
Member Reviews

A cute and quick read—I enjoyed it overall! With everything both characters had going on, I do wish it had been a bit longer to really dive into and resolve some of those issues more fully. Trinidad really seemed to only be interested in Milton because she wanted a father figure for her boys and a “traditional” family unit. She falls for Orlando soon after even though he’s going to be stepping into a huge role now. IDK, I wasn’t completely sold on the romance between them, and I think it would’ve been more fun to see her cut loose at carnival on her own terms instead of being pushed into Orlando’s situation while there too. I guess my favorite part was the twins, I love that it was their mischief that set this up.

4.5 stars.
"Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer" by A.H. Cunningham is SIZZLING! SCORCHING! WONDERFUL! I had a blast reading this spicy age-gap (she's older!) Latinx romance that is equal parts dramatic, compelling, fun, and funny. This story is well-developed, and the characters feel realistic and lived-in. Trinidad is a 35-year-old mother of two twin boys looking for a stable adult relationship. Unfortunately, she thinks she's going to find that with Milton, who doesn't seem to be on the same page as her. After her sons meddle in her affairs and book her a vacation she wasn't expecting but definitely needed, she ends up spending time with Orlando, the 25-year-old mentor of her two boys, who is also in town for Carnival. I loved the chemistry between Trinidad and Orlando! Their vibing goes well beyond the physical (though that is reeeeeeal good, too). There is also a healthy dose of well-earned yearning and tension between the two of them, which I loved. They come to respect each other for many reasons, which are divulged through mature conversations and explorations of and with one another. They both make huge strides as characters, both together and separately. Their character arcs are great! The age gap is handled with respect and a slight cautiousness, but once Trinidad and Orlando let down their walls and loosen up, all bets are off as they begin to enjoy their vacation at its fullest. This book is vibrant and steeped with Caribbean culture. I loved learning about Carnival! The pacing is a little bit slow in the middle, but the beginning and ending moved quickly, so it didn't bother me too much. I highly recommend this book! You can always count on A.H. Cunningham to write a fantastic spice-filled romp!
Thank you to NetGalley, A.H. Cunningham, Harlequin - Romance, and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it! Lovedd it!

DNF at 63%. I liked the cultural elements of this book, especially with it taking place during Carnival. And Trinidad as a lead is pretty interesting. But the focus on lust over an emotional connection was a sticking point for me, and kept me from feeling emotionally invested in the romance.

I really enjoyed this read. The instant attraction between Trinidad and Orlando was palpable and set the tone for a compelling romance. Though there’s a noticeable age gap between them, it’s handled with care and maturity, adding depth rather than drama. Orlando helps Trinidad let go of her constant sense of duty and finally embrace a life led by passion and possibility. This is definitely a slow burn—but one that builds beautifully and pays off in all the right ways. Overall, a heartfelt second-chance romance that’s both emotional and satisfying.
**Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for this ARC*

Trinidad is a 35yo single mom of two, looking for stability and long term partnership. Orlando is 25yo trying to build a life to support his loved ones and a caretaker for his Mom. The two have been privately lusting after each other the whole two years Orlando has been mentoring Ms. V’s (Trinidad) sons. Orlando doesn’t think Ms. V even likes him and he’s got some life changing decisions he needs to make. Ms. V is already dating a stable man, and although Orlando is tempting to look at, he’s too young. They both start to see things in a different light after Ms. V gets tricked by her sons into a weekend away… the same weekend Orlando has been planning to attend Carnival for months.
I really appreciated each characters individual storylines, Ms. V’s parenting style, and the healthy relationships. Character development was a central theme but not in a way that felt forced. Imagine being vulnerable and holding someone accountable for the impact of their actions and they apologize right away… then do better. The representation of Caribbean culture during Carnival was so fun. The description of all the activities and attire made me want to be there.
The tension between Ms. V and Orlando was palpable. Lots of flirting and failing at restraint. 😅I loved that Ms. V was not shy about her sexuality at all. My girl really got her groove back in a weekend. She might have Stella beat and I was living for every second of it. 😂
Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer by @ahcwrites pubs later this month on April 29th and would be a great read to pick up for your first trip to the beach. Thank you to @ahcwrites and @harlequinbooks for the ARC 💚💚💚💚

