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Salacia Project
A fake relationship. A sun-soaked world tour. And a love that refuses to rush her healing.
Sofia Moretti Gómez has rebuilt her life piece by piece after an academic betrayal nearly destroyed her career. Now she’s focused on ocean conservation, her independence, and never trusting too easily again.
Ilias Ríos El Idrissi is a golden-retriever Olympic surfer with a PR problem, and a smile the public can’t get enough of. When a fake relationship offers them both exactly what they need, it should be simple.
It isn’t.
Traveling together through Portugal, Morocco, France, Australia, and Italy blurs the line between what’s real and what’s for show, especially when Ilias falls first, falls harder, and refuses to rush Sofia’s healing.
Perfect for readers who love Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, and Elena Armas, Salacia Project is a sun-drenched love story about trust, patience, and choosing love.
Sofia Moretti Gómez has rebuilt her life piece by piece after an academic betrayal nearly destroyed her career. Now she’s focused on ocean conservation, her independence, and never trusting too easily again.
Ilias Ríos El Idrissi is a golden-retriever Olympic surfer with a PR problem, and a smile the public can’t get enough of. When a fake relationship offers them both exactly what they need, it should be simple.
It isn’t.
Traveling together through Portugal, Morocco, France, Australia, and Italy blurs the line between what’s real and what’s for show, especially when Ilias falls first, falls harder, and refuses to rush Sofia’s healing.
Perfect for readers who love Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, and Elena Armas, Salacia Project is a sun-drenched love story about trust, patience, and choosing love.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2026
About the author
Elena Locatelli
10 books28 followersI’m Elena, a blend of Cancer sensitivity, Virgo precision, and Aries fire.
My stories, infused with my love for the ocean, travel adventures, and anime, target readers craving excitement and intrigue.
My mission is to write adult fantasy romance with strong women and healthy relationships in vibrant, diverse worlds, making every reader feel seen and valued.
Books have always been my sanctuary, with Sarah J. Maas's "A Court of Thorns and Roses" reigniting my passion for reading and inspiring me to create my magical worlds.
Now based in Seville, Spain, I share my space with my two dogs, Eva and Nimbus, as I dive into self-publishing.
With a degree in Foreign Languages and five years as a yoga teacher, I've also launched The Bookish Studio, a creative agency for indie authors.
My stories, infused with my love for the ocean, travel adventures, and anime, target readers craving excitement and intrigue.
My mission is to write adult fantasy romance with strong women and healthy relationships in vibrant, diverse worlds, making every reader feel seen and valued.
Books have always been my sanctuary, with Sarah J. Maas's "A Court of Thorns and Roses" reigniting my passion for reading and inspiring me to create my magical worlds.
Now based in Seville, Spain, I share my space with my two dogs, Eva and Nimbus, as I dive into self-publishing.
With a degree in Foreign Languages and five years as a yoga teacher, I've also launched The Bookish Studio, a creative agency for indie authors.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 134 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⋆˙⟡ — 4 stars
⤷⊹ started: march 21st, finished: april 8th
𐙚 some spoilers ahead!! ♡
୨ৎ thank you so much to my fav girls har and yoanna for reading this with me!! i loved yapping abt these two with you guys! 🥹💗
♡ ⋆｡˚ thoughts
guys omg this book was SO good 😩 i literally loved everything about this book omg!! one thing that i really enjoyed was how they didn’t only speak spanish. there were sooo many other languages included, and it was just so interesting to see since i’ve never read a book like that before 😌 also the romance?! UGH i loved these two so freaking much 😋
♡ ⋆｡˚ characters
♡ ⋆｡˚ sofia gómez
guys this girl made me cry so many times 😭 her passion and love for marine biology was just so touching, and i loved being able to see that side of her. sometimes i feel like books mention a character’s job, but it doesn’t actually become a big part of the story and only shows up a few times. i loved being able to see how dedicated she was to her work, and you could really tell that she genuinely cared about protecting the environment. omg and don’t even get me started on her relationship with her dad 🥹 her dad was really sick, and she tried her best to find things within her job that would be able to comfort him. i swear during the last like 10–12 chapters i was struggling to breathe because of how much i cried ☹️ this girl will hold a special place in my heart for a long time.
♡ ⋆｡˚ ilias ríos el idrissi
oh i loved this man!! my heart literally broke for him so much though because he was going through a lot when it came to his dad. after finding out some shocking news, they ended up no longer talking ☹️ one thing i can say is that i loved how he put in the work and was able to grow as a person. going to therapy really helped him heal even more 🥹 i just want to give him the biggest hug 😩
♡ ⋆｡˚ sofia + ilias
let me tell you, i LOVE fake dating sooo much 😩 the tension and chemistry between these two during that time was just everything, and i loved being able to slowly see them realize that they had feelings for each other. their relationship was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book, both before and after they became a couple 🤭
♡ ⋆｡˚ final thoughts
even though it took me a while to finish this, i honestly enjoyed reading it more slowly because i was able to take everything in and really get to know these two. pls pls pls pick up this book because i will definitely be thinking about them for a while 🤭
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
i am in love with this cover omg 😩 the tropes for this book are literally everything, so i’m really hoping this book delivers 🤭 and i get to read this with two of my fav girls har and yoanna!! i can’t wait to read and yap about this book with you both. i love you guys sooo much 🫂💗
thank you sm lovenotes and elena locatelli for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!!
⤷⊹ started: march 21st, finished: april 8th
𐙚 some spoilers ahead!! ♡
୨ৎ thank you so much to my fav girls har and yoanna for reading this with me!! i loved yapping abt these two with you guys! 🥹💗
thank you sm lovenotes and elena locatelli for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
♡ ⋆｡˚ thoughts
guys omg this book was SO good 😩 i literally loved everything about this book omg!! one thing that i really enjoyed was how they didn’t only speak spanish. there were sooo many other languages included, and it was just so interesting to see since i’ve never read a book like that before 😌 also the romance?! UGH i loved these two so freaking much 😋
♡ ⋆｡˚ characters
♡ ⋆｡˚ sofia gómez
guys this girl made me cry so many times 😭 her passion and love for marine biology was just so touching, and i loved being able to see that side of her. sometimes i feel like books mention a character’s job, but it doesn’t actually become a big part of the story and only shows up a few times. i loved being able to see how dedicated she was to her work, and you could really tell that she genuinely cared about protecting the environment. omg and don’t even get me started on her relationship with her dad 🥹 her dad was really sick, and she tried her best to find things within her job that would be able to comfort him. i swear during the last like 10–12 chapters i was struggling to breathe because of how much i cried ☹️ this girl will hold a special place in my heart for a long time.
♡ ⋆｡˚ ilias ríos el idrissi
oh i loved this man!! my heart literally broke for him so much though because he was going through a lot when it came to his dad. after finding out some shocking news, they ended up no longer talking ☹️ one thing i can say is that i loved how he put in the work and was able to grow as a person. going to therapy really helped him heal even more 🥹 i just want to give him the biggest hug 😩
♡ ⋆｡˚ sofia + ilias
let me tell you, i LOVE fake dating sooo much 😩 the tension and chemistry between these two during that time was just everything, and i loved being able to slowly see them realize that they had feelings for each other. their relationship was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book, both before and after they became a couple 🤭
♡ ⋆｡˚ final thoughts
even though it took me a while to finish this, i honestly enjoyed reading it more slowly because i was able to take everything in and really get to know these two. pls pls pls pick up this book because i will definitely be thinking about them for a while 🤭
₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
i am in love with this cover omg 😩 the tropes for this book are literally everything, so i’m really hoping this book delivers 🤭 and i get to read this with two of my fav girls har and yoanna!! i can’t wait to read and yap about this book with you both. i love you guys sooo much 🫂💗
thank you sm lovenotes and elena locatelli for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
┆ ⤿ 🐢 ⌗ started: march 20, finished: april 5
ⓘ thank you lovenotes pr, victory editing netgalley co-op, netgalley and elena locatelli for the e-arc in exchange for a honest review
4 stars 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
⤿ review with some spoilers.
read this with my best friends mads & yoanna! 🍀 i love you both so so much 🤭💚
summary and thoughts: ⋆˚࿔
salacia project follows sofia moretti gómez, a marine biologist rebuilding her life after an academic betrayal, and ilias ríos el idrissi, an olympic surfer with a sunshine personality and a carefully curated public image. what starts as a fake relationship, meant to fix his PR and keep her guarded heart intact, quickly turns into something far more real.
WOW!! i actually enjoyed this book so much. it was as beautiful as the cover. i loved the diversity that was mentioned and how naturally it was woven into the story. especially the exploration of mixed identity, it felt so real and honest. as someone who moved around a lot because of family, i’ve always struggled with feeling like i truly belonged anywhere, so that part hit really close to home. reading this felt comforting in a way i didn’t expect.
i loved the romance part as well. i enjoyed how they both fit in each other's lives and how much they were willing to sacrifice for one another. it really does prove that the right person will come along when you're least expecting it!
i also found this book really unique with the short chapters and having song titles at the beginning of each chapter. the chapters were actually as long as the song! which i enjoyed so much.
── .✦ characters 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
sofia moretti gómez: ˚˖𓍢ִִ໋🌊🦈˚˖𓍢ִ✧˚.
her story was so touching. from the reason why she chose to be a marine biologist to how much she suffered because of her ex boyfriend, everything about her journey felt deeply personal and meaningful. i’ll start with the reason she chose her field, it added so much depth to her character and made her passion feel even more real. her father introduced her to the waves, the ocean, and nature when she was a child, and ever since, she fell in love with it. as the years passed, her love for marine biology and protecting the environment only grew stronger. but another reason she pursued this path was to help her father when he was sick, especially after learning how whale sounds could comfort him. everything about her character was so touching, i genuinely just wanted to give her a hug. the last 10 chapters completely broke me with the amount of grief she went through. but i’m so glad she was able to find her home, her partner, and build something for herself in the end.
ilias ríos el idrissi: ༄｡°
ilias seems like a playboy who doesn’t really care about his career at first glance, but there’s so much more beneath the surface. he’s carrying the grief of a complicated, love-hate relationship with his father. after finding out his father had a second family and an entirely different life, they had a fight, and that ended up being the last time they ever spoke. that alone made him carry so much guilt and pushed him into becoming a version of himself he didn’t even recognize.
but what i really appreciated was his growth. through therapy and time, he slowly put himself back together and found his way back to surfing after two years. that kind of healing felt real and earned.
the situation with his sister’s ex just added another layer to his character, he acted out of protectiveness, even if it cost him his reputation. and that’s what ultimately leads to the fake relationship with sofia. but honestly, everything he does, even when messy, comes from a place of love and loyalty, and i really loved that about him.
sofia + ilias: ༄｡°
their relationship of course started off as fake, but you could definitely tell there was tension from the very beginning. the chemistry was always there, just waiting to be acknowledged, and watching it slowly unfold into something real made it even more satisfying. also ilias reminded me so much of xavier from king of sloth with his playboy behavior but hiding something underneath. ouh i loved both of them so much!!
── .✦ characters 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
“It’s no mystery I fell for you the moment I saw you at that beach clean-up.” “How were you so sure?” “Because you’re everything I ever wanted. And more. You’re worth the wait.”
Because now that she’d really kissed Ilias Ríos El Idrissi, she wasn’t sure she could ever pretend again. He was everything she wasn’t supposed to want, heat and chaos and heart, and yet, he made her feel more alive than she’d felt in years. And that terrified her more than anything.
“I love the color of your eyes. And your smile. And your curls. And if we have fake kids, I want them to look like you.”
“Thank you for waiting for me… for not giving up.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I told you, I would’ve waited forever.”
