Review - - Along Came Amor

Along Came Amor

by Alexis Daria

Primas of Power - Book 3

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: May 27, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

No strings

After Ava Rodriguez’s now-ex-husband declares he wants to “follow his dreams”—which no longer include her—she’s left questioning everything she thought she wanted. So when a handsome hotelier flirts with her, Ava vows to stop overthinking and embrace the opportunity for an epic one-night-stand.

No feelings 

Roman Vázquez’s sole focus is the empire he built from the ground up. He lives and dies by his schedule, but the gorgeous stranger grimacing into her cocktail inspires him to change his plans for the evening. At first, it’s easy for Roman to agree to Ava’s rules: no strings, no feelings. But one night isn’t enough, and the more they meet, the more he wants.

No falling in love

Roman is the perfect fling, until Ava sees him at her cousin’s engagement party—as the groom’s best man, no less! Maintaining her boundaries becomes a lot more complicated as she tries to hide their relationship from her family, but Roman isn’t content being her dirty little secret. With her future uncertain and her family pressuring her from all sides, Ava will have to decide if love is worth the risk—again.

PJ's Thoughts:

This one was worth the wait. Not only is Along Came Amor my favorite book of Alexis Daria's exceptional Primas of Power trilogy, it's also one of my favorite books I've read this year and Roman and Ava, one of my favorite couples.

Once again, Daria's big, loving, but wholly dysfunctional, Latinx family took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. My heart broke for Ava. I just want to wrap her up in a big hug and tell her she is absolutely worthy of love just as she is without having to be the perfect "good girl" to earn it. I loved watching her slow evolution even if, at times, I wanted to move it along. Daria knew what she was doing though. The indoctrination of Ava to always put everyone else before herself had taken years to accomplish. To feel authentic, changing that mindset would have to take time as well.

And that's where Roman comes in. I love this character! Is he perfect? No, he isn't. He's a workaholic, tends to be a fixer, and has some emotional baggage to work through himself. But, he is perfect for Ava. His respect, his understanding of her and her needs, his willingness to give her the time and space she needs, all while falling hard (and first) and wanting more proved to me just how right he is for a woman who has never, in her entire life, been put first by anyone. I also love how he opens himself, how he also grows, and the changes in his life he's willing to make to prove the commitment he's promised. He's such a swoon-worthy hero. 

One of my favorite facets of this book, as well as the two preceding, is the cultural representation. I love the food, history, and traditions that are intertwined throughout this story, the little insights into life in a large, meddling, Puerto Rican family. I especially enjoyed the parts of the story set in Puerto Rico - some funny, some steamy, some poignant, and some deeply emotional. 

I've read Along Came Amor twice. Pretty sure I'll be reading it again. It checks all my happy reader boxes and then some. Each of the books in this trilogy can be enjoyed on its own, however, it's my opinion that reading them in order will deepen your understanding of this family and your enjoyment of each couple's journey. I highly recommend them all. 

Review & Giveaway - - A Summer to Start Over

A Summer to Start Over

by Sera Taíno

Finding Love in Soledad Bay - Book 1

Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

She needed help…

He needed to begin again.

Single mom Indya Linares has always been Ms. Independent—especially when her family’s hurricane-ravaged resort is at stake. But when Indya’s boat breaks down at sea, she’s forced to accept help from a handsome stranger who immediately makes her heart beat faster. Who would have imagined that he’s also her stubborn mother’s pick for a new facilities manager extraordinaire? After Santiago Pereira left Venezuela to begin again in Soledad Bay, he’s got something to prove to his family…and a mission to bring his daughter back to him. But when Santi just can’t stop thinking about his new boss, will hospitality take on a new meaning for them both?

PJ's Thoughts:

A Summer to Start Over launches Sera Taíno's Finding Love in Soledad Bay series with a Latinx, multi-cultural contemporary romance that kept me entertained from start to finish. 

Taíno knows how to immerse readers in a setting. This time, it's the upper Gulf coast of Florida, in a culturally diverse small town recovering from a hurricane. The breath-stealing sunsets, drool-inducing aromas emanating from Greek, Puerto Rican, and Venezuelan kitchens, abundant fishing, fresh Gulf breezes, and Spanish sprinkled throughout give the story authenticity that had me feeling as though I was an actual guest at Indya's family's resort.