I'll start by saying that I am a huge fan of AH Cunningham. I have read so many books by her and I have passionately loved every single one, so hey, this review might be biased.
I loved this book. I loved the meddling kids that wanted to give their mom a vacation. I loved the crazy situation for Trinidad being stranded and forced to live with Orlando. I loved Orlando. I loved the tension between them. I loved every bit of book.
I need everyone to read this. I need everyone to see the passion between these two, apart from the passion for Carnival. Like stop reading my review and read this book.
I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A contemporary age-gap romance done RIGHT! A.H. Cunningham is so good at finding this perfect balance between reality and fantasy, and what you end up with is a Grown Adult romance that's sexy, joyful, and humorous without veering into the kind of triteness you find in your average romcom currently dominating publishing.
Ms. V, Trinidad, is a single mother of twin 15 year-old boys who BASICALLY parent-trap her in Florida during Carnival... except instead of with their dad, it's with their hot mentor who Trinidad has a crush on. And he's a decade younger than her! And now she's staying with him while they party it up during Carnival.... whatever will they do....
I'm trash for the moments in an age-gap romance where a younger hero is trying So Hard to prove that he's ACTUALLY a grown man, and we do get some of that here without taking it too far; and it makes sense because while Orlando is 25, he's been taking care of himself and his family for years. I also appreciate that whatever hang-ups Trinidad has about her being "too old" for him isn't harped upon too much either.
Reading Trinidad and Orlando's romance blossom with Carnival in Ofele, a fictional historically Black town, as the backdrop is EVERYTHING— it's sultry and eye-opening and the two of them quickly realize they want more permanence, but what that might look like.... is harder to figure out out. It's tough because Trinidad has bought into societal expectations of what "settling down with the right man" looks like to some degree, and is very conscious about having a positive role-model for her sons, but maybe that man's been closer to home far longer than she's realized...
The sex:
The thing I loved about this book is that Trinidad is an "older" (she's 35 lol) heroine who's in touch with her sexuality; neither she nor the narrative is trying to desexualize her before Orlando comes into the picture. Orlando might take charge of the situation initially (and he's a giver from the start!) but Trinidad gives as good as she gets... including TWO instances of public sex :D
Overall:
This honestly might be the perfect beach read— summery, sexy, and centering Black love and a romantic (re)awakenings.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Rating: 4.5/5
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Pub Date: April 29th

Sexy.. Flirty.. Passionate.. This was so much fun!
"..here I was just Trinidad. Ms. V, if wanted to be extra nasty. "
Trinidad is a divorced, mother of twin teenage boys trying to make all of the right moves in an attempt to create some stability, (and to cool her hot pocket!)
Orlando is the younger, smart, determined man with a lot on his plate but willing to scrape it all off to get a taste of Miss V.
The scheming that took place to bring these two together was hilarious, kudos to meddling teenagers!!
This was a well paced romance with:
Age Gap
Forced Proximity
Steamy!
Afro-Latinx Representation
Did I already say steamy??
If you are looking for a mature spicy romance, I highly recommend you check this one out!

Trinidad Velasquez is a divorced, single mom of teenage twin boys. She is a hardworking woman who deserves a ‘hot’ fling instead of settling for ‘okay’. She gets that when her twin boys trick her into a Caribbean carnival adventure with one Orlando.
Orlando is ten years Trinidad’s junior and she can’t help but think of that when alllll the thoughts runs through her mind. However, tension arises and she can’t help but to fall for his charm.
This book follows a hardworking mother as she basically gets her groove back.
One thing I enjoyed about this book was how Trinidad was able to get hers. She was able to have the fun that she deserved. While this book didn’t fully resonate with me, I can appreciate the story.