Brazil. Portugal. Spain. Italy. Morocco. Wherever the hell life took them next, he wanted her in his. Always.
ⓘ thank you lovenotes pr, victory editing netgalley co-op, netgalley and elena locatelli for the e-arc in exchange for a honest review
OUT ON APRIL 14TH!
4 stars 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
⤿ review with some spoilers.
“I love you so much, Sofia. I hope you never stop believing me when I say it.”
“How could I?” she whispered. “You’ve shown me what love means.”
read this with my best friends mads & yoanna! 🍀 i love you both so so much 🤭💚
summary and thoughts: ⋆˚࿔
salacia project follows sofia moretti gómez, a marine biologist rebuilding her life after an academic betrayal, and ilias ríos el idrissi, an olympic surfer with a sunshine personality and a carefully curated public image. what starts as a fake relationship, meant to fix his PR and keep her guarded heart intact, quickly turns into something far more real.
WOW!! i actually enjoyed this book so much. it was as beautiful as the cover. i loved the diversity that was mentioned and how naturally it was woven into the story. especially the exploration of mixed identity, it felt so real and honest. as someone who moved around a lot because of family, i’ve always struggled with feeling like i truly belonged anywhere, so that part hit really close to home. reading this felt comforting in a way i didn’t expect.
i loved the romance part as well. i enjoyed how they both fit in each other's lives and how much they were willing to sacrifice for one another. it really does prove that the right person will come along when you're least expecting it!
i also found this book really unique with the short chapters and having song titles at the beginning of each chapter. the chapters were actually as long as the song! which i enjoyed so much.
── .✦ characters 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
sofia moretti gómez: ˚˖𓍢ִִ໋🌊🦈˚˖𓍢ִ✧˚.
her story was so touching. from the reason why she chose to be a marine biologist to how much she suffered because of her ex boyfriend, everything about her journey felt deeply personal and meaningful. i’ll start with the reason she chose her field, it added so much depth to her character and made her passion feel even more real. her father introduced her to the waves, the ocean, and nature when she was a child, and ever since, she fell in love with it. as the years passed, her love for marine biology and protecting the environment only grew stronger. but another reason she pursued this path was to help her father when he was sick, especially after learning how whale sounds could comfort him. everything about her character was so touching, i genuinely just wanted to give her a hug. the last 10 chapters completely broke me with the amount of grief she went through. but i’m so glad she was able to find her home, her partner, and build something for herself in the end.
ilias ríos el idrissi: ༄｡°
ilias seems like a playboy who doesn’t really care about his career at first glance, but there’s so much more beneath the surface. he’s carrying the grief of a complicated, love-hate relationship with his father. after finding out his father had a second family and an entirely different life, they had a fight, and that ended up being the last time they ever spoke. that alone made him carry so much guilt and pushed him into becoming a version of himself he didn’t even recognize.
but what i really appreciated was his growth. through therapy and time, he slowly put himself back together and found his way back to surfing after two years. that kind of healing felt real and earned.
the situation with his sister’s ex just added another layer to his character, he acted out of protectiveness, even if it cost him his reputation. and that’s what ultimately leads to the fake relationship with sofia. but honestly, everything he does, even when messy, comes from a place of love and loyalty, and i really loved that about him.
sofia + ilias: ༄｡°
their relationship of course started off as fake, but you could definitely tell there was tension from the very beginning. the chemistry was always there, just waiting to be acknowledged, and watching it slowly unfold into something real made it even more satisfying. also ilias reminded me so much of xavier from king of sloth with his playboy behavior but hiding something underneath. ouh i loved both of them so much!!
── .✦ characters 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
“It’s no mystery I fell for you the moment I saw you at that beach clean-up.” “How were you so sure?” “Because you’re everything I ever wanted. And more. You’re worth the wait.”
Because now that she’d really kissed Ilias Ríos El Idrissi, she wasn’t sure she could ever pretend again. He was everything she wasn’t supposed to want, heat and chaos and heart, and yet, he made her feel more alive than she’d felt in years. And that terrified her more than anything.
“I love the color of your eyes. And your smile. And your curls. And if we have fake kids, I want them to look like you.”
“Thank you for waiting for me… for not giving up.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I told you, I would’ve waited forever.”
Brazil. Portugal. Spain. Italy. Morocco. Wherever the hell life took them next, he wanted her in his. Always.
April 29, 2026
thank you so much elena locatelli, victoryediting & netgalley, for the e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! salacia project out now!!
˚ʚ🌊 ༘˚｡⋆✈️⋆→ three point five salacia stars
⋆.˚ I want her to choose me. For me. And when she does, I need her all in.
tropes ⋆˚࿔
⟢ woman in stem
⟢ he falls first
⟢ black cat x golden retriever
⟢ fake dating
this book felt a bit more magical because I read it with my favs har & madi. wow how I love reading with you both 🫂!!
thoughts ⋆˚࿔
I went into this really excited because the concept?? a surfer and a marine biologist with fake dating. count me in duhhh. It has so much potential. the multiple settings and overall oceanic feels carried much of the story for me. it made everything feel more intimate, and I liked how connected both mcs were to the sea.
I also appreciated how grief was handled, especially with sofia. her emotions felt real, and her healing wasn’t rushed. I liked that her journey focused on rebuilding herself rather than just falling in love. while Ilias had strong golden retriever energy and was very caring, his feelings developed a little too quickly for me. it leaned a bit too much on instant love, and I wish there had been more buildup between them. the chemistry was there, and the story had me in tears, but I wanted more of a slow-burn.
characters ⋆˚࿔
⋮ 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 𝗴𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘇 ── ⟡ ˙🪸 ̟
sofia felt like a character you don't just read about but understand. there is quite a strength to her that I just loved. she's not loud about her healing, she's just trying every day, even when it's hard. I liked how independent she was; even when the romance came into the picture, it never overpowered who she was as a person. she was real and honest and one of the most important parts of the book imo.
+ fun fact, I am going to uni for marine biology, so she definitely holds a special place in my heart because I will be like her one day 🥹.
⋮ 𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀 𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢 ── ⟡ ˙🏄🏻♂️ ̟
this man just oozes with charm and charisma, and you can see why people gravitate towards him. he's very attentive, and there's just something about him with the way he shows up for the people he cares about that makes him even more attractive as a person. I like that he wore his heart on his sleeve, it made me like him even more. I do wish we'd gotten more balance with him, because he brought a softness to the story that I loved.
★: 3.5/5 salacia stars.
˚ʚ🌊 ༘˚｡⋆✈️⋆→ three point five salacia stars
⋆.˚ I want her to choose me. For me. And when she does, I need her all in.
tropes ⋆˚࿔
⟢ woman in stem
⟢ he falls first
⟢ black cat x golden retriever
⟢ fake dating
this book felt a bit more magical because I read it with my favs har & madi. wow how I love reading with you both 🫂!!
thoughts ⋆˚࿔
I went into this really excited because the concept?? a surfer and a marine biologist with fake dating. count me in duhhh. It has so much potential. the multiple settings and overall oceanic feels carried much of the story for me. it made everything feel more intimate, and I liked how connected both mcs were to the sea.
I also appreciated how grief was handled, especially with sofia. her emotions felt real, and her healing wasn’t rushed. I liked that her journey focused on rebuilding herself rather than just falling in love. while Ilias had strong golden retriever energy and was very caring, his feelings developed a little too quickly for me. it leaned a bit too much on instant love, and I wish there had been more buildup between them. the chemistry was there, and the story had me in tears, but I wanted more of a slow-burn.
characters ⋆˚࿔
⋮ 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 𝗴𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘇 ── ⟡ ˙🪸 ̟
sofia felt like a character you don't just read about but understand. there is quite a strength to her that I just loved. she's not loud about her healing, she's just trying every day, even when it's hard. I liked how independent she was; even when the romance came into the picture, it never overpowered who she was as a person. she was real and honest and one of the most important parts of the book imo.
+ fun fact, I am going to uni for marine biology, so she definitely holds a special place in my heart because I will be like her one day 🥹.
⋮ 𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀 𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢 ── ⟡ ˙🏄🏻♂️ ̟
this man just oozes with charm and charisma, and you can see why people gravitate towards him. he's very attentive, and there's just something about him with the way he shows up for the people he cares about that makes him even more attractive as a person. I like that he wore his heart on his sleeve, it made me like him even more. I do wish we'd gotten more balance with him, because he brought a softness to the story that I loved.
★: 3.5/5 salacia stars.
April 21, 2026
જ⁀➴ 4.25 stars
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Elena Locatelli for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Salacia Project is out now!
🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲
This was one of the cutest romances I've read this year to date. This story was the perfect blend of cultures and also subgenres of romance: STEM romance and sports romance.
Sofia Moretti Gomez is done with love. After leaving a years-long relationship that ended in flames and at the cost of her job, she turned to social media, growing her following by promoting ocean conservation. Enter Ilias Ríos El Idrissi, an Olympic gold medalist surfer who gets himself into a PR nightmare defending Sofia. His last sponsor, TerraVive, agrees to keep his sponsorship alive under the condition that he and Sofia have a PR relationship to help his image. Sofia agrees, because agreeing will lead to a large amount of money in her account that she can use to fund the research she's been working on. Both of them try to keep it professional, but as their PR relationship takes them around the world on Ilias's surfing competitions, will sparks fly?
I absolutely LOVED the blend of cultures in the story. Both Sofia and Ilias are biracial; Sofia is Spanish and Italian, and Ilias is Moroccan and Spanish. On top of that, both of them are polyglots and speak multiple languages due to their travels and character backstories. I LOVED how the author was able to seamlessly incorporate those cultures into the story and give each part of their heritages a moment in the spotlight to shine. From the music choices in each chapter to the little bits and pieces of languages thrown into the dialogue, it was such a fun time reading and learning new words and phrases in different languages.
This is the perfect summer read if you're looking for an indie author to support this summer and are looking for a beach read or book to read on the plane to your destination. Bonus points if you're going to Europe because this had the most immaculate Mediterranean summer vibes ever. I could almost feel the sun radiating on my face as I was reading.
Going into Sofia and Ilias themselves, they were absolutely perfect for each other. Ilias is the sole reason why this book made it into my "Guys Who Are Down Bad" GR shelf😂 I normally don't add books into that shelf because the MMC really has to yearn and be absolutely down HORRENDOUSLY for the FMC to make it onto that list, and yeah, Ilias made that list for sure. I normally don't love the idea of insta-love/insta-lust or insta-attraction in books, but I liked that Ilias made it clear that he didn't have a crush on Sofia only because she was pretty. He loved her mind and her intelligence, and he loved her down to her very bones and soul, and it's extremely evident in the story that he would do anything for her. (Iykyk)
Both Sofia and Ilias lifted each other up and supported each other through thick and thin. Each of them had their own baggage and struggles they had to work through, yet neither of them made it a point of contention in their relationship where it became an issue. It was so refreshing to see a couple in a book communicate well and support each other, because if you know me, I absolutely HATE a miscommunication trope/plotline. The book touches on some darker topics that I'll list in the trigger warnings section at the end of this review, but I appreciated how Sofia and Ilias were able to open up to each other and be transparent about their pasts and baggage vs. letting anger and frustration manifest from that baggage and taking it out on each other.
This is such a minor detail, but I would've LOVED if more justice was served with Sofia's ex. I know that there were buts and pieces there in the story that point to justice starting to be served, but I would've loved it if he got a taste of his own medicine and got put in his place for once. I knew a lot of guys like him in the past, so I'm probably biased here with my take, but he's such a slimy little dirtbag. I'm honestly shocked that Ilias kept his cool and didn't punch him in the face, because I would've, and he's not even real.
