Let me just state that I absolutely love this cover. This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed the premise, storyline and the characters. The characters were charming, funny and very family oriented which I loved. I did get the feel of the attraction between the characters but not the chemistry. 

You Had Me at Hola is a quick and easy summer read that you'll enjoy.

You Had Me at Hola about Jasmine, a rising access and Ashton, a star actor who are the cast opposite each other as leads in a telenovela. 

Though they keep getting off on the wrong foot, Ashton and Jasmine find that their chemistry and connection may not just be an act. Of course, things are far from straightforward as they try to navigate a private relationship as public figures... are they meant to be, or was mixing business and pleasure a big mistake?

This book was so much fun to read and also had a number of important things to say about everything from representation and diversity in the workplace, consent, gender roles, and cultural norms.

While there were a lot of great thinking points Alexis Daria managed to keep the book fun and fast-paced, flashing between the actors' interaction and their characters' scenes. The book's characters were easy to love ... ( And hard not to swoon over, in Ashton's case) and even the minor characters were well developed and fun to hear about.

This is definitely the steamiest book I’ve read, but it worked and never felt gratuitous.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advance copy!

You Had Me at Hola is a fun, sassy, and flirty romance that made my Latinx heart so happy. Alexis Daria gives readers two Latinx characters that are talented, witty, and so lovable. I couldn't help but smile and swoon the entire time.

This romance follows two actors, Ashton and Jasmine, as they work together on a new show called 'Carmen in Charge.' Ashton is in his early thirties and is known for working on many telenovelas. This is his chance to break out and be in a mainstream show that would finally give him the recognition he deserves. Jasmine has had a couple of roles in soap operas and couldn't pass up on this leading lady role. Jasmine is dealing with a very public breakup so vows to never date a costar. That won't be that hard since Ashton likes to keep to himself. 

Their first meeting is memorable, to say the least. ;) Jasmine and Ashton want to do their best and stick to their 'rules', but as they get to know each other that becomes more difficult. Jasmine is so refreshing and unlike any other woman, he has met. And Ashton is so dreamy yet down to earth. 

I loved that Alexis Daria made family such an important factor for both parents. As a Latinx person, that is what we love most. Family is everything. No matter how supportive or unsupportive Jasmine's family was she would do anything for them and that is the same for Ashton. The 'Primas of Power' added so much laughter and sass to the book and I absolutely loved it. 

One of my favorite parts of reading the story was seeing Jasmine and Ashton get more comfortable with stepping out of their comfort zones. At the beginning of the story, Ashton liked to stay to himself because he didn't want the paparazzi in his life, but by the end of the book, he is bonding with the cast, slaying it at karaoke, and getting closer to Jasmine. Jasmine also grew so much. She finally understood her self-worth, acknowledged her talent, and realized that she didn't have to have a 'Leading Lady Plan' to be successful.

I give You Had Me at Hola 5 stars. It is a fun and sweet romance with the perfect Latinx spice! I appreciated this book so much because it reminded me of my roots. The familial aspect of the story reminded me of spending time with my primas, tias/tios, abuelos and watching telenovelas with my abuela. I know my abuela would approve of Ashton! I wish that this book could be turned into a Netflix show or movie! I know I and so many would watch it! The writing is fantastic and engaging. I highly recommend this book to romance readers and Latinx readers!

This is an incredibly cute romance/romantic comedy for anyone who has ever been fascinated or even vaguely interested in the melodramatic world of soap operas and telenovelas. I’m not big into romances set in the context of show business but I was really interested in reading this because this was billed as a romance featuring Latinx characters and that’s not something you see often. And it totally delivered on the Nuyorican and Puerto Rican representation and other forms of diversity. I find it incredibly important that romances like this exist that don’t have to center Caucasian characters or a Caucasian character to be valid and mainstream. This novel features Latinx people of various backgrounds, generations and Spanish speaking abilities and it was an absolute delight to read.

The premise is that soap star Jasmine is co-starring in a new adaptation of a popular telenovela with Ashton and despite their unfortunate meet cute and Ashton’s standoffishness, there is plenty of chemistry. But with a reputation for falling too hard too fast all the time splashed about in the tabloids, Jasmine is trying to stick to her Leading Lady Plan- after all Leading Lady’s don’t jack up their chances of industry domination for a man. Meanwhile Ashton is keeping dramatic secrets that could affect his career and everyone’s perception of him.

