Gah this is a perfect summer read!
How it makes me want to visit and perhaps move to the Florida Keys. The romance did move fast but I really enjoyed it! It was cute, steamy and romantic!
Luis was so dreamy and strong and gah I loved him. I loved reading about both of the main character's families and how they interacted with them.
This is a fun, steamy and a quick book to read during the summer by the pool or beach with some delicious Cuban food of course!

Sara needs a fake boyfriend real fast, when she meets Luis at the airport, he will be the perfect fit. Sara has arrived in Key West for a mandatory family vacation. Luis is off of work for the next week, so it will work out perfect. But will one week be enough for these two? They both have family issues that will come into play during the week.

This is the perfect read since so many of us are not able to vacation right now, with the wonderful descriptive writing of Key West it makes you feel like you are there. It is on my bucket list to visit. Loved the chemistry that Sara and Luis shared, very likeable characters. Both families are very important through out the story. Can't wait to visit again. I highly recommend this book.

Reminiscent of books like The Unhoneymooners, Island Affair tells the story of Sara and Luis. Sara has come to Key West to spend time with her family after her mother has successfully beaten chemo. Unfortunately for Sara, her long distance boyfriend, Ric, decides to stand her up. Luis comes to her rescue and offers to be her pretend boyfriend for the week.

Island Affair has comedy, romance, and some drama rolled in for good measure. I loved the setting of Key West and felt the author did a good job of helping the reader visual the setting. I do feel that the premise of the book was a bit far-fetched as far as believability goes but it was still a cute read. I’d give this one 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Fun, rom-com, beach read. Cute characters and good time.
Thank you Netgalley, Kingston books, and Priscilla Oliveras for the ARC.

This story was adorable and I adored the setting!

I really enjoyed reading about the main relationship and the family dynamics in this story but had some issues with the pacing. I felt it lost momentum somewhere in the middle but all in all I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read about the next!

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was just really not my cup of tea. I loved the cover tbh and romances tend to be hit or miss and ive never read anything like this so figured id try it. I was wrong.

Didn't care much for the characters, I really liked the cultural aspect of this but just all the characters are so nosey. bleh. I also really wasn't into how she got like forced into a corner about telling about her medical history to this dude even if hes her fake boyfriend, like sorry not sorry I don't care if your a doctor, theyre not your patient, they don't need to tell you their medical history and I also don't think what the family is doing is "Support" imo, much more like trying to control her.

There was just a lot of things in this book I really didn't care for, it wasn't horrible but I probs wont be reading many more books like this lol

Island Affair is set in the Key West, where a local firefighter with strong ties to the community crosses paths with a social media influencer who is in town for a week. Luis overhears a woman get stood up at the airport, and offers assistance. Sara is desperate to keep the attention on her mother during the family trip celebrating the success of her cancer treatment, so she asks Luis to pretend to be her absent, long-distance boyfriend. He is hesitant, but eventually agrees since he has been forced to take time off and can’t help the need to help.

Luis and Sara each have baggage when it comes to their family and their ability to trust. However, they surprise themselves by opening up to each other. Though they are aware that developing a feelings for a person who will be gone in five days is inadvisable, they can’t help the way their forced proximity (There’s only one bed!) brings them together.

This novel tackles heavy subjects and tricky family dynamics in a sunny, breezy setting. The two families are loving and complex. They each have different baggage that affects our protagonists’ ability to deal with their own family, as well as their new love interest. Though they are thrown together through extraordinary circumstances, the way each challenges and supports the other is grounded in the truth of loving relationships.

Priscilla Oliveras is able to weave the culture of the Navarro family and ambiance of Key West with a light, authentic touch. It was a lovely way to be transported.

CW: Eating Disorder, Descriptions of Trauma (car accident, and traumatic events in the context of first responder)

Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras

Romance, Romance, Romance!

Author Priscilla Oliveras knows her stuff! This book gets you right away and has you falling for well manured Luis and silly but very lovable Sara. When I finished this book I had a big smile on my face and a heart that had expanded with so much love for these two characters. What I really enjoyed about this story was not just the romance part of it but also the darker sides of these two characters. Sometimes you can't outrun your past but you do find people that can help you heal. That is what this story for me at least was really about. I truly enjoyed every page of it and 100% recommend this feel good romancen.

5/5 Stars!

Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for this book in exchange for my honest review

This is a cute and simple read. I enjoyed the second half but the first half dragged a bit for me since it was so repetitive. The setting of Key West sounded amazing and made me wish I was there.

review // #HappyPubDay to this delightful new contemporary romance from #PriscillaOliveras. Thank you to @netgalley and Zebra Books for the e-ARC!
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Things I Loved: As someone who lived in Miami for two years, the South Florida setting and culture! Fake relationship trope. Slow build ups. Strong, driven female character with an innovative career. Latinx representation.
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So thankful I was approved for this e-ARC on Netgalley, as it was so refreshing and honestly felt a little different than so many other contemporary romance books. Maybe because I lived in Miami for awhile, I so appreciated the Cuban male character, the Key West setting, and the Spanish phrases sprinkled throughout. It is being marketed as the first in a new series, so I’m excited to see where this goes and what the author does next! {5/5 stars}
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CW: eating disorder.
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#bookstagram #bookworm #bookblog #reading #goodreads #bookreviews #library #newbookstagram #bookreview #bookish #IslandAffair #KeysToLove @kensingtonbooks #diverseromance #latinxromance

This was my first book by this author, and I'm definitely interested in continuing with the stories of Luis's siblings!

