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Primas of Power #2
A Lot Like Adiós
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?
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?
387 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2021
About the author
Alexis Daria
10 books1,842 followersAlexis Daria writes stories about successful Latinx characters and their (occasionally messy) familias. You Had Me at Hola, the first book in her Primas of Power series, is a national bestseller. Alexis is a lifelong New Yorker who loves Broadway musicals and pizza.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,834 reviews
May 13, 2022
1.5 stars ✿
I wish that I could wake up with amnesia and forget about the stupidlittle things book.
I wish that I could wake up with amnesia and forget about the stupid
November 5, 2021
This was underwhelming.
This took me way too long to read. It felt like I was reading it forever.
The story wasn’t compelling enough, nothing about it made me eager to pick it up once I put it down.
I was expecting for it to consume me, but it didn’t. Instead, I kept waiting for it to get interesting, but it was lukewarm throughout. And lukewarm gets boring.
It had interesting tropes and elements but I could not fully invest myself in this story.
I much preferred You Had Me at Hola.
This took me way too long to read. It felt like I was reading it forever.
The story wasn’t compelling enough, nothing about it made me eager to pick it up once I put it down.
I was expecting for it to consume me, but it didn’t. Instead, I kept waiting for it to get interesting, but it was lukewarm throughout. And lukewarm gets boring.
It had interesting tropes and elements but I could not fully invest myself in this story.
I much preferred You Had Me at Hola.
February 5, 2022
“Stop seducing me at the zoo.” Yes, Gabe, stop seducing Michelle at the zoo. You wanna know where else they seduce each other?
Second chance is a top-tier romance trope. Aside from forbidden love, it’s a top trope for me.
I once heard that authors draw inspiration from their own sex lives to write sexy scenes. If that’s true, Dariaaaaaaaaaa…..
Michelle and Gabriel were too cute!!! Too much! Michelle and Gabriel were best friends in high school, I’m talking writing fanfiction together kind of best friends, but he had to leave to follow his dreams and it wasn’t really pretty. He cut ties with Michelle and even his family, but he does achieve his dreams and gets his own business. His partner Fabian hires Michelle for a marketing campaign, and that forces them to meet each other after all these years. Michelle insists that Gabriel stays with her, and that’s when the show escalates.
Both the MCs are good-looking. I know that because it was mentioned A LOT in the book. I’ve said it before, I want more books with average-looking MCs. Gabriel and Michelle’s chemistry is undeniable. In fact, Gabriel is usually instantly turned on just by seeing Michelle. Sigh, I crave that kind of power over another human being. Michelle, herself naturally exudes a lot of confidence, even though she opens more about how that might not always be the case. I like both of their characters a lot.
Michelle and Gabe were HOT. Unfortunately, they kept lying to themselves about their true intentions. How are they going to be finally honest which each other? How do their individual careers play a role in this decision?
Gabe also has a lot of emotions to deal with when it comes to his family. Sometimes some families just don’t understand you and you just have to break apart in order to do what you want to do. I think this is an important subject to explore especially with how complex it can be when it comes to immigrant parents. Will Gabe be able to mend his relationship with his parents? Will his parents ever accept him for who he is?
This book also had a lot of humor, from parents seeing their children buying condoms to showing up to parties half-naked so you don’t get your clothes wrinkled. We need more books that have some parts of you shaking one minute *wink*, and laughing out loud the next.
I was so happy to see Jasmine and Ashton from the last book. I love how close the primas are and can’t wait for Ava’s story.
Second chance is a top-tier romance trope. Aside from forbidden love, it’s a top trope for me.
I once heard that authors draw inspiration from their own sex lives to write sexy scenes. If that’s true, Dariaaaaaaaaaa…..
Michelle and Gabriel were too cute!!! Too much! Michelle and Gabriel were best friends in high school, I’m talking writing fanfiction together kind of best friends, but he had to leave to follow his dreams and it wasn’t really pretty. He cut ties with Michelle and even his family, but he does achieve his dreams and gets his own business. His partner Fabian hires Michelle for a marketing campaign, and that forces them to meet each other after all these years. Michelle insists that Gabriel stays with her, and that’s when the show escalates.
Both the MCs are good-looking. I know that because it was mentioned A LOT in the book. I’ve said it before, I want more books with average-looking MCs. Gabriel and Michelle’s chemistry is undeniable. In fact, Gabriel is usually instantly turned on just by seeing Michelle. Sigh, I crave that kind of power over another human being. Michelle, herself naturally exudes a lot of confidence, even though she opens more about how that might not always be the case. I like both of their characters a lot.
Michelle and Gabe were HOT. Unfortunately, they kept lying to themselves about their true intentions. How are they going to be finally honest which each other? How do their individual careers play a role in this decision?
Gabe also has a lot of emotions to deal with when it comes to his family. Sometimes some families just don’t understand you and you just have to break apart in order to do what you want to do. I think this is an important subject to explore especially with how complex it can be when it comes to immigrant parents. Will Gabe be able to mend his relationship with his parents? Will his parents ever accept him for who he is?
