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Dating in Dallas #2
On the Hustle
Alba Duarte is the queen of the side hustle.
As the eldest daughter in her crisis-prone family, she’s always stepped up to help. Her favorite gig is doing Instagram-worthy, bookish-themed bedroom makeovers for friends. Her most hated? Working as the assistant to the most gorgeous—and most infuriating—man on earth.
Theo Ganas is a former Olympic swimmer and heir to a bona fide real estate empire. He’s also about as warm and fuzzy as a New York City winter, and quite frankly, Alba has had enough of his ridiculous demands and cold shoulder. When opportunity knocks, she decides to put herself first for once…which means leaving her demanding boss—and relatives—behind.
Her new life in Dallas seems like everything Alba’s ever wanted, until a bafflingly charming and attentive Theo turns up in the Lone Star State with an offer she simply cannot refuse. Agreeing to do a home improvement reality TV show with her sexy, and suddenly flirtatious, former boss is not a good idea, but it just might be the makeover her heart has been waiting for.
As the eldest daughter in her crisis-prone family, she’s always stepped up to help. Her favorite gig is doing Instagram-worthy, bookish-themed bedroom makeovers for friends. Her most hated? Working as the assistant to the most gorgeous—and most infuriating—man on earth.
Theo Ganas is a former Olympic swimmer and heir to a bona fide real estate empire. He’s also about as warm and fuzzy as a New York City winter, and quite frankly, Alba has had enough of his ridiculous demands and cold shoulder. When opportunity knocks, she decides to put herself first for once…which means leaving her demanding boss—and relatives—behind.
Her new life in Dallas seems like everything Alba’s ever wanted, until a bafflingly charming and attentive Theo turns up in the Lone Star State with an offer she simply cannot refuse. Agreeing to do a home improvement reality TV show with her sexy, and suddenly flirtatious, former boss is not a good idea, but it just might be the makeover her heart has been waiting for.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2022
64 people are currently reading
10273 people want to read
About the author
Adriana Herrera
46 books1,673 followersUSA Today bestselling author ADRIANA HERRERA was born and raised in the Caribbean, but for the last 15 years has let her job (and her spouse) take her all over the world. She loves writing stories about people who look and sound like her people, getting unapologetic happy endings.
Her debut Dreamers, has been featured on Entertainment Weekly, NPR, the TODAY Show on NBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Oprah Magazine.
When she's not dreaming up love stories, planning logistically complex vacations with her family or hunting for discount Broadway tickets, she’s a social worker in New York City, working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Her debut Dreamers, has been featured on Entertainment Weekly, NPR, the TODAY Show on NBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Oprah Magazine.
When she's not dreaming up love stories, planning logistically complex vacations with her family or hunting for discount Broadway tickets, she’s a social worker in New York City, working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
August 17, 2022
What's Wrong With Secretary Kim + The best possible smut = THIS BOOK 😍 😍 😍 😍 🍆🍆
Do you like heroes who are grumpy and moody but then they fall hard for a woman and become obsessed with her and with her ass (but like, in a healthy way) and they would literally die for her? WELCOME TO THIS BOOK.
Okay, so, I'm in my k drama period, which will last from about 4 months ago until my death and beyond, and What's Wrong With Secretary Kim? is one of my forever faves. Premise: cold, aloof, Miranda Priestly CEO has an assistant who has been with him for years, but she quits to pursue her interests. When she leaves, he absolutely ceases functioning, because of course he is madly in love her, and tries to get her back. AMAZING, RIGHT? WELL WELL WELL, this book took that general premise and improved on it by giving me, and I am not exaggerating, the best, horniest couple ever. Because the cold aloof CEO in question is Theo, who is also a former olympic swimmer (I LOVE SWIMMERS), and he has been trying to play it cool in front of his assistant for years (for noble reasons, even!). And the assistant is Alba Serena (though in my heart she'll always be Alba Medusa) and she is the most competent lady in the universe (MAYBE TOO COMPETENT FOR HER OWN GOOD? SHE TAKES CARE OF EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE AROUND HER and I literally loved how much her need to be there for everyone, even to her own detriment, was explored and became very much a conflict in the relationship). And Alba has the best job every, which is BOOK-THEMED DECORATING (does it exist? i need someone to come over and decorate my room so that it looks like this very book pls.)
But really, allow me to underscore how good
T
H
E
S
E
X
was 😍 😍 😍
Also: amazing secondary characters and descriptions of decor, Dominican food/family/culture, a reality TV element, and quite frankly, the best stepmother/stepson relationship I've ever read in a book, ever.
9000000/10.
(I am so obsessed, I literally changed the name of a character of the book I'm writing to Serena in honor of Alba Serena. I AM IN DEEP, MY FRIENDS)
Disclosure: I requested and got an ARC from the publisher on Netgalley.
Do you like heroes who are grumpy and moody but then they fall hard for a woman and become obsessed with her and with her ass (but like, in a healthy way) and they would literally die for her? WELCOME TO THIS BOOK.
