Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer by A.H. Summer was such a fun read! This story follows Ms. V, aka Trinidad Velasquez, on her journey of love and putting herself first. For so long, Ms. V has put everyone else's wants and needs before her own, including her twin boys, Brian and Brandon. Being a single mother has its challenges, especially raising two teenage boys, but luckily, they have an incredible mentor. In comes Orlando. He plays basketball and mentors the boys. He is very professional and respectful to Ms. V, but he can't help but notice how fine she is!

After the boys trick her into going to the Caribbean for a vacation, sparks fly between Orlando and Ms. V. The heat is turning up, and Ms. V is truly having a hot girl summer! Despite the 10-year age gap between the two, they manage to work things out in the end. The many arguments and miscommunications were truly frustrating, but Ms. V finally learns to put herself first and accept the love she deserves.

Overall, I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. This book is great for romance readers who don't mind spice at all! Thank you, A. H. Cunningham & Harlequin Romance for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was an entertaining, age gap, quick read. It's a "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" with lots of fun Caribbean vibes! Trinidad has been focused on her career and her twin boys that she's kind of lost herself. So her boys, recognizing mom needs a break, trick her into taking a break, during Carnival weekend! Orlando is the "seems older for his age" 25yr old that mentors her sons, and he very quickly pursues Trinidad! The audio book of this was absolutely great and made you really feel like you were part of the festivities of Carnival!

Trinidad Velasquez has spent the last sixteen years focused on raising her twin boys and building a steady life. She’s been dating a solid, dependable guy, but things are starting to feel more routine than romantic—like she’s playing it safe instead of really living.

Then her sons surprise her with a Caribbean Carnival trip, and she ends up staying with Orlando, their younger mentor she’s always had a quiet crush on. The chemistry is instant, and what starts off as a fun getaway turns into something deeper.

I liked how Trinidad and Orlando actually communicated like adults. The miscommunication trope was super minimal, which was refreshing.

This is my second A.H. Cunningham book. It took me a minute to get into it, but I enjoyed it more than Out of Office. Still, I wasn’t completely blown away.

Definitely gives How Stella Got Her Groove Back vibes—in the best way.

As always AH Cunningham gives me a story that I'm immediately hooked on. This was a quick read and I really loved both Trinidad and Orlando. They were two characters who really needed an opportunity to let their hair down and watching them do that while also falling in love was great. There was also a level of desire sizzling between these two, listen Orlando wanted him some Trinidad and he got it. I will say Trinidad drove me a little crazy, she was almost too reserved, like miss mamas, RELAX. S/O to her boys for being the catalyst of her getting her groove back.

I was able to immersive read this and I'll be honest at first I wasn't really feeling the narrators but they were perfect for this one.

Special thanks to the author & @harlequinbooks #AfterGlowBooks for my gifted copy‼️

Trinidad Velasquez was your typical single mom always putting her kids before her own happiness and heart desires. She’s finally back on the dating scene and thinks she’s found the one. But there’s something about Milton that doesn’t sit right with her children or her for that matter. He’s boring and self-centered!!!

Whenever she was around Orlando Wiggins her son’s mentor the flirting, instant connection, and sizzling chemistry was there. He hadn’t laid a finger on her and made her feel things Milton probably never would. So, why didn’t she just make a move and shoot her shot? There was a major age difference and in her mind she believed there was no way Orlando would want a woman her age with two kids. Oh but how wrong she was!!!

When forced proximity is involved I know it’s only a matter of time before the characters are all over each other. When Trinidad went on her Caribbean Carnival vacay and nothing went as planned Orlando just so happened to be in the same area so I knew it was about to go down. No matter how hard she tried to fight her feelings she knew that man was irresistible. All I can say is he turned that woman every which way but loose‼️

I loved the immediate connection with both characters and how their chemistry and love didn’t seem forced. Orlando was kind and caring by nature while Trinidad wanted more but was reluctant due to her fears, age, and past relationships. But somehow in the end things worked out in both their favor it was definitely giving “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.”

Overall, I enjoyed this one Cunningham crafts a fast-paced, multilayered sexy romance filled with real life experiences, electrifying chemistry, and intoxicating passion. Focusing on themes such as parenthood, finding yourself, vulnerability, caring for a sick parent, mental health, going after what you want, and rediscovering what it means to love Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer is the perfect beach read.

A sexy, sun-soaked celebration of second chances, self-discovery, and sizzling chemistry that refuses to play by the rules.

Trinidad Velasquez has spent her life being responsible—mother, provider, steady rock. But this Carnival? It's her turn to burn it all down… or at least light it up for one unforgettable weekend. And whew, does she ever.

