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Primas of Power #2
A Lot Like Adiós
Hi Mich. It’s Gabe.
After burning out in her corporate marketing career, Michelle Amato has built a thriving freelance business as a graphic designer. So what if her love life is nonexistent? She’s perfectly fine being the black sheep of her marriage-obsessed Puerto Rican-Italian family. Besides, the only guy who ever made her want happily-ever-after disappeared thirteen years ago.
It’s been a long time.
Gabriel Aguilar left the Bronx at eighteen to escape his parents’ demanding expectations, but it also meant saying goodbye to Michelle, his best friend and longtime crush. Now, he’s the successful co-owner of LA’s hottest celebrity gym, with an investor who insists on opening a New York City location. It’s the last place Gabe wants to go, but when Michelle is unexpectedly brought on board to spearhead the new marketing campaign, everything Gabe’s been running from catches up with him.
I’ve missed you.
Michelle is torn between holding Gabe at arm’s length or picking up right where they left off—in her bed. As they work on the campaign, old feelings resurface, and their reunion takes a sexy turn. Facing mounting pressure from their families—who think they’re dating—and growing uncertainty about their futures, can they resolve their past mistakes, or is it only a matter of time before Gabe says adiós again?
After burning out in her corporate marketing career, Michelle Amato has built a thriving freelance business as a graphic designer. So what if her love life is nonexistent? She’s perfectly fine being the black sheep of her marriage-obsessed Puerto Rican-Italian family. Besides, the only guy who ever made her want happily-ever-after disappeared thirteen years ago.
It’s been a long time.
Gabriel Aguilar left the Bronx at eighteen to escape his parents’ demanding expectations, but it also meant saying goodbye to Michelle, his best friend and longtime crush. Now, he’s the successful co-owner of LA’s hottest celebrity gym, with an investor who insists on opening a New York City location. It’s the last place Gabe wants to go, but when Michelle is unexpectedly brought on board to spearhead the new marketing campaign, everything Gabe’s been running from catches up with him.
I’ve missed you.
Michelle is torn between holding Gabe at arm’s length or picking up right where they left off—in her bed. As they work on the campaign, old feelings resurface, and their reunion takes a sexy turn. Facing mounting pressure from their families—who think they’re dating—and growing uncertainty about their futures, can they resolve their past mistakes, or is it only a matter of time before Gabe says adiós again?
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2021
552 people are currently reading
27352 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Daria
14 books2,625 followersAlexis Daria is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola, A Lot Like Adiós, Take the Lead, and more. Her books have been featured on several “Best of ” lists and have received starred reviews from multiple trade publications. A former visual artist, Alexis is a lifelong New Yorker who loves Broadway musicals and pizza.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,363 reviews
May 13, 2022
1.5 stars ✿
I wish that I could wake up with amnesia and forget about the stupidlittle things book.
I wish that I could wake up with amnesia and forget about the stupid
November 5, 2021
This was underwhelming.
This took me way too long to read. It felt like I was reading it forever.
The story wasn’t compelling enough, nothing about it made me eager to pick it up once I put it down.
I was expecting for it to consume me, but it didn’t. Instead, I kept waiting for it to get interesting, but it was lukewarm throughout. And lukewarm gets boring.
It had interesting tropes and elements but I could not fully invest myself in this story.
I much preferred You Had Me at Hola.
This took me way too long to read. It felt like I was reading it forever.
The story wasn’t compelling enough, nothing about it made me eager to pick it up once I put it down.
I was expecting for it to consume me, but it didn’t. Instead, I kept waiting for it to get interesting, but it was lukewarm throughout. And lukewarm gets boring.
It had interesting tropes and elements but I could not fully invest myself in this story.
I much preferred You Had Me at Hola.
February 5, 2022
“Stop seducing me at the zoo.” Yes, Gabe, stop seducing Michelle at the zoo. You wanna know where else they seduce each other?
Second chance is a top-tier romance trope. Aside from forbidden love, it’s a top trope for me.
I once heard that authors draw inspiration from their own sex lives to write sexy scenes. If that’s true, Dariaaaaaaaaaa…..
Michelle and Gabriel were too cute!!! Too much! Michelle and Gabriel were best friends in high school, I’m talking writing fanfiction together kind of best friends, but he had to leave to follow his dreams and it wasn’t really pretty. He cut ties with Michelle and even his family, but he does achieve his dreams and gets his own business. His partner Fabian hires Michelle for a marketing campaign, and that forces them to meet each other after all these years. Michelle insists that Gabriel stays with her, and that’s when the show escalates.
Both the MCs are good-looking. I know that because it was mentioned A LOT in the book. I’ve said it before, I want more books with average-looking MCs. Gabriel and Michelle’s chemistry is undeniable. In fact, Gabriel is usually instantly turned on just by seeing Michelle. Sigh, I crave that kind of power over another human being. Michelle, herself naturally exudes a lot of confidence, even though she opens more about how that might not always be the case. I like both of their characters a lot.
Michelle and Gabe were HOT. Unfortunately, they kept lying to themselves about their true intentions. How are they going to be finally honest which each other? How do their individual careers play a role in this decision?
Gabe also has a lot of emotions to deal with when it comes to his family. Sometimes some families just don’t understand you and you just have to break apart in order to do what you want to do. I think this is an important subject to explore especially with how complex it can be when it comes to immigrant parents. Will Gabe be able to mend his relationship with his parents? Will his parents ever accept him for who he is?
This book also had a lot of humor, from parents seeing their children buying condoms to showing up to parties half-naked so you don’t get your clothes wrinkled. We need more books that have some parts of you shaking one minute *wink*, and laughing out loud the next.
I was so happy to see Jasmine and Ashton from the last book. I love how close the primas are and can’t wait for Ava’s story.
Second chance is a top-tier romance trope. Aside from forbidden love, it’s a top trope for me.
I once heard that authors draw inspiration from their own sex lives to write sexy scenes. If that’s true, Dariaaaaaaaaaa…..
