𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎
Anchored Hearts

Synopsis: After an on site job accident leaves Alejandro back in his home town recovering. When Anamaria, a previous relationship that ended rather abruptly, comes to follow up on his recovery for strictly business matters she desperately tries not to fall back in love with him.

Thought: I loved this book. I thought it was a great addition to Island Affair. This is the perfect beach romance read and I hope there are more in the future. I love how it connects to small town island life and incorporates the traditional Spanish language in a way that is not confusing to non Spanish readers. I also enjoy all the connections to family and how developed those relationships are. If you are looking for a fun romantic beach read that keeps you hooked than this one is definitely for you.

In this second book of the Keys to Love series, Oliveras brings readers an emotionally gratifying story of heartbreak, mending fences, and second chances, all set within the lush, tropical, southernmost point in the United States: Key West.

Anchored Hearts is more than a second chance at romance for first loves, Alejandro and Anamaria. It's also a chance to repair the deep and longstanding rift between Alejandro and his father. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between the childhood sweethearts. Oliveras takes her time with them, slowly reigniting their friendship before gradually moving them into a new relationship indicative of the adults they now are and the individual journeys they've traveled over the past ten years. There are too many past hurts and misconceptions to overcome before a new romance can begin. Although, of course, the meddling mamas are in full-speed matchmaking mode from the beginning. They've already plotted the outcome; they just need their two stubborn children to get on board.

In many ways, the rift with Alejandro's father is deeper and even more difficult to repair than that between the former lovers. Oliveras delves deep into the fabric of this Cuban-American family that shows love through their language, their food, their close family ties, and their rich cultural heritage. The way she highlights the differences between generations is at times heartbreaking but also indicative of what occurs in many immigrant families when a second-generation child veers from the course his family has set for him. The resolution scene between younger and older generation is one of the most emotional in the book and had me reaching for more than a few tissues.

In the first book of the series, Oliveras shows us Key West through the eyes of a tourist. In Anchored Hearts, she brings the tiny island to life through the eyes of those who have called Key West home - - through her own eyes. I could feel the tropical breezes, the sun on my skin, the sand between my toes, and the beauty of the sunsets people gather to toast every night. But she also evoked memories of quiet residential streets, family-run restaurants where everyone knows your name, and the love and pride locals hold in their hearts for their little piece of paradise.

This is a book that made me laugh, sigh, cry and eagerly anticipate the next book in the Keys to Love series. Until I can actually travel to Key West again, I'll happily revisit through the heart-tugging stories brought to life by Priscilla Oliveras.

ARC received for fair and unbiased review

I first discovered Priscilla Oliveras last year when I read Island Affair so I was really looking forward to Anchored Hearts! Set in Key West, it's a story of a second chance at romance for Anamaria who is a firefighter/paramedic and Alejandro, a travel photographer. When Alejandro has to return home after an accident to recuperate he has the chance to reconnect after years of separation from both Anamaria and his own family. I loved the chemistry between the characters and with a little help from their mothers they see they are meant to be together. Really enjoyed both the family dynamics and the setting. Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am happy to give my honest review.

This was my first book by Priscilla Oliveras. I enjoyed reading about characters who have different life experiences than me. The book is set in Key West with Latino families and it was rich with description of culture, food, language, and family.

Anamaria is growing her personal trainer business and is busy with working as a firefighter and caring for her family. She doesn't have time to remember her heartbreak over her high school boyfriend Alejandro leaving her to travel the world. Things are starting to look up for her business and she's surprised when her family friend calls her to check in on an injured patient.

Alejandro escaped his family and their expectations by becoming a world renown photographer. He's back in Key West after having an accident in the field and breaking his leg. He's not excited to be home and knows his mother is going to try her hardest to get him back together with Anamaria.

This is a classic and straight forward second chance romance. Nothing was really surprising in the plot... boy leaves girl because of fight with dad, boy comes home many years later and still likes her, boy decides to have a friends with benefits relationship with her before leaving again. The writing style wasn't as smooth for me which had me knocking down stars in the review. I felt like I was being told instead of shown and I struggled to connect with the characters. I can appreciate the culture of the book and it definitely made me hungry for Cuban food. Also, I HATED how the author wrote the dialogue for Alejandro's little niece. Children baby talk is not enjoyable. Overall a decent enough book but not one of my favorites.