This book also had a lot of humor, from parents seeing their children buying condoms to showing up to parties half-naked so you don’t get your clothes wrinkled. We need more books that have some parts of you shaking one minute *wink*, and laughing out loud the next.
I was so happy to see Jasmine and Ashton from the last book. I love how close the primas are and can’t wait for Ava’s story.
September 18, 2021
LOVE GABE AND MICH!
Petition for Alexis to publish CELESTIAL DESTINY <3
Petition for Alexis to publish CELESTIAL DESTINY <3
Read
November 19, 2021DNF at 20%
The dialogue is so cheesy, I’m getting second-hand embarrassment. I love myself too much to read on.
The dialogue is so cheesy, I’m getting second-hand embarrassment. I love myself too much to read on.
August 5, 2021
I liked this follow up to "You Had Me at Hola" even better than I enjoyed that first one, as this had 2 flavors I love: friends to lovers and a brief bit of fake dating. Overall, this was really Gabe's story of moving through his childhood feelings of being disconnected from his father to become the person he wants to be and living the life he wants to live. And the sexy times were very steamy, so score one there. I also really loved the little interstitials with their old fanfic chats.
Overall, a really lovely contemporary romance and here's hoping we get more in the series, if for no other reason than we need more of these covers
Overall, a really lovely contemporary romance and here's hoping we get more in the series, if for no other reason than we need more of these covers
November 7, 2021
So I knew I was going to love this book because of the masterpiece that was You Had Me at Hola, but I do feel like Alexis Daria cheated by following it up with my favorite trope. Second chance romances are my crack. Plus there was a somewhat friends with benefits situation, a lot of steam, and fanfic. If there’s more you want in a book, I don’t know what to tell you.
But let’s rewind for a second. Michelle and Gabe were best friends growing up (can you hear me screaming in the background?) until they had a falling out at eighteen, in the middle of their one and only quasi-hook-up, and never spoke again.
Thirteen years later, Gabe is now the co-owner of a successful gym in Los Angeles on the verge of an expansion to his hometown of New York City, and he finds out his business partner contacted a freelancer to help out with the marketing side of it without his knowledge. Of course the freelancer turns out to be Michelle, who used to be a big shot in the corporate marketing world.
Gabe feels obligated to reach out to her himself, and is surprised to find that she’s willing to take the job - if he’ll stay with her while he’s in New York so they can finally “hash out their issues”. If you know what I mean. 😏🔥
It was so lovely seeing flashbacks of Gabe and Michelle’s message exchanges when they were teenagers, especially because they were writing a fanfic together and their plotting actually mirrors some of their relationship, very much in the vein of You Had Me at Hola with the telenovela’s plot mirroring Jasmine and Ashton’s storyline.
Michelle is such a badass and Gabe was the perfect counterpart for her. This book had all the best tropes in all the land and I loved it so much.
Also, I would kill for Ava’s book.
But let’s rewind for a second. Michelle and Gabe were best friends growing up (can you hear me screaming in the background?) until they had a falling out at eighteen, in the middle of their one and only quasi-hook-up, and never spoke again.
Thirteen years later, Gabe is now the co-owner of a successful gym in Los Angeles on the verge of an expansion to his hometown of New York City, and he finds out his business partner contacted a freelancer to help out with the marketing side of it without his knowledge. Of course the freelancer turns out to be Michelle, who used to be a big shot in the corporate marketing world.
Gabe feels obligated to reach out to her himself, and is surprised to find that she’s willing to take the job - if he’ll stay with her while he’s in New York so they can finally “hash out their issues”. If you know what I mean. 😏🔥
It was so lovely seeing flashbacks of Gabe and Michelle’s message exchanges when they were teenagers, especially because they were writing a fanfic together and their plotting actually mirrors some of their relationship, very much in the vein of You Had Me at Hola with the telenovela’s plot mirroring Jasmine and Ashton’s storyline.
Michelle is such a badass and Gabe was the perfect counterpart for her. This book had all the best tropes in all the land and I loved it so much.
Also, I would kill for Ava’s book.
August 7, 2021
This review talks about adult content, so if you are under the age of 18, please either skip past this review or proceed with caution.
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads for sending me an advanced reader’s copy of this book. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway but that in no way impacts my review.
This was my first book by Alexis Daria and it definitely won’t be the last one that I read by her. This book reads like a Hallmark movie with HBO levels of steam. A Lot Like Adiós is a childhood friends to lovers romance that is steamy and fun with Latinx, bisexual, and transgender rep. If I’m liking a steamy book, trust me that it’s a good book because I usually stay away from steamy books.
Everything about this book was pure perfection, but I feel that the elements that stood out the most to me were the pacing, the writing style, and the characters. It was so fast that I couldn’t put it down and I read twice as fast as normal. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next and I was constantly eager for more. The writing style also kept me hooked on this book. Alexis Daria has a way with words that is beautiful. She uses quick sentences with great descriptions that captivated me from start to finish. And as for the characters, they were fantastic. There’s Michelle, the fierce and powerful girl who has a strong connection with her family, and Gabriel, a strong yet thoughtful man who is struggling with his family relationships. They have tons of chemistry that made me root for them throughout the course of this book.