I appreciated the layers of both Santi and Indya. These two have some emotional baggage to deal with along with a relationship dynamic that's gender flipped from what I usually see (she's the boss, he's her facilities manager). The complications of their evolving relationship, not only because of past emotional wounds but also with current family dynamics and life obstacles make them seem realistic and relatable. It made me like them and pull for them even more. I also loved the instant chemistry but slow-burn romance between them, especially those boat scenes. ;-)

The supporting cast is vividly depicted, offering up humor, conflict, friendship, support, and a look into issues many immigrants currently face. I'm hoping we'll see more of them, especially Indya's two best friends, in books to come. 

Have you read Sera Taíno yet?

Do you enjoy books that offer views into cultures different from your own?

Have you ever gone deep sea fishing?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 11 will receive a signed print copy of A Summer to Start Over. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

Coastal Magic 2025 Featured Author Spotlight & Giveaway - - Sera Taino

 

Sera Taíno writes romances exploring the joy of love in the context of community and family in all its rich diversity with an emphasis on inclusiveness.

She was selected for the Harlequin Romance Includes You Mentorship, an initiative launched in 2019 to reach out to diverse communities of writers and bring more own voices stories to romance readers.

When she is not writing, she can be found teaching her high school English class, reading, or wrangling her husband and two children.

Welcome to The Romance Dish, Sera!  It’s a pleasure to have you visit. For those readers who have yet to discover you, please share what they should expect when they pick up one of the books in your The Navarros series. 

Hello! Thank you for featuring me on The Romance Dish! So excited to be here. 

Readers who pick up The Navarros series will get a hefty dose of the Navarro family dynamic, which is fiercely loyal and protective, but also extremely silly and fun. They support each other, call each other out on their nonsense, and won’t hesitate to have a good laugh at each other’s expense.

I love the food in these books, how it not only represents their heritage but is one of the things that binds the Navarro family together. Is this something that is important in your own life? Are you a cook? Or do you prefer to be the “quality control” taster? What’s a special dish or type of cooking that speaks to you?

I love to cook and often spend hours in the kitchen. I’ve evolved as a cook. I used to want to get all the traditional Puerto Rican family dishes correct for my family. When I married my husband, I wanted to learn how to make his favorite central-Italian foods. Now, I’m more adventurous, trying things out of curiosity, and challenging myself to see if I can pull it off. Like a souffle or a bar of Dubai chocolate. I’m cooking a lot more for fun now, which speaks to the fact that my children are older and I have fewer constraints on what I have to make. 

I really enjoy the diversity in your books and among the Navarro siblings, not only as it pertains to their romantic lives but also in their choices of occupation as well as the impact of their mother’s unexpected death. As their creator, did you have all of this mapped out before you began writing or did the characters surprise you with some of their choices along the way?

It was a little bit of both! I planned the books as a four books series (I always planned a book for Oliva as well), so the occupations were settled early on according to their personalities but also, based on what I saw around me and my own experience of immigrant families. The oldest, especially if they were a daughter, would carry the family, the middle child would have all the characteristics of a middle child, and the youngest would be the one most acclimated to her new culture. Olivia is my most self indulgent character after Etienne. They came almost fully formed in my mind. I am a bit of a discovery writer - I don’t always know what’s going to end up on paper until I write it, so each character surprised me at some point. Val was the least surprising because A Delicious Dilemma is the most autobiographical of the three books, while The Trouble With Exes was perhaps the most difficult of all my novels to write, because I had the least in common with Nati.

Your bio says you’ve lived all over the world. What was your favorite place? Or, top three if you can’t choose just one. What made them special? Is there anywhere you haven’t lived that you would like to try one day?

I lived in Europe for almost ten years, so I was fortunate to be able to visit most of the countries in the EU. I found Italy the most beautiful but Germany was the easiest to live in. I have always wanted to visit South America and SE Asia, and hope to cross those off my bucket list some day!

Amazon shows a new book (first in a series) by you coming in April 2025. This makes me very happy! What can you tell us about this new series?

Oh, that’s my new series set in the fictional town of Soledad Bay, Florida. In many respects, it’s a small town romance series, much as The Navarros, but I wanted to write something in my current home state to highlight the beautiful nature of the state.

Blurb for A Summer to Start Over:

She needed help…

He needed to begin again.

Single mom Indya Linares has always been Ms. Independent—especially when her family’s hurricane-ravaged resort is at stake. But when Indya’s boat breaks down at sea, she’s forced to accept help from a handsome stranger who immediately makes her heart beat faster. Who would have imagined that he’s also her stubborn mother’s pick for a new facilities manager extraordinaire? After Santiago Pereira left Venezuela to begin again in Soledad Bay, he’s got something to prove to his family…and a mission to bring his daughter back to him. But when Santi just can’t stop thinking about his new boss, will hospitality take on a new meaning for them both?