Michelle and Gabriel were too cute!!! Too much! Michelle and Gabriel were best friends in high school, I’m talking writing fanfiction together kind of best friends, but he had to leave to follow his dreams and it wasn’t really pretty. He cut ties with Michelle and even his family, but he does achieve his dreams and gets his own business. His partner Fabian hires Michelle for a marketing campaign, and that forces them to meet each other after all these years. Michelle insists that Gabriel stays with her, and that’s when the show escalates.
Both the MCs are good-looking. I know that because it was mentioned A LOT in the book. I’ve said it before, I want more books with average-looking MCs. Gabriel and Michelle’s chemistry is undeniable. In fact, Gabriel is usually instantly turned on just by seeing Michelle. Sigh, I crave that kind of power over another human being. Michelle, herself naturally exudes a lot of confidence, even though she opens more about how that might not always be the case. I like both of their characters a lot.
Michelle and Gabe were HOT. Unfortunately, they kept lying to themselves about their true intentions. How are they going to be finally honest which each other? How do their individual careers play a role in this decision?
Gabe also has a lot of emotions to deal with when it comes to his family. Sometimes some families just don’t understand you and you just have to break apart in order to do what you want to do. I think this is an important subject to explore especially with how complex it can be when it comes to immigrant parents. Will Gabe be able to mend his relationship with his parents? Will his parents ever accept him for who he is?
This book also had a lot of humor, from parents seeing their children buying condoms to showing up to parties half-naked so you don’t get your clothes wrinkled. We need more books that have some parts of you shaking one minute *wink*, and laughing out loud the next.
I was so happy to see Jasmine and Ashton from the last book. I love how close the primas are and can’t wait for Ava’s story.
September 18, 2021
LOVE GABE AND MICH!
Petition for Alexis to publish CELESTIAL DESTINY <3
Petition for Alexis to publish CELESTIAL DESTINY <3
did-not-finish
November 19, 2021DNF at 20%
The dialogue is so cheesy, I’m getting second-hand embarrassment. I love myself too much to read on.
The dialogue is so cheesy, I’m getting second-hand embarrassment. I love myself too much to read on.
dnf
July 17, 2023cheesy dialogue, poorly executed premise, zero chemistry and the most bland, unsexy sex scene of all time that the characters keep insisting was “so hot and erotic and intimate”. Maybe I’m a cunt but this suckssss dnf @ 20% there has to be something better out there i could be reading rn
August 5, 2021
I liked this follow up to "You Had Me at Hola" even better than I enjoyed that first one, as this had 2 flavors I love: friends to lovers and a brief bit of fake dating. Overall, this was really Gabe's story of moving through his childhood feelings of being disconnected from his father to become the person he wants to be and living the life he wants to live. And the sexy times were very steamy, so score one there. I also really loved the little interstitials with their old fanfic chats.
Overall, a really lovely contemporary romance and here's hoping we get more in the series, if for no other reason than we need more of these covers
Overall, a really lovely contemporary romance and here's hoping we get more in the series, if for no other reason than we need more of these covers
November 7, 2021
A Lot Like... I Don't Give A Damn...
November 7, 2021
So I knew I was going to love this book because of the masterpiece that was You Had Me at Hola, but I do feel like Alexis Daria cheated by following it up with my favorite trope. Second chance romances are my crack. Plus there was a somewhat friends with benefits situation, a lot of steam, and fanfic. If there’s more you want in a book, I don’t know what to tell you.
But let’s rewind for a second. Michelle and Gabe were best friends growing up (can you hear me screaming in the background?) until they had a falling out at eighteen, in the middle of their one and only quasi-hook-up, and never spoke again.
Thirteen years later, Gabe is now the co-owner of a successful gym in Los Angeles on the verge of an expansion to his hometown of New York City, and he finds out his business partner contacted a freelancer to help out with the marketing side of it without his knowledge. Of course the freelancer turns out to be Michelle, who used to be a big shot in the corporate marketing world.
Gabe feels obligated to reach out to her himself, and is surprised to find that she’s willing to take the job - if he’ll stay with her while he’s in New York so they can finally “hash out their issues”. If you know what I mean. 😏🔥
It was so lovely seeing flashbacks of Gabe and Michelle’s message exchanges when they were teenagers, especially because they were writing a fanfic together and their plotting actually mirrors some of their relationship, very much in the vein of You Had Me at Hola with the telenovela’s plot mirroring Jasmine and Ashton’s storyline.
Michelle is such a badass and Gabe was the perfect counterpart for her. This book had all the best tropes in all the land and I loved it so much.
Also, I would kill for Ava’s book.
But let’s rewind for a second. Michelle and Gabe were best friends growing up (can you hear me screaming in the background?) until they had a falling out at eighteen, in the middle of their one and only quasi-hook-up, and never spoke again.
Thirteen years later, Gabe is now the co-owner of a successful gym in Los Angeles on the verge of an expansion to his hometown of New York City, and he finds out his business partner contacted a freelancer to help out with the marketing side of it without his knowledge. Of course the freelancer turns out to be Michelle, who used to be a big shot in the corporate marketing world.
Gabe feels obligated to reach out to her himself, and is surprised to find that she’s willing to take the job - if he’ll stay with her while he’s in New York so they can finally “hash out their issues”. If you know what I mean. 😏🔥
It was so lovely seeing flashbacks of Gabe and Michelle’s message exchanges when they were teenagers, especially because they were writing a fanfic together and their plotting actually mirrors some of their relationship, very much in the vein of You Had Me at Hola with the telenovela’s plot mirroring Jasmine and Ashton’s storyline.
Michelle is such a badass and Gabe was the perfect counterpart for her. This book had all the best tropes in all the land and I loved it so much.
Also, I would kill for Ava’s book.
August 7, 2021
This review talks about adult content, so if you are under the age of 18, please either skip past this review or proceed with caution.
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads for sending me an advanced reader’s copy of this book. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway but that in no way impacts my review.
