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Filthy Rich #2
Hate Crush
A fake relationship could help Princesa Sofia save her kingdom. Only problem: she’ll have to fake it with the man who broke her heart.
Ten years ago, wild child Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos fell in fast crazy love with heartbreaker Aish Salinger during one California harvest season. Now, all grown up and with the future of her kingdom on her shoulders, she hates him as passionately as she once loved him.
Even if her body hasn’t gotten the hate memo.
Faking a relationship with the now-famous rock star for the press and public will ensure the success of her new winery and the prosperity of her kingdom. All she has to do is grit her teeth and bear his tattooed presence in her village and winery—her home—for a month.
Trying to recover from his own scandal, fallen superstar Aish Salinger jumps at the chance to be near Sofia again. Leaving her was the biggest mistake he’s ever made, and he’s waited ten years to win her back.
He never counted on finding a woman who despised him so much she didn’t want to be anywhere near him.
A war of wills breaks out as the princess and rock star battle to control their fake relationship. She wants to dictate every action to keep him away from her. He wants to be as close as he can be. She’s already lost so much because of Aish—he won’t be the reason her people lose even more.
But he also won’t make her break her life’s most important vow: to never fall in love again.
Filthy Rich
Book 1: Lush Money
Book 2: Hate Crush
Book 3: Serving Sin
Also by Angelina M. Lopez:
After Hours on Milagro Street
Ten years ago, wild child Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos fell in fast crazy love with heartbreaker Aish Salinger during one California harvest season. Now, all grown up and with the future of her kingdom on her shoulders, she hates him as passionately as she once loved him.
Even if her body hasn’t gotten the hate memo.
Faking a relationship with the now-famous rock star for the press and public will ensure the success of her new winery and the prosperity of her kingdom. All she has to do is grit her teeth and bear his tattooed presence in her village and winery—her home—for a month.
Trying to recover from his own scandal, fallen superstar Aish Salinger jumps at the chance to be near Sofia again. Leaving her was the biggest mistake he’s ever made, and he’s waited ten years to win her back.
He never counted on finding a woman who despised him so much she didn’t want to be anywhere near him.
A war of wills breaks out as the princess and rock star battle to control their fake relationship. She wants to dictate every action to keep him away from her. He wants to be as close as he can be. She’s already lost so much because of Aish—he won’t be the reason her people lose even more.
But he also won’t make her break her life’s most important vow: to never fall in love again.
Filthy Rich
Book 1: Lush Money
Book 2: Hate Crush
Book 3: Serving Sin
Also by Angelina M. Lopez:
After Hours on Milagro Street
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2020
69 people are currently reading
863 people want to read
About the author
Angelina M. Lopez
14 books517 followersWhen my kindergarten teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up, I wrote "arthur." Since then, I've been a journalist for an acclaimed city newspaper, a freelance magazine writer, and a content marketer for small businesses. And I learned how to spell the word “author” correctly.
I write sexy stories about fierce women and the men lucky to fall in love with them. I’m a lifelong romance reader and fan, and a champion of the concept that good art doesn’t have to make you feel bad. Romance writers are re-writing the script about the meaningfulness of pleasure, joy, escapism, and fantasy in art, and I’m proud and honored to be part of that movement, a movement led primarily by women, for women.
Unfortunately and for too long, women who looked like me writing characters of color didn’t get a seat at the table. Today’s romance authors are changing that. I like to say I write adult fairytales when I’m discussing the escapism and over-the-top bonkersness of my books. But my belief that people of color deserve to be the recipients of joy, pleasure, fantasy and happily ever afters is very, very real.
The fact that my parents own a vineyard certainly seems fairytale like. I can’t promise I will always write about wine like I did in my first series. But my Instagram seems to showcase that pleasure of the moments — wine, cocktails, food, fun, family, friends, Supernatural — will always be part of what I deliver.
My first two books Lush Money -- named a Top 10 romance debut of 2020 -- and Hate Crush received rave reviews from Entertainment Weekly, NPR, and Booklist.
My first book in a new high-heat, small town, Latinx series, After Hours on Milagro Street, will be available July 2022.
You can find more about me at my website, AngelinaMLopez.com and at @AngelinaMLo on Twitter.
I write sexy stories about fierce women and the men lucky to fall in love with them. I’m a lifelong romance reader and fan, and a champion of the concept that good art doesn’t have to make you feel bad. Romance writers are re-writing the script about the meaningfulness of pleasure, joy, escapism, and fantasy in art, and I’m proud and honored to be part of that movement, a movement led primarily by women, for women.
Unfortunately and for too long, women who looked like me writing characters of color didn’t get a seat at the table. Today’s romance authors are changing that. I like to say I write adult fairytales when I’m discussing the escapism and over-the-top bonkersness of my books. But my belief that people of color deserve to be the recipients of joy, pleasure, fantasy and happily ever afters is very, very real.
The fact that my parents own a vineyard certainly seems fairytale like. I can’t promise I will always write about wine like I did in my first series. But my Instagram seems to showcase that pleasure of the moments — wine, cocktails, food, fun, family, friends, Supernatural — will always be part of what I deliver.
My first two books Lush Money -- named a Top 10 romance debut of 2020 -- and Hate Crush received rave reviews from Entertainment Weekly, NPR, and Booklist.
My first book in a new high-heat, small town, Latinx series, After Hours on Milagro Street, will be available July 2022.
You can find more about me at my website, AngelinaMLopez.com and at @AngelinaMLo on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
June 6, 2021
I have been LOVING this series! Hate Crush is angsty second chance romance PERFECTION. The hero effed up big time by breaking up with the love of his life years ago and he knows it. Now he gets a chance to be back in her life and he'll do anything to make her love him again. This is my catnip!!!
October 24, 2021
Rock stars, royalty, and a winery.
BRING THEE DRAMA (thank you to Whiskey for the perfect phrase!). A princess and a rock star meet at 19/20 and fall madly in love. I don't know if it was the hero's approach, the heroine's receptiveness, the setting, or what but from their first meeting their chemistry worked for me. And clearly for them. Like a whole whole lot.
But mistakes are made when one is 19 and 20 and 10 years pass and Aish needs Sofia and Sofia needs Aish, and so a fake relationship is always the answer and the sparks fly and the hair and insults get flung and really, it's so much drama, but it was delicious.
I don't even know how I found this book's predecessor, but I kind of dug the dynamic in that one even though I didn't love it as much as this.
Now for the disclaimer. Definitely over the top. Think soap opera. Not for everyone.But this was really sexy, quite sweet, and a whole lot of angst. I didn't love the ending, but I don't really care.
BRING THEE DRAMA (thank you to Whiskey for the perfect phrase!). A princess and a rock star meet at 19/20 and fall madly in love. I don't know if it was the hero's approach, the heroine's receptiveness, the setting, or what but from their first meeting their chemistry worked for me. And clearly for them. Like a whole whole lot.
But mistakes are made when one is 19 and 20 and 10 years pass and Aish needs Sofia and Sofia needs Aish, and so a fake relationship is always the answer and the sparks fly and the hair and insults get flung and really, it's so much drama, but it was delicious.
I don't even know how I found this book's predecessor, but I kind of dug the dynamic in that one even though I didn't love it as much as this.
Now for the disclaimer. Definitely over the top. Think soap opera. Not for everyone.But this was really sexy, quite sweet, and a whole lot of angst. I didn't love the ending, but I don't really care.
June 13, 2020
Beautiful story of a second chance romance. Love the title and Aish!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There’s this lady I know who used to work in the vineyards around here where I live. We have a lot of vineyards actually surrounding my area and many massive producers of wine own the vineyards.
Every so often I hear her refer to specific terms and one of them was the crush. Because of the name in the word you can get a feel for what it means. This author transformed the meaning of a word into full, meaningful descriptions of what it takes to own and run a winery.
With sweeping depiction of lush scenery, we get bits and pieces of the story from today and the past. 10 years have gone by and the intense feeling between Aish and Sophia is just as explosive.
It’s a love/hate relationship that’s built on hurt and anger yet intense feelings and desire that won’t quit. The author wrote with such feeling and depth, you can’t help but get swept away by the crushing emotion.
This book is quite complex in many ways with issues with family, issues with the winery and business, and issues with the hate crush. Sophia can get pretty harsh!
It’s heated and sexy with a few surprises along the way that build to a beautiful ending that is much deserved. I am looking forward to many more beautiful stories from this up-and-coming writer. Highly detailed romance that leaves a mark on your soul.
