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Primas of Power #3
Along Came Amor
From the international bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola and A Lot Like Adiós comes a steamy love story of a divorced schoolteacher who discovers that her perfect no-strings fling is anything but…
No strings
After Ava Rodriguez’s now-ex-husband declares he wants to “follow his dreams”—which no longer include her—she’s left questioning everything she thought she wanted. So when a handsome hotelier flirts with her, Ava vows to stop overthinking and embrace the opportunity for an epic one-night-stand complete with a penthouse suite, rooftop pool, and buckets of champagne.
No feelings
Roman Vasquez’s sole focus is the empire he built from the ground up. He lives and dies by his schedule, but the gorgeous stranger grimacing into her cocktail glass inspires him to change his plans for the evening. At first, it’s easy for Roman to agree to Ava’s rules: no strings, no feelings. But one night isn’t enough, and the more they meet, the more he wants.
No falling in love
Roman is the perfect fling, until Ava sees him at her cousin’s engagement party—as the groom’s best man, no less! Suddenly, maintaining her boundaries becomes a lot more complicated as she tries to hide the truth of their relationship from her family. However, Roman isn’t content being her dirty little secret, and he doesn’t just want more, he wants everything. With her future uncertain and her family pressuring her from all sides, Ava will have to decide if love is worth the risk—again.
No strings
After Ava Rodriguez’s now-ex-husband declares he wants to “follow his dreams”—which no longer include her—she’s left questioning everything she thought she wanted. So when a handsome hotelier flirts with her, Ava vows to stop overthinking and embrace the opportunity for an epic one-night-stand complete with a penthouse suite, rooftop pool, and buckets of champagne.
No feelings
Roman Vasquez’s sole focus is the empire he built from the ground up. He lives and dies by his schedule, but the gorgeous stranger grimacing into her cocktail glass inspires him to change his plans for the evening. At first, it’s easy for Roman to agree to Ava’s rules: no strings, no feelings. But one night isn’t enough, and the more they meet, the more he wants.
No falling in love
Roman is the perfect fling, until Ava sees him at her cousin’s engagement party—as the groom’s best man, no less! Suddenly, maintaining her boundaries becomes a lot more complicated as she tries to hide the truth of their relationship from her family. However, Roman isn’t content being her dirty little secret, and he doesn’t just want more, he wants everything. With her future uncertain and her family pressuring her from all sides, Ava will have to decide if love is worth the risk—again.
14 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 27, 2025
198 people are currently reading
17031 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Daria
14 books2,614 followersAlexis Daria is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola, A Lot Like Adiós, Take the Lead, and more. Her books have been featured on several “Best of ” lists and have received starred reviews from multiple trade publications. A former visual artist, Alexis is a lifelong New Yorker who loves Broadway musicals and pizza.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 750 reviews
April 14, 2025
she was cute but this was the first time her family really pissed me off. i enjoyed all their books individually but ava deserved better the entire time and even roman’s best attempts at being there for her weren’t justifying MY OWN personal frustration with the way she gets treated.
people pleasers, this one’s for you but it’s such a triggering thing for me like STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. the whole world should be bowing down to you, not the other way around 😔
thank you to netgalley and avon for the arc
people pleasers, this one’s for you but it’s such a triggering thing for me like STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. the whole world should be bowing down to you, not the other way around 😔
thank you to netgalley and avon for the arc
June 15, 2025
i really enjoyed the beginning of this! it sucked me in immediately, the spice was great, and i loveeeeed roman. but unfortunately the story spans slowly over 493 pages! almost FIVE HUNDRED pages of ava, a 33 year old woman, being wholly emotionally immature with roman, constantly pulling him close & pushing him away & using him as a coping mechanism on her worst days.
when i first realized and understood how their relationship would play out (after their initial hookup and the months that passed), i was intrigued to see where it would go. unfortunately it was just a dryer cycle of repetition of ava literally running away when roman is confessing feelings or being the emotionally mature one. and im sorry but it was just so boring after a certain point because it just kept going... and going... and going... and going... and going...
i did read the second book, but i read it years ago and don't remember much, so my hate for ava's nosy ass family might have been present for that book too, but it was BAD in this one. ava doesn't want to tell anyone she's dating roman because her family sucks. point blank period. they body shame her, they make fun of her, they gossip and say horrible things about her, and what does ava do? LETS THEM!!! she lets them literally use her like a rag and throw her to the side when they're done. i cannot stand fmc's that don't stand up for themselves. the way she constantly tried hiding roman was so annoying. you are a grown ass adult!!!! USE YOUR VOICE!!!!! it got so old and so stupid so quick that i just couldn't even care after a certain point. ava's internal monologue was also very... pointed. i'm not sure how to describe it but she was too self aware of her problems to then ignore them and do nothing about them for me to like her.
roman, he was the highlight of this book. unfortunately all of the issues were because of ava and her family, and roman was just perfect. that also made the story a little boring though. he's a hot billionaire and well versed in healthy, communicative relationships, but there was no tension after like 100 pages because he was so rich, he could do anything he wanted for ava. and i'm sorry but she treated him like a dog. he deserved better.
when i first realized and understood how their relationship would play out (after their initial hookup and the months that passed), i was intrigued to see where it would go. unfortunately it was just a dryer cycle of repetition of ava literally running away when roman is confessing feelings or being the emotionally mature one. and im sorry but it was just so boring after a certain point because it just kept going... and going... and going... and going... and going...