This was really delightfully written. I love how the author made space for different genders (including a non-binary character), different races, different Latinx experiences and space for characters to be strong and yet still sweet in their vulnerability (Jasmine, anyone). Despite being a romance that is making a statement for Latinx representation in creative industries (and romance novels), it is very easy and breezy, not at all preachy and very true to the story. I enjoyed the parallel story of Season 1 of the soap opera as much as I did this actual book. I would totally watch that show. I also loved that this never fell into the realm of feeling like the characters were too good to be true, saying and doing everything perfectly and according to the manual of general enlightenment. They felt like real people and this felt like a proper feel-good book.  I loved the themes of family and of female friendship and of duty. If anything, I would have liked a bit more of that between Jasmine and her parents/siblings and Jasmine and her cousins but this also felt real in how it was written. You don’t always resolve all issues with your family. This was so good I breezed through this in a day and could hardly put it down (even read it during a meeting). I highly recommend this for a nice, breezy, fun read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

More addictive than if it was a real Netflix show!
I'm not usually a fan of books about famous people, but this was an exception as we focus on the main characters actually <i>doing</i> their jobs rather than just being ~famous~. I loved that both characters were unabashedly ambitious and took their work seriously. Though the show they were filming was pretty cheesy and definitely cliche at times, I could forgive that due to the wonderful behind-the-scenes tension (the kissing choreography killed me).
The ending somehow dragged while also wrapping up a little bit too quickly? But I still highly enjoyed my time with Jasmine and Ashton! I am for sure going to dive into Alexis Daria's backlist ASAP.

As a lifelong fan of telenovelas, I was instantly hooked on Alexis Daria's novel. First, can we talk about the cover? A gorgeous, sensual cover with two POC/Latinx looking devastatingly beautiful: CHECK. A plot with all the twists and turns? CHECK. Enemies to Lovers (my absolutely favorite trope) : CHECK! Alexis Daria had me hooked from the first chapter. She crafts a story with heart, family, and love at the center-- as well as a plot that is totally juicy.

Being dumped bu your ex in the tabloids would be a lot for anyone, but for Jasmine, it is totally devastating. She is trying to get her career off the ground. Ashton is a little older and his career has stalled so he really needs this new series. At first,  faking chemistry to boost the show seemed force but they naturally fell into it. I alos love the fact that it was as if we were reading two books in one: The story of Jasmin and Ashton and then their characters, Victor and Carmen.  (Ugh. I wish some network would greenlight a show like this for real). I also enjoyed Ashton as a dad in the story which seemed to not be an obstacle in their growing love for each other. Also, the diversity within Jasmine's own family highlights the diversity within Latinx communities

My only negative: the ending felt a bit rushed but all in all, it was an enjoyable read..

If you are a fan of Ugly Betty, Jane the Virgin, and all of the telenovelas on Telemundo, then this is definitely the book for you!

After finding herself in the tabloids over her personal life, Jasmine Rodriguez resolves to put aside the drama of relationships and focus on herself and her career for the time being. She's ready to film a new bilingual romantic comedy in New York City, and to make a name for herself while doing so. When leading telenovela star Ashton Suarez is added to the cast at the last possible moment, and he spills coffee all over her, it doesn't feel like everything's going to plan. For Ashton, he's a nervous wreck because he really wants to break into a new market and prove he's not getting too old to be a heartthrob. They don't hit it off right away, and because their chemistry has been thrown off on set, they must rehearse together to kindle some on-screen magic. As they spend more time together, the script begins heating up, and so too do their hearts. Jasmine's afraid of being thrown to the paparazzi wolves again, and Ashton's hiding his own secrets, but will these reticent love birds be brought together in the end?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
The humor was so great here, and though I hadn't read anything from Alexis Daria before, I'm glad I dove into this romance-at-the-telenovela story! So much of this rang true and authentic to the Latinx family experience, and these two actors' families were great supporting characters as the leads dipped their toes in the waters of romance against their better judgment. I loved the attention to detail and the small touches and caresses that evolved into something altogether steamier and more intense as I turned the pages. I grew up watching and enjoying telenovelas, and this book was like being transported to one I could imagine even as the two actors created a romantic setting all their own. The cover illustration is pure gold, and the story kept me laughing and enjoying Jasmine and Ashton's antics through to the end. There's plenty of Spanish used in the book to great effect, and I'd love to read more books like this. Keep 'em coming, Alexis!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 rounded to 5 stars!