Okay, so, I'm in my k drama period, which will last from about 4 months ago until my death and beyond, and What's Wrong With Secretary Kim? is one of my forever faves. Premise: cold, aloof, Miranda Priestly CEO has an assistant who has been with him for years, but she quits to pursue her interests. When she leaves, he absolutely ceases functioning, because of course he is madly in love her, and tries to get her back. AMAZING, RIGHT? WELL WELL WELL, this book took that general premise and improved on it by giving me, and I am not exaggerating, the best, horniest couple ever. Because the cold aloof CEO in question is Theo, who is also a former olympic swimmer (I LOVE SWIMMERS), and he has been trying to play it cool in front of his assistant for years (for noble reasons, even!). And the assistant is Alba Serena (though in my heart she'll always be Alba Medusa) and she is the most competent lady in the universe (MAYBE TOO COMPETENT FOR HER OWN GOOD? SHE TAKES CARE OF EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE AROUND HER and I literally loved how much her need to be there for everyone, even to her own detriment, was explored and became very much a conflict in the relationship). And Alba has the best job every, which is BOOK-THEMED DECORATING (does it exist? i need someone to come over and decorate my room so that it looks like this very book pls.)
But really, allow me to underscore how good
T
H
E
S
E
X
was 😍 😍 😍
Also: amazing secondary characters and descriptions of decor, Dominican food/family/culture, a reality TV element, and quite frankly, the best stepmother/stepson relationship I've ever read in a book, ever.
9000000/10.
(I am so obsessed, I literally changed the name of a character of the book I'm writing to Serena in honor of Alba Serena. I AM IN DEEP, MY FRIENDS)
Disclosure: I requested and got an ARC from the publisher on Netgalley.
Read
July 19, 2022I wrote the book...so of course I love it! LOL But these two were seriously a delight to write.
Alba is stressed AF and Theo just wants to take care of her...That's the plot! 😂
KIDDING...He's her GRUMPY AF boss who she quits on to take a job in Dallas…then he shows up there with a reality TV show situation that could literally change her life. DRAMA.
Here is what you're getting:
😡Grumpy/Grumpy
🙌Forced Proximity
😄The old Dallas crew who are OTT Nosy
😍A hero who is head over heels...cannot stop starting at her🍑
💅🏾A heroine who needs a nap...but is also a badass bussinesswoman
😅Sexy times in all kinds of rando places
👅A VERY HOT massage scene
😛ALL THE BANTER
I hope you all love it...
Alba is stressed AF and Theo just wants to take care of her...That's the plot! 😂
KIDDING...He's her GRUMPY AF boss who she quits on to take a job in Dallas…then he shows up there with a reality TV show situation that could literally change her life. DRAMA.
Here is what you're getting:
😡Grumpy/Grumpy
🙌Forced Proximity
😄The old Dallas crew who are OTT Nosy
😍A hero who is head over heels...cannot stop starting at her🍑
💅🏾A heroine who needs a nap...but is also a badass bussinesswoman
😅Sexy times in all kinds of rando places
👅A VERY HOT massage scene
😛ALL THE BANTER
I hope you all love it...
April 26, 2024
If you look up simp in the dictionary, Theo Ganas is the only definition there.
September 15, 2022
I’ve never felt so seen by a book. The way Adriana writes immigrant Latinas really hits home for me. Also this book is hot 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
October 6, 2022
Thank you to Carina and NetGalley for the advance review copy; all opinions are my own!
ON THE HUSTLE is spicy, feisty, and lots of fun. Theo and Alba's chemistry is scorching hot from page one, and the heat only ratchets up when they're reunited in Texas after Alba quits working for Theo in New York. Theo pining for Alba, keeping his feelings to himself while she worked for him, was such a sweet balance to his growly, intense possessiveness that comes out when they finally get together. Alba's unrelenting work ethic, her determination to do everything she can to succeed, wore her down until she was on the verge of burnout, and watching her learn to trust Theo and lean on him to support her was so swoony.
Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren's Beautiful Bastard and Mariana Zapata's Wall of Winnipeg; this definitely has those vibes!
ON THE HUSTLE is spicy, feisty, and lots of fun. Theo and Alba's chemistry is scorching hot from page one, and the heat only ratchets up when they're reunited in Texas after Alba quits working for Theo in New York. Theo pining for Alba, keeping his feelings to himself while she worked for him, was such a sweet balance to his growly, intense possessiveness that comes out when they finally get together. Alba's unrelenting work ethic, her determination to do everything she can to succeed, wore her down until she was on the verge of burnout, and watching her learn to trust Theo and lean on him to support her was so swoony.
Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren's Beautiful Bastard and Mariana Zapata's Wall of Winnipeg; this definitely has those vibes!
November 19, 2022
i have written a review but will not share until Harper Collins comes to work with the union currently on strike for fair wages and DEI initiatives.
October 6, 2023
Oh my god did Theo Ganas make me swoon. I absolutely adored On The Hustle. It had a slow start but once Theo went to Dallas for Alba I was obsessed. He and Alba were amazing. Insane chemistry and awesome banter.
I’m weak for a man who woos their woman, want to care for them and then also can’t keep their hands off of them and that’s Theo in a nutshell.
Alba was fabulous too. The provider for her mother and siblings but fails to take care of herself when it’s needed. She and her bestie Julia were hilarious and had a wonderful friendship.
I liked how the story took its time with Theo showing Alba who he is when it comes to her and his feelings. He wooed and made her purr. Sizzling hot.
On the Hustle can be read as a standalone cause I haven’t read book 1 and didn’t feel I missed something.
All I know is that I’ll be reading more from this author.
I’m weak for a man who woos their woman, want to care for them and then also can’t keep their hands off of them and that’s Theo in a nutshell.
Alba was fabulous too. The provider for her mother and siblings but fails to take care of herself when it’s needed. She and her bestie Julia were hilarious and had a wonderful friendship.
I liked how the story took its time with Theo showing Alba who he is when it comes to her and his feelings. He wooed and made her purr. Sizzling hot.
