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Love on Cue #1
Acting on Impulse
"Guarantees characters that glow with equal parts wit, sass, and sensuality." Library Journal (Starred Review) The first in a fun, flirty series from Mia Sosa! After a very public breakup with a media-hungry politician, fitness trainer Tori Alvarez escapes to Aruba for rest, relaxation, and copious amounts of sex on the beach ―the cocktail, that is. She vows to keep her vacation a man-free zone but when a cute guy is seated next to her on the plane, Tori can’t resist a little harmless flirting. Hollywood heartthrob Carter Stone underwent a dramatic physical transformation for his latest role and it’s clear his stunning seat mate doesn’t recognize the man beneath the shaggy beard and extra lean frame. Now Carter needs help rebuilding his buff physique and Tori is perfect for the job. It doesn’t hurt that she makes his pulse pound in more ways than one. Sparks are flying, until a pesky paparazzo reveals Carter’s identity. Tori is hurt and pissed . She wants nothing to do with another man in the limelight, but she’s still got to whip him into shape. Can Carter convince Tori he’s worth the threat to her privacy that comes with dating a famous actor, or will Tori chisel him down to nothing before he even gets the chance? Grab the popcorn…
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First published September 19, 2017
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About the author
Mia Sosa
13 books3,194 followersMia Sosa is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her books have received praise from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Library Journal, The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, NPR, and more.
Booklist called her the “go-to author for fans of sassy and sexy contemporary romances,” and Entertainment Weekly described her trade paperback debut, The Worst Best Man, as "rom-com perfection."
A former First Amendment and media lawyer, Mia practiced for more than a decade before trading her suits for loungewear (read: sweatpants). Now she writes fun, flirty, and moderately dirty stories about imperfect characters finding their perfect match.
Mia lives in Maryland with her husband, their two daughters, a gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and one rescue cat that rules them all.
For more information about Mia and her books, visit www.miasosa.com.
Booklist called her the “go-to author for fans of sassy and sexy contemporary romances,” and Entertainment Weekly described her trade paperback debut, The Worst Best Man, as "rom-com perfection."
A former First Amendment and media lawyer, Mia practiced for more than a decade before trading her suits for loungewear (read: sweatpants). Now she writes fun, flirty, and moderately dirty stories about imperfect characters finding their perfect match.
Mia lives in Maryland with her husband, their two daughters, a gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and one rescue cat that rules them all.
For more information about Mia and her books, visit www.miasosa.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
September 19, 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3.5 STARS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How do you like your romance? Personally, I like it just the way Mia Sosa delivers it! Light, funny and a little sexy! A nice package to uplift any kind of mood!
I’m so grateful for book friends, see, I was in this book funk, nothing grabbing my attention, not the +500 books loaded in my kindle, nor the hundreds (thousands but I must pretend I still have room to buy more) waiting to be stroked on my bookshelves when a friend posted on twitter about this new-to-me author releasing a romance book about diverse characters.
Carter Stone, covert Hollywood hottie meets spirited fitness trainer on a plane and it’s lust—no— love—okay maybe a little bit of both— at first sight. One obstacle : After a bad and very public breakup, Tori Alvarez swore off men and media attention must be avoided at all costs.
I felt like this book needed to be in my possession pronto. It felt like this little meet cute on a plane was exactly what I needed. And it just felt like this kind of light and flirty romance between two strangers was the perfect escape book I was looking for!
Instantaneously, maybe not from page one but rolled in page two and Carter’s POV had me hooked and smiling. I just connected with his cocky and confident demeanor, his cocksure and cheeky attitude but most of all I just clicked with the ludicrous and irrational thoughts of his.
See, it all started with insta lust/love on a plane for him and I just had to know if his predictions would be right and I also had to see how far his embarrassment would go. He’s used to his charms working in a flash with the ladies and never had to work for it, here he seems to forget his current look matches his last role for a movie he just finished and he’s maybe not looking or appearing as confident and bold as he is.
Acting On Impulse is told in dual POV, which let me enjoy the opportunity to know more about the heroine, Tori Alvarez. Fitness trainer she comes from a Puerto Rican family and although successful in her life, she feels an outcast in her own tribe. I loved exploring this sensible side of hers and read about her wonderful family! She was a positively strong heroine, fierce and honest.
I enjoyed the get to know you stage between both characters (my favorite part), the development of a great friendship and the quality banter between Tori and Carter. The chase and seduction dance between them was flirty and had me tapping my foot in frustration, this slow burn was as torturous as it should be.
We also can’t mention a slow burn without a proper… ahem, discharge. But no worries here, the author has it covered!
I knew this book was described as flirty, but I was far from expecting such a level of steam! Damn but Mia Sosa hides a dirty mind behind that lovely pen of hers!
Another thing I must point out about this book is the writing. Fetching and engaging, it just made me devour this book in little to no time. Mia Sosa writes like she would talk to a friend and I enjoyed this interaction in the book, sometimes addressing to us, reader. It felt a little like a third narrator interventions and I enjoyed this dimension.
Altogether, I truly enjoyed reading Acting On Impulse, by why not a 4 stars rating or more?
Well, I guess at some point you could say I felt a little disinterested. Disinterested by the sudden angst development created by the heroine when she decided to cut Carter loose over a simple misunderstanding. Granted it was the perfect plot play to introduce the heroine’s family and secondary characters but Tori’s reaction felt in total opposition to how the author first portrayed her: strong and resilient.
Some of the things Carter would say during foreplay in the bedroom seemed out of character or maybe too sudden-like. For me anyways.
So this is probably reflecting on me and my personal taste and not the content of the book itself, and as you’re well aware, reading is subjective. 3.5 stars is a good and solid rating for me, and as such I’m really encouraging you to read this book, it was fun and flirty (HOT AS HELL)!
I’m very much looking forward the next book in the series, which should be about the best friend/agent Julian, and Carter’s little sister, Ashley. I’m salivating already for this “my best friend’s little sister trope“!!!
I received a review copy in exchange for my review.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
With her, I embrace realness, whether good, bad, or embarrassing.
How do you like your romance? Personally, I like it just the way Mia Sosa delivers it! Light, funny and a little sexy! A nice package to uplift any kind of mood!
I’m so grateful for book friends, see, I was in this book funk, nothing grabbing my attention, not the +500 books loaded in my kindle, nor the hundreds (thousands but I must pretend I still have room to buy more) waiting to be stroked on my bookshelves when a friend posted on twitter about this new-to-me author releasing a romance book about diverse characters.
Carter Stone, covert Hollywood hottie meets spirited fitness trainer on a plane and it’s lust—no— love—okay maybe a little bit of both— at first sight. One obstacle : After a bad and very public breakup, Tori Alvarez swore off men and media attention must be avoided at all costs.
I felt like this book needed to be in my possession pronto. It felt like this little meet cute on a plane was exactly what I needed. And it just felt like this kind of light and flirty romance between two strangers was the perfect escape book I was looking for!
Instantaneously, maybe not from page one but rolled in page two and Carter’s POV had me hooked and smiling. I just connected with his cocky and confident demeanor, his cocksure and cheeky attitude but most of all I just clicked with the ludicrous and irrational thoughts of his.
Look, before you decide I’m a shallow jerk for choosing my life partner based on appearance alone, consider this: Sexual compatibility is a strong indicator of long-term wedded bliss.
See, it all started with insta lust/love on a plane for him and I just had to know if his predictions would be right and I also had to see how far his embarrassment would go. He’s used to his charms working in a flash with the ladies and never had to work for it, here he seems to forget his current look matches his last role for a movie he just finished and he’s maybe not looking or appearing as confident and bold as he is.
Acting On Impulse is told in dual POV, which let me enjoy the opportunity to know more about the heroine, Tori Alvarez. Fitness trainer she comes from a Puerto Rican family and although successful in her life, she feels an outcast in her own tribe. I loved exploring this sensible side of hers and read about her wonderful family! She was a positively strong heroine, fierce and honest.
This is wrong, wrong. And risky. And it will complicate my life in ways I can’t even imagine.
I enjoyed the get to know you stage between both characters (my favorite part), the development of a great friendship and the quality banter between Tori and Carter. The chase and seduction dance between them was flirty and had me tapping my foot in frustration, this slow burn was as torturous as it should be.
What do you think will happen if you touch me? The sky won’t fall, the earth will still spin, I promise.
We also can’t mention a slow burn without a proper… ahem, discharge. But no worries here, the author has it covered!
I knew this book was described as flirty, but I was far from expecting such a level of steam! Damn but Mia Sosa hides a dirty mind behind that lovely pen of hers!
Another thing I must point out about this book is the writing. Fetching and engaging, it just made me devour this book in little to no time. Mia Sosa writes like she would talk to a friend and I enjoyed this interaction in the book, sometimes addressing to us, reader. It felt a little like a third narrator interventions and I enjoyed this dimension.
Altogether, I truly enjoyed reading Acting On Impulse, by why not a 4 stars rating or more?
Well, I guess at some point you could say I felt a little disinterested. Disinterested by the sudden angst development created by the heroine when she decided to cut Carter loose over a simple misunderstanding. Granted it was the perfect plot play to introduce the heroine’s family and secondary characters but Tori’s reaction felt in total opposition to how the author first portrayed her: strong and resilient.
Some of the things Carter would say during foreplay in the bedroom seemed out of character or maybe too sudden-like. For me anyways.
So this is probably reflecting on me and my personal taste and not the content of the book itself, and as you’re well aware, reading is subjective. 3.5 stars is a good and solid rating for me, and as such I’m really encouraging you to read this book, it was fun and flirty (HOT AS HELL)!
