We love a steamy Christmas/Holiday book and this was a chef's kiss!

Hot Takes
- This was such a great will they/won't they situation! There were so many family interruptions every time things we're heating up and I laughed at the main character's frustration every time!
- There was such great sexual tension! Probably because of all the interruptions lololol
- I love a deep family story imbedded in a romance and this was perfection!
- There was the perfect amount of Nochebuena/Christmas that it wasn't overwhelming.
- We love forced proximity!

Read If You Like
- Second chance romance
- Anchored Hearts for a meddling family!

The most interesting thing about Gael and Perla’s love story is that, although the sexual chemistry is impossible to deny, it’s the love between them that takes control of the plot. Likewise, and although it seems contradictory, the structure of their relationship is one of the most balanced that I have read in Harlequin Desire.

Something that draws the attention of the story is how the Latino culture —in this case, Puerto Rican and a few Dominican— is present throughout the book. Both the main and the secondary characters show the culture without effort and everything related to Puerto Rico, from its gastronomy to some present and historical data (brought to the story with fictitious names), are well documented. As a Puerto Rican, I can assure you that.

A delightful book based on emotions and a lot of Caribbean flavor is what the second installment of the Sambrano Studios series brings. And the alcapurrias taste so good!

P.D.: Sra. Herrera, se le olvidaron el coquito, la ensalada de papas y las morcillas en su menú boricua (aunque yo no como morcillas) 😉

FULL REVIEW IN HARLEQUIN JUNKIE:
https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-just-for-the-holidays-by-adriana-herrera/

A trope mashup with a holiday flare.

Perla has never gotten over the love her life. She believes Gael broke up with her because of his career. She never thought she'd have to see the man who once threw her love away.

But when the role of Gael Montez's life is being produced by Sambrano Studio's, casting director Perla Sambrano know that only Gael can fill the shoes of the Puerto Rican freedom fighter Francisco Rios and bring his romance with Claudia Mieses to life.

However, Perla has to overcome the memory of love she hasn't quite gotten over.

If you miss Esmeraldo and Rodrigo from Book 1, they make an appearance here and they are as powerful and beautiful a couple as they were in book 1. This book was such a joy to read. I loved the nods to real-life Latinx artists, including Lin Manuel Miranda and the real life heroes of the fictional biopic. There are so many little Easter eggs for the Latinx reader that it was like finding treasures in the bleach-white sand of Herrera's native Santo Domingo. The tropes are masterfully handled and deliver those little jolts of pleasure we come to expect from Herrera's romances. But there is also the centrality of family and especially the support that women give each other in the capacity of friendship and sisterhood. More than just Gael's love is recovered in this delightful romance.

And did I say there was one bed??? Snowed-in goodness? Enough heat to keep a couple warm in the heart of winter?

If you like your holiday romances spicy, Just For the Holidays is just for you.

I was lucky enough to receive an early review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Perla Sambrano never got over her first love, Gael Montez, but she has tried to reclaim her life in the year since her father died and she reunited with her half sister Esmeralda. Perla’s new role within the family business has her trying to convince Gael to take a role in a limited period series which she knows is perfect for him. When they’re caught kissing during the audition (“for the scene”) by his mother (who never approved that Gael broke up with her) Perla agrees to go along with the lie that they’re dating again to keep his mom happy for the holidays, in exchange for Gael’s commitment to the part.

So fake dating, second chance romance, scheming family members, and one characters mistaken belief that they’re cursed in love make this a really charming holiday romance. I was so excited to see how much Perla had grown since the first book (Esmerelda’s story) and we got a hint that the other sibling, Onyx, may not be totally beyond redemption. I wish there had been more of confrontation of Perla’s mother (a classic evil stepmother but who is also horrible to her own children) but I also think this might be saved for the next book (hopefully’s Onyx’s story). Gael’s family is so warm and lovely, and this book is much lighter in tone than the prior book in the series.

I also loved the nod to Alexis Daria’s series, and reference to a certain broadway musical about the founding fathers.

***I received an ARC from the author and am posting my honest review.***

I'm a sucker for second chances add in a wintery Christmas setting and this just wonderful. It continued the soapy over the top family drama of the first book in this series which is exactly what I loved about the first book as well. Perla's continued redemption fits and i am so glad we got to see her story!

4.5 stars

This is pretty much a perfect holiday romance to read. Perla was introduced in the first book of the Sambrano Studios series, and honestly, she didn’t make that much of an impression on me, one way or another. But here, she has come into her own and what a fantastic romance heroine she has become.

The story itself is frothy fun with just enough villainy by some of the extended family to make some good conflict. Swoony moments galore - it’s a holiday romance, after all - and snow and good food make plot-moving appearances. Also fake dating, close proximity, loving and meddling family members (thank goodness, because the evil ones you kinda wanna punch) - all the best stuff from a holiday romance.