This was my first book by Alexis Daria and it definitely won’t be the last one that I read by her. This book reads like a Hallmark movie with HBO levels of steam. A Lot Like Adiós is a childhood friends to lovers romance that is steamy and fun with Latinx, bisexual, and transgender rep. If I’m liking a steamy book, trust me that it’s a good book because I usually stay away from steamy books.
Everything about this book was pure perfection, but I feel that the elements that stood out the most to me were the pacing, the writing style, and the characters. It was so fast that I couldn’t put it down and I read twice as fast as normal. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next and I was constantly eager for more. The writing style also kept me hooked on this book. Alexis Daria has a way with words that is beautiful. She uses quick sentences with great descriptions that captivated me from start to finish. And as for the characters, they were fantastic. There’s Michelle, the fierce and powerful girl who has a strong connection with her family, and Gabriel, a strong yet thoughtful man who is struggling with his family relationships. They have tons of chemistry that made me root for them throughout the course of this book.
The thing that caught me most off guard about the books were the nerdy histories of the two main characters. If you know me, you know that I love tv shows and fanfiction, so seeing those two elements added in the flashback scenes was a lot of fun for me. I almost wish we’d get a novella that lets us read the fanfiction that the two characters were writing because the small bits of the fanfiction that were included in this book were really good.
Overall A Lot Like Adiós was an addicting and enjoyable read that is now one of my favorites of the year. If you’re into romance, especially ones with some steam, then don’t hesitate to add this one to your tbr.
Also, I’m not saying this in a judgmental way but as an asexual person, I didn’t know people could have sex this much?? Like dang, y’all can be busy with this stuff…
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads for sending me an advanced reader’s copy of this book. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway but that in no way impacts my review.
This was my first book by Alexis Daria and it definitely won’t be the last one that I read by her. This book reads like a Hallmark movie with HBO levels of steam. A Lot Like Adiós is a childhood friends to lovers romance that is steamy and fun with Latinx, bisexual, and transgender rep. If I’m liking a steamy book, trust me that it’s a good book because I usually stay away from steamy books.
Everything about this book was pure perfection, but I feel that the elements that stood out the most to me were the pacing, the writing style, and the characters. It was so fast that I couldn’t put it down and I read twice as fast as normal. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next and I was constantly eager for more. The writing style also kept me hooked on this book. Alexis Daria has a way with words that is beautiful. She uses quick sentences with great descriptions that captivated me from start to finish. And as for the characters, they were fantastic. There’s Michelle, the fierce and powerful girl who has a strong connection with her family, and Gabriel, a strong yet thoughtful man who is struggling with his family relationships. They have tons of chemistry that made me root for them throughout the course of this book.
The thing that caught me most off guard about the books were the nerdy histories of the two main characters. If you know me, you know that I love tv shows and fanfiction, so seeing those two elements added in the flashback scenes was a lot of fun for me. I almost wish we’d get a novella that lets us read the fanfiction that the two characters were writing because the small bits of the fanfiction that were included in this book were really good.
Overall A Lot Like Adiós was an addicting and enjoyable read that is now one of my favorites of the year. If you’re into romance, especially ones with some steam, then don’t hesitate to add this one to your tbr.
Also, I’m not saying this in a judgmental way but as an asexual person, I didn’t know people could have sex this much?? Like dang, y’all can be busy with this stuff…
February 6, 2023
My bookclub is probably surprised this is getting 2 stars but it’s more like 1.5 stars!!!
I give the stars for representation! It makes me so happy to have stories about Mi gente available in the big market. Give us more please publishing houses!
Ok having said that, I’m officially breaking up with this author. I have to say she’s very talented in a weird way because she’s managed to create male leads i detested with every cell of my body. while making Michelle ( the female lead) just be there taking it all because “she’s in love” How many times can the ducker leave her with no explanation?
Gabriel is supposedly a 30 year old man that’s so hung up on hating his parents and being able to prove he can do everything by himself. He can’t have a single conversation with the female lead, because why talk? Let’s just have sex. He is meant to be a successful business owner but knows zero about running his company. I just could not stand him!
Also I’m sorry but how many parents, especially Latino parents would be upset their kid got a full scholarship to a good university? Like why? How? Gabriel was meant to be a 1st generation American, and from my experience with children of immigrants they WANT THAT EDUCATION!!!
Lastly dear author, just because a topic is trendy, it does not mean you need to use it unless it will contribute something to the plot. Things like
I . Both female and male lead being bisexual??? Like why??? Unless you are going to give us some fun times with a 3rd character why was this in the story of endgame was a heterosexual couple?
2. His niece being transgender???? Like why????? I mean please give us more info, shows us a few of their struggles. But nope, this is all we got.. just 2 lines.
3. Gay uncle that came out and really weirdly for a Latino family EVERYONE WAS OK with him.
4. Female lead needing anxiety medicine, yet never ever ever acting like someone that suffer from anxiety. Being totally ok with huge groups, running her own business and talking to stranger while being the center of attention? Please give me the name of those pills she’s taking.
Anyhow rant over.. on to my next book
I give the stars for representation! It makes me so happy to have stories about Mi gente available in the big market. Give us more please publishing houses!
Ok having said that, I’m officially breaking up with this author. I have to say she’s very talented in a weird way because she’s managed to create male leads i detested with every cell of my body. while making Michelle ( the female lead) just be there taking it all because “she’s in love” How many times can the ducker leave her with no explanation?
Gabriel is supposedly a 30 year old man that’s so hung up on hating his parents and being able to prove he can do everything by himself. He can’t have a single conversation with the female lead, because why talk? Let’s just have sex. He is meant to be a successful business owner but knows zero about running his company. I just could not stand him!
Also I’m sorry but how many parents, especially Latino parents would be upset their kid got a full scholarship to a good university? Like why? How? Gabriel was meant to be a 1st generation American, and from my experience with children of immigrants they WANT THAT EDUCATION!!!
Lastly dear author, just because a topic is trendy, it does not mean you need to use it unless it will contribute something to the plot. Things like
I . Both female and male lead being bisexual??? Like why??? Unless you are going to give us some fun times with a 3rd character why was this in the story of endgame was a heterosexual couple?
2. His niece being transgender???? Like why????? I mean please give us more info, shows us a few of their struggles. But nope, this is all we got.. just 2 lines.
3. Gay uncle that came out and really weirdly for a Latino family EVERYONE WAS OK with him.
4. Female lead needing anxiety medicine, yet never ever ever acting like someone that suffer from anxiety. Being totally ok with huge groups, running her own business and talking to stranger while being the center of attention? Please give me the name of those pills she’s taking.
Anyhow rant over.. on to my next book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2021
Another 5 stars from me? ABSOFREAKINLUTELY.
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'You Had Me at Hola' was one of the most entertaining rom-coms that I've read last year. Hopefully this one will be as entertaining as its companion novel.
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I didn't know Michelle was going to be the same character from 'You Had Me at Hola'. She seemed so interesting then and finding out this is going to be her books makes me 10 times more excited to pick this up.
*************************************
'You Had Me at Hola' was one of the most entertaining rom-coms that I've read last year. Hopefully this one will be as entertaining as its companion novel.
*********************************************
I didn't know Michelle was going to be the same character from 'You Had Me at Hola'. She seemed so interesting then and finding out this is going to be her books makes me 10 times more excited to pick this up.
December 1, 2021
➵ this second-chance romance where a professional collaboration brings together two childhood best friends with tons of unsaid feelings and unfinished intimate business after one of them had simply left and subsequently ghosted the other ten years ago is an almost perfect mix of steam, emotions, and humour that easily entertains through a fast pace and a broader focus on familial expectations, flashbacks of once-written-together fanfiction, and a cute fake dating trope. of course, both the main characters being bisexual makes me swoon even more.
11.03.2021 absolutely loved you had me at hola and the author says a lot like adios has fake dating, fanfic, forced proximity, and is way hotter so there's nothing i would be more excited for. also, tha-that t-shirt grab on the cover OMG.
↣ listened to the audiobook on scribd ↢
11.03.2021 absolutely loved you had me at hola and the author says a lot like adios has fake dating, fanfic, forced proximity, and is way hotter so there's nothing i would be more excited for. also, tha-that t-shirt grab on the cover OMG.
September 7, 2022
I liked this a lot but I could’ve done without the fanfic sections. I’m not a huge fan of stories that mirror the main relationships bc I’m literally reading about the main relationship already I don’t need a garnish 😭 I was more invested in book one’s plot, but this was still a good time. I really like Alexis Daria’s writing style and the narrator was soooooo good. I’ll definitely be reading book 3!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
October 15, 2021
Nope. Not having this. Not even the hot sexy times could redeem Michelle’s behavior.
I am estranged from my family, just like Gabe is in the story. He explicitly asked her to not stay in the house next to his parents, had a viable alternative to that set up, and she told him to grow up and refused to stay some place else. No go. We want men who respect women in books, but it’s ok for women to not respect men. No fucking way. This works both ways.
And I think I would have thrown my phone if I had to hear how hot her tits were one more time.
I am estranged from my family, just like Gabe is in the story. He explicitly asked her to not stay in the house next to his parents, had a viable alternative to that set up, and she told him to grow up and refused to stay some place else. No go. We want men who respect women in books, but it’s ok for women to not respect men. No fucking way. This works both ways.
And I think I would have thrown my phone if I had to hear how hot her tits were one more time.
September 19, 2021
4 spicy stars
This romance has some hot and spicy parts, but some story chops to go along with it!
Gabe is the founder of a popular gym in LA, and he’s headed back to New York (where he grew up) to pursue opening a second location. He left the Bronx on bad terms after high school, abandoning his best friend Michelle and turning his back on his demanding family.
Turns out Michelle has turned into a dynamite marketing and design consultant, and she’d be perfect for planning the new gym in NYC. Gabe decides to work with her, and you can guess that sparks will fly! First, he has to apologize for abandoning her, but things quickly heat back up with the two of them on unfinished business. He also has to patch things up with his family.
This was a fun story with Latinx characters who have strong family roots. I enjoyed the characters and wondered how Gabe and Michelle might make a long-distance romance work. Or would Gabe leave town again and say adios to Michelle?
Thank you to William Morrow/Avon and NetGalley for the copy to read. It was a pleasure to share my honest review.
This romance has some hot and spicy parts, but some story chops to go along with it!
Gabe is the founder of a popular gym in LA, and he’s headed back to New York (where he grew up) to pursue opening a second location. He left the Bronx on bad terms after high school, abandoning his best friend Michelle and turning his back on his demanding family.
Turns out Michelle has turned into a dynamite marketing and design consultant, and she’d be perfect for planning the new gym in NYC. Gabe decides to work with her, and you can guess that sparks will fly! First, he has to apologize for abandoning her, but things quickly heat back up with the two of them on unfinished business. He also has to patch things up with his family.
This was a fun story with Latinx characters who have strong family roots. I enjoyed the characters and wondered how Gabe and Michelle might make a long-distance romance work. Or would Gabe leave town again and say adios to Michelle?
Thank you to William Morrow/Avon and NetGalley for the copy to read. It was a pleasure to share my honest review.
November 16, 2022
how is this SO MUCH BETTER than you had me at hola?? vulnerability and angst! abandonment issues! childhood besties, estranged and reunited! generational trauma and family drama! super cute fake dating! spanglish! bisexual protagonists!! revisiting childhood pain! passion and yearning!! so much chemistry and emotion and passionate love!! i adored reading this.
it's a perfectly paced romcom romp, and i was never bored. the interwoven spanish dialogue and latinx culture are cozy and wonderful, and there are many lovely little moments of humor. the romance and sex are superbly passionate. such deep emotion is inherent to the central relationship, and it's fucking beautiful.