I enjoyed reading this book so much, and I hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I did while reading! I'm o excited to see what's in store next for this series and for the author!
🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲
Trigger/content warnings (will contain spoilers for the book!):
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Elena Locatelli for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Salacia Project is out now!
"Brazil. Portugal. Spain. Italy. Morocco. Wherever the hell life took them next, he wanted her in his. Always."
🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲
This was one of the cutest romances I've read this year to date. This story was the perfect blend of cultures and also subgenres of romance: STEM romance and sports romance.
Sofia Moretti Gomez is done with love. After leaving a years-long relationship that ended in flames and at the cost of her job, she turned to social media, growing her following by promoting ocean conservation. Enter Ilias Ríos El Idrissi, an Olympic gold medalist surfer who gets himself into a PR nightmare defending Sofia. His last sponsor, TerraVive, agrees to keep his sponsorship alive under the condition that he and Sofia have a PR relationship to help his image. Sofia agrees, because agreeing will lead to a large amount of money in her account that she can use to fund the research she's been working on. Both of them try to keep it professional, but as their PR relationship takes them around the world on Ilias's surfing competitions, will sparks fly?
I absolutely LOVED the blend of cultures in the story. Both Sofia and Ilias are biracial; Sofia is Spanish and Italian, and Ilias is Moroccan and Spanish. On top of that, both of them are polyglots and speak multiple languages due to their travels and character backstories. I LOVED how the author was able to seamlessly incorporate those cultures into the story and give each part of their heritages a moment in the spotlight to shine. From the music choices in each chapter to the little bits and pieces of languages thrown into the dialogue, it was such a fun time reading and learning new words and phrases in different languages.
This is the perfect summer read if you're looking for an indie author to support this summer and are looking for a beach read or book to read on the plane to your destination. Bonus points if you're going to Europe because this had the most immaculate Mediterranean summer vibes ever. I could almost feel the sun radiating on my face as I was reading.
Going into Sofia and Ilias themselves, they were absolutely perfect for each other. Ilias is the sole reason why this book made it into my "Guys Who Are Down Bad" GR shelf😂 I normally don't add books into that shelf because the MMC really has to yearn and be absolutely down HORRENDOUSLY for the FMC to make it onto that list, and yeah, Ilias made that list for sure. I normally don't love the idea of insta-love/insta-lust or insta-attraction in books, but I liked that Ilias made it clear that he didn't have a crush on Sofia only because she was pretty. He loved her mind and her intelligence, and he loved her down to her very bones and soul, and it's extremely evident in the story that he would do anything for her. (Iykyk)
Both Sofia and Ilias lifted each other up and supported each other through thick and thin. Each of them had their own baggage and struggles they had to work through, yet neither of them made it a point of contention in their relationship where it became an issue. It was so refreshing to see a couple in a book communicate well and support each other, because if you know me, I absolutely HATE a miscommunication trope/plotline. The book touches on some darker topics that I'll list in the trigger warnings section at the end of this review, but I appreciated how Sofia and Ilias were able to open up to each other and be transparent about their pasts and baggage vs. letting anger and frustration manifest from that baggage and taking it out on each other.
This is such a minor detail, but I would've LOVED if more justice was served with Sofia's ex. I know that there were buts and pieces there in the story that point to justice starting to be served, but I would've loved it if he got a taste of his own medicine and got put in his place for once. I knew a lot of guys like him in the past, so I'm probably biased here with my take, but he's such a slimy little dirtbag. I'm honestly shocked that Ilias kept his cool and didn't punch him in the face, because I would've, and he's not even real.
I enjoyed reading this book so much, and I hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I did while reading! I'm o excited to see what's in store next for this series and for the author!
🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 🌊🫧𓇼𓏲
Trigger/content warnings (will contain spoilers for the book!):
April 7, 2026
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 5 stars ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
"Then they fell into silence. A comfortable one, both of them watching the sun set beyond the horizon, casting golden hues around them. It was beautiful, magical, and surprisingly peaceful."
"I want her to choose me. For me. And when she does, I need her all in."
ahh i loved this! and quite literally everything about this book! the moment i saw this cover i fell in love with it and knew i had to read it. i'm so glad i fell in love with the story too.
salacia project starts off with the most beautiful opening sentence: "The ocean had taught Sofia that change was normal, that some days would be calm and serene, and others pure chaos and thunderstorms." like don't tell me that isn't lyrical 🥹
this book has some of the most loveable characters i've read about. the characters are multicultural and the author makes the reading experience fun by throwing in phrases in their different languages around the novel. but let's start off strong with our fmc, sofia moretti gómez. there was so much depth to her character and i just wanted to give her a big hug. she is a marine biologist and finding out why this is her passion was very touching. then we have our mmc, ilias ríos el idrissi. he is an olympic surfer that you might think doesn't care much about his career, but there's more than meets the eye. i really appreciated the fact that both of our mcs experienced so much growth to their character by the end of the story.
something very unique that this book included were social media comments and gossip articles. having this media contributed so much to the story because sofia and ilias started off in a PR relationship (before it quickly turned real). the short chapters also added to this being a very enjoyable read for me. and let's not forget to mention that every chapter has its own song. as it turns out, the song length corresponds with the time it takes to read the chapter and i found that to be a nice touch!
overall, salacia project is the perfect summer book to pick up. although it does get raw at times because grief is discussed. if you live close to the sea or ocean, definitely read it there as it would add so much to the reading experience. if you love fake dating and ocean vibes i would definitely recommend reading this! now i patiently have to wait for alejandra's story.
˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, and Elena Locatelli for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗
pre-read:
the cover is stunning and i'm so here for the ocean vibes! 🐚🌊
and the tropes look great so hoping this delivers!
"Then they fell into silence. A comfortable one, both of them watching the sun set beyond the horizon, casting golden hues around them. It was beautiful, magical, and surprisingly peaceful."
"I want her to choose me. For me. And when she does, I need her all in."
ahh i loved this! and quite literally everything about this book! the moment i saw this cover i fell in love with it and knew i had to read it. i'm so glad i fell in love with the story too.
salacia project starts off with the most beautiful opening sentence: "The ocean had taught Sofia that change was normal, that some days would be calm and serene, and others pure chaos and thunderstorms." like don't tell me that isn't lyrical 🥹
this book has some of the most loveable characters i've read about. the characters are multicultural and the author makes the reading experience fun by throwing in phrases in their different languages around the novel. but let's start off strong with our fmc, sofia moretti gómez. there was so much depth to her character and i just wanted to give her a big hug. she is a marine biologist and finding out why this is her passion was very touching. then we have our mmc, ilias ríos el idrissi. he is an olympic surfer that you might think doesn't care much about his career, but there's more than meets the eye. i really appreciated the fact that both of our mcs experienced so much growth to their character by the end of the story.
something very unique that this book included were social media comments and gossip articles. having this media contributed so much to the story because sofia and ilias started off in a PR relationship (before it quickly turned real). the short chapters also added to this being a very enjoyable read for me. and let's not forget to mention that every chapter has its own song. as it turns out, the song length corresponds with the time it takes to read the chapter and i found that to be a nice touch!
overall, salacia project is the perfect summer book to pick up. although it does get raw at times because grief is discussed. if you live close to the sea or ocean, definitely read it there as it would add so much to the reading experience. if you love fake dating and ocean vibes i would definitely recommend reading this! now i patiently have to wait for alejandra's story.
˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, and Elena Locatelli for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗
pre-read:
the cover is stunning and i'm so here for the ocean vibes! 🐚🌊
and the tropes look great so hoping this delivers!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
salacia project ꒱ 4.5 stars
⌗ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: apr 13, ‘25⌇ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: apr 13, ‘25
review with light spoilers
a sports romance involving a woman in stem is literally something written specifically for me and no one else. we have a woman who is incredibly smart and paid the price of dating a horrible man, and a charming man who values her and is waiting for her to make the first move after being burned by her ex.
i really loved the plot of this book, i honestly could not put it down and it absolutely helped me out of a reading slump. i loved the inclusion of family and friends as well as the characters jobs really being a part of the story. for me the most mundane things added to a book can elevate it so much and this book did it so well.
sofia moretti gómez, her project and researching being at the forefront of her goals was absolutely amazing. i liked how even when she was with ilias, it was still mentioned that she was still working on all her stuff. her ex was an absolute prick, so glad she got away from him even if it cost her a lot but she is indeed at the other side and thriving
ilias ríos el idrissi, i am a sucker for a surfer and i fear his charm would have immediately worked on me. i really liked how his character evolved especially when it came to his dad. i loved how he was willing to wait for sofia and how he described become a better person for himself in the two year surfing sabbatical prior to the events of the book.
the relationship, i absolutely loved their relationship, the pr to real love pipeline is one that i love. i loved how real they could be with each other and how they were so willing to help the each other. their dynamic felt natural and playful, i had a lot of fun with them. they had a natural connection with each other that also extended to the ocean and i think it was a very beautiful thing.
overall, i absolutely loved this book. there are wonderful amounts of representation ranging from characters to even mentions of very minor characters. the whole identity talk that comes from mixed children and immigrant alike was something very well written and honestly made me shed a tear.
── preread
this releases tomorrow and i’m hoping it will get me out a reading slump. writing this as i have read 38% and so far i am really liking it :)
ⓘ thank you elena locatelli, victory editing & netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review
⌗ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: apr 13, ‘25⌇ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: apr 13, ‘25
review with light spoilers
a sports romance involving a woman in stem is literally something written specifically for me and no one else. we have a woman who is incredibly smart and paid the price of dating a horrible man, and a charming man who values her and is waiting for her to make the first move after being burned by her ex.
i really loved the plot of this book, i honestly could not put it down and it absolutely helped me out of a reading slump. i loved the inclusion of family and friends as well as the characters jobs really being a part of the story. for me the most mundane things added to a book can elevate it so much and this book did it so well.
sofia moretti gómez, her project and researching being at the forefront of her goals was absolutely amazing. i liked how even when she was with ilias, it was still mentioned that she was still working on all her stuff. her ex was an absolute prick, so glad she got away from him even if it cost her a lot but she is indeed at the other side and thriving
ilias ríos el idrissi, i am a sucker for a surfer and i fear his charm would have immediately worked on me. i really liked how his character evolved especially when it came to his dad. i loved how he was willing to wait for sofia and how he described become a better person for himself in the two year surfing sabbatical prior to the events of the book.
the relationship, i absolutely loved their relationship, the pr to real love pipeline is one that i love. i loved how real they could be with each other and how they were so willing to help the each other. their dynamic felt natural and playful, i had a lot of fun with them. they had a natural connection with each other that also extended to the ocean and i think it was a very beautiful thing.
overall, i absolutely loved this book. there are wonderful amounts of representation ranging from characters to even mentions of very minor characters. the whole identity talk that comes from mixed children and immigrant alike was something very well written and honestly made me shed a tear.
── preread
this releases tomorrow and i’m hoping it will get me out a reading slump. writing this as i have read 38% and so far i am really liking it :)
ⓘ thank you elena locatelli, victory editing & netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review
April 12, 2026
✨ ARC review ✨
⚓︎ “𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘭. 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘭. 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘺. 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘰. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴.“
Release date: April 14
⋆.˚ 𓇼 Tropes:
- Fake dating
- Women in STEM
- He falls first
- Pro athlete
- Grief REP
- Travel romance
- Only one bed
Rating: 4⭐️
Little summary:
Salacia Project is about Sofia, a marine biologist who after a terrible breakup is focused on her research and building her business. But when Ilias the pro surfer, is caught trying to regain his good reputation after a small incident, their mutual friend suggested a fake dating solution that can help them both.