The thing that caught me most off guard about the books were the nerdy histories of the two main characters. If you know me, you know that I love tv shows and fanfiction, so seeing those two elements added in the flashback scenes was a lot of fun for me. I almost wish we’d get a novella that lets us read the fanfiction that the two characters were writing because the small bits of the fanfiction that were included in this book were really good.
Overall A Lot Like Adiós was an addicting and enjoyable read that is now one of my favorites of the year. If you’re into romance, especially ones with some steam, then don’t hesitate to add this one to your tbr.
Also, I’m not saying this in a judgmental way but as an asexual person, I didn’t know people could have sex this much?? Like dang, y’all can be busy with this stuff…
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads for sending me an advanced reader’s copy of this book. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway but that in no way impacts my review.
This was my first book by Alexis Daria and it definitely won’t be the last one that I read by her. This book reads like a Hallmark movie with HBO levels of steam. A Lot Like Adiós is a childhood friends to lovers romance that is steamy and fun with Latinx, bisexual, and transgender rep. If I’m liking a steamy book, trust me that it’s a good book because I usually stay away from steamy books.
Everything about this book was pure perfection, but I feel that the elements that stood out the most to me were the pacing, the writing style, and the characters. It was so fast that I couldn’t put it down and I read twice as fast as normal. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next and I was constantly eager for more. The writing style also kept me hooked on this book. Alexis Daria has a way with words that is beautiful. She uses quick sentences with great descriptions that captivated me from start to finish. And as for the characters, they were fantastic. There’s Michelle, the fierce and powerful girl who has a strong connection with her family, and Gabriel, a strong yet thoughtful man who is struggling with his family relationships. They have tons of chemistry that made me root for them throughout the course of this book.
The thing that caught me most off guard about the books were the nerdy histories of the two main characters. If you know me, you know that I love tv shows and fanfiction, so seeing those two elements added in the flashback scenes was a lot of fun for me. I almost wish we’d get a novella that lets us read the fanfiction that the two characters were writing because the small bits of the fanfiction that were included in this book were really good.
Overall A Lot Like Adiós was an addicting and enjoyable read that is now one of my favorites of the year. If you’re into romance, especially ones with some steam, then don’t hesitate to add this one to your tbr.
Also, I’m not saying this in a judgmental way but as an asexual person, I didn’t know people could have sex this much?? Like dang, y’all can be busy with this stuff…
November 30, 2021
Another 5 stars from me? ABSOFREAKINLUTELY.
*************************************
'You Had Me at Hola' was one of the most entertaining rom-coms that I've read last year. Hopefully this one will be as entertaining as its companion novel.
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I didn't know Michelle was going to be the same character from 'You Had Me at Hola'. She seemed so interesting then and finding out this is going to be her books makes me 10 times more excited to pick this up.
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'You Had Me at Hola' was one of the most entertaining rom-coms that I've read last year. Hopefully this one will be as entertaining as its companion novel.
*********************************************
I didn't know Michelle was going to be the same character from 'You Had Me at Hola'. She seemed so interesting then and finding out this is going to be her books makes me 10 times more excited to pick this up.
November 7, 2021
A Lot Like... I Don't Give A Damn...
October 8, 2021
Where to begin with this book???😍😍😍
First of all, (because I know at least 90% of my audience is queer) I will say that both the main character and love interest are bi in this story, and that representation was written very well.
A Lot Like Adios has become a fast favorite of mine. I'm a sucker for second chance romance combined with childhood friends to lovers, which this book does both realistically and deliciously. The characters were friends throughout childhood, with some mutual pining and co-fanfic writing (they finally got Latinos in spaaaace and it was cancelled after one season) ending in a dazzling make out session and then boom... he leaves the next day, all the way across the country. The book begins when their worlds collide in the workplace resulting in some ~forced proximity~ and ~reconciliation.~
The SPICE???!?!? IN THIS BOOK?!?!?!?!? It is plentiful and verrry good lmao.
This author wrote banter, relationship building and reconciliation, familial struggles and spice SO WELL, this book is definitely a new favorite. I'm heading ASAP to read the first book in this series and YALL NEED TO READ THIS ONE ASAP. This book is now everything to me.
First of all, (because I know at least 90% of my audience is queer) I will say that both the main character and love interest are bi in this story, and that representation was written very well.
A Lot Like Adios has become a fast favorite of mine. I'm a sucker for second chance romance combined with childhood friends to lovers, which this book does both realistically and deliciously. The characters were friends throughout childhood, with some mutual pining and co-fanfic writing (they finally got Latinos in spaaaace and it was cancelled after one season) ending in a dazzling make out session and then boom... he leaves the next day, all the way across the country. The book begins when their worlds collide in the workplace resulting in some ~forced proximity~ and ~reconciliation.~
The SPICE???!?!? IN THIS BOOK?!?!?!?!? It is plentiful and verrry good lmao.
