It was an okay read. Loved the emphasis on culture and the age gap dynamic. The pacing was just off and sometimes the romance felt like it took a backseat to everything else

I always enjoy A.H. Cunningham’s storytelling, and Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer brings all the flirty, fun, and sexy vibes you’d expect from a hot girl romance! While age gap romances aren’t usually my thing (and this one wasn’t a personal favorite because of that), I loved seeing Trinidad a single mom of twin boys embrace a little well-deserved pleasure and fun🤭😉

This was my first successfully completed age gap romance and I LOVED it! First of all, what a gorgeous cover. I was intrigued from the cover reveal day onward and was obsessed with this story from page one! A Black parent-trap-esque romance was what I’d clearly been missing in my life! I loved all the characters but Ms. V might be one of my favorite characters ever. She’s hilarious, silly, a little freaky and such a good mom. Her and Orlando are quite literally the ambassadors of “find someone who matches your freak” because their chemistry was insane. Like, will make you red in the face and sweaty as you read. The setting was perfect and I found myself completely immersed in Carnaval festivities.

I loved how this story balanced wholesome self-discovery and FREAKY times perfectly. A.H. Cunningham is a new auto-read author for me!

Thank you NetGalley for this read....spicy.....blink blink...we’ll..the writing was well done and that is all I am going to say. Go on...read it!!

Love this book and it is a fast paced quick, flirty, hot read, Plus you get the Caribbean representation!

I was ready for this as soon as I saw the cover lol Idk who designed it, but Lordt I love it so much. And it was everything that I thought it might be. Short, spicy, and fun!

The thing that stood out most to me with this book was the romance. It’s been a long time since I’ve read an age group. And in this one, the FMC is the older one and I loved it. And the way their culture is mixed all throughout the romance. There’s Caribbean and Afro Latine rep throughout the entire thing. And of course, being honest, this book is definitely spicy. It was more spicy than I was expecting actually. So if you add this to your TBR, please know that they don’t hold back on the spice.

I did think it was a bit insta-lovey? I’m not sure if it was that or if the pacing was off, but it seemed like it was moving SO FAST. In almost every chapter they were talking about each other lol And like normally that doesn’t bother me, but at the same time, it felt like I didn’t get much of the story? It didn’t feel like a real timeline. Like I knew time was passing, but the way it read it went so fast. And to make it worse I read it in one sitting and I had the audio speed on 2x’s. It made the timeline go by even faster. And I think that threw me off.

The plot of this was hilarious tho. I don’t think there is an actual time when this might happen, but Lordt it made me laugh. But I know one thing, she is definitely a Black mama because the way she yelled at them at that hotel was actually hilarious. But I will say, they weren’t scared enough for me tho lol But the revenge they got on them kids at the end was pretty hilarious. I would have paid to see their faces.

This was good, but I did see some things that I wish had been a little different. Definitely something that fit right in with the afterglow line! I love this imprint, I just wish I paid more attention to what’s coming out so that I’m not surprised by the spice in the first chapter lol

I really enjoyed this book! Trinidad Velasquez has spent 16 years doing everything right—raising her twins alone and building a steady life. But when her boyfriend proposes, she starts to wonder if love should be about comfort or chemistry. Now is the time for her to live. Really enjoyed this book

After being tricked by her children into taking a vacation, Trinidad is at a crossroad, does she fully embrace the vacation or stress about finding a way home. Having found a familiar face, helps make the decision easier.

I struggled to like Trinidad. She struggles with her feelings, which leads to her constantly taking snips at the mmc.
I really enjoyed Orlando as a character. He was patient, kind and understanding even when dealing with his own struggles.

I would recommend to anyone who enjoys age-gap romances with an older woman, younger man.

rounded up to 4.75 stars

I ATE THIS UP!!!!

Trinidad is a 40-something entrepreneur and single mom. She is ready for a serious relationship and is following all the rules to give her sons the life they desire. Orlando is also single, serving as the primary caregiver to his mother and adult brothers. He is a people pleaser who recently discovered something that will change everything.

I saw myself in both main characters for various reasons. I loved how the cultures were included in the story organically. The character development felt rushed at times. The story leaned more towards insta-love, as it began to feel hurried towards the end. That said, I enjoyed my read.

Another hot and steamy (in more ways than one!) vacation-themed romance from A.H. Cunningham!

