
Member Reviews

Ms Vs Hot Girl Summer follows the romance between Trinidad, a 35 year old divorced mother of twin boys and Orlando, a 25 year old animation expert and mentor. Due to some shenanigans by Trinidad’s sons, she gets tricked into a weekend with Orlando during Carnival in Ofele Town, Florida. The two get a chance to act on their growing physical attraction away from their regular lives Their conversations are funny, and sexy but also thoughtful as they discuss the serious aspects of their lives like family responsibilities and mental health. However, their internal dialogues were stilted and read liked they were written by a different author. Overall this is an enjoyable forced proximity age gap romance, Thank you to Harlequin Romance for the digital arc.

A single, divorced Black mother of 15 year old twin boys gets parent trapped when she goes on a much needed vacation only to find herself without a place to stay and forced to share with her son's basketball coach who is ten years younger than her. I loved the reverse age gap, dual POV, forced proximity love story that has two opposites falling hard despite doing their best to resist their sizzling chemistry. This was steamy, had fantastic caregiver/disability rep (Orlando's mother is bipolar and requires a lot of assistance). Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Tia Williams. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley & Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Trinidad Velasquez is a single mother. Her main focus is on her children and her job. At one time, Ms. V once lived a life filled with fun and pleasure. But she married and got a divorce. Now she is dating a man who is stable yet boring. She still hopes to stay in a fulfilling relationship.
Even though she is attracted to her twin sons’ teacher, Mr. Orlando Wiggins. The problem is that Ms. V thinks he is too young. Orlando is ten years younger than her. She feels that dating a sexy young man will ruin her improved life. Ms. V is a mom and thinks her fun days are over because of her current life.
Orlando is attractive to her, but she can sense her apprehension. He tries to give her space, which is hard because she picks the boys up almost every day.
He hopes his trip to Carnival can get his mind off Ms. V.
She even plans a vacation with her current boyfriend, even though she doesn't want to go. Her plans are deterred. Her children decided to trick her into going to her favorite event, the Carnival. While there, she has no place to stay. She must stay with the hot teacher.
I enjoyed the book even though it was slow-paced. Most of the time, the main character struggles with her emotions. It frustrated me that she does not go with her heart. Trinidad knows she likes and loves Orlando but is afraid of how it would look. Most people are not even paying attention to these two with the age gap.
I was so glad she came to her senses and decided to give Orlando a chance. He proved to be a mature, passionate, and considerate person.

I love the way A.H. Cunningham displays and incorporates a different culture in her books! This was a really good read! She never disappoints with the spice 🌶️ 🥵! Very good 👏🏾👏🏾..!

Ms V’s Hot Girl Summer
Sun. Skin. Soca.
The perfect backdrop to bringing out the hot gyal you have been hiding in favor of being an adult.
Responsibilities. Age. Life
The things that keep you from truly going after you want and throwing caution to the wind.
This is backdrop to AH Cunningham’s latest release Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer. Trinidad and Orlando in theory can’t work, right? Is passion, and butterflies, and finally being seen really that important? Do they come before duty, responsibilities, and caretaking?
But who says you shouldn’t test theories to prove them right or wrong? With a little parent trapping we get to see if the hot gyal and the younger man can wine their wants and waistlines to the beat and a HEA.
I enjoyed this read. My preference for an age-gap is when the FMC is older. I was able to connect with the characters individually and through the connection they tried unsuccessfully to ignore.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

4.5 ⭐️
I truly enjoyed this book!
The author did an amazing job of connecting the couple. Orlando and Trinidad's budding romance was well developed and perfectly paced.
She also providing examples of accountability, self-advocacy, and supporting your partner throughout the book.
The way Ms. V arrived at carnival was stretched but cute.
I would definitely recommend this book to friends, family, and my book club!
Special thanks to the author, publisher, and netgalley.com for the ARC copy of this book!