A romance with a Latinx twist, set in Key West, appealing and sexy. Alejandro left Key West and the love of his life, Anamaria, to pursue photography, earning his father’s anger in his refusal to join the family restaurant business. Anamaria stayed in Key West to be close to her familia, the Navarros, and eventually start her own physical training and fitness business. When Alejandro returns home with a broken leg, sparks fly as the two try to negotiate through the past,present and see if there is a future. I enjoyed it and thank NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was good, but it left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Anchored Hearts is billed as a romance, but while the romance is there, it's really more of a side story. To me, the real story is between Alejandro, his father, and expectations. That is where it felt like the book focused. Well that and Anamaría's business kicking off. The romance storyline was lacking in my mind. Now don't get me wrong, when things finally amped up, they went fast, but still it didn't feel right. Does that make sense? Yes, I liked the characters. Yes I loved the setting. Yes I loved the fact that this was a second chance romance with meddling mothers! (and oh how these mothers meddled!) Yes, I wish I could see the photos that Alejandro took while in Cuba! All that to say, the book fell a little flat for me. At times it just felt like there was too much filler, and there was a slow burn happening that didn't need to happen.

I gave this book a 3 1/2 star rating

Anchored Hearts is a second-chance romance that transports the reader to Key West.

Anamaria and Alejandro were high school sweethearts but then he left, she stayed, and it's been a decade since they last spoke. But now he's back in town, staying with his family while rehabbing a bad injury, and they're thrown together in the same room. The reader can feel the tension between the two of them -- it's clear they have a connection, but how will either trust the other again?

The real highlight of this book for me was how doggedly Anamaria pursues her career aspirations. I loved that her hopes and dreams didn't take the backseat to any possible romantic relationships. I also really enjoyed seeing the different ways in which her family and community showed up for each other.

This book was a bit wordy for my tastes, and the pacing a little too slow -- I enjoyed their love story, but I didn't love the reading experience. Still, there was a lot to like about Anchored Hearts, and I'm absolutely interested in checking out other books by the author.

I truly wanted to love this one, as someone who lives in Florida and loves a good contemporary romance. I was never able to get into the story and ultimately did not finish the book. I am so disappointed; I’ve seen a lot of hype around this author and Island Affair and was so excited to be approved for the ARC, but it fell flat for me.

I love how Priscilla Oliveras can really transport you to Key West in these books. The characters are fun and the setting is beautiful, but I did find Anchored Hearts to be a bit repetitive at times. Luckily, I found Anamaría and Alejandro to be compelling enough that, even though the story seemed a bit drawn out, it was still a really enjoyable read.

I wanted to like this book. And I like the idea behind this second-chance romance. But there was just too many things that went wrong, for me.
I understand that the author is trying to give her setting of Key West, FL an authentic feel. However, it did not read that way to me. I think the biggest, most glaring example is how she tries to incorporate Spanish into the dialogue. This would have been great, except that she then also felt the need to either have a different character repeat the phrase back in English, then move on to their next thought, or it was translated within the narration. It had completely the opposite effect than what I assume was attended. I am all for including Spanish in this series, but just let it BE. If people don't understand and want to look it up, they can use Google or WordReference! It just made the book drag on and probably added an extra 25 pages.
I can't think of an example for this issue off the top of my head, but I felt like there were certain things that were given an unnecessary explanation, but then other things were brought up multiple times and never explained. I know that "Kelly days" were mentioned multiple times in relation to the firehouse schedule, but I still have 0 idea what that means.
I also thought it was fairly ridiculous that both of the main characters had these fairly big family issues and apparently neither family decided to work it out over the course of 10 years until you know, the very end of this book. Cool. Good timing. (not at all realistic)..

Anyways, all of these little things added up and just made it SO HARD to finish this book. It's pretty clearly set up for a third in the series and I really hope that one is better.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and the author for this opportunity.

This story started out a bit slow but so glad I stuck with it! It was a fun will they or won’t they get together story. I also really enjoyed the the family members of the 2 main characters. The author did a great job talking about their family roots to Cuba. I loved imagining the scenery in Key West Florida! I love a book that takes me to the beach!

This was such a sweet story of love, family, community, and living your dreams.

Things I liked: the family and community love - I could feel how much love all of the characters had for each other and their culture. Their appreciation for their home was palpable, and their support and encouragement for each other made my heart so happy.