On the Hustle can be read as a standalone cause I haven’t read book 1 and didn’t feel I missed something.
All I know is that I’ll be reading more from this author.
February 27, 2023
This was fun, and very spicy!
If you want...
A strong Latinx woman who works herself to death and a man who just wants to take care of her...
An assistant who finally quits to start her own business, not realizing her grumpy boss secretly had a thing for her the whole time....
A heroine starting a bookish interior design company drawing on clients favorite literature and a hero who is a former Olympic swimmer and the heir to a wealthy corporation but really just wants to help people in need...
A hero who pulls reality TV strings as a way to connect with the heroine and help her career...
Casual queer rep with a bisexual heroine and queer found family side characters...
Two people who are horny as hell and really spice things up in the bedroom. Or in a random shed during a hailstorm. As the case may be...
Then you should check out On the Hustle. Theo is a bit high-handed for my taste, I kind of thing that works for Alba. She probably needs someone to help her slow down and allow herself to be cared for. Thank you to the publisher for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
If you want...
A strong Latinx woman who works herself to death and a man who just wants to take care of her...
An assistant who finally quits to start her own business, not realizing her grumpy boss secretly had a thing for her the whole time....
A heroine starting a bookish interior design company drawing on clients favorite literature and a hero who is a former Olympic swimmer and the heir to a wealthy corporation but really just wants to help people in need...
A hero who pulls reality TV strings as a way to connect with the heroine and help her career...
Casual queer rep with a bisexual heroine and queer found family side characters...
Two people who are horny as hell and really spice things up in the bedroom. Or in a random shed during a hailstorm. As the case may be...
Then you should check out On the Hustle. Theo is a bit high-handed for my taste, I kind of thing that works for Alba. She probably needs someone to help her slow down and allow herself to be cared for. Thank you to the publisher for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
October 11, 2022
5 "Makeover" Stars!
On the Hustle has become another top read of 2022 for me! This book had so many things I love in a romance book. Strong leading lady and a leading man that was completely gone for her.
Alba was my kind of girl and completely relatable. Truly, I want to be her friend. But what really made me love her so much was how much I understood her. Alba was the oldest daughter- with all the responsibilities; true and imagined that go with that. She was so talented but sometimes had a hard time believing in herself or even believing when things were good, they really were good. As a side note, I absolutely want to see her bookish bedroom makeover portfolio. Like really, really want to see it!!!!
Theo! Whew Weee. I fell so hard for Theo. His elite athlete status. His determination. His work ethic. His desire to get everything he wanted. This dude played the long game. But when he was done playing, GAME WAS ON! There was no way Alba could hold off against all that charm and attention. And let's just say, it's hard to resist a man that's obsessed with your... derriere. 😏 A man that builds your self confidence, not only with his physical admiration but also by supporting your dream and letting you know how much he admires your work. And work ethic.
I absolutely loved them both. I loved this journey to forever. I loved their friend grou. I loved the revealing of each other. The learning to trust another and yourself. The learning to believe in your dream. I loved it! Happy reading!
On the Hustle has become another top read of 2022 for me! This book had so many things I love in a romance book. Strong leading lady and a leading man that was completely gone for her.
Alba was my kind of girl and completely relatable. Truly, I want to be her friend. But what really made me love her so much was how much I understood her. Alba was the oldest daughter- with all the responsibilities; true and imagined that go with that. She was so talented but sometimes had a hard time believing in herself or even believing when things were good, they really were good. As a side note, I absolutely want to see her bookish bedroom makeover portfolio. Like really, really want to see it!!!!
Theo! Whew Weee. I fell so hard for Theo. His elite athlete status. His determination. His work ethic. His desire to get everything he wanted. This dude played the long game. But when he was done playing, GAME WAS ON! There was no way Alba could hold off against all that charm and attention. And let's just say, it's hard to resist a man that's obsessed with your... derriere. 😏 A man that builds your self confidence, not only with his physical admiration but also by supporting your dream and letting you know how much he admires your work. And work ethic.
I absolutely loved them both. I loved this journey to forever. I loved their friend grou. I loved the revealing of each other. The learning to trust another and yourself. The learning to believe in your dream. I loved it! Happy reading!
November 5, 2022
Spoilers ahead, 2.5*
My first read by the author
Grumpy boss has wanted his assistant for years but she's his assistant so he doesn't go there
Opportunity finally presents itself when she quits to follow her passion
Grand gesture in a secretive manner as he gets them cast in a reality show that'll be beneficial to them both
Kinda hate to love sumn
Good flow, good chemistry, lots of flavor of different races and cultures
One thing ruined this for me, he's confessed to his bestie he's wanted the h for quite a while. If I remember correctly she's been his assistant for either 3 or 5 years.....then it comes to the sexy times and he says it's been 6 months since he's been with someone!!! Ummmmm what the what now? You don't tell me the H wanted the h then tell me he's been sleeping with others all along!!!!!!!!! Grrrrrr. Now the h wasn't celibate nor pining for him thankfully as he's kinda been cold to her so she's convinced he doesn't like her but ion like this set up at all. This is entirely a me issue however 🤷🏾♀️
My first read by the author
Grumpy boss has wanted his assistant for years but she's his assistant so he doesn't go there
Opportunity finally presents itself when she quits to follow her passion
Grand gesture in a secretive manner as he gets them cast in a reality show that'll be beneficial to them both
Kinda hate to love sumn
Good flow, good chemistry, lots of flavor of different races and cultures
One thing ruined this for me, he's confessed to his bestie he's wanted the h for quite a while. If I remember correctly she's been his assistant for either 3 or 5 years.....then it comes to the sexy times and he says it's been 6 months since he's been with someone!!! Ummmmm what the what now? You don't tell me the H wanted the h then tell me he's been sleeping with others all along!!!!!!!!! Grrrrrr. Now the h wasn't celibate nor pining for him thankfully as he's kinda been cold to her so she's convinced he doesn't like her but ion like this set up at all. This is entirely a me issue however 🤷🏾♀️
December 30, 2023
Ahhhh this story was everything I wanted and more! Seriously I enjoyed every single second of it!