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/hate-crush-b...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There’s this lady I know who used to work in the vineyards around here where I live. We have a lot of vineyards actually surrounding my area and many massive producers of wine own the vineyards.
Every so often I hear her refer to specific terms and one of them was the crush. Because of the name in the word you can get a feel for what it means. This author transformed the meaning of a word into full, meaningful descriptions of what it takes to own and run a winery.
With sweeping depiction of lush scenery, we get bits and pieces of the story from today and the past. 10 years have gone by and the intense feeling between Aish and Sophia is just as explosive.
It’s a love/hate relationship that’s built on hurt and anger yet intense feelings and desire that won’t quit. The author wrote with such feeling and depth, you can’t help but get swept away by the crushing emotion.
This book is quite complex in many ways with issues with family, issues with the winery and business, and issues with the hate crush. Sophia can get pretty harsh!
It’s heated and sexy with a few surprises along the way that build to a beautiful ending that is much deserved. I am looking forward to many more beautiful stories from this up-and-coming writer. Highly detailed romance that leaves a mark on your soul.
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/hate-crush-b...
February 3, 2021
I have a bone to pick with Ms Lopez: Hate Crush kept me up two work nights in a row. Harrumph. And I need my sleep, so kudos and curse you, Lopez, for writing this unputdownable thing. I loved Lopez’s Filthy Rich début, Lush Money, but I loved Hate Crush even more. The two carry my favourite romance tropes: marriage-of-convenience in the former and second-chance, in the latter. In Ms Lopez’s hands, the tropes dance and sing and come alive. Her characters are MESSY, visceral, intense, their conflict and emotions over-the-top; she carries the reader on a wave of energetic prose, unselfconscious, moving steadily in service to the HEA and her characters’ needs, transformations, and realizations.
Lopez’s premise is outlandish and improbable, but this is what makes romance, romance. I’m never taken aback by the genre’s propensity for “outlandish and improbable,” heck, literature is built on it. (Have you read A Midsummer Night’s Dream?) When an author has the genre’s integrity in sight and writes the outlandish and improbable in service to an arc of love’s redemptive power, I’m cool with an eye-rolling premise.
Hate Crush sees bad-boy, disgraced (rumours of song plagiarism; band-mate’s/best friend’s suicide) rocker-hero, Aish Salinger, answer the call to a fake relationship, in his first and only great love’s fictional Spanish kingdom, Monte del Vino Real, with her, Princess Sofia. Sofia hates his guts, what’s in it for her? A rock of notoriety and publicity lobbed at the nay-sayers of her years-long struggle to bring new wine-making methods to her kingdom. Affair with an old flame? Check. But she lays down the law: keep your tattoos covered and your butt far far away from me. Kissy and moon-eyed for the cameras only. On the other hand, for Aish, this is a chance to clean off his in-the-gutter reputation; truer to his heart, to make amends, ask forgiveness of Sofia. And so, with his hollow-eyed, hungover arrival, we’re off …
Sofia’s contempt and hatred for Aish, justified I might add … are revealed in alternating chapters, between the ice-cold hatred of today, ten years after their affair, and the hearkening back to their young selves, Sofia at 19 and Aish at 21, and the halcyon summer they fell in love when Sofia apprenticed at Aish’s uncle’s California vineyard. The reason Lopez’s Hate Crush works so well is because it embraces its unabashed melodrama. We learn how Aish was in thrall to his best friend’s, John Hamilton’s, ambition for their band. Though he was wild for Sofia, truly loved her, he was young, stupid, selfish, ambitious, and allowed his loyalty to John and the “band” to come into competition with his love for Sofia. And then, ta-ta-ta-da!, a betrayal so awful, so painful, how can Sofia feel anything but hatred for Aish? For Aish, ten years of expiation, cowardly expiation, but expiation nonetheless.
And that leads me to my next point lauding Lopez’s romance: when you make the body as important to the organic development of the relationship as you do the talk, the sharing, the working-the-vineyards together, it really really works. It’s not only about the love scenes, which are frequent, explicit, and reflective of Aish and Sofia’s slow, gradual resurrection of their teen-love, at first, wary and desperate and gradually moving toward tenderness, but in every detail of their interactions: how they look at each other, what they notice … it isn’t attraction, but attention and importance.
Then, there’s the strength of Lopez’s setting: the hillside vine-permeated kingdom, the details of the Spanish culture, the intricacies of fine-wine-making. Lopez’s setting is rich in detail and transporting, like the intense emotions of her hero and heroine. The conflict between them, Aish’s contriteness and Sofia’s loathing, is compounded by the ever-present press, Sofia’s dysfunctional relationship with her awful parents, and the presence of saboteurs to her wine-making effort to save her kingdom and help her people. Sofia and Aish aren’t a slow-burn, they’re fire together. They’re familiar enough to the younger selves we meet and they’re also tempered by suffering from being apart and better at hiding as adults: Sofia seething with a betrayal that keeps her emotionally restrained and Aish hoping his songs and “ink” will reach Sofia somehow, will show her he is sorry and wants her back. They’re both wrong and right and Lopez shows slowly and surely how they grow and change: Aish sees his past “expiation” as preserving his spoiled-boy desire to have things come to him as immature. He has to make Sofia the centre. And Sofia has to soften, to find a way to forgive, to let her heart live again.
In the end, Lopez throws a loop in the plot to redeem Aish which I never saw coming and thought a cop-out. But maybe she had taken Aish to a place where a narrative contrivance was the only way she could go? I’m not sure and I can’t say I loved this part, but I loved Sofia’s anger and determination and Aish does a magnificent on-his-knees grovel and the darn thing did keep me up for two nights. To quote Miss Austen, who would be scandalized by Hate Crush, herein I see “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma. Also, I’m eager for Roman’s story in book #3.
Angelelina M. Lopez’s Hate Crush is published by Carina Press. It was released in June 2020 and may be found at your preferred vendors. I received an e-galley from Carina Press, via Netgalley.
Lopez’s premise is outlandish and improbable, but this is what makes romance, romance. I’m never taken aback by the genre’s propensity for “outlandish and improbable,” heck, literature is built on it. (Have you read A Midsummer Night’s Dream?) When an author has the genre’s integrity in sight and writes the outlandish and improbable in service to an arc of love’s redemptive power, I’m cool with an eye-rolling premise.
Hate Crush sees bad-boy, disgraced (rumours of song plagiarism; band-mate’s/best friend’s suicide) rocker-hero, Aish Salinger, answer the call to a fake relationship, in his first and only great love’s fictional Spanish kingdom, Monte del Vino Real, with her, Princess Sofia. Sofia hates his guts, what’s in it for her? A rock of notoriety and publicity lobbed at the nay-sayers of her years-long struggle to bring new wine-making methods to her kingdom. Affair with an old flame? Check. But she lays down the law: keep your tattoos covered and your butt far far away from me. Kissy and moon-eyed for the cameras only. On the other hand, for Aish, this is a chance to clean off his in-the-gutter reputation; truer to his heart, to make amends, ask forgiveness of Sofia. And so, with his hollow-eyed, hungover arrival, we’re off …
Sofia’s contempt and hatred for Aish, justified I might add … are revealed in alternating chapters, between the ice-cold hatred of today, ten years after their affair, and the hearkening back to their young selves, Sofia at 19 and Aish at 21, and the halcyon summer they fell in love when Sofia apprenticed at Aish’s uncle’s California vineyard. The reason Lopez’s Hate Crush works so well is because it embraces its unabashed melodrama. We learn how Aish was in thrall to his best friend’s, John Hamilton’s, ambition for their band. Though he was wild for Sofia, truly loved her, he was young, stupid, selfish, ambitious, and allowed his loyalty to John and the “band” to come into competition with his love for Sofia. And then, ta-ta-ta-da!, a betrayal so awful, so painful, how can Sofia feel anything but hatred for Aish? For Aish, ten years of expiation, cowardly expiation, but expiation nonetheless.
And that leads me to my next point lauding Lopez’s romance: when you make the body as important to the organic development of the relationship as you do the talk, the sharing, the working-the-vineyards together, it really really works. It’s not only about the love scenes, which are frequent, explicit, and reflective of Aish and Sofia’s slow, gradual resurrection of their teen-love, at first, wary and desperate and gradually moving toward tenderness, but in every detail of their interactions: how they look at each other, what they notice … it isn’t attraction, but attention and importance.