I’m very much looking forward the next book in the series, which should be about the best friend/agent Julian, and Carter’s little sister, Ashley. I’m salivating already for this “my best friend’s little sister trope“!!!
I received a review copy in exchange for my review.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
September 6, 2017
2.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Tori isn't having the best week after a public break-up with her boyfriend. She decides a trip to Aruba for some rest, relaxation, and no drama is needed.
After losing a bunch of weight for a movie role, Carter decides that a week of rest, relaxation, and no drama is needed.
From the moment Tori and Carter meet on the plane bound for Aruba, rest, relaxation, and no drama go right out the window.
First in the Love on Cue series, Acting on Impulse was a fun fast-paced contemporary jaunt. Written in the currently popular first person pov chapter switching from hero and heroine, we also got a bit of fourth wall breaking. The writing style has a bit of write like you talk feel and there are moments where the hero and heroine seem to acknowledge an outside audience with comments directed at the reader. While this style can give the reader more of an inclusive feeling, I personally like to remain a certain distance with more of a look-in at a story than inclusion in one.
"You should know this, though. I will always take no for an answer, but the minute you say otherwise, you're mine, and I won't hold anything back."
Carter, our hero, was an affable, relaxed, and slightly goofy guy. With an insta-attraction bit, as soon as he sees our heroine he starts calling her his future wife in his mind. The pressure of being in Hollywood and the guard he must constantly have up around people made up most of the background depth for him. We get a little more personality out of him in his interactions with his friend who is also his agent, his younger sister, and family visit. On the whole though, I'm not sure he really popped out of the light and fun model hero.
Our heroine Tori had more spark and life and the character you're going to really enjoy. She was a capable and strong heroine who you'd want as a friend. Since the author wrote her so self-assured it felt really forced when Tori would shy away from a relationship with Carter because of her ex's past action of announcing their break-up publically. She had a very straightforward personality and it was a little disappointing to have her seemingly act out of character with forced angst turning away from Carter.
Even though Carter starts off thinking Tori is his future wife, his trust in others somewhat holds him back and with Tori letting her past relationship taint her future one, our couple had a hot for but keep arms length away relationship for the majority of the book. It wasn't until around the 60% mark that I felt like things started rolling. The author did a credible job of rounding out the story with some family drama for Tori and professional drama for Carter that helped add dimensions to our characters. There was a hint at secondary romance between Carter's friend/agent and his younger sister and Tori's roommate/friend and boss that did peak my interest.
All in all, this was a quick read with a nice hero, great heroine who got tweaked a bit to create some angst, and some steamy action scenes. The first person pov with fourth wall breaking and insta-attraction weren't to my personal likes but was still fun to escape into for a couple hours.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Tori isn't having the best week after a public break-up with her boyfriend. She decides a trip to Aruba for some rest, relaxation, and no drama is needed.
After losing a bunch of weight for a movie role, Carter decides that a week of rest, relaxation, and no drama is needed.
From the moment Tori and Carter meet on the plane bound for Aruba, rest, relaxation, and no drama go right out the window.
First in the Love on Cue series, Acting on Impulse was a fun fast-paced contemporary jaunt. Written in the currently popular first person pov chapter switching from hero and heroine, we also got a bit of fourth wall breaking. The writing style has a bit of write like you talk feel and there are moments where the hero and heroine seem to acknowledge an outside audience with comments directed at the reader. While this style can give the reader more of an inclusive feeling, I personally like to remain a certain distance with more of a look-in at a story than inclusion in one.
"You should know this, though. I will always take no for an answer, but the minute you say otherwise, you're mine, and I won't hold anything back."
Carter, our hero, was an affable, relaxed, and slightly goofy guy. With an insta-attraction bit, as soon as he sees our heroine he starts calling her his future wife in his mind. The pressure of being in Hollywood and the guard he must constantly have up around people made up most of the background depth for him. We get a little more personality out of him in his interactions with his friend who is also his agent, his younger sister, and family visit. On the whole though, I'm not sure he really popped out of the light and fun model hero.
Our heroine Tori had more spark and life and the character you're going to really enjoy. She was a capable and strong heroine who you'd want as a friend. Since the author wrote her so self-assured it felt really forced when Tori would shy away from a relationship with Carter because of her ex's past action of announcing their break-up publically. She had a very straightforward personality and it was a little disappointing to have her seemingly act out of character with forced angst turning away from Carter.
Even though Carter starts off thinking Tori is his future wife, his trust in others somewhat holds him back and with Tori letting her past relationship taint her future one, our couple had a hot for but keep arms length away relationship for the majority of the book. It wasn't until around the 60% mark that I felt like things started rolling. The author did a credible job of rounding out the story with some family drama for Tori and professional drama for Carter that helped add dimensions to our characters. There was a hint at secondary romance between Carter's friend/agent and his younger sister and Tori's roommate/friend and boss that did peak my interest.
All in all, this was a quick read with a nice hero, great heroine who got tweaked a bit to create some angst, and some steamy action scenes. The first person pov with fourth wall breaking and insta-attraction weren't to my personal likes but was still fun to escape into for a couple hours.
June 14, 2019
3.5 stars.
What a charming read. Acting on Impulse was sweet, amusing, and steamy (although my pervy self wouldn't have minded a bit more steam). While reading, I thought, "I would totally watch more romantic comedies if they were based off books like this." Then I remembered that books are almost always better than movies. Sigh.
Initially, I didn't know if I would like actor Carter, with his whole "I just met my future wife" schtick. Yet it soon became apparent that he wasn't arrogant but truly earnest. Carter was a great hero - adorakable yet still capable of bringing the sexy, and he displayed a quality that I appreciate in heroes: vulnerability. He made a few stupid decisions due to his insecurity regarding his Hollywood star persona, but it felt authentic. Personal trainer Tori is the type of heroine that I absolutely love, remaining independent and true to herself throughout the story. She didn't crumble, but she was willing to compromise. Her attempt to balance her career ambitions with often tense familial dynamics - worry for a sick father, guilt for not helping with the family restaurant more, resentment from her sister - was relatable.
The story was a bit slow to truly engage me, and it occasionally broke the fourth wall, which I tend to dislike. But my enjoyment overcame my small niggles. Since contemporary romances are often hit-and-miss for me, I'm always delighted to find one that makes me laugh or keeps me entertained. Acting on Impulse did both.
Read for SBTB April - June 2019 Quarterly Challenge: A book that you consider to be "sweet".
What a charming read. Acting on Impulse was sweet, amusing, and steamy (although my pervy self wouldn't have minded a bit more steam). While reading, I thought, "I would totally watch more romantic comedies if they were based off books like this." Then I remembered that books are almost always better than movies. Sigh.
Initially, I didn't know if I would like actor Carter, with his whole "I just met my future wife" schtick. Yet it soon became apparent that he wasn't arrogant but truly earnest. Carter was a great hero - adorakable yet still capable of bringing the sexy, and he displayed a quality that I appreciate in heroes: vulnerability. He made a few stupid decisions due to his insecurity regarding his Hollywood star persona, but it felt authentic. Personal trainer Tori is the type of heroine that I absolutely love, remaining independent and true to herself throughout the story. She didn't crumble, but she was willing to compromise. Her attempt to balance her career ambitions with often tense familial dynamics - worry for a sick father, guilt for not helping with the family restaurant more, resentment from her sister - was relatable.
The story was a bit slow to truly engage me, and it occasionally broke the fourth wall, which I tend to dislike. But my enjoyment overcame my small niggles. Since contemporary romances are often hit-and-miss for me, I'm always delighted to find one that makes me laugh or keeps me entertained. Acting on Impulse did both.
Read for SBTB April - June 2019 Quarterly Challenge: A book that you consider to be "sweet".
August 8, 2018
This was a really cute read! I've been meaning to read this one for a long while and I'm happy I finally took the time to give it a chance. I really loved Carter and I loved how sweet he is. He's what you would call a beta-male and honestly I am 100% here for more of those kind of heroes because they are so amazing. I really loved Tori too! She is so badass and I loved how she both knew who she was and was also capable of understanding her weaknesses and learning to grow and change to become a better person.
I was kinda disappointed with the fact that nobody told me that Tori was older than Carter and it since that's a trope I desperately stay away from, I was questioning if I should just stop reading and DNF it. But ultimately I decided to keep reading because it was only a 2 year age gap and that's practically nothing (or so I kept telling myself until my brain stopped complaining about it lol) and also because I was just enjoying it SO MUCH before I found out about their ages and I didn't want to stop just because of that. Besides the age didn't become this huge plot point where they agonize over it and bring it up again and again which is part of the reason why I dislike those kinds of romances so it was easier to just try and forget about it. And while I was able to still enjoy the book I do question if part of the reason this wasn't a 5 star read for me was because of my stupid pickiness with tropes and ages. But then again, that's just me and my preference for the kind of books I like to read. I've tried to change in that respect but I don't think it will change haha
Overall I'd definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, fun, sweet and yet the perfect amount of sexy, contemporary romance!