Thoughts:
I absolutely adored this book! What immediately pulled me in to read this book was the cover✨ HELLO ISN’T IT JUST SO GORGEOUS! And represent the contents of the book so well🙂↕️
This book was a beautiful combination of sea, surf, emotion, romance, culture, family and handling grief. And I enjoyed every second of it.
It was so refreshing for me to read about a book that takes place in multiple places that aren’t in the US. And the short chapters made the story faced paced and so quick to make me interested!
Both Sofia and Ilias’ characters were real and honest. I loved following them around the world as they slowly opened up to each other and fell in love.
The way Elena’s writing captured the topic of Grief and being away from family members was beautiful. I cannot wait for the next book to see Alejandra’s journey!
Who I’d recommend:
I’d recommend this to whoever enjoys a fake dating or travel romance like fans of People we meet on vacation!! Or anyone who needs an escape to a beautiful fictional vacation to some European beaches🌊☀️
I personally didn’t really connect to the characters thats why I feel like this wasn’t a five star for me but I would still highly recommend!!
Quotes I loved:
The ocean had taught Sofia that change was normal, that some days would be calm and serene, and others pure chaos and thunderstorms.
It was her. The quiet steadiness she brought, the way she looked at him like he could still be someone worth believing in.
Her joy was so simple, so unguarded, it made him want to stand there forever just to see it again.
.“I love you so much, Sofia. I hope you never stop believing me when I say it.” Her hand came up to caress his stubbled cheek, warm from the sun and salt. “How could I?” she whispered. “You’ve shown me what love means.”
⚓︎ “𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘭. 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘭. 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘺. 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘰. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴.“
Release date: April 14
⋆.˚ 𓇼 Tropes:
- Fake dating
- Women in STEM
- He falls first
- Pro athlete
- Grief REP
- Travel romance
- Only one bed
Rating: 4⭐️
Little summary:
Salacia Project is about Sofia, a marine biologist who after a terrible breakup is focused on her research and building her business. But when Ilias the pro surfer, is caught trying to regain his good reputation after a small incident, their mutual friend suggested a fake dating solution that can help them both.
Thoughts:
I absolutely adored this book! What immediately pulled me in to read this book was the cover✨ HELLO ISN’T IT JUST SO GORGEOUS! And represent the contents of the book so well🙂↕️
This book was a beautiful combination of sea, surf, emotion, romance, culture, family and handling grief. And I enjoyed every second of it.
It was so refreshing for me to read about a book that takes place in multiple places that aren’t in the US. And the short chapters made the story faced paced and so quick to make me interested!
Both Sofia and Ilias’ characters were real and honest. I loved following them around the world as they slowly opened up to each other and fell in love.
The way Elena’s writing captured the topic of Grief and being away from family members was beautiful. I cannot wait for the next book to see Alejandra’s journey!
Who I’d recommend:
I’d recommend this to whoever enjoys a fake dating or travel romance like fans of People we meet on vacation!! Or anyone who needs an escape to a beautiful fictional vacation to some European beaches🌊☀️
I personally didn’t really connect to the characters thats why I feel like this wasn’t a five star for me but I would still highly recommend!!
Quotes I loved:
The ocean had taught Sofia that change was normal, that some days would be calm and serene, and others pure chaos and thunderstorms.
It was her. The quiet steadiness she brought, the way she looked at him like he could still be someone worth believing in.
Her joy was so simple, so unguarded, it made him want to stand there forever just to see it again.
.“I love you so much, Sofia. I hope you never stop believing me when I say it.” Her hand came up to caress his stubbled cheek, warm from the sun and salt. “How could I?” she whispered. “You’ve shown me what love means.”
March 20, 2026
Sofia, a marine biologist, starts the Salacia Project to promote ocean conservation. She strikes a deal with Ilias, a famous surfer, to promote her business while helping clean his public image. As they grow closer, she must confront her past and decide if their relationship is real and worth the shot.
He Falls 1st & Harder
One Bed
Fake Dating
Slow Burn
Grumpish x Sunshine
Woman in STEM x Pro Surfer
Spice | 2.5🌶️
Rating | 4.5⭐️
If I had to describe this book with emojis | 🏄♂️🌊🔬✈️🏖️💖
Me while reading | ☺️😏😭🥹🥰
Opinion | It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for a pretty cover. That’s why I ended up requesting this ARC on Love Notes PR. Just look at it! And yeah, this book is really the perfect summer read, both light but with a nice touch of heaviness that adds that the complexity of the human kind, makes it feel more real. The descriptions are beyond extraordinary, to the point the reader can feel part of the story and travel as much as the characters. I adored all the Portuguese related stuff, I always feel so proud when I see my small country being represented, and rightly might I add! Now about the story… I really enjoyed Sofia and Ilias love story, a healthy slow burn marked by respect and paciente, a kind love but also full of chemistry and that good kind of tension and banter every romance reader loves. The characters are nicely developed and they grow immensely, they’re the start point of grow for each other to be the persons they really wish to be. Elena’s fluid writing and the small chapters make this an even more enjoyable read, the time just flash by! There’s only one small thing I need to point out, some thoughts are a bit repetitive and this can be a big no for some readers. For me it was totally okay making this a big surprise, a read that matches the outstanding exterior perfectly! The perfect vibes and found-family that I can’t wait to return too!
Do I recommend this book? YAS!
He Falls 1st & Harder
One Bed
Fake Dating
Slow Burn
Grumpish x Sunshine
Woman in STEM x Pro Surfer
Spice | 2.5🌶️
Rating | 4.5⭐️
If I had to describe this book with emojis | 🏄♂️🌊🔬✈️🏖️💖
Me while reading | ☺️😏😭🥹🥰
Opinion | It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for a pretty cover. That’s why I ended up requesting this ARC on Love Notes PR. Just look at it! And yeah, this book is really the perfect summer read, both light but with a nice touch of heaviness that adds that the complexity of the human kind, makes it feel more real. The descriptions are beyond extraordinary, to the point the reader can feel part of the story and travel as much as the characters. I adored all the Portuguese related stuff, I always feel so proud when I see my small country being represented, and rightly might I add! Now about the story… I really enjoyed Sofia and Ilias love story, a healthy slow burn marked by respect and paciente, a kind love but also full of chemistry and that good kind of tension and banter every romance reader loves. The characters are nicely developed and they grow immensely, they’re the start point of grow for each other to be the persons they really wish to be. Elena’s fluid writing and the small chapters make this an even more enjoyable read, the time just flash by! There’s only one small thing I need to point out, some thoughts are a bit repetitive and this can be a big no for some readers. For me it was totally okay making this a big surprise, a read that matches the outstanding exterior perfectly! The perfect vibes and found-family that I can’t wait to return too!
Do I recommend this book? YAS!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beta read of this thoughtful rom was one of my favorite times this year so far.
Surfs up darlings. If you like fake relationship turned passionate and loyal lovers this is the summer read to have on your shelf. Elena hurt my feelings in all the right ways and for that, we deeply appreciate.
Surfs up darlings. If you like fake relationship turned passionate and loyal lovers this is the summer read to have on your shelf. Elena hurt my feelings in all the right ways and for that, we deeply appreciate.
April 6, 2026
#review - salacia project (arc) 🌤️🌊🐚
First and foremost, I would like to thank @lovenotes.pr and @elenalocatelli_ for the opportunity to read Salacia Project as an ARC. To be honest, the main reason why I applied was because of the stunning cover but, when I read the blurb, I knew I had to read this!
Story:
The story follows Sofia, a marine biologist, and Iliad, a professional surfer who’s got a bit of a bad reputation due to a mistake he made. Because of that mistake, they decide to fake date in order to fix his image and, hopefully, not lose any sponsors. But, as they navigate this fake relationship, it quickly becomes something more real.
Characters:
Sofia is such a strong female lead. She’s super intelligent and the fact that she’s a woman in STEM??? yes please. I could relate to Sofia on so many different levels: being away from home and feeling scared of missing important moments, of missing her loved ones; the grief and growth that Sofia experiences; the way she loves to eat breakfast out (me too!).
The way Iliad shows up for Sofia, even though he’s still working through his own grief? Stunning, we love an emotionally supportive boyfriend. Besides, he’s has such a golden retriever energy, we love to see!
romance:
I really enjoyed the romance in this book, but it did feel a little too fast for my taste. It was basically love at first sight from Ilias’ part and, even though Sofia didn’t like Ilias at first, it didn’t take too much time for her to realize her feelings for him too. However, when you read the whole book, you understand why it needed to be rushed.
overall:
As a Portuguese immigrant in Spain, this book really does hit close to home. I loved recognizing the places and languages mentioned in the book, it really made the experience on another level. For sure, I will be snatching up an ARC for Alejandra’s book 🤭
tropes:
♡ fake dating
✩ he falls first (and harder!)
✿ dual pov
♡ women in STEM
✩ pro surfer x marine biologist
✿ golden retriever mmc
— ★★★★
First and foremost, I would like to thank @lovenotes.pr and @elenalocatelli_ for the opportunity to read Salacia Project as an ARC. To be honest, the main reason why I applied was because of the stunning cover but, when I read the blurb, I knew I had to read this!
Story:
The story follows Sofia, a marine biologist, and Iliad, a professional surfer who’s got a bit of a bad reputation due to a mistake he made. Because of that mistake, they decide to fake date in order to fix his image and, hopefully, not lose any sponsors. But, as they navigate this fake relationship, it quickly becomes something more real.
Characters:
Sofia is such a strong female lead. She’s super intelligent and the fact that she’s a woman in STEM??? yes please. I could relate to Sofia on so many different levels: being away from home and feeling scared of missing important moments, of missing her loved ones; the grief and growth that Sofia experiences; the way she loves to eat breakfast out (me too!).
The way Iliad shows up for Sofia, even though he’s still working through his own grief? Stunning, we love an emotionally supportive boyfriend. Besides, he’s has such a golden retriever energy, we love to see!
romance:
I really enjoyed the romance in this book, but it did feel a little too fast for my taste. It was basically love at first sight from Ilias’ part and, even though Sofia didn’t like Ilias at first, it didn’t take too much time for her to realize her feelings for him too. However, when you read the whole book, you understand why it needed to be rushed.
overall:
As a Portuguese immigrant in Spain, this book really does hit close to home. I loved recognizing the places and languages mentioned in the book, it really made the experience on another level. For sure, I will be snatching up an ARC for Alejandra’s book 🤭
tropes:
♡ fake dating
✩ he falls first (and harder!)
✿ dual pov
♡ women in STEM
✩ pro surfer x marine biologist
✿ golden retriever mmc
— ★★★★
April 15, 2026
I absolutely love this book! First off, the cover... it's creatively colourful and stunning!! And theeen, I fell in love with these incredible characters with different cultural representations, it just felt so refreshing to see their backgrounds shine through.
Definitely adored the supportive friendship between Ale and Sofi, the pure sibling love between Ilias and Amira, and the honest family dynamics of each and everyone as a whole. The tension and the romance also felt natural with sprinkled spice here and there - it was not rushed and with just the right pacing. There's also the witty banter, the pining and yearning, and the overall excitement from reading the conversations between the main characters (Ilias & Sofi), and also the supporting ones that have these exchanges and interactions that were plain fun. I was just giggling and smiling althroughout!
This book felt so real and raw at few points too and I'm so glad that the healing journeys were treated with respect and care, and I greatly appreciate how all these different relationships with specific individuals and as a collective flourished even more so during hard times. I cried for a bit too as this story totally moved me.