i did read the second book, but i read it years ago and don't remember much, so my hate for ava's nosy ass family might have been present for that book too, but it was BAD in this one. ava doesn't want to tell anyone she's dating roman because her family sucks. point blank period. they body shame her, they make fun of her, they gossip and say horrible things about her, and what does ava do? LETS THEM!!! she lets them literally use her like a rag and throw her to the side when they're done. i cannot stand fmc's that don't stand up for themselves. the way she constantly tried hiding roman was so annoying. you are a grown ass adult!!!! USE YOUR VOICE!!!!! it got so old and so stupid so quick that i just couldn't even care after a certain point. ava's internal monologue was also very... pointed. i'm not sure how to describe it but she was too self aware of her problems to then ignore them and do nothing about them for me to like her.
roman, he was the highlight of this book. unfortunately all of the issues were because of ava and her family, and roman was just perfect. that also made the story a little boring though. he's a hot billionaire and well versed in healthy, communicative relationships, but there was no tension after like 100 pages because he was so rich, he could do anything he wanted for ava. and i'm sorry but she treated him like a dog. he deserved better.
June 15, 2025
roman, you've stolen my heart and i love youuuuu
if you are a fan of this series, like me, you have been waiting for this book for years. i was in barnes and noble on the 27th to grab this because i couldn't wait to see ava's happy ever after take place. when i saw the size of this book i was very intimidated because its almost 500 pages which is pretty steep for a contemporary romance. obviously the page count didn't deter me a lot because i finished it in two days...
ava went through a divorce and she's been trying to restart her life as "new ava." when doing this she meets roman in a bar, thats in a hotel he owns, and they start up a bit of a fling. since they met so soon into the book i was confused with the amount of pages but then we got to follow the two of them at jasmine and ashton's wedding and i was thrilled because i love a wedding scene. i absolutely adored the romance and i was obsessed with how in love with ava roman was. from day dot he knew he wanted her and played by her terms. the chapters of them in puerto rico while setting up the wedding were my favorite part, they were just so in love and they work so well together. i just think the conflict of this book pissed me off because of how long we had to deal with it.
this book is nearly 500 pages and for 200 of these pages we deal with ava not wanting to tell her family about roman. at first it was understandable but by the end i was sooooo over it. like you are grown in a grown relationship and you can't stand up to your family. maybe i have issues but ava needed to yell at them like get out of my business. i would've understood had it not gone on forever and ever. in the end i was overjoyed for their sweet ending but sometimes i wanted to shake ava. the rating is probably closer to a 3.5 but i missed these characters so i rounded up! i <3 roman!!
if you are a fan of this series, like me, you have been waiting for this book for years. i was in barnes and noble on the 27th to grab this because i couldn't wait to see ava's happy ever after take place. when i saw the size of this book i was very intimidated because its almost 500 pages which is pretty steep for a contemporary romance. obviously the page count didn't deter me a lot because i finished it in two days...
ava went through a divorce and she's been trying to restart her life as "new ava." when doing this she meets roman in a bar, thats in a hotel he owns, and they start up a bit of a fling. since they met so soon into the book i was confused with the amount of pages but then we got to follow the two of them at jasmine and ashton's wedding and i was thrilled because i love a wedding scene. i absolutely adored the romance and i was obsessed with how in love with ava roman was. from day dot he knew he wanted her and played by her terms. the chapters of them in puerto rico while setting up the wedding were my favorite part, they were just so in love and they work so well together. i just think the conflict of this book pissed me off because of how long we had to deal with it.
this book is nearly 500 pages and for 200 of these pages we deal with ava not wanting to tell her family about roman. at first it was understandable but by the end i was sooooo over it. like you are grown in a grown relationship and you can't stand up to your family. maybe i have issues but ava needed to yell at them like get out of my business. i would've understood had it not gone on forever and ever. in the end i was overjoyed for their sweet ending but sometimes i wanted to shake ava. the rating is probably closer to a 3.5 but i missed these characters so i rounded up! i <3 roman!!
Want to read
February 27, 2024WE FINALLY HAVE A COVER!!!!!! And it is everything.
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Why did gr delete one of my reviews again? 😑
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Why did gr delete one of my reviews again? 😑
June 21, 2025
no like respectfully … ahaha OUCH ah ha HA ! THRIVING WOW ! good for THEM ! so special. so rich. so many houses.
and i can’t even get a text back to like, hang out lol
and i can’t even get a text back to like, hang out lol
August 7, 2025
"Why do you think you’re not worthy of good things?”
I understand this might not be for everyone, but it was for me.
Our FMC is kind of a doormat, but that is a result of how life treated her. Our MMC is almost perfect (imo).
We have her character development, HOT smutty scenes, them coming together, family dynamics, and realizing truths.
I did think it was a little long, I got a little tired of the back and forth... I didn't love that some of the conflict was , but I did enjoy the majority of it.
I understand this might not be for everyone, but it was for me.
Our FMC is kind of a doormat, but that is a result of how life treated her. Our MMC is almost perfect (imo).
We have her character development, HOT smutty scenes, them coming together, family dynamics, and realizing truths.
I did think it was a little long, I got a little tired of the back and forth... I didn't love that some of the conflict was , but I did enjoy the majority of it.
February 13, 2025
I love it when I read a book and I like it so much that I need to go and read the author's backlist and this is how I felt after finishing this book. I liked the fling aspect and the chemistry between the main characters was instant. The fmc is a school teacher who recently got a divorce and the mmc is a millionaire who is always on the go and successful. When they meet it's only meant to be a one-time thing and of course, it's not and they start a fling.