Alba is incredibly hard working and so strong and in this story she found a man that absolutely adored her!! What is dream😍😍.
Seriously, though Theo gave his all to show Alba who he truly was and how in love he was with her! It was so freaking beautiful to read about!!
Theo and Alba's love was so passionate and sexy!!! Theo absolutely worshiped Alba's body and mind, and he basically made it his life's purpose to make sure she knew that and never forgot it. LIKE HOW FREAKING ROMANTIC IS THAT?! WHAT THE HECK! I NEED A THEO!!
(THE SHOWER SCENE THO?! 👀 so intimate and beautiful! Ugh I couldn't get enough!!❤️)
Everything about this book was just so freaking fantastic...the Latinx representation, the family and friends dynamic, the humor, the banter, the romance, and the perfect amount of steam. 🌶️🥵(and yes the spice was AMAZING...😮💨 The way they talked to each other...👀🔥)
All of that truly made this story into the perfect book for me!! I couldn't get enough of these characters and all I want is more Alba and Theo content because I am quite literally obsessed with their romance!!😍
I'm soooo happy I read this story! This put me in the best mood ever! I love this book so much! ❤️
✨“All I want is to be the man who can be there to see you soar. You are so fucking strong, for everyone in your life. I want to be the one who is strong for you. Always. I can’t think of a better life than one in which I get to be the place where you come to rest.”✨
✨“You gave me this fucking treasure even though I won’t ever deserve it. You’re special to me always, because I knew you were mine the moment I laid eyes on you.”✨
Alba is incredibly hard working and so strong and in this story she found a man that absolutely adored her!! What is dream😍😍.
Seriously, though Theo gave his all to show Alba who he truly was and how in love he was with her! It was so freaking beautiful to read about!!
Theo and Alba's love was so passionate and sexy!!! Theo absolutely worshiped Alba's body and mind, and he basically made it his life's purpose to make sure she knew that and never forgot it. LIKE HOW FREAKING ROMANTIC IS THAT?! WHAT THE HECK! I NEED A THEO!!
(THE SHOWER SCENE THO?! 👀 so intimate and beautiful! Ugh I couldn't get enough!!❤️)
Everything about this book was just so freaking fantastic...the Latinx representation, the family and friends dynamic, the humor, the banter, the romance, and the perfect amount of steam. 🌶️🥵(and yes the spice was AMAZING...😮💨 The way they talked to each other...👀🔥)
All of that truly made this story into the perfect book for me!! I couldn't get enough of these characters and all I want is more Alba and Theo content because I am quite literally obsessed with their romance!!😍
I'm soooo happy I read this story! This put me in the best mood ever! I love this book so much! ❤️
✨“All I want is to be the man who can be there to see you soar. You are so fucking strong, for everyone in your life. I want to be the one who is strong for you. Always. I can’t think of a better life than one in which I get to be the place where you come to rest.”✨
✨“You gave me this fucking treasure even though I won’t ever deserve it. You’re special to me always, because I knew you were mine the moment I laid eyes on you.”✨
April 30, 2023
Fav of the year.
This book has everything that I like and didn't know I liked in a romance book.
Alba the FMC is mustering up all the courage she has to pursue her passion and make it a successful business. That is so rare to see especially in the Latinx community. We are known to keep our head down and work work work. Alba is also a provider for her immigrant family. She assists and supports her mother, helps her sister out with college payments, and so much more. This really signifies an experience BIPOC people live in. Being needed in that way, where so many count on you to do well. So Alba's drive is unrelenting in this book. I know many people will identify with that.
That is where Theo steps in, meglomaniac CEO of a real estate company. Alba used to be his assistant and the book starts off the day she quits. We soon find out Theo has liked her from a (professional) afar for the past three years she has worked for him.
Alba leaves NY to pursue some jobs in Texas and Theo finds her. They also get wrapped up in a reality home makeover show, where they HAVE to spend time together, and even room in the same home.
Alba starts to see a different side to Theo, and walls come down, then they come back up, and come down again. Its such a sacred thing us women do, to guard our hearts, being so vulnerable to open up to someone is so scary, I identified with Alba so much for that and so many more reasons.
I truly appreciated Theo's journey as well, he has to break free from the strict mold his father has always set for him. He also gets to show Alba how long he has wanted her, and that was soooooooooooooooooo good!
This book is amazing. I recommend to all!
This book has everything that I like and didn't know I liked in a romance book.
Alba the FMC is mustering up all the courage she has to pursue her passion and make it a successful business. That is so rare to see especially in the Latinx community. We are known to keep our head down and work work work. Alba is also a provider for her immigrant family. She assists and supports her mother, helps her sister out with college payments, and so much more. This really signifies an experience BIPOC people live in. Being needed in that way, where so many count on you to do well. So Alba's drive is unrelenting in this book. I know many people will identify with that.
