I'm a big fan of Adriana Herrera's contemporary LGBTQ+ romances and fun Harlequin categories, so I have been eagerly awaiting her foray into my very favorite subgenre. A Caribbean Heiress in Paris does not disappoint. Incredibly emotional and romantic, smokin' hot, and always fiercely feminist, this book is one of the few historicals I've read that directly and unapologetically tackles the shameful history of racism, exploitation, and colonialism that allow all of those dukes, earls, marquesses, and viscounts to live their fabulously wealthy lives. I loved it and will be recommending it widely -- and it would make a fabulous book club pick!

not the quote I meant to keep but then one that stuck out: “grip the headboard, love.”

This book was EVERYTHING. From the incredibly heartfelt friendship and sister moments, to the sexy times that were absolutely delicious, Adriana delivered on all accounts. This book has everything I want in a historical romance: colonizer criticism and *real* history, women who know their worth and the men who stand by their side as they stand on their own. Evan and Luz are my new favorites in the historical realm and they deserve the world and more.

I also cannot state enough how important these historicals are, the amount of care, effort, and research put into this story took an already phenomenal book and gave it another level of authenticity that I find other historicals often lack.

Thank-you NetGalley and HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) for the chance to review this ARC.

A Caribbean Heiress in Paris is a fun and enjoyable read!


Adriana Herrera's writing shines in this novel!

This book has all the making of a great story!

*duel pov
opposites attract*
* marriage of convenience


Luz was a great character and I really liked her.

Evan was really awesome!

You put those two together and you have magic!
Can't wait for more of the Las Leonas series!

What a lovely start to a new series. The characters were interesting, the plot was intriguing, and the worldbuilding was great. There were times I wanted to bash the characters with their own book to make them talk to each other, but it's a testament to the author's writing that even then I wanted to keep reading. I cared about Luz Alana and Evan fixing things, since they were both really good people and good for each other as well. The side characters were lots of fun too, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in the future. Also, this cover is beautiful and I hope it attracts a lot of new readers.

4.5 stars

What a beautiful story. The author does an amazing job with the imagery, somehow making the FMC and her Lèonas pop compared to the other characters. It was as if I was watching a movie where Luz Alana and her circle were in color and the rest was in black and white. Truly amazing.

There are many lessons to be learned from this story. Just as with the imagery, the author does a great job of educating her readers without it feeling like an education. Everything is organic to the story and flows with each situation Luz Alana or Evan happen to be in at the time. The setting, the concept, the interactions, all wonderfully done.

There is an instant connection between Luz Alana and Evan and I was overjoyed to learn this would be a fake relationship story. One of my favorite tropes. Before these two even agree to embark on their fake marriage, they are already in deep. Not only is there a strong physical attraction, they are both very impressed with the other’s grit and determination to go after what they want and have earned. Two extremely head-strong characters, both with an overabundance of compassion for those around them.

The only thing that detracted from this story for me was the pacing. Something about it was off and I can’t quite put my finger on why. It made it much easier to put the book down, yet I was always eager to pick it back up. Which means I will be snatching up the next book in this series as soon as they announce a publication date

The first book the new Las Leonas series, this dual perspective opposites attract marriage of convenience was full of diverse characters and strong women of color protagonists - something we don't see a lot of in historical fiction books!

Luz is heiress to her father's Caribbean rum empire and is in Paris to showcase her product at the 1899 Exposition Universelle. There she meets Evan, heir to his father's whiskey business and in need of a wife. The two strike up a mutually beneficial working relationship but can't resist the STEAMY chemistry that literally sizzles between them.

Full of delicious slow burn banter and off the charts heat, this open door love story is one you don't want to miss. I also really enjoyed the author's note included at the end of the book. Overall, highly recommended, especially for fans of Vanessa Riley. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy!!

Thank you Netgally and Harlequin for access to this arc.

I loved the historical details – the debut of the Eiffel Tower, a mention of the phylloxera disease that devastated French vineyards, New World composers, French fashion designers, the number of Caribbean, Central and South American countries that were present at the Exposition. They were all carefully worked into the story and never made it feel as if I should be taking notes for a quiz.

Given the Las Leonas #1 designation, I know that Luz’s two friends will have their own books. The three friends are tight and have each other’s backs even if they have very different personalities. There is a lot of diversity in the book and not only among Luz’s female friends. There is also a Vietnamese woman married to a Frenchman, a Chilean heiress who married into the English aristocracy, as well as what Evan’s father was up to with his first marriage. As well as diversity, the book has many characters who have progressive social attitudes, although there are also some who don’t in order to show contrast, and two secondary characters are queer.