I will definitely be picking up a copy of A Summer to Start Over!

Let’s wrap things up with a few rapid-fire questions.

What are your passions (aside from writing)?

I’m one of those people who has a million hobbies! I read, and look for good audiobooks. I love cooking, and traveling, but also I enjoy being outside in nature. I grew up wanting to be an astronomer and a telescope. I read tarot cards and use them extensively for writing and journaling. I have fun with blackout poetry, and I enjoy a really good conversation with my friends.

What would readers be surprised to learn about you?

I speak four languages

I studied to be a genetic engineer for many years

What are you currently reading or looking forward to reading?

I am looking forward to the publication of When The Tides Held The Moon, a gorgeous queer, Latine historical romance by the amazing Venessa Kelly.

Where can readers find you online?

I’m serataino everywhere. I’m most active on Instagram. You can also follow my newsletter at serataino.com/mailing-list.

Thank you for joining us today, Sera. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. I loved all three of the Navarro books and am looking forward to your new series in 2025.

Readers, have you read any of Sera's books yet?

Tell us what book you're currently reading or most looking forward to reading?

Are you an adventurous cook? What types of dishes do you most enjoy making?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, December 19 will receive a signed print copy of book one in Sera's Navarros series, A Delicious Dilemma. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - The Cowboy Whisperer

The Cowboy Whisperer

by Sabrina Sol

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: November 28, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

When a champion equestrian butts heads with a sexy, brooding cowboy, the heat between them sizzles.

After her last disastrous competition went viral, Olympic hopeful Veronica del Valle spent three years healing – and hiding. Finally ready for another shot, Veronica agrees to train at an under-the-radar, family-run ranch in tiny Esperanza, California. The living accommodations? Sparse. High-end equestrian equipment? Zero. What Rancho Lindo does have is stable manager Tómas Ortega, a brooding, handsome cowboy who offers Veronica unsolicited advice during her training sessions. Advice that, infuriatingly, turns out to be right every time.

The only thing Tómas cares about are his horses and saving his family’s ranch—and not their new boarder, who makes it clear she’s not happy with his stables. So he’s shocked Veronica offers to pretend to be his girlfriend when Tomas’s ex comes back to town. All she wants in return is some after-hours training. He soon realizes Veronica is nothing like he imagined, and the harder he falls, the more he worries, because Veronica’s Olympic dreams will eventually take her away from Rancho Lindo – and from him.

PJ's Thoughts:

I do love me a cowboy. Make him a broody Mexican-American cowboy with strong family bonds, a special connection to horses, and a once broken, now wary heart and I am all in. Plus, bonus, he has brothers!

Sabrina Sol has created an enjoyable contemporary romance with two main characters who have both been hurt by love. I enjoyed their journey from adversaries to lovers, with a fake relationship that gradually grows into friendship, thrown into the mix. Veronica and Tómas each have flaws, familial complications, and emotional baggage that make them both realistic and relatable. Each has an emotional journey of growth to complete individually as well as part of a couple. Sol guides them through it with a deft hand. The banter between them is lively, as is the initial friction that morphs into an undeniable attraction. They're opposites in many ways but alike in others, sharing commonalities, such as their love of horses and of family. I could feel the feelings that slowly grow between them even when they are at odds. 

I really enjoyed the Mexican-American representation of both families in this book. Sol has included traditions, (drool-worthy) food, and Spanish language that give the characters and their storylines a rich cultural authenticity. It brought them to life for me, eliciting a deep appreciation for their history as well as their present-day lives. 

The Cowboy Whisperer is the second book in this series but stands well on its own. Even though the lead couple from book one, Second Chance at Rancho Lindo, feature prominently in this book I never felt lost or confused for not having read their story. However, once I met them I knew I'd be diving into their book too. I hope we'll continue to see the evolution of both couples' relationships as the series moves forward. 

Have you read books by Sabrina Sol?

Do you enjoy reading romances with strong cultural representation?

How do you feel about cowboys, whether present day or historical?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, December 7 will receive a print copy of The Cowboy Whisperer.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Thank you to Forever Romance for the generous donation of a print copy of The Cowboy Whisperer for today's giveaway. 