That is where Theo steps in, meglomaniac CEO of a real estate company. Alba used to be his assistant and the book starts off the day she quits. We soon find out Theo has liked her from a (professional) afar for the past three years she has worked for him.
Alba leaves NY to pursue some jobs in Texas and Theo finds her. They also get wrapped up in a reality home makeover show, where they HAVE to spend time together, and even room in the same home.
Alba starts to see a different side to Theo, and walls come down, then they come back up, and come down again. Its such a sacred thing us women do, to guard our hearts, being so vulnerable to open up to someone is so scary, I identified with Alba so much for that and so many more reasons.
I truly appreciated Theo's journey as well, he has to break free from the strict mold his father has always set for him. He also gets to show Alba how long he has wanted her, and that was soooooooooooooooooo good!
This book is amazing. I recommend to all!
October 12, 2022
I'm so glad I saw a friend rec this book and immediately went to request it on NetGalley. I decided I wanted to read the first in the series before I read the eARC and I'm so glad I did. It's still a standalone but I loved knowing this friend group and getting to revisit the characters again.
Read this one for:
- All the Texas vibes
- A beautiful friend group
- Latinx representation
- A hero who is GONE FOR HER FOR YEARS
- Bi heroine
- Women being boss babes and going after their dreams
- Some mad dirty talk and spice
- A heroine who loves books and creates an entire business around loving books
- Buffy The Vampire Slayer love and references!
This really has amazing cultural representation and I'm here for it. I enjoyed continuing on in the series with Alba a career focused and driven woman and Theo, the one who loved her for years. When Alba finally quits working for Theo to pursue her own business and dreams, she leaves NYC and Theo is frantic. Theo decides the only way he can get to her is by getting his Dad's company he runs on a reality TV show with him as a B list celebrity and Alba as the designer for the show. This has to happen in Texas, because Alba has gone there to visit her best friend and start her company.
I loved how Theo wanted to help and support Alba in all her dreams. As her former boss, he was a grumpy demanding and still very hot fixture in Alba’s life. When Theo’s plan to win Alba involves a reality show where she heads up design, Dallas Theo comes to play and he’s an entire new man Alba can’t resist.
This book was fun, has heart, and characters who make one another better with how they support each other. I highly recommend giving it a read!
Thank you to Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read this one for:
- All the Texas vibes
- A beautiful friend group
- Latinx representation
- A hero who is GONE FOR HER FOR YEARS
- Bi heroine
- Women being boss babes and going after their dreams
- Some mad dirty talk and spice
- A heroine who loves books and creates an entire business around loving books
- Buffy The Vampire Slayer love and references!
This really has amazing cultural representation and I'm here for it. I enjoyed continuing on in the series with Alba a career focused and driven woman and Theo, the one who loved her for years. When Alba finally quits working for Theo to pursue her own business and dreams, she leaves NYC and Theo is frantic. Theo decides the only way he can get to her is by getting his Dad's company he runs on a reality TV show with him as a B list celebrity and Alba as the designer for the show. This has to happen in Texas, because Alba has gone there to visit her best friend and start her company.
I loved how Theo wanted to help and support Alba in all her dreams. As her former boss, he was a grumpy demanding and still very hot fixture in Alba’s life. When Theo’s plan to win Alba involves a reality show where she heads up design, Dallas Theo comes to play and he’s an entire new man Alba can’t resist.
This book was fun, has heart, and characters who make one another better with how they support each other. I highly recommend giving it a read!
Thank you to Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read
April 20, 2025DNF p135 or 38%, so no rating. This one is boring to me. Basically, the MCs have been lusting each other for 3 years and have already been working together. There is "animosity" that I'm not buying. They keep thinking about how hot the other is and how much they want to bone each other. it lacks depth, the premise took too long to be set up, and the MCs' reactions don't feel genuine. Not feeling it, so onto the next
February 23, 2023
I LOVED every minute of this book! The chemistry between Theo and Alba was incredible. I loved how supportive Theo was of Alba’s dreams and hustle and never got intimidated. And the steam?! Top tier!
June 27, 2024
This book was five stars for so long… and then it lost a little bit for me.
One of my favorite books is the Wall of Winnipeg and Me. This one was a spicier version with the grumpy boss who tries to win back his personal assistant. Plus, we get to hear the man's POV!
I loved it so much because it's obvious that this guy is so gone for her and she has no idea! He gets crafty and makes sure that they end up working together again.
There is spice, sexy talk, and caretaking!
He cuddles her! He woos her! He makes sure she eats... and he eats her!
Sadly, he is so concerned about being the strong one and protecting her that he ends up lying to her/hiding the truth. And I felt like this happened too late in the story and didn't really result in a lot of growth in their relationship or in him. It feels like the heroine rushes through magically getting self-confidence and forgiving him with very little work.
Frankly, they could both use therapy!
This is a really sexy fun story and I wish that the author had avoided the pitfalls she fell into
Safety Deets
- No other people drama
- Heroine has been celibate for over a year.
- Hero has been celibate for over six months. Now, I am hoping that he was actually celibate since the first time he saw her because he has been pining after her for years. However, there is no additional detail about anybody that he ever dated or slept with. So, for my own sanity, I will consider that he has been celibate since he saw her first. And that when he says "over six months" he really is trying not to scare her with telling her that he has not been with anyone else for three years! And that is all I'm gonna think about that.
- His grand gesture/groveling irritated me because you cannot go behind someone's back to give them some thing they want when you just went behind their back to protect them! It makes me think he didn't learn anything
- we get to see them in their HEA a few years out
One of my favorite books is the Wall of Winnipeg and Me. This one was a spicier version with the grumpy boss who tries to win back his personal assistant. Plus, we get to hear the man's POV!