I was kinda disappointed with the fact that nobody told me that Tori was older than Carter and it since that's a trope I desperately stay away from, I was questioning if I should just stop reading and DNF it. But ultimately I decided to keep reading because it was only a 2 year age gap and that's practically nothing (or so I kept telling myself until my brain stopped complaining about it lol) and also because I was just enjoying it SO MUCH before I found out about their ages and I didn't want to stop just because of that. Besides the age didn't become this huge plot point where they agonize over it and bring it up again and again which is part of the reason why I dislike those kinds of romances so it was easier to just try and forget about it. And while I was able to still enjoy the book I do question if part of the reason this wasn't a 5 star read for me was because of my stupid pickiness with tropes and ages. But then again, that's just me and my preference for the kind of books I like to read. I've tried to change in that respect but I don't think it will change haha
Overall I'd definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, fun, sweet and yet the perfect amount of sexy, contemporary romance!
September 20, 2017
4 “Take me to Aruba” Stars
ARC provided by the author
Thank you!!
Looking for a fun, sexy, refreshing read with a sassy Latina main character and a swoony Hollywood love interest? Then you got it. Even if you weren’t looking for exactly that, you still want to read Acting on Impulse. Trust me.
I read my first Mia Sosa book last year, and I truly enjoyed how she wrote what I called “realistic romances”. For me, those are stories you can see yourself or someone you know living. Instead of that big drama that I love in angst reads, in Mia Sosa’s books I always find relatable problems/situations that I believe most women can find themselves into. Even though Acting on Impulse featured a Hollywood star as the love interest, the way he met and fell in love with the main character was still fairly “normal” (not impossible to happen).
Honestly, I think there’s something special about authors who can write sexy, swoony romances that are still relatable.
And Acting on Impulse had all of that.
For me, the fun element was the one I noticed first. The first chapter is written from Hollywood heartthrob Carter Stone’s POV, and the voice was light, funny and sexy.
There was insta-lust when he first sees fitness trainer Tori Alvarez on the plane, but I didn’t mind it because it didn’t feel like he was taking it too seriously. The way he called her “his future” wife and kept thinking about how he’d tell this story to their grandchildren was sort of adorable, and a lot less creepy than one might think. The main reason it worked for me was because of the sweet and fun theme that followed the story from start to finish, and also because Carter was a real sweetheart and being inside his head was a pleasure.
Tori’s POV chapters were also extremely enjoyable. She was a smart, confident and funny woman, and she made me smile and laugh quite a lot. She was sassy in a non-annoying way, which, trust me, isn’t easy to pull off.
Another thing I enjoyed about Tori was how centered and matured she acted. When I thought she’d freak out over something, she found a composed and mature way to deal with it—be it her problems with her family, her relationship with Carter, her breakup with her ex or even the annoying reporters. It helped keep the story light, and it didn’t hurt the fun element, because the heart of the story wasn’t the drama, but the romance.
And I loved the romance. It was refreshing to see how it started—as two strangers forming some sort of heated friendship in a hot location. Side note: this story left me craving a visit to Aruba! It was even more refreshing to see how it developed. Everyone knows I’m a fan of slow burn, and this had a little bit of it. Even though Tori and Carter were dying to jump in bed, they kept their hands to each other for a while, and that only made me want to see them together more. A little torture is good for this romance-reader heart.
One last thing I want to say about this story is how the ending surprised me. I thought Carter’s movie plot was going to go one way, but it ended up being completely different from what I expected. He got his happy ending in all aspects of his life, obviously, but not in an obvious way.
Overall, Acting on Impulse was another win for me when it comes to Mia Sosa’s books, and I’m extremely happy I got the chance to read it.
December 31, 2017
My brain is too mushy to write a review so I’m just going to say this book is equally lovely and thrilling. I laughed so much, there are butterflies in my stomach.
May 22, 2018
Goodreads is so dangerous. I finish a book...off to review!! Then after a solid time scrolling through updates remember what I was really here for...
So...my expectations were pretty low for this. I couldn't tell ya why. They were though. So when this novel cleverly starts off with an actor (must be said in Tobias voice from arrested development, ty) on an airplane, getting away...I still wasn't expecting much. Until I was. Something about Carter's voice hit that Lauren Blakely feel for me-I like her male POVs-but this was kind of really cute. It was insta-lust, but with Carter imagining his future in a not-sappy but totally has the hots for the woman in 12D (or whatever). Sometimes we see people and I make up an entire future or backstory. I have, in fact, seen men that I've been attracted to and thought "hmm, in a parallel universe here's what happens." What saved this book from a case of insta-lust/insta-attraction/insta-insanity was that though Carter was quite interested, it was all kind of a lark too. And basically precisely fit the title "Acting on impulse." Sure, he was totally into her, and really wanted her--but it was a connection and he didn't over sap-ify or romanticize or alpha-male his way in there. He didn't even really pursue her aggressively. He was just charming, they had fun....she calls him on mansplaining, and basically things do not unfold in a predictable way.
Maybe coming here wasn't a terrible idea after all. The woman I like is meeting my parents under circumstances that won't induce stress. Years from now, Tori will thank me for being forward-thinking. This future-invested hero was done so cheekily, it really saved it from that shallow insta feeling that would normally plague a novel of this kind.
My comparisons to Lauren Blakely, my trusted palate cleanser, ends there. This is a higher caliber romance with more development than that if you ask me. A Puerto Rican heroine who is a personal trainer and shows plenty of all of that. An actor who loves his craft, his friends, and his family. Their families are in this book. The finesse in this book was building two characters who are good at showing their respect and admiration for each other honestly, and through gestures. (Tori telling him he has value as a rom-com actor because of how romance novels were her only escape when her father had a stroke because he felt like he had to be "more" than that. Carter checking out her community exercise class.)
"What part of 'don't call attention to yourself' did you not understand?"
I shrug. "Most of it."
Totally weird, some of the humor relied on a second person narrative style. Thankfully, it was just glimmers, and I felt the whole book was so charming I kind of loved it. Other than some gimmicks at the end I wish weren't employed cause this book didn't need them, I was super happy and surprised by the whole thing.
So...my expectations were pretty low for this. I couldn't tell ya why. They were though. So when this novel cleverly starts off with an actor (must be said in Tobias voice from arrested development, ty) on an airplane, getting away...I still wasn't expecting much. Until I was. Something about Carter's voice hit that Lauren Blakely feel for me-I like her male POVs-but this was kind of really cute. It was insta-lust, but with Carter imagining his future in a not-sappy but totally has the hots for the woman in 12D (or whatever). Sometimes we see people and I make up an entire future or backstory. I have, in fact, seen men that I've been attracted to and thought "hmm, in a parallel universe here's what happens." What saved this book from a case of insta-lust/insta-attraction/insta-insanity was that though Carter was quite interested, it was all kind of a lark too. And basically precisely fit the title "Acting on impulse." Sure, he was totally into her, and really wanted her--but it was a connection and he didn't over sap-ify or romanticize or alpha-male his way in there. He didn't even really pursue her aggressively. He was just charming, they had fun....she calls him on mansplaining, and basically things do not unfold in a predictable way.
Maybe coming here wasn't a terrible idea after all. The woman I like is meeting my parents under circumstances that won't induce stress. Years from now, Tori will thank me for being forward-thinking. This future-invested hero was done so cheekily, it really saved it from that shallow insta feeling that would normally plague a novel of this kind.
My comparisons to Lauren Blakely, my trusted palate cleanser, ends there. This is a higher caliber romance with more development than that if you ask me. A Puerto Rican heroine who is a personal trainer and shows plenty of all of that. An actor who loves his craft, his friends, and his family. Their families are in this book. The finesse in this book was building two characters who are good at showing their respect and admiration for each other honestly, and through gestures. (Tori telling him he has value as a rom-com actor because of how romance novels were her only escape when her father had a stroke because he felt like he had to be "more" than that. Carter checking out her community exercise class.)
"What part of 'don't call attention to yourself' did you not understand?"
I shrug. "Most of it."
Totally weird, some of the humor relied on a second person narrative style. Thankfully, it was just glimmers, and I felt the whole book was so charming I kind of loved it. Other than some gimmicks at the end I wish weren't employed cause this book didn't need them, I was super happy and surprised by the whole thing.
March 31, 2018
In my quest to read more new to me authors this year, with an emphasis on diverse/own voices, I found a real winner in Mia Sosa’s Acting on Impulse, the first story in her Love on Cue series. I usually stay clear of the ‘rich Hollywood movie star falls for ordinary citizen’ type of story but the synopsis for this one makes it clear that the heroine isn’t going be swayed by stardom. From the meet-cute (which doesn’t end well for the hero) to the finale it’s a delight all the way through.
Carter Stone went through a difficult physical regimen to get himself in the right shape to portray a struggling drug addict. The unauthorized release of tabloid fodder pictures taken by an unscrupulous doctor have him heading to Aruba to escape the press. His seat mate catches his eye immediately, though in his haste to impress the beautiful woman next to him he forgets that his current image is far from a catch. Awkward! Once landed, they strike up an honest friendship – with the exception of his not revealing his true identity. It’s refreshing for him to be seen as a man and not as an actor, but his secret is revealed just in time to wreck what they’ve been building.
Personal trainer Tori Alvarez may be able to get anyone’s body into shape, but her heart took a beating after her politician ‘boyfriend’ proclaimed himself publicly proclaimed himself single, providing a rude awakening for Tori and instant end to their two year relationship. On the flight to Aruba to regroup, the somewhat scrawny, exhausted man on her flight is no threat to her libido, at least not until they get to know each other better once it turns out they are staying at the same resort. But finding out he’s actually a famous actor? No thanks! She’s had enough of being in the public eye during her relationship with a politician, and has no interest in pursuing anything further with Carter, no matter that he had been an amusing and charming companion.