And now to what didn’t work so well for me. The (for me) dreaded insta-lust is what initially gets Luz and Evan together. There are a bunch of scenes with her “melted core,” and his “twitching cock,” and heated kissing and fingering that Luz just can’t bring herself to care that anyone might see or that perhaps she ought not to allow the only man who takes her seriously and who has helped her to so many liberties. While on the one hand I don’t have an issue with her enjoying her sexuality, on the other she is already up against a lot of prejudice due to her gender and her skin color. Should someone see her backed against a wall with Evan all over her like a rash it won’t help her business image or prospects. Readers who enjoy red hot sex scenes will be in luck though as there are quite a few.

At first Luz is presented as a woman determined to take on all comers as she works on getting new contacts and selling her rum. Only this doesn’t last long. A month during which she is belittled or ignored by businessmen brings her down but I still didn’t understand the reason for Luz to be in the exclusive brothel beyond setting up some smexy scenes. Why didn’t she just send a letter of introduction and ask the owners (one of whom is a woman) for a meeting to discuss selling her rum there as she had planned when she was thinking of using women as her network?

While I love the idea that Luz has to market her distilled products by using a female network by the 1/3 mark there wasn’t much of this. Instead, when Luz is almost continually rebuffed by men as she attempts to set up shipping or sell her rum, it’s Evan to the rescue as he takes her along to his meetings with his distributors and in one case, he literally strongarms someone at a ball into agreeing to a meeting with Luz (which she finds humiliating). So – not so much female networking.

Evan’s father is a piece of work – something which is revealed fairly early in the book. He’s been working with someone to hold his father to account for many varied and awful past deeds. When these deeds are described, I’m all with Evan and the other person because daddy needs to be brought down. Still Evan, for all his determination to see justice done, scares me at times. His standard reaction to anyone making him mad is to jump straight to issuing threats of bodily harm – knocking out all a person’s teeth, thrashing someone, “putting them in the ground.” Evan began to make me think of bodice ripping alpha heroes of old – although mixed with progressive social thinking. And though wrecking justice in these moments is usually a good thing by the end of the book he was just too “beating on his chest” much for me.

I found parts of the second half of the book to be rather slow though Evan makes a decision late in the story to let Luz in on something because he can’t stand for her to be broadsided since too many men in her life have let her down. Evan does have to be basically hit over the head with his feelings before acknowledging them but he does treat Luz lovingly and takes great care of her. Parts of the book were great and wonderful to see but some of it just didn’t work well for me. C+

Historical romance is getting the shot in the arm it needs thanks to authors like Adriana Herrera who are brave enough to let their imaginations create an exciting and refreshing world full of diverse characters!

We meet Luz Alana and the other two Leonas (this is the first of a new trilogy) at the start of the book on a ship bound for Paris so that Luz Alana can sell her rum and eventually move to Scotland to create a new business and life, while taking care of Clarita, her precocious younger sister, who may be an early Goth. At the start, you know our entrepreneurial heroine is a feminist and she and her two besties, Aurora and Manuela, are educated, well-off and Black, and really, how great is this set-up!?!

The hero is Evan Sinclair, whiskey maker, second son of a Scottish duke yet heir apparent. He is the only white guy in Paris and Edinburgh who isn’t a racist and he quickly develops the hots for Luz Alana. He also has a revenge plot going on.

The two end up in a marriage of convenience but with copulating and that means lots of steamy scenes! There’s mention of a cervical cap, birth control is discussed, and I am 100% for it! Our heroine is a working woman and has to care for her younger sister, so this is smart and sensible!

There’s a lot of history in this ambitious book, and I wished for more balance juggling history, storytelling and entertainment. Still, I give Ms. Herrera a lot of credit for kicking this particular door down, and I want to read more diverse historical romances in the future. I am also hoping for shenanigans and meaningful conversations among the Leonas and between Luz Alana and Clarita in the future books!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Adriana Herrera is a romancelandia treasure. Holy-Amazing!!! I have read everything I can get my hands on by this author and she does not disappoint.

The chemistry here!?!? Perfection. Just, perfection.

The setting, the supporting characters, the pacing of the romance. Every factor served to enhance the romance and I could not get enough of this story.