Aaaaah, if you are in need of a heartwarming and cutesy romance but with a bit of spice, this one is for you! Recommended! ✨️
Definitely adored the supportive friendship between Ale and Sofi, the pure sibling love between Ilias and Amira, and the honest family dynamics of each and everyone as a whole. The tension and the romance also felt natural with sprinkled spice here and there - it was not rushed and with just the right pacing. There's also the witty banter, the pining and yearning, and the overall excitement from reading the conversations between the main characters (Ilias & Sofi), and also the supporting ones that have these exchanges and interactions that were plain fun. I was just giggling and smiling althroughout!
This book felt so real and raw at few points too and I'm so glad that the healing journeys were treated with respect and care, and I greatly appreciate how all these different relationships with specific individuals and as a collective flourished even more so during hard times. I cried for a bit too as this story totally moved me.
Aaaaah, if you are in need of a heartwarming and cutesy romance but with a bit of spice, this one is for you! Recommended! ✨️
April 14, 2026
Book: Salacia Project
Author: Elena Locatelli
My Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️ Spice Level: 3.5/5 🌶️
Genre: Summer romance
Release date: April 13th, 2026
Tropes:
- Fake dating
- Traveling
- Slow-burn
- Bilingual MCs
My thoughts:
This book was so much fun to read. It made me cry, and laugh. I loved all the characters (other than the ex). Since the characters are bilingual, and often talk in different languages, I didn’t understand some parts so I had to translate them. I turned it into a game. Whenever I saw a Spanish/italian word, I would guess what it meant before translating it (it was way funner than it should’ve been.) All-in-all, I really liked this book, and I would 1000% recommend!
Blurb:
A fake relationship. A sun-soaked world tour. And a love that refuses to rush her healing.
Sofia Moretti Gómez has rebuilt her life piece by piece after an academic betrayal nearly destroyed her career. Now she's focused on ocean conservation, her independence, and never trusting too easily again.
Ilias Ríos El Idrissi is a golden-retriever Olympic surfer with a PR problem-and a smile the public can't get enough of. When a fake relationship offers them both exactly what they need, it should be simple.
It isn't.
Traveling together through Portugal, Morocco, France, Australia, and Italy blurs the line between what's real and what's for show, especially when Ilias falls first, falls harder, and refuses to rush Sofia's healing.
Author: Elena Locatelli
My Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️ Spice Level: 3.5/5 🌶️
Genre: Summer romance
Release date: April 13th, 2026
Tropes:
- Fake dating
- Traveling
- Slow-burn
- Bilingual MCs
My thoughts:
This book was so much fun to read. It made me cry, and laugh. I loved all the characters (other than the ex). Since the characters are bilingual, and often talk in different languages, I didn’t understand some parts so I had to translate them. I turned it into a game. Whenever I saw a Spanish/italian word, I would guess what it meant before translating it (it was way funner than it should’ve been.) All-in-all, I really liked this book, and I would 1000% recommend!
Blurb:
A fake relationship. A sun-soaked world tour. And a love that refuses to rush her healing.
Sofia Moretti Gómez has rebuilt her life piece by piece after an academic betrayal nearly destroyed her career. Now she's focused on ocean conservation, her independence, and never trusting too easily again.
Ilias Ríos El Idrissi is a golden-retriever Olympic surfer with a PR problem-and a smile the public can't get enough of. When a fake relationship offers them both exactly what they need, it should be simple.
It isn't.
Traveling together through Portugal, Morocco, France, Australia, and Italy blurs the line between what's real and what's for show, especially when Ilias falls first, falls harder, and refuses to rush Sofia's healing.
April 19, 2026
ARC Review
I love books about women in STEM
I love Ilias so much and I love it even more that he met Sofia when she was in her 'I hate men era'. Ilias is the biggest green flag golden retriever boyfriend. He is so down bad for her from the moment he first laid his eyes on her. I'm really happy that he got to fake date Sofia. She acted like she didn't like him, but it was hard for her because he is actually a really nice person. He is so protective of Sofia. It's so nice to see that everyone around her cares so much about her.
They both went through so much. Ilias had to deal with the death and betrayal of his dad. He also dealt with his alcohol addiction. Sofia's life was turned upside down after her ex went behind her back and basically ruined her whole career, while her father is dealing with cancer.
I can't express in words how happy I was that these two didn't have a second act break-up. They are so perfect for each other and actually help each other.
I'm already looking forward to reading the other books written by this author.
My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I love books about women in STEM
I love Ilias so much and I love it even more that he met Sofia when she was in her 'I hate men era'. Ilias is the biggest green flag golden retriever boyfriend. He is so down bad for her from the moment he first laid his eyes on her. I'm really happy that he got to fake date Sofia. She acted like she didn't like him, but it was hard for her because he is actually a really nice person. He is so protective of Sofia. It's so nice to see that everyone around her cares so much about her.
They both went through so much. Ilias had to deal with the death and betrayal of his dad. He also dealt with his alcohol addiction. Sofia's life was turned upside down after her ex went behind her back and basically ruined her whole career, while her father is dealing with cancer.
I can't express in words how happy I was that these two didn't have a second act break-up. They are so perfect for each other and actually help each other.
I'm already looking forward to reading the other books written by this author.
My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
April 21, 2026
This book was a 4.2 ⭐️ for me!
First thing I loved about it WOMAN IN STEM! Sofia is a marine biologist and you see her passion for her work woven into the pages of this book. What happened to her in the beginning was tragic but I think it was the wrong push in the right direction. I was happy to see her push through her barriers and watch her and Ilias’ relationship grow.
Ilias off the bat was a man anyone could easily swoon over. He was cool and confident and gone for Sofia immediately. Getting his history made him feel like a very real character that was easy to connect with.
I’m not going to lie, the cover drew me in (who isn’t a sucker for a beautiful cover) but the story made me stay! The emotional layers in here will warm your heart and dampen your eyes.
I recommend this to anyone who is obsessed with when he falls first as much as I am and wants the perfect summer read that has emotional depth.
First thing I loved about it WOMAN IN STEM! Sofia is a marine biologist and you see her passion for her work woven into the pages of this book. What happened to her in the beginning was tragic but I think it was the wrong push in the right direction. I was happy to see her push through her barriers and watch her and Ilias’ relationship grow.
Ilias off the bat was a man anyone could easily swoon over. He was cool and confident and gone for Sofia immediately. Getting his history made him feel like a very real character that was easy to connect with.
I’m not going to lie, the cover drew me in (who isn’t a sucker for a beautiful cover) but the story made me stay! The emotional layers in here will warm your heart and dampen your eyes.
I recommend this to anyone who is obsessed with when he falls first as much as I am and wants the perfect summer read that has emotional depth.
April 17, 2026
This book will make you crave travel, sunsets and ocean-soaked settings!
Does a great job at blending the romance with emotional depth. Each of the MC’s are full characters that you can’t help but fall in love with.
And dammit it’s making me want to get into surfing!
This book explores healing after betrayal, cultural identity, found family, and slow, intentional love, often set between coastlines and sunlit places that feel like escape.
A beautiful read💖✨
Does a great job at blending the romance with emotional depth. Each of the MC’s are full characters that you can’t help but fall in love with.
And dammit it’s making me want to get into surfing!
This book explores healing after betrayal, cultural identity, found family, and slow, intentional love, often set between coastlines and sunlit places that feel like escape.
A beautiful read💖✨
April 20, 2026
Thank you to LoveNotesPR for the ARC
What happens when a heartbroken marine biologist desperate for funds ends up in a fake relationship with a champion surfer with a tarnished reputation? Chemistry as powerful as the ocean waves.
I was initially hesitant about the relationship between Sofia and Illias. I thought she was too stubborn and he was way too immature. I actually thought he was a red flag because of his lack of personal boundaries. But, I found myself falling in love with them as they fell in love with each other. However, this book isn't just about a love story between two people, but a love story between the mixing of cultures and language.
The way Locatelli writes about the different towns, villages, and locals is so lovely! I love how no matter where the characters are, the differences and similarities are celebrated.
Overall, this book is PERFECT for summer. If you love the way Abby Jimenez writes about emotional struggles and family, you'll love "The Salacia Project".
In the book, there are some thoughts/phrases are a little TOO repetitive. I also thought that the way Thomas is written is almost comically villainous. I still enjoyed reading this book, though, and it was a quick read. I look forward to reading the sequel!
What happens when a heartbroken marine biologist desperate for funds ends up in a fake relationship with a champion surfer with a tarnished reputation? Chemistry as powerful as the ocean waves.
I was initially hesitant about the relationship between Sofia and Illias. I thought she was too stubborn and he was way too immature. I actually thought he was a red flag because of his lack of personal boundaries. But, I found myself falling in love with them as they fell in love with each other. However, this book isn't just about a love story between two people, but a love story between the mixing of cultures and language.
The way Locatelli writes about the different towns, villages, and locals is so lovely! I love how no matter where the characters are, the differences and similarities are celebrated.
Overall, this book is PERFECT for summer. If you love the way Abby Jimenez writes about emotional struggles and family, you'll love "The Salacia Project".
In the book, there are some thoughts/phrases are a little TOO repetitive. I also thought that the way Thomas is written is almost comically villainous. I still enjoyed reading this book, though, and it was a quick read. I look forward to reading the sequel!
April 19, 2026
*ARC REVIEW*
Cute!! Loved all of the different languages and locations. I learned so much! I’ve never googled so many things during a read as I did with this book and I LOVED it. I felt like a scientist.
Cried like a baby at times so be warned. The spice was spicy!!
Cute!! Loved all of the different languages and locations. I learned so much! I’ve never googled so many things during a read as I did with this book and I LOVED it. I felt like a scientist.
Cried like a baby at times so be warned. The spice was spicy!!
May 3, 2026
feels like the first beach day of summer when you first dip your toes in the water and take a breath of fresh air
March 23, 2026
It took me awhile to get into this book. Entering a new world with new characters, I always move slow, and so did the start of Salacia Project. Which I didn’t mind. I’m all for finding the little things that the characters will come to love, but also knowing who these two are apart from each other. Salacia Project is steady and everything a romance book should be, in my opinion. There was enough yearning, pining, and excitement to keep me flipping to the next page.
Meeting Sofia and Ilias felt like a soft, fun dream, mixed with witty banter and healing moments. Their love was patient, an overall green flag of a relationship that left me with a lot of comfort. The writing is phenomenal, too. Very descriptive and filled with so much culture, it’s nice to read something so different from what the market has to offer!
The story focuses on found family, grief, the sweet smell of summer, the smooth feeling of the waves on your skin, and love. There were highs and lows, some moments that made me sit and reflect on the grief I experienced along with Sofia. What she experienced in her family, I also have recently too… so that hit me right in the gut. And seeing just how attentive Ilias is to her, made me respect him.
What they have done for each other, showed up for one another in ways I can’t even imagine. This was probably the healthiest relationship I’ve read in a long time. There was no unnecessary drama, no petty fights, just real and raw love for one another and I can’t recommend this book enough!
Meeting Sofia and Ilias felt like a soft, fun dream, mixed with witty banter and healing moments. Their love was patient, an overall green flag of a relationship that left me with a lot of comfort. The writing is phenomenal, too. Very descriptive and filled with so much culture, it’s nice to read something so different from what the market has to offer!
The story focuses on found family, grief, the sweet smell of summer, the smooth feeling of the waves on your skin, and love. There were highs and lows, some moments that made me sit and reflect on the grief I experienced along with Sofia. What she experienced in her family, I also have recently too… so that hit me right in the gut. And seeing just how attentive Ilias is to her, made me respect him.