Then, there’s the strength of Lopez’s setting: the hillside vine-permeated kingdom, the details of the Spanish culture, the intricacies of fine-wine-making. Lopez’s setting is rich in detail and transporting, like the intense emotions of her hero and heroine. The conflict between them, Aish’s contriteness and Sofia’s loathing, is compounded by the ever-present press, Sofia’s dysfunctional relationship with her awful parents, and the presence of saboteurs to her wine-making effort to save her kingdom and help her people. Sofia and Aish aren’t a slow-burn, they’re fire together. They’re familiar enough to the younger selves we meet and they’re also tempered by suffering from being apart and better at hiding as adults: Sofia seething with a betrayal that keeps her emotionally restrained and Aish hoping his songs and “ink” will reach Sofia somehow, will show her he is sorry and wants her back. They’re both wrong and right and Lopez shows slowly and surely how they grow and change: Aish sees his past “expiation” as preserving his spoiled-boy desire to have things come to him as immature. He has to make Sofia the centre. And Sofia has to soften, to find a way to forgive, to let her heart live again.
In the end, Lopez throws a loop in the plot to redeem Aish which I never saw coming and thought a cop-out. But maybe she had taken Aish to a place where a narrative contrivance was the only way she could go? I’m not sure and I can’t say I loved this part, but I loved Sofia’s anger and determination and Aish does a magnificent on-his-knees grovel and the darn thing did keep me up for two nights. To quote Miss Austen, who would be scandalized by Hate Crush, herein I see “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma. Also, I’m eager for Roman’s story in book #3.
Angelelina M. Lopez’s Hate Crush is published by Carina Press. It was released in June 2020 and may be found at your preferred vendors. I received an e-galley from Carina Press, via Netgalley.
August 9, 2020
“Tell me you don’t want to feel it again,” he said, his black eyes beckoning. “Tell me you don’t want to know if it’s as good as we remember.” She scraped her teeth against her lip. “I’m afraid it’s going to be better.”
📚 Series? Yes, but can be read as a standalone.
📚 Genre? Contemporary Romance.
📚 POV? Dual, third person.
📚 Cliffhanger? No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Alcohol. Very explicit on-page sexual content. Off page statutory rape.
⚠ Book Tags : Winery. Rockstar. Royalty. Miscommunication. Second chance romance. Lovers to enemies to lovers.
⚠ This Book In Emojis: 👸🏽💞💔💖👨🏻🎤🍇🍷🍾🎶💏
The book is about:
If you love rockstars and royalty, having access to both will give you an amazing time. Hate Crush tells the story of Princess Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos and rockstar Aish Salinger. They had a short lived yet very passionate romance 10 years ago, and life has brought them together again. As Aish became viral for accidentally name dropping Sofia as the inspiration for his song, the pair have to show a fake PR relationship to benefit Sofia's winery and Aish's public image.
What drew me in:
I am always week for enemies to lovers trope. But, Hate Crush gave me a story with much angst -- lovers to enemies to lovers. Just from the blurb, I knew I was going to have a great time with this read.
Characters & connections:
Both Sofia and Aish show their inner thoughts through the alternating POV of this read. That's perfect because it gave me the chance of getting to know them better, therefore, giving me the chance to further my connection with each character.
Everything I liked:
Hate Crush gave the reader an easy to follow story with lots of steam, pining, and drama. I loved how the author told the story and the pacing was just perfect. I knew there was troubling brewing within the story and the plot twist entered at the best time.
Overall thoughts:
Though it's my first time to read a book from the author and that this book is a 2nd part of a series, I still had an overall amazing time. Fast paced, uncommon plot points, and swoony romance -- expect that and more if you read this romance read.
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌼 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Romance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐☆
☁FINAL VERDICT: 4.27/5 ☁
Thank you so much to Stephanie from Carina Press for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own. Also, the quote used is taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
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April 19, 2020
The second in the Filthy Rich series tells the story of Princess Sofia and rock star Aish Salinger. He's waited 10 years to win her back but she's only willing to fake a relationship with the bad boy of rock to promote her new winery and win over her people and save their way of life.
This story was emotional and HOT. Strong-willed and brilliant, Sofia needs to learn to let down her guard and let love back in. Aish needs to grow up and become the man she'd always hoped he'd become. And they both need to overcome the secrets of their past in order to move forward. With obstacles at every turn and despite a bit of a predictable twist near the end, their love story was very heart breaking and fulfilling.
CW: suicide and miscarriage
This story was emotional and HOT. Strong-willed and brilliant, Sofia needs to learn to let down her guard and let love back in. Aish needs to grow up and become the man she'd always hoped he'd become. And they both need to overcome the secrets of their past in order to move forward. With obstacles at every turn and despite a bit of a predictable twist near the end, their love story was very heart breaking and fulfilling.
CW: suicide and miscarriage
May 17, 2020
Let me start by saying that I loved the first book in this series, Lush Money. That book also introduced us to the heroine in this book. Princess Sofia, the younger sister of Prince Mateo, the hero of the first book. I knew going into this book that it was a second chance romance, which is one of my very favorite tropes and I had high hopes that it would also be a grovel novel.
So, let's start with what worked for me. I am a heroine-centric reader and I adored the heroine in this book. I have a soft spot for heroines who most would describe as "difficult" or "problematic". I didn't find Sofia to be either of those things. But I liked how headstrong and tough and fierce she was. I loved her dedication to her principality and how her ambitions for herself were really all tied to the goals and hopes and dreams she had for the people of her kingdom. Sofia is not a doormat, she's not one to back down and I adore heroines who are not afraid to stand up for themselves and what they believe in.
I think, through Sofia, the book also provided an interesting commentary on how harsh society is in judging women compared to men. Sofia was labeled as the party-girl princess, the "pornographic" princess, her reputation in the media buoyed by stories that were a great exaggeration of the facts. In truth, she wanted to be needed and loved and be useful to her kingdom and help save them. And interestingly, even when Aish swept into the picture, a tarnished rock star trying to save the day and media and public bought into all of it, the real truth was that it was always Sofia's grit and fortitude and hard work that got them to where they were.
Speaking of Aish, here's where things get a little murky. I knew early on that it was clearly Aish who had messed things up and in a second chance romance, in order for it to really work for me, the character who messes up has to redeem himself and also grovel, like, a LOT for me to support the love interest in taking him/her/them back. And while I do think Aish spent much of the book trying to do the right thing and trying to say sorry and self-flagellating himself for the way he'd treated Sofia, the end, when J*** c***s *a*k f**m *h* *e*d, it all seemed a little too neat and convenient. I liked the complexity of Aish grappling with the fact that he'd trusted in the wrong person, that he'd thrown his loyalty in with the wrong person and I liked the idea that because of the way things had initially unfolded, he would forever have that gray area to contend with. Life is messy, it's not always tied up in a bow and as much as romance is guaranteed to give us a happy ending, it's ok to layer it in with some issues that don't always resolve themselves all wrapped up in a tidy little bow. And that's what the end of this book sort of felt like. I wanted Sofia to succeed, I wanted Aish to apologize for the right things, I wanted them to be together and I truly did believe in their relationship and HEA. But I'm not entirely sold on all the steps (and people) needed to get them there.
However, I did also enjoy many of the side characters, specifically Roman and Henry and I do hope they both get their own books. I also want to meet the mysterious Daniel Trujillo and I loved getting a glimpse of Roxanne and Mateo and their twins several years after their book ended. Despite my issues with parts of this book, Angelina M. Lopez has a style of storytelling that really pulls the reader in and she has crafted a setting that's so real that one might find themselves, at 1 a.m., googling the Spanish countryside and wineries.
The one other thing that rang a little false for me was the relationship between Sofia and her mother, or specifically, the resolution of that relationship. When Sofia's mother comes to her at the end and reveals what she knows, it felt very strange to me that Sofia immediately went to gratitude and hoping they might be able to have better relationship going forward. I don't discount the possibility of that happening for them at some point in the future, but in that particular moment, when Sofia's entire world had shifted, for her to immediately be grateful seems a bit implausible.
On the whole, I did enjoy the story and I enjoyed the relationship and the characters and especially Sofia. There were a couple of storylines that I think took away from the story and made it a little difficult to believe. But regardless, I look forward to whatever this author plans to publish next, especially if it takes place in this same universe.
ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
So, let's start with what worked for me. I am a heroine-centric reader and I adored the heroine in this book. I have a soft spot for heroines who most would describe as "difficult" or "problematic". I didn't find Sofia to be either of those things. But I liked how headstrong and tough and fierce she was. I loved her dedication to her principality and how her ambitions for herself were really all tied to the goals and hopes and dreams she had for the people of her kingdom. Sofia is not a doormat, she's not one to back down and I adore heroines who are not afraid to stand up for themselves and what they believe in.
I think, through Sofia, the book also provided an interesting commentary on how harsh society is in judging women compared to men. Sofia was labeled as the party-girl princess, the "pornographic" princess, her reputation in the media buoyed by stories that were a great exaggeration of the facts. In truth, she wanted to be needed and loved and be useful to her kingdom and help save them. And interestingly, even when Aish swept into the picture, a tarnished rock star trying to save the day and media and public bought into all of it, the real truth was that it was always Sofia's grit and fortitude and hard work that got them to where they were.
Speaking of Aish, here's where things get a little murky. I knew early on that it was clearly Aish who had messed things up and in a second chance romance, in order for it to really work for me, the character who messes up has to redeem himself and also grovel, like, a LOT for me to support the love interest in taking him/her/them back. And while I do think Aish spent much of the book trying to do the right thing and trying to say sorry and self-flagellating himself for the way he'd treated Sofia, the end, when J*** c***s *a*k f**m *h* *e*d, it all seemed a little too neat and convenient. I liked the complexity of Aish grappling with the fact that he'd trusted in the wrong person, that he'd thrown his loyalty in with the wrong person and I liked the idea that because of the way things had initially unfolded, he would forever have that gray area to contend with. Life is messy, it's not always tied up in a bow and as much as romance is guaranteed to give us a happy ending, it's ok to layer it in with some issues that don't always resolve themselves all wrapped up in a tidy little bow. And that's what the end of this book sort of felt like. I wanted Sofia to succeed, I wanted Aish to apologize for the right things, I wanted them to be together and I truly did believe in their relationship and HEA. But I'm not entirely sold on all the steps (and people) needed to get them there.
However, I did also enjoy many of the side characters, specifically Roman and Henry and I do hope they both get their own books. I also want to meet the mysterious Daniel Trujillo and I loved getting a glimpse of Roxanne and Mateo and their twins several years after their book ended. Despite my issues with parts of this book, Angelina M. Lopez has a style of storytelling that really pulls the reader in and she has crafted a setting that's so real that one might find themselves, at 1 a.m., googling the Spanish countryside and wineries.
The one other thing that rang a little false for me was the relationship between Sofia and her mother, or specifically, the resolution of that relationship. When Sofia's mother comes to her at the end and reveals what she knows, it felt very strange to me that Sofia immediately went to gratitude and hoping they might be able to have better relationship going forward. I don't discount the possibility of that happening for them at some point in the future, but in that particular moment, when Sofia's entire world had shifted, for her to immediately be grateful seems a bit implausible.
On the whole, I did enjoy the story and I enjoyed the relationship and the characters and especially Sofia. There were a couple of storylines that I think took away from the story and made it a little difficult to believe. But regardless, I look forward to whatever this author plans to publish next, especially if it takes place in this same universe.
ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2021
4.25 Stars / 4 Steam Fans
Because I could not stop after reading Lush Money, I jumped right into Hate Crush! I wanted more about this family of wine-makers, and more is what I got! I enjoyed the fake dating situation involved, and the steam between the couple jumped off the first few pages. My only issue was, at times, the story was too focused on the technical side of winemaking. I cannot wait to read more from Angelina M Lopez!
Video review available in Week 12: Mar 21 – Mar 27, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Because I could not stop after reading Lush Money, I jumped right into Hate Crush! I wanted more about this family of wine-makers, and more is what I got! I enjoyed the fake dating situation involved, and the steam between the couple jumped off the first few pages. My only issue was, at times, the story was too focused on the technical side of winemaking. I cannot wait to read more from Angelina M Lopez!
Video review available in Week 12: Mar 21 – Mar 27, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
July 3, 2020
This second chance romance with that enemies to lovers vibe es bien telenovela in the best way possible.
When the story begins, Aish is living the typical rocker lifestyle - he’s messed up and reminiscing about Sofia, the Spanish principesa who he loved and lost ten years earlier. When international gossip conspires to bring these two back together, Sofia is all HELL NO DUDE and wants nothing to do with him, but her struggling family winery needs the positive publicity, and so does Aish, so here comes a bit of fake relationship trope, some seriously fuego chemistry and mysteries to unravel, all on the road to an HEA. And yep, romance happens.
I love the way it delves into wine making and music, and really makes the MCs’ professions really play an important part of the story. Ms. Lopez brings her ability to create chemistry between her leads here and the love scenes are intense and fiery. There is never a doubt in my mind that Aish and Sofia are combustible together.
I love how this explores a bit the way women are more harshly judged for their sexual history.
In the beginning, Aish was deep in his pity party, very used to having everything done for him, but what he really wanted was the way Sofia always expected him to be better. His ability to wallow in his feelings was a little trying, and I wasn’t sure if I would warm up to him. But it’s the scenes between him and Sofia, where his naked (heh) longing for her is on display really captured my interest. I cannot lie, I am a sucker for a male lead who loves and is willing to work hard to get back in his lady love’s good graces.
I think it was that I was so firmly on #teamSofia’s side when it came to the fact that he did her wrong so many years ago, and that he should have to work for her love that made the beginning a little slow for me. Personally, I needed to be won over even more than Sofia, because I would’ve been all fucboi bye.
But when the story gets in gear, the time flew by. When I say soapy, I mean there’s a strong reliance in intense emotion - that may or may not be your cuppa. The leads becan be a little dunderheaded and the villains can be very EV-ILL. The twist is a tried and true soap plot device and fits the really over the top emotion. Sometimes that kind of drama is a bit much but the story rides that fine line like an experienced telenovela does. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for this series. Yes, I want Roman and Henry’s stories now, please and thank you.
If you’re into some soapy goodness with your romance, and love that second chance hate sex vibe, you may enjoy this as much as I did.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
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June 29, 2020
Do you like second chance tropes? I admit they are a hard sell for me. I need a good solid, believable explanation as to why two people who love each other stayed away from each other for years. Often I find this explanation not believable. Unfortunately, this is the premise that Hate Crush is built on. Party Princess and Rock Star playboy had a hot and heavy affair as young kids, split up for the shittiest most douchey reason possible, and then are forced back together ten years later when they need to use each other to fix up their images.
I wanted to love this book. I really did. I liked the first book, Lush Money, even though I had problems with it. I thought it showed a lot of potential and I was really looking forward to this one.I love a reformed rake trope or in this case a fuckboi redeemed trope. Sadly, Aish began as an immature boy and ended as an immature boy in love? His reason for breaking up with her in the first place was infuriating. And then he did nothing to get her back in ten years even though he was still in love but get ugly tattoos and sing moody, love songs about f*cking her. Apparently, this was his way of showing her he loved her. My eyes rolled so far back into my head, I am still looking for them. I hated Aish. Hated him. All his character did was whine and stare moodily at Sofia. I had the same problem with the hero of the first book and his lack of development. I liked Sofia okay but hated her hot and cold act that went on for 60% of the book! The plot moved like molasses and then everything happens at the last 10%. The love scenes were hot and numerous but since I wasn't invested in the characters, I skimmed them. The Spanish grammar was better this time but their Spanish nicknames for each other made me LMAO. Also, NO ONE SWITCHES TO SPANISH IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE. IT'S RUDE AF. Why does it happen in books? It annoys me greatly. Anyway, if you're a fan of slow burns, second chances, imperfect heroes, and weird sex Spanish then I recommend this book. It didn't work for me on any level. Thanks to @netgalley
And the publisher for my free copy.
⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
🍆/5
I wanted to love this book. I really did. I liked the first book, Lush Money, even though I had problems with it. I thought it showed a lot of potential and I was really looking forward to this one.I love a reformed rake trope or in this case a fuckboi redeemed trope. Sadly, Aish began as an immature boy and ended as an immature boy in love? His reason for breaking up with her in the first place was infuriating. And then he did nothing to get her back in ten years even though he was still in love but get ugly tattoos and sing moody, love songs about f*cking her. Apparently, this was his way of showing her he loved her. My eyes rolled so far back into my head, I am still looking for them. I hated Aish. Hated him. All his character did was whine and stare moodily at Sofia. I had the same problem with the hero of the first book and his lack of development. I liked Sofia okay but hated her hot and cold act that went on for 60% of the book! The plot moved like molasses and then everything happens at the last 10%. The love scenes were hot and numerous but since I wasn't invested in the characters, I skimmed them. The Spanish grammar was better this time but their Spanish nicknames for each other made me LMAO. Also, NO ONE SWITCHES TO SPANISH IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE. IT'S RUDE AF. Why does it happen in books? It annoys me greatly. Anyway, if you're a fan of slow burns, second chances, imperfect heroes, and weird sex Spanish then I recommend this book. It didn't work for me on any level. Thanks to @netgalley
And the publisher for my free copy.
⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
🍆/5
September 3, 2020
I really enjoyed Angelina M. Lopez's debut Lush Money and the character of Sofia, so much so that I raced to check out Hate Crush immediately after.
Lopez creates incredibly complex characters in her books with very intricate backgrounds, plus she writes incredibly steamy and refreshing sex scenes. (And she even talks about STI disclosure in this one in a healthy and non-stigmatizing way!) She's quickly becoming one of my favorite new romance authors, so needless to say, I was itching to see what she did with one of my favorite characters from her first novel.
Unfortunately, I didn't love Hate Crush as much as I wanted to. Aish came across like an entitled man-child for the entirety of the book, and even at the end, I didn't really believe his rehabilitation. Lopez tried to grapple with this question of the "irredeemable hero"—where an author tries to toe the line between a character doing some awful but forgivable or misunderstood versus awful but irreparable. It's always a hard arc to work with, and in this case, I just didn't buy it.
Another risk with second chance love (especially when it's rooted young love) is that when you have characters who have an unhealthy relationship to begin with, it just makes it harder to understand why they should be together if they're still fucked-up adults. I really like when romance heroes and heroines work through their own shit and find their way to each other; that's a cornerstone of the genre. But the entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking to myself that Aish and Sofia each needed a ton of therapy (ON THEIR OWN!) and should probably go their separate ways.
That said, I still greatly enjoy Lopez's writing and find it incredibly original, so I'll absolutely read what she publishes next. This one was just an amalgamation of several difficult tropes and arcs, and often the result isn't always the best.
Content warning: Discussion of miscarriage and infertility, suicide, violence, discussion of statutory rape
Lopez creates incredibly complex characters in her books with very intricate backgrounds, plus she writes incredibly steamy and refreshing sex scenes. (And she even talks about STI disclosure in this one in a healthy and non-stigmatizing way!) She's quickly becoming one of my favorite new romance authors, so needless to say, I was itching to see what she did with one of my favorite characters from her first novel.
Unfortunately, I didn't love Hate Crush as much as I wanted to. Aish came across like an entitled man-child for the entirety of the book, and even at the end, I didn't really believe his rehabilitation. Lopez tried to grapple with this question of the "irredeemable hero"—where an author tries to toe the line between a character doing some awful but forgivable or misunderstood versus awful but irreparable. It's always a hard arc to work with, and in this case, I just didn't buy it.
Another risk with second chance love (especially when it's rooted young love) is that when you have characters who have an unhealthy relationship to begin with, it just makes it harder to understand why they should be together if they're still fucked-up adults. I really like when romance heroes and heroines work through their own shit and find their way to each other; that's a cornerstone of the genre. But the entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking to myself that Aish and Sofia each needed a ton of therapy (ON THEIR OWN!) and should probably go their separate ways.
That said, I still greatly enjoy Lopez's writing and find it incredibly original, so I'll absolutely read what she publishes next. This one was just an amalgamation of several difficult tropes and arcs, and often the result isn't always the best.
Content warning: Discussion of miscarriage and infertility, suicide, violence, discussion of statutory rape
April 28, 2020
Sofia and Aish come together like kindling to the flame in their second chance. There's romance, espionage, twists, and just a great story. If you love strong heroines and the men who prove they deserve them, this book (and author) are for you!
October 24, 2021
4 *'s for this one. Enjoyed this one a bit more than the first. Even with all the drama at the end.:-)
June 9, 2020
I finished this book over a month ago, marked it as read, but I just have not had the inclination to right any kind of reviews lately. The main thing I remember most about this book... it's one of the last ones I remember reading that I could not put down. It had me up late at night and rushing through it as quickly as possible. The first book in the series was a standout debut for me last year, turning a trope sideways, but it was little hints at what this story could be that had me hitting the request button for the ARC so fast. And, yup, it ticked off all my second chance buttons so hard. Including a *real* reason that caused them to be where they were. Sure, there were some aspects of it that were due to a misunderstanding, but what I absolutely loved was that this was not an excuse. Actions still have consequences and people still need to learn and grow from them. I loved what Angelina Lopez did with Aish's character in this book.
Once again, the small island and winery setting was superb. Strong character develop. And oh yeah, of course, hot. Highly recommend this author.
Once again, the small island and winery setting was superb. Strong character develop. And oh yeah, of course, hot. Highly recommend this author.
July 5, 2020
I was anxiously awaiting this title and so it’s absurd that my ARC review is late, but, alas, 2020 is a beast. Overall, I really loved this fake dating, second chance book with one caveat: there is a scene in here that is described as consensual but feels really not great. I know many people had an issue with consent or lack thereof in the last book and it’s really interesting because through so much of this book consent is emphasized. But then there’s this one scene that’s just mean. So, just keep that in mind as you think about whether or not you want to pick up the book. What I can tell you is that this book feels like a soap opera and I was, therefore, completely immersed.
I read this book in one sitting, which given 2020 feels like a special kind of miracle. Essentially, this book is about Princess Sophia, a winemaker and innovator, who is trying to combat the press and traditionalists in her country and save it, financially at least. It also follows Aish, a rockstar, who drunkenly spilled the beans about who the woman his band’s first smash hit was about, Sophia. This sets off a series of events that leads to Sophia being cajoled into allowing Aish into her kingdom to fake date and hopefully turn around the publicity. Of course, nothing is that easy and Sophia remains furious with Aish for how things went down a decade ago.
I found the characters so compelling and also there’s a suspense element playing out subtly in the background and that was fascinating. I really loved all the twists and turns with the suspense plot. And I am definitely looking forward to book three in this series! I’m so excited for Roman’s story.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Carina, for this early review copy. I will also add that I listened to this as well on Scrib’d thanks to my lateness and I really liked the audiobook narrator. So I would recommend that version as well!
I read this book in one sitting, which given 2020 feels like a special kind of miracle. Essentially, this book is about Princess Sophia, a winemaker and innovator, who is trying to combat the press and traditionalists in her country and save it, financially at least. It also follows Aish, a rockstar, who drunkenly spilled the beans about who the woman his band’s first smash hit was about, Sophia. This sets off a series of events that leads to Sophia being cajoled into allowing Aish into her kingdom to fake date and hopefully turn around the publicity. Of course, nothing is that easy and Sophia remains furious with Aish for how things went down a decade ago.
I found the characters so compelling and also there’s a suspense element playing out subtly in the background and that was fascinating. I really loved all the twists and turns with the suspense plot. And I am definitely looking forward to book three in this series! I’m so excited for Roman’s story.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Carina, for this early review copy. I will also add that I listened to this as well on Scrib’d thanks to my lateness and I really liked the audiobook narrator. So I would recommend that version as well!
June 30, 2020
Angelina M. Lopez is a new-to-me author, but I love romances that feature royalty, so I was immediately drawn to "Hate Crush" after reading the book's synopsis. I'm so happy that I took a chance and picked it up because this story was steamy, angsty escapism at its best, and I absolutely loved it.
"Hate Crush" is a refreshingly different take on a royal romance featuring a compelling, almost compulsively readable plot and incredibly complex, well-developed characters. I couldn't help losing myself in the relationship between main characters Aish and Sofia; I was still turning the pages long after my bedtime because I wanted so badly to know the truth behind what had happened between them 10 years earlier, not to mention what had happened to Aish's best friend and bandmate, John. Their story kept me on the edge of my seat with quite a few unexpected twists and turns, but no matter the obstacles in their way, I found it very easy to root for Aish and Sofia to work out their problems and end up together in the end.
Overall, "Hate Crush" was an outstanding book that I could easily see making my top reads of the year list. I highly recommend it for all fans of angsty contemporary romance and will definitely be keeping an eye on this author to see what she writes next.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
"Hate Crush" is a refreshingly different take on a royal romance featuring a compelling, almost compulsively readable plot and incredibly complex, well-developed characters. I couldn't help losing myself in the relationship between main characters Aish and Sofia; I was still turning the pages long after my bedtime because I wanted so badly to know the truth behind what had happened between them 10 years earlier, not to mention what had happened to Aish's best friend and bandmate, John. Their story kept me on the edge of my seat with quite a few unexpected twists and turns, but no matter the obstacles in their way, I found it very easy to root for Aish and Sofia to work out their problems and end up together in the end.
