Cava with My Colleague

Aged Like Fine Wine #4

by Liz Alden

My co-worker Carlos is so stiff and uptight, I’m beginning to think he’s a robot.

A very attractive robot, sure. When I moved to Madrid, I asked him out. He shot me down and then avoided me for months. It’s fine, we don’t work in the same department at our pharmaceutical company and I don’t think he could handle a confident, outgoing woman like myself. I’m forty and fantastic, I don’t have time for men who are so fickle.

But when an opportunity comes to travel throughout Europe, meeting with patients and their families about our product that is most personal to me–a hair regrowth treatment for after chemotherapy–it comes with strings attached.

Carlos is coming as my translator, and I have to give presentations.

I may be an extrovert, but I still have a healthy fear of public speaking.

As we go from city to city, I start to see Carlos go soft. He has a grandbaby, FFS, and an elderly dog who adores him. And as he helps me with my speeches, we both discover the layers that make us so different on the outside, hide cores that are more similar than we realize.

And one night with neighboring hotel rooms, we discover our growing chemistry can’t be contained by one flimsy door.

Genres: Romance, Slow Burn

ebook

Published August 11, 2026

About the author

My Direct Store: https://lizalden.myshopify.com/

2026 Releases
Bailey Bangs Her Brother’s Best Friend: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/Bailey
Rory Rides Her Fake Fiancé: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/Rory
Cava with My Colleague: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/Cava
The Gift of the Matchmaker: https://www.lizalden.com/ubl/matchmaker


About Liz

I spent ten years traveling the world on a sailboat with my husband. He is not a secret rockstar, nor a grumpy farmer, nor a coworker I accidentally saw naked. I only see him naked intentionally.

Many of my books are based on my travels all over the world – from the Caribbean to Polynesia to Europe. I know exactly how big the world is—having sailed around it—and exactly how small it is, having bumped in to friends worldwide. I’ve been a dishwasher, an engineer, a CEO, and occasionally I get paid to write or sail.

Now I’m in my small town era, both in fiction and real life. I live in Western Massachusetts with a big backyard that would be perfect for a goat if only SOMEONE would let me have one. I like my men to be sweethearts, the bedroom door wide open (with a splash of something new!) and the women to be independent and mature.

You can read free short stories in all her series at https://www.lizalden.com/

Connect with Liz:
Facebook > https://facebook.com/lizaldenwriter
Twitter > https://twitter.com/lizaldenwriter
Instagram > https://instagram.com/lizaldenwriter
Pinterest > https://www.pinterest.com/lizaldenwri...

Reviews

[Patty Baumeister]

Book Review
Cava With My Colleague
A Novel Written By Liz Alden
Fiction - Romance
Published August 2026276 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the fourth book in the author’s Aged Like A Fine Wine Series. I’ve enjoyed reading the books in this series. This series is about four friends, Emma, Sara, Tessa, and Jade. The four older American women have moved to Europe. During their year stay each has found romance. The four women are independent and very brave. Book 4 is Jade’s story.

Jade is a scientist from Austin, Texas working in Madrid. She has been assigned to do a presentation tour for two months throughout Europe. She is promoting advances in hair loss prevention for cancer patients. Her colleague, Carlos, will be accompanying her on the tour as a translator.

The two have a professional relationship. Touring together for the summer has brought them closer. This is a story of opposites attracting, an age gap, with a slow burn. Can Jade and Carlos start a relationship if Jade is supposed to return to Austin after the tour ends?

“You’ve been keeping yourself safe for so long. Maybe it’s time to let yourself be happy instead.”

[Sally]

Cava with My Colleague, the fourth book in author Liz Alden’s Aged Like Fine Wine series and Jade’s story, was utterly delightful. Not having read the first three books in the series did not affect my enjoyment of this book, but I was intrigued enough to go back and catch up.

Jade is in Spain for a year, working at a pharmaceutical company on a product near and dear to her heart because of personal experience. She is dedicated to the project and has immersed herself not only in that but in getting to know her colleagues and her surroundings. Jade is an extrovert with a smile on her face and a funny story on her lips. Unlike Carlos. Stern, stoic, unsmiling Carlos. She only asked him out for coffee to get to know each other better, but he bluntly rejected the idea and has treated her with disdain since. Disdain based on a misconception, resulting in every interaction becoming tense.