Steamy. Sassy. Sweet. Alexis Daria this was SO fun! Sizzling chemistry. Spicy banter. Quick... where is the fire extinguisher because this book is on FIRE! Cheesy, I know, but so is some of the fun Telenovela dialogue in this book... So I couldn’t help myself. Jasmine and Ashton meat on the set of a Telenovela being produced by the hottest newest streaming company. Jasmine is excited for this new role, but she is still dealing with the aftermath of her recent very public break up. Ashton is hoping this is the role that will propel him to the next level he’s got big dreams, but he also has a secret to hide. Jasmine and Ashton have instant chemistry, but neither of them are in a place in their lives for a serious relationship. After all... leading ladies don’t fall for their costars.

   This was such an engaging electric story with some definite heat. Jasmine was such a fabulous character I just adored her. I also loved her cousins Michelle and Ava and I am really hoping that they will also get their own stories. Loved Jasmine’s big Puerto Rican family and all the culture throughout the story. Ashton came across a little awkward to me in the beginning of the book, although he did grow on me by the end. What I did like about him was how devoted to his family he was. BUT even though Ashton wasn’t my flavor of Margarita he was definitely jasmine’s and the chemistry really worked between them. I do however wish the connection between them was a little deeper, but I’m sure that will come in time. The audiobook was narrated by Seraphine Valentine Who did an excellent job. She definitely spiced up the book with her wonderful narration, especially when it came to the Spanish words. Love this romcom and I’m excited to see what is next from Alexis Daria!

This book in emojis  📸 🎬 🔥 🐍 ☕️ 🎂 🍹 🍕

*** Big thank you to William Morrow and Harper Audio for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

4.5 stars — In so many ways this was a typical romance — I could see the conflict coming from a mile away.  But in other ways it was something altogether new and different — the challenges that each of our characters faced, their quirks, were wholly unique.  And in the end, both aspects played out perfectly for me and I loved it!

I feel like no author ever outright writes characters with the kinds of flaws that existed for Jasmine and Ashton — and as such I loved that.  Jasmine was this lost middle child looking for love and attention from every guy she met.  That’s not unusual, but when do you see that represented in a heroine?  Those kinds of characteristics are looked down upon, and yet they’re entirely valid.  And through Jasmine we see how much it can fuck a person up, even if at the core the person is a kind-hearted good person.  She’s smart, savvy, determined…but not without her scars from her family.  And I loved that in general her family was actually a good family, they just had their flaws as well.  It’s not always black and white, good and evil.  Sometimes families can hurt even when they don’t have bad intentions.  In fact, that’s the norm.  I just loved the way that was presented.  And I appreciated seeing Jasmine struggle with it, struggle with her self-worth, struggle with finding balance in her life, learn to love herself and be content just as she is, without exterior validation.  And so it made me cheer when she did semi-accomplish that.  She was not without her stumbles.  It does make for a strange bedfellow to a romance novel — because you want her to get there, but you also want them to get together.  And I thought Ms. Daria balanced that well.

Ashton, on the other hand, was filled with so much fear and anxiety.  I loved how vulnerable and real that made him.  So often we get these toxic ideas of masculinity in our heroes, and Ashton was presented just as he was — sexy and sweet, but with a lot of weight on his shoulders.  I also loved that we got to see this guy who loved being a Dad, even as he struggled with balancing that part of his life as well.  So often we see women struggling to balance career and family, and we got to see the other side of that with Ashton.  He made some huge bumbles in this story, but I still felt for him.  And even through Jasmine’s eyes, we were reminded of how long he’s lived with these secrets, and how much it has affected his life…she helped me be more forgiving, if that makes sense.

And they were fire together.  I loved seeing them unable to resist the pull, even though neither of them was looking for a romance — quite the opposite!  They had great chemistry, and I just wanted them to find their way together so badly.

There were a lot of elements of…forward thinking? in this story — some side characters that added to the diversity (a brief appearance of a non-binary individual, a fellow actor who was trans).  And my favourite was wholeheartedly the addition of the intimacy coordinator, Vera!  I loved seeing that process play out, and how it really helped the actors.  I think normalizing that is fantastic, and it was exciting to see its addition.

I also loved seeing how much having this mainstream latinx show affected our characters — how to see themselves represented in normal lives and romances instead of as stereotypes really got to them.  I loved seeing all the different flavours of latinx through the characters as well — and exploring some of the issues that they deal with (colour issues with Ashton, lack of bilingualism with Jasmine).

It was basically this adorable romance that I would have loved no matter what, sprinkled with a beautiful mix of issues that I’m not used to seeing represented.  I want more.

As a side note: there were a lot of Spanish phrases in this story — sometimes they would be translated through reaction thoughts in our characters heads (like “I can’t believe he’s telling me to <blah>”), and sometimes not at all, but you can muddle through with context.  But if you’re like me and NEED TO KNOW exactly what was said, may I introduce to you the Google Translate app!  I seriously just pointed the camera at my Kindle and it translated in real time.  Not always perfectly, but for someone who can’t stand not knowing every detail, it was a fabulously handy tool.  Highly recommend.

I really adored this romance. The setting, the two love interests, and the diversity. Was a welcome addition to the romance canon. I look forward to seeing more from this author.

Sweet romance, fun cover, I think this is a great summer read. I've been a fan of the author's since I read her Dance Off series. One of the things I loved about that series was its setting at a TV dance competition. In her new novel, Alexis turns her sights to a Latinx TV streaming drama being filmed with Latinx stars, Jasmine from an American soap opera background, Ashton from a telenovela background. Their experiences as actors are similar, and their career goals are similar, with both of them hoping that their roles on this new drama will take their careers to a higher level, and expose them to new fans. The setting and characters were refreshingly different from the usual romance and I was fascinated by the glimpses into the filming of the drama. There were some big differences in their outlooks, though, with Jasmine being almost too open in her personal life and too willing to take chances for love, while Ashton was completely closed off due to a previous bad incident with a stalker and to the big secret he was keeping. 

In addition to the main story, there was a story within a story going on as some chapters were written from the viewpoints of the fictional characters, Carmen and Victor, that Jasmine and Ashton were playing. This was an interesting dynamic because IRL, Jasmine and Ashton spent very little time together initially due to Ashton's guarded nature, but at the same time, their characters were spending lots of screen time together so in a way, they were getting to know each other through their fictional characters' story arcs. Initially, I felt like their real life romance came out of the blue, with no buildup, but then I realized that this was very much in keeping with what happens on a TV or movie set, and is one reason why so many actors end up having flings with their co-stars. I thought the author did a good job of portraying this dynamic. Overall, really liked this romance and I'll be looking forward to her next one. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There's a joy that's hard to describe when you see your culture, your life experience represented in entertainment.  So seeing two Puerto Rican leading characters living complicated, occasionally messy, yet full lives coming together and falling in love while working together? Ay Dios mio I can't begin to tell you how fun it was to read for me. 
At one point (if you read, you'll know which part), I actually started humming Que Bonita Bandera to myself. I loved that you got to see a bit of that Nuyorican vs. Borinquen experience play out on page, because there is definitely a difference, but it's all the same love and pride for our little island in the Caribbean.  
As for the story, Ashton and Jasmine are two actors chosen to lead a new telenovela-style show on a leading streaming service, and after a messy meet cute, they begin to figure out how to play their character's love story while navigating their own chemical reaction to each other. Things get complicated when feelings get involved, and secrets come tumbling out, but along the way, sweet, sweet romancia sucede (romance happens). :)
As you can probably tell, I was all on board with the Spanish liberally sprinkled throughout this tale, and the central theme of family first is absolutely culturally appropriate. The Primas (Cousins) of Power text thread was a delight.  There's a blunt honesty that only your family can give you that's tempered with love that felt very real and if there's more to come with these primas, sign me up. 
Beyond the cultural accuracy, it's just a damn good workplace romance. The camaraderie Ashton and Jasmine had to develop to make their characters' (Victor and Carmen) romantic scenes work were great opportunities to see their feelings build for each other in "real life." It was fascinating to see the inner workings of a TV show and the way romantic scenes are set up. This is definitely a story within a story, so seeing the parallels between the characters and differences gave a depth to the tale and it's just fun to imagine working on a soap. And that ending to the show!! That's classic soap 101. 
Now, as we got further along, there's a central layer of secrets that gave alot of tension to this tale and made me, on more than one occasion, want to give these guys una bofetada (a slap...preferably upside the head tbh). But I loved that Ms. Daria didn't resolve everything too easily, she played the fallout, and allowed the reader to come around and understand the reasons behind some of those moves, which I appreciated.  My only caveat is if you have a low tolerance for emotional foolishness, your mileage may vary with this.
The resolution to the conflict, and the way the characters got the chance to grow and learn from their mistakes, gave me hope and made their HEA all the better for it. I happily recommend this to anyone interested in a real Latinx romance with a soapy flair. I know I cannot wait to see what's next from Ms. Daria.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**

Absolutely entrancing! This has everything I could want in a contemporary romance and made me laugh aloud several times. The plot was good with enough times that I gasped in concern at a twist or pitfall; the characters were believably multi-layered and messy, as readers got to see their motivations and their flaws. Also, the cover is gorgeous!

A big thank you to netgalley and the publisher for access to this arc. 

The blurb sounded interesting and I was excited about the multicultural aspects. But I’m afraid only part of it worked for me. 

“You Had Me at Hola” certainly checks diversity boxes – Jasmine and Ashton are both from Puerto Rican families and all of Jasmine’s twelve Nuyorican cousins are biracial. The cast they’re working with on the show are all Latinx and there is one trans character (though he’s not a big part of the book) as well as a non binary assistant. Plus a special intimacy coordinator on set who deals with consent to be sure there are safe spaces for everyone, Ashton, too! 

In the past, I've read reviews which mention and had readers complain of how foreign languages are used in majority English language books. Here there is lots of Spanish – some is sprinkled one word at a time in an otherwise English sentence while at other times entire sentences are in Spanish. There is enough context around these to get an idea what is being said and it all felt natural. Yet since I’m not a Spanish speaker, I can’t vouch for this. 

I liked the peek into the differences in Latinx cultures. Ashton is Puerto Rican and worried that audiences might not accept him as much as they would a Spanish actor. Raised as a Nuyorican, Jasmine is part Puerto Rican (father) and part Philipino (mother) and mainly spoke English at home and thus, to the surprise of her castmates, doesn’t speak Spanish as fluently as they thought she would. Ashton (real name Angel Luis) also has to deal with colorism in the Latinx community. He tells Jasmine it isn’t as bad as it used to be but he still worries about tanning.       

The scenes of Jasmine and Ashton talking about their experiences in soap operas and telenovelas was fun. Both have a love/hate relationship with the vehicles that have launched them but I was tickled that Jasmine’s is still much more love.  

 At first I liked the idea of some chapters being told as the shooting script and filming of the show. Then the picky details of filming began to bore me. There are a ton of cast characters and crew for the show and it seemed that as each was introduced we had to get a run down of what they looked like and what they were wearing. Not needed. There were also a lot of little info dumps and moments when Jasmine or Ashton would mentally wander off and spend 3/4 of a page thinking about something so that by the time the dialog started up again, I’d lost the thread of conversation.    

Then there was the scene where intimacy coordinator Vera was assisting Jasmine and Ashton work out the blocking of the first kiss scene. I think this was meant to be a slow burn sexy scene but instead it became dry and clinical. Blah. After they have to try seventeen takes of The Kiss and still they, plus the entire crew, feel “something is missing,” it seemed a metaphor for how I feel about their romance. 

No matter how many times I was told that Ashton and Jasmine thought the other attractive and sexy, they didn’t interact due to Ashton’s fear for his privacy due to his son. He always withdraws from contact with anyone on set as soon as the rehearsal or shooting is done so as to building heat … yeah, nothing. It was not until halfway through the book that they began to spend any real time together and then suddenly BAM it was hot and steamy sexy times that seemed to spring out of nowhere. 