3.5, rounded up. It's been great to read more diverse historical romances! Herrera skillfully immerses her readers in her settings; the details of the various places in France and Scotland made me feel like I was really there. This extends to her characters, too; it was a pleasure to get to know Luz Alana and Evan and witness their instant chemistry deepen over the course of the book. There are some major communication issues between them that frustrated me (a major pet peeve of mine), but otherwise they are a solid match. Can't wait to read more in the series!

God, does Adriana Herrera know how to set a gosh darn historical romance! First of all, the worldbuilding in this is fantastic. You immediately feel like you've been whisked away in France and Scotland, and she does such a good job explaining every move, every location so precisely, it's such a talent. You can definitely tell research was put in and executed supremely well for this and I applaud Adriana for doing a stellar job.
Secondly, the romance in this was stellar. You're taken in every step of Luz Alana and Evan's relationship and Luz Alana is definitely that badass main character that really just inspires you. She's a strong, steadfast woman, and seeing her and Evan's relationship grow was just wonderful. I'm always thoroughly impressed with Adriana's writing and this is just another amazing work of hers. A beautiful book.

Oh my goodness!!!! Marriage of convenience!! Historical romance with a Latina heroine!! Two leads who have the absolute hots for each other but don't want to admit to each other how much they FEEEEEEEL!! A badass buisnesslady who knows what she wants and how to get. it. DONE!! Communication problems that aren't the main conflict of the story and are resolved like adults!! Again-- historical romance with diversity!!!!!! I need more Leonas!!!!!!

Many many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for my thoughts. I'm very excited to tell people about this one!

I enjoyed this book immensely. Five stars. Funny, steamy, interesting and sets itself up for at least two more books. I love a series. I need more Apollo for sure

3.5 stars

It's nice that the romance genre is not lily white anymore. This historical romance features a strong and independent woman of color from the islands, Luz Alana, who is attempting to promote her rum distillery in the European market and is running into constant opposition and derision from the white male community.

The one exception is a Scottish whisky maker, Evan who is gobsmacked at first sight by Luz. He is in the midst of problems of his own. His truly awful father has drunk and frittered away most of the estate and is threatening to sell the distillery. Evan has discovered a half brother and together they are looking for a way to take revenge on their father for his treatment of their mothers and wrest control of the distillery from him.

Luz is fun to follow. She has a huge chip on her shoulder, totally justified, and balks at accepting any help -- but she does realize she needs an entree into the business world before she can sell her product. She is also dealing with an unscrupulous trustee who refuses to turn over any of her inherited assets. Luz and Evan, as we are constantly reminded, are perfect physical specimens who generate plenty of heat together. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Caribbean Heiress in Paris is hands down one of my favorite books of 2022 thus far.

Our rum heiress, Luz Alana has just made the voyage from the Dominican Republic to The Exposition Universelle in Paris to present and distribute her rum all over Europe. She knows that this is going to be a hard task to take on, seeing that she is a woman of color in a space dominated by men. But she’s also made her way to Europe to try to gain control over her inheritance, one that she can only obtain if she can get the trustee to release it to her or if she is to wed, something she has no interest in doing. But all that changes when James Evanston “Evan” Sinclair comes into her life and proposes a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience; seeing that he too needs to wed in order to get the whiskey distillery he has poured himself over, out from under his father’s hands.
—
Adriana Herrera can do no wrong in my eyes. Every one of her books provides a perfect escape into the worlds she creates and this one is no different. Every detail paints such a vivid picture of this time period while highlighting the women of color of this time.

Luz and Las Léonas are such a strong and ambitious group of women, who are pioneers in their respective fields. The love and support that they have for one another is everything! These women are the definition of ride or die.

From the moment Luz and Evan meet, he is in complete awe of her, and rightfully so. While he tries to deny it, it is clear to everyone around him that he is completely obsessed with Luz and we love an obsessed hero. Did my partner see me completely blushing and swooning while reading this book? He sure did. But how could I not, I mean I fell so hard for this couple and the steam!!!

cw: deceased parents, racism, misogyny, abandonment

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In 1889, Luz Alana travels from the Dominican Republic to Paris to enter her distillery's rum in an international exhibition. There, she meets Evan, a Scottish whisky distiller. Though attracted to each other, they're both too independent to desire marriage. Unfortunately, they both need to wed in order to take control of their inheritance. Is a marriage of convenience the answer?