Alone since his wife died eleven years ago, Carlos has disciplined himself to always be serious, professional, in control – appropriate. He’s convinced himself being a father, father-in-law, and grandfather with a successful career is the same as being happy. His marriage was also successful in its own way, but unusual and unorthodox and it’s doubtful he’s ever experienced sweet, passionate love and romance. And it scares him to think about letting his walls down enough to try that out. He tells himself there are many reasons, but it’s really based on fear of failure and more loss.

Jade is a survivor but there’s a lot of childhood trauma still banging around in her head. Although she’s smart, successful, well-respected and well-liked, her childhood illness and her family’s uncompromising religious strictness, intolerance and disapproval have left their mark. At forty she’s comfortable in her own skin and proud of her success and accomplishments but her trust has been violated enough times that she’s unwilling to let herself become vulnerable and open to rejection, loss or hurt again.

Neither Carlos nor Jade want to travel together, but it’s valuable work. Carlos has made this circuit for several years and he doesn’t think she’s the right person for the job. Why fix something that’s not broken, why make changes. She relishes the idea of connecting with patients and their families, but them mere idea of public speaking turns her into a robot. Rather ironic, since robotic is how she describes his day-to-day personality. They have a lot to learn about each other. Like learning – or acknowledging - the attraction between them. It’s not instant heat but rather more like embers slowly being stoked into a warm, comfortable, solid fire. Yes, he’s already rejected her once. Yes, they are colleagues and that could be awkward. There’s an age gap; when her assignment in Madrid is over they’ll be in different countries separated by an ocean. Eventually on the tour they come to feel safe with each other, but not safe enough with this undeniable pull and the risk involved to easily let their walls down.

Cava with My Colleague is tender, intense and romantic; a slow build that keeps you in heavenly suspense. Author Alden has written a charming, funny, witty, poignant story about discovery and fear and second chances, about identifying priorities and evaluating possible choices and the impact of friends, family and co-workers, and wrapped it all in the beauty of Madrid: the streets, buildings, food, weather; the public places and the private retreats. Take this amazing, heartwarming journey with Carlos and Jade; you won’t be sorry. I received an advance copy of Cava with My Colleague from the author. I loved every word and recommend without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

[Maria]

Jade is an American cancer researcher currently living and working in Madrid. She made friends and has a pretty great life there except for one colleague who seems determined to dislike her for no reason: Carlos. He judged her from day one without ever taking the time to get to know her. But when they're chosen to travel together across several European cities to present Jade's research, he finally starts seeing the person behind his assumptions, and his opinion of her slowly begins to change.

I really liked Jade because she's so much more than the image she projects at first. She's confident, independent, and knows exactly who she is, but there's also a lot of depth to her character that unfolds throughout the story.
Carlos was such a surprise. Not only because of his past (which completely caught me off guard), but also because of his present. And honestly, for someone whose job is literally translating, he's terrible at communicating his feelings.
These two were honestly adorable together. They had so many sweet moments, and I loved watching their relationship grow.

I also have to talk about Fernando and Diana. They're such sunshine characters, and I loved how honest they are with Carlos.

Going into this book, I thought it might take me a while to get invested, but that wasn't the case at all. I was hooked way sooner than I expected.
One of my favorite things about this book was getting to travel alongside the characters. The descriptions of each city and everything they experienced there felt so immersive that I almost felt like I was on the trip with them. You can tell the author is writing about places she actually knows, and it makes such a difference.

This was also my first actual romance featuring main characters in their 40s and 50s, and I absolutely loved how refreshing it was to read about people with different life experiences and a level of emotional maturity you don't always find in romance. I also really appreciated how much space the book gives to Jade's career. The romance never overshadows her career, and because of that, both the relationship and the characters feel richer and more believable. The character development happens so naturally through their work, their conversations, and even a fear that you barely notice it.
I also love how the slow burn developed. It never felt dragged out, but it also never felt rushed. Everything happened at the right pace.

And as a Spanish reader, I had so much fun with all the little cultural references and expressions that we use in everyday life. The author uses them in such a clever way that they end up creating some really funny moments.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Vicky]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Liz Alden for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Summary

After moving to Madrid, confident and independent Jade wasn’t expecting to be paired with the one man who rejected her, Carlos, her older, grumpy colleague.