 

Review - - Ramón and Julieta

Ramón and Julieta

by Alana Quintana Albertson

Love & Tacos - Book 1

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: February 1, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Ramón Montez always achieves his goals. Whether that means collecting Ivy League degrees or growing his father’s fast-food empire, nothing sets Ramón off course. So when the sexy señorita who kissed him on the Day of the Dead runs off into the night with his heart, he determines to do whatever it takes to find her again. 
 
Celebrity chef Julieta Campos has sacrificed everything to save her sea-to-table taqueria from closing. To her horror, she discovers that her new landlord is none other than the magnetic mariachi she hooked up with on Dia de los Muertos. Even worse, it was his father who stole her mother’s taco recipe decades ago. Julieta has no choice but to work with Ramón, the man who destroyed her life’s work—and the one man who tempts and inspires her. 
 
As San Diego’s outraged community protests against the Taco King takeover and the divide between their families grows, Ramón and Julieta struggle to balance the rising tensions. But Ramón knows that true love is priceless and despite all of his successes, this is the one battle he refuses to lose.

PJ's Thoughts:

Albertson pays homage to her Mexican-American heritage in this immersive novel that kept me reading way past my bedtime. Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - but with a happy ending this time around - she explores themes of class, cultural representation, familial pressures. and gentrification in modern-day San Diego. Her experiences bring an authenticity to both the setting as well as the characters. In many ways, this book is a love letter to San Diego's  Barrio Logan, celebrating its rich, colorful history without discounting the challenges the residents, and their community, face. 

I loved the traditions, music, culture, and food (word of advice: do not read this book on an empty stomach) spotlighted in the novel. The characters convey the deep appreciation Chicanos hold for their heritage while also acknowledging the separation within the communities that arise between the "locals" (Julieta) and those viewed as "sellouts" (Ramón), the ones who have left the ethnic communities behind to seek greener pastures in rich enclaves and country club communities. It's an additional layer of complication that Ramón and Julieta must overcome to achieve their happily ever after and one that causes significant introspection for Ramón.

Ramón and Julieta are both relatable, likeable characters with layers that made them - and their journey - interesting. I had no trouble connecting with them, loved their chemistry, and cheered them on in the face of the parental and community opposition they faced. I hope Albertson will continue to follow the progression of their relationship in the next two books, which I'm hoping will star Ramón's brothers. They each showed intriguing layers in the second half of this book that have me eager to read their stories. And if there's more food, music, and cultural richness in their books too, all the better. 

Review - - A Lot Like Adios and Birthday Giveaway #14

A Lot Like Adios

by Alexis Daria

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: September 14, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Hi Mich. It’s Gabe.

After burning out in her corporate marketing career, Michelle Amato has built a thriving freelance business as a graphic designer. So what if her love life is nonexistent? She’s perfectly fine being the black sheep of her marriage-obsessed Puerto Rican-Italian family. Besides, the only guy who ever made her want happily-ever-after disappeared thirteen years ago.

It’s been a long time.

Gabriel Aguilar left the Bronx at eighteen to escape his parents’ demanding expectations, but it also meant saying goodbye to Michelle, his best friend and longtime crush. Now, he’s the successful co-owner of LA’s hottest celebrity gym, with an investor who insists on opening a New York City location. It’s the last place Gabe wants to go, but when Michelle is unexpectedly brought on board to spearhead the new marketing campaign, everything Gabe’s been running from catches up with him.

I’ve missed you.

Michelle is torn between holding Gabe at arm’s length or picking up right where they left off—in her bed. As they work on the campaign, old feelings resurface, and their reunion takes a sexy turn. Facing mounting pressure from their families—who think they’re dating—and growing uncertainty about their futures, can they resolve their past mistakes, or is it only a matter of time before Gabe says adiós again?

PJ's Thoughts:

Alexis Daria's You Had Me at Hola was one of my top books of 2020. I enjoyed A Lot Like Adios even more. Daria effortlessly pulled me into this book with a fast-paced, immersive story that kept me eagerly turning pages from beginning to end with no idea how this journey would finally reach its conclusion. 

I really liked the friends-to-lovers romance for Gabe and Michelle. It was fun to watch them reconnect after so many years apart - not an easy process. Daria skillfully and realistically guided them through the (still fresh even after 13 years) emotional fallout from their less-than-amicable teenage breakup, forcing them to communicate and work through their issues in present day. I appreciated the work these two had to put in. The author gave them no easy answers. While they had to put in the effort to address their emotional issues, they obviously needed no assistance with their physical connection. These two were hot for each other and I loved it! 