For whatever reason, I've been reading a lot of age gap romances lately--this one stood out, though, mostly due to the gender/age breakdown (single mom Trinidad's 35 years to big brother-style mentor Orlando's 25) and the hero's life situation, which gave us a reason why he'd be a more reasonable counterpart for a woman 10 years his senior (who has twin boys who are only 10 years younger than he is) than a typical guy his age. I had no problem shipping these two pretty hard :)

Though the situation that brought them together at the Carnival stretched credulity just a bit (what was her BFF thinking, letting Trin's two boys do what they did??? It's hard to believe a grown woman would go along with that plan, given the glaring omission their plan had) it's hard to argue with the results. The dual epilogues--one from each twin's POV--were a really nice way to wrap up the story.

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This book wasn’t really for me but I think others may enjoy it. From the title, I thought it would be more of s woman dating post long term relationship vs focus on one situation. The conflict or mixup that brought the main characters together (forced proximity trope) didn’t seem realistic and the development of their relationship didn’t draw me into their story. Overall, it was just much different than expected.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the e-book copy!

To prepare for this read, I read Cunningham's previous work and I'll be honest I did not enjoy it. So my expectations were low going into this. Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer follows the titular character as she experiences a weekend she would not forget. I liked the initial set up of this story until the twist got revealed. Certain plot points I can get behind but this one left me more annoyed than anything. Why would Trinidad let her kids book her hotel and flight reservations without pre-checking to make sure everything was good. Like yeah I understood that she was distracted but for her to be this "type A" character this just did not seem plausible. Also I felt their meddling should not have been rewarded as they were trying to force a relationship that barely had precedence. I did not care for Trinidad and Orlando's chemistry prior to the trip as he gave boy who had a crush on his mom's friend and did not see her as a person but rather a sex object. I did enjoy the parts of the story that took place at the carnival but anything that had to do with the romance itself just did not work for me. I felt if this book didn't set Orlando up the way it did I would have been able to root for him and Trinidad's romance. I can say if you are a fan of Cunningham's work and her writing style, then you will enjoy this. However, if this is your first book from them then I would read reviews before jumping in.

A fast read with a plot that’s a little wonky. This is an age gap romance, but Trinidad the FMC really played the Señora card hard for only being a 35-year-old. This story gives forbidden Insta-love vibes. The only reason why it’s forbidden is because Trinidad is so pressed about the age gap, the MMC just wanted to get down lol I will say the representation was top-notch and I loved every second of that. I even love how her sons are incorporated into the story. The audiobook itself was pretty good and the narrators kept the story interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for lusty moment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this eARC and 🎧 ARC.

These meddling kids are all I kept saying as I read this book. Not only did they see the vision, but they also put things in motion to get their mother a man. Trinidad and Orlando were in each other's lives, so this slow burn that heated up quickly was an enjoyable ride. I think Trinidad's character work was really interesting because she is exploring her sexuality and relationship dynamics as a mother. Initially, I thought, whoa, a lot is going on, but after sitting with I think that's the point. When you're going through things, one thing doesn't happen at a time. I do think there was an opportunity to explore this more because Orlando seemed to be the resolution. On the flip side, Orlando was a man on a mission, quite literally. His backstory as a people pleaser was interesting, but never resolved, which I get, because it would have been unrealistic.

I want to sincerely thank Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The word that best encapsulates my feelings about this narrative is 'conflicted.' I find myself at odds with various aspects, including the story line, character development, the cover design, and much more. You might wonder why, and I assure you, there is a lot to unpack. To begin with, let's discuss the cover. While it is visually striking and certainly grabs attention, I feel it fails to accurately represent the narrative. Additionally, it seems to sexualize the characters. I understand that the story contains explicit scenes, but I personally dislike when literature sexualizes a culture or a specific group of people. Now, regarding the narrative itself, it is intriguing, to say the least, and contains some commendable moments. However, it is also quite forgettable, if not for the age gap between the characters. This is where my concerns arise. Although I appreciate a well-executed age gap, the portrayal here feels problematic. The male character is ten years younger and is friends with her sons, which, combined with her internal monologue about him, makes me uncomfortable and gives off predatory vibes. Consequently, while I enjoyed certain elements of the story, others left me unsettled, influencing my overall rating.

Trinidad is a mom who stopped cutting loose in the hopes of settling down. But she hadn't counted on Orlando, her sons' mentor, ten years her junior and his earnest, open, heart. Can he convince her it's possible to have a settled life where she can cut loose too?