Enter Orlando Wiggins: younger, off-limits, and utterly irresistible. Their chemistry crackles like a steel drum under a tropical sun—slow-building, impossible to ignore, and absolutely scorching once it hits full flame. Watching Trinidad rediscover herself—not just as a mother or a partner, but as a woman hungry for joy, touch, and real desire—is exhilarating.

Set against the vibrant pulse of Caribbean Carnival, this book is a glorious swirl of color, culture, and carnal tension. It’s about choosing yourself at any age, defying expectations, and saying yes to passion even if it comes wrapped in a younger package with devastating dimples.

Trinidad’s story isn’t just a romance—it’s a reclamation. Heartfelt, empowering, and deliciously hot, this book is a love letter to women who’ve done the hard thing for too long and finally get to say: I want more.

This book was HOT! Holy cow it was good. I ate this book up and I couldn’t get enough.

I think this was my first reverse age gap book so I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it but I loved everything about it.

Ms. V’s twin boys really stole the show for me. Their shenanigans had me chuckling.

If you like reverse age gap where she’s older and she’s a single mom definitely give this one a shot!

Thank you so much to Afterglow Books, Harlequin Audio, and Netgalley for providing advanced copies of this book! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

AH Cunningham never disappoints. Her books are always so fun, sexy, and unapologetic. And I'm always left loving every damn character.

This romance deals with a pretty hefty age gap that could have gone wrong but was handled so right. The hero never pushes, just lets her know where he stands and lets her decide the rest. Which I loved since the heroine was hesitant and for valid reasons.

I also really loved the 2 kids in this. They're not a huge part of the direct story, but they definitely have a big influence on the setup. And it just perfectly hit that balance of these being exceptionally good kids who are still messy kids 😅 (who do things like trick their mom into taking a surprise vacation without securing her a room lol)

And obviously the romance itself was fantastic. If there's one thing AHC is exceptional at it's the chemistry and sexual tension between characters. And this was no exception.

Per usual AH deliver a beautiful romance that is full of culture and heritage. Her multicultural romance with a blend of black and Latinx romance always deliver. This romance had a nice twist with a reverse age age having the woman be older gave the book a nice tension. I enjoyed the spice and romance in the book. This was a great read for the summer giving all the vacation vibes.

🥹😍 Afro Latine Romance!!
🇩🇴 FMC/ 🇭🇳🇧🇧MMC
Older woman/younger man (35/25)
Single mom
Spanish dirty talk 🤭😮‍💨
I had a fun time reading this! AH Cunningham never disappoints and that’s why she’s one of my top 3 faves! I loved how down bad he was for her 😩 and he did not shy away from laying it on thickkkk! I really appreciated their deeper conversations and how they were learning from each other and how to let loose and lean on each other as well!

Heat Factor: Horny pining from afar for the first half. The horniness does not abate once they start, but they do manage to leave the bedroom. (In other words, while there is sex, we are nowhere near erotic romance levels.)

Character Chemistry: They are both caretakers who need someone else to care for them so they can let loose.

Plot: Trinidad’s teenage sons trick her into going on a party vacation with their hot mentor. (She is eventually grateful but they are so grounded.)

Overall: This is a vacation romance with some depth.

Let’s start with our characters.

Trinidad is 35, a single mom to twin teenage boys, crushing it at work, and really searching for a partner to bring stability and a positive male influence into her boys’ lives. She thinks she’s found that in Morton—especially once he starts hinting that maybe he’ll be ready to be serious with her soon, after a year of dating (he’s one of those guys who is “polyamorous,” but really just prefers to string people along and not do the hard work of a relationship; he’s really the worst).

Orlando is 25, has been the primary caretaker in his family ever since his father died when he was a kid, is thinking about quitting the job he loves to go to law school so he can better support his sick mom, and is looking for connection. He also happens to be a mentor to Trinidad’s boys. (I admit that when I first read that he was mentoring teenagers after years of parenting his own brothers, I was a little taken aback, but the characterization quickly deepens enough that it absolutely makes sense based on his needs and desires.) And, in case you were thinking this man did not have enough on his plate, he’s just found out that he has a child.

Trinidad and Orlando both have the hots for each other and both also think that it’s obvious that nothing would ever happen (plus, at the beginning of the book, Trinidad wouldn’t want something to happen—she’s got all her eggs in the Morton basket, even if it does make her feel all hot and bothered when Orlando calls her Ms. V).

All of that changes when Trinidad’s twins trick her into going to Florida. And not just anywhere in Florida, but a small Black town in Florida during their Carnival weekend. So when she arrives and discovers that she’s been bamboozled, there are no hotel rooms, no flights out, no cars to rent…but luckily enough, Orlando is in town for Carnival (and to meet his daughter, who lives there) and happens to have an Airbnb with an extra bed. After spending some time desperately trying to get home, Trinidad succumbs to actually having some fun on her vacation. Both the eyebrow-waggling kind and the plain ole just having a vacation kind.