When Jade is given the opportunity to travel across Europe delivering presentations about a treatment close to her heart, helping prevent hair loss during chemotherapy, it’s a dream opportunity. The catch? Carlos will be accompanying her as her translator. As they travel from city to city, disastrous presentations, long train rides and unexpected moments together begin to reveal the man beneath Carlos’ stoic exterior. Beneath the grumpiness is a devoted grandfather, a talented linguist, and someone who has spent years protecting his heart.

As their professional partnership slowly turns into something much more, Jade and Carlos must decide whether they’re willing to let go of the past and take a chance on a future together.

Review

This was hands down my favourite book in the series! I absolutely devoured it and didn’t want it to end.

Carlos and Jade had incredible chemistry from the very beginning. I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, the age gap, and the way their relationship developed naturally as they travelled across Europe together. Their banter was hilarious, and watching Carlos slowly lower his walls made for such a satisfying romance.

One of my absolute favourite parts of the book, though, was Izan. His wonderfully gassy dog completely stole every scene he was in! Every appearance had me laughing, and he was such an unexpected but perfect addition to the story. He was honestly one of the highlights of the entire book.

I also loved that the story centred around Jade’s work advocating for chemotherapy patients. It added so much heart and meaning to the romance, giving the story an emotional depth that balanced the humour and spice beautifully.

The pacing was spot on! There wasn’t a single dull moment and the romance built at just the right speed. And yes… the spicy scenes absolutely delivered. They were passionate, well-written and fit the story perfectly without overshadowing the emotional connection between the characters.

Cava with My Colleague was funny, heartfelt, emotional and incredibly romantic. Between the unforgettable chemistry, laugh-out-loud moments, swoon-worthy romance and Izan’s scene-stealing antics, this was an easy five-star read and my favourite of the series so far. I can’t recommend it enough!

[Mc Chanster]

Oh, Jade and Carlos, how frustratingly cute you two are!

An Austin native, Jade is working in Madrid for year on a project that could potentially prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. A cancer survivor, she understands how such a treatment could be life changing for someone trying to beat the disease. She's a little quirky, generally wears her heart on her sleeve and works hard to confident, independent and reliable, despite her childhood traumas. Carlos, on the other hand, is cool, serious, and always appropriate. He draws boundaries as wide as rivers and is 'happy' with the life he has.

When these two are asked to travel around Europe to present the company's findings regarding the hair treatment, both of them brace themselves for little more than professional courtesy. However, as they travel from city to city, they find themselves opening up to each other. Truths are revealed, past judgements and with it all, there is also laughter, family and friends.

I really liked Jade and can absolutely relate to "pushing through" things, even when they seem terrifying, or frustrating. I also really appreciated that there were several layers to her and that there was so much more to her than just her jobs. Even though she is fictional character, I could feel how much she wanted to connect to other cancer patients and help them. For Carlos, I can understand how, after a decade of a stable and 'happy' life, it gets harder and harder to take a risk. Harder yet when the faced with the temptation of someone who might have the potential to make his life that much better. However, his dedication, love and loyalty to his family is something to wish for. Fernando and Diana were wonderful characters and I loved seeing how supportive they were for him (Izan and Carmen too!).

All in all, Cava with My Colleague was ultimately a book about learning - learning about themselves, each other and moreso, learning about taking risks and asking for help. Jade and Carlos' slow burn was remarkably sweet (at sometimes steamy!) and once again, I very much appreciate that the characters are older and are emotionally mature enough to apologize and have real conversations. A great closing novel to the Aged Like Fine Wine series and a great read!

Zola is still my favorite though. There should be additional side epilogue where they meet and become best friends. Just saying :).

Thank you Liz Alden for my copy! I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sarah~Book Obsession Confessions]

🥂𝗖𝗔𝗩𝗔 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗘 𝗯𝘆 𝗟𝗜𝗭 𝗔𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗡🥂

-The tension built between Jade and Carlos is so intense, the sparks from their chemistry practically jumps off the page. This romance is the perfect kind of slow burn for me! -

This delicious, slow burn romance had me so heated up, by the time the couple gives in to their attraction and desire for each other it was sweltering like the summer weather they were experiencing.
It’s a really unique story, the spice is extremely fun and quite the complete exploration.

The pair trade banter and play at ignoring each other when emotions gets too close or the chemistry gets too real.

The chemistry builds and it is slow, simmering under the surface waiting to explode in the most intense way.

Jade’s story is one I’ve been waiting for with intense interest! She captured my attention in the first book in this series of interconnected books and has stayed in my very forgetful mind.