What they have done for each other, showed up for one another in ways I can’t even imagine. This was probably the healthiest relationship I’ve read in a long time. There was no unnecessary drama, no petty fights, just real and raw love for one another and I can’t recommend this book enough!
March 23, 2026
ARC Opportunity from Love Notes PR 💌💕
I loved this book! Extremely well-written, I was pulled in from the first chapter and felt connected to the characters almost instantly; I wasn’t bored for a second, even though it was definitely a little slower-paced than I’m used to! The banter between Sofia and Illias… You could cut the tension with a knife! 🤩 Obsessed. Their growth and story development was everything!
As a Brazilian girly, the mentions of Brazil and phrases in Portuguese reminded me of home— I felt represented and seen, making everything feel that much more realistic, personable, and relatable! Speaking of feelings… I felt it all for the characters, main and minor. I cried, I laughed, I kicked my feet. This has been the best discovery of 2026 so far; I couldn’t recomend it more! I can’t wait for Ale’s story!!! 💗
Fake Dating 🥰
Black Cat x Golden Retriever 🐈⬛
Pro-Athlete 🏅
Woman in STEM 🧪
Armchair Travel Romance ✈️
Strong Female Friendship 🧡
He Falls First and Harder 🤭
Surfer x Marine Biologist 🏄♂️
European Summer Vibes 🏖️
Multi-Lingual Rep 🎗️
Slow Burn ❤️🔥
“Good Girl” 🤤
Protective MMC 🫂
Innovative Spicy Scenes (IYKYK) 🚿❤️🔥🏄♀️
I loved this book! Extremely well-written, I was pulled in from the first chapter and felt connected to the characters almost instantly; I wasn’t bored for a second, even though it was definitely a little slower-paced than I’m used to! The banter between Sofia and Illias… You could cut the tension with a knife! 🤩 Obsessed. Their growth and story development was everything!
As a Brazilian girly, the mentions of Brazil and phrases in Portuguese reminded me of home— I felt represented and seen, making everything feel that much more realistic, personable, and relatable! Speaking of feelings… I felt it all for the characters, main and minor. I cried, I laughed, I kicked my feet. This has been the best discovery of 2026 so far; I couldn’t recomend it more! I can’t wait for Ale’s story!!! 💗
Fake Dating 🥰
Black Cat x Golden Retriever 🐈⬛
Pro-Athlete 🏅
Woman in STEM 🧪
Armchair Travel Romance ✈️
Strong Female Friendship 🧡
He Falls First and Harder 🤭
Surfer x Marine Biologist 🏄♂️
European Summer Vibes 🏖️
Multi-Lingual Rep 🎗️
Slow Burn ❤️🔥
“Good Girl” 🤤
Protective MMC 🫂
Innovative Spicy Scenes (IYKYK) 🚿❤️🔥🏄♀️
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you’re looking for a story that feels like a warm ocean breeze mixed with the raw emotional depth of a rising tide, the Salacia Project is a must-read. This isn't just a romance; it’s a beautiful exploration of regrowth and the power of choosing who you become after life—and people—have tried to break you.
The story follows Isiah, a professional surfer who carries the "golden retriever" energy we all crave, and Sophia, a brilliant marine biologist who is as sharp as she is resilient Together, they navigate the complexities of a fake-to-real relationship that quickly evolves into something much deeper.
As they manage the pressures of high-stakes careers and the logistics of their own businesses, they are forced to confront the "highs and lows of love and loss." The book handles the theme of healing with incredible grace, proving that while others may hurt us, those scars don't have to define our future.
Why I Fell in Love
The Dynamic Duo: Sophia is a powerhouse—a strong, smart FMC who leads with her brain and her heart. Paired with Isiah’s supportive, upbeat nature, their chemistry is grounded and deeply infectious.
Found Family & Roots: The secondary cast of supportive friends and family adds a layer of warmth that makes the world feel lived-in and real.
Authentic Healing: The "regrowth" theme is handled beautifully, offering a hopeful message for anyone who has ever had to rebuild themselves from scratch.
"A poignant reminder that our past heartbreaks are just chapters, not the whole story."
Having had the honour of beta-reading this gem, I can confidently say it’s a 5-star standout. Whether you’re here for the marine biology aesthetics, the professional surfing world, or just a top-tier romance, The Salacia Project delivers on every front.
The story follows Isiah, a professional surfer who carries the "golden retriever" energy we all crave, and Sophia, a brilliant marine biologist who is as sharp as she is resilient Together, they navigate the complexities of a fake-to-real relationship that quickly evolves into something much deeper.
As they manage the pressures of high-stakes careers and the logistics of their own businesses, they are forced to confront the "highs and lows of love and loss." The book handles the theme of healing with incredible grace, proving that while others may hurt us, those scars don't have to define our future.
Why I Fell in Love
The Dynamic Duo: Sophia is a powerhouse—a strong, smart FMC who leads with her brain and her heart. Paired with Isiah’s supportive, upbeat nature, their chemistry is grounded and deeply infectious.
Found Family & Roots: The secondary cast of supportive friends and family adds a layer of warmth that makes the world feel lived-in and real.
Authentic Healing: The "regrowth" theme is handled beautifully, offering a hopeful message for anyone who has ever had to rebuild themselves from scratch.
"A poignant reminder that our past heartbreaks are just chapters, not the whole story."
Having had the honour of beta-reading this gem, I can confidently say it’s a 5-star standout. Whether you’re here for the marine biology aesthetics, the professional surfing world, or just a top-tier romance, The Salacia Project delivers on every front.
Review of advance copy received from Autor
ARC here! (thank you for letting me read this book early, it was a pleasure 💖✨)
I don't know where to start with this book because it's truly good and I don't want to forget anything.
First the main characters.
We have Ilias who is a happy, handsome easy going athlete and we have Sofia who is a black cat science woman.
But they are a lot more. Both are complicated characters with a very good dynamic and a heavy backstory that brings them together. And their relationship and the way one approaches each other is perfect, well writing with a good pace. it's not slow but it's not rushed and it's super natural. you only want to scream at them "KISS ALREADY".
The romance is romancing a lot with this book with a very yearning man (and who doesn't love a yearning man?)
Also the other stories are equally good, the romance it's not the only part of this book that made me cry and giggle. The relationship with family, friends, acceptance... perfect. Elena wrote the book with all her heart and you can see it in the book.
you would not be disappointed If you like fake dating, golden MMC and strong women. You would love them since page one
I don't know where to start with this book because it's truly good and I don't want to forget anything.
First the main characters.
We have Ilias who is a happy, handsome easy going athlete and we have Sofia who is a black cat science woman.
But they are a lot more. Both are complicated characters with a very good dynamic and a heavy backstory that brings them together. And their relationship and the way one approaches each other is perfect, well writing with a good pace. it's not slow but it's not rushed and it's super natural. you only want to scream at them "KISS ALREADY".
The romance is romancing a lot with this book with a very yearning man (and who doesn't love a yearning man?)
Also the other stories are equally good, the romance it's not the only part of this book that made me cry and giggle. The relationship with family, friends, acceptance... perfect. Elena wrote the book with all her heart and you can see it in the book.
you would not be disappointed If you like fake dating, golden MMC and strong women. You would love them since page one
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sofia is a marine biologist and content creator who's launching a new business and *totally* done with men. Ilias is an Olympic surfer (and flirter) getting back into the waves after a two-year professional break. A sponsorship they both desperately offers to come through... if they're willing to fake a relationship.
This book is warm, it's sexy, it's fun — and it'll surprise you with the emotional punches it pulls. From the beginning, you're in Sofia's corner, angry with her about the massive personal AND professional betrayal that has torn down her self confidence (even without knowing all the details yet) and rooting for her success. You're also rooting for Ilias's cocky, charming, Golden Retriever vibes to let her give love a second chance. As they start their PR romance, their relationship (and the novel) deepens: they talk about the feeling and fear of losing loved ones, mental health, public pressure, and even the double-standard they've found themselves in.
The PR relationship is a definitive boost to Ilias's image. As a man and an athlete (and known "womanizer"), the appearance of a stable relationship brings warmer gossip articles and social media comments than ever. Meanwhile, Sofia faces immediate backlash and skepticism, with some even saying that her splashy new relationship discredits her as a trustworthy scientist and adding to ongoing scrutiny of her education-focused content creation (science is meant to be "serious," after all). I appreciated the honesty of this portrayal, as well as the way Ilias is in Sofia's corner from the moment they meet. It's clear that he respects and admires her as a person, a researcher, and business-owner, and he's ready to have a word with anyone who doesn't.
This book is filled with intriguing plot lines, rich social commentary, lovable side characters, and of course, the romance itself. It's an ambitious novel to say the least. But of course, there's only so much time, which meant some elements felt rushed to me. I loved each of their individual personal and professional journeys, their family histories and ongoing drama, and the satisfaction of seeing Sofia stand up to her awful ex, but including each of those in depth may have come at the sacrifice of really seeing (and feeling!) Ilias falling for Sofia and vice versa. In my opinion, what suffered the most in this ambition was the dialogue. I felt like plot points were pigeonholed into unnatural dialogue to get through it, or banter or flirtation was made brief (just a line or two) to check that box before moving on.
One thing the dialogue did exceptionally well, however, was weaving in the many languages the characters speak. It's an incredibly challenging task, and one that often falls short for me. But Salacia Project incorporates languages fluidly, trusting readers to understand the meaning (or at least the gist) through context. Being multilingual plays a clear part in the characters' lives, and we really get to see that as the reader, with the author noting use of different languages in different contexts. Likewise, it's an incredibly place-based novel, which I absolutely loved. The characters' love for their homes is embedded in their personalities and the novel, and the author seems to capture the spirit of each place they go. For anyone who loves to really feel the setting of a book or learn about new places, Salacia Project won't disappoint.
For fans of fun and deep romances, fake dating, the ocean, badass women of science, and travel; for anyone in a colder climate who needs to feel some heat (in more ways than one); and for anyone who's counting down to the Summer Olympics: do yourself a favor and add Salacia Project to your TBR now.
Thanks to the Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for an advanced copy!
This book is warm, it's sexy, it's fun — and it'll surprise you with the emotional punches it pulls. From the beginning, you're in Sofia's corner, angry with her about the massive personal AND professional betrayal that has torn down her self confidence (even without knowing all the details yet) and rooting for her success. You're also rooting for Ilias's cocky, charming, Golden Retriever vibes to let her give love a second chance. As they start their PR romance, their relationship (and the novel) deepens: they talk about the feeling and fear of losing loved ones, mental health, public pressure, and even the double-standard they've found themselves in.
The PR relationship is a definitive boost to Ilias's image. As a man and an athlete (and known "womanizer"), the appearance of a stable relationship brings warmer gossip articles and social media comments than ever. Meanwhile, Sofia faces immediate backlash and skepticism, with some even saying that her splashy new relationship discredits her as a trustworthy scientist and adding to ongoing scrutiny of her education-focused content creation (science is meant to be "serious," after all). I appreciated the honesty of this portrayal, as well as the way Ilias is in Sofia's corner from the moment they meet. It's clear that he respects and admires her as a person, a researcher, and business-owner, and he's ready to have a word with anyone who doesn't.
This book is filled with intriguing plot lines, rich social commentary, lovable side characters, and of course, the romance itself. It's an ambitious novel to say the least. But of course, there's only so much time, which meant some elements felt rushed to me. I loved each of their individual personal and professional journeys, their family histories and ongoing drama, and the satisfaction of seeing Sofia stand up to her awful ex, but including each of those in depth may have come at the sacrifice of really seeing (and feeling!) Ilias falling for Sofia and vice versa. In my opinion, what suffered the most in this ambition was the dialogue. I felt like plot points were pigeonholed into unnatural dialogue to get through it, or banter or flirtation was made brief (just a line or two) to check that box before moving on.