Things I didn't love: I felt like most of the plot happened in the last quarter, so it was hard for me personally to feel invested in the story in the beginning.

The author also does an amazing job setting the scene for the character who I hope will have their own story next! Overall, this was a very cute rom com with extremely lovable characters and a heartwarming community.

It is no secret that second-chance romance is one of my favorite tropes of all time. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I love it when the characters come back together after they separated because of a fight. When done right, the angst and the communication just make it the perfect read. I am so happy to report that this one of those perfect reads.

Summary:
After award-winning photographer, Alejandro Miranda, falls off a waterfall and is forced to return home bedridden, he comes face-to-face with the childhood sweetheart he never fell out of love with, Anamaría Navarro. Anamaría was shattered when Alejandro took off without her. Traveling the world was their plan, not just his. Now Anamaría is dismayed that just the sight of him is enough to rekindle the flame she's worked years to put out. And as motherly meddling pushes them together, the heat of their attraction only climbs higher. Can they learn to trust again, before the Key West sunsets on their chance at happiness? (You don’t have to read the first book in order to read this book)

This Key West set second-chance romance stole my heart within the first chapter. This book is a beautiful display of the importance of Own Voices authors and diversity in books. The integration of Cuban culture and the beautiful handled use of Spanish throughout the book while a heart-melting romance comes together amazed me. The diversity element and Cuban culture added so much to the story and would be tragically incomplete without it. That is the beauty in books like this. Oliveras wove Spanish into the story frequently and so seamlessly that I was in awe. I see in books where some characters speak other languages, they will speak in their native language then the author would either just put a translation under it or have the character repeat themselves. I always find that extremely irritating. Oliveras would have a character speak in Spanish then weave the translation into the context or the response of the other characters. I thought it was brilliant. I was excited to read the next line with Spanish to see how Oliveras handles it. Beautifully written books like this are a huge push in normalizing Own Voices authors and diversity in romance.

The chemistry and angst between Anamaría and Alejandro were beautiful. Reading the way they secretly still loved each other broke my heart and put it back together in the best way possible. I loved that they both had lives and purposes outside of each other. Many times in romances we don’t get to see the characters' lives outside of their romance. I loved watching AM’s business come together and Alejandro’s passion for photography.

The family element of the story warmed my heart. The integration of Cuban culture and family dynamics into the story was absolutely amazing and so entertaining to read. I loved the comedic moments created by their family's interventions and meddling. I wish the frequent mention of their familia or secondary characters was dialed back a little bit; however, that made sense with the story so I am not too beat up about it.

I will say, I wish the communication element of Anamaría and Alejandro's second chance came earlier. Of course, there were past hurts and egos they had to get over and self-growth they had to work on before they began communicating and they're only human; plus, it all added to the angst. But I did wish that they had talked it out sooner.

This is for you if you are looking for a book with great diversity, an amazing cast of characters, a stunning setting, and a wonderfully done second-chance romance. I would especially recommend this to anyone looking for the perfect beach read and a wonderful summer-y, feel-good, heart-melting romance. Please read this book, seriously!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 stars
(4 out of 5 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Priscilla Oliveras for an eARC for an honest review in exchange.

I enjoyed the story but it dragged. It was at least 100 pages too long. The characters - Anamaria and Alejandro were teenage sweethearts until Alejandro left their home town.. and her. 12 years later, they do the will they won’t they dance - while Anamaria works to get her business off the ground and Alejandro finally gets his photography displayed in an art gallery in his home town. I loved the Cubaness of the book especially the food and the familia - I loved how the author would put a sentence in Spanish then translate it - in a good way which isn’t obvious but helps people like me who know no Spanish. I think it was well written and anyone who likes an incredibly sloooooow burn would like it.

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras is a second chance romance set in Key West, and the setting of this book made me immediately want to hop on a plane. This book is the second in the Keys to Love series, but it can be read as a standalone. The story was a very enjoyable escape, and I loved the family dynamics in the story. There was a lot of good banter and forced proximity throughout with perfect slow burn chemistry. I will certainly be picking up the first book in the series and will be looking forward to returning to the vivid Key West setting again!

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC. This did not affect the contents of my voluntary review. All opinions are honest and my own.