I loved the diversity and Puerto Rican representation in this one. He fell first and wanted to explore
a relationship but the fmc didn't because of her family and divorce. I thought the MCs were so cute especially when the mmc told her that one of the conditions of the fling is that he gets to spoil her. The steamy scenes were hot and everything about the fling was hot. At times I did find the fmc not wanting to tell her family and anyone about the mmc frustrating but I understood it. Loved the wedding plot between her friends and can't wait to read the other books. Thanks to Avon for the arc!
Read for:
- Latinx romance
- Secret fling plot
- Millionaire CEO mmc x teacher fmc
- Newly divorced fmc
-Tight-knit family and friend group
I loved the diversity and Puerto Rican representation in this one. He fell first and wanted to explore
a relationship but the fmc didn't because of her family and divorce. I thought the MCs were so cute especially when the mmc told her that one of the conditions of the fling is that he gets to spoil her. The steamy scenes were hot and everything about the fling was hot. At times I did find the fmc not wanting to tell her family and anyone about the mmc frustrating but I understood it. Loved the wedding plot between her friends and can't wait to read the other books. Thanks to Avon for the arc!
Read for:
- Latinx romance
- Secret fling plot
- Millionaire CEO mmc x teacher fmc
- Newly divorced fmc
-Tight-knit family and friend group
on-mayweather
July 13, 2024FINALLY a cover!! it's been YEARS!
July 24, 2025
3.5 stars
This book was a solid 4 stars but as time went on it got a littleeee repetitive and exasperating. Sometimes I wanted to shake Ava and say Roman is literally perfect. Like girl, what the hell are you talking about? In fact, can an MMC be too perfect? Because, if so, it's Roman. Why are you stringing him along and getting his hopes up? Making him skulk around like a little rat. That guy literally wants to give you the world and has done everything right. At this point, why is he a secret?
This book was a solid 4 stars but as time went on it got a littleeee repetitive and exasperating. Sometimes I wanted to shake Ava and say Roman is literally perfect. Like girl, what the hell are you talking about? In fact, can an MMC be too perfect? Because, if so, it's Roman. Why are you stringing him along and getting his hopes up? Making him skulk around like a little rat. That guy literally wants to give you the world and has done everything right. At this point, why is he a secret?
April 27, 2025
I've been a fan of this series from the beginning so I was very excited to finally get to this story.
I really liked Ava and Roman. They're both so good and loyal with instant banter and chemistry and I loved reading them connect. Of course it was fun seeing the other couples from the previous books.
Plot wise, it was mostly good. I wanted to shake Ava for not standing up for herself faster, but it was understandable. I loved how Roman got Ava, how he listened and let her move at her own speed. And I loved reading Ava slowly unfold into her true self. The last couple of chapters were perfection and it was a great send off for these ladies.
Overall, this was a fun and feisty series and I look forward to whatever Alexis does next.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I really liked Ava and Roman. They're both so good and loyal with instant banter and chemistry and I loved reading them connect. Of course it was fun seeing the other couples from the previous books.
Plot wise, it was mostly good. I wanted to shake Ava for not standing up for herself faster, but it was understandable. I loved how Roman got Ava, how he listened and let her move at her own speed. And I loved reading Ava slowly unfold into her true self. The last couple of chapters were perfection and it was a great send off for these ladies.
Overall, this was a fun and feisty series and I look forward to whatever Alexis does next.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
July 10, 2025
For the first half I perceived Román as being totally perfect, however in the 2nd half he had struggles to overcome. Yes he’s a billionaire but he works his butt off for his fortune, the author made sure to show that. All this is pleasing to me.
Super sexy series, with LatinX representation that matters and is relevant to the story. 30 year olds wanting to do better than their parents, but keeping the seniors close (and happy) speaks to me in all the possible ways.
I oscillate between saying “oh everything was perfect” and “3rd act crisis felt forced”. It works in some ways but some other times it feels like it doesn’t. YMMV.
Do I always say “ You don’t have to read the previous books in the series?” Yes.
Do I get to swallow my words with this book? Also yes, just because a huge part of the plot involves the characters of the previous two books enjoying their hard earned joy.
Super sexy series, with LatinX representation that matters and is relevant to the story. 30 year olds wanting to do better than their parents, but keeping the seniors close (and happy) speaks to me in all the possible ways.
I oscillate between saying “oh everything was perfect” and “3rd act crisis felt forced”. It works in some ways but some other times it feels like it doesn’t. YMMV.
Do I always say “ You don’t have to read the previous books in the series?” Yes.
Do I get to swallow my words with this book? Also yes, just because a huge part of the plot involves the characters of the previous two books enjoying their hard earned joy.
June 28, 2025
I've been eagerly anticipating this final installment of Primas of Power for the past four years and I'm so glad to have read it, even if it didn't work nearly as well as the first two books. In many ways, Ava is the kind of character I typically avoid for personal reasons: she's a people pleasing martyr type. It's to Daria's credit that I was able to finish the book, eager to see whether Ava would rise to the occasion of her own volition.
Unfortunately, this wound up making me hate most of her family, primas included. They don't just take advantage of Ava, they steamroll her. Her abuela was especially awful with constant pressure for Ava to get back with her mediocre ex-husband who left her; I wish I could remember if she was just as bad in the first two books but I haven't disliked an elderly woman this much in a long time. Roman was a good counter to all of this, the first person to really pay attention to Ava's needs and take care of her, instead of the other way around. Roman may not be a people pleaser like Ava but he was overly involved in his mom and sister's lives, trying to great a codependent family haven.
All of this made for good emotional arcs but the plot hinges on a lie of omission with Ava wanting to keep her relationship with Roman a secret from her family. Plus, this was 100 pages too long.
Not the strong end to the series that I was hoping for but I still enjoy Daria's writing and look forward to whatever she writes next.
Characters: Ava is a 32 year old Puerto Rican-Bajan American middle school English and social studies teacher. Roman is a 41 year old Puerto Rican American hotel magnate. His mother and 17 year old sister live with him. This is set in NYC and Puerto Rico.
Content notes: toxic family, Evil Stepmother trope, recent divorce (FMC's husband left a year and a half ago), migraines, heat exhaustion, internalized misogyny (FMC's family), brief body shaming, past death of MMC's stepfather, past parental divorce, past abandonment by MMC's father (later learned he died in a car accident when he was 9), Hollywood diet (secondary characters), story of student who went into anaphylactic shock (FMC helped and they're okay), past death of MMC's grandparents, family pressure for marriage and children, baby epilogue, on page sex, restraint, skinny dipping, sex toy, masturbation, strippers, alcohol, p-in-v sex is the only "real" sex, ableist language
Unfortunately, this wound up making me hate most of her family, primas included. They don't just take advantage of Ava, they steamroll her. Her abuela was especially awful with constant pressure for Ava to get back with her mediocre ex-husband who left her; I wish I could remember if she was just as bad in the first two books but I haven't disliked an elderly woman this much in a long time. Roman was a good counter to all of this, the first person to really pay attention to Ava's needs and take care of her, instead of the other way around. Roman may not be a people pleaser like Ava but he was overly involved in his mom and sister's lives, trying to great a codependent family haven.
All of this made for good emotional arcs but the plot hinges on a lie of omission with Ava wanting to keep her relationship with Roman a secret from her family. Plus, this was 100 pages too long.
Not the strong end to the series that I was hoping for but I still enjoy Daria's writing and look forward to whatever she writes next.
Characters: Ava is a 32 year old Puerto Rican-Bajan American middle school English and social studies teacher. Roman is a 41 year old Puerto Rican American hotel magnate. His mother and 17 year old sister live with him. This is set in NYC and Puerto Rico.
Content notes: toxic family, Evil Stepmother trope, recent divorce (FMC's husband left a year and a half ago), migraines, heat exhaustion, internalized misogyny (FMC's family), brief body shaming, past death of MMC's stepfather, past parental divorce, past abandonment by MMC's father (later learned he died in a car accident when he was 9), Hollywood diet (secondary characters), story of student who went into anaphylactic shock (FMC helped and they're okay), past death of MMC's grandparents, family pressure for marriage and children, baby epilogue, on page sex, restraint, skinny dipping, sex toy, masturbation, strippers, alcohol, p-in-v sex is the only "real" sex, ableist language
June 8, 2025
Unfortunately, I should've stopped reading this book about halfway through. It was way too long and quickly became repetitive. I found Ava's combination of avoidant attachment and people pleasing to be extremely frustrating. She did have some growth over the course of the story, but her satisfying climactic moment was taken away from her. Roman, by contrast, was the most secure man I have ever met, real or fictional, and he did have a solid and satisfying growth arc over the course of the story.
On the positive side, the writing itself was solid and the sexy scenes were very sexy. Also the cover is absolutely gorgeous.
On the positive side, the writing itself was solid and the sexy scenes were very sexy. Also the cover is absolutely gorgeous.
July 14, 2025
This one was for the pathological people pleasers and I have to say there's something about being too seen!!!
June 6, 2025
Brimming with passion, heartache and healing, Along Came Amor is a gorgeously rich story of family, love and growth.
The romance in this, whilst physically instant, was emotionally a gloriously slow burn. The push and pull between them felt so naturally charged by fear and want and past pain. I adored Roman and Ava as characters both together and apart. They both had so much heart but were also carrying their own weights and worries. I loved how they bought the best out of each other, giving one another the space, respect and encouragement to take care of themselves.
The family dynamics were also really interesting and I loved the exploration of Ava and Roman’s experiences as first generation immigrants and dealing with the expectations put upon them both by themselves and their families.
While on the longer side for romance, I found I didn’t mind as I was so drawn into Ava and Roman’s journey. I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more from Alexis Daria in the future.
(I should also add that this book has one of the loveliest prologues I’ve read in a long time!)
what to expect:
• instalust to slow burn
• puerto rican rep
• millionaire ceo x teacher
• self discovery post divorce
• secret romance
• one night stand into something more
• he falls first and hard
The romance in this, whilst physically instant, was emotionally a gloriously slow burn. The push and pull between them felt so naturally charged by fear and want and past pain. I adored Roman and Ava as characters both together and apart. They both had so much heart but were also carrying their own weights and worries. I loved how they bought the best out of each other, giving one another the space, respect and encouragement to take care of themselves.
The family dynamics were also really interesting and I loved the exploration of Ava and Roman’s experiences as first generation immigrants and dealing with the expectations put upon them both by themselves and their families.
While on the longer side for romance, I found I didn’t mind as I was so drawn into Ava and Roman’s journey. I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more from Alexis Daria in the future.
(I should also add that this book has one of the loveliest prologues I’ve read in a long time!)
what to expect:
• instalust to slow burn
• puerto rican rep
• millionaire ceo x teacher
• self discovery post divorce
• secret romance
• one night stand into something more
• he falls first and hard
October 13, 2025
It was a very cute romance. I liked the setting, the characters, the family drama... but the novel was soo long! It was 500 pages of the main characters meeting in secret and it got old after a while. Also the ending was very drawn out. Why they had to discuss all the things in such detail? Just kiss and HEA.
August 12, 2025
Emotionally unavailable and vulnerable woman + a patient and protective loving man = a winner.
Her family was literally the worst. Any stars I would remove would be off of me wishing her and Roman would go no contact with them all.
Her family was literally the worst. Any stars I would remove would be off of me wishing her and Roman would go no contact with them all.
February 27, 2022
when is this coming out??? i’m dying omg i need to read about ava, because who else would it be about? i’m so excited!!!!
i wonder what the title will be???
i wonder what the title will be???
February 5, 2025
I knew this book was going to get a 5 star rating 30% in. It’s 2am and I have work in the morning but I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be back in the morning with a full review. 🥹❤️
(JK it has been an hour and I can’t stop thinking about these two characters and their journey so here is my review)
Alexis Daria delivers another unforgettable romance with Along Came Amor, a beautifully written story packed with emotion, sizzling chemistry, and deeply rooted cultural elements. This book earns a well-deserved 5-star rating for its compelling characters, engaging themes, and authentic representation of Latino culture.
At its heart, Along Came Amor explores themes of one-night stand, secret romance, age gap, and billionaire love, all while tackling the emotional weight of overcoming childhood trauma. Alexis masterfully weaves these elements into a narrative that feels raw, heartfelt, and undeniably real.
One of the standout aspects of this book is Ava’s journey. As a first generation immigrant, her struggle to meet the high expectations of her large family resonated deeply. The pressure to be perfect, the fear of judgment, and the constant scrutiny from older generations were portrayed with stunning accuracy. It felt personal and honest, making Ava an incredibly relatable character.
And then there’s Roman, the perfect match for Ava. Their relationship felt natural, intense, and emotionally charged. The push and pull between them never felt forced; it reflected real fears, real desires, and real emotions. Ava’s hesitations were valid, and Roman’s unwavering patience and devotion made him impossible not to love.
The authors storytelling shines through vivid descriptions and immersive scenes. Every moment felt cinematic, as if I were watching a movie rather than reading a book. The dialogue was sharp, the emotional beats hit perfectly, and the novel was filled with quotable lines that stuck with me long after I turned the last page.
I feel incredibly lucky to have received an early copy of Along Came Amor. While I’m sad to see this series come to an end, I can’t wait to see what Alexis Daria writes next. If you love emotional, passionate, and culturally rich romance, this book is a must-read!
(JK it has been an hour and I can’t stop thinking about these two characters and their journey so here is my review)
Alexis Daria delivers another unforgettable romance with Along Came Amor, a beautifully written story packed with emotion, sizzling chemistry, and deeply rooted cultural elements. This book earns a well-deserved 5-star rating for its compelling characters, engaging themes, and authentic representation of Latino culture.
At its heart, Along Came Amor explores themes of one-night stand, secret romance, age gap, and billionaire love, all while tackling the emotional weight of overcoming childhood trauma. Alexis masterfully weaves these elements into a narrative that feels raw, heartfelt, and undeniably real.
One of the standout aspects of this book is Ava’s journey. As a first generation immigrant, her struggle to meet the high expectations of her large family resonated deeply. The pressure to be perfect, the fear of judgment, and the constant scrutiny from older generations were portrayed with stunning accuracy. It felt personal and honest, making Ava an incredibly relatable character.
And then there’s Roman, the perfect match for Ava. Their relationship felt natural, intense, and emotionally charged. The push and pull between them never felt forced; it reflected real fears, real desires, and real emotions. Ava’s hesitations were valid, and Roman’s unwavering patience and devotion made him impossible not to love.
The authors storytelling shines through vivid descriptions and immersive scenes. Every moment felt cinematic, as if I were watching a movie rather than reading a book. The dialogue was sharp, the emotional beats hit perfectly, and the novel was filled with quotable lines that stuck with me long after I turned the last page.
I feel incredibly lucky to have received an early copy of Along Came Amor. While I’m sad to see this series come to an end, I can’t wait to see what Alexis Daria writes next. If you love emotional, passionate, and culturally rich romance, this book is a must-read!
July 26, 2025
Hadn't really read a contemporary romcom in a while, because I was tired of all the tropes. Made an exception for this one, because I read all the books in the series the year they came out and I was looking forward to this. And like most romances these days, this one is a mixed bag that I think comes up on the 'really liked it' side. I enjoyed the two leads (even if he is such a fantasy guy and a CEO, which at times really annoyed me at how the book was trying to say: he's one of the good CEO millionaires, when such a thing hardly exists. But fine) and their relationship.
As a recovering people pleaser, I related (and cringed) to Ava quite a bit, even if I'm much further away on the journey. Her family was intensely suffocating and by the end they do this: of yeah, but it's because they love her sort of thing, which would never happen with my family and so it feels very implausible to me.
My least favorite romance bit: when they have a perfunctory character mention the wedding industrial complex, but the other characters (the one we know and respect more) roll their eyes at their radical youth or whatnot. Really hate that.
But despite that and despite the length, this was pretty good for its limitations (CEOs, wedding madness, ending in a nuclear family bliss for all three protagonists of the series, complete with baby!). I had quite a bit of fun with various moments and the third act was actually fun and farcical instead of massively angsty as these things usually go. I'm sure I had more thoughts, but they have deserted me and thus are not that important. I had a good time!
As a recovering people pleaser, I related (and cringed) to Ava quite a bit, even if I'm much further away on the journey. Her family was intensely suffocating and by the end they do this: of yeah, but it's because they love her sort of thing, which would never happen with my family and so it feels very implausible to me.
My least favorite romance bit: when they have a perfunctory character mention the wedding industrial complex, but the other characters (the one we know and respect more) roll their eyes at their radical youth or whatnot. Really hate that.