Back in Philadelphia, Carter’s next acting role needs him to return to his more normal physical form – a feat impossible to accomplish without the dedication and haranguing of a physical trainer. He ends up at Tori’s gym and despite her misgivings Tori agrees to help him get his physique back. His sincere apology goes a long way to restoring their friendship, and eventually all that simmering physical attraction leads to more. But with Tori’s firm stance on staying out of the public eye, is there really a chance that they can make it to the final cut?
If you’re a fan of romantic comedies, then you know you’re in for a treat when you start laughing on the first page. Told from both points of view, Carter’s voice is cocky and self-assured while still being on the right side of decent, and his instant attraction to Tori determines his next move. Far from being put out by his failure to impress her on the plane, he shows a single minded determination to prove to Tori that it’s what’s beneath the surface that counts and his true character is by far more appealing than his Hollywood persona. I am pleased that the author chose not to keep his real identity a secret for long. It’s the initial source of conflict for the couple when back in the United States but Carter’s apology is sincere, and his reasons for keeping his identity secret in the first place are sound. And Tori is honest with herself that her reaction to his betrayal is in proportion to how much she’d come to like him on the island.
Tori is a strong woman, not just physically but in all aspects of her life. She can hold her own in any situation and when her partners at the gym need her to step up, she does. In this case, it’s to take Carter on as a client. Initially she works him harder than necessary, but is quick to correct herself when she realizes he’s sincerely going to follow all her instructions and how dedicated he is to his craft. She’s a really likable character who is friendly, kind, and generous with her time, teaching a community center class in her spare hours. When she and Carter move past friendship to a more intimate relationship, their sex scenes are ones of equal partnership, a true give and take, nurturing a more emotional bond than either expects.
Family relationships make up a sizable portion of the story. Tori’s Puerto Rican family runs a traditional restaurant, and because Tori has chosen a different path for herself, her relationship with her sister – who still works at the restaurant – is strained. And the fact that Tori’s father recently had a stroke and is supposed to be eating a modified diet is a source of conflict between her and her mother. Some of the food served by her mother in the restaurant is deep fried and not low in fat and calories. But her mother views Tori’s rejection of her cooking as a rejection of her, and Tori struggles to balance how to make her fears known without insulting her family. It’s an interesting dynamic, and one that Tori is able to confide to Carter, further cementing his presence in her life.
As for Carter’s family, they are a close bunch and his decisions are often made with them in mind. His mother is a hoot! His close friendship with his agent, Julian, means they can discuss his career and his love life equally. Because of his career in the limelight, he values his close friends and family and this is yet another aspect that draws Tori to him.
There are some cute chapter openings with articles from the Hollywood Observer and the Philly Water Cooler with little gossip tidbits to show what the ‘world’ sees versus what’s really happening behind the scenes with Carter and Tori. The story moves along at an enjoyable pace, with lots of laughs and a few emotional scenes. Tori eventually has to choose whether her feelings for Carter are strong enough to consider the consequences of a real and lasting relationship with him. Acting on Impulse is a genuinely delightful and sexy romance and I’m excited to continue the series!
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review.
Carter Stone went through a difficult physical regimen to get himself in the right shape to portray a struggling drug addict. The unauthorized release of tabloid fodder pictures taken by an unscrupulous doctor have him heading to Aruba to escape the press. His seat mate catches his eye immediately, though in his haste to impress the beautiful woman next to him he forgets that his current image is far from a catch. Awkward! Once landed, they strike up an honest friendship – with the exception of his not revealing his true identity. It’s refreshing for him to be seen as a man and not as an actor, but his secret is revealed just in time to wreck what they’ve been building.
Personal trainer Tori Alvarez may be able to get anyone’s body into shape, but her heart took a beating after her politician ‘boyfriend’ proclaimed himself publicly proclaimed himself single, providing a rude awakening for Tori and instant end to their two year relationship. On the flight to Aruba to regroup, the somewhat scrawny, exhausted man on her flight is no threat to her libido, at least not until they get to know each other better once it turns out they are staying at the same resort. But finding out he’s actually a famous actor? No thanks! She’s had enough of being in the public eye during her relationship with a politician, and has no interest in pursuing anything further with Carter, no matter that he had been an amusing and charming companion.
Back in Philadelphia, Carter’s next acting role needs him to return to his more normal physical form – a feat impossible to accomplish without the dedication and haranguing of a physical trainer. He ends up at Tori’s gym and despite her misgivings Tori agrees to help him get his physique back. His sincere apology goes a long way to restoring their friendship, and eventually all that simmering physical attraction leads to more. But with Tori’s firm stance on staying out of the public eye, is there really a chance that they can make it to the final cut?
If you’re a fan of romantic comedies, then you know you’re in for a treat when you start laughing on the first page. Told from both points of view, Carter’s voice is cocky and self-assured while still being on the right side of decent, and his instant attraction to Tori determines his next move. Far from being put out by his failure to impress her on the plane, he shows a single minded determination to prove to Tori that it’s what’s beneath the surface that counts and his true character is by far more appealing than his Hollywood persona. I am pleased that the author chose not to keep his real identity a secret for long. It’s the initial source of conflict for the couple when back in the United States but Carter’s apology is sincere, and his reasons for keeping his identity secret in the first place are sound. And Tori is honest with herself that her reaction to his betrayal is in proportion to how much she’d come to like him on the island.
Tori is a strong woman, not just physically but in all aspects of her life. She can hold her own in any situation and when her partners at the gym need her to step up, she does. In this case, it’s to take Carter on as a client. Initially she works him harder than necessary, but is quick to correct herself when she realizes he’s sincerely going to follow all her instructions and how dedicated he is to his craft. She’s a really likable character who is friendly, kind, and generous with her time, teaching a community center class in her spare hours. When she and Carter move past friendship to a more intimate relationship, their sex scenes are ones of equal partnership, a true give and take, nurturing a more emotional bond than either expects.
Family relationships make up a sizable portion of the story. Tori’s Puerto Rican family runs a traditional restaurant, and because Tori has chosen a different path for herself, her relationship with her sister – who still works at the restaurant – is strained. And the fact that Tori’s father recently had a stroke and is supposed to be eating a modified diet is a source of conflict between her and her mother. Some of the food served by her mother in the restaurant is deep fried and not low in fat and calories. But her mother views Tori’s rejection of her cooking as a rejection of her, and Tori struggles to balance how to make her fears known without insulting her family. It’s an interesting dynamic, and one that Tori is able to confide to Carter, further cementing his presence in her life.
As for Carter’s family, they are a close bunch and his decisions are often made with them in mind. His mother is a hoot! His close friendship with his agent, Julian, means they can discuss his career and his love life equally. Because of his career in the limelight, he values his close friends and family and this is yet another aspect that draws Tori to him.
There are some cute chapter openings with articles from the Hollywood Observer and the Philly Water Cooler with little gossip tidbits to show what the ‘world’ sees versus what’s really happening behind the scenes with Carter and Tori. The story moves along at an enjoyable pace, with lots of laughs and a few emotional scenes. Tori eventually has to choose whether her feelings for Carter are strong enough to consider the consequences of a real and lasting relationship with him. Acting on Impulse is a genuinely delightful and sexy romance and I’m excited to continue the series!
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review.
January 4, 2018
I feel like a terrible blogger because I read Acting on Impulse at the end of my summer break, but never reviewed it. I was writing a list of book recs for Nereyda when I realized it! Oof! Acting on Impulse was such a fabulous book! It had everything that I enjoy in a good romance – it was honestly a pure joy to read this book, and I’ll certainly be re-reading it when I’m in a book funk. I’m not usually one for celebrity romances, because I feel like a lot of the drama in the book comes from the celebrity status, but I still couldn’t wait to try this one because of that adorable cover. As I said, I adored every moment of this book. It had some fabulous characters, a swoony romance, and a very fun writing style from Mia Sosa.
Tori, the heroine, was a breath of fresh air! She’s sassy, confident,but also has her vulnerabilities. She is absolutely a character with a giant heart, and I loved how kind and humble she was. As much as I loved Tori, for me it was Carter who stole the show. What a fantastic love interest he was! I’m such a sucker for a down-to-earth, genuine beta male in romance books – they are WAY WAY WAY more swoony than alpha males. Carter is an up and coming actor, working hard to snag a more serious role than the typical ones he’s been cast in. He’s a total sweetheart, and I loved how he knew the minute he met Tori that she was the one for him. There’s something absolutely sweet about a guy who is 100% devoted to the heroine the minute he meets her.
The two of them meet on her flight to Aruba and Carter is completely taken in by her. They give in to their attraction while in Aruba, even though Tori has no idea who Carter is. Of course, when she finds out, she’s hurt and hesitant because she was publicly dumped by a councilman she was dating. But Carter does not give up! He pursues her back in Philadelphia, and finds a way to become part of her life. Their romance is great, and I loved the chemistry, banter and the delicate moments between Tori and Carter. I also loved how much of Tori’s Puerto Rican heritage is incorporated into the book through her amazing family, and their restaurant.
All in all, this was a hit for me and you should most definitely read it as well! I can’t wait to read the next book which features Carter’s sister and his best friend in a FAKE RELATIONSHIP. *screams*
Tori, the heroine, was a breath of fresh air! She’s sassy, confident,but also has her vulnerabilities. She is absolutely a character with a giant heart, and I loved how kind and humble she was. As much as I loved Tori, for me it was Carter who stole the show. What a fantastic love interest he was! I’m such a sucker for a down-to-earth, genuine beta male in romance books – they are WAY WAY WAY more swoony than alpha males. Carter is an up and coming actor, working hard to snag a more serious role than the typical ones he’s been cast in. He’s a total sweetheart, and I loved how he knew the minute he met Tori that she was the one for him. There’s something absolutely sweet about a guy who is 100% devoted to the heroine the minute he meets her.
The two of them meet on her flight to Aruba and Carter is completely taken in by her. They give in to their attraction while in Aruba, even though Tori has no idea who Carter is. Of course, when she finds out, she’s hurt and hesitant because she was publicly dumped by a councilman she was dating. But Carter does not give up! He pursues her back in Philadelphia, and finds a way to become part of her life. Their romance is great, and I loved the chemistry, banter and the delicate moments between Tori and Carter. I also loved how much of Tori’s Puerto Rican heritage is incorporated into the book through her amazing family, and their restaurant.
All in all, this was a hit for me and you should most definitely read it as well! I can’t wait to read the next book which features Carter’s sister and his best friend in a FAKE RELATIONSHIP. *screams*
July 27, 2020
Mia Sosa's Acting on Impulse is a down-to-earth contemporary romance that focuses on the less glamorous aspects of being a celebrity. Overall, I think the book started off great, but as the plot progressed, the story felt more and more patched together, and the pacing was never quite right. I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn't consider it a favorite.
INITIAL CHEMISTRY AND HUMOR
I was hooked on this book within the first page, when Carter steps onto a plane and knows that his seatmate, Tori, is going to be his wife one day. This seems a little bit like insta-love, but Sosa portrays it with enough humor that it's not nearly as over the top as it might sound.
From there, Tori and Carter wind up at the same beach resort in Aruba, and they hang out. Their interactions are light, flirty, and easy. The two leads obviously have chemistry, and they enjoy teasing each other and spending time doing various vacation activities. It's all good so far, but there is (obviously) a hitch: Carter is a semi-famous actor in disguise, and Tori hasn't recognized him yet.
When she does realize who her new love interest is, Tori hops on a plane back to the States, hoping never to see Carter again. She can't believe he lied to her, she does not want to be in the spotlight, etc. Time to move on!
Until Carter (who can't stop thinking about Tori), shows up in Tori's gym, and hires her as his personal trainer.
THE ACTUAL RELATIONSHIP TAKES FOREVER TO GET GOING
The majority of Acting on Impulse takes place over a four-week period as Carter tries to get in shape for a new part he's auditioning for. The tone and atmosphere completely change from the breezy Aruba chapters, and not for the better. The chemistry between the leads either dies off or never made it back from Aruba. It's not that Sosa's writing dips in quality here so much as the book stopped being a pleasure to read.
I understand that this book isn't actually all that long, but boy did it feel long. There's not much going on between Tori and Carter, beyond some sexy workout montages and some vague references to Tori's family issues. I'm not saying I wanted more drama (heaven forbid!), but before long, the book got monotonous, and I wasn't sure that the couple was really moving forward.
SLAP-DASH RESOLUTIONS ARE NOT SATISFYING
Eventually, it all comes to a head. Unlike most romances, this book doesn't crystalize into a single Dark Moment that the protagonists must work through—and I think maybe that was the problem. Rather, the last few chapters of Acting on Impulse see a variety of issues arise, only to be summarily dealt with and dismissed. Since real life doesn't just nicely pre-package problems for you to deal with one at a time, I wasn't particularly enthused by how the characters (mostly Tori) resolved conflict. Or rather, I wasn't happy with how the author introduced conflict and then directed her characters to engage with it.
Particularly disappointing was the entire side-plot dealing with Tori's messy Puerto Rican family. There are a couple of scenes in the middle section of the novel that introduce some tensions between Tori and her sister. Those tensions are summarily erased by a single, therapy-style conversation while the two are preparing plantains for mofongo. Far be it from me to deny the sacred powers of mofongo, but that's not realistic. A long-standing, bitter feud between siblings is not resolved in a 20-minute conversation. It's just not.
Then, of course, there's the Grand Gesture that comes at the end, which really didn't work for me at all. It was flashy and strangely out of character for Tori. I realize that the point was that she was working on getting comfortable with being in the limelight as a compromise, to make her relationship with Carter workable, but also...why did she have to give up her right to privacy? That was a big sacrifice, and honestly, I didn't see Carter making comparable sacrifices for their relationship.
IN THREE WORDS: COULD'VE BEEN BETTER
After finishing Acting on Impulse and sitting with it for a while, I'm not as pleased with it as I wanted. While I loved the original dynamic of the first chapter, where a smitten and charming actor chases a prickly Latina, that initial impression did not turn out to match the majority of the book. My main complaints were that the pacing was uneven, the emotional stakes were too low, and the story did not wrap up realistically.
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INITIAL CHEMISTRY AND HUMOR
I was hooked on this book within the first page, when Carter steps onto a plane and knows that his seatmate, Tori, is going to be his wife one day. This seems a little bit like insta-love, but Sosa portrays it with enough humor that it's not nearly as over the top as it might sound.
From there, Tori and Carter wind up at the same beach resort in Aruba, and they hang out. Their interactions are light, flirty, and easy. The two leads obviously have chemistry, and they enjoy teasing each other and spending time doing various vacation activities. It's all good so far, but there is (obviously) a hitch: Carter is a semi-famous actor in disguise, and Tori hasn't recognized him yet.
When she does realize who her new love interest is, Tori hops on a plane back to the States, hoping never to see Carter again. She can't believe he lied to her, she does not want to be in the spotlight, etc. Time to move on!
Until Carter (who can't stop thinking about Tori), shows up in Tori's gym, and hires her as his personal trainer.
THE ACTUAL RELATIONSHIP TAKES FOREVER TO GET GOING
The majority of Acting on Impulse takes place over a four-week period as Carter tries to get in shape for a new part he's auditioning for. The tone and atmosphere completely change from the breezy Aruba chapters, and not for the better. The chemistry between the leads either dies off or never made it back from Aruba. It's not that Sosa's writing dips in quality here so much as the book stopped being a pleasure to read.
I understand that this book isn't actually all that long, but boy did it feel long. There's not much going on between Tori and Carter, beyond some sexy workout montages and some vague references to Tori's family issues. I'm not saying I wanted more drama (heaven forbid!), but before long, the book got monotonous, and I wasn't sure that the couple was really moving forward.
SLAP-DASH RESOLUTIONS ARE NOT SATISFYING
Eventually, it all comes to a head. Unlike most romances, this book doesn't crystalize into a single Dark Moment that the protagonists must work through—and I think maybe that was the problem. Rather, the last few chapters of Acting on Impulse see a variety of issues arise, only to be summarily dealt with and dismissed. Since real life doesn't just nicely pre-package problems for you to deal with one at a time, I wasn't particularly enthused by how the characters (mostly Tori) resolved conflict. Or rather, I wasn't happy with how the author introduced conflict and then directed her characters to engage with it.
Particularly disappointing was the entire side-plot dealing with Tori's messy Puerto Rican family. There are a couple of scenes in the middle section of the novel that introduce some tensions between Tori and her sister. Those tensions are summarily erased by a single, therapy-style conversation while the two are preparing plantains for mofongo. Far be it from me to deny the sacred powers of mofongo, but that's not realistic. A long-standing, bitter feud between siblings is not resolved in a 20-minute conversation. It's just not.
Then, of course, there's the Grand Gesture that comes at the end, which really didn't work for me at all. It was flashy and strangely out of character for Tori. I realize that the point was that she was working on getting comfortable with being in the limelight as a compromise, to make her relationship with Carter workable, but also...why did she have to give up her right to privacy? That was a big sacrifice, and honestly, I didn't see Carter making comparable sacrifices for their relationship.
IN THREE WORDS: COULD'VE BEEN BETTER
After finishing Acting on Impulse and sitting with it for a while, I'm not as pleased with it as I wanted. While I loved the original dynamic of the first chapter, where a smitten and charming actor chases a prickly Latina, that initial impression did not turn out to match the majority of the book. My main complaints were that the pacing was uneven, the emotional stakes were too low, and the story did not wrap up realistically.
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October 2, 2017
Apparently, if you want me to read a new-to-me author all you have to say is, “It’s a slow burn, ” and I am on it! That’s what happened to me with Acting on Impulse after seeing it mentioned in a friend's Facebook post. My interest was piqued by the prospect of a slow-burning romance as well as the blurb, but the first paragraph is what pulled me in: “I’m standing in the middle of an airplane aisle…Someday I’m going to marry the woman sitting in 12D.” Of course, I had to read the rest after that bold declaration!
The woman in question is Tori, a personal trainer from Philly, and the statement is from Carter Stone, a famous-but-incognito Hollywood heartthrob. Both are flying to Aruba to escape the recent snafus that happened in their lives. What starts out as an innocent flirtation almost turns into a full-blown island romance— that is until Tori overhears who Carter truly is.
I enjoyed watching Tori and Carter deal with the realities of their differences and work through their issues with Carter's public life. I could have used a little less drama from Tori, but she's been burned by a 'public figure' before, so I understand why she would be apprehensive. Moral of the story: lies by omission never end well, and neither does running away without getting the truth.
Acting on Impulse is a fun and flirty romance that has a nice dose of angst, more steam than I was expecting, and a wonderfully diverse cast of characters. Since I liked Ms. Sosa's writing style, not to mention that I am quite curious about the couple in the next book, I'm sure that I will be reading more from her shortly.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Purchase: Amazon US | Paperback | Kobo | iBooks | Nook
▸ For more reviews, visit http://www.nightowlreader.com
The woman in question is Tori, a personal trainer from Philly, and the statement is from Carter Stone, a famous-but-incognito Hollywood heartthrob. Both are flying to Aruba to escape the recent snafus that happened in their lives. What starts out as an innocent flirtation almost turns into a full-blown island romance— that is until Tori overhears who Carter truly is.