This author wrote banter, relationship building and reconciliation, familial struggles and spice SO WELL, this book is definitely a new favorite. I'm heading ASAP to read the first book in this series and YALL NEED TO READ THIS ONE ASAP. This book is now everything to me.
December 1, 2021
➵ this second-chance romance where a professional collaboration brings together two childhood best friends with tons of unsaid feelings and unfinished intimate business after one of them had simply left and subsequently ghosted the other ten years ago is an almost perfect mix of steam, emotions, and humour that easily entertains through a fast pace and a broader focus on familial expectations, flashbacks of once-written-together fanfiction, and a cute fake dating trope. of course, both the main characters being bisexual makes me swoon even more.
11.03.2021 absolutely loved you had me at hola and the author says a lot like adios has fake dating, fanfic, forced proximity, and is way hotter so there's nothing i would be more excited for. also, tha-that t-shirt grab on the cover OMG.
↣ listened to the audiobook on scribd ↢
11.03.2021 absolutely loved you had me at hola and the author says a lot like adios has fake dating, fanfic, forced proximity, and is way hotter so there's nothing i would be more excited for. also, tha-that t-shirt grab on the cover OMG.
September 19, 2021
4 spicy stars
This romance has some hot and spicy parts, but some story chops to go along with it!
Gabe is the founder of a popular gym in LA, and he’s headed back to New York (where he grew up) to pursue opening a second location. He left the Bronx on bad terms after high school, abandoning his best friend Michelle and turning his back on his demanding family.
Turns out Michelle has turned into a dynamite marketing and design consultant, and she’d be perfect for planning the new gym in NYC. Gabe decides to work with her, and you can guess that sparks will fly! First, he has to apologize for abandoning her, but things quickly heat back up with the two of them on unfinished business. He also has to patch things up with his family.
This was a fun story with Latinx characters who have strong family roots. I enjoyed the characters and wondered how Gabe and Michelle might make a long-distance romance work. Or would Gabe leave town again and say adios to Michelle?
Thank you to William Morrow/Avon and NetGalley for the copy to read. It was a pleasure to share my honest review.
This romance has some hot and spicy parts, but some story chops to go along with it!
Gabe is the founder of a popular gym in LA, and he’s headed back to New York (where he grew up) to pursue opening a second location. He left the Bronx on bad terms after high school, abandoning his best friend Michelle and turning his back on his demanding family.
Turns out Michelle has turned into a dynamite marketing and design consultant, and she’d be perfect for planning the new gym in NYC. Gabe decides to work with her, and you can guess that sparks will fly! First, he has to apologize for abandoning her, but things quickly heat back up with the two of them on unfinished business. He also has to patch things up with his family.
This was a fun story with Latinx characters who have strong family roots. I enjoyed the characters and wondered how Gabe and Michelle might make a long-distance romance work. Or would Gabe leave town again and say adios to Michelle?
Thank you to William Morrow/Avon and NetGalley for the copy to read. It was a pleasure to share my honest review.
September 7, 2022
I liked this a lot but I could’ve done without the fanfic sections. I’m not a huge fan of stories that mirror the main relationships bc I’m literally reading about the main relationship already I don’t need a garnish 😭 I was more invested in book one’s plot, but this was still a good time. I really like Alexis Daria’s writing style and the narrator was soooooo good. I’ll definitely be reading book 3!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
November 16, 2022
how is this SO MUCH BETTER than you had me at hola?? vulnerability and angst! abandonment issues! childhood besties, estranged and reunited! generational trauma and family drama! super cute fake dating! spanglish! bisexual protagonists!! revisiting childhood pain! passion and yearning!! so much chemistry and emotion and passionate love!! i adored reading this.
it's a perfectly paced romcom romp, and i was never bored. the interwoven spanish dialogue and latinx culture are cozy and wonderful, and there are many lovely little moments of humor. the romance and sex are superbly passionate. such deep emotion is inherent to the central relationship, and it's fucking beautiful.
。。。
one of my favorite things about the book is how well gabe and mich fit together. they know each other in that deep childhood-bonded way. that bond remains, despite the 13 years of angsty silence between then and now. and what a joy to see their relationship finally grow into one of mutual self-improvement and support. there's nothing better than having a partner who understands you deeply and collaborates with you on your personal growth and goodness, and helps you become a better version of yourself.
and oh my god:
it's a perfectly paced romcom romp, and i was never bored. the interwoven spanish dialogue and latinx culture are cozy and wonderful, and there are many lovely little moments of humor. the romance and sex are superbly passionate. such deep emotion is inherent to the central relationship, and it's fucking beautiful.
It's like he's been holding a piece of me all this time and I just got it back.
。。。
one of my favorite things about the book is how well gabe and mich fit together. they know each other in that deep childhood-bonded way. that bond remains, despite the 13 years of angsty silence between then and now. and what a joy to see their relationship finally grow into one of mutual self-improvement and support. there's nothing better than having a partner who understands you deeply and collaborates with you on your personal growth and goodness, and helps you become a better version of yourself.
and oh my god:
"Nothing," she said, her voice broken and breathy, but that wasn't true. "Why does it feel like this?"