But despite that and despite the length, this was pretty good for its limitations (CEOs, wedding madness, ending in a nuclear family bliss for all three protagonists of the series, complete with baby!). I had quite a bit of fun with various moments and the third act was actually fun and farcical instead of massively angsty as these things usually go. I'm sure I had more thoughts, but they have deserted me and thus are not that important. I had a good time!
May 30, 2025
Along Came Amor is one of the loveliest, romances I have ever read.
This is a romance that begins as a one stand stand that leads into a no strings attached fling between leads Ava and Roman. It's meant to be a set up without emotion so each party can gain what they need. Be it distraction, be it company, being letting go of frustrations from their life. But the more time spent together, the more their physical connection becomes far more emotional. And this is the strength of this love story: the emotional intimacy.
Roman is intrigued, interested, and very much wanting to know Ava beyond their stolen nights. Ava runs away from such potential intimacy but circumstance sees her facing it nonetheless, and as more time goes by, more she realizes how deeply she connects with Roman. They are inevitable to one another. They listen to one another in a way they have never experienced before, they are perceptive of the other, and they become each other's anchor in a meaningful way that elevates already beautifully soaring story.
Ava and Roman are both leads to admire and root for.
Ava has had a tough time, her husband nonchalantly breaks up with her, leaving her heartbroken. Less due to him and more due to how her family responds in disappointment towards a perceived failure. She is always looking to place family ahead of her and to not disappoint them in any way, to her own personal hindrance as she comes to realize she cannot fly if she allows her wings to continue being clipped. Her meeting Roman allows her eyes to open in a way they had not before. She meets someone who respects her voice and uplifts it, ensuring she is always heard. He sees her worth and places a mirror in front of her to ensure she sees it too. Ava undoubtedly blossoms the brightest over the course of this story. And it is in part due to the push Roman gives her.
Which brings us to our stunning green flag man.
Roman is hands down one of the best love interests I've ever heard. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he is true to his word, he is honest and open in action, and he fights to earn the trust and love of the woman he falls in love with. He may get ahead of himself at times when it comes to envisioning how he desires his future with Ava, but he never does it with malintent. In fact, when Ava voices any concerns or frustrations he takes each and every to heart, he takes her words for what they are and corrects his own. He listens to her in a way none have ever done. And even as she runs away, he doesn't give up on her, on what they have. He's a man of patience, and it looks damn good on him.
If I could change just one thing, it would be the pacing. It was quite perfect but then it felt the latter part of the middle stretched on for a tad bit too long, becoming a bit repetitive. I started to feel impatient for the plot to get moving again. Nevertheless, the love story at its core kept me engaged and attentive until the end.
I wholly enjoyed this one!
Thank you BookSparks for the gifted advanced copy! 4.5
This is a romance that begins as a one stand stand that leads into a no strings attached fling between leads Ava and Roman. It's meant to be a set up without emotion so each party can gain what they need. Be it distraction, be it company, being letting go of frustrations from their life. But the more time spent together, the more their physical connection becomes far more emotional. And this is the strength of this love story: the emotional intimacy.
Roman is intrigued, interested, and very much wanting to know Ava beyond their stolen nights. Ava runs away from such potential intimacy but circumstance sees her facing it nonetheless, and as more time goes by, more she realizes how deeply she connects with Roman. They are inevitable to one another. They listen to one another in a way they have never experienced before, they are perceptive of the other, and they become each other's anchor in a meaningful way that elevates already beautifully soaring story.
Ava and Roman are both leads to admire and root for.
Ava has had a tough time, her husband nonchalantly breaks up with her, leaving her heartbroken. Less due to him and more due to how her family responds in disappointment towards a perceived failure. She is always looking to place family ahead of her and to not disappoint them in any way, to her own personal hindrance as she comes to realize she cannot fly if she allows her wings to continue being clipped. Her meeting Roman allows her eyes to open in a way they had not before. She meets someone who respects her voice and uplifts it, ensuring she is always heard. He sees her worth and places a mirror in front of her to ensure she sees it too. Ava undoubtedly blossoms the brightest over the course of this story. And it is in part due to the push Roman gives her.
Which brings us to our stunning green flag man.
Roman is hands down one of the best love interests I've ever heard. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he is true to his word, he is honest and open in action, and he fights to earn the trust and love of the woman he falls in love with. He may get ahead of himself at times when it comes to envisioning how he desires his future with Ava, but he never does it with malintent. In fact, when Ava voices any concerns or frustrations he takes each and every to heart, he takes her words for what they are and corrects his own. He listens to her in a way none have ever done. And even as she runs away, he doesn't give up on her, on what they have. He's a man of patience, and it looks damn good on him.
If I could change just one thing, it would be the pacing. It was quite perfect but then it felt the latter part of the middle stretched on for a tad bit too long, becoming a bit repetitive. I started to feel impatient for the plot to get moving again. Nevertheless, the love story at its core kept me engaged and attentive until the end.
I wholly enjoyed this one!
Thank you BookSparks for the gifted advanced copy! 4.5
Read
June 7, 2025Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
I shouldn’t be surprised at this point because I have loved every book by this author that I’ve read before, but I am pleased to once gain have a 5 star read from Alexis Daria! This might be my second favorite in the Primas of Power series and I’m so glad she was able to take the time she needed to write it because it was fantastic. Such a fun Summer read but it can be enjoyed all year long.
Synopsis:
“No strings
After Ava Rodriguez’s now-ex-husband declares he wants to “follow his dreams”—which no longer include her—she’s left questioning everything she thought she wanted. So when a handsome hotelier flirts with her, Ava vows to stop overthinking and embrace the opportunity for an epic one-night-stand complete with a penthouse suite, rooftop pool, and buckets of champagne.