。。。
one of my favorite things about the book is how well gabe and mich fit together. they know each other in that deep childhood-bonded way. that bond remains, despite the 13 years of angsty silence between then and now. and what a joy to see their relationship finally grow into one of mutual self-improvement and support. there's nothing better than having a partner who understands you deeply and collaborates with you on your personal growth and goodness, and helps you become a better version of yourself.
and oh my god:
it's a perfectly paced romcom romp, and i was never bored. the interwoven spanish dialogue and latinx culture are cozy and wonderful, and there are many lovely little moments of humor. the romance and sex are superbly passionate. such deep emotion is inherent to the central relationship, and it's fucking beautiful.
It's like he's been holding a piece of me all this time and I just got it back.
。。。
one of my favorite things about the book is how well gabe and mich fit together. they know each other in that deep childhood-bonded way. that bond remains, despite the 13 years of angsty silence between then and now. and what a joy to see their relationship finally grow into one of mutual self-improvement and support. there's nothing better than having a partner who understands you deeply and collaborates with you on your personal growth and goodness, and helps you become a better version of yourself.
and oh my god:
"Nothing," she said, her voice broken and breathy, but that wasn't true. "Why does it feel like this?"
He cupped her cheeks and peered into her eyes. "Like what?"
"Like I'm going to fall apart if you don't touch me?"
July 1, 2023
➥ 2.75 Stars *:･ﾟ✧
Originally, this book sounded promising. I was so intrigued to read Daria's bi/bi latin romance but so many aspects sadly fell flat for me. Partly because of the childhood friends and second chance romance elements. And especially, the fanfic element.
I just don't love second-chance romance because I feel like it's just an opportunity for the author to claim they are already in love without the reader actually seeing or feeling genuine romantic progression between the characters. I don't mind childhood friends that much, but I'm personally far more partial to the current best friends to more trope. Because you can't really see romantic connection between children, you know? I mean, there is some, as we see that they were close as children and shared so much with one another, but that isn't something that immediately makes me think they were meant to be.
Then the whole fanfic aspect comes into play. Daria writes about Michelle (h) and Gabriel (H) writing fanfiction together as teens, and it just did absolutely nothing for me. It's not the most terrible idea, and it's clearly an attempt to appeal to readers as most have read fanfiction, but it ended up being clunky and awkward. The fanfic couple was then used to almost mirror Michelle and Gabe's relationship and, if I'm being honest, it's an unconvincing and sort of cheap-feeling facilitator for romantic development.
Just generally, though I do enjoy many aspects of Daria's work, I do think she'd benefit from trying to create a more genuine and intimate connection between her leads. Daria is clearly a fan of telenovelas, and I think that it's noticable in her writing style. That's not automatically a bad thing, and in fact allows for some lightheartedness and humour, but it gets to a point where the melodrama is taking away from the romance.
The family dynamics are lovely, and not what I'm trying to criticise here. It's more the general drama of the moments and happenings. You have to suspend lots of disbelief, so many coincidences. The leads have to hide and sneak away from their parents. It just goes on and it begins to feel a little...artificially inflated?
Although Daria's love interests are always respectful, loving men, it feels like what comes out of Gabe's mouth is sort of scripted and awkward. He sort of clinically tells Michelle that she deserves to have pleasure during sex etc, but it just doesn't feel like they're having a real conversation. It feels almost like commentary and that's not what Daria's trying to do here.
I think that overall, the romance novel industry is moving away from the dramatic, sweet-talking prince charmings and more toward really genuine, emotional, intimate real-feeling romances. Or maybe it's just me and I'm delusional, but I'm less interested in a super sexy brooding damaged love interest, and more interested in seeing a love interest that is kind, understanding, and the mc's best friend before they're their lover.
Interestingly enough, Daria does play with aspects of friendship first romance second and her love interests are genuinely nice men, but it still has a level of...I don't want to say fakeness because that's not it. But it's just sort of dramatic in a way that doesn't feel genuine.
This ties into Daria not quite mastering dialogue. I can see Daria's vision to have the heroine be a sort of spitfire, endearingly stubborn, witty woman but her one liners are just so embarrassing so she ends of looking kind of awkward rather than the confident woman Daria was trying to write.
You see what I mean? The flirting is clunky and it doesn't actually have me rooting for them to get together. On top of that, this book starts to feel long. I'd be lying if I said I finished it completely. I made it around 75% through and they were almost all in by then. I could practically smell a third act conflict (after the one that inevitably comes with second-chance romance of course), and I'm just not interested in reading any more of that.
The sex scenes were alright. Not bad at all, but again, they felt kind of manufactured. I don't want to criticise them too much, because I actually think Daria is on the right path, especially in comparison to the many sex scenes I have read in my lifetime, but what Gabe would say just seemed so scripted that it was unmoving. There is some level of tenderness, but I never really felt true intimacy, vulnerability and understanding between our leads.
Still, I think Daria did a good job at writing these beloved latin characters and I really do think she has potential. I just think she needs to work on toning down the attraction between her leads, and turning up more levels of vulnerability and intimacy that are not only occuring around and during sex. I do feel like I've just spat bullshit after bullshit in this review, but those are my thoughts on this book and that's what my reviews are - dumping my thoughts and opinions, so this is what you get, sorry.
"Don't worry," he whispered against her lips, holding her close. "I've got you."
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
Originally, this book sounded promising. I was so intrigued to read Daria's bi/bi latin romance but so many aspects sadly fell flat for me. Partly because of the childhood friends and second chance romance elements. And especially, the fanfic element.
I just don't love second-chance romance because I feel like it's just an opportunity for the author to claim they are already in love without the reader actually seeing or feeling genuine romantic progression between the characters. I don't mind childhood friends that much, but I'm personally far more partial to the current best friends to more trope. Because you can't really see romantic connection between children, you know? I mean, there is some, as we see that they were close as children and shared so much with one another, but that isn't something that immediately makes me think they were meant to be.
Then the whole fanfic aspect comes into play. Daria writes about Michelle (h) and Gabriel (H) writing fanfiction together as teens, and it just did absolutely nothing for me. It's not the most terrible idea, and it's clearly an attempt to appeal to readers as most have read fanfiction, but it ended up being clunky and awkward. The fanfic couple was then used to almost mirror Michelle and Gabe's relationship and, if I'm being honest, it's an unconvincing and sort of cheap-feeling facilitator for romantic development.