Overall, "Hate Crush" was an outstanding book that I could easily see making my top reads of the year list. I highly recommend it for all fans of angsty contemporary romance and will definitely be keeping an eye on this author to see what she writes next.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 28, 2020
I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Hate Crush by Angelina Lopez is the second book in her Filthy Rich series. It can be read as a standalone, but I really loved the first book and highly recommend reading it too. Ten years ago, Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel De Esperanza y Santos fell in love with Aish Salinger, but he decided that being a Rock Star was more important than their relationship. He’s regretted that decision every day since, but Sofia has vowed never to fall in love again. Aish ends up in a drunken viral video that outs their previous relationship just as Sofia’s about to launch her winery, and as a defence against all the negative publicity, Sofia’s PR woman and Aish’s manager propose a fake relationship for the press and the public. I really enjoyed this story, Sofia and Aish have fantastic chemistry, both experience significant character growth over the story, the drama and angst are over the top, perfect escape reading and the HEA is well deserved. Content warning Miscarriage, Suicide. Medium Steam. Publishing Date, June 29, 2020. #HateCrush #AngelinaLopez #NetGalley #RockstarRomance #PrincessRomance #ContemporaryRomance #bookstagram #CarinaPress #HarlequinRomance
July 7, 2020
Wow. No “sophomore slump” here. This book shot off like a firecracker right off the jump.
I loved Angelina’s debut, “Lush Money”, so I was eager to get my greedy hands on the follow up, which is the story of Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos & her rockstar former flame, Aish Salinger.
This book took me through it. A true lovers to enemies to... friends with benefits(?), second chance romance for the books. As we got farther along into their story, it was becoming clear to me that Aish wasn’t the perception Sofia had- And neither was she. Angelina peeled back so many damaged layers for them both. Sofia did NOT give in to Aish too quickly in any capacity and he honestly didn’t deserve it. Aish had a lot of self reflection and growing up to do. While Sofia had mastered the art of self preservation (or so she thought).
This book wrapped a rope around my heart and squeezed SO TIGHT.
Angelina strikes gold again with her hot as HELL sexy times and her rollercoaster up and downs of drama and conflict. I adored this book.
Many thanks to Carina Press, Harlequin, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC
I loved Angelina’s debut, “Lush Money”, so I was eager to get my greedy hands on the follow up, which is the story of Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos & her rockstar former flame, Aish Salinger.
This book took me through it. A true lovers to enemies to... friends with benefits(?), second chance romance for the books. As we got farther along into their story, it was becoming clear to me that Aish wasn’t the perception Sofia had- And neither was she. Angelina peeled back so many damaged layers for them both. Sofia did NOT give in to Aish too quickly in any capacity and he honestly didn’t deserve it. Aish had a lot of self reflection and growing up to do. While Sofia had mastered the art of self preservation (or so she thought).
This book wrapped a rope around my heart and squeezed SO TIGHT.
Angelina strikes gold again with her hot as HELL sexy times and her rollercoaster up and downs of drama and conflict. I adored this book.
Many thanks to Carina Press, Harlequin, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC
October 6, 2023
Ahhhhhhh angst and second chance romance 🫠🫠
Not sure how to feel about a certain character's redemption though.. maybe I am too bitter but I would find it difficult to forgive my mother if she pulled even half the shit Sofia's did.
Obligatory FUCK JOHN.
Content warning: miscarriage (off page), statutory rape (not main pairing), sexual content, kidnapping, attempted murder, parental neglect (past)
Not sure how to feel about a certain character's redemption though.. maybe I am too bitter but I would find it difficult to forgive my mother if she pulled even half the shit Sofia's did.
Obligatory FUCK JOHN.
Content warning: miscarriage (off page), statutory rape (not main pairing), sexual content, kidnapping, attempted murder, parental neglect (past)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2020
Highly highly recommended. You don’t see characters like these everyday - with this kind of emotional maturity and ability to own up to their mistakes.
I didn’t love the bit of melodrama at the ending but it wasn’t enough to bring down the rating for me.
I eagerly anticipate reading book 1 and book 3.
I didn’t love the bit of melodrama at the ending but it wasn’t enough to bring down the rating for me.
I eagerly anticipate reading book 1 and book 3.
Read
March 25, 2022Heat Factor: Fire. Fuego. אש. 🔥.
Character Chemistry: Emotionally complicated hate sex.
Plot: “My first love destroyed me and I hate him now. But I must have a fake relationship with him for the paparazzi. What could go wrong?”
Overall: I couldn’t put it down.
I stayed up past my bedtime two nights in a row reading Hate Crush. This book is about...opening a winery. There are some suspense elements (mysterious vandalism, a weird backstory with Aish’s dead best friend), but I was primarily motivated by the way the emotional drama was playing out.
Night number 1: WILL THEY SAVE THEY GRAPES??!?!?!?! And then I realized I was only halfway through the book and definitely needed to go to sleep.
Night number 2: OH SHIT, THINGS JUST GOT REAL!
Princess Sofia has a well-earned reputation as a party girl, but when it comes to wine, she knows her shit. So it’s extremely frustrating that, now that she’s opening a winery which she hopes will revitalize the economy of her struggling micro-nation, no one will take her seriously.
Enter Aish. Aish is a washed-up rock star who, in a drunken stupor at Coachella, reveals that his first hit was written about Sofia, who he briefly dated ten years ago. Now, for some reason, everyone is interested in Sofia’s new winery, especially if Aish might be there. So Aish and Sofia (or, rather, their managers and publicists) decide that faking a reunion relationship would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Aish is all for this. He thinks of his break up with Sofia as the biggest mistake of his life and has been pining for her for years. Note: Aish is a selfish man-child who has some serious growing up to do. Sofia’s experience of their break up, on the other hand, was extremely traumatic, and she feels nothing but loathing for Aish. As you might imagine, this puts a serious damper on the warm welcome Aish was expecting.
This second chance romance has all the trope hallmarks that Erin hates: both a character dreaming about his long-lost-love who got away and a character who has declared that love is dead because of a bad first experience. So if you also hate this trope, this book might not be for you. But what Lopez does with these characters once they are forced to interact is pretty magical because she doesn’t make it easy for them.
Aish’s journey is especially well done. He initially thinks that he can just apologize and everything will be better, but here’s the reality: even though he’s sorry, it doesn’t mean that Sofia has to listen to what he has to say. She does not owe him another chance just because he feels regret for treating her badly. He can’t force his apologies on her. I really appreciated this because The Grovel is such a standard in romance novels - and as long as the apology is good enough, readers accept that the Groveler has learned their (let’s be real, usually his) lesson and is on their way to a beautiful HEA. If the Grovelee doesn’t want to hear it, too bad! Nothing can impede the path to a good Grovel, much less a person (let’s be real, usually a woman) who is fed up with your shit and doesn’t owe it to you to listen.
Even if we don’t get a Grovel in this book, we do get excellent character growth and really really hot sex - but the sex comes with lots of complicated emotions, so not all of the sex is particularly nice. It is accompanied by lots of filthy dirty talk, so if dirty talk is not your bag, you might want to give this one a pass.
The one niggle I had about this book was that the villainy made no sense. For example, Juan Carlos Pascual leads a consortium of local winemakers who undermine Sofia at every turn - because she’s competition? Because of misogyny? If there’s increased demand for local wine, won’t everyone benefit? I don’t know, his response to the whole situation just seemed way overboard. The big boss villain, whose villainy is exposed at the end, not only has opaque motivations, but is also cartoonishly evil.
However, even the crazy villain drama did not distract me from focusing on Aish and Sofia for long. If you are looking for a very sexy, very dramatic, very thoughtful second chance romance, look no further.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
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Character Chemistry: Emotionally complicated hate sex.
Plot: “My first love destroyed me and I hate him now. But I must have a fake relationship with him for the paparazzi. What could go wrong?”
Overall: I couldn’t put it down.
I stayed up past my bedtime two nights in a row reading Hate Crush. This book is about...opening a winery. There are some suspense elements (mysterious vandalism, a weird backstory with Aish’s dead best friend), but I was primarily motivated by the way the emotional drama was playing out.