Jade is bold, energetic and intelligent. She goes after what she wants in life with gusto. She has the s3xual attitudes of a very modern woman who hasn’t let others small minded attitudes and gender norms dictate how she feels or lives her life. And, she is very vocal with her friends about it, I love this so much!
There is an exception to her confidence, though. It is a major plot point, I love the way it’s discovered, I feel it’s handled so well and realistically. Bravo to Carlos and to Jade for how this gets handled….eventually.

Carlos is a steady man, he lives a pretty coordinated life, he is very much a “by the rules guy.”
He’s also incredibly intelligent, he’s had a very unconventional past that adds so much more depth, trust issues and, eventually some really unique spice to his and Jade’s connection.

The two travel Europe together for work, the forced proximity pushes them to get to know each other quickly and when they let go a bit and show vulnerability, it’s so phenomenal. I live for the small touches, the understanding words and the bare honesty they share.
I adore this author’s intelligent, engaging and thoughtful writing so much. It’s highly entertaining and it feeds my mind and heart.

*Check CW’S there is loss, illness, grief and mental health representation in this story. I think it’s handled with care and thoughtfulness.

[Raelene]

I’ve loved this series since the moment I picked up book 1 (which remained my favourite, but I adored this friend group and all of their stories), and this was such a nice way to wrap up the series. Jade and Carlos are the focus, of course, but the friend group was also prominent, which I liked. I think you could read this as a standalone, but there may be some confusion with Jade’s friends and their backstories.

I went into this not expecting such a slow burn with Jade, however it fit Carlos’ story once the reader really got to know him and it worked for them as a couple. This book touched on some hard topics, was very inclusive, and I liked the growth the characters go through.

I noticed some errors with the timeline that really don’t affect the story, but did stand out to me. It’s said that Jade has been in Madrid for 8 months (with plans to be there for a year) but then one of her friends implies she’s still going to be there for 6 months. Later in the story, it’s said in one chapter that she is going back to Austin in 2 weeks and then in the next chapter it says she has a month left. Also, Carlos talks about Saturday dinners with his family, but then it changes to Sunday lunch and it couldn’t have been Sunday because he was waiting for Jade to come home and says she’s coming tomorrow but her flight home is on Sunday so it made sense that it was supposed to be Saturday dinner.

This really was just such a great conclusion to this series, and I’m glad I read it! Every book was so different, like different tropes, and getting to read about various European cities was so fun.

Thank you to the author & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jennifer]

After releasing the first three books in this series is relatively short order, it's taken a bit longer for the final book but it was definitely worth the wait. The book is a fitting conclusion to this series about four 40-something best friends who reinvent themselves and find love in Europe over the course of a year.

Jade, the FMC in Cava With My Colleague, was the catalyst for this journey of self-discovery for herself and her friends when she accepted a one year assignment with her company in Madrid. Now, Jade is facing the end of her assignment and will be returning to Austin while her friends stay in Europe having found love and new directions for their lives.

For her final assignment in the Madrid office, Jade is asked to go on a press tour through some major European cities to present the company's research. The problem is that first, she's petrified of public speaking. The second is that her translator for the tour will be Carlos, a marketing executive whom she asked out when she first arrived but who shot her down and has been cold and dismissive toward her ever since.

Jade is open, impulsive, and very much sex positive, so I was rather surprised that this book ended up being a slow-burn romance. Both Jade and Carlos guard their hearts tightly. Once they are forced to work together on the tour, it still takes awhile for them to crack open their protective layers enough to acknowledge and then act upon the strong attraction they feel. I felt that they made a great couple, as their individual strengths complimented each other well. I also loved that we got plenty of glimpses of the other three women and how they are getting on. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

[Nicole]

Jade is a woman in her 40s, living a year in Madrid for work. She has amazing friends, a great job, and a life she loves. When she’s rejected by the silver fox at her job, she takes it in stride. Except when she’s then told she’s to go on a 2 month two with him as her translator to discuss their new work product at events throughout Europe. Forced proximity? You bet.

I thought this was an incredibly sweet romance story. I loved that it was an older couple. Most books in the romance genre are about teenagers or 20-year-olds, so it was very refreshing to see MCs in the 40s and 50s.