I loved it so much because it's obvious that this guy is so gone for her and she has no idea! He gets crafty and makes sure that they end up working together again.
There is spice, sexy talk, and caretaking!
He cuddles her! He woos her! He makes sure she eats... and he eats her!
Sadly, he is so concerned about being the strong one and protecting her that he ends up lying to her/hiding the truth. And I felt like this happened too late in the story and didn't really result in a lot of growth in their relationship or in him. It feels like the heroine rushes through magically getting self-confidence and forgiving him with very little work.
Frankly, they could both use therapy!
This is a really sexy fun story and I wish that the author had avoided the pitfalls she fell into
Safety Deets
- No other people drama
- Heroine has been celibate for over a year.
- Hero has been celibate for over six months. Now, I am hoping that he was actually celibate since the first time he saw her because he has been pining after her for years. However, there is no additional detail about anybody that he ever dated or slept with. So, for my own sanity, I will consider that he has been celibate since he saw her first. And that when he says "over six months" he really is trying not to scare her with telling her that he has not been with anyone else for three years! And that is all I'm gonna think about that.
- His grand gesture/groveling irritated me because you cannot go behind someone's back to give them some thing they want when you just went behind their back to protect them! It makes me think he didn't learn anything
- we get to see them in their HEA a few years out
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2022
📚 Happy Saturday, Book Friends! By its cover, you would think that ON THE HUSTLE by Adriana Herrera is just a fun romcom, but don’t be deceived. What a sexy gem! I absolutely loved it!!! I love how the author build the relationship between Alba Serena and Theodoro Anibal (that's a sexy man name). I was swooned by Theo from the start, and he is a strong contender to become my book boyfriend. I had to vent myself a few times while reading this book. The sex scenes were detailed and super hot. There was just the right amount of drama, and the ending was perfection. This is a must read for those who love hot and sexy romance novels.
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October 14, 2022
4.5 stars - this was great. Alba is a smart, ambitious aspiring interior designer who’s always the caretaker - it was so sweet to see Theo pamper her. The ending conflict was predictable but the makeup sex was definitely worth it. A+ steamy scenes throughout the book with an ass-obsessed, dirty talking hero.
February 16, 2024
Audiobook review 3.5
In regards to the writing I think this was a good story. I have never thought about the role and responsibilities immigration child might have to take on in their family because they are more adaptable and learn languages more easily. Alba was painful relatable but a bit frustrating at times. While the spicy was good it sounded a bit corny at times and I think some of that might have been narration. As to the the audio both narrators did an amazing job with their individual parts and brought the characters to life in a very vivid way. But for me it backfired a bit because when they would have to narrator the other character it was such a noticeable difference that it threw me way off and sounded all wrong. Overall though it was a good story and I enjoyed it.
In regards to the writing I think this was a good story. I have never thought about the role and responsibilities immigration child might have to take on in their family because they are more adaptable and learn languages more easily. Alba was painful relatable but a bit frustrating at times. While the spicy was good it sounded a bit corny at times and I think some of that might have been narration. As to the the audio both narrators did an amazing job with their individual parts and brought the characters to life in a very vivid way. But for me it backfired a bit because when they would have to narrator the other character it was such a noticeable difference that it threw me way off and sounded all wrong. Overall though it was a good story and I enjoyed it.
October 20, 2022
Couldn’t get into it.
October 11, 2022
I am absolutely LOVING the Dating in Dallas series featuring strong independent Dominican American women making success happen in life, work and love.
Full of found family, swoony love interests and super STEAMY love scenes. This dual POV, forced proximity workplace romance between Alba and Theo - former boss/employee turned co-hosts of a reality tv show was great on audio and had amazing character growth to boot.
Highly, highly recommended and I also really enjoyed the fact that Alba is bisexual and career-focused, not looking for love but unable to resist her smoking hot, former Olympic swimmer boss who has been secretly pining after her for years!
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Full of found family, swoony love interests and super STEAMY love scenes. This dual POV, forced proximity workplace romance between Alba and Theo - former boss/employee turned co-hosts of a reality tv show was great on audio and had amazing character growth to boot.
Highly, highly recommended and I also really enjoyed the fact that Alba is bisexual and career-focused, not looking for love but unable to resist her smoking hot, former Olympic swimmer boss who has been secretly pining after her for years!
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
September 7, 2022
I am a total pushover for a grumpy/sunshine forced proximity trope and this one did not disappoint.
In this one we have Alba, someone who is used to being the strong and in charge one and Theo, a rich person who wants to take care of Alba. Which of course leads to the whole "taking care of me does not mean you lie to me" 93% fight.
Over all, I liked this. It had enough spice to keep my attention, the over all relationship was good, though I really did not like a lot of the banter. That sounds rough, but for some reason it didn't work for me, but I was able to skim past most of that and get to the story.
I got this one from netgalley.
In this one we have Alba, someone who is used to being the strong and in charge one and Theo, a rich person who wants to take care of Alba. Which of course leads to the whole "taking care of me does not mean you lie to me" 93% fight.
Over all, I liked this. It had enough spice to keep my attention, the over all relationship was good, though I really did not like a lot of the banter. That sounds rough, but for some reason it didn't work for me, but I was able to skim past most of that and get to the story.
I got this one from netgalley.
February 11, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up.