I almost DNF this book because of the formatting, it was terribly difficult to read - I hope that is fixed before it's published digitally.
I'm not familiar with the carnival culture, so it was a new setting for me. Trinidad's twin sons set her up with their mentor and basically strand her out of town and she ends up hooking up with Orlando at the carnival and she really lets lose for the weekend.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Thank you, Harlequin Romance for the digital arc.
Thank you Harelquin Audio for the ALC.
I absolutely loved this book and I'm super happy I was able to read it. Trinidad, like so many mothers got caught up in her responsiblities as a single to two amazing boys and has forgotten whats its like to free up and enjoy herself. She also has a crush that she thinks is just a fantasy but the magic of carnival will help to change that. As a person of Caribbean heritage, I appreciated this novel even more because the carnival representation was well done! There were several times throughout this novel that I stopped the book to put on some Soca music by Machel Montano and Alison Hinds. This book made miss home and carnival kn this worst way. The romance was very cute and I loved that her boys wanted her to take a break and remember who she was outside of being their responsible mom. I absolutely recommend this one to anyone who likes easy, fun, romances, with a touch of serious topics.

Romance perfection!
Not only is this the perfect formulaic romance, we also get a beloved trope that I desperately look for! Older woman younger man! This is better than me saying a modern day How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
I love that Cunningham makes time for honest conversations before characters take the next big leap of faith all in the name of love!
Steam on point as well!

Trinidad Velasquez plays by the rules. Now she has one chance—one sizzlin’ Carnival weekend—to leave it all behind.
Go on, get spicy…
For the last sixteen years, Trinidad Velasquez has done everything right. Raised her twin sons on her own, worked her butt off and created a stable life. But Trinidad is done waiting for a happy ending to show up at her door, and when her current boyfriend proposes, she can’t help but wonder if, at her age, love should be practical, not butterflies and heart-racing chemistry.
But then her teenage sons trick her into a Caribbean Carnival vacation. And she finds herself staying with the one guy who’s always revved her engine…even if he’s a decade south of her dating range.
Orlando Wiggins has never been able to take his eyes off Ms. V. He’s mentored her boys for two years, and she’s never suggested there could be more. But at Carnival, between the sensual dancing, heated looks and electric touches, whatever he’s been feeling for her is definitely reciprocated.
Now Trinidad is having the time of her life. Every cell in her body is charged, alive. But will this new version of who she’s become stick around for the return to real life?
My Take:
The cover is gorgeous, no? Cunningham delivers on the vividity of the cover, but not exactly the weightlessness of it. Ms. V has responsibilities and so does Orlando, but their collective weight doesn't hold them down, and carried together, lessens. If the cover and the synopsis is intriguing, I do not think you will be disappointed.

This will be such a great summer read! I really enjoyed getting to see Trinidad step back into her hot girl summer business. It was great to see her get to explore that side of herself after years of focusing on her kids and her career. I think that the dynamic between her and Orlando was done very well. This was a fast-paced romance and through their few days together on this forced vacation, they grew a lot and learned so much about each other that the love they showcase felt very real to the reader. The spice was SPICY too, they were a match for each other both in and out of the bedroom WOW. I like that Orlando stood up for his own life and wants with his family as that is a tough situation for anyone to navigate and while he learned new things about himself Trinidad was there as his support. I appreciated how this ended again, given its fast paced plot. Super enjoyable read! This cover is what drew me in (I mean cmon, its GORGEOUS) but the story kept me hooked!

The HEA always makes a long journey worth it. The pace of this one tho sometimes felt like walking the green mile. While I love the way Cunningham highlights cultures, gives us stories from non traditional dynamics, and paints the most vivid picture of the sights, sounds, and taste of her stories. This one was heavy on the internal monologues and it slowed the pacing way down. With a title Like Ms. V’s Got Girl Summer I was expecting for there to be less angst and more wild carefreeness, and then dealing with the consequences after. I think the balance between the growth, the unpacking of emotions, the romance, and the fun just could have been better. Overall I love so many of the things Cunningham does and incorporates that I still enjoyed the story. It just took me longer than usual to get into the and for the story to really get going. And once it did I felt like the romance and the couple had to split to much time between the other aspects of the story to really connect to the romance. I wouldn’t say it read like women’s fiction but it toes the line.