I do think we were missing some of the build up between the characters at points. It’s like one day they just suddenly liked each other, even if still not making any love. It kinda of felt like it came from nowhere. But the story was really sweet otherwise. I like the premise of a forced proximity without the one bed trope, and appreciated that this was a story where one of the hang ups wasn’t that they worked together.

I adored the side characters. I would’ve maybe liked some more interaction from the MMCs side, especially as they’re mentioned as a point of interest in the synopsis. But the FMCs friend group is truly what I hope mine will stay like as we get older. How they always stay in contact, and are always there. Now that’s the true romance of the series.

This is definitely a book I would recommend for those that want low spice (maybe 2 scenes?) and characters that have real goals.

- Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me a copy of this book as an ARC

[Jess (lucky.bookclub) Hilbert]

I loved this book! It’s beautifully written and deeply authentic, especially in its portrayal of life after cancer 💛

Jade and Carlos work because they feel like complete opposites in the best way. Jade is vibrant, a little chaotic, always saying the wrong thing in the funniest way, and bringing so much life into every space she’s in. Carlos is the opposite, more reserved, more guarded, very set in the life he’s built, and watching that contrast slowly soften between them felt really natural.

Jade’s experience as a cancer survivor was handled with so much care. The balance between not wanting to be defined by it, but also not wanting to hide it, felt incredibly honest and added a layer that really stayed with me.

Carlos’s growth is quieter, but it’s there. Watching him open himself back up, not just to love but to change, felt earned. And I loved that once things started to shift between them, they actually communicated. No drawn-out miscommunication, just two people trying to figure it out.

The travel element added such a nice layer, and Madrid in particular felt lived-in and real ✨ And Jade’s friend group? Immediately the kind of people you want more time with. (And yes, I’m going to go back and read the rest of the series!)

Thank you so much to Liz Alden for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💕

[Donna]

Jade & Carlos ❤️

🇪🇸Jade is an American scientist working in Madrid for a year. She’s asked to do a series of presentations across Europe for two months, with her colleague Carlos accompanying her to do translations.

🇪🇸A while ago Jade asked him out, and he declined. Now Carlos is prickly at best and rude at worst, spending his time frowning at her and being blunt about her boring performance.

🇪🇸Carlos realises that he’s misjudging Jade, he also starts admitting to his feelings for her. The beautiful woman, 16 years younger than him, isn’t going to be in Madrid for long, and what Carlos thought was his settled life with his family, maybe wasn’t giving him the joy he thought it did.

✏️Liz Alden’s over 40’s friend group series concludes with Jade and Carlos’ story, which means it’s the perfect time to catch these four wonderful stories. The characters are mature, know their minds and are also willing to make the life changes they need. Both Jade and Carlos have sacrificed so much in their lives, being together is a conscious choice to be happy, find joy in the everyday and be good for each other. This story is a joy to read 🩷

Read an eARC copy courtesy of the author
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pub date 11 August 2026

Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021

[Jade]

Another gem from Liz Alden, in the form of a sweet and spicy age gap romance. I jumped at the chance to read another of her books, and sharing my name with the FMC was even better.

Jade is forty and working in Madrid for a year, alongside Carlos, the silver fox who seems to be constantly annoyed by her presence.

Despite their sixteen year age gap, Jade once asked Carlos for coffee and things have been awkward ever since he refused.

Now they are thrown together on a work trip, travelling Europe for a couple of months. This is where the fun begins! The tension and angst between them is crazy.

I laughed and smiled my way through this book. It was delightful from beginning to end. You just know that any book that starts with an embarrassing riding crop situation is going to be good!

I found the characters to be well-rounded and relatable and their stories told with heart and depth.

Despite being part of a series, this book can be easily read as a standalone. I do plan to read the rest of the series now I've had a glimpse of the other characters.

You should read this book if you love:
- Open door romance (spicy)
- Age gap
- Forced proximity
- Co-workers
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Slow burn
- Dual POV

Cava with My Colleague is available August 11.

Thank you to Liz Alden for the complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Kristin]

Thank you Liz Alden for the ARC of Cava with my Colleague. Jade is a fiercely independent scientist who has built her career and her found family with intention. She has a history of childhood cancer, a deeply religious family that doesn’t really acknowledge science as part of her childhood health journey and has chosen her own support system in the form of her adult friendships. She is working in Madrid, is drawn to her silver fox colleague and has to go on a presentation tour around Europe with him as her translator…but she has to get over her severe stage fright AND find a way to connect with patients.