"Words flowed from his mouth, coated with the warmest honey that sweetened the smokiness of his voice."
"His loss, my chance."
"Here I was just Trinidad. Ms. V if I wanted to be extra nasty. And I wanted to be so nasty with this man."
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Books for an E-ARC!
This was such a fun, sensual, immersive, steamy, colorful, and entertaining read! I absolutely adored the cover and it definitely made me want to read the story regardless! Differences do in fact attract! The story had me hooked from the very first page all the way to the last page, this story was a quick read but it was able to incorporate serious / important themes! Such as single / co parenting, mental health, family expectations, dating in the mid 30's and more. I loved that Trinidad and Orlando individually had experiences and journeys they had to go through themselves to then come together. It was a bittersweet feeling reading their pov's because they are such family oriented people and have made sacrifices above themselves.
The tension and vibe between Trinidad and Orlando was so hot and intense. I absolutely loved how they always seemed to click / yearned for one another and then it was like a bomb once the stars aligned for them. I think the author did a wonderful job providing multi layers to Trinidad and Orlando and further exposed their troubles / conflicts / things they were experiencing to provide a better understanding of them and their actions. The author showed that nothing is ever as simple as we all try to make it be, and that sometimes things work out differently than we expected. This an age gap romance that made sense and one I was rooting for from the start! Orlando may be 10 years younger than Trinidad but that did not stop a thing!
I loved that this was set in a beautiful setting!! The descriptive writing was fun and wild and it truly felt like you were experiencing Carnival with the characters! I loved the rich culture and languages immersed into the story, it made the story flow and feel more real as well.
Tropes:
Forced Proximity
Age Gap Romance

Very sexy, very empathetic, very fun. No drama just good vibes and great feelings. This book was a good time overall. Not to long so I can't say more without spoiling it.
Thanks for the ARC!

- It’s Ms V if you nastyyyy
- spicyyyy 🥵🥵🥵🥵
- The tension has me sweating
- Orlando dimeloooooooooo
- I love how Ms. V (Trinidad) is a doting mom to her twin boys who is trying to find her that love again but also that passion that she had in the past
- Orlando is 25 but so mature and he has to provide for his family and decide between two options for his future
- Enter carnival and whewww things are heating up
- Learning to trust again after loss
- Hope- just because you’ve been doing it a certain way for so long doesn’t mean you can’t change it up and tackle your patterns
- Pushing through your fears in order to receive love

I got the ARC of this book because I lived for the cover. I have never DNF'd a book but i was very close to it with this one. I couldn't connect with the story. I love that the author is representing relatable topics (mental health, single parents, going to college, parentified children), but the story just didn't do anything for me, personally.
In reading the book i wish there was a translation offered for the phrases they don't speak in English. I felt like there's too much dialogue to the point i really wanted to DNF

Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer indeed! A true carnival romance — full of passion, culture, and the thrill of unexpected reunions.
You know that moment when you run into someone you know at Carnival in a completely different state? Trinidad is a single mom and entrepreneur balancing work, motherhood, and the search for love—unaware that her children have a plan to help her.
Orlando is ready to get serious about his life, and law school will give him just that opportunity. This Carnival is one last chance to let loose and party with his friends before everything changes.
But when their worlds collide at the heart of the fete, will a weekend “situation” turn into something more, or will reality pull them apart?
As a Caribbean woman in my 30s, Trinidad’s struggles and joys felt deeply familiar—especially the challenge of embracing youthful freedom while juggling adult responsibilities. The descriptions and references to Caribbean culture are so vivid you can taste it.
A vibrant, feel-good summer read, perfect for romance lovers and anyone who wants to be immersed in rich Caribbean culture. I can’t wait to explore more of Cunningham’s stories centering BIPOC characters!