Night number 1: WILL THEY SAVE THEY GRAPES??!?!?!?! And then I realized I was only halfway through the book and definitely needed to go to sleep.
Night number 2: OH SHIT, THINGS JUST GOT REAL!
Princess Sofia has a well-earned reputation as a party girl, but when it comes to wine, she knows her shit. So it’s extremely frustrating that, now that she’s opening a winery which she hopes will revitalize the economy of her struggling micro-nation, no one will take her seriously.
Enter Aish. Aish is a washed-up rock star who, in a drunken stupor at Coachella, reveals that his first hit was written about Sofia, who he briefly dated ten years ago. Now, for some reason, everyone is interested in Sofia’s new winery, especially if Aish might be there. So Aish and Sofia (or, rather, their managers and publicists) decide that faking a reunion relationship would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Aish is all for this. He thinks of his break up with Sofia as the biggest mistake of his life and has been pining for her for years. Note: Aish is a selfish man-child who has some serious growing up to do. Sofia’s experience of their break up, on the other hand, was extremely traumatic, and she feels nothing but loathing for Aish. As you might imagine, this puts a serious damper on the warm welcome Aish was expecting.
This second chance romance has all the trope hallmarks that Erin hates: both a character dreaming about his long-lost-love who got away and a character who has declared that love is dead because of a bad first experience. So if you also hate this trope, this book might not be for you. But what Lopez does with these characters once they are forced to interact is pretty magical because she doesn’t make it easy for them.
Aish’s journey is especially well done. He initially thinks that he can just apologize and everything will be better, but here’s the reality: even though he’s sorry, it doesn’t mean that Sofia has to listen to what he has to say. She does not owe him another chance just because he feels regret for treating her badly. He can’t force his apologies on her. I really appreciated this because The Grovel is such a standard in romance novels - and as long as the apology is good enough, readers accept that the Groveler has learned their (let’s be real, usually his) lesson and is on their way to a beautiful HEA. If the Grovelee doesn’t want to hear it, too bad! Nothing can impede the path to a good Grovel, much less a person (let’s be real, usually a woman) who is fed up with your shit and doesn’t owe it to you to listen.
Even if we don’t get a Grovel in this book, we do get excellent character growth and really really hot sex - but the sex comes with lots of complicated emotions, so not all of the sex is particularly nice. It is accompanied by lots of filthy dirty talk, so if dirty talk is not your bag, you might want to give this one a pass.
The one niggle I had about this book was that the villainy made no sense. For example, Juan Carlos Pascual leads a consortium of local winemakers who undermine Sofia at every turn - because she’s competition? Because of misogyny? If there’s increased demand for local wine, won’t everyone benefit? I don’t know, his response to the whole situation just seemed way overboard. The big boss villain, whose villainy is exposed at the end, not only has opaque motivations, but is also cartoonishly evil.
However, even the crazy villain drama did not distract me from focusing on Aish and Sofia for long. If you are looking for a very sexy, very dramatic, very thoughtful second chance romance, look no further.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
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June 23, 2020
Seductive, satisfying, and dramatic!
Hate Crush is a passionate, second-chance romance featuring the sexy, infamous, rockstar Aish who’s still hopelessly in love with the one woman he let get away ten-years ago, and the intelligent, stubborn Princesa Sofia who’s willing to do whatever it takes to make her vineyard a success even fake date the one man who shattered her heart.
The writing is fluid and smooth. The characters are wounded, hardworking, and dependable. And the plot is a heartwarming tale of life, love, friendship, family, heartbreak, jealousy, community, expectations, fame, undeniable attraction, sizzling chemistry, awkward moments, genuine emotion, romance, and winemaking.
Overall, Hate Crush is an angsty, tender, entertaining read by Lopez that is definitely a wonderful addition to the Filthy Rich series with its intriguing cast of characters, unique setting, and push-pull storyline.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Hate Crush is a passionate, second-chance romance featuring the sexy, infamous, rockstar Aish who’s still hopelessly in love with the one woman he let get away ten-years ago, and the intelligent, stubborn Princesa Sofia who’s willing to do whatever it takes to make her vineyard a success even fake date the one man who shattered her heart.
The writing is fluid and smooth. The characters are wounded, hardworking, and dependable. And the plot is a heartwarming tale of life, love, friendship, family, heartbreak, jealousy, community, expectations, fame, undeniable attraction, sizzling chemistry, awkward moments, genuine emotion, romance, and winemaking.
Overall, Hate Crush is an angsty, tender, entertaining read by Lopez that is definitely a wonderful addition to the Filthy Rich series with its intriguing cast of characters, unique setting, and push-pull storyline.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2020
Grab a glass of wine and dive into this contemporary romance set in a wine-growing region in Northern Spain. Hate Crush is the second book in the Filthy Rich series. The female protagonist is Princess Sofia (Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos) and the male protagonist is Aish Salinger. Aish and Sofia met each other working at his uncle’s winery in California. They hit it off right away and had a pretty steamy summer romance. The present-day part of the story is a second chance romance, ten years later.
While Sofia is a princess, her parents squandered a lot of their money and Sofia is a self-made millionaire with her winemaking technology. She is definitely vulnerable in matters of the heart and has just focused on her work and friends. Aish had chosen his career over Sofia, but now his life is falling apart and he is trying to redeem himself. Sofia has long been dogged by the paparazzi and they had falsely documented some of her wilder exploits. So each character has some personal struggles they are going through.
Sofia is getting ready to launch her new winery on her family property. She needs the buzz of the wine industry, so she invites wine experts, journalists and bloggers. She also invites Aish at the urging of her PR person. His fame could be enough to give the winery its needed push for the big launch. Sofia does not want to interact with him and writes a script for their interactions on camera. She really wants nothing to do with him when the camera is not rolling. However, it is difficult to deny the chemistry that still exists between them. Everyone notices and it even starts trending on social media.
Things I really liked about this book are the details about wine growing and winemaking, the Spanish setting, the mysterious saboteur, the hot chemistry between Sofia and Aish and the twisty resolution at the end. I also really like how fiercely loyal Sofia is to her close friends and her siblings. It adds more of a feel-good vibe outside of the sizzling romance. You should totally kick back with a glass of wine and get this book today for a feel-good summer read.
While Sofia is a princess, her parents squandered a lot of their money and Sofia is a self-made millionaire with her winemaking technology. She is definitely vulnerable in matters of the heart and has just focused on her work and friends. Aish had chosen his career over Sofia, but now his life is falling apart and he is trying to redeem himself. Sofia has long been dogged by the paparazzi and they had falsely documented some of her wilder exploits. So each character has some personal struggles they are going through.
Sofia is getting ready to launch her new winery on her family property. She needs the buzz of the wine industry, so she invites wine experts, journalists and bloggers. She also invites Aish at the urging of her PR person. His fame could be enough to give the winery its needed push for the big launch. Sofia does not want to interact with him and writes a script for their interactions on camera. She really wants nothing to do with him when the camera is not rolling. However, it is difficult to deny the chemistry that still exists between them. Everyone notices and it even starts trending on social media.
Things I really liked about this book are the details about wine growing and winemaking, the Spanish setting, the mysterious saboteur, the hot chemistry between Sofia and Aish and the twisty resolution at the end. I also really like how fiercely loyal Sofia is to her close friends and her siblings. It adds more of a feel-good vibe outside of the sizzling romance. You should totally kick back with a glass of wine and get this book today for a feel-good summer read.
June 25, 2020
Princess Sophia was once a wild rebellious teen but is now a grown woman. She is back home trying to revive not only her family’s dynasty in the wine business but also the wine industry in her entire village. The media isn’t focusing on her new ideas, they are dredging up her wild past and time is running out as the opening date for her winery and hotel is upon her.
Aish Salinger, a rock star is in the midst of yet another scandal about the death of his best friend and band mate. His reputation is ruined, and he can’t even write one song for the release of his new album. He is running out of options when his manager makes one last attempt to save his career.
Sophia and Aish have a history. When they were young adults they met and had a torrid love affair one summer but things ended quite badly when Aish chose his career over Sophia. She walked away hurt and has vowed to never forgive him.
Sophia and Aish are now supposed to act like the young lovers they once were for a month while they try and save the winery and Aish’s career. Aish is bound and determined to win back Sophia at all costs. Sophia on the other hand wants nothing to do with Aish and only agrees to be around him when she absolutely must. Can Aish win back the heart of the only woman he has ever loved? Will Sophia find it in her heart to forgive a man who stole her heart and crushed it?
I absolutely loved this story. Angelina M. Lopez is a brilliant writer and captures your attention in the first few paragraphs of the story. The characters are lively, sassy and witty. I loved reading about Sophia’s family and all the dynamics of each relationship in the story. This is the second book in the Filthy Rich series but it can be read as a stand-a-lone novel with no problem.
Thank you so much to the author Angelina M. Lopez, Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was fabulous! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.
Aish Salinger, a rock star is in the midst of yet another scandal about the death of his best friend and band mate. His reputation is ruined, and he can’t even write one song for the release of his new album. He is running out of options when his manager makes one last attempt to save his career.
Sophia and Aish have a history. When they were young adults they met and had a torrid love affair one summer but things ended quite badly when Aish chose his career over Sophia. She walked away hurt and has vowed to never forgive him.
Sophia and Aish are now supposed to act like the young lovers they once were for a month while they try and save the winery and Aish’s career. Aish is bound and determined to win back Sophia at all costs. Sophia on the other hand wants nothing to do with Aish and only agrees to be around him when she absolutely must. Can Aish win back the heart of the only woman he has ever loved? Will Sophia find it in her heart to forgive a man who stole her heart and crushed it?
I absolutely loved this story. Angelina M. Lopez is a brilliant writer and captures your attention in the first few paragraphs of the story. The characters are lively, sassy and witty. I loved reading about Sophia’s family and all the dynamics of each relationship in the story. This is the second book in the Filthy Rich series but it can be read as a stand-a-lone novel with no problem.
Thank you so much to the author Angelina M. Lopez, Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was fabulous! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 30, 2020
This book had everything I love in a good modern romance! Rockstars, princesses, young love, second chances and all the hate and angst you could ever want! I found reading this book that I quickly fell in love with both Aish and Sofia from the start. Author Angelina M. Lopez did an amazing job layering these characters, making very relatable and real. I was definitely on team #Aishia from the get go, even knowing that they had A LOT of work to do to make this happen.
The third character of the book, Bodega Sofia, Princess Sophia’s new winery was fascinating to read about. I enjoy a glass or two of vino here and there… and now after all the details and scenes at the winery I feel like I know so much more of the process- I love when I learn something new!
Overall this book grabbed onto my heart form the start and took me through an emotional roller coaster ride. At one point I was questioned if I could handle the next blow that was dealt to Aish and Sophia… knowing that the HEA was on the horizon gave me the reassurance to continue on. I was definitely happy I did! The end was so sweet and perfect. I think as I wait for the next book in this series, I will be finding myself a copy of the previous book!
As always, Carina Press delivers the happily ever after I crave! A dramatic read that I totally recommend!
Hate Crush by Angelina M. Lopez is scheduled to release June 30th, 2020.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin and the Harlequin Publicity Team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#HateCrush #AngelinaMLopez #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads
The third character of the book, Bodega Sofia, Princess Sophia’s new winery was fascinating to read about. I enjoy a glass or two of vino here and there… and now after all the details and scenes at the winery I feel like I know so much more of the process- I love when I learn something new!
Overall this book grabbed onto my heart form the start and took me through an emotional roller coaster ride. At one point I was questioned if I could handle the next blow that was dealt to Aish and Sophia… knowing that the HEA was on the horizon gave me the reassurance to continue on. I was definitely happy I did! The end was so sweet and perfect. I think as I wait for the next book in this series, I will be finding myself a copy of the previous book!
As always, Carina Press delivers the happily ever after I crave! A dramatic read that I totally recommend!
Hate Crush by Angelina M. Lopez is scheduled to release June 30th, 2020.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin and the Harlequin Publicity Team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#HateCrush #AngelinaMLopez #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads
July 1, 2020
A second chance at love story with this second book in the series. Begins with Aish Salinger who is a rock star being asked Nemours questions from his band while they are all drinking. The main one is about a song which was there first hit and who it was written and about. When he answers it everyone is surprised by who he names. Well not as surprised as the public for there was a camera and he was being recorded which he did not know about. There was also something else going on but you find out more as you get into the story.
The person who Aish named is Princess Sofia who does not need this publicity for she is working on a new wine for her small country and all this does is cause a delay. You see ten years ago she and Aish were an item that not many if anyone knew about. She was at his uncle’s vineyard in California, she thought that they would be together forever but that was young love now she does not believe in love especially anything from him.
Everyone wants Aish to come to her vineyard to change the opinion, though her body liked to see him she does not like what he has become. This is when the story really picks up and you go back and forth between past and present and you get to see what had happened and you begin to wonder who is causing all of the turmoil that is going on now and when you find out you are surprised but not really. A really good story with strong characters and with just enough surprises to keep you the reader wondering what will happen next. Very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
The person who Aish named is Princess Sofia who does not need this publicity for she is working on a new wine for her small country and all this does is cause a delay. You see ten years ago she and Aish were an item that not many if anyone knew about. She was at his uncle’s vineyard in California, she thought that they would be together forever but that was young love now she does not believe in love especially anything from him.
Everyone wants Aish to come to her vineyard to change the opinion, though her body liked to see him she does not like what he has become. This is when the story really picks up and you go back and forth between past and present and you get to see what had happened and you begin to wonder who is causing all of the turmoil that is going on now and when you find out you are surprised but not really. A really good story with strong characters and with just enough surprises to keep you the reader wondering what will happen next. Very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
June 24, 2020
Princesa Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos, the "party princess," agrees to a fake relationship with the washed up rock star who broke her heart so many years ago. Aish Salinger has pined for Sofia for all the years they've been apart and hopes he can atone for the sins of his past.
I love Sofia, she's prickly and stubborn and determined to reach for success. I wasn't as enthralled with Aish or the rest of the romance ARC. The use of long flashback chapters also isn't always may favorite narrative style, and I was really worried about some things that are discovered about why/how Aish broke Sofia's heart.
The sex scenes were quite delicious, and thank you to the author for the SUPERB fainting couch scene. YAY.
I also think I was not in the mood for this book, so YMMV.
CW: alcohol use, gas lighting, sexual assault (discussed, in the past), suicide (discussed, in the past), may be more. I was skimming towards the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
I love Sofia, she's prickly and stubborn and determined to reach for success. I wasn't as enthralled with Aish or the rest of the romance ARC. The use of long flashback chapters also isn't always may favorite narrative style, and I was really worried about some things that are discovered about why/how Aish broke Sofia's heart.
The sex scenes were quite delicious, and thank you to the author for the SUPERB fainting couch scene. YAY.
I also think I was not in the mood for this book, so YMMV.
CW: alcohol use, gas lighting, sexual assault (discussed, in the past), suicide (discussed, in the past), may be more. I was skimming towards the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
June 1, 2020
HOT. HOT. HOT.
There is so much to love about HATE CRUSH. A badass princess trying to prove herself and help save her kingdom with a revolutionary vineyard must rely on her ex, the sexy and selfish rock star who was her first love and who shattered her heart to achieve her goals. That right there is enough, but then Lopez goes on to layer in an angst-filled, rollercoaster ride of emotion showing there is more to the story--and to the characters--than what it appears on the surface.
Add in a plot of intrigue, a twisted (but happy) ending, and the kind of sensuality and sexual charisma on the page that'll have even the most ardent anti-prudes blushing, and you have a book that's un-put-down-able. (If that's not a word, it should be!)
(I received an ARC from Netgalley)
There is so much to love about HATE CRUSH. A badass princess trying to prove herself and help save her kingdom with a revolutionary vineyard must rely on her ex, the sexy and selfish rock star who was her first love and who shattered her heart to achieve her goals. That right there is enough, but then Lopez goes on to layer in an angst-filled, rollercoaster ride of emotion showing there is more to the story--and to the characters--than what it appears on the surface.
Add in a plot of intrigue, a twisted (but happy) ending, and the kind of sensuality and sexual charisma on the page that'll have even the most ardent anti-prudes blushing, and you have a book that's un-put-down-able. (If that's not a word, it should be!)
(I received an ARC from Netgalley)
June 29, 2020
HATE CRUSH by Angelina M. Lopez is book Two in the Filthy Rich Series. This is the story of Aish Salinger and Sofia Maria Isabel de Esperanza y Santos. I haven't yet read the previous book, so for me this was a standalone book. This was a great second chance at love story along with the fake relationship story line. Sofia and Aish had a past together in which Aish had messed up but now he has been waiting for his chance back into Sofia's life even if she thinks its fake. This was a page turning read that I couldn't put down. I do plan on reading more from this author in the future.
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