This is a smart, inventive novel that explores the difficulties of a woman making her way in a man's world. I like Luz Alana's spirit, though I had some trouble connecting to her emotionally. She and Evan are well-matched.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The most diverse historical romance I have ever read!
Adriana Herrera has truly outdone herself. This book is so amazing. From the details about rum making and selling, to the historical accuracy of their setting, to the bad ass female lead that just takes the show.
The heiress is awaiting to access her funds, she is part domincan part scottish and is not granted access to her funds.
The hero needs to marry to claim his inheritance as well.
Perfect scenario for marriage of convenience.
Mix in a sizzling attracting and chemisty, well you have the PERFECT concoction for a historical romance. I was so invested in the plot and that tells me this book is addictive. I can't wait until it publishes so I can buy my friends a copy.
A good story with well fleshed out characters, a scottish brute that is so hunky and swoony, a bad ass latinx female lead, and the best steamy scenes that only Herrera can muster up.
One of my favorite books of this year.

Refreshingly original and steamy historical romance

The beginning of the story is a bit weighed down with a plethora of character and backstory details, but once I was able to get it all sorted the story came together nicely. Luz Alana, along with her young sister and several friends, travels from the Dominican Republic in 1889 to Paris for an international exposition. Luz is seeking to expand her family's rum distillery while on her way to Edinburgh to claim her inheritance. Right away, she meets Evan, a huge Scot who is displaying his whisky while also pursuing a plan to secure the entire business away from his wastrel father.

Turns out, they each are being held back by wills that require them to be married in order to inherit. Soon a marriage of convenience is devised, and that familiar trope is played out exactly as one would expect. A fine story in itself, but not nearly the entirety of this reading experience.

Luz Alana is like no other heroine I've ever read. Sharp-tongued and quick-witted, she is fiercely independent and has no filter when it comes to telling people what they don't want to hear. She does it in such a restrained and polite manner that one almost wants to thank her for the enlightening insult.

Luz and Evan are fire and ice right from the start. The attraction is visceral and takes on a life of its own as they try to balance their hearts against their secrets. I loved the progression of their relationship and the discovery that they both love in exactly the same way that they live life - with no doubts or hesitations.

The secondary characters aren't just window dressing in this story. There's tremendous depth in who is included as well as why they're connected to either Luz or Evan. The writing is exquisitely intelligent, clearly benefiting from a wealth of research by the author, and sardonic enough to make a few important points without being scathing.

The HEA was delightful and there were a few hints as to the stories that might be coming next in this series. I hope the author continues to expose the kind of history that tends to be ignored while presenting us with truly valiant heroines that the world needs even today. I highly recommend this lovely story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This book did everything right and had me feeling every possible feeling!!! A marriage of convenience plot between strangers always runs the risk of falling into the "this could all have been resolved if you would just talk to each other" trope. But here, Herrera manages to create an instant connection between Evan and Luz Alana that is sexual (of course), but also personal and professional. From the start, what makes these two work is that there is communication and honesty. Most of the cards are on the table when they enter the relationship, which makes the ones that are left secret so much more important. And the reason for those secrets are also then relatable, understandable. Everything worked beautifully, the world that Herrera created felt so real. I cannot wait for the rest of the series!

This book was everything, and I want to be an honorary leona! A Caribbean Heiress in Paris is the first book in the Léonas series. It is witty, spicy, empowering, and features a badass BIPOC businesswoman in Europe during the late nineteenth century.

Luz Alana is the star of this book. She is intelligent, savvy, and brave. After the death of her father, she travels to Paris with her younger sister, cousin, and two friends (their group is affectionately called las Léonas) in order to expand her family’s rum business in the European market. However, she is not taken seriously and is struggling to sell her product. She meets James Evanston Sinclair, the Earl of Darnick, a handsome and burly Scot who makes whiskey. Evan has daddy issues. His corrupt and morally reprehensible father is still the Duke, and Evan needs a plan to keep his whiskey company safe. When he meets Luz Alana, he is drawn to her and believes they can help each other.

Luz Alana and Evan have great chemistry, and the spice is delicious, but there is so much more that goes into this story. Luz Alana’s Dominican heritage shines throughout the book even in small details like when she explains to Evan that she speaks Dominican Spanish. The multicultural cast of characters do not shy away from discussing important issues like generational wealth, racism, and slavery.

I absolutely love the Léonas already, and I can’t wait for the rest of this series!