Loved it. I wish it was longer, not because it wasn’t perfect in and of itself, but because there were moments where I personally just would have loved more.

Honestly, Adriana Herrera can do no wrong in my book. Her stories are always beautiful, deep, filled with amazing food, community and family. They are so strongly Latinx - like it's bleeding off the page and feels so authentic. I love everything she does and Just for the Holidays is no different.

The Sambrano Studios series is soapy, telenovela goodness. I was so excited about Perla's book because she is such an intriguing character in One Week to Claim It All. She's beaten down by her mom but comes into full strength and it's wonderful to see her be a red-lipstick and leather wearing badass. And Gael is a tortured love interest, still in love with Perla but trying to do the best for his family. There is little tension and angst here IMO - you know Perla and Gael will get together in the end. I think the best parts were the family dynamics, Gabi especially is HILARIOUS and I want her story, the steam, and seeing Perla take control of what she wants. I also loved see Perla and Esme's relationship because that is just beautiful.

Read this if you like all the tropes: second chance romance, only one bed, snowed in during the holidays. And enjoy!

I'm voluntarily leaving this review in exchange for an ARC copy.

4.5⭐️

Once again Adriana Herrera has created a story infused with so much passion, you can’t help but fall in love with every page.

Perla and Gael are this super swoony second chance romance with instant sizzling tension.

‘It was more than desire; it was a bone-deep wild need.’

Watching them find their way back to each other was absolutely delightful!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this second chance romance! This book was a lot more tender than the first and my heart was swooning for Gael and Perla. I loved that this was a Hollywood story but it was sprinkled just enough to not take over the story. It still had a little telenovela effect towards the end and it was the perfect conflict cause it tied in a lot of what had been hinted at throughout the book. There’s also small appearances by esmeralda from book 1 and I loved getting an update on her happily ever after.

As always, Adriana delivered with her sexy, and steamy scenes. This is the perfect holiday steamy read! One of my favorites scenes was noche buena.

Thanks to the author & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 Q: what are you reading this morning? I just finished my last ARC due 10/26 & I think I’m going to take an ARC break before starting my ones out November.

Second chance romance often isn’t my fave but I don’t turn down an opportunity for a new Adriana Herrera book.

Just for the Holidays is a second chance, snowed in, fake dating romance between an executive in charge of casting & the *super* hot Hollywood actor who unexpectedly dumped her six years ago, after they’d been together & in love for two.

Perla Sambrano has never forgotten Gael Montez. But she wants him to sign on to a series made by her family’s studio about a Puerto Rican freedom fighter & she thinks she can get him to do it. Even though feelings 🙃.

Herrera really makes the most of the sexual tension & release in this one, offering a sexy story between two people who just can’t help but want each other. Both leads are charismatic & hot 🥵.

Also very much part of the story is Gael’s loving family, & Perla’s own (which, apart from her exec sister and brother in law is not so lovely), & how, as Perla says, she’s finding people who genuinely care about her to spend her time with…a rarity in her life. That’s built on in the Epilogue, where Herrera shares the real effort she & Gael are putting into their relationship.

But I just didn’t totally understand why their break-up happened—that part feels muddled to me—& 100% of why why Gael was resistant to picking things up in the present-day. Also I wanted Perla to really make him work to get her back—even for a weekend—& she didn’t do that enough for me personally, though Gael really comes through in the reconciliation & Epilogue.

Just for the Holidays definitely gives me hot, snowed in, fog up the windows vibes but the second chance arc falls flat for me.

3.5 ⭐️. Release date: 10/26.

This was just ok for me ... I was expecting a few more fireworks but it was a simple, sweet holiday romance. Also, I hadn't read the first book in this series before reading this one and had no problems following along. I thought there would be a bit more of a hollywood/celebrity feel but it was pretty mild and was more family focused.

Just For the Holidays... comes out next week on October 26, 2021 and you can purchase HERE.

"Perla, you were the first amazing thing that ever happened to me, and you are still the best. I can't give you up." She had no words, but she didn't need them because he pulled her to him, and for a moment, bent down to press their foreheads together. They took a few breaths in unison, letting the thing he'd said sit between them.

Just for the Holidays is the second book in the Sambrano Studios series. Perla Sambrano is the casting director for a movie that she knows her ex-love would be the perfect lead. So, she heads to Gael Montez''s house to recruit him for the role. What she hadn't planned on was that Gael would still make her senses sizzle and that they would be snowbound.

I absolutely enjoyed this story. I finished it in hours. I loved the romance and chemistry between Perla and Gael. I loved their interaction with his family and even how they conquered issues from the past so that they could have a future. I loved the setting and the cover is gorgeous!