Luis Navarro is a firefighter, paramedic, and dive captain for the Key West Fire Department. He's a stand-up guy, ask anyone. He didn't earn the nickname San Navarro (which he HATES) for nothing. But, he's been emotionally closed off for the last several years, even from his big, close, Cuban familia. He went through a terrible ordeal, and he refuses to talk about it, or deal with it, so it just keeps getting buried, and then popping up at inopportune times, like at work. After a bad accident he worked a few weeks before, he's been in bad shape, and his Captain orders him to take a full week off. He's mad, but he knows there's not much he can do. Now, he just needs to find something to keep his mind occupied for the next 7 days.

Sara Vance is in a bind. She's just arrived for a big family vacation in Key West, but her boyfriend, now her EX-boyfriend, has decided not to show up after all. Sara has always felt like the odd man out in her family. Her 2 siblings are much older than her, and all her parents and siblings are doctors. Sara decided to go a different way, and she's now a fairly successful social media influencer. But, her parents, siblings, and their spouses, are all about to show up and she'll be the extra, again. She doesn't know what to do. Her mom has just gotten a clean, cancer-free, bill of health, after fighting for a while, so this trip is supposed to be nothing but R&R, with NO STRESS. Sara doesn't want her mom worrying about her, yet again. So, when she runs into Luis outside the airport, and he asks if she needs help, she's hoping to convince him to help her by being her fake boyfriend for the week. No big deal, right?!

Sara and Luis had big chemistry from the beginning, but they decided not to act on it, as to not further complicate their already tenuous situation with her family. They get along great, and due to their close quarters, they end up sharing more info with each other, more quickly, than you typically would with a stranger, which forces a close bond between them. They both really help each other deal with issues, within themselves, and within each of their families. They were really good for each other, and I enjoyed watching them slowly figure that out. There wasn't as much steam as I'm used to in my reads, but I enjoyed their connection. I feel like I would've FELT it more though, if we'd seen, instead of being told after the fact. That's just my personal preference.

Sara and Luis both had large families, each with their own myriad issues, and they really leaned on each other for help in dealing with them. They were truly there for each other, in a way neither of them had experienced in a long time, if ever, so they really cared for the other right away. When they each shared the issues that they have faced with each other, you could feel their bond forging tighter and tighter, and worried about what they would do when the week was over. I enjoyed Luis's relationships with his siblings, and how hard Sara tried to connect to her siblings, for really the first time in adulthood.

This was a sweet, heartfelt story about two people, with missing pieces, who fit together perfectly, if unexpectedly. They not only fit together, but fit into each other's lives and families, beyond what they ever expected. Also, Key West was really a character unto itself, and I enjoyed seeing Luis's love for his island shine through. I've never been there, and it made me long to see it for myself. I enjoyed the story, though I would've KILLED for an epilogue! I'm definitely interested in reading about Luis's siblings, and how they will find love in the Keys.

I really wanted to love this book, but it fell a little flat for me. I loved the main characters, the fun setting, and the budding romance. I had a difficult time with suspension of belief for the whole book, and felt like the writing was choppy and full of weird similes and descriptions. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t my favorite.

Synopsis:
When Sara's boyfriend Ric ditches her on her family's get together, she finds herself at a loss. She is nervous to be alone with her family and their criticism of her. Luis was just mandated a week long vacation when he overhears Sara's conversation of distress. He has always been the good guy and this time is no different. When Sara asks him to fill in as her pretend boyfriend, despite his hesitancy, he says yes. While he expected to have a difficult time lying to everyone, he didn't expect to fall for her or for her to challenge his emotional past. Together can they work on fixing their family issues and fool everyone into thinking their relationship is real? Can they fool themselves into thinking there is nothing going on between them?

Review:
4/5 stars. While I loved the easy banter between Sara and Luis, the challenges they gave each other, and the relationship they share, it seemed a little far fetched that this could really happen. I loved watching them grow and share their time together. It didn't feel they knew each other for only a week. As I finished it, I was left wanting more. I then saw the cover said "first in a new series". I'm excited to see what else Priscilla Oliveras can create for them and hope to watch their relationship grow further in future books. I laughed and cried throughout different areas of the book and I know most of you will too. I hope you pick this up as it's the perfect summer read.

THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND KENSINGTON BOOKS FOR THE ARC FOR MY HONEST REVIEW IN RETURN.

Island Affair is the first in a new series and starts right off with Sara, social media influencer, being stood up by her boyfriend for a week long vacay in Key West with her super successful family...after she's already arrived at the airport. She happens to bump into a Key West firefighter that was just leaving the airport firehouse from visiting his brother, and he was just told by his captain to take a week off. There were insta sparks and a lot of cheesiness that had me eye rolling. For me, it was just all a little too fast and coincidental, but I've also watched many romcoms that start off the same way and I still thoroughly enjoy the for what they are: Light and comedic entertainment. Basically, go into it knowing it's for entertainment, just let yourself go along for the ride.