I enjoyed watching Tori and Carter deal with the realities of their differences and work through their issues with Carter's public life. I could have used a little less drama from Tori, but she's been burned by a 'public figure' before, so I understand why she would be apprehensive. Moral of the story: lies by omission never end well, and neither does running away without getting the truth.
Acting on Impulse is a fun and flirty romance that has a nice dose of angst, more steam than I was expecting, and a wonderfully diverse cast of characters. Since I liked Ms. Sosa's writing style, not to mention that I am quite curious about the couple in the next book, I'm sure that I will be reading more from her shortly.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Purchase: Amazon US | Paperback | Kobo | iBooks | Nook
▸ For more reviews, visit http://www.nightowlreader.com
July 23, 2019
“I didn’t know her name, nationality, age, or occupation, but I know this: Someday I’m going to marry the woman sitting in 12D.”
So that’s how Acting on Impulse begins, and it’s a pretty memorable opening line. I loved a lot of things about this romance novel, but I think one of the most important things was the way it was written. The dialogue is funny and fresh, and I like that sometimes the main narrators would address the readers directly. It made the whole thing play out like a hilarious rom com in my head, which made it all the better.
I loved Tori Alvarez from the very first moment. She’s a physical trainer determined to make her mark and help others. Tori’s philosophy is “siempre pa lante, nunca pa tras”, and she has no reservations about giving you a piece of her mind. My favorite thing about Tori was the fact that she was afro-Puerto Rican. I love when my culture is represented, and I really enjoyed reading about Tori & her family, and all the delicious descriptions of Puerto Rican food. (p.s. this is an #ownvoices novel!)
Carter is a big celebrity, and seeing his thought process was the most hilarious part of the book. He basically worshipped the ground Tori walked on, even before actually knowing her. This sounds bad, but it was actually pretty endearing. Carter is a completely developed character, with hopes and aspirations just like Tori, and I think a lot of us readers can relate to being completely infatuated with someone at first sight.
The romance is honestly the best. Their interactions always set off sparks and had me cackling. Tori always kept Carter on his toes while he always tried his best to tear her defenses down. It was great to see them both talking out their feelings and supporting each other throughout the book as well, because it really showed that they were a really good match.
Acting on Impulse is swoony, funny, and original. This is a story I’m glad to have gotten the opportunity to read, and I hope more people read and support this author, since the sequel also looks amazing! I mean, look at the cover!
November 26, 2017
This story was super-sweet, but not sickly. I liked the characters, adored the way that they met, and their internal arcs felt very organic. I also loved the sub-plot surrounding the heroine's family; I found it very relatable and genuine and it made me feel seen. I would have preferred dirtier sex scenes, but that's just a personal preference. I will be re-reading!
April 26, 2018
***3.8***
You can find this and many more reviews on my blog Marianna's Corner!
Acting on Impulse is a romance novel told both by Tori and Carter’s POV.
Let’s talk characters:
-Tori is a Puerto Rican fitness trainer, and she has just broken up -sort of- with her douche boyfriend. All she wants is some alone time in Aruba’s paradise, where she meets no other but incognito Carter. I liked Tori mostly due to her “I take shit from no one” attitude. She is such a badass and has such a dynamic personality, you can’t help getting drawn in.
-Carter is a famous TV star – he has millions of women sweating over him. But being famous comes with a price; privacy. After having his privacy violated he seeks some peace and quiet -where else? Of cource at Aruba. Carter now, is the softie in the equasion. He is so gentle and caring and SENSE OF HUMOUR, you know this is my weakness.
Now, as far as the romance is concerned, I loved their relationship and dynamic. First of all, be prepared for slow burn. Mother of all slow burn it had me screaming: HAVE SEX ALREADY!!!!!!
I liked how they were both mature adults who uplifted and supported one another. There was no unecessary drama, as they solved their issues with that magic thing called dialogue *gasp* i know right?!?!?!?!
Lastly, I really enjoyed how the story wasn’t just the two of them. This is what sometimes annoys me in romance novels: all the characters care about is their relationship like there’s no world outside the two of them. Which, let’s be honest, is not realistic. So, I liked how Tori struggled with some family stuff, and how she wanted to better her career. And I liked how Carter never forgot his roots, despite being famous, and how he struggled with issues of trust and self- esteem.
The only thing I did not like was the ending. Not the ending so much in itself, as in a whole. I found it to be a liiiittle over the top, and things wrapped up a little too nicely and quickly for my taste. It somehow didn’t feel like part of the story; it’s as if it was added last minute.
General Thoughts: Acting on Impulse is a romance novel between a Puerto Rican trainer, Tori, and a famous TV actor, Carter. It follows their journey as they get to know each other and fall in love, overcoming difficulties and differences in the way! Perfect for romance lovers who are looking for a little spice in their lives!
You can find this and many more reviews on my blog Marianna's Corner!
Acting on Impulse is a romance novel told both by Tori and Carter’s POV.
Let’s talk characters:
-Tori is a Puerto Rican fitness trainer, and she has just broken up -sort of- with her douche boyfriend. All she wants is some alone time in Aruba’s paradise, where she meets no other but incognito Carter. I liked Tori mostly due to her “I take shit from no one” attitude. She is such a badass and has such a dynamic personality, you can’t help getting drawn in.
-Carter is a famous TV star – he has millions of women sweating over him. But being famous comes with a price; privacy. After having his privacy violated he seeks some peace and quiet -where else? Of cource at Aruba. Carter now, is the softie in the equasion. He is so gentle and caring and SENSE OF HUMOUR, you know this is my weakness.
Now, as far as the romance is concerned, I loved their relationship and dynamic. First of all, be prepared for slow burn. Mother of all slow burn it had me screaming: HAVE SEX ALREADY!!!!!!
I liked how they were both mature adults who uplifted and supported one another. There was no unecessary drama, as they solved their issues with that magic thing called dialogue *gasp* i know right?!?!?!?!
Lastly, I really enjoyed how the story wasn’t just the two of them. This is what sometimes annoys me in romance novels: all the characters care about is their relationship like there’s no world outside the two of them. Which, let’s be honest, is not realistic. So, I liked how Tori struggled with some family stuff, and how she wanted to better her career. And I liked how Carter never forgot his roots, despite being famous, and how he struggled with issues of trust and self- esteem.
The only thing I did not like was the ending. Not the ending so much in itself, as in a whole. I found it to be a liiiittle over the top, and things wrapped up a little too nicely and quickly for my taste. It somehow didn’t feel like part of the story; it’s as if it was added last minute.
General Thoughts: Acting on Impulse is a romance novel between a Puerto Rican trainer, Tori, and a famous TV actor, Carter. It follows their journey as they get to know each other and fall in love, overcoming difficulties and differences in the way! Perfect for romance lovers who are looking for a little spice in their lives!
August 11, 2017
Acting on Impulse is a hilarious RomCom with enough emotional feels to leave you breathless with wanting...MORE! Mia Sosa's fabulous mix of flirty and funny is what every reader dreams about! This author is a must for any romance lover.
September 19, 2017
4.5 stars
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Edelweiss.
Also on Romances Ever After.
I had so much fun reading this book!
The story is fast paced, and yet the romance build-up is slow and steady. Tori and Carter both had my heart from the start. I love them as individual characters and together as a couple. They were so right for each other! There was so much chemistry between them that ending up together was inevitable. I love how easy their friendship, and then relationship, was. I also love how smitten Carter was with Tori—this dude saw Tori on the plane and be like, “Yep, that’s my future wife.” And he fell even harder for her as the story progressed and they got to know each other. Tori and Carter both had their own hang-ups, but they worked through their issues together. They also maintained honest communication with each other, which I appreciate that so much. I just hate when characters jumped to conclusions and did not talk to each other—I’m not about that drama.
I also love that both Tori and Carter were family-oriented. I adore Carter’s family! Carter’s mom is a riot; I love how nosy she is. I love how close they were with each other. Tori, on the other hand, had some problems with her family that mainly stemmed from the fact that she was a fitness instructor in a family that had a food business. I felt her fear for her father who had survived two strokes, and her frustrations toward her mother and sister who seemed to not care for his diet as they should. I can relate to Tori’s Puerto Rican family and their love for food—we Malays have a food culture, too, and our identity is closely tied with it. It’s so hard to have some sort of well-balanced diet when your food is just rich in everything and refusing to eat them is a sign of disrespect, LOL. I love how they worked things out in the end.
Another thing that I love is Tori’s and Carter’s friendships with the side characters. I love that the side characters did not just exist but were actually a fully involved part of the main characters’ lives. Carter and Tori have supportive best friends, although I still don’t know what to make of Carter’s best friend/agent, Julian; he seemed so…tired of the whole show business…
Overall, ACTING ON IMPULSE was my first Mia Sosa book, and it will not be the last. The chapter-to-last was emotional for me, and it kind of reminded me of Julie James' Just the Sexiest Man Alive. I’m especially excited for Carter’s sister Ashley’s book. The excerpt in the end was amazing! I can’t believe I have to wait until 2018 for her and Julian’s book.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Edelweiss.
Also on Romances Ever After.
I had so much fun reading this book!