One thing the dialogue did exceptionally well, however, was weaving in the many languages the characters speak. It's an incredibly challenging task, and one that often falls short for me. But Salacia Project incorporates languages fluidly, trusting readers to understand the meaning (or at least the gist) through context. Being multilingual plays a clear part in the characters' lives, and we really get to see that as the reader, with the author noting use of different languages in different contexts. Likewise, it's an incredibly place-based novel, which I absolutely loved. The characters' love for their homes is embedded in their personalities and the novel, and the author seems to capture the spirit of each place they go. For anyone who loves to really feel the setting of a book or learn about new places, Salacia Project won't disappoint.
For fans of fun and deep romances, fake dating, the ocean, badass women of science, and travel; for anyone in a colder climate who needs to feel some heat (in more ways than one); and for anyone who's counting down to the Summer Olympics: do yourself a favor and add Salacia Project to your TBR now.
Thanks to the Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for an advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC!
Sofia is building her life again after a betrayal robbed her of her academic research and everything she worked so hard for. She's starting her new dream, Salacia Project, and needs all the sponsors she can get. Ilias is a surfer doing his comeback after a two-year hiatus who needs to better his reputation to keep his sponsorships. They will get into a PR relationship to achieve both their goals, but as they travel the world, they will find a deep connection between them that goes beyond anything they've ever known. This has the perfect romantic and emotional vibes of Beach Read but with the traveling of People We Meet on Vacation.
My thoughts: if this isn't one of the best romance books written this year, I'll be shocked. It has everything: giddy romance, emotional scenes that will make you cry, spicy scenes that bring the heat, and a cast of characters that feel like home. If you add that it has the perfect pacing, the writing style is beautiful and pulls you in whenever you sit to read, and the plot is well thought out and keeps things logical while also bringing emotion out of the reader, it's no surprise that this is the perfect romance novel!
Details that I loved:
*Both MMCs are in their 30s, and they are still trying to figure life out.
*The representation of growing up with different languages and cultures and how they co-exist in a lovely way (every time Ilias calls her "habiba" I swoon)
*Sofi is driven by ambition and love for her career. She is a woman in STEM, working hard to get where she wants to be. Ilias loves being a surfer and gives his all. Their passion not only makes them super interesting, but it's also something that connects them, just like grief does.
*The representation of grieving in this book is one of the best I've ever read.
*The secondary characters in this feel real and make me want to know more about them, I need books for all of them (and I'll gladly read them all!).
*The ocean, the beach, and the traveling part of this book were so well written that I felt like I was there, relaxing at the beach, listening to the ocean waves and feeling the soft breeze in my face. I also felt like the ocean was almost a character, pulling people closer, making friendships, healing pain, supporting those who are grieving, and always there, ready to welcome everyone.
I can't wait for Alejandra's book, she's a romance books kind of gal, so I need her to find her HEA!
Sofia is building her life again after a betrayal robbed her of her academic research and everything she worked so hard for. She's starting her new dream, Salacia Project, and needs all the sponsors she can get. Ilias is a surfer doing his comeback after a two-year hiatus who needs to better his reputation to keep his sponsorships. They will get into a PR relationship to achieve both their goals, but as they travel the world, they will find a deep connection between them that goes beyond anything they've ever known. This has the perfect romantic and emotional vibes of Beach Read but with the traveling of People We Meet on Vacation.
My thoughts: if this isn't one of the best romance books written this year, I'll be shocked. It has everything: giddy romance, emotional scenes that will make you cry, spicy scenes that bring the heat, and a cast of characters that feel like home. If you add that it has the perfect pacing, the writing style is beautiful and pulls you in whenever you sit to read, and the plot is well thought out and keeps things logical while also bringing emotion out of the reader, it's no surprise that this is the perfect romance novel!
Details that I loved:
*Both MMCs are in their 30s, and they are still trying to figure life out.
*The representation of growing up with different languages and cultures and how they co-exist in a lovely way (every time Ilias calls her "habiba" I swoon)
*Sofi is driven by ambition and love for her career. She is a woman in STEM, working hard to get where she wants to be. Ilias loves being a surfer and gives his all. Their passion not only makes them super interesting, but it's also something that connects them, just like grief does.
*The representation of grieving in this book is one of the best I've ever read.
*The secondary characters in this feel real and make me want to know more about them, I need books for all of them (and I'll gladly read them all!).
*The ocean, the beach, and the traveling part of this book were so well written that I felt like I was there, relaxing at the beach, listening to the ocean waves and feeling the soft breeze in my face. I also felt like the ocean was almost a character, pulling people closer, making friendships, healing pain, supporting those who are grieving, and always there, ready to welcome everyone.
I can't wait for Alejandra's book, she's a romance books kind of gal, so I need her to find her HEA!
April 15, 2026
4.5
this book feels like sunlight, salt on your skin, and learning how to breathe again after everything hurts.
salacia project completely pulled me in, not just because of the fake dating or the surf world tour (which I LOVED), but because of how deeply emotional and human the story is underneath all of that. this isn’t just a romance, it’s a story about grief, healing, and slowly allowing yourself to trust people again.
sofia’s journey really stayed with me. the way she carries the grief (of what she lost because of her ex, or the fact her dad has cancer) is so quiet but so heavy, it’s in everything she does, everything she holds back. you can feel how much it shaped her, how it made her more guarded, more careful with her heart. it never felt overdone, just… real.
and then there’s illias. honestly, he made this book for me. he doesn’t try to fix Sofia, doesn’t rush her, doesn’t demand anything from her, he just shows her, through his actions, what real love can feel like. safe, patient, constant. the fact he would give up everything for her makes me LOVE him even more. he shows her the kind of love that stays even when things are messy, through literally anything. watching him love her like that was everything to me.
their chemistry??? insane, from the tension of the fake relationship to the softer, more intimate moments, everything between them felt natural and effortless but also so intense, you could feel the shift from “pretending” to something much deeper, and it was so satisfying to watch that line blur even when they didn’t realize it was happening
i also really loved illias’s personal storyline, especially how he deals with his dad’s past mistakes in the end of this book. thanks to sofia, he didn’t let that define his future and the future of AZUL, and ended up finding a new sense of family, even in something that started in a bad way, that added such an interesting emotional layer to his character.
and the settings… this book is literally a love letter to travel. the different locations made everything feel bigger, brighter, more alive, and i have to say, I LOVED the portugal scenes (because that’s where i’m from and it really makes me happy to see that sofia found home here), there’s just something about seeing places you know (or feel close to) inside a story that hits differently.
salacia project is soft, emotional, and full of heart. It’s about grief, trust, and choosing love even when it’s terrifying. and i’m already so excited to see what comes next 🤍
this book feels like sunlight, salt on your skin, and learning how to breathe again after everything hurts.
salacia project completely pulled me in, not just because of the fake dating or the surf world tour (which I LOVED), but because of how deeply emotional and human the story is underneath all of that. this isn’t just a romance, it’s a story about grief, healing, and slowly allowing yourself to trust people again.
sofia’s journey really stayed with me. the way she carries the grief (of what she lost because of her ex, or the fact her dad has cancer) is so quiet but so heavy, it’s in everything she does, everything she holds back. you can feel how much it shaped her, how it made her more guarded, more careful with her heart. it never felt overdone, just… real.
and then there’s illias. honestly, he made this book for me. he doesn’t try to fix Sofia, doesn’t rush her, doesn’t demand anything from her, he just shows her, through his actions, what real love can feel like. safe, patient, constant. the fact he would give up everything for her makes me LOVE him even more. he shows her the kind of love that stays even when things are messy, through literally anything. watching him love her like that was everything to me.
their chemistry??? insane, from the tension of the fake relationship to the softer, more intimate moments, everything between them felt natural and effortless but also so intense, you could feel the shift from “pretending” to something much deeper, and it was so satisfying to watch that line blur even when they didn’t realize it was happening
i also really loved illias’s personal storyline, especially how he deals with his dad’s past mistakes in the end of this book. thanks to sofia, he didn’t let that define his future and the future of AZUL, and ended up finding a new sense of family, even in something that started in a bad way, that added such an interesting emotional layer to his character.
and the settings… this book is literally a love letter to travel. the different locations made everything feel bigger, brighter, more alive, and i have to say, I LOVED the portugal scenes (because that’s where i’m from and it really makes me happy to see that sofia found home here), there’s just something about seeing places you know (or feel close to) inside a story that hits differently.
salacia project is soft, emotional, and full of heart. It’s about grief, trust, and choosing love even when it’s terrifying. and i’m already so excited to see what comes next 🤍
April 16, 2026
🌊🌊🌊🌊: keep in mind the star review is based off of MY interests!
New for me to have multiple languages 🇲🇦 in the book, liked that there was the term index, just didn’t realize there was one until I finished (kindle read, so I had to look some of it up). Fun since I was reading in Paris and Spain! Had a larger impact on me.
I thought Elena hit home some really big societal norms that are causes for struggles and heartache today. Living life in a long distance relationship ✈️, living far away from home and not seeing your family.
Sofia a marine biologist who lost her life’s work because her ex was a scumbag 😡. I really did feel for her, someone going behind your back to take everything you worked for was heartbreaking to see. I really liked her redemption that she was making it known her own in her own way, but was a little bummed when it tied into the pr of the fake dating. Felt like it wasn’t hers alone again. Would love to know more about the whale songs and more STEM involvement.
Ilias is a pro surfer who is trying to make a comeback after being out of the game for a couple years, needing to take time to reset. He sees Sofia and its game over for him. I loved his character and that Elena went into depth with his past. Made him very realistic and easy to picture.
I found it a little hard to believe Sofia and Ilia’s didn’t know about one another beforehand since Sofia’s best friend was on the surf 🏄 circuit with Ilias constantly but I’ve never been a surfer so what do I know?! Their relationship in the end was enjoyable to read. Sofia not giving in to him made for a great slow burn! 🔥
I loved the newspaper clippings and the comments from social media, really made the story come to life like it would today.
The beauty of the ocean being connected to this book 💙💙💙. It helped describe the characters, make sense of certain emotions. The meanings the ocean held in this book were vast.
Perfect for a summer read or going to be traveling! Fun and fast with a little romance and a little sabotage. What could go wrong? Spice 🌶️🌶️, slow burn, enemies to lovers.
Tropes:
🥰 Fake Dating
🐈⬛ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
🏅 Pro-athlete
🧪 Woman in STEM
✈️ Armchair Travel Romance
🧡 Strong Female Friendship
🤭 He Falls First and Harder
🏖️ European Summer Vibes
⚠️: grief, death
I am voluntarily leaving this review and all thoughts are my own!
Thanks for the advanced copy @elenalocatelli_ @lovenotes.pr
New for me to have multiple languages 🇲🇦 in the book, liked that there was the term index, just didn’t realize there was one until I finished (kindle read, so I had to look some of it up). Fun since I was reading in Paris and Spain! Had a larger impact on me.
I thought Elena hit home some really big societal norms that are causes for struggles and heartache today. Living life in a long distance relationship ✈️, living far away from home and not seeing your family.
Sofia a marine biologist who lost her life’s work because her ex was a scumbag 😡. I really did feel for her, someone going behind your back to take everything you worked for was heartbreaking to see. I really liked her redemption that she was making it known her own in her own way, but was a little bummed when it tied into the pr of the fake dating. Felt like it wasn’t hers alone again. Would love to know more about the whale songs and more STEM involvement.
