A sexy physical therapist and a stunning graphic designer come together in this sexy romance novel by RITA Award-winner Alexis Daria. Gabriel Aguilar left the Bronx to escape from his family and lead a life of his own making in Los Angeles. Several years later he has established a successful gym. The only problem? His financial backer wants him to open a new gym in NYC ... right down the road from the family he swore he'd never see again. Michelle Amato has had a successful marketing and design career but now that she's self-employed she doesn't feel challenged anymore. Until she gets an email asking her to help with the launch of a new gym run by an old flame. Gabe and Mich reunite and sparks fly.

This is the second book in the Primas of Power series by Alexis Daria and it is just as steamy, sexy, delicious as the first. The protagonists have some serious chemistry and when problems arise Jasmine (from You Had Me at Hola) and Ava are there for their cousin. Daria interspersed YHMAH with dialogue from scenes acted out by Jasmine and Ashton, and in ALLA she includes IM conversations between a young Gabe and Mich as they brainstorm their sci-fi fanfic. To be honest I skimmed/skipped most of these, but I appreciate what she was doing here. (Also - more fanfic in romance novels! I mean, there are so many juicy possibilities around fans engaging with their favorite fics!) The only other bit that bugged me was how long it took Gabe to figure out a solution for his problem (one that seemed to be hitting him over the head for most of the book). But so it goes with so many romance novels--Daria is not unique in stretching out conflicts past their natural end point. Those sections aside, I could not put this book down. I'll be keeping this one on my shelf and eagerly awaiting Ava's story. More please!

***SPOILERS:*** (I had access to an ARC.) This was a decent read. It has a nice ending. The characters complimented each other well. But, I liked Mich's character the most. It felt like if she hadn't taken the initiative, nothing would have rekindled between her and Gabe. Gabe had a lot of growing up to do IMO; some counseling would do him well. 9 yrs of self-imposed estrangement is a lot!
I liked the author's use of the interstitial storyline (a technique she employed in You Had Me at Hola). This one was unique being a Latinx space-themed fanfic.

A Lot Like Adios was delightful. If you liked You Had Me at Hola, you will love this sequel in the series.

It started off with a bit of contrivance to bring Michelle and Gabe back into each other's lives after 13 years apart; Gabe had left Michelle (and his whole family) in the Bronx when he moved to LA for college, breaking both their hearts in the process. When they reunite somewhat coincidentally for professional purposes, they pick up where they left off. In some ways, that means acting like the teenagers they were then: unnecessary subterfuge with their families, telling half-truths to one another about their feelings. Yet they are adults dealing with adult problems, beginning with their unfulfilling professional lives. The reunion helps Michelle and Gabe both come to a better understanding of who they are and want to be--as individuals and potentially together.

Gabe even more than Michelle shows great gains in maturity over the course of the novel. Anyone who's had friction with well-meaning but overbearing parents can relate to his struggles for self-definition, as well as the pressures he puts on himself to succeed. Michelle, meanwhile, works through intimacy issues and anxieties about abandonment. Heavy stuff, but it's managed well over the course of the novel.

And Gabe and Michelle are hot together! In so many ways, this novel handles intimate adult relationships well.

This is also a romance that prioritizes representation of Latinx and multi-racial characters, as well as LGBTQ individuals. It's done well here, and it will give you hope for what the genre as a whole can do when more non-white/cis/hetero stories are elevated.

I was so excited to learn about Alexis Daria's most recent novel after I devoured her "You Had Me at Hola" romance novel, and "A Lot Like Adiós" is an equally fun, spicy, and engaging beach read with heart! Set in the same universe as "Hola," we follow Jasmine's cousin Michelle (the second Prima of Power) on her own love journey which is a second-chance romance with her childhood best friend Gabriel (Gabe).

Michelle is described as a commitment-phobic Latina who's built a successful freelance graphic design business after corporate burnout. Meanwhile, Gabe owns the hottest celebrity gym in LA and his investor urges him to open an NYC branch. New York aka the place he fled after high school graduation, disappearing from his best friend and longtime hidden crush Michelle's life. The story starts as Gabe is about to go to New York to open this branch and work with the already-hired Michelle to tackle the brand's marketing. She's itching for closure so she agrees to have him stay with her for the days he's in town. But soon enough, they pick up exactly where they left off 13 years ago. As the duo works together, they find their old feelings resurface and SERIOUS SPICE ALERT.

Told in dual perspectives, it's chock full of engaging storytelling that just pulls you in, and as expected, yes you'll get *some* spice. Also, I really like the insight of the pair's high school fanfic planning IM chats; it makes a fun flashback scene peppered throughout. It has such engaging, quick language that drew me in. Also, while it did have queer representation which is great and I love to see more diversity in romance novels, it's just a piece of their backstory and something that's flitted over and in no way the main story. But all in all, "A Lot Like Adiós" will be an ideal beach read to toss in your beach bags during your vacation!

A truly charming romance book! A second chance romance mixed with a friends to lovers/one that got away trope. This book is standalone and you do not need to read the first book before diving into this one.

We have Michelle and Gabe. These two have grew up together and were the best of friends until one night when they were 18. They have not seen or talked to each other in almost 13 years because Gabe left for LA to pursue is dreams which is family didn’t support. Gabe’s company in LA hires Michelle to help with their new gym being built in New York. One of Michelle’s requirements on taking the job was that Gabe stay with her. So when he flies out he does, and it feels like their time spent apart was a few days not many years. They dive back in to their friendship while immediately heating up the pages. They both have so much to figure out in their careers, what they want out of life and now between themselves while dealing with their intrusive family. In Gabe’s case, family he hasn’t talked to in over 9 years. Bring on the love, loud family gatherings, the hugs and the reconciliation!