Carlos is a 56 year young grandfather who is settled and settling for a life half lived. His wife is deceased but their love was not traditional and their marriage was anything but conventional. He appears stuffy and close minded, dresses in all black and rarely lets down his walls, until Jade enters his life.

The story follows them as they navigate their growing attraction, rising tensions and mutual need to let someone else in. The backdrop of Europe was the real draw for me. The story kind of meanders a bit but it was a quick read and makes me want to travel back to Spain immediately.

[Heather]

This book was enjoyable. Two colleagues thrown together, with misunderstandings slowly giving way to real feelings of first friendship, and then love.

Jade is a 40 year old scientist, a woman who knows who she is and is comfortable about it. I found it such a relief to be reading about a woman in middle age, and not a twenty-something. Too few authors recognize how rich an “older” woman’s life can be, and how interesting, too.

Carlos is 55, set in his ways, and settled into middle age, resolved that his life is fine without romance or excitement. Then he and Jade must travel together for work and all his misconceptions about his life, and the woman he’s becoming attracted to, start to fall away.

I really did enjoy this one, even if it was a bit more of a slow burn than I usually care for. And I’m sorry to say that I did have a slight problem with the age gap between the two main characters. While I give the author points for writing about a couple past their 30s, I wish she wouldn’t have landed on the age-gap trope quite so hard. Fifteen years was just a bit too much for me.

All in all, it was a nice ending for the series, even if I wasn’t feeling the age gap.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nathalie DeSousa]

This is book 4 of Aged Like Fine Wine series. Jade is the last in their group to find love, but before that she is off to find herself. So when she has to go overseas to deal with promoting her research she takes the chance to take time for herself, too. As a childhood trauma survivor, she has learned to build walls to keep from being hurt and attaching to anyone. But when she arrives to her seminars in Madrid, she needs help with the language and with her fear of public speaking.
Enter Carlos, a man who has learned to be professional keeping all his facets compartmentalized, after his wife's death years ago he just wants to have a successful career keeping anything else but his family at arms l;ength. He is not too happy to deal with Jade's advances and the attraction he feels for her. This starts a slow burn for them as they have to work together in her presentations while also spending time together

The walls they both have built slowly start to come down as they get closer to each other, their love is not about passion, it is deeper than that, an understanding of the feel of fitting just right in each other's lives. The setting adds to the charm of the story, while giving it that extra romantic feel.

[Patty]

Didn't realized this is part of a series, but I now def want to go back and read the rest of them. Anyway, Jade is an American working in Spain. She thought she had a 'moment' with co-worker Carlos, but apparently the moment was fleeting because not only did he turned her down when she asked him out for coffee, he actively avoids her to a point that's rude. Of course, luck would have it that the two are thrown in together for a tour of presentations across Europe for 8 wks. To Jade, it's horrific, she has stage fright and have to put up with the coworker that hates her. To Carlos, he's stuck with the most odious coworker - she's loud, unapologetic about her being there, and also walked out of a sex shop.

I like this pacing of the story, and how we find out why Jade the way she is. And even sadder how Carlos the way he is. The two are quite a pair, and I'm glad that by the time they stop denying themselves, but when they know they went from zero to 100 in a snap. I get that their age plays a factor, but it was quick and snippy, not quite used to it, even though logically, I get it. Not a slight, just uncommon for me.

Thank you author & Netgalley for the ARC.

[Lou Li Reads]

Run! Run, Run, Run to grab Jades book! The last of these lovely ladies, Jade is finally getting her HEA and I could not love her and Carlos more! Did they make it more complicated than they needed to? probably, but where's the fun in that eh? Currently on assignment in Madrid, Jade, like the rest of besties finds her love in Europe. A work place romance, with a hefty age gap thrown in - these two had chemistry from the get go, so when they are forced to work closely together delivering presentations all around Europe, it was inevitable the tension would snap. They are soooooo good together. It's emotional to read about Jades life, but also what Carlos has sacrificed for his family too - truly opposites who are the best for each other in every way. I've missed these lovely ladies, so it was really nice to be back. Last of the series, a standalone with interconnected characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own

[Christine Biesheuvel]