While this book is definitely the story of Michelle and Gabe's journey to love, and Michelle does experience growth both professionally and personally, in many ways this was about Gabe, his journey being more complex, and his growth more profound. There were so many issues for him to work through apart from his feelings for Michelle. There's his career, his fractured family, his self worth, and his ability to be his true, authentic self. It's a rewarding and emotional journey that had me crying, laughing, and cheering. 

Daria has also assembled a richly diverse secondary cast that enriches the main story. The family interactions are, by turns, hilarious, poignant, messy, and loving. This author really knows how to write big, meddling, affectionate, occasionally overbearing, Latinx families and bring them to vivid life on the page. She has also included sexual diversity in this book - trans and bisexual characters, for example - without making it a big deal but, rather, casually stated as simply a natural part of a character's make up. I find that so refreshing. I also have to say that I really enjoyed the interstitials between chapters, flashing back to the texts between a young Michelle and Gabe as they wrote fan fiction together. Not only did it give me greater insight into their characters and their younger relationship but I found myself being pulled into their fan fic and wanting to read the full story! 

If you enjoy Latinx stories with a friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance, meddling families, emotional growth, plenty of steam, and a hard-earned happily ever after, give A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Birthday Giveaway #14:

Have you read Alexis Daria yet?

Are there other authors you would recommend who are writing Latinx romance?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 15 will receive a book from my home collection. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Review - - Anchored Hearts

Anchored Hearts

by Priscilla Oliveras

Keys to Love - Book 2

Publisher: Zebra Books

Release Date: April 27, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Award-winning photographer Alejandro Miranda hasn’t been home to Key West in years—not since he left to explore broader horizons with his papi’s warning “never to come back” echoing in his ears. He wouldn’t be heading there now if it wasn’t for an injury requiring months of recuperation. The drama of a prodigal son returning to his familia and their beloved Cuban restaurant is bad enough, but coming home to the island paradise also means coming face to face with the girl he left behind—the one who was supposed to be by his side all along . . .
 
Anamaría Navarro was shattered when Alejandro took off without her. Traveling the world was their plan, not just his. But after her father’s heart attack, there was no way she could leave—not even for the man she loved. Now ensconced in the family trade as a firefighter and paramedic, with a side hustle as a personal trainer, Anamaría is dismayed that just the sight of Alejandro is enough to rekindle the flame she’s worked years to put out. And as famillia meddling pushes them together, the heat of their attraction only climbs higher. Can they learn to trust again, before the Key West sun sets on their chance at happiness?

PJ's Thoughts:

In this second book of the Keys to Love series, Oliveras brings readers an emotionally gratifying story of heartbreak, mending fences, and second chances, all set within the lush, tropical, southernmost point in the United States: Key West. 

Anchored Hearts is more than a second chance at romance for first loves, Alejandro and Anamaria. It's also a chance to repair the deep and longstanding rift between Alejandro and his father. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between the childhood sweethearts. Oliveras takes her time with them, slowly reigniting their friendship before gradually moving them into a new relationship indicative of the adults they now are and the individual journeys they've traveled over the past ten years. There are too many past hurts and misconceptions to overcome before a new romance can begin. Although, of course, the meddling mamas are in full-speed matchmaking mode from the beginning. They've already plotted the outcome; they just need their two stubborn children to get on board. 

In many ways, the rift with Alejandro's father is deeper and even more difficult to repair than that between the former lovers. Oliveras delves deep into the fabric of this Cuban-American family that shows love through their language, their food, their close family ties, and their rich cultural heritage. The way she highlights the differences between generations is at times heartbreaking but also indicative of what occurs in many immigrant families when a second-generation child veers from the course his family has set for him. The resolution scene between younger and older generation is one of the most emotional in the book and had me reaching for more than a few tissues.

In the first book of the series, Oliveras shows us Key West through the eyes of a tourist. In Anchored Hearts, she brings the tiny island to life through the eyes of those who have called Key West home - - through her own eyes. I could feel the tropical breezes, the sun on my skin, the sand between my toes, and the beauty of the sunsets people gather to toast every night. But she also evoked memories of quiet residential streets, family-run restaurants where everyone knows your name, and the love and pride locals hold in their hearts for their little piece of paradise.

This is a book that made me laugh, sigh, cry and eagerly anticipate the next book in the Keys to Love series. Until I can actually travel to Key West again, I'll happily revisit through the heart-tugging stories brought to life by Priscilla Oliveras.