A.H. Cunningham delivered a sizzling and heartwarming age-gap romance in Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer, where a single mom rediscovers herself and a connection she never expected during a vibrant Carnival.
Plot Summary:
Trinidad Velasquez has spent years prioritizing stability for her twin sons. But when a surprise vacation throws her together with Orlando Wiggins, a younger man who's always held her attention, Trinidad dares to explore a passion she thought she'd left behind.
My Thoughts:
I absolutely adored Trinidad and Orlando! Their chemistry was undeniable, and it was beautiful to see Trinidad embrace a renewed, more vibrant version of herself. I especially appreciated the thoughtful exploration of her feelings about the age difference, and the inclusion of a supportive voice to discuss those concerns.
The contrasting settings of NYC and the small town of Ofele were wonderfully depicted, but it was the vivid and immersive descriptions of Carnival that truly brought this story to life. The cultural richness and the way it connected Trinidad and Orlando were fantastic.
Beyond the romance, I loved seeing the personal growth of both characters. Orlando's journey of learning to lean on his friends and pursue his own desires, rather than solely carrying the weight of his mother's care, was particularly impactful. As an Afro-Latina reader, the culture in this book was a joy to experience.
Tropes:
⭐ Single Mom
⏳ Age Gap
🏖️ Vacation Fling
🗓️ Only for the Carnival Weekend
🌶️ Semi-Public Play
🥰 He Falls First
💘 Matchmaking Kids
Representation:
-Black Latinx MCs
-Jamaican & Garifuna MMC
-Dominican FMC
-Caretaking of a Mentally Ill Parent
Final Thoughts:
Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer is a vibrant, spicy, and heartwarming romance that celebrates second chances and the joy of embracing life. The rich cultural backdrop of Carnival and the genuine connection between Trinidad and Orlando make this a fantastic read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thanks to A.H. Cunningham, Harlequin, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

The audiobook of Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer is an absolute delight. Jesus E. Martinez and Esme Ramos bring the story to life in such a captivating way. Their narration perfectly captures the characters' energy and emotion and the Carnival's vibrant atmosphere. I was utterly immersed in the story from start to finish. The audiobook enhances the reading experience, making it even more enjoyable. It's a fantastic way to experience this incredible story.

This was my first age gap romance and I actually liked it!
Trinidad is looking for a man to feel the void her ex husband has left in her life. She resorts to a man who doesn't really want a serious relationship. But then there's Orlando, who's 10 years younger, but makes her feel something more.
I liked how Trinidad finally gives in to her younger, wilder self. I'm so glad Carnival helped her let loose! Butttt I did feel like Trinidad came across older than she actually is at times. Or that the age gap was 20 years vs 10. 🤷🏾♀️ Just a personal opinion, being that we are the same age 😂.
Orlando comes across as a mature guy who's had to grow up fast. I loved how he has a "wake up call" too. It's just not us ladies who carry everyone's worries and burdens around.
The setting was festive and descriptive, where I felt like I was at Carnival too! I enjoyed the bits of Spanish which were sprinkled throughout the book.
This book is perfect for the summertime - it definitely brings hot girl summer vibes!
Thank you to NetGalley & Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.❤️

Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer was quick, cute, and spicy! I loved seeing Trinidad let loose and rediscover herself during Carnival. The chemistry with Orlando brought the heat, and the vibrant setting made it a fun escape. A solid read if you’re in the mood for a flirty, feel-good getaway!

Final rating 3.5 stars
Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer by A.H. Cunningham delivers exactly what the title suggests! Trinidad and Orlando's physical chemistry sizzles off the page, and it's almost enough to forget their age gap. A.H. crafts both characters in a very realistic way. This is proudly an Own Voices story. The descriptions of the freedom that carnival brings can't be overstated. Feteing with a partner is the kind of fun that everyone should experience once in their lifetime.
As much as I love their chemistry, I wasn't completely sold on their romance lasting past their whirlwind weekend. Overall, I still recommend this, especially with the Caribbean and Latinx representation!
Thank you to Harlequin - Romance/Afterglow Books by Harlequin for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

cool summer-y read with some 🌶️ romance. good characters generally and good vibes throughout. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Mama gotta have a life, too! She’s done raising her sons, and now, it’s time for mama to get her grove back, and her back cracked. Not a fan of age-gaps, but this worked for me.

This was excellent!
I had a really great time, and Ms. V's running commentary in her brain was everything and so relateable. I loved how their relationship blossomed over time. Loved that although there was an age gap, it made sense. The character work was brilliant and although I found the ending a little quickly resolved, I had a really great time.
I really in love with the A.H. Cunningham's writing and the carribean flair she brings to all her novels. Her novels are a love letter to carribean heritage and I want nothing more than more and more of her books.
Thank you to Harlequin Afterglow, Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for an early copy.