He cupped her cheeks and peered into her eyes. "Like what?"
"Like I'm going to fall apart if you don't touch me?"
September 21, 2021
A childhood friends to lovers romance where Michelle and Gabe haven’t seen each other in thirteen years. They ended their friendship with a huge argument and a hot make out session. I was so looking forward to them seeing each other again and the tension between them. Sadly it just wasn’t there. A car ride and one night where not many words were exchanged. That was all it took for them to resolve it. I had at least expected some pining. Instead I got a story of two friends who find their way back to one another. Friends with benefits. The chemistry between them was great but I expected more romance. I appreciated that I got to know more about their cultures and how Michelle and Gabe finally expressed their feelings towards the end were sweet suited the story so well. Overall a great story but I’m feeling a little disappointed.
February 6, 2023
I try to give books I've struggled with previously or didn't like my first time reading another go as something I enjoy them more the second time around. I loved Alexis Daria's first book in the series and was excited to read this but my first time trying to listen to this I just didn't like it. Didn't felt emersed in the couple or everything else going on. But this time I really got into it by the end and it was a successful reread. Didn't love it as much as You had me at Hola but a 4 star read nevertheless
July 22, 2021
I typically do not enjoy fitness career characters, but Daria did an excellent job making Gabe focused on health and form, with shape/looks being secondary, so this ultimately worked great for me.
This one was a bit of a slower start (in me knowing if I would love it), but eventually Gabe and Mich won me over. Have to say I appreciated the horniess in this book SO MUCH, and the intersection of family and the pain and joy family can bring was deftly balanced with the romance.
The big conflict between whether or not Gabe would move to NYC or not, with Mich not currently having a physical job location was also ultimately wrapped up well, even if for a little bit I was like why are you two so allergic to trying some long distance. Reading about Gabe's struggles with meeting the expectations of his father but also realizing his own expectations were what was holding him back was a nice journey to see.
Loved the casual diversity of the story, including a character with they/them pronouns, and Gabe's niece who is trans. Both Gabe and Mich are bisexual.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the ARC - full review to come from Library Journal.
This one was a bit of a slower start (in me knowing if I would love it), but eventually Gabe and Mich won me over. Have to say I appreciated the horniess in this book SO MUCH, and the intersection of family and the pain and joy family can bring was deftly balanced with the romance.
The big conflict between whether or not Gabe would move to NYC or not, with Mich not currently having a physical job location was also ultimately wrapped up well, even if for a little bit I was like why are you two so allergic to trying some long distance. Reading about Gabe's struggles with meeting the expectations of his father but also realizing his own expectations were what was holding him back was a nice journey to see.
Loved the casual diversity of the story, including a character with they/them pronouns, and Gabe's niece who is trans. Both Gabe and Mich are bisexual.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the ARC - full review to come from Library Journal.
November 24, 2021
2021 Fall Bingo (#FallInLoveBingo🍂): Dancer
Can’t tell if this is underwhelming or if I’m just burned out on contemporaries. I wasn’t into the ship or gym marketing storyline at all. Like, the writing is good but I was ambivalent for most of the book (which is a shame because I loved the first installment in the series). YMMV.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Can’t tell if this is underwhelming or if I’m just burned out on contemporaries. I wasn’t into the ship or gym marketing storyline at all. Like, the writing is good but I was ambivalent for most of the book (which is a shame because I loved the first installment in the series). YMMV.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2021
This was a lot better than book 1. Still a little cheesy, but I liked Michelle and Gabe and their families!
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July 14, 2021
Solid and sexy.
I love Alexia Daria's writing, and how she ties so many themes into a book and lands the ending so fucking well. This second-chance romance is something I wasn't expecting to enjoy as much as I did, and yet...I really, really did. There's a lot to unpack, what with burnout and success and parental estrangement and family and reuniting and fanfeek (no, I will not elaborate but I will spoil it and say that it is not a dirty sex move).
And bonus! Both leads are bi!!!!
Full RTC.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
I love Alexia Daria's writing, and how she ties so many themes into a book and lands the ending so fucking well. This second-chance romance is something I wasn't expecting to enjoy as much as I did, and yet...I really, really did. There's a lot to unpack, what with burnout and success and parental estrangement and family and reuniting and fanfeek (no, I will not elaborate but I will spoil it and say that it is not a dirty sex move).
And bonus! Both leads are bi!!!!
Full RTC.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
February 6, 2023
My bookclub is probably surprised this is getting 2 stars but it’s more like 1.5 stars!!!
I give the stars for representation! It makes me so happy to have stories about Mi gente available in the big market. Give us more please publishing houses!
Ok having said that, I’m officially breaking up with this author. I have to say she’s very talented in a weird way because she’s managed to create male leads i detested with every cell of my body. while making Michelle ( the female lead) just be there taking it all because “she’s in love” How many times can the ducker leave her with no explanation?
Gabriel is supposedly a 30 year old man that’s so hung up on hating his parents and being able to prove he can do everything by himself. He can’t have a single conversation with the female lead, because why talk? Let’s just have sex. He is meant to be a successful business owner but knows zero about running his company. I just could not stand him!
