Let me start by saying that I loved the first book in this series, Lush Money. That book also introduced us to the heroine in this book. Princess Sofia, the younger sister of Prince Mateo, the hero of the first book. I knew going into this book that it was a second chance romance, which is one of my very favorite tropes and I had high hopes that it would also be a grovel novel.

So, let's start with what worked for me. I am a heroine-centric reader and I adored the heroine in this book. I have a soft spot for heroines who most would describe as "difficult" or "problematic". I didn't find Sofia to be either of those things. But I liked how headstrong and tough and fierce she was. I loved her dedication to her principality and how her ambitions for herself were really all tied to the goals and hopes and dreams she had for the people of her kingdom. Sofia is not a doormat, she's not one to back down and I adore heroines who are not afraid to stand up for themselves and what they believe in.

I think, through Sofia, the book also provided an interesting commentary on how harsh society is in judging women compared to men. Sofia was labeled as the party-girl princess, the "pornographic" princess, her reputation in the media buoyed by stories that were a great exaggeration of the facts. In truth, she wanted to be needed and loved and be useful to her kingdom and help save them. And interestingly, even when Aish swept into the picture, a tarnished rock star trying to save the day and media and public bought into all of it, the real truth was that it was always Sofia's grit and fortitude and hard work that got them to where they were.

Speaking of Aish, here's where things get a little murky. I knew early on that it was clearly Aish who had messed things up and in a second chance romance, in order for it to really work for me, the character who messes up has to redeem himself and also grovel, like, a LOT for me to support the love interest in taking him/her/them back. And while I do think Aish spent much of the book trying to do the right thing and trying to say sorry and self-flagellating himself for the way he'd treated Sofia, the end, when J*** c***s *a*k f**m *h* *e*d, it all seemed a little too neat and convenient. I liked the complexity of Aish grappling with the fact that he'd trusted in the wrong person, that he'd thrown his loyalty in with the wrong person and I liked the idea that because of the way things had initially unfolded, he would forever have that gray area to contend with. Life is messy, it's not always tied up in a bow and as much as romance is guaranteed to give us a happy ending, it's ok to layer it in with some issues that don't always resolve themselves all wrapped up in a tidy little bow. And that's what the end of this book sort of felt like. I wanted Sofia to succeed, I wanted Aish to apologize for the right things, I wanted them to be together and I truly did believe in their relationship and HEA. But I'm not entirely sold on all the steps (and people) needed to get them there.

However, I did also enjoy many of the side characters, specifically Roman and Henry and I do hope they both get their own books. I also want to meet the mysterious Daniel Trujillo and I loved getting a glimpse of Roxanne and Mateo and their twins several years after their book ended. Despite my issues with parts of this book, Angelina M. Lopez has a style of storytelling that really pulls the reader in and she has crafted a setting that's so real that one might find themselves, at 1 a.m., googling the Spanish countryside and wineries.

The one other thing that rang a little false for me was the relationship between Sofia and her mother, or specifically, the resolution of that relationship. When Sofia's mother comes to her at the end and reveals what she knows, it felt very strange to me that Sofia immediately went to gratitude and hoping they might be able to have better relationship going forward. I don't discount the possibility of that happening for them at some point in the future, but in that particular moment, when Sofia's entire world had shifted, for her to immediately be grateful seems a bit implausible.

On the whole, I did enjoy the story and I enjoyed the relationship and the characters and especially Sofia. There were a couple of storylines that I think took away from the story and made it a little difficult to believe. But regardless, I look forward to whatever this author plans to publish next, especially if it takes place in this same universe.

ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

*~~*ARC kindly provided from the publisher/author to me for an honest review *~~*

Full review to come

5 stars

I liked the heroine at first but it was hard to empathize with her sometimes. Their relationship was so messy and complicated that it was really hard for me to buy their hea. I ended up thinking they were toxic and better off apart than together.

Angelina Lopez brings the soap-opera over-the-topness to her second novel in the Filthy Rich series, playing with tropes in bonker-balls ways. It's fun and lush and sexy, but I had a hard time getting on board with Aish and his numerous missteps (the polite way of saying it) with Sofia over the years. Lopez does a really good job of showing how women are vilified in the media and can only do wrong, but I felt that some of the messaging around Sofia in the media was inconsistent. She's invented something that all wineries use and has proved her bona fides in the industry, among industry people--but no one wants to see what an innovative princess is going to do with her own wine brand? Even if they think she's just a playgirl partier and somehow didn't actually invent the thing, isn't that an interesting story in itself that people would want to cover? I also didn't understand how Sofia managed to avoid ever hearing a Young Sons song when she's been partying it up for the past ten years--surely some songs are inescapable at clubs/bars/restaurants/life? All that said, I enjoyed the ride of this one.

This book is full of tropes that I love - rock star, royal, fake relationship and second chance romance. There is an alpha heroine in charge of her vineyard and supporting her country. Rock star hero who grovels his way back to love. Fun twist and turns.

Unfortunately I did not care for this book. I couldn't connect to the H/h. Sofia had too much hate in her and rules to follow. She was too harsh and unforgiving. Aish (never figured out how to say his name and it was distracting) was too much of a man whore, drug addict and downright fool. Their conflict was based on manipulation and lies and it seemed so stupid how it came about. I realize he was a rock star but I just couldn't find the eyeliner, hair and makeup attractive. Sorry this book wasn't my cup of tea.
Disclosures: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The second in the Filthy Rich series tells the story of Princess Sofia and rock star Aish Salinger. He's waited 10 years to win her back but she's only willing to fake a relationship with the bad boy of rock to promote her new winery and win over her people and save their way of life.

This story was emotional and HOT. Strong-willed and brilliant, Sofia needs to learn to let down her guard and let love back in. Aish needs to grow up and become the man she'd always hoped he'd become. And they both need to overcome the secrets of their past in order to move forward. With obstacles at every turn and despite a bit of a predictable twist near the end, their love story was very heart breaking and fulfilling.

CW: suicide and miscarriage