Never Too Late For Love
This story has drama, sweet love for family and pets and loyal friends. Funny flirting, tender lovemaking and moving past obvious obstacles.
Carlos is in his mid-fifties and has more or less forsaken romantic love. His life is his work and his family: his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter and his elderly dog. But then one day he meets a temporary American colleague and it turns his life upside down. Jade is ‘only’ forty and therefore much too young! And he needs to keep his distance from her. When it is decided that they will go on a promotional tour together, things change. Attraction and other feelings arise. The most important is understanding why a person behaves the way they do, in stead of not looking further than what is shown on the outside. Ms Alden has knowledge how these things happen and knows how to write about it. It makes her characters very relatable.
Loved it and find in highly recommendable.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K.J. Sweeney]

It's really nice to read a romance that isn't about youngsters. In Cava with my colleague, we have a couple (or rather a couple-to-be) who've seen a bit more of life. There is an age gap, but they are still at similar life stages, and while Carlos might have a grown-up son and a granddaughter, Jade isn't looking for children herself; that ship has long since sailed.
This is a slow-burn romance; they clearly feel quite a bit for one another (and not necessarily all good) right from the start, but it takes quite a long while for either to come close to admitting it, let alone acting on it. In many ways, they are more friends to begin with, although that too takes a while.
I loved the way Carlos came to understand Jade and realise that he'd completely misjudged her to begin with. What he thought he knew, and disliked, about her was far from the reality.
This was a really nice romance read and one I enjoyed from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

[Sarah Hills]

A lovely book to round out this series, but it can be read as a stand alone.
What I like is the four ladies these books contain appear in all four books. They are a group of women from Austin, Texas who come to Europe for a year. They are in different countries so some travelling is required.
I'm this book Jade does extra travelling as she has to give some presentations across Europe and we get to know her a lot better.
Carlos though is the character who really grows throughout the book and it's wonderful to read. It's nice to have romances with characters who are slightly more mature and know their own minds. Jade is 40 and so is not apologetic for who she is, especially after what she has come from.
A wonderful read and the ending is so well deserved.
Yes, there are a few spicy scenes towards the end of the book but they fit in so nicely with the storyline and aren't just put there as titillation. They don't take over the storyline they just add another facet to the tale.

[Myza]

Thank you to Liz Alden and NetGalley for the ARC of Cava With My Colleague. This is the fourth book in the Aged Like Fine Wine series and even though I have yet to read the others (which I will very soon!), it could be read as a standalone.

This is a romance novel from duel perspectives. Jade is a forty year old
American woman who is working and living in Madrid for a year. Carlos is a Spanish man in his mid-fifties who works for the same pharmaceutical company as Jade. Their paths cross at work and Jade asks him for a coffee, he declines and a few months later they are teamed up on a work project, travelling around Europe.

It was a really good book. The characters were well developed and I loved that they were older. Their ages meant that they knew who they were, and (kinda) what they wanted.

This is the third book I have read by Liz Alden and she is now one of my favourite authors!

[Holly]

A Liz Alden book is like taking a vacation or better yet, going on an adventure. This book’s adventure is based in Madrid but takes us to other destinations as Jana and Carlos take their presentation on a road tour. Ms. Alden paints a vivid and colorful picture of the scene. I felt I was there.
This story has tenderness, awakening, exploring, innocence and is romantic. Two very different people are thrown together and for different reasons, they have trouble working together; accepting each other. When they finally are able to communicate, the love story blossoms.
With this being the final book in this wonderful series, the players from the books in series all join in on the fun. They are a great group of friends who support each other.
I love that Ms. Alden’s books are about mature women experiencing the world and love. There aren’t any games that come into play with youth. Great job. I loved your book.

[Kelley - rva_reader]

Another great novella from Liz Alden - I can't get enough of her stories. This one was another great book. I loved the "older" characters - seeing a heroine in her 40's was so nice! I really loved Jade. She is a scientist from Austin, Texas who was assigned to a presentation tour in Europe for two months, discussing hair loss prevention in cancer patients. Her colleague, Carlos, is going on the tour with her as her translator.

I loved how this story tackled stage fright and also advocating for a more serious topic dealing with cancer patients. I thought the journey they went on together was good but I was slightly annoyed at Carlos and how he was dealing with Jade. I get that was also the point - to have him overcome certain things but I just really enjoyed the time with Jade in the story and wish he appreciated her awesomeness as well, ha!