The details of Key West and it's visual beauty and delicious Cuban food came through the pages beautifully. It was nice being transported from a dreary, rainy, couple of days to a paradise like Key West. It was fun to learn a little more about the Cuban culture. I thought Oliveras did a fantastic job of adding some Spanish to the book without me having to actually KNOW Spanish, and I think that having some added in there was pretty important for the cultural aspect.

There was a ton of chemistry between Sara and Luis, and I especially enjoyed all their witty banter. I wasn't sure if I'd like how family driven it was, but that seemed to work well for this story. Two big, complicated families, totally opposite, shows how real some struggles can be for both the "black sheep" of the family, or for anyone marrying into them. Luis, well, I went back on forth on how I felt about him. I think overall, I just sum it up hi feeling a bit too immature. But I'm smitten for his family!

As for most people/couples, Sara and Luis have issues to resolve and I wasn't totally feeling the way they were resolved was really as well done as I would have liked. I did, however, really like the way the eatig order was written about.

Overall, I'd give this 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐💫 (Rounded to 4 for my love of the Navarro family lol). It really was a good escape from currant affairs, I think this would be great for anyone who loves a big family driven, fake dating trope, insta romance.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington books for the arc and the opportunity to provide my honest, unbiased thoughts.

The cover alone is what first drew me to this book, just gorgeous. This book is an easy to read, cute rom-com. The setting was fantastic and the perfect place to escape to whilst in lockdown. Looking forward to reading more from this author. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really loved both the blurb and cover for Island Affair and couldn’t wait to download and get to reading. I mean the fake dating trope with a hot fire fighter in an island paradise setting? Gimme.

I have to say this did start out kind of slow for me. I struggled to engage and stay committed to reading. Honestly though, that may be just because of what’s going on in the world right now.

I really enjoy this author’s voice, but there were a few things that I think that kept me from really loving this story. The suddenness of this couple jumping into a fake relationship so soon after meeting is one and the appearance of an evil ex in the hero’s backstory was another. This may just be an Angela thing though since evil exes and dead exes are my least favorite way to create conflict in a story.

I did struggle with this couple at times, but I think it’s because they each had so many issues. I loved the setting though and would enjoy visiting with Luis’s family again.

When I found out one of my friends Aunts wrote this I knew I had to read it! Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy! When Sara’s boyfriend doesn’t show up for the family vacation, she gets Luis to fill in. Sounds like the perfect romance to read right about now but would also be a great beach or vacation read.

I adored this book ( that was just released today!!) It was one I didn't want to put down!
Priscilla Olivera is a fantastic writer, and the story was so beautifully written, whereas the type of storyline it is could have been taken many other directions and not be half the story Priscilla made it.
I really liked the main characters, I cared about them and understood each of their struggles. They both came from complicated families ( who doesn't, lol) and complicated backgrounds that made them an even better fit.
If you are looking for a HEA with some real issues in todays world, this is a book for you.
I recieved a digital copy in exchange for an honest review via @netgalley and publisher @kensingtonbooks #islandaffair

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC copy of "Island Affair" by Priscilla Oliveras.

"Island Affair" follows Sara Vance. Sara is going on an island vacation with her family as a restful recharge for her mother after chemo treatments. Sara was already anxious about spending a week with her older, distant siblings, but then her boyfriend (who she may have exaggerated a little bit to her mother) doesn't show up at the airport. Luis meanwhile has been banned from work for a week following an upsetting fire call. Sara and Luis will strike up a deal, he helps her with her family and she will occupy his time off from work.

This book definitely had a rom-com kind of vibe (can you tell that's what I've been reading a lot of lately)? Girl gets broken up with, but needs to bring a boyfriend to a family function. And yet, as often as I have read this plot line, I still enjoy it each time. I think this book provided a unique take by allowing the characters to have bigger issues they needed to work out before they could be together. 

The writing style was good, although maybe a little weak in spots. Beyond that, there was a little TMI in the book as far as romance goes, so if that isn't your jam then you may want to skip some scenes... 

Overall, this book was cute and made me dream of warm, summer days in Florida. I gave it three stars.

Happy publish day to Island Affair. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. ⠀
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To me this was a mix between a family drama for both characters and a romance but struggled to intermingle them. Ultimately the journey was still fun. I would recommend if you’re looking for ⠀
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A fun romance that takes you to a tropical location 🏝 ⠀
Fake dating ⠀
One bed 🛏 ⠀
A firefighter with a complicated past 👨‍🚒 ⠀
A social media influencers trying to find her place in her family⠀
Semi open door steam⠀🔥
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It took me a bit to get invested in the story the characters immediately agree to start fake dating even though they are strangers which I struggled with. But this is a fun light read despite the heavy issues both characters are dealing with. 🌟🌟🌟💫⠀
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Triggers: eating disorder, grief, cheating, and family drama ⠀