Also I’m sorry but how many parents, especially Latino parents would be upset their kid got a full scholarship to a good university? Like why? How? Gabriel was meant to be a 1st generation American, and from my experience with children of immigrants they WANT THAT EDUCATION!!!
Lastly dear author, just because a topic is trendy, it does not mean you need to use it unless it will contribute something to the plot. Things like
I . Both female and male lead being bisexual??? Like why??? Unless you are going to give us some fun times with a 3rd character why was this in the story of endgame was a heterosexual couple?
2. His niece being transgender???? Like why????? I mean please give us more info, shows us a few of their struggles. But nope, this is all we got.. just 2 lines.
3. Gay uncle that came out and really weirdly for a Latino family EVERYONE WAS OK with him.
4. Female lead needing anxiety medicine, yet never ever ever acting like someone that suffer from anxiety. Being totally ok with huge groups, running her own business and talking to stranger while being the center of attention? Please give me the name of those pills she’s taking.
Anyhow rant over.. on to my next book
I give the stars for representation! It makes me so happy to have stories about Mi gente available in the big market. Give us more please publishing houses!
Ok having said that, I’m officially breaking up with this author. I have to say she’s very talented in a weird way because she’s managed to create male leads i detested with every cell of my body. while making Michelle ( the female lead) just be there taking it all because “she’s in love” How many times can the ducker leave her with no explanation?
Gabriel is supposedly a 30 year old man that’s so hung up on hating his parents and being able to prove he can do everything by himself. He can’t have a single conversation with the female lead, because why talk? Let’s just have sex. He is meant to be a successful business owner but knows zero about running his company. I just could not stand him!
Also I’m sorry but how many parents, especially Latino parents would be upset their kid got a full scholarship to a good university? Like why? How? Gabriel was meant to be a 1st generation American, and from my experience with children of immigrants they WANT THAT EDUCATION!!!
Lastly dear author, just because a topic is trendy, it does not mean you need to use it unless it will contribute something to the plot. Things like
I . Both female and male lead being bisexual??? Like why??? Unless you are going to give us some fun times with a 3rd character why was this in the story of endgame was a heterosexual couple?
2. His niece being transgender???? Like why????? I mean please give us more info, shows us a few of their struggles. But nope, this is all we got.. just 2 lines.
3. Gay uncle that came out and really weirdly for a Latino family EVERYONE WAS OK with him.
4. Female lead needing anxiety medicine, yet never ever ever acting like someone that suffer from anxiety. Being totally ok with huge groups, running her own business and talking to stranger while being the center of attention? Please give me the name of those pills she’s taking.
Anyhow rant over.. on to my next book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2021
I heard many positive reviews of Miss Daria's work recently. I am so looking forward for A lot Like Adios. And I am not disappointed. Gabe and Michelle is a fiction couple goal. They are so cute together. Especially Gabe who sometimes clueless.
A Lot Like Adios is a second chance romance with a fake dating on the mix. Miss Daria done a good job bringing family culture into the story.
The focus of the story is not just about the romance, but also family culture. I do like a story with a big, loud, colorful family. I like the chemistry between Michelle and Gabe. Their banter is cue and swoon worthy. From their childhood friendship and turned into so much more.
Overall this is a very good story.
4 stars
A Lot Like Adios is a second chance romance with a fake dating on the mix. Miss Daria done a good job bringing family culture into the story.
The focus of the story is not just about the romance, but also family culture. I do like a story with a big, loud, colorful family. I like the chemistry between Michelle and Gabe. Their banter is cue and swoon worthy. From their childhood friendship and turned into so much more.
Overall this is a very good story.
4 stars
October 5, 2021
Lamento decir que estoy decepcionada. 😔
Después de que me gustara tanto el libro anterior, mis expectativas eran enormes con este libro, y no resultó como esperaba. 🤧
El personaje de Gabriel no fue de mi agrado aunque Michelle sí me cayó bien. 😆
No soy muy fan de las historias de segundas oportunidades, aunque hay un par por ahí que sí amé. En esta ocasión me pareció muy meh. En ningún momento de la trama reí o me emocioné.
Las escenas spicy estuvieron ok.
Los textos en español, fueron como... 🙄 No usen google por favor. 🤦🏻♀
Después de que me gustara tanto el libro anterior, mis expectativas eran enormes con este libro, y no resultó como esperaba. 🤧
El personaje de Gabriel no fue de mi agrado aunque Michelle sí me cayó bien. 😆
No soy muy fan de las historias de segundas oportunidades, aunque hay un par por ahí que sí amé. En esta ocasión me pareció muy meh. En ningún momento de la trama reí o me emocioné.
Las escenas spicy estuvieron ok.
Los textos en español, fueron como... 🙄 No usen google por favor. 🤦🏻♀
January 22, 2023
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. 3.5 stars, rounded up to four here.
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. 3.5 stars, rounded up to four here.
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!