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

[Jennifer]

Jade is almost finished her time working in Spain. Before she is done, she has to travel around Europe presenting her research findings and meeting with patients. Carlos has been chosen to travel with Jade as her translator. He doesn’t think Jade is the right person to do the presentations. As they work together, they get to know each other. As the weeks pass, they give into their attraction. Could this be the beginning of love?
The author does a good job giving the characters background and history that makes sense. I like the little things the author included like Carlos’ first wife and Jade’s stage fright. They both have logical commitment issues. I like conclusion of the story because it felt like it could really happen in real life.
This story takes place primarily in Spain but the story has many locations. The author includes all of the friends from the prior stories. This was a nice shorter story. I will read more from this author in the future.

[Liberty Munson]

A workplace, age gap, grumpy/sunshine romance that goes from acquaintances to enemies (at least on Carlos's side when he thinks she's stealing his lunch) to friends to enemies to lovers. I think that reflects the shifting dynamic between Carlos and Jade. Carlos thinks Jade is inappropriate and makes lots of assumptions about Jade's behavior. She thinks he's attractive, but after he turns down her invitation to coffee, there relationship becomes strained. How they work through his preconceived notions, her stage fright, become friends, and his fears of wanting more from his life is an emotional journey that you didn't know you needed.

My only nit is that Carlos was really mean Jade at time and called her inappropriate and unprofessional several times. No spoilers, but I didn't really believe he liked her very much at times.

[Imogen Dior]

I loved Cava with My Colleague. The plot, main and secondary characters were great. Whilst I loved both Jade and Carlos, Jade was the standout for me she was just so authentically her and her vibe was just really amazing. She was strong, compassionate and loyal. I loved how she gave all of herself to everything she did and how passionate she was about her work. Carlos was also really great- you really had to get to know him to understand him and feel his emotions and what he was thinking. I felt like he’d really let his past dictate what he did and how he reacted to certain situations. I loved how Liz dove into such a serious topic sensitively but also gave us a real and genuine look at what Jade had been through as a kid and what other patients were going through. The secondary characters were bloody awesome. Izan was such a cutie and such a scene stealer.

[Kelly]

I really enjoyed this story. Grumpy x sunshine always knows how to rope me in, and this one absolutely delivered. While there were some heavy topics discussed in the book, the author was able to handle them with care, and it made me feel even more connected to Jade and Carlos’s story. The pace of the book was perfect and kept me intrigued the entire time. Jade and Carlos had amazing chemistry, and I also absolutely loved the call-backs to the previous books and the relationship between Jade and her girl friends. If you’re looking for a feel-good story about two grown adults trying to find their way past generational trauma and loss, look no further. Incredibly well done and oh so romantic *swoon*.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of this novel.

[Emily Pennington]

Carlos and Jade . . .

Carlos Olivas will be accompanying Jade in Europe, and that may not turn out well. This time, Jade will be meeting with patients and giving presentations on a topic that truly matters to her -- hair loss prevention during chemotherapy. Not only does public speaking make her nervous, but Carlos will be translating for her since he speaks 5 languages. He has always been used to keeping people away, uncomfortable in most interactions with others, while Jade has made herself accept the painful fact that people never stay in her life. Can the two of them begin to trust each other and move closer together, be able to depend on each other? Will they begin to sense a relationship developing as they spend time together and recognize that they matter to each other? Or have they already begun to accept how their feelings for each other are becoming more comfortable?

[Helen]

Jade is an American living in Madrid for a year while working on cancer research—a cause that is especially personal since she is a cancer survivor. Carlos is a handsome, older man who immediately catches her eye. When Jade takes a chance and asks him out, he turns her down. But fate has other plans when they’re assigned to travel together for an eight-week roadshow.

As they spend more time together, Carlos realizes he completely misjudged the vivacious American, while Jade discovers she’s stronger than she ever thought she was. Letting someone into her heart may be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do. And Carlos discovers he isn’t too old to have a love relationship. A sweet story of healing, trust, and finding love when you least expect it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J]

This is book 4 in Alden's Aged Like Fine Wine. A great addition to the series that can easily be read as a standalone. Our main characters are American cancer researcher Jaden who is living and working in Madrid, and her colleague Carlos. The two are opposites in that Jaden is outgoing and personable while Carlos has been a loner since his wife passed over a decade earlier. The two have been chosen to travel together through Europe to discuss Jaden's work and while neither are excited at the prospect, the opportunity brings them both closer. I loved these characters, their growth and the overall storyline. Well written, smooth flowing and beautifully balanced. I so enjoyed this title and I'm looking forward to more from Alden!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.