But what I treasured is the heritage of family and the Latinx culture that was celebrated through this book. A real enjoyable read. It was also good to see Esme from book one.

Thank you #Netgalley and #Harlequin. I received the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The second book in the series is just as good as the first

Perla Sambrano and Gael Montez are two head strong former lovers. Thrown together in attempt to produce (Perla) and star in (Gael is a Hollywood heartthrob) a Hollywood biopic based on a famous Latinx man and his woman.

The people and obstacles form the past get in the way again just as Perla and Gael are rebuilding their relationship. Those obstacles pull them apart……. but enter, the older half-sister, Esmeralda Sambrano from the first book to engineer their reconnection and help them build their happy ever after.

I truly enjoyed Gael and Perla as a couple, there was great chemistry and banter; they have a true connection that was felt through the pages.

Hero & heroine dated in college but had a falling out because he someone close to him convince him to let her go. He is a major actor and heroine needs him for a role she is producing. She goes to his home and finds herself stranded in a snowstorm where now she has to pretend to be his Girlfriend.
There is humor, sweet & sexy times.

Snowed in, second chance romance and fake dating a hot Hollywood star?
SIGN ME IN

Perla and Gael were college sweethearts that after breaking up, they stop seeing each other for six years.
Because of a new project in the Sambrano Studios, Perla Sambrano has to face the one man that she can't forget, Hollywood latinx star, Gael Montez.
After arriving to his home in the Hamptons, there is a snowstorm and Perla finds herself stranded with Gael and his family in Nochebuena pretending to be his girlfriend.

This book is full of emotions, cozyness, and so much sweetness.

I enjoyed so much the family dynamic of the Montezes and I loved how the author shows part of the latinx culture through their food and traditions ❤


I'm voluntarily leaving this review in exchange for an ARC copy

Let's see... We have forced proximity, second chance romance, fake dating romance... I think that covers it. Anyway, all three tropes come together for fun, quick read with a couple that's really easy to root for. Gael and Perla are so good together, and their romance is a good combination of sweet and sexy. The story has a good pace that makes it all too easy to read "just one more chapter," until you're turning the last page. I liked the first book in the Sambrano Studios series, but there's just something about this couple that sets this one apart. Adriana Herrera paints such a vivid picture of the setting and the characters that it all comes to life in my head. It's pretty safe to say that I'd recommend this one to anyone who likes a bit of steamy romance to while away an evening.

This Latinx holiday romance was so authentic to Latinx culture while also being steamy and swoony. Adriana Herrerra did an amazing job of laying the groundwork for the second chance romance and setting up the emotional history between the main characters. I was immediately drawn in and excited to see where the story was going! The big family helping everyone get carried away was fun as were the quieter moments. This is exactly the kind of story I want in a holiday romance and the fact that it had Latinx representation makes it that much better.

This author is one of my new favorites and I'm happy to report this is an awesome story.

Just for the Holidays was an excellent follow up to One Week to Claim It All in the Sambrano series. I love second chance romances and Perla and Gael were able to get their second chance with this story. I love the closeness of the families between Gael his mom and sister and also the Sambrano sisters were the highlight of this story. I love that Gael and Perla worked out their issues through therapy and finally got their HEA. This is a must read if you love a good family unit. I'm voluntarily leaving this review in exchange for ARC copy.

This was a fun forced-proximity second chance romance between a bigshot actor and his ex-girlfriend, current casting director of Sambrano Studios. I think this series has been a lot of fun so far. It's about a Latinx studio that creates telenovelas, and the romances feel a bit soapy too which I love.

Though he broke her heart six years ago, when the studio wants Gael for a certain part, Perla promises to deliver. She goes to his family's home in the Hamptons to convince him in person, only to be snowed in and unable to leave. Even worse, Gael tells his mother they're dating so now she has to cozy up to him to get him to agree to play the part.

It was sweet at times, steamy at others, and I really enjoyed the Puerto Rican culture I got to learn about throughout. Any book that has me googling cuisine and holidays I'm not familiar with gets me excited!

Definitely recommended for fans of the first book, or anyone who loves forced-proximity, second chance romance with a side of fake dating.

This is the tropiest troptastic romance full of tropes and it was so fun! The second in Adriana Herrera's Harlequin Desire Sambrano Studios series, this quick, tight romance is a second chance, snowed in, fake relationship with fantastic, Latinx and Afro-Latinx leads. It is so lush and sexy, and hot enough to warm up any winter's night. Both Pearla and Gael are compelling, dynamic leads and their love is so easy to root for. There are also a lot of fun Romancelandia Easter eggs scattered throughout!

If you loved, You Had Me At Hola, this one is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC!