This story is fun and fresh with a setting that sizzles. The main characters are complex and have great chemistry. The family drama adds humor and is relatable. Hoping the series continues and explores the brothers’ lives and love stories. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a modern, flirty, second-chance romance.

"He lifted a hand to cup her shoulder, but his gaze slide to the front window where his mami and abuela sat in plain view. Furtively watching as if Anamaría and Alejandro were their telenovela come to life."

After taking a bad fall on a hike during his work as a world travelling photographer, Alejandro is forced to return home to recover much to the delight of his enthusiastic mami and abuela. Less enthused are his father who told him not to bother coming back when he left home and the ex-girlfriend he left behind in Key West. Anamaría is the one who stayed home post-highschool-sweetheart breakup. Her duty to her family and Alejandro's kept her in Key West, where she finally has her life on track as a firefighter and building her fitness empire online. When her mami and Alejandro's conspire to bring the two exes together again, Alejandro and Anamaría find their hands full juggling their family's assumptions for their future, and their own assumptions about their past.

This was a fun read because of the romance but also because it captured Latinx family life so well. I loved Alejandro and Anamaría's relationship, but more so their relationships with their siblings, parents, and grandparents which were so lovable and relatable. Intergenerational involvement and commitment to happiness and familia is incredibly important, and it was nice seeing how this played a part within a romance. There were a few spelling errors along the way, but honestly I liked the chemistry between Anamaría and Alejandro and the overall concept of this book so much it didn't bother me. I loved the characters and seeing how their personalities and interests functioned within their family and comunidad.

This was an absolute yes for me, I will be hunting down the first book in the series and keeping my eye out for the next.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After reading this book, I realize I need to go back and read the first one because this one was so good! It also makes me want to go back to Key West and explore. The only negative comment I have is that AM came off as too perfect and it made her character feel less "real".

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Anchored Hearts was a great follow-up to the first book in this series by Priscilla Olivras, Island Affair. Anchored Hearts follows the story of Anamaria, first introduced in Island Affair, and Alejandro. When Ale severely breaks his leg on a photography trip, he is forced to return home to Key West to recuperate at his parent's house. Anamaria, his teenage love and family friend, is recruited to help monitor is recovery process. As Anamaria builds her growing business and Alejandro prepares for an exhibition of his photographs in one of the island's art galleries, they rekindle their friendship and look towards the future.

I received an ARC via NetGalley.

The thing I really love about this series (this is book 2 and reading book 1 is worth it here) is how beautifully Oliveras draws you into Key West. You really feel like you're there, feeling sand between your toes with a humid sea breeze blowing. I really like Anamaria - we catch her in the process of fully committing to her goals and growing into the woman she wants to be. However, she's still stuck on the dashing Alejandro, her high school sweetheart that broke her heart. When he comes home to recover from a nasty accident, their interfering mamis shove the two together in hopes of reconnecting them. A lot of the tension in the book comes from both of them figuring out how to manage family, connection, and their dreams at the same time - and they've chosen opposite approaches. While Ale and AM are good characters, the real selling point is the rich tapestry of their families/community. The supporting cast is super deep and feels fully formed. This is a transporting romance with a moderate heat level that'll make you feel like you're on an island getaway.

I can't wait for travel again so that I can go roam Key West with this novel in hand. Shout out to the author for writing a small-town tropical romance.

I get such a warm, happy feeling when I read stories of big, meddling families at the heart of a romance. When a second chance element gets thrown in, it's like catnip for me. This novel was such a perfect reflection on the importance of family, loving yourself and loving someone enough to let them go. The cultural references to Cuba and the impact of immigration on the lives of generations past and present were handled with care, experience and poignancy.
I have not read the first novel in this series and feel poorer for it, this author is clearly very talented and I'll be ready tidying that mistake pronto.
Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.