July 4, 2021
Childhood best friends to adult lovers contemporary romance, rich in ethnic and familial ties. Michelle and Gabe are charismatic characters. You'll root for their HEA. Thanks to Avon Books for providing a complimentary trade paperback uncorrected proof.
September 13, 2021
3.5 stars
I recently read the author's previous book, You Had Me at Hola, so it's hard not to compare the two romance novels. While I enjoyed both books, I liked the overall storyline better in the first one. But each one is definitely a fun and light read.
Michelle Amato lives in NYC and has stared a freelance business as a graphic designer. Gabriel Aguilar owns a successful gym in LA and is headed to the East Coast to scout out a second location for his business. Michelle and Gabriel were best friends growing up, but he broke her heart and they haven't been in contact for years. Total coincidence or fate, Michelle has been hired for the branding campaign for the second gym. So of course they will be working closely together and I'm sure it will be a strictly professional relationship. Yeah right, this is a second chance romance people!
The steam factor for this story is practically off the charts. The two leads have great chemistry. The problem for me was there wasn't much story. They jump into things early on and there's not much room to go from there unless you have a great conflict preventing the happily ever after. I'll be honest, I never fully understand why these two crazy kids, who couldn't keep their hands off each other, weren't an official item a lot sooner. It felt like the story was stretched out for no real purpose.
Thankfully, the two leads are likeable characters so that helps make up for so so storyline. And it was nice seeing characters from the first book make appearances in this one.
Thank you to Avon Books for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
I recently read the author's previous book, You Had Me at Hola, so it's hard not to compare the two romance novels. While I enjoyed both books, I liked the overall storyline better in the first one. But each one is definitely a fun and light read.
Michelle Amato lives in NYC and has stared a freelance business as a graphic designer. Gabriel Aguilar owns a successful gym in LA and is headed to the East Coast to scout out a second location for his business. Michelle and Gabriel were best friends growing up, but he broke her heart and they haven't been in contact for years. Total coincidence or fate, Michelle has been hired for the branding campaign for the second gym. So of course they will be working closely together and I'm sure it will be a strictly professional relationship. Yeah right, this is a second chance romance people!
The steam factor for this story is practically off the charts. The two leads have great chemistry. The problem for me was there wasn't much story. They jump into things early on and there's not much room to go from there unless you have a great conflict preventing the happily ever after. I'll be honest, I never fully understand why these two crazy kids, who couldn't keep their hands off each other, weren't an official item a lot sooner. It felt like the story was stretched out for no real purpose.
Thankfully, the two leads are likeable characters so that helps make up for so so storyline. And it was nice seeing characters from the first book make appearances in this one.
Thank you to Avon Books for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
October 15, 2021
Nope. Not having this. Not even the hot sexy times could redeem Michelle’s behavior.
I am estranged from my family, just like Gabe is in the story. He explicitly asked her to not stay in the house next to his parents, had a viable alternative to that set up, and she told him to grow up and refused to stay some place else. No go. We want men who respect women in books, but it’s ok for women to not respect men. No fucking way. This works both ways.
And I think I would have thrown my phone if I had to hear how hot her tits were one more time.
I am estranged from my family, just like Gabe is in the story. He explicitly asked her to not stay in the house next to his parents, had a viable alternative to that set up, and she told him to grow up and refused to stay some place else. No go. We want men who respect women in books, but it’s ok for women to not respect men. No fucking way. This works both ways.
And I think I would have thrown my phone if I had to hear how hot her tits were one more time.
January 31, 2023
Okay, when I first started this book, I hated it. Maybe hate is too strong. Intensely disliked, I’ll go with that. For the first 30% I wanted to smack Michelle and Gabe, and knock their heads together. I also wanted to sit them both down and strongly recommend therapy and encourage them to Grow Up Peter Pan. Gabriel and Michelle are childhood/high school best friends who haven’t seen or spoken to each other in THIRTEEN YEARS. Why? Because the jackass completely bailed on her when it came time for college, after lying and sneaking around to ensure that he would make the move from NYC to LA, against his family’s wishes. Oh, and he also hasn’t seen or spoken to his family for nine years. For reasons that made me feel both sympathetic and stabby. Because throw a host fit and overreact much? But also…being told what to do and having parents not give a shit about your dreams sucks. But acting like a whiny baby makes the split less applaudable.
Now, successful gym owner Gabe is forced to work in NYC with none other than Michelle, who he is still in love with, and who just laid down and welcomed him back after thirteen years of radio silence like a big ol’ pretty doormat. She then manipulated him into staying with her at her parent’s home, which is right next door to his parents. But don’t worry, he wasn’t too pissed, because they fall right into bed together and pretty much spend the next few days there. Getting whiplash yet? Yeah, me too. Now imagine alllll of this drama coupled with family drama, coupled with them both writing a sci-fi fanfic together in high school, coupled with a whoooole lot of tedious and unimportant other little details that didn’t matter to the storyline AT ALL, and you’ve got a messy love story that somehow isn’t romantic in the slightest until the very last chapter. And don’t fret. The author made sure to throw ALL of the representation in there just in case you doubted that she’s all inclusive. But I guess she didn’t care about making characters her mere tokens for the LBGTQIA community since it equated to fluff. The unexplored storylines was a shame and made it feel really gratuitous.
