmullen's review
3.75
Friends-to-lovers will always be a superior trope for me. Tie in second-chance romance, a hot former baseball-playing MMC, and nerdy sci-fi fanfic? I'm in it! This was a buddy read with a friend on TikTok, and this book was much spicier than I anticipated (I'm a no-spice-preferred reader), but it was a good time all around.
I really enjoyed both of our main characters. Their stories and motivations were easy to relate to and get caught up in. The discussions on mental health, family relationships, sexuality, and pursuing "dream" careers were poignant and added some depth to the book. There were a few things that came out of left field and the kind of story arc you can expect from most romcoms. It was a quick read too! A perfectly good romance!
I really enjoyed both of our main characters. Their stories and motivations were easy to relate to and get caught up in. The discussions on mental health, family relationships, sexuality, and pursuing "dream" careers were poignant and added some depth to the book. There were a few things that came out of left field and the kind of story arc you can expect from most romcoms. It was a quick read too! A perfectly good romance!
justacatandabook's review
emotional
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
3.75
Gabe and Michelle were best friends as kids. They briefly become more than friends, but Gabe broke Michelle's heart by leaving for college and breaking all contact. They haven't seen each in other years, but when Gabe's business partner contacts Michelle to help with with a marketing project for their gym, she and Gabe reunite. They immediately realize how much they care for each other... but it's complicated.
This second chance romance started off a bit slow and repetitive as it revolved around only Gabe and Michelle working, fighting, and then a steamy scene. However, things eventually picked up a bit and offered more character development and depth. The two of them quickly grew on me--I liked both of their characters and their loud, loving families (the Latinx representation is wonderful!). The book deftly covers the topics of family, work, and finding yourself--both Gabe and Michelle are trying to grow as people, even if they are terrible at relationships!
ADIOS plays with romance tropes (only one bed!) and uses fan fiction (Gabe and Michelle wrote one as kids) to its advantage. It all makes for a really fun and cute story. I didn't read the first book in this series (they stand alone just fine), but I plan to now.
Also, this was my second book of my 2023 random # generator shelves challenge, where I've numbered my bookshelves (in a spreadsheet) and used a random google number generator to pick the shelf and then the book!
This second chance romance started off a bit slow and repetitive as it revolved around only Gabe and Michelle working, fighting, and then a steamy scene. However, things eventually picked up a bit and offered more character development and depth. The two of them quickly grew on me--I liked both of their characters and their loud, loving families (the Latinx representation is wonderful!). The book deftly covers the topics of family, work, and finding yourself--both Gabe and Michelle are trying to grow as people, even if they are terrible at relationships!
ADIOS plays with romance tropes (only one bed!) and uses fan fiction (Gabe and Michelle wrote one as kids) to its advantage. It all makes for a really fun and cute story. I didn't read the first book in this series (they stand alone just fine), but I plan to now.
Also, this was my second book of my 2023 random # generator shelves challenge, where I've numbered my bookshelves (in a spreadsheet) and used a random google number generator to pick the shelf and then the book!
ameria_rose's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It isn't a horrible book I just read this at the wrong time :) Definitely don't read it when you are in the mood for a more well developed plot.
allierose2's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Not usually big into second chance romances but teenagers are idiots so this one mostly flies. Gabe’s relationship with his family is really the highlight here, as a lot of the silly premises for the romance— while hot— aren’t actually that believable. Do I want to live in Alexis Daria’s version of the Bronx? Hell yes.
mrsjoylovesbooks's review
3.0
I had high hopes for this book after really enjoying You Had Me at Hola. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me. It’s definitely a spicy read, even more so than it’s predecessor, which caught me off guard a bit since the heat starts pretty quickly. I prefer more of a slow burn. I didn’t feel connected to the main characters or feel invested in their relationship. I did enjoy the Latinx family part of the story and I especially loved Michelle’s ideas for the campaign. It just didn’t wow me though. The Interstatial chapters weren't very interesting, but I could see the parallels. As with You Had Me at Hola, I appreciate the Latinx representation. This just wasn't a favorite for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Alexis Daria for a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Alexis Daria for a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
nicola_june's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
jill_r_317's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
esters's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0