This one is spicy, folks! I enjoyed On The Hustle for the most part except, for whatever reason, it just didn’t hold my attention. I found I’d read ten pages, put it down, scroll on my phone, and repeat.
I did like Alba and Theo and their relationship, a lot, and the spice was sexy AF.
This one is spicy, folks! I enjoyed On The Hustle for the most part except, for whatever reason, it just didn’t hold my attention. I found I’d read ten pages, put it down, scroll on my phone, and repeat.
I did like Alba and Theo and their relationship, a lot, and the spice was sexy AF.
August 31, 2022
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and publisher, Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin). All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: October 11, 2022
Series: Dating in Dallas #2
Pages: 352
This is a first time read by Adriana Herrera, new author to this reader. What can I say about “On the Hustle”…it was such a wonderful and entertaining read. I love that Alba is a strong woman and was full of everything I like in a good book. This book was good from start to finish. The H/h were very likeable individuals and bring you plenty of chemistry and sexual tension to go along with the spicy banter which made it sooo hot. This is one that I highly recommend the read if you enjoy workplace romance that throws a bit of spicy Latina in to boot. Look forward to reading more from this author.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: October 11, 2022
Series: Dating in Dallas #2
Pages: 352
This is a first time read by Adriana Herrera, new author to this reader. What can I say about “On the Hustle”…it was such a wonderful and entertaining read. I love that Alba is a strong woman and was full of everything I like in a good book. This book was good from start to finish. The H/h were very likeable individuals and bring you plenty of chemistry and sexual tension to go along with the spicy banter which made it sooo hot. This is one that I highly recommend the read if you enjoy workplace romance that throws a bit of spicy Latina in to boot. Look forward to reading more from this author.
April 12, 2023
3.5 stars
I really liked these two and was fully invested, sadly somewhere around the halfway point I started to lose interest. I did want to know how it ended, but could have easily not finished.
This is the vaguest review ever, but it's all I have.
I really liked these two and was fully invested, sadly somewhere around the halfway point I started to lose interest. I did want to know how it ended, but could have easily not finished.
This is the vaguest review ever, but it's all I have.
August 6, 2022
(free review copy) This one was fresh and exactly what I needed! I loved the rerun to the Dallas friend group from book 1 and all the Dominican culture. Also, the bookish interior design content is phenomenal! And Alba and Theo are adorable together. But damn, just be warned ~ this book is STEAMY 🔥 I adored the bedroom gymnastics but it’s definitely not for the clutch-my-pearls crowd.
October 19, 2022
This is how i love my contemporary romance with BIPOC representation!!!!! This one was🔥🔥🔥🔥🥵🥵
October 5, 2022
Well, hello Alba and Theo!
Earlier this year a friend recommended Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera to me and I simply fell in love with the characters, their chemistry and the way those characters interacted with their family. And now Ms Herrera gives us another book in this world (which it may be set in the "Dating in Dallas" world, but is 100% a complete standalone) and I'm here for it!
Alba comes from a close-knit family and she feels the weight of the responsibility of taking care of them. She puts off her happiness and her success to take care of those around her by working her self to the bone. Be it her siblings, her mother, her grandmother or even her boss, she works her tail off for others. When she finally gets the opportunity to pursue her dreams, she quits her long time job of being an assistant to the very uptight, demanding and successful Theo. With plans to leave New York and head to Dallas to try something new and be with her BFF, Julia (from Here to Stay), Alba takes the first step in doing something for herself and her future.
Meanwhile, we have Theo who is running his dad's business but doesn't feel fully invested in the company he created. It's his dad's business that he had just handed to him. But he's still a character that is cold and demanding. Or is there more to this guy than we first see?? When Alba lets Theo know that she will be leaving as his assistant, he acts indifferent. But once we get his POV, we realize his indifference is happiness because now he can pursue the assistant he has had his eyes on since the first day she walked into his office. But Alba is leaving for Dallas. How can he pursue her if she is in a different state?
Theo is a man of action and he will do anything to get his woman and to make her happy while seeing her flourish and succeed. So what does he do besides create an opportunity for her and makes his way to Dallas to win the woman he's been pining over for THREE years! And what ensues is seeing a whole different Theo with major sexual tension between him and Alba. And Man oh man do these two ignite!!!
I loved seeing Dallas Theo and the way he let it be known why he was there and how much he cared for Alba (and 'dat a$$). When a man shows his vulnerability and opens up while also letting the woman he cares for grow and pursue her dreams, it is damn sexy! These two provide much heat and a lot of support toward one another. But what levels up this story is the friend group and the way they are there for one another to support these two while they go through their ups and down. What I also loved was the different family dynamics between Alba and her immigrant family and Theo and his dad and step-mom. Very different, but both filled with so much love.
If you can't tell, I really enjoyed this story and seeing two people work toward what they want out of love and their futures. It's not easy opening up and allowing someone else into your world. Luckily, Theo was. never giving up when all Alba did was push him away even when she didn't want to. But the icing on the cake of this story? Alba's work as a bookish boudoir creator!!! How perfect to have a character creating things that so much of us romance readers would love to see and have. Adriana Herrera, please make Bookish Living/Bookish Boudoir a thing!
Great book. Great characters and a fun and sexy forced proximity work place romance that I 100% recommend.
Earlier this year a friend recommended Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera to me and I simply fell in love with the characters, their chemistry and the way those characters interacted with their family. And now Ms Herrera gives us another book in this world (which it may be set in the "Dating in Dallas" world, but is 100% a complete standalone) and I'm here for it!