No feelings
Roman Vasquez’s sole focus is the empire he built from the ground up. He lives and dies by his schedule, but the gorgeous stranger grimacing into her cocktail glass inspires him to change his plans for the evening. At first, it’s easy for Roman to agree to Ava’s rules: no strings, no feelings. But one night isn’t enough, and the more they meet, the more he wants.
No falling in love
Roman is the perfect fling, until Ava sees him at her cousin’s engagement party—as the groom’s best man, no less! Suddenly, maintaining her boundaries becomes a lot more complicated as she tries to hide the truth of their relationship from her family. However, Roman isn’t content being her dirty little secret, and he doesn’t just want more, he wants everything. With her future uncertain and her family pressuring her from all sides, Ava will have to decide if love is worth the risk—again.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Setting and Set Up—I was so happy to see Jasmine and Ashton again along with Michelle and Gabe, but I love that this all took place during Jasmine and Ashton’s wedding. The stakes felt so high and really worked for the conclusion to this series.
The Discussion of Love after Divorce—I think this so important and something that isn’t always explored in romance novels.
The Banter—Excellent, excellent, excellent. And not just the romantic banter! All the characters have such great connections.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Nothing! A 5 star read.
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: 4/5 Overall Rating: 5/5
Content Warnings:
divorce, abandonment, death of a parent, pregnancy
I shouldn’t be surprised at this point because I have loved every book by this author that I’ve read before, but I am pleased to once gain have a 5 star read from Alexis Daria! This might be my second favorite in the Primas of Power series and I’m so glad she was able to take the time she needed to write it because it was fantastic. Such a fun Summer read but it can be enjoyed all year long.
Synopsis:
“No strings
After Ava Rodriguez’s now-ex-husband declares he wants to “follow his dreams”—which no longer include her—she’s left questioning everything she thought she wanted. So when a handsome hotelier flirts with her, Ava vows to stop overthinking and embrace the opportunity for an epic one-night-stand complete with a penthouse suite, rooftop pool, and buckets of champagne.
No feelings
Roman Vasquez’s sole focus is the empire he built from the ground up. He lives and dies by his schedule, but the gorgeous stranger grimacing into her cocktail glass inspires him to change his plans for the evening. At first, it’s easy for Roman to agree to Ava’s rules: no strings, no feelings. But one night isn’t enough, and the more they meet, the more he wants.
No falling in love
Roman is the perfect fling, until Ava sees him at her cousin’s engagement party—as the groom’s best man, no less! Suddenly, maintaining her boundaries becomes a lot more complicated as she tries to hide the truth of their relationship from her family. However, Roman isn’t content being her dirty little secret, and he doesn’t just want more, he wants everything. With her future uncertain and her family pressuring her from all sides, Ava will have to decide if love is worth the risk—again.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Setting and Set Up—I was so happy to see Jasmine and Ashton again along with Michelle and Gabe, but I love that this all took place during Jasmine and Ashton’s wedding. The stakes felt so high and really worked for the conclusion to this series.
The Discussion of Love after Divorce—I think this so important and something that isn’t always explored in romance novels.
The Banter—Excellent, excellent, excellent. And not just the romantic banter! All the characters have such great connections.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Nothing! A 5 star read.
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: 4/5 Overall Rating: 5/5
Content Warnings:
divorce, abandonment, death of a parent, pregnancy
July 22, 2025
4.5 rounded up to 5. Where were you Avon editing dept?!
This book asks the important questions like "Was it still called dry humping if you were in a swimming pool?" and how awkward would it be to watch your secret boyfriend give your mom a lap dance at your cousin's bachelorette party?
I read this via audio (narrator Seraphine Valentine is great!) so this review is more vibes than details, but what matters is that Roman is a 40 year old hotelier and wants to take care of Ava. Ava just needs to let herself be cared for.
Ava and Roman meet by chance at (one of) his hotel bars and quickly fall into bed. A little no strings Ava gets Her Groove Back, and it was fantastic. But Ava has issues, mostly surrounding her family, and turns out Roman is about to basically become extended family. I didn't hate any of what happened, but some of it happened over and over and my only beef is that this book absolutely did not need to be ~500 pages (125ish longer than the previous two).
As a series finale it gave an excellent wrap-up (epilogues for years!), so I do recommend reading the Primas of Power series in order if you don't love spoilers. And if it's a new to you series it's overall a fantastic series and well worth reading all three books!
This book asks the important questions like "Was it still called dry humping if you were in a swimming pool?" and how awkward would it be to watch your secret boyfriend give your mom a lap dance at your cousin's bachelorette party?
I read this via audio (narrator Seraphine Valentine is great!) so this review is more vibes than details, but what matters is that Roman is a 40 year old hotelier and wants to take care of Ava. Ava just needs to let herself be cared for.
Ava and Roman meet by chance at (one of) his hotel bars and quickly fall into bed. A little no strings Ava gets Her Groove Back, and it was fantastic. But Ava has issues, mostly surrounding her family, and turns out Roman is about to basically become extended family. I didn't hate any of what happened, but some of it happened over and over and my only beef is that this book absolutely did not need to be ~500 pages (125ish longer than the previous two).
As a series finale it gave an excellent wrap-up (epilogues for years!), so I do recommend reading the Primas of Power series in order if you don't love spoilers. And if it's a new to you series it's overall a fantastic series and well worth reading all three books!
Want to read
February 21, 2022I NEED THIS NOW
July 30, 2025
4.25⭐
PG-13🌶️
I think Ava probably needed therapy more than she needed a relationship but I love how down bad Roman was from her from start to finish. Incandescently!!