Just generally, though I do enjoy many aspects of Daria's work, I do think she'd benefit from trying to create a more genuine and intimate connection between her leads. Daria is clearly a fan of telenovelas, and I think that it's noticable in her writing style. That's not automatically a bad thing, and in fact allows for some lightheartedness and humour, but it gets to a point where the melodrama is taking away from the romance.
The family dynamics are lovely, and not what I'm trying to criticise here. It's more the general drama of the moments and happenings. You have to suspend lots of disbelief, so many coincidences. The leads have to hide and sneak away from their parents. It just goes on and it begins to feel a little...artificially inflated?
Although Daria's love interests are always respectful, loving men, it feels like what comes out of Gabe's mouth is sort of scripted and awkward. He sort of clinically tells Michelle that she deserves to have pleasure during sex etc, but it just doesn't feel like they're having a real conversation. It feels almost like commentary and that's not what Daria's trying to do here.
I think that overall, the romance novel industry is moving away from the dramatic, sweet-talking prince charmings and more toward really genuine, emotional, intimate real-feeling romances. Or maybe it's just me and I'm delusional, but I'm less interested in a super sexy brooding damaged love interest, and more interested in seeing a love interest that is kind, understanding, and the mc's best friend before they're their lover.
Interestingly enough, Daria does play with aspects of friendship first romance second and her love interests are genuinely nice men, but it still has a level of...I don't want to say fakeness because that's not it. But it's just sort of dramatic in a way that doesn't feel genuine.
This ties into Daria not quite mastering dialogue. I can see Daria's vision to have the heroine be a sort of spitfire, endearingly stubborn, witty woman but her one liners are just so embarrassing so she ends of looking kind of awkward rather than the confident woman Daria was trying to write.
He sent her an exasperated look. "What are you doing?"
"You're the personal trainer. I should think you'd know." And then she had the nerve to smack her ass and give her a saucy wink. "Gotta keep this baby in prime condition."
As if all that wasn't enough, she started doing fire hydrant leg lifts.
You see what I mean? The flirting is clunky and it doesn't actually have me rooting for them to get together. On top of that, this book starts to feel long. I'd be lying if I said I finished it completely. I made it around 75% through and they were almost all in by then. I could practically smell a third act conflict (after the one that inevitably comes with second-chance romance of course), and I'm just not interested in reading any more of that.
The sex scenes were alright. Not bad at all, but again, they felt kind of manufactured. I don't want to criticise them too much, because I actually think Daria is on the right path, especially in comparison to the many sex scenes I have read in my lifetime, but what Gabe would say just seemed so scripted that it was unmoving. There is some level of tenderness, but I never really felt true intimacy, vulnerability and understanding between our leads.
Still, I think Daria did a good job at writing these beloved latin characters and I really do think she has potential. I just think she needs to work on toning down the attraction between her leads, and turning up more levels of vulnerability and intimacy that are not only occuring around and during sex. I do feel like I've just spat bullshit after bullshit in this review, but those are my thoughts on this book and that's what my reviews are - dumping my thoughts and opinions, so this is what you get, sorry.
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
September 21, 2021
A childhood friends to lovers romance where Michelle and Gabe haven’t seen each other in thirteen years. They ended their friendship with a huge argument and a hot make out session. I was so looking forward to them seeing each other again and the tension between them. Sadly it just wasn’t there. A car ride and one night where not many words were exchanged. That was all it took for them to resolve it. I had at least expected some pining. Instead I got a story of two friends who find their way back to one another. Friends with benefits. The chemistry between them was great but I expected more romance. I appreciated that I got to know more about their cultures and how Michelle and Gabe finally expressed their feelings towards the end were sweet suited the story so well. Overall a great story but I’m feeling a little disappointed.
April 30, 2025
I really love Daria's writing style and the cultural elements she's woven throughout this series. I'm about to start the next book in the series, and I know I'm going to love it!
- LGBTQ+ main characters
- family drama
- Childhood friends to lovers
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (open door)
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- LGBTQ+ main characters
- family drama
- Childhood friends to lovers
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (open door)
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋 || Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel coming soon!!
July 22, 2021
I typically do not enjoy fitness career characters, but Daria did an excellent job making Gabe focused on health and form, with shape/looks being secondary, so this ultimately worked great for me.
This one was a bit of a slower start (in me knowing if I would love it), but eventually Gabe and Mich won me over. Have to say I appreciated the horniess in this book SO MUCH, and the intersection of family and the pain and joy family can bring was deftly balanced with the romance.
The big conflict between whether or not Gabe would move to NYC or not, with Mich not currently having a physical job location was also ultimately wrapped up well, even if for a little bit I was like why are you two so allergic to trying some long distance. Reading about Gabe's struggles with meeting the expectations of his father but also realizing his own expectations were what was holding him back was a nice journey to see.
Loved the casual diversity of the story, including a character with they/them pronouns, and Gabe's niece who is trans. Both Gabe and Mich are bisexual.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the ARC - full review to come from Library Journal.
This one was a bit of a slower start (in me knowing if I would love it), but eventually Gabe and Mich won me over. Have to say I appreciated the horniess in this book SO MUCH, and the intersection of family and the pain and joy family can bring was deftly balanced with the romance.
The big conflict between whether or not Gabe would move to NYC or not, with Mich not currently having a physical job location was also ultimately wrapped up well, even if for a little bit I was like why are you two so allergic to trying some long distance. Reading about Gabe's struggles with meeting the expectations of his father but also realizing his own expectations were what was holding him back was a nice journey to see.
Loved the casual diversity of the story, including a character with they/them pronouns, and Gabe's niece who is trans. Both Gabe and Mich are bisexual.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the ARC - full review to come from Library Journal.