First things first, shoutout to my baby (the author), Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved how sexy this was, how uninhibited it was in terms of talking about physical desire and the needs and wants of your body. It is front and center in this book, and it is celebrated, and I love that. That's probably my favorite thing about this book. Orlando is a man with the world on his shoulders, but he knows he deserves honesty and happiness and a chance and I applauded his bravery. Trinidad sometimes came off like she was 55 and not 35; I'm older than her and she felt like a stick in the mud to me, lol. But her lens as a mom, carrying and immense weight probably added to it, so I tried to curb my frustration with her. Getting psuedo parent trapped by your own kids gave some fun and humor to the book and also lent to Trinidad's adventurous nature, though she kept it under wraps; clearly her sons inherited it. And I liked them too.

I wasn't expecting Orlando's subplot after his heavy family stuff, and I couldn't help but feel like he had a little too much to wade through. But I was happy he was able to set those boundaries and open himself to his support system. Milton left such a sour taste in my mouth I could have skipped the parts where he was mentioned. I honestly didn't see anything Trinidad saw in him, and it made me mad she was vying for his attention.

All in all, this was spirited, sexy, filled with culture and fun and I smiled so much while reading it. Good job.

What happens when an overworked mom runs into a super charming young mentor at Carnival? It kicks off a hot summer that’s going to last way longer than just one season!

As Aaliyah said, “Age ain’t nothing but a number,” and Orlando is all about showing Trinidad that he’s everything she could want and more. I loved watching Orlando as he applied pressure, and I found myself yelling at Trinidad to get out of her own head and stop stressing about creating this perfect life. Especially since that man was as dry as day old bacon. If you’re looking for a laid-back read to dive into on a chill summer weekend, this book might be just what you need!

This book brought the steammmmm. The scenes were chef’s kiss. I enjoyed the age gap romance. Orlando seemed too perfect at times, and there was a little bit of instalove but I ate it up! I will be reading more from this author for sure! She knows how to write a good steamy romance. I also love that she showcases different black towns in the US and she covers the afro-latina experience with care. can not wait for her next book!

I absolutely adored the book’s cover! It’s vibrant and eye-catching. The story follows Trinidad V, a single mom raising twin boys. Amidst the chaos of raising kids and running her business, she neglected her own well-being. Orlando, on the other hand, is a caregiver for his mom and puts his own needs aside. Their paths cross, and they instantly connect, leading to an instant love affair. While I’m usually not a fan of these types of books, Trinidad V’s story resonated with me. It’s also an age gap romance. Initially, the book’s flow was a bit slow for me, but I eventually got into it. Overall, it was a delightful and quick read. I’d like to express my gratitude to the publisher, author, and Net Galley for providing me with a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

It may not be summer yet, but the weather is getting nice and it’s the perfect time to get a preview of more to come with Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer by A.H. Cunningham. Single mom Trinidad Velasquez is looking to finally settle down with a man years after her divorce. She tries to ignore her attraction to Orlando Wiggins, the mentor to her teen sons and a man who is ten years her junior. He similarly hides his attraction to her. But when her kids set them up on a Parent Trap styled vacation for two during a Carnival celebration, they just might need to give in to their mutual interest.

Why I Chose This Book:
I enjoyed A.H. Cunningham’s previous book, Out of Office, and the description for Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer really piqued my interest. Carnival celebrations, a single mom, age gap romance? Yes please!

What I Liked:
- Focus on family. Trinidad is mother to her 15-year-old twin sons, and between them and her job, she struggles to find time for herself. She’s trying to settle down with someone practical… but they guy she’s been seeing isn’t connecting with her sons (or her, to be honest). Orlando has been caring for his mother and two younger brothers for years. He’s also just found out he has a 5-year-old daughter whom he’s desperate to meet. Trinidad and Orlando have a lot to connect over when it comes to caring for their families.
- Parent Trap vibes! Speaking of families… Trinidad’s sons have clearly picked up on the mutual interest between their mom and Orlando. They seem to approve, since they basically send her to him in an effort to get them together. Cute and fun!
- Age gap romance. I don’t read that many age gap romances, and even fewer that feature an “older” woman. (Not calling Trinidad old, by the way! She’s basically my age lol… and I still feel quite young, thank you very much.) Their 10-year age difference is a major concern for Trinidad, even if Orlando doesn’t feel the same way. How can they be on the same wavelength if they’re at such different life stages? How can they navigate that disparity together?

Final Thoughts
Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer is a wonderful escape that’s steamy and empowering. I really enjoyed the focus on family, making a real connection that will last, and opening up about your needs to loved ones. This is a perfect read for this time of year. So far I’ve loved both of the A.H. Cunningham books I’ve read and I look forward to the next one.