So yeah, while I absolutely loved You Had Me at Hola, I was really lukewarm (and fairly bitchy) about this one. I didn’t love it, didn’t hate it, and the last 50% helped me give it a higher rating. I really appreciated that Gabe made things right with his family, although it was 100% due to his parents, and 0% due to him. I loved Michelle’s relationship with her family and their meddling ways made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed that both characters weren’t about that married parent life, and that it was kind of championed and not nagged about. And I really loved the last two chapters and Gabe and Mich’s grand gestures, because they were super sweet and loving. It just took me five hours to get to the good stuff! I was really looking forward to Ava’s book, so I’m glad that it’s not out yet. I need to ruminate on this reading experience, considering that I had such high hopes after the first book.
Now, successful gym owner Gabe is forced to work in NYC with none other than Michelle, who he is still in love with, and who just laid down and welcomed him back after thirteen years of radio silence like a big ol’ pretty doormat. She then manipulated him into staying with her at her parent’s home, which is right next door to his parents. But don’t worry, he wasn’t too pissed, because they fall right into bed together and pretty much spend the next few days there. Getting whiplash yet? Yeah, me too. Now imagine alllll of this drama coupled with family drama, coupled with them both writing a sci-fi fanfic together in high school, coupled with a whoooole lot of tedious and unimportant other little details that didn’t matter to the storyline AT ALL, and you’ve got a messy love story that somehow isn’t romantic in the slightest until the very last chapter. And don’t fret. The author made sure to throw ALL of the representation in there just in case you doubted that she’s all inclusive. But I guess she didn’t care about making characters her mere tokens for the LBGTQIA community since it equated to fluff. The unexplored storylines was a shame and made it feel really gratuitous.
So yeah, while I absolutely loved You Had Me at Hola, I was really lukewarm (and fairly bitchy) about this one. I didn’t love it, didn’t hate it, and the last 50% helped me give it a higher rating. I really appreciated that Gabe made things right with his family, although it was 100% due to his parents, and 0% due to him. I loved Michelle’s relationship with her family and their meddling ways made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed that both characters weren’t about that married parent life, and that it was kind of championed and not nagged about. And I really loved the last two chapters and Gabe and Mich’s grand gestures, because they were super sweet and loving. It just took me five hours to get to the good stuff! I was really looking forward to Ava’s book, so I’m glad that it’s not out yet. I need to ruminate on this reading experience, considering that I had such high hopes after the first book.
September 4, 2021
This is the story of Michelle and Gabe who have been best friends since they were children. Their families lived next door to each other and though they harbored secret feelings they never acted on them until right after high school graduation. Then Michelle finds out Gabe has already made plans to leave NYC for college and they fall out.
In present day Gabe runs a gym in California with his partner Fabian. Fabian's wife is expecting a baby and he has to take care of his father who has an upcoming surgery so Gabe must go to NYC in his place to help with the plans for opening a new gym location. Gabe has been estranged from his family for years and is hoping to avoid the people from his past at all costs. However Fabian ends up hiring Michelle to help with the marketing of the new gym as he liked her work on a campaign with another company. Gabe is hesitant to work with Michelle after so much time has past especially since one of the stipulations for him working with her is that he must stay with her while he's in NY.
Michelle's apartment needs renovating and she has to stay at her parent's house. Lucky they're away on vacation so it's her and Gabe alone. However Gabe is freaking out since his parent's still live next door. And there's a lot of tension between Michelle and Gabe that needs to be worked out. Maybe the best way to do it is to fuck and get it over with. So that's just what they decide to do!
Now things are complicated as they try to figure out what they are to each other while also trying to figure out what directions they want to take their careers in. This book had steamy sex, great bi rep, realistic and hilarious Latinx family rep, and was a fun and fast read.
Longer review at
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
In present day Gabe runs a gym in California with his partner Fabian. Fabian's wife is expecting a baby and he has to take care of his father who has an upcoming surgery so Gabe must go to NYC in his place to help with the plans for opening a new gym location. Gabe has been estranged from his family for years and is hoping to avoid the people from his past at all costs. However Fabian ends up hiring Michelle to help with the marketing of the new gym as he liked her work on a campaign with another company. Gabe is hesitant to work with Michelle after so much time has past especially since one of the stipulations for him working with her is that he must stay with her while he's in NY.
Michelle's apartment needs renovating and she has to stay at her parent's house. Lucky they're away on vacation so it's her and Gabe alone. However Gabe is freaking out since his parent's still live next door. And there's a lot of tension between Michelle and Gabe that needs to be worked out. Maybe the best way to do it is to fuck and get it over with. So that's just what they decide to do!
Now things are complicated as they try to figure out what they are to each other while also trying to figure out what directions they want to take their careers in. This book had steamy sex, great bi rep, realistic and hilarious Latinx family rep, and was a fun and fast read.
Longer review at
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
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