Alexis Daria does a wonderful job writing Michelle and Gabe you feel their emotions and understand exactly the frustrations and yearning with some hot, steamy scenes mixing everything up. The pacing was perfect and she truly developed the characters well, they are relatable and feel for them as they navigate the unknown hoping the other feels the same. In the messages from the teen times you get a glimpse into the amazing friendship they had built when younger and how that type of love leaves it’s mark and never goes away.

I will definitely read more of Alexis Daria! Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this free ARC.
-- Staci McIntyre

If you haven't read anything by the author, Alexis Daria, yet; I highly recommend you do. Her latest book, "A Lot Like Adios" is due to come out in September of this year and I was fortunate enough to get an Advance Reader Copy (ARC). All I can say about this book is...HOT, HOT,HOT! I absolutely loved it and the author definitely did not disappoint. The book revolves around two characters, Michelle Amato and Gabriel Aguilar. They also happen to best friends, or at least they use to be, up until they were 18. But that was a long time ago. Now, they are in their 30"s and haven't talked or seen each other in 13 years. Michelle is a free-lance graphic designer. She lives in New York, where she was born and raised, and of course, extremely close to her family. Especially her two female cousins, Ava and Jasmine. Gabriel is a licensed physical therapist and co-owner of a very successful gym in L.A. He left New York, his family, and Michelle (his best friend and love of his life) after high school to pursue his dreams. Both Michelle and Gabriel believe their lives are going well, thus far, but fate has a way of shaking things up, Gabriel has to go to New York to visit potential locations for a new gym. His best friend and other owner of his gym has ironically located and contacted Michelle to help with marketing the new gym. When Gabriel finds out Michelle may potentially be involved in his life again, it begins a whirlwind of events and emotions. Can best friends rekindle their friendship? Or has two much time transpired. This books delves into a lot of emotions, events and YES... SOME SUPER HOT SEX SCENCES. The character develop and over all plot of the book are extremely well written in my opinion. The descriptive locations are very well described that the reader can envision actually being in New York and California. Of course, I can't forget the luscious sex scenes. The author really captured the intimacy of these characters so vividly that the reader feels every emotion that they ignite in themselves and each other. I sincerely hope that this author continues the story. I would definitely love to read more.

I loved this book and the characters in the book. I enjoyed reading about a best friend second chance romance and how they talked about fanfiction and other Latino/Latina representation.

Hot, steamy, sassy, smart -- this romance, set mainly in the Bronx, focuses on a yummy friends-become-lovers romance. I love how this book embraces so much, from Latinx family culture to bisexuality to being okay about not having children and focusing on a fulfilling career. New adults and mid-lifers like me will enjoy the multifaceted personal growth of the characters in this book. That is one of the many ways Daria breaths life into her books. My only hiccup...maybe it's my age (44), but I could have used a little less casual cussing (that seems to be a thing in new romance.) Parentheses aside, I look forward to any romance written by Alexis Daria -- an the covers of her books, too! Ava of the Primas of Power, I think you're up next!

I loved You Had Me at Hola!! And I feel so lucky to have this arc. Thank you soooo much, William Morrow and Custom House!

Come on, we cannot talk about this book without talking about the cover art. It’s just gorgeous!! I can’t wait to rush into my local book store to get the actually book!

Right now, this book is my #1 romance book recommendation for 2021. Both Michelle and Gabe are very relatable. This is a longtime friends to lovers story and yes, there are some good old romance tropes in it. And I loved All of them. There are wonderful family moments, which is awesome! Cause we’ve read way too many romance main characters with traumatic or tragic family issues, right?

I love all the Michelle and Gabe moments together. They refuse to admit their feelings towards each other, but at the same time they are so cute and wholesome together. And we readers all know they love each other so much. The writing is brilliant and smooth. Once I finished, I find myself want to read it again to find all the lovely details I might’ve missed the first time.

And I just realized the publishing date is also perfect! Just when we are getting ready for the beautiful fall and getting cozy with baked goods, we can read this book and get all the fuzzy feelings! Ah, I just love it!

Definitely will talk about this wonderful book on my booktube and podcast once it's published!

Thanks to Netgalley for the digital ARC for my honest review!

I absolutely love this book! The funny and insightful writing made boneheaded Gabe and passive Michelle so realistic and likable. They are a couple that is in love with each other but seem to like to tell others they prefer to be alone. Alexis creates such great characters and places that I truly want to live in. In You Had Me at Hola I wanted to see the telanovela and I wanted the book to be made into a movie immediately. For A Lot Like Adios I wanted to know what actors could play all the parts. I was excited to hear about Jasmine and Ashton again. Just love love this universe the author created.

A sweet, breezy read that had a good balance of humor and sappiness. Michelle and Gabe had good chemistry, and their relationships with their two families made for heartfelt and funny moments.

Disclaimer: I got this book in exchange for media coverage.

I’m a sucker for childhood friends to lovers stories and the premise of this book was adorable. Mich has been in love with Gabe, but Gabe has always had commitment issues. This has fake dating (which is a trope I only like depending on how the author writes it), fanfic, and close proximity!!! It’s freaking adorable!! You need to read this.