Initially, it seems like most of the growth will be Trinidad’s, as she learns that the fun, partying side of her can still be part of who she is; that stability doesn’t meet settling; that passion isn’t something she has to give up on. Orlando is a tougher nut to crack, but he has just as much growing to do, as he learns to ask for help when he needs it. Basically, both Trinidad and Orlando learn to put themselves first sometimes—and trust that others will sometimes care for them. This never veers into selfish or individualist territory, because both Trinidad and Orlando are huge caregivers who have been putting the needs of others first for years—and will continue to be caregivers, even if they each now allow the other to care for them sometimes. So that resolution is nice.

Lest you think that this book is bogged down in serious emotional processing, it’s really not. It’s actually a lot of fun watching Trinidad and Orlando let loose together. In fact, I was inspired to listen to some soca while writing this review, because that is the vibe we have going on here.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

Thist review is also available at The Smut Report.

Beautifully written! 🥰😩🩷 Trinidad Velasquez plays by the rule's.. until she doesn’t. Spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ms. V is a book meant to be savored. I genuinely loved this story—and I think I’ve found my sweet spot: reverse age gap romances. There’s something about this setup that just works, and this book explores it with heart, maturity, and honesty. The dialogue feels authentic, and the emotional tension is well-earned.

What stood out to me most was the writing style and pacing. The story is a slow burn in the best way—giving the characters space to breathe, grow, and confront their desires without rushing anything. The buildup of tension (both romantic and personal) is handled with care, and when emotional or romantic beats land, they land.

The characters are rich and layered. Trinidad is a woman I rooted for from page one—someone who’s done everything right and is now facing the reality that “right” doesn’t always mean fulfilling. Her journey is full of nuance, and as a mom myself, her arc really resonated. It’s a powerful reminder that motherhood and responsibility don’t have to cancel out joy, intimacy, or desire.

The love interest brings a great balance—youthful but grounded, passionate but not reckless. The dynamic between them is sizzling, but also emotional and thoughtful. Their connection feels inevitable but not forced, and the way they challenge each other emotionally is what really makes the romance shine.

I also appreciated the depth of the side characters and relationships—especially family dynamics and friendships. They add texture to the world and reinforce the emotional stakes without distracting from the main arc.

Overall, this was a heartfelt, sensual, and deeply satisfying read. The plot touches on love, self-discovery, emotional healing, and choosing passion over practicality—but without becoming predictable. If anything, I would say the book thrives in its quiet confidence. It doesn’t rush to impress—it invites you to settle in and trust the journey.

I can't wait to read what comes next from this author.

Thank you to the publisher for this e-arc. I am a huge fan of AH and her "mild' stories and this one did not disappoint! AH has the ability to drop you right into the story and loction of the book. You feel the heat, music and the dancing. The romance was spot on and I just loved this from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Overall this story was a fun read - I love the flirty style, the age-gap (she's older!!) and the Latinx rep. At the beginning the pace is all over the place and it really takes awhile to feel settled into the book and able to just enjoy it! Trinidad is a 35yo mom of 2 16 year old twins - she's spent so long on her own, and really just wants to enjoy a stable, healthy adult relationship.

So... as for dating - why on earth did we have to read about Milton at all? I know you have to go through duds to get to the one and yada-yada, but hadn't she gone through enough with her baby daddy? I feel like everything would have been just as strong without him!

The conspiracy with her teenaged sons working with her 35yo best friend felt just - wrong. Wrong, on so many levels.... but I love where it ultimately led!

Ultimately, Orlando (25yo) and Trinidad get along SO well - they have mutual respect for each other and I really loved the depth of their conversations, and how they have so many mature conversations! The physical attraction is also just absolutely well done, and I just found myself enjoying their relationship so much!

Likes: The maturity and reliability of Orlando and his relationship with Brandon and Brian. I also enjoyed Orlando’s friend group. The way that Trinidad and Orlando’s personalities (and strengths/weaknesses) complimented each other was also a plus.
Dislikes: Biggest disike was Milton. I didn’t like how Trindad was catering to his wants. I also disliked Orlando’s irresponsible brothers at the beginning of the story. I would have liked more of Orlando’s mother’s story. How Trindad ended up in Florida was unrealistic to me.
Rating: 3.50
Do I recommend? yes

I love everything by this author and this book was no different. The age gap was everything and I love a man who knows what he wants.

It wasn’t bad but the story line felt kind of off. It couldn’t really keep my attention. However, I would give this author another try because the potential was there.

Very cute romance. Loved the age gap concept, though it was a little over done. I also enjoyed the other tropes: forced proximity, single parent/caretaker, and he falls first. Spice level was 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5. I will definitely be handselling and have selected this book for bookclub.

This was an evenly paced perfect for the summer type of romance. This one of for the Caribbean girls who love to wuk up their waist.