The book also suffered from a pet peeve of mine which is lots of repetition and restating what we’ve already been told. Soon I was getting as irritated as Ashton’s father about Ashton’s constant obsession with the past, why he fears for his son, and that he will never let anyone into his life. I got it. I understood it. I understood it the first 4 times it was explained. It made sense but didn’t need to be on the page that many times. Jasmine had issues with her family that led to the way she craved attention and acceptance but these weren’t shown nearly as many times. 

The final straw for me was the way Ashton managed to turn everything into how it affected him. The last argument he had with Jasmine cemented the feeling I had that she could do better. Sure Ashton’s handsome and has a darling son. His family are nice and I found myself liking his father better than I liked Ashton. Even the reconciliation scene fell flat for me and I wasn’t convinced he’d done all he could to earn Jasmine’s trust again. In the epilogue we’re supposed to see how wonderful everything is but honestly based on what I read, I’d still be holding my breath were I Jasmine. So good parts and not so good parts averaged to a C for me.

Jasmine has a lot of issues to work through. Her boyfriend just dumped her in the tabloids. She is starting a new show back home in New York and is trying to hide out from all the negative press. Her family, while she does adore them, also works her nerves. They are constantly pressuring her to return to the East Coast. To make matters worse, her co-star got injured and is being replaced with the hot telenovela star, Ashton.

Ashton is just trying to maintain his privacy and elevate his career. He is tired of being known as a possible telenovela actor and wants to sink his teeth into more serious roles. So landing this job as the lead male on Carmen in Charge is the perfect opportunity to prove himself. The problem is that his co-star makes him want to break all of his rules.

I really enjoyed this story. This book is an instant grab for me. The author is now officially on my radar. This has the perfect blend of romance, comedy, and bit of low angst for my taste. I started one evening and didn’t stop until the last page.

Ashton has experienced a lot so I can understand why he is guarded. He got involved with another actress and she left him with a child. I think the whole issue revolving his son is a contrived. I get why he didn’t want to expose him to the world but the secrecy was a bit overboard. It created angst where there was no real need for angst.

They did have explosive chemistry. I expected a bit more sweetness in the bedroom but they couldn’t hold back on the passion. They lit up the sheets whenever possible!

The author uses the angsty drama of the acting scenes between “Victor and Carmen” to illustrate the growing connections between Jasmine and Ashton. I love the behind the scenes look at the process of creating a show.

The showcase of the Latinx community is appreciated as the author navigates “colorism”, family, language barriers and even how the drama behind telenovelas. I love love being able to dive into more diverse romances and I can’t wait to read more by Alexis Daria.

~ Samantha

Quick and to the point: I really enjoyed this! It's a great story with a well-negotiated balance between humor, angst, sweetness, and sexiness. I thought intertwining the <i>Carmen</i> scripts with the rest of the plot was an interesting way to advance the plot and gives the reader a unique glimpse into the mind of the MCs. It doesn't make my personal top-tier shelf because it's more of an emotional love tap than a full-on punch to the solar plexus (keep in mind my personal scale of angst is ridiculously skewed compared to most people), but I love the way Alexis Daria handles these characters' personal baggage and growth. This is a book I would feel comfortable handing to almost anyone to try.

3.5 stars!

Pros: I loved the overall plot and the incorporation of scenes from the TV show Ashton and Jasmine were filming together. Their chemistry and the smut was also 🔥🔥🔥. I also really enjoyed all of the characters.

Cons: I felt like the plot kind of meandered at times, especially in the second half. Because of that, I felt like the book was “losing steam” a bit as it went along. 

Overall, I had a good time with this one and am looking forward to reading more from this author, but it’s unfortunately not a new favorite of mine. 

**Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!!**

First, can we just start by admiring this cover? It's gorgeous and incredible and does an exceptional job of catching people's eyes and luring them in. I could likely stare at this cover for hours and be perfectly happy. 

Now as for the actual story, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The chemistry between Jasmine and Ashton was evident and sexy, though it took them a minute to find their stride together. Their first meeting was a disaster and watching them awkwardly navigate their first staged kiss was endearing and amusing. Ashton is so used to keeping his life incredibly private and hiding secrets from everyone that he is initially standoffish and makes no effort to connect with Jasmine and the rest of the crew. But as he allows himself to open up more, a sweet and thoughtful man is revealed that you can't help but love. He'll dance with Jasmine in a grocery isle, work on her Spanish with her, and tell dad jokes with a grin. Swoon!