The story is fast paced, and yet the romance build-up is slow and steady. Tori and Carter both had my heart from the start. I love them as individual characters and together as a couple. They were so right for each other! There was so much chemistry between them that ending up together was inevitable. I love how easy their friendship, and then relationship, was. I also love how smitten Carter was with Tori—this dude saw Tori on the plane and be like, “Yep, that’s my future wife.” And he fell even harder for her as the story progressed and they got to know each other. Tori and Carter both had their own hang-ups, but they worked through their issues together. They also maintained honest communication with each other, which I appreciate that so much. I just hate when characters jumped to conclusions and did not talk to each other—I’m not about that drama.
I also love that both Tori and Carter were family-oriented. I adore Carter’s family! Carter’s mom is a riot; I love how nosy she is. I love how close they were with each other. Tori, on the other hand, had some problems with her family that mainly stemmed from the fact that she was a fitness instructor in a family that had a food business. I felt her fear for her father who had survived two strokes, and her frustrations toward her mother and sister who seemed to not care for his diet as they should. I can relate to Tori’s Puerto Rican family and their love for food—we Malays have a food culture, too, and our identity is closely tied with it. It’s so hard to have some sort of well-balanced diet when your food is just rich in everything and refusing to eat them is a sign of disrespect, LOL. I love how they worked things out in the end.
Another thing that I love is Tori’s and Carter’s friendships with the side characters. I love that the side characters did not just exist but were actually a fully involved part of the main characters’ lives. Carter and Tori have supportive best friends, although I still don’t know what to make of Carter’s best friend/agent, Julian; he seemed so…tired of the whole show business…
Overall, ACTING ON IMPULSE was my first Mia Sosa book, and it will not be the last. The chapter-to-last was emotional for me, and it kind of reminded me of Julie James' Just the Sexiest Man Alive. I’m especially excited for Carter’s sister Ashley’s book. The excerpt in the end was amazing! I can’t believe I have to wait until 2018 for her and Julian’s book.
August 10, 2017
Acting on Impulse was the perfect mix of romance and lovable characters with a side of fabulous dialogue. Mia Sosa is such an amazing writer that she made me fall in love with Tori and Carter from the very first paragraph.
What I love most about Tori and Carter's relationship and about this book is that they have such a gooood relationship, like such a good dynamic between them. They get along so well and are sassy together and they have the same humor that Tori even think it's perfect. My heart swoons so hard for these two.
Acting on Impulse should be in every romance lover out there. I love that Avon is publishing so many good books recently AND by authors of color. Thank you Edelweiss and Avon Impulse for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. All my thoughts are my own.
What I love most about Tori and Carter's relationship and about this book is that they have such a gooood relationship, like such a good dynamic between them. They get along so well and are sassy together and they have the same humor that Tori even think it's perfect. My heart swoons so hard for these two.
Acting on Impulse should be in every romance lover out there. I love that Avon is publishing so many good books recently AND by authors of color. Thank you Edelweiss and Avon Impulse for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. All my thoughts are my own.
August 18, 2019
Such a good start to this trilogy with a couple. From the first paragraph and "Someday I’m going to marry the woman sitting in 12D," the hero reeled me in because we all know we are tumbling toward a HEA, but how many turns and twists will our couple encounter along the way?
The scenes with Mi Casita made me hungry. Know that you will need some plantain chips nearby for a read.
Good supporting characters and a satisfying ending that gives agency to both our heroine and hero.
The scenes with Mi Casita made me hungry. Know that you will need some plantain chips nearby for a read.
Good supporting characters and a satisfying ending that gives agency to both our heroine and hero.
April 7, 2019
full review to come.
November 16, 2025
"I see now that I approached our relationship like a mediocre book I'd borrowed at the library: I enjoyed it as much as I could before its due date and was willing to return it unfinished without harboring any regrets."
"I really don't know what to do. There's no guide for dealing with someone who befriended you on vacation and neglected to tell you that he's a major Hollywood actor."
That is one of the many reasons I loved this book. The author's writing style. And how, with the written in first person, the characters sometimes talk to the reader. Also for the fact that Carter and Tori were so cute together and their love story very interesting.
It start on a plane, on their way to a vacation to Aruba. Rising star actor Carter Stone has been told to take time off and she's trying to forget about the ex boyfriend who didn't have the decency to break up with her before announcing it on the radio. For Carter, he believe it's love at first sight when he meet her on the plane but for Tori, men are off-limits right now so they spend a friendly time together before our heroine finally learn the truth about his identity.
Why she doesn't recognize him you probably wonder at this point? Doesn't she watch tv or have Internet connection? She do, but for his latest role, Carter had to play a man with a drug addiction and presently have an emaciated frame. Now that the filming is done, he's going to need a fitness trainer to get him back on shape. Well, well, well, it just happen that Tori is a fitness trainer. Now that they're both back in Philly, he just need to convince her to accept the job, right? Or maybe he'll need a little help from her coworkers?
Mia Sosa address the celebrity life and the downsides of living in the public eyes. With her heroine, she explore the complexity of family relationships. I really appreciated the nuances the author used to depicts Tori's fitness trainer career.
I guess I don't need to tell reading this book was a delight😜.
"I really don't know what to do. There's no guide for dealing with someone who befriended you on vacation and neglected to tell you that he's a major Hollywood actor."
That is one of the many reasons I loved this book. The author's writing style. And how, with the written in first person, the characters sometimes talk to the reader. Also for the fact that Carter and Tori were so cute together and their love story very interesting.
It start on a plane, on their way to a vacation to Aruba. Rising star actor Carter Stone has been told to take time off and she's trying to forget about the ex boyfriend who didn't have the decency to break up with her before announcing it on the radio. For Carter, he believe it's love at first sight when he meet her on the plane but for Tori, men are off-limits right now so they spend a friendly time together before our heroine finally learn the truth about his identity.
Why she doesn't recognize him you probably wonder at this point? Doesn't she watch tv or have Internet connection? She do, but for his latest role, Carter had to play a man with a drug addiction and presently have an emaciated frame. Now that the filming is done, he's going to need a fitness trainer to get him back on shape. Well, well, well, it just happen that Tori is a fitness trainer. Now that they're both back in Philly, he just need to convince her to accept the job, right? Or maybe he'll need a little help from her coworkers?
Mia Sosa address the celebrity life and the downsides of living in the public eyes. With her heroine, she explore the complexity of family relationships. I really appreciated the nuances the author used to depicts Tori's fitness trainer career.
I guess I don't need to tell reading this book was a delight😜.
January 9, 2018
This book took me a bit to get into, but I'm glad I stuck with it, because it was unexpectedly funny and really cute!
I'm not into insta-love/lust and this book opens with the hero, Carter, musing that he's found his 'future wife' standing in the aisle of an airplane. Once I got more into the book, I realized how tongue-in-cheek this was because Carter is rather irreverent (even though he is genuinely smitten with her). Tori comes off as a bit standoffish when Carter first tries to get to know her, but I appreciated this characterization because why are women expected to be super friendly to strange men who talk to them at resorts or on planes? She dings him a few times for mansplaining, and I laughed out loud at the passages.
I felt like Tori was the more well-rounded in character in some ways because we learn more about her background and her relationship with her family. Plus a lot of the book is set in Philly, where she lives. Carter was the bigger mystery to me, and this was where the book didn't quite capture me. There are passing references to things that have happened to him in his career (like people who have taken advantage of him), and they're important enough to create trust issues for him and cause conflict between him and Tori, but they aren't ever explored in-depth.
I am looking forward to the next book about Carter's agent/best friend, Julian, and Carter's little sister!
I'm not into insta-love/lust and this book opens with the hero, Carter, musing that he's found his 'future wife' standing in the aisle of an airplane. Once I got more into the book, I realized how tongue-in-cheek this was because Carter is rather irreverent (even though he is genuinely smitten with her). Tori comes off as a bit standoffish when Carter first tries to get to know her, but I appreciated this characterization because why are women expected to be super friendly to strange men who talk to them at resorts or on planes? She dings him a few times for mansplaining, and I laughed out loud at the passages.
I felt like Tori was the more well-rounded in character in some ways because we learn more about her background and her relationship with her family. Plus a lot of the book is set in Philly, where she lives. Carter was the bigger mystery to me, and this was where the book didn't quite capture me. There are passing references to things that have happened to him in his career (like people who have taken advantage of him), and they're important enough to create trust issues for him and cause conflict between him and Tori, but they aren't ever explored in-depth.
I am looking forward to the next book about Carter's agent/best friend, Julian, and Carter's little sister!
March 9, 2021
1.5/5 stars
I hated the male lead in this book with every fiber of my being.
I hated the male lead in this book with every fiber of my being.
October 20, 2017
3.5 stars
Acting on Impulse was a really fun light romance with compelling characters.
What I liked:
Both Tori and Carter are no nonsense - good people that I would love to have as friends. Of course, they have their hangups but don't we all?
I loved how Tori is totally in charge of her own life and safety while on her trip alone to Aruba but still leaves her heart open to helping others. Carter is an actor & self described drama king, afraid of being used but isn't your typical bad boy/damaged actor.
The story is told though first person but with a bit of breaking the fourth wall and talking to the reader. It does take a little getting used to but again, they are both so real and funny, that I enjoyed it.
Not so much:
I loved their time in Aruba and when they first got back home to train for his upcoming role but then the plot meanders a bit while they work through all their various issues. This isn't a high angst story but it does drag in spots and brings up things that don't necessarily lead to much.
Also, the sex scenes go from almost chaste to super dirty talk.