This book feels like a great example of: This is a good book for someone, but that someone is not me.
I like A.H. Cunningham. I've read other works of hers. I think she creates compelling characters, unique situations, and good spice. This book contained so many tropes that I was salivating for: Single Parent, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, low key "Parent Trapping."
I think it started with the title...This does not take place during the summer. That threw me. It takes place during Carnival. No summer to be found.
Before I delve into what wasn't for me, let me expound on what kept me going. Trinidad is a strong, smart, badass woman. She runs her own business. She's raising two young men. She's got a support system. She is the kind of FMC I want to root for. We see a person who feels burned by her passion. Her first marriage ended, and she feels like her next partner needs to be the kind of "stable" man her sons deserve as a role model. We can tell that Milton, she current beau, is good on paper, but lacks both passion and commitment. I wanted him gone from the first moment he appeared. And when we met Orlando...Phew! The chemistry between the two of them burned up the pages. What I loved about them from the get go, is how much respect they had for each other. This wasn't a surface level attraction. It was a soul deep attraction. However, they are also horny as f*ck for each other. The moment these two are alone, the sparks are sparking.
Why wasn't this book for me? I think it came down to pacing. I felt like the beats were too fast. Conflict resolved internally rather than as a conversation between the two of them. It kept my head whipping around from plot point to plot point. I wish it had been simpler with more space to be. It made the experience of reading this book...less than pleasant at times.
This style might be exactly what someone else LOVES in a book. This is just my personal preference for pacing. But getting to see a couple like Trinidad and Orlando was worth every moment.

Amazing romance for AH Cunningham. My first one and it won't be the last.
Loved the caracters and development through it all. I find it easy to read with the right amount of spice!

Gorgeous cover, and a sweet and sexy age gap romance. I loved Trinidad, she was a very strong character who knew how and when to loosen up and have fun. Orlando was a sweet and steadfast MMC. The set up took a while, but the payoff was worth it. A fun read.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book! I went in with pretty low expectations because, honestly, age gap romances usually give me the ick—most of the time, they feel unbalanced or borderline predatory. But this one was so well done that the gap didn’t even matter. I was glued to my Kindle from start to finish!
The characters completely won me over. Brandon and Brian were such sweet, strategic and thoughtful boys. Miranda was the kind of friend everyone needs—funny, supportive, and brutally honest. Trinidad was incredibly selfless and dedicated, while Orlando was wise beyond his years in every way—maturity, emotional intelligence, and just everything.
The connection between the main characters was undeniable. Despite their differences, their compatibility and shared values shone through. I loved how they influenced each other in ways that fostered self-awareness, self-love, and real personal growth.
I absolutely loved the direct communication and appreciated that the romance wasn’t bogged down by immature misunderstandings or unnecessary back-and-forth drama.
I honestly can’t recommend this book enough!

I enjoyed the representation of single mothers in this book. The author created a character, Trinidad, who truly embodies what it means to be a working single mom. She is pulled in many directions, wanting to have a fulfilling life AND a sex life while raising her teenage sons, which I found relatable.
I also appreciated the representation of the diaspora. The author emphasizes that you can be Black and have diverse experiences, and she does a great job conveying this throughout the story. I liked the mention of the all-Black town in Florida and the culture of Carnival, as well as what it represents in the context of the diaspora.
However, I wish the author had delved deeper into the topic of mental health. I did appreciate the portrayal of the pressure on the oldest child within families, as seen through Orlando's character. He was essentially made the head of the household, sacrificing his own life to care for his mother and younger brothers.
Despite enjoying the aspects I mentioned, Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer ultimately fell flat for me. The romance felt lacking. The characters spent most of the book lusting after each other without taking any real action until towards the end of the book. While I understood Trinidad's hesitation due to Orlando being much younger, the connection between them simply wasn't convincing, in my opinion. Even though I liked the characters, there wasn't much development for them on the page.
Overall, I found the story to be tepid. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Carnival and its significance to the diaspora, as that aspect is well portrayed in the book.