Jasmine is a wonderful character. She has spent so much of her life looking for external validation that she has ended up dating the wrong guys, and her most recent experience has resulted in her private life splashed across the tabloids. Starting this book off, she resolves that she will work to be a strong Leading Lady who is successful and can stand on her own. Watching her find her footing towards this goal while also falling for Ashton - something she swore she wouldn't do - was both relatable and inspiring. On the one hand she felt like she was falling into the same old routine, but on the other she kept reminding herself of her own worth and started putting herself first. I was so proud of her throughout. 

Jasmine is everything Ashton thinks he doesn't want in his life (with all her publicity and the fact that she is his costar) but it turns out she is just what he needs. They work so well together, but they also have a lot that they need to work through in terms of personal baggage. I loved this book with its humor, the chemistry between the leads, and the sexy times between Jasmine and Ashton. However, I did lose some steam when I got to the conflict of the book because I have a hard time when conflicts revolve around secrets and miscommunications. I also thought that Ashton was a bit out of line with some things he said while in the midst of that conflict. However, having never been in that situation myself, I can't say that I wouldn't do something very similar. With that said though, if I take out my initial bias when it comes to this type of conflict, I feel like the characters' reactions to what happened fit with who they were and was overall handled well. I also think that Jasmine and Ashton put in a lot of effort after this moment to make sure that they become stronger as a couple and as individual people, so it balances out. 

All that being said, this read was probably 4.5 stars for me, rounded up because I acknowledge that I have some biases that might have affected my enjoyment. From the way Daria referenced Jasmine's cousins' dating lives, I felt like this was a lead in to a new series, but so far it appears to be a stand alone. I just want to be on the record as saying that I would be thrilled if Ava and Michelle got their own stories.

Jasmine Lin has just been dumped. Again. But she’s absolutely determined that this is the last time, and as she’s about to start filming a brand-new romantic comedy series for one of the biggest online streaming services out there, she’s established a few rules to make sure she doesn’t fall for any more famous men. But when a last-minute casting change has her playing opposite sexy telenovela star Ashton Suárez, she’ll soon find that sticking to her promises is going to be a lot more challenging than she thought.

This was by far one of my favorite rom-com reads of the year thus far. Jasmine and Ashton were such endearing, messy, believable characters, both bringing such rich backgrounds and experiences to the story. I absolutely loved Jasmine’s cousins - and can’t wait to see the sequels that Alexis is bound to whip up highlighting those two - as well as Ashton’s family (especially Yadiel). I also thought it was fantastic that the story not only featured such a diverse Latinx cast but also brought in a variety of gender identities and expressions, as well as important discussions about consent.

My only criticism would be that the epilogue felt like it was trying to wrap up too much all at once, especially bringing in the Jasmine and Ashton had been seeking post-Esperanza’s party. While I thought it was great to discuss the need for such therapy, especially in regard to Ashton’s continued fear and anxiety, it felt very sudden thrown into the story in that way.

All told, this was a 4.5/5 star read for me, and I’m beyond excited to see what Daria puts out next!

Hola Indeed! 

My love of soap operas began when I was little and watched them with grandma while my mom went to pick up my sister from school; my grandma called it our time.  My tenth grade Spanish teacher Señora Barrientos assigned us telenovelas to watch to improve our listening skills, and I was hooked on the story lines! So when I saw that You Had Me at Hola features not only a soap opera start but also a telenovela star I was sold! 

Jasmine and Ashton both hope that starring in a Latinx centered rom-com for the biggest streaming service will boost their careers. They also both hate the media attention that comes with being in television.  And they both have rules about sleeping with costars, but rules are meant to be broken! 

There is so much that I loved about this book, from the dual love stories of Carmen and Victor on camera and Jasmine and Ashton off camera to my FAVORITE trope being done perfectly to the beautiful exploration of family!  I also adored the normalization of bilingualism (writers of Latinx characters shouldn’t have to translate every Spanish word or phrase used), trans acceptance, and the use of personal lubricant during intimate scenes.  

It was also so refreshing to see character at work and working!!!  So often they have these really cool jobs that they are always just heading off to, leaving, or taking a break from. 
 
I desperately hope we get more of the Carmen in Charge family and/or the Primas of Power!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.