I think if the writing was a bit more consistent and less jarring this would have been a 4-4.5 star read for me. I did enjoy so much about it though that I'm definitely giving this author another go.
Acting on Impulse was a really fun light romance with compelling characters.
What I liked:
Both Tori and Carter are no nonsense - good people that I would love to have as friends. Of course, they have their hangups but don't we all?
I loved how Tori is totally in charge of her own life and safety while on her trip alone to Aruba but still leaves her heart open to helping others. Carter is an actor & self described drama king, afraid of being used but isn't your typical bad boy/damaged actor.
The story is told though first person but with a bit of breaking the fourth wall and talking to the reader. It does take a little getting used to but again, they are both so real and funny, that I enjoyed it.
Not so much:
I loved their time in Aruba and when they first got back home to train for his upcoming role but then the plot meanders a bit while they work through all their various issues. This isn't a high angst story but it does drag in spots and brings up things that don't necessarily lead to much.
Also, the sex scenes go from almost chaste to super dirty talk.
I think if the writing was a bit more consistent and less jarring this would have been a 4-4.5 star read for me. I did enjoy so much about it though that I'm definitely giving this author another go.
July 19, 2020
Oh my heart. What a wonderful book. It definitely gave me all the feels. This book centers around Tori (badass and witty heroine who is #girlpower) and Carter (sweet, lovely, and a HUGE smartass). They are amazingly written and their story definitely made me a bit teary. What I loved most about this story that it wasn't your usual "will they, won't they, stop being stupid and just get it on", both characters had depth and feelings and real life issues. Their chemistry is completely undeniable and I love how they just bounce off each other. Definitely an enjoyable read.
September 20, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
The conflict/seemingly willful miscommunication at the end was frustrating
Overall, cute but not particularly special
The conflict/seemingly willful miscommunication at the end was frustrating
Overall, cute but not particularly special
February 13, 2022
This was delightful- hilarious and full of delicious tension that paid off in a big way. I really loved Tori, and Carter’s cockiness was fun without being irritating. The 80% breakup didn’t quite work for me, but overall a great story.
Read
March 27, 2022Review also available at The Smut Report.
Heat Factor: Sex is hot, respectful, and realistic
Character Chemistry: Excellent
Plot: He’s an actor. She wants to avoid the spotlight. Can these two make it work?
Overall: Such a fun read!
So here’s the premise. Carter is an actor. He’s like, mid-level famous. Say Jared Padalecki level famous. But he just lost a ton of weight for a role, so is less immediately recognizable when he decides to go on vacation. And on the plane, he sees her and is like: “Someday I’m going to marry the woman sitting in 12D.”
Tori, the woman in question, isn’t looking for a relationship. And she’s definitely not interested in being followed by the tabloids. But she likes Carter well enough, though she is justifiably pissed when she discovers who he really is.
Carter isn’t ready to give up on Tori after he is outed by the paparazzi, so he hires her to be his personal trainer as he works on beefing up for his next role. She’s not thrilled with the plan, but she’s a professional, so she goes with it. And as they spend time together, Carter wins her over.
There isn’t one big conflict between Carter and Tori. Rather, their conflict morphs as their relationship develops. The central theme remains constant – how do we navigate a relationship in the public eye? But within that general rubric are smaller points of contention, as they clash about issues of trust and privacy. As such, the relationship felt more “real” to me than usual. The relationship evolves, and so the problems that they work through also evolve. I will note, however, that the way the relationship evolves makes the plot feel a bit jumpy, as there’s not one central issue that runs through the book. In addition, the conflict between the characters wraps up rather abruptly. One minute they’re on the verge of breaking up, and the next minute they’re like, “It’s worth it! I’ll do what it takes to make this work!”
Maybe they stay together because of the sex; the sex scenes in this book are stellar. Not just because they are fun and sexy (because they are), but because Sosa shows Carter and Tori actively talking about what works and what doesn’t in the moment: “Does this work for you?” “Yes.” “How about this?” “Yes.” “How about THIS?” “Let’s just assume it’s working unless I tell you it’s not working?” I paraphrase. So when the sex is GREAT, it’s not just because they have a magic connection, but because they communicate about what is going on to make the experience good for both of them.
Sosa also really kills it when it comes to the writing style. The story is told in alternating chapters written in the first person, so we get inside the heads of both main characters. They both have distinctive voices but have similar thoughts about some things to show they are compatible. And they crack me up, especially Carter.
One final note: Sosa includes a bit defending romance, and I kind of love when romance novels get meta-textual. See, Carter does romantic comedy type stuff, but wants to break into **serious acting.** And Tori’s like, why are you ashamed of making art that makes people happy?
That’s what this book is. Art that made me happy.
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Heat Factor: Sex is hot, respectful, and realistic
Character Chemistry: Excellent
Plot: He’s an actor. She wants to avoid the spotlight. Can these two make it work?
Overall: Such a fun read!
So here’s the premise. Carter is an actor. He’s like, mid-level famous. Say Jared Padalecki level famous. But he just lost a ton of weight for a role, so is less immediately recognizable when he decides to go on vacation. And on the plane, he sees her and is like: “Someday I’m going to marry the woman sitting in 12D.”
Tori, the woman in question, isn’t looking for a relationship. And she’s definitely not interested in being followed by the tabloids. But she likes Carter well enough, though she is justifiably pissed when she discovers who he really is.
Carter isn’t ready to give up on Tori after he is outed by the paparazzi, so he hires her to be his personal trainer as he works on beefing up for his next role. She’s not thrilled with the plan, but she’s a professional, so she goes with it. And as they spend time together, Carter wins her over.
There isn’t one big conflict between Carter and Tori. Rather, their conflict morphs as their relationship develops. The central theme remains constant – how do we navigate a relationship in the public eye? But within that general rubric are smaller points of contention, as they clash about issues of trust and privacy. As such, the relationship felt more “real” to me than usual. The relationship evolves, and so the problems that they work through also evolve. I will note, however, that the way the relationship evolves makes the plot feel a bit jumpy, as there’s not one central issue that runs through the book. In addition, the conflict between the characters wraps up rather abruptly. One minute they’re on the verge of breaking up, and the next minute they’re like, “It’s worth it! I’ll do what it takes to make this work!”
Maybe they stay together because of the sex; the sex scenes in this book are stellar. Not just because they are fun and sexy (because they are), but because Sosa shows Carter and Tori actively talking about what works and what doesn’t in the moment: “Does this work for you?” “Yes.” “How about this?” “Yes.” “How about THIS?” “Let’s just assume it’s working unless I tell you it’s not working?” I paraphrase. So when the sex is GREAT, it’s not just because they have a magic connection, but because they communicate about what is going on to make the experience good for both of them.
Sosa also really kills it when it comes to the writing style. The story is told in alternating chapters written in the first person, so we get inside the heads of both main characters. They both have distinctive voices but have similar thoughts about some things to show they are compatible. And they crack me up, especially Carter.
One final note: Sosa includes a bit defending romance, and I kind of love when romance novels get meta-textual. See, Carter does romantic comedy type stuff, but wants to break into **serious acting.** And Tori’s like, why are you ashamed of making art that makes people happy?
That’s what this book is. Art that made me happy.
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September 8, 2018
This book was so much fun! I laughed, and I swooned, and I loved every moment! <3
February 22, 2018
*I received an ARC from Edelweiss for an honest review*
This is my first Mia Sosa book and wow!! It won't be my last that's for damn sure (i'm already eagerly awaiting book 2 in this series) The character's voices drew me in immediatelyyyy. With the alternating first person POVs we got a great sense of who these Tori and Carter are, their personalities, their thinking processes. It made for some hilarious moments with their inner thoughts.
The characters were great, the family and friend dynamics, loved them! I love when the hero and heroine are surrounded by their people. It gives us a sense of who they are as well. And Tori and Carter's friends and family did just that. Tori's bestie is hilarious. Loved Eva so much! We also see some friction there between Tori and her sister and i loved how that played out. By the end they'd talked it out.
Tori and Carter's chemistry was so on point from the beginning. The author did a great job of taking us through the progression of their relationship. The banter! The conflicts (internal and external) for these two were well explored too.
And let us not forget the steaminessss. omg they were so hot together. i gotta say Mia writes a heck of a sexy time scene. cuz daamn.
This book was just so fun, i found myself cackling many times, and as i mentioned above i'm eagerly await book 2. I need Ashley and Julian's book like yesterday! Would highly rec this one.
This is my first Mia Sosa book and wow!! It won't be my last that's for damn sure (i'm already eagerly awaiting book 2 in this series) The character's voices drew me in immediatelyyyy. With the alternating first person POVs we got a great sense of who these Tori and Carter are, their personalities, their thinking processes. It made for some hilarious moments with their inner thoughts.
The characters were great, the family and friend dynamics, loved them! I love when the hero and heroine are surrounded by their people. It gives us a sense of who they are as well. And Tori and Carter's friends and family did just that. Tori's bestie is hilarious. Loved Eva so much! We also see some friction there between Tori and her sister and i loved how that played out. By the end they'd talked it out.
Tori and Carter's chemistry was so on point from the beginning. The author did a great job of taking us through the progression of their relationship. The banter! The conflicts (internal and external) for these two were well explored too.
And let us not forget the steaminessss. omg they were so hot together. i gotta say Mia writes a heck of a sexy time scene. cuz daamn.
This book was just so fun, i found myself cackling many times, and as i mentioned above i'm eagerly await book 2. I need Ashley and Julian's book like yesterday! Would highly rec this one.
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