February 6, 2023
I try to give books I've struggled with previously or didn't like my first time reading another go as something I enjoy them more the second time around. I loved Alexis Daria's first book in the series and was excited to read this but my first time trying to listen to this I just didn't like it. Didn't felt emersed in the couple or everything else going on. But this time I really got into it by the end and it was a successful reread. Didn't love it as much as You had me at Hola but a 4 star read nevertheless
November 24, 2021
2021 Fall Bingo (#FallInLoveBingo🍂): Dancer
Can’t tell if this is underwhelming or if I’m just burned out on contemporaries. I wasn’t into the ship or gym marketing storyline at all. Like, the writing is good but I was ambivalent for most of the book (which is a shame because I loved the first installment in the series). YMMV.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Can’t tell if this is underwhelming or if I’m just burned out on contemporaries. I wasn’t into the ship or gym marketing storyline at all. Like, the writing is good but I was ambivalent for most of the book (which is a shame because I loved the first installment in the series). YMMV.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2025
The characters have a lot of push and pull. Too much, maybe.
The writing is nice, with representation given to Puerto Rican families but the story isn't much. It's heavily fixated on just the two main characters; strong side leads would've improved the book.
The writing is nice, with representation given to Puerto Rican families but the story isn't much. It's heavily fixated on just the two main characters; strong side leads would've improved the book.
December 28, 2021
This was a lot better than book 1. Still a little cheesy, but I liked Michelle and Gabe and their families!
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 14, 2021
Solid and sexy.
I love Alexia Daria's writing, and how she ties so many themes into a book and lands the ending so fucking well. This second-chance romance is something I wasn't expecting to enjoy as much as I did, and yet...I really, really did. There's a lot to unpack, what with burnout and success and parental estrangement and family and reuniting and fanfeek (no, I will not elaborate but I will spoil it and say that it is not a dirty sex move).
And bonus! Both leads are bi!!!!
Full RTC.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
I love Alexia Daria's writing, and how she ties so many themes into a book and lands the ending so fucking well. This second-chance romance is something I wasn't expecting to enjoy as much as I did, and yet...I really, really did. There's a lot to unpack, what with burnout and success and parental estrangement and family and reuniting and fanfeek (no, I will not elaborate but I will spoil it and say that it is not a dirty sex move).
And bonus! Both leads are bi!!!!
Full RTC.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review
October 5, 2021
Lamento decir que estoy decepcionada. 😔
Después de que me gustara tanto el libro anterior, mis expectativas eran enormes con este libro, y no resultó como esperaba. 🤧
El personaje de Gabriel no fue de mi agrado aunque Michelle sí me cayó bien. 😆
No soy muy fan de las historias de segundas oportunidades, aunque hay un par por ahí que sí amé. En esta ocasión me pareció muy meh. En ningún momento de la trama reí o me emocioné.
Las escenas spicy estuvieron ok.
Los textos en español, fueron como... 🙄 No usen google por favor. 🤦🏻♀
Después de que me gustara tanto el libro anterior, mis expectativas eran enormes con este libro, y no resultó como esperaba. 🤧
El personaje de Gabriel no fue de mi agrado aunque Michelle sí me cayó bien. 😆
No soy muy fan de las historias de segundas oportunidades, aunque hay un par por ahí que sí amé. En esta ocasión me pareció muy meh. En ningún momento de la trama reí o me emocioné.
Las escenas spicy estuvieron ok.
Los textos en español, fueron como... 🙄 No usen google por favor. 🤦🏻♀
June 10, 2025
A sizzling second chance romance that tackles family issues, fear of committing and long distance with sexy banter and tons of rep
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 9 hours and 45 minutes
🎤: Seraphine Valentine
I really enjoyed this narrators dictation of the novel. I was pleased to see that the publishing company and author had chosen a spanish speaker. It lent an air of authenticity to the text and to the characters themselves. I had no problems listening to this book in my normal range of speed and never had to adjust. Clear and concise dictation as well as properly pronounced conversational Spanish made this a highlight.
Themes:
💫: You can't go back
💫: Separating childhood from adulthood
💫: Learning to commit
Representation:
🖊️: Puerto Rican/Mexican MMC
🖊️: Puerto Rican/Italian FMC
🖊️: Bisexual FMC/MMC
🖊️: Medicated anxiety in FMC
🖊️: 4/20 friendly
Tropes:
💗: Childhood friends to lovers
💗: Childhood fall out
💗: Fitness
💗: Child free by choice
💗: Fanfic
🥵: Spice: 🌶️🌶️
🧟♂️: Gore: 🚫
Potential Triggers: toxic masculinity **check authors website/social media
Short Synopsis:
Mich is a former marketing executive on corporate burnout and Gabe is a physical therapist turned gym buff to the stars aficionado. Neither have been happy in their work or love lives as adults and yearn for their childhood love, which happens to be each other. After an unexpected falling out as teens, they have learned to live apart, but can they learn to live together when a career opportunity thrusts them into the same atmosphere?
General Thoughts:
This audiobook was sizzling! With tons of conversational Spanish and Latinx rep you definitely feel like you're in the middle of a big close Puerto Rican family. Meddlesome family, and side eye looks for everyone!
I really liked our characters for this novel. They felt very realistic and well-rounded. The decisions they made absolutely made sense to their character, especially since both of them were giant commit-a-phobes. It definitely built up some tension throughout the storyline with how indecisive and reluctant they were to make any kind of commitment, not only to each other, but to themselves and their direction in life.
While this was a dual POV novel, I found the point of view to lean more heavily on our MMC. Which made it a little hard for me to connect or fully understand our FMC. I do wish that our point of views had been more balanced and given more light to both characters.
I really enjoyed how our main characters set firm and healthy boundaries within their families. I also enjoyed seeing how those boundaries changed as new information became available and they were able to work through those feelings. Normally, I'm a fan of a bit more of a slow burn, but the spice did start fairly early within this novel and I ended up actually really liking that aspect.
While our FMC did appear to be confident throughout most of the novel, I felt like her confidence overstepped in a few areas. The living arrangement, as well as the clear disrespect for our MMC's boundaries with family, was super frustrating for me to read. However, by the end of the novel it felt resolved for me.
