I needed a book that would give me a nice break from reality and this one did just that. A fun fake relationship story set in Key West that also had interesting family conflicts for both the hero and heroine to deal with. The ending came about rather quickly but was satisfying enough. This book was a good distraction but there was nothing in it that especially stood out for me .

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Finished reading Islnd Affair tonight by Priscilla Oliveras. Thank you to @kensingtonbooks for sending me this ARC! When Sara's date for a family vacation to the Florida Keys falls short, she desperately needs to think of a plan and fast to avoid disappointing them. When Luis, a native to the Keys finds Sara in distress, he knows he has to help her even if its against his better judgement. After agreeing to be Sara's fake boyfriend, the lines quickly become blurred as the two try to convince the family that nothing is amiss. This was a cute and quick read that I was able to finish in about two days. While I couldn't quite get into the story, this book would make a good easy read if you are looking for something light. @sams_story_shelf

Both sweet and steamy, Island Affair is a fun and romantic read set in Key West. A social media influencer and a firefighter are both dealing with some serious issues in their personal lives and with family. Sara and Luis think they can help each other, and soon he's playing the part of her boyfriend in a game of make believe. But the more they learn the more difficult it becomes to stay just friends. The serious issues aren't downplayed, but they also don't take away from the romance. This is the first in a new series and I look forward to the next book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.

"Island Affair" is a delightful romantic comedy by Priscilla Oliveras! Sara is preparing to meet with her high-strung and demanding family when her boyfriend flakes out at the last minute. Desperate, she accepts help from a hunky stranger: Luis Navarro. Lines begin to blur and their chemistry heats up. How will this end? I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, light read to brighten their day!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A thoroughly enjoyable book that despite presenting a well worn romance trope (fake dating), still manages to create a fresh and engaging story. The characters are likable and relatable, their individual issues making them more real. As a Cuban-American and Florida native, I can be pretty picky when it comes to representation of my culture in literature but overall, I felt this was accurate with just a couple of exceptions.
Highly recommend this fun title.

This book was so good! The characters were so well rounded, you felt like you actually knew them! The plot was so good you didn't want the book to end!

Entertaining, feel-good, let’s go to the Winchester hmm I mean Caribbean cruise, have a nice cold Cuba Libre and wait for this all to blow over book!

Fake charming firefighter fiancée, a cute social media influencer suffering from eating disorder join a cruise trip with the girl’s entire family who are successful members of society with impressive interrogation skills and intimidating manners and let’s add fake fiancée’s crowded, noisy, prying but also lovely, genuine, friendly
Cuban family to the equation. Did you get interested? I certainly did.

Luis take one week forced leave from his work, after a big argument with his brother, storms out from his office and bumps into Sara having a volatile argument with her boyfriend on the phone who stands her up for meeting with her family at their cruise trip. Sara’s mother recovering from big C which means she doesn’t need more stress in her life by worrying more about her daughter’s love interest and her siblings are already judgmental about her occupation (they don’t consider “instagram influencer” as a real job) and her past relationships and now she has to face them alone.

Luis is concerned about her breakdown and as they resume their conversation, Sara comes with an offer to help them both: ( Mostly for herself, because Luis can do anything to spend his time for his one week leave) She offers him acting like her fiancée in exchange she’ll make donation for firefighters foundation. (At first she offered him money but you may imagine our too proud and good hearted hero rejected it.)

So they shake hands and start their pretending relationship as you may imagine, it turns into a real one.

The strengths of the story:

Couple’s sweet, hot chemistry, witty banters

Meeting with Navarro (Luis’ big family)Family! (The sequel about to come with another family member)

Romantic, sweet escapades, secret kisses

The author’s way to handle such an important health issue: “eating disorder” realistically without over dramatization.

Both characters’ past demons and the way they slowly destroy the barriers and come clean about the secrets.

The weaknesses of the story:

The beginning was too fast and the way of starting their fake relationship was too coincidental.

Luis acted like stubborn and immature at the ending parts and his beef with his brother was a little illogical. He is not the one to be blamed. And I agree Sara’s sister at one point: he had to grovel more for winning Sara’s heart back!!!

Overall: Sweet, cute chic-lit and great escapade for your lock-down days! 3.5 stars rolling up to 4! (It could be 3 starred Switzerland reading but Navarro family members already stole my heart!)

Special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books to share this entertaining ARC in exchange my honest review.

Based on the familiar trope of stand-in date, Island Affair is a perfect tropical escape from reality. You’ll root for Luis and Sara as they discover one week in Key West can change everything.

Luis is a "hunky" firefighter. Sara is a social media influencer with a secret in her past. When Sara is stood up on her family vacation by her current boyfriend, Luis is there to rescue her. He stands-in as her boyfriend to allow Sara to save face with her family.

I enjoyed this lighthearted tropical twist on a familiar story. The characters were likable and relatable and the pacing of the narrative was quick enough that I was able to read the book in a day.

At times the Spanish in the book seemed arbitrary and more for affect than was necessary, though I did enjoy when mami would speak it in full sentences and when Sara would speak it, as well.

Overall, this is a perfect steamy escape of a read.

Oliveras offeres a sexy, sassy novel. The background setting is one of the most appealing parts of the story; it's set in fabulous Key West. With the beach and palm trees to add beauty and nuance, Island Affair is a great pre-summer read. Sara needs a fiancé in a hurry. She meets Luis who agrees to act as her fiancé. They have chemistry and grow close, but Luis is afraid to commit and Sara needs that promise. The ending is sigh worthy.