This is the second book in the Keys to Love series, and it centers on Luis’s sister, Anamaria, and her first (and only) love, Alejandro. Alejandro left town after high school to pursue a career in photography and hasn’t returned since. Anamaria has built her small business, AM Fitness, on Key West and can’t imagine leaving her family. When an injury brings Alejandro back home, their meddling mothers try to get them back together.

I liked this better than Island Affair, but there is just something about these books that I don’t love. I liked it, but I just didn’t love it.

Thanks to @NetGalley and Kensington Books for my ARC!

When I saw this one, I just wanted to read this book sooooo much. I loved Island Affair,but this one not so much. It was just okay for me.
Maybe I was expecting so much from this book...
It was sweet and that it is. It will be okay summer read.
3 stars.

Priscilla Oliveras’ charming Keys to Love series continues with the story of Luis’ sister, Anamaría. While this book is a little less heart-pounding than the previous volume (thanks to an occasionally annoying hero), there’s still enough romance and cozy family drama to earn a recommendation from me.

Anamaría Novaro is anchored down in Key West, Florida, but she’s not really happy about it, feeling like she’s stuck between her pushy mom and her regrets she harbors for the life she could’ve led. She had plans to travel the world beside her former boyfriend and high school sweetheart, Alejandro – Ale - Miranda, but he decided to leave without her to go exploring when she decided to stay home in the wake of her father’s heart attack. Anamaría eventually became a fitness instructor with a.booming business, AM Fitness.

Alejandro loved Anamaría, but he really felt like he had to go – the act was a rebellion against the smothering atmosphere of his family home and his autocratic father’s behavior. Yet he felt betrayed by Anamaría’s choice to stay in Key West instead of following him to Spain as they’d agreed. His family still expects him to come home and take over the family restaurant, but photographer Alejandro knows that’s not his desired path.  Yet now he’s back in town anyway, having injured himself in a fall off the side of a cliff while trying to get a perfect shot during his climb up the side of a waterfall in El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico.

Anamaría and Alejandro are brought back together by Alejandro’s severe leg injury, which requires rehab – and their meddling mothers, who try to push them back together. In spite of their bitter memories, the two ex-lovers begin to get closer.  But can they both overcome their pasts and seek a brighter future?

Anchored Hearts isn’t my favorite Oliveras book, but it’s still worth reading for the warm way she portrays a loving – if occasionally clingy – family environment.  Her love stories are always sweet and fun, even if her hero this time out annoyed me a bit.

I loved Anamaría, her understandable frustrations with her mother and her love of adventure.  She had a sweet if sometimes frustrating chemistry with Alejandro; it takes a rather long time for them to realize that a long-distance relationship is a viable notion for the two of them.  You can see the teenagers they both used to be underneath their reactions, and there’s something sweet and endearing about that.

But the biggest problem I had with the book was Alejandro.  While I completely sympathized with and understood his issues with his dad, his inability to understand where Anamaría was coming from grated on me for a while. They were both so young when he left Key West you’d think he’d be mature enough to give her some emotional leeway, but this he does not do.  Instead, he is stubborn. So stubborn. So incredibly stubborn that I  groaned every time he makes another excuse up to keep on hating Anamaría for choosing to stay in Key West instead of giving up her career path, and vowing to avoid Key West forever because of his toxic issues with his dad.  He does come around, but it takes so very, very long for him to do so.

As always, Oliveras nails down a spirited, full-hearted narrative filled with loveable characters.  Her ability to portray the family dynamics within tradition-loving and tightly-knit Cuban families remains excellent, and her stories are touching and engrossing as well as easy to fall into.  Her settings are flawlessly explored, and the minor characters are a lot of fun.  I enjoyed this peek into the life Luis and Sara are living, and another visit with the loving and exasperating (in a lovely way!) Novaro family.

Anchored Hearts is good, though not perfect – worthy of a future summer fling, and a fun way to let a little romance into your mid-spring life.

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There's something to be said for slow burn romance. Anchored Hearts is a banquet of emotion that lingers on the heart. Oliveras gives the senses just enough to be tempted, but it's the heart that's running the show. With sprinklings of humor and breathtaking romance, Anamaria and Alejandro are a feast for the soul.

I'd been dying to read this since I finished the first book in the series, Island Affair. Don't get me wrong this book had good parts, but about halfway through it was so slow I about put it down for a different read. I love the plot continuing with the same characters, just different main characters in this book, but it was predictable and just a meh for me.