I can stay with confidence that this was a good installment to the Primas Of Power Series and I can't wait to read about our next prima's shenanigans.
Disclaimer: I read this book a audiobook via the Libby app. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 9 hours and 45 minutes
🎤: Seraphine Valentine
I really enjoyed this narrators dictation of the novel. I was pleased to see that the publishing company and author had chosen a spanish speaker. It lent an air of authenticity to the text and to the characters themselves. I had no problems listening to this book in my normal range of speed and never had to adjust. Clear and concise dictation as well as properly pronounced conversational Spanish made this a highlight.
Themes:
💫: You can't go back
💫: Separating childhood from adulthood
💫: Learning to commit
Representation:
🖊️: Puerto Rican/Mexican MMC
🖊️: Puerto Rican/Italian FMC
🖊️: Bisexual FMC/MMC
🖊️: Medicated anxiety in FMC
🖊️: 4/20 friendly
Tropes:
💗: Childhood friends to lovers
💗: Childhood fall out
💗: Fitness
💗: Child free by choice
💗: Fanfic
🥵: Spice: 🌶️🌶️
🧟♂️: Gore: 🚫
Potential Triggers: toxic masculinity **check authors website/social media
Short Synopsis:
Mich is a former marketing executive on corporate burnout and Gabe is a physical therapist turned gym buff to the stars aficionado. Neither have been happy in their work or love lives as adults and yearn for their childhood love, which happens to be each other. After an unexpected falling out as teens, they have learned to live apart, but can they learn to live together when a career opportunity thrusts them into the same atmosphere?
General Thoughts:
This audiobook was sizzling! With tons of conversational Spanish and Latinx rep you definitely feel like you're in the middle of a big close Puerto Rican family. Meddlesome family, and side eye looks for everyone!
I really liked our characters for this novel. They felt very realistic and well-rounded. The decisions they made absolutely made sense to their character, especially since both of them were giant commit-a-phobes. It definitely built up some tension throughout the storyline with how indecisive and reluctant they were to make any kind of commitment, not only to each other, but to themselves and their direction in life.
While this was a dual POV novel, I found the point of view to lean more heavily on our MMC. Which made it a little hard for me to connect or fully understand our FMC. I do wish that our point of views had been more balanced and given more light to both characters.
I really enjoyed how our main characters set firm and healthy boundaries within their families. I also enjoyed seeing how those boundaries changed as new information became available and they were able to work through those feelings. Normally, I'm a fan of a bit more of a slow burn, but the spice did start fairly early within this novel and I ended up actually really liking that aspect.
While our FMC did appear to be confident throughout most of the novel, I felt like her confidence overstepped in a few areas. The living arrangement, as well as the clear disrespect for our MMC's boundaries with family, was super frustrating for me to read. However, by the end of the novel it felt resolved for me.
I can stay with confidence that this was a good installment to the Primas Of Power Series and I can't wait to read about our next prima's shenanigans.
Disclaimer: I read this book a audiobook via the Libby app. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
October 12, 2021
I heard many positive reviews of Miss Daria's work recently. I am so looking forward for A lot Like Adios. And I am not disappointed. Gabe and Michelle is a fiction couple goal. They are so cute together. Especially Gabe who sometimes clueless.
A Lot Like Adios is a second chance romance with a fake dating on the mix. Miss Daria done a good job bringing family culture into the story.
The focus of the story is not just about the romance, but also family culture. I do like a story with a big, loud, colorful family. I like the chemistry between Michelle and Gabe. Their banter is cue and swoon worthy. From their childhood friendship and turned into so much more.
Overall this is a very good story.
4 stars
A Lot Like Adios is a second chance romance with a fake dating on the mix. Miss Daria done a good job bringing family culture into the story.
The focus of the story is not just about the romance, but also family culture. I do like a story with a big, loud, colorful family. I like the chemistry between Michelle and Gabe. Their banter is cue and swoon worthy. From their childhood friendship and turned into so much more.
Overall this is a very good story.
4 stars
January 22, 2023
Gabe and Michelle were best friends as kids. They briefly become more than friends, but Gabe broke Michelle's heart by leaving for college and breaking all contact. They haven't seen each in other years, but when Gabe's business partner contacts Michelle to help with with a marketing project for their gym, she and Gabe reunite. They immediately realize how much they care for each other... but it's complicated.
This second chance romance started off a bit slow and repetitive as it revolved around only Gabe and Michelle working, fighting, and then a steamy scene. However, things eventually picked up a bit and offered more character development and depth. The two of them quickly grew on me--I liked both of their characters and their loud, loving families (the Latinx representation is wonderful!). The book deftly covers the topics of family, work, and finding yourself--both Gabe and Michelle are trying to grow as people, even if they are terrible at relationships!
ADIOS plays with romance tropes (only one bed!) and uses fan fiction (Gabe and Michelle wrote one as kids) to its advantage. It all makes for a really fun and cute story. I didn't read the first book in this series (they stand alone just fine), but I plan to now. 3.5 stars, rounded up to four here.
Also, this was my second book of my 2023 random # generator shelves challenge, where I've numbered my bookshelves (in a spreadsheet) and used a random google number generator to pick the shelf and then the book!
This second chance romance started off a bit slow and repetitive as it revolved around only Gabe and Michelle working, fighting, and then a steamy scene. However, things eventually picked up a bit and offered more character development and depth. The two of them quickly grew on me--I liked both of their characters and their loud, loving families (the Latinx representation is wonderful!). The book deftly covers the topics of family, work, and finding yourself--both Gabe and Michelle are trying to grow as people, even if they are terrible at relationships!
ADIOS plays with romance tropes (only one bed!) and uses fan fiction (Gabe and Michelle wrote one as kids) to its advantage. It all makes for a really fun and cute story. I didn't read the first book in this series (they stand alone just fine), but I plan to now. 3.5 stars, rounded up to four here.
Also, this was my second book of my 2023 random # generator shelves challenge, where I've numbered my bookshelves (in a spreadsheet) and used a random google number generator to pick the shelf and then the book!
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