Alba comes from a close-knit family and she feels the weight of the responsibility of taking care of them. She puts off her happiness and her success to take care of those around her by working her self to the bone. Be it her siblings, her mother, her grandmother or even her boss, she works her tail off for others. When she finally gets the opportunity to pursue her dreams, she quits her long time job of being an assistant to the very uptight, demanding and successful Theo. With plans to leave New York and head to Dallas to try something new and be with her BFF, Julia (from Here to Stay), Alba takes the first step in doing something for herself and her future.
Meanwhile, we have Theo who is running his dad's business but doesn't feel fully invested in the company he created. It's his dad's business that he had just handed to him. But he's still a character that is cold and demanding. Or is there more to this guy than we first see?? When Alba lets Theo know that she will be leaving as his assistant, he acts indifferent. But once we get his POV, we realize his indifference is happiness because now he can pursue the assistant he has had his eyes on since the first day she walked into his office. But Alba is leaving for Dallas. How can he pursue her if she is in a different state?
Theo is a man of action and he will do anything to get his woman and to make her happy while seeing her flourish and succeed. So what does he do besides create an opportunity for her and makes his way to Dallas to win the woman he's been pining over for THREE years! And what ensues is seeing a whole different Theo with major sexual tension between him and Alba. And Man oh man do these two ignite!!!
I loved seeing Dallas Theo and the way he let it be known why he was there and how much he cared for Alba (and 'dat a$$). When a man shows his vulnerability and opens up while also letting the woman he cares for grow and pursue her dreams, it is damn sexy! These two provide much heat and a lot of support toward one another. But what levels up this story is the friend group and the way they are there for one another to support these two while they go through their ups and down. What I also loved was the different family dynamics between Alba and her immigrant family and Theo and his dad and step-mom. Very different, but both filled with so much love.
If you can't tell, I really enjoyed this story and seeing two people work toward what they want out of love and their futures. It's not easy opening up and allowing someone else into your world. Luckily, Theo was. never giving up when all Alba did was push him away even when she didn't want to. But the icing on the cake of this story? Alba's work as a bookish boudoir creator!!! How perfect to have a character creating things that so much of us romance readers would love to see and have. Adriana Herrera, please make Bookish Living/Bookish Boudoir a thing!
Great book. Great characters and a fun and sexy forced proximity work place romance that I 100% recommend.
September 7, 2023
Theo my man! This is a top 5 read of the year for me! Short summary: Alba has worked as Theos assistant for years and has finally decided to quit so she can work to build her own brand and company in another state. Unbeknownst to both Alba and the reader, Theo has been smitten with her since the day they met, and his abrasiveness as a boss has been because he wanted to devour her every time they were in the same room! Whew!
Theo really put in the work for this book, and I love and appreciate that in a hero! And that mouth of his?!? Omfgggg he dirty talks in Spanish and it had me using the translate button because I needed to know what that sinful mouth was saying! He goes down on her and calls her kitty his birthday cake because he couldn't find the right word in the moment lol!!!
Alba is the kind of heroine I love. She makes bookish themed rooms for her social media following and has high hopes of turning it into something major! She crushed on Theo but never thought the perfectly sculpted and difficult boss would ever see her that way.
I love how easily Alba and Theo click together, and this is one of those books I'll recommend to anybody because of its bookish content and amazing love story. And yes, it's spicy AF!
Theo really put in the work for this book, and I love and appreciate that in a hero! And that mouth of his?!? Omfgggg he dirty talks in Spanish and it had me using the translate button because I needed to know what that sinful mouth was saying! He goes down on her and calls her kitty his birthday cake because he couldn't find the right word in the moment lol!!!
Alba is the kind of heroine I love. She makes bookish themed rooms for her social media following and has high hopes of turning it into something major! She crushed on Theo but never thought the perfectly sculpted and difficult boss would ever see her that way.
I love how easily Alba and Theo click together, and this is one of those books I'll recommend to anybody because of its bookish content and amazing love story. And yes, it's spicy AF!
dnf
July 30, 2023DNF at page 192
This book wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't for me.
My first misstep was skimming the summary and reviews and assuming that the assistant/boss dynamic would be similar to The Wall of Winnipeg and Me AKA one of my favorite books... it was not. It starts out with the Hero being grump and broody but Theo quickly does a 180 and becomes nice and charming, which isn't bad per se, but it was very jarring.
Second I did not care about any of the side characters and subplots in this book. This could be because I picked up the second book in this series, but I really could care less about Alba's friend group. In general I do not like when MCs have pre-established friend group that the other MC has to win over or has to integrate into. I just want the two MCs to take up most of the page time.
Third, and this one is definitely all my fault. I am in a very bad reading slump/mood. Nothing is catching my interest and I know I am looking at things in a harsher sense. But either way this was not the book to get me out of my reading slump.
This book wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't for me.
My first misstep was skimming the summary and reviews and assuming that the assistant/boss dynamic would be similar to The Wall of Winnipeg and Me AKA one of my favorite books... it was not. It starts out with the Hero being grump and broody but Theo quickly does a 180 and becomes nice and charming, which isn't bad per se, but it was very jarring.
Second I did not care about any of the side characters and subplots in this book. This could be because I picked up the second book in this series, but I really could care less about Alba's friend group. In general I do not like when MCs have pre-established friend group that the other MC has to win over or has to integrate into. I just want the two MCs to take up most of the page time.
Third, and this one is definitely all my fault. I am in a very bad reading slump/mood. Nothing is catching my interest and I know I am looking at things in a harsher sense. But either way this was not the book to get me out of my reading slump.
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