Ilias is a pro surfer who is trying to make a comeback after being out of the game for a couple years, needing to take time to reset. He sees Sofia and its game over for him. I loved his character and that Elena went into depth with his past. Made him very realistic and easy to picture.
I found it a little hard to believe Sofia and Ilia’s didn’t know about one another beforehand since Sofia’s best friend was on the surf 🏄 circuit with Ilias constantly but I’ve never been a surfer so what do I know?! Their relationship in the end was enjoyable to read. Sofia not giving in to him made for a great slow burn! 🔥
I loved the newspaper clippings and the comments from social media, really made the story come to life like it would today.
The beauty of the ocean being connected to this book 💙💙💙. It helped describe the characters, make sense of certain emotions. The meanings the ocean held in this book were vast.
Perfect for a summer read or going to be traveling! Fun and fast with a little romance and a little sabotage. What could go wrong? Spice 🌶️🌶️, slow burn, enemies to lovers.
Tropes:
🥰 Fake Dating
🐈⬛ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
🏅 Pro-athlete
🧪 Woman in STEM
✈️ Armchair Travel Romance
🧡 Strong Female Friendship
🤭 He Falls First and Harder
🏖️ European Summer Vibes
⚠️: grief, death
I am voluntarily leaving this review and all thoughts are my own!
Thanks for the advanced copy @elenalocatelli_ @lovenotes.pr
Review of advance copy received from Author
Salacia Project 🏄🏽♂️
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Elena Locatelli for trusting me with this ARC!💚
When Sofia signed up for love she did not know that she also did for her papers to become his too.And after this betrayal,her life won't look the same.So,she turned to the one thing that had never betrayed her.
The sea & the man that is taming it.
This is THE PERFECT BOOK to read by the sea.THE PERFECT.Meaning that if you are one of the lucky ones that live close by or in a tropical paradise,do yourself a favor and PLEASE READ IT by the ocean.🌊
Now,getting into the story itself,I can say I absolutely fell in love,not only with plot but with the landscapes,with the multiple cultures and of course our amazing characters.
Her way of writing,was literally magnificent,and accompanied with the sea,the loves and the wonderful cultures,made me not being able to stop reading.Plus,I liked a lot that we saw surfing as a sport!(do not tell me that you see it often because we both know that you are lying😝)
Getting into the characters,I absolutely adored Sofia.We see a woman,that realistically lost EVERYTHING to love and had to start from 0,both in her career and her romantic life.Somewhere between this uncertain future,our golden surfing boy Ilia comes into the picture,and not only will he change S's life to the better,but herself will turn his world upside down(SPOILER:HE WILL LOVE IT😙).
As you understood these two will get tangled up,in an honest,raw and really heartwarming romance,that it will remind them that maybe mankind is not as nasty as they have thought it to be & that their forever may be under the waves of that blue ocean that they both love.-okay now I am crying.🥹
Above,I mentioned cultures,and when I say that this book is multicultural and every single one of them got appropriate page time & we cherished them all I mean it!However,someone will have to pay for my Morocco trip because OH,BOY I AM IN LOVE with that place!🫶🏻
The last detail,that got me so well,was the little images and iphone notes that we had in between chapters.It was one of the details,that you see in a book and be like the writer LOVES THEIR JOB & their book!
Out On April,14th🏝️
4⭐
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Elena Locatelli for trusting me with this ARC!💚
When Sofia signed up for love she did not know that she also did for her papers to become his too.And after this betrayal,her life won't look the same.So,she turned to the one thing that had never betrayed her.
The sea & the man that is taming it.
This is THE PERFECT BOOK to read by the sea.THE PERFECT.Meaning that if you are one of the lucky ones that live close by or in a tropical paradise,do yourself a favor and PLEASE READ IT by the ocean.🌊
Now,getting into the story itself,I can say I absolutely fell in love,not only with plot but with the landscapes,with the multiple cultures and of course our amazing characters.
Her way of writing,was literally magnificent,and accompanied with the sea,the loves and the wonderful cultures,made me not being able to stop reading.Plus,I liked a lot that we saw surfing as a sport!(do not tell me that you see it often because we both know that you are lying😝)
Getting into the characters,I absolutely adored Sofia.We see a woman,that realistically lost EVERYTHING to love and had to start from 0,both in her career and her romantic life.Somewhere between this uncertain future,our golden surfing boy Ilia comes into the picture,and not only will he change S's life to the better,but herself will turn his world upside down(SPOILER:HE WILL LOVE IT😙).
As you understood these two will get tangled up,in an honest,raw and really heartwarming romance,that it will remind them that maybe mankind is not as nasty as they have thought it to be & that their forever may be under the waves of that blue ocean that they both love.-okay now I am crying.🥹
Above,I mentioned cultures,and when I say that this book is multicultural and every single one of them got appropriate page time & we cherished them all I mean it!However,someone will have to pay for my Morocco trip because OH,BOY I AM IN LOVE with that place!🫶🏻
The last detail,that got me so well,was the little images and iphone notes that we had in between chapters.It was one of the details,that you see in a book and be like the writer LOVES THEIR JOB & their book!
Out On April,14th🏝️
4⭐
April 15, 2026
“No matter how much I tried to believe that love doesn't disappear with distance, I carried the weight of being the one who left, and the one who couldn't say goodbye properly. Grief is strange like that. It comes back in waves, at unexpected moments. Sometimes with a smile. Sometimes with a big, uncontrollable cry.”
I don’t usually open a review like this, but that line in the acknowledgments stayed with me, and it honestly says more about the book than any synopsis could.
On paper, Salacia Project has all the things I love in romances: fake relationship, traveling around the world, great settings, and a solid cast of side characters. And the protagonists are not to shabby either (insert sarcastic tone): Sofia is a marine biologist trying to put herself back together after everything kind of blew up in her life, and Ilias is an Olympic surfer dealing with his image and a comeback. It’s fun and easy to get into, but it’s not just that.
What really got me was how the book handles grief and healing. It doesn’t rush it and the messiness doesn’t magically disappear. Both of the MCs face it on their own way and it felt real. And Ilias… I get the “green flag” thing I read in some comments. He’s so patient and caring in a way that doesn’t feel forced. He gives her space without disappearing, and I really liked that dynamic between them.
I also liked how much space the story gives to the people around them. Friends, family, the random connections you make along the way. It’s very much about having the right people in your corner, not just romantically.
The travel and cultural mix was another highlight for me. They both speak multiple languages, come from different backgrounds, and you really feel that throughout the story. As someone who loves languages and the idea of living abroad, I had a soft spot for that. And as an Italian… I’m always happy to see a bit of representation (and I will stand by our food being the best eheh).
In the end, it’s a love story, but a quiet one in a way. Two people with their own issues, taking their time, figuring things out together. I really recommend it!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
I don’t usually open a review like this, but that line in the acknowledgments stayed with me, and it honestly says more about the book than any synopsis could.
On paper, Salacia Project has all the things I love in romances: fake relationship, traveling around the world, great settings, and a solid cast of side characters. And the protagonists are not to shabby either (insert sarcastic tone): Sofia is a marine biologist trying to put herself back together after everything kind of blew up in her life, and Ilias is an Olympic surfer dealing with his image and a comeback. It’s fun and easy to get into, but it’s not just that.
What really got me was how the book handles grief and healing. It doesn’t rush it and the messiness doesn’t magically disappear. Both of the MCs face it on their own way and it felt real. And Ilias… I get the “green flag” thing I read in some comments. He’s so patient and caring in a way that doesn’t feel forced. He gives her space without disappearing, and I really liked that dynamic between them.
I also liked how much space the story gives to the people around them. Friends, family, the random connections you make along the way. It’s very much about having the right people in your corner, not just romantically.
The travel and cultural mix was another highlight for me. They both speak multiple languages, come from different backgrounds, and you really feel that throughout the story. As someone who loves languages and the idea of living abroad, I had a soft spot for that. And as an Italian… I’m always happy to see a bit of representation (and I will stand by our food being the best eheh).
In the end, it’s a love story, but a quiet one in a way. Two people with their own issues, taking their time, figuring things out together. I really recommend it!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tropes:
🐋PR relationship/Fake Dating
🌊Surger x Marine Biologist (love our STEM girls)
🐋Golden Retriever MMC x Black Cat FMC
🌊he falls first
🐋travel romance
🌊Dual POV
🐋Multiple Cultural main characters
🌊Multiple Languages spoken
🐋Slow Burn tension
Words fail to fully reflect how I felt reading Salacia Project. This heartfelt story follows Marine Biologist Dr.Sofia Moretti Gómez and Olympic surfer Ilias Ríos El Idrissi as they navigate a fake proposal relationship with real feelings bubbling just beneath the surface. Each chapter is highlighted with a song, and while some media soundtracks feel forced, like they are spoonfeeding an audience on what emotions to feel, each song highlighted a key theme about the chapter while feeling authentic to the expression of human emotions. Side characters that could have felt flat, instead added both charm and realism to our main couple, giving them dimensions outside of just each other. This story navigates love after heartbreak, grief during happiness and finding our inner strength in the times where we need it most. From chapter one, i was hooked by Ilias, a golden retriever archetype who has so much more beneath his charming exterior and swoonworthy lines. Sofia felt like a friend to me, someone I had to watch experience heartbreak and hope that she would find love again. Their chemistry wasn't surface level, their love wasn't instant. Sure, the attraction was there, but throughout the story, we got to read their love story progress and feel the satisfaction when they finally confessed their feelings. This story, this beautiful immersion of language, culture and love, made me feel things beyond butterflies in the stomach. It was crashing waves of emotion, sweeping you in one right after the other. This is not simply a beach read or a story that you read in a boring afternoon, this is an all consuming romance that hooks you in and doesn't let you go until “The End”. I want to thank Elena for allowing me to read this story ahead of time, it was an honor being an ARC Reader. I look forward to the release and to see whats next for our characters.
🐋PR relationship/Fake Dating
🌊Surger x Marine Biologist (love our STEM girls)
🐋Golden Retriever MMC x Black Cat FMC
🌊he falls first
🐋travel romance
🌊Dual POV
🐋Multiple Cultural main characters
🌊Multiple Languages spoken
🐋Slow Burn tension
Words fail to fully reflect how I felt reading Salacia Project. This heartfelt story follows Marine Biologist Dr.Sofia Moretti Gómez and Olympic surfer Ilias Ríos El Idrissi as they navigate a fake proposal relationship with real feelings bubbling just beneath the surface. Each chapter is highlighted with a song, and while some media soundtracks feel forced, like they are spoonfeeding an audience on what emotions to feel, each song highlighted a key theme about the chapter while feeling authentic to the expression of human emotions. Side characters that could have felt flat, instead added both charm and realism to our main couple, giving them dimensions outside of just each other. This story navigates love after heartbreak, grief during happiness and finding our inner strength in the times where we need it most. From chapter one, i was hooked by Ilias, a golden retriever archetype who has so much more beneath his charming exterior and swoonworthy lines. Sofia felt like a friend to me, someone I had to watch experience heartbreak and hope that she would find love again. Their chemistry wasn't surface level, their love wasn't instant. Sure, the attraction was there, but throughout the story, we got to read their love story progress and feel the satisfaction when they finally confessed their feelings. This story, this beautiful immersion of language, culture and love, made me feel things beyond butterflies in the stomach. It was crashing waves of emotion, sweeping you in one right after the other. This is not simply a beach read or a story that you read in a boring afternoon, this is an all consuming romance that hooks you in and doesn't let you go until “The End”. I want to thank Elena for allowing me to read this story ahead of time, it was an honor being an ARC Reader. I look forward to the release and to see whats next for our characters.
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