PG-13🌶️
I think Ava probably needed therapy more than she needed a relationship but I love how down bad Roman was from her from start to finish. Incandescently!!
July 8, 2025
Along Came Amor is everything I want in a romance novel—steamy, emotional, funny, and filled with heart. Alexis Daria wraps up her Primas of Power series with a story that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. It’s about heartbreak and healing, about rediscovering your worth, and about the kind of love that catches you off guard and refuses to let go.
Ava is such a relatable, layered heroine. Fresh out of a marriage that left her second-guessing everything, she’s determined to stay in control—until Roman walks into her life. And wow, Roman. He’s charming, driven, and so unexpectedly tender that it’s impossible not to fall for him right along with Ava. Their chemistry is off-the-charts, but what really makes the story shine is how vulnerable and real their connection becomes.
The book is packed with everything I love: sizzling romance, laugh-out-loud moments, and a tight-knit, meddling family that feels like your own. Daria's love and respect for Latine culture is woven into every page, making the world feel vibrant and lived-in. And even though it's the final book in the series, it stands beautifully on its own (though you’ll definitely want to go back and read the others too!).
If you're looking for a romance that makes you feel everything—joy, heat, heartbreak, and ultimately, hope—Along Came Amor delivers in spades. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I didn’t just read it—I felt it.
Ava is such a relatable, layered heroine. Fresh out of a marriage that left her second-guessing everything, she’s determined to stay in control—until Roman walks into her life. And wow, Roman. He’s charming, driven, and so unexpectedly tender that it’s impossible not to fall for him right along with Ava. Their chemistry is off-the-charts, but what really makes the story shine is how vulnerable and real their connection becomes.
The book is packed with everything I love: sizzling romance, laugh-out-loud moments, and a tight-knit, meddling family that feels like your own. Daria's love and respect for Latine culture is woven into every page, making the world feel vibrant and lived-in. And even though it's the final book in the series, it stands beautifully on its own (though you’ll definitely want to go back and read the others too!).
If you're looking for a romance that makes you feel everything—joy, heat, heartbreak, and ultimately, hope—Along Came Amor delivers in spades. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I didn’t just read it—I felt it.
May 2, 2025
Read This Book If…the family in Pride&Prejudice2005 sets you off!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria
Genre: romance
Series: Primas of Power # 3
Spice Level: 4/5🌶, 3-4 explicit scenes
Setting: NYC & Puerto Rico
POV: dual, 3rd person, past tense
Tropes: one night stand, no strings attached, forced proximity, hurt/comfort, he falls first, secret
My Thoughts:
A newly-divorced teacher falls into a no-strings arrangement with a millionaire hotelier…what could go wrong?
NOTHING because this book was fabulous! Ava and Roman’s instant chemistry was hot on the page and the spice was spicing throughout this read, including from the very beginning.
I loved how quickly Roman fell and how he just wanted to treat Ava like a queen. He was so down bad and just wanted to shout about her to the world, especially after they discover their real-life connection.
Ava’s overbearing family, on the other hand, drove me nuts with how they constantly used her and wore her down. But that just made this relationship all the sweeter and I applauded when Ava finally stood up for what she wanted and needed!
This was such a satisfying end to the series. Even those these three cousins are super close, they still keep secrets from each other, which made for very fun shenanigans. I also really enjoyed how their men got closer in this book - yay male friendships!!
If you’re looking for a sweet and spicy series to binge, look no further!
Memorable Quote: “When I went to the bar that night, I was looking for something different. Something new. I decided to trust the Universe…and it let me to you.”
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria
Genre: romance
Series: Primas of Power # 3
Spice Level: 4/5🌶, 3-4 explicit scenes
Setting: NYC & Puerto Rico
POV: dual, 3rd person, past tense
Tropes: one night stand, no strings attached, forced proximity, hurt/comfort, he falls first, secret
My Thoughts:
A newly-divorced teacher falls into a no-strings arrangement with a millionaire hotelier…what could go wrong?
NOTHING because this book was fabulous! Ava and Roman’s instant chemistry was hot on the page and the spice was spicing throughout this read, including from the very beginning.
I loved how quickly Roman fell and how he just wanted to treat Ava like a queen. He was so down bad and just wanted to shout about her to the world, especially after they discover their real-life connection.
Ava’s overbearing family, on the other hand, drove me nuts with how they constantly used her and wore her down. But that just made this relationship all the sweeter and I applauded when Ava finally stood up for what she wanted and needed!
This was such a satisfying end to the series. Even those these three cousins are super close, they still keep secrets from each other, which made for very fun shenanigans. I also really enjoyed how their men got closer in this book - yay male friendships!!
If you’re looking for a sweet and spicy series to binge, look no further!
Memorable Quote: “When I went to the bar that night, I was looking for something different. Something new. I decided to trust the Universe…and it let me to you.”
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!
September 26, 2025
Ok wait, was this one extra spicy or was it just me?? Either way I loved it, ate it right up. It felt a tad long and Ava was frustrating but probably because perfectionism is also something I deal with. I really enjoy/get triggered by how Alexis Daria writes about the family being all up in each other’s business and having way too many opinions. Like is this play about us?? 😅
June 12, 2025
I'm so sad this book and series is over! 🥺
I loved getting to know Ava and Roman and seeing the Primas again 🥹
I usually say that a romance book longer than 350 pages is too much, but this one was just SO GOOD, I didn't feel like it was that long.
I'll miss these characters 😢
I loved getting to know Ava and Roman and seeing the Primas again 🥹
I usually say that a romance book longer than 350 pages is too much, but this one was just SO GOOD, I didn't feel like it was that long.
I'll miss these characters 😢
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