Adriana Herrera can;t do no wrong. This book was amazing! i really loved the social justice aspect within romance.

Adriana is going to be on the What to Read Next Podcast on August 25, 2020.

I am a huge fan of Herrera's Dreamers series, so I was super excited when I saw she had a new book coming out and couldn't wait to jump in.

Perhaps I'm spoiled by the Dreamers series or maybe I had higher expectations than this story could deliver, but I this book fell flat for me. I liked Rocco and Julia just fine, and I enjoyed their diverse group of friends. One thing Herrera is excellent at is creating fleshed out side characters without taking away from the MCs, and she knocked it out of the ballpark again with Here to Stay.

Individually, there was nothing bad or off about each character. However, I missed the connection between Julia and Rocco. I didn't feel that these two belonged together.

While I enjoyed the diversity and social justice themes, the romance wasn't there for me. Had this book been pitched as something other than romance, I would probably give it 4 stars, because everything else about the story was wonderful.

Adriana Herrera is launching a new series this summer starting with Here to Stay. New Yorker Julia del Mar Ortiz starts the Gotham Exiles Club as a way to make friends after her recent move to Dallas, Texas and isn’t happy to learn Rocco Quinn wants to join. Rocco is a new consultant for the high fashion department store she works for, and has the power to shut down the charity foundation she runs. Family is a major theme in this book, and Herrera expertly explores its various forms—from Julia’s tight-knit one, to the found family created by friends, to Rocco’s desire to give his sister the kind of familial support he never had. It’s all beautifully tied into the concept of home and the idea that it doesn’t need to be a singular place; it can be where you grew up and also where you grew into the person you wanted to be. I adored Julia, Rocco, and the entire Gotham Exiles Club. I cannot wait to see where Herrera takes the series next.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera is a stand-alone novel, but I’m hoping that it will become a series, and we will get to hear more about the other members of the Gotham Exiles Club. Julia del Mar Ortiz moved to Dallas to be with her boyfriend; however, that didn’t work out, and now she’s there alone, and so she creates the Gotham Exiles Club, a social group for former New Yorkers who are also trying to find their way in Dallas. She wants to put down roots in Dallas because she has a job that she loves and finds fulfilling as the program director for the Sturm Foundation, which runs programs for immigrant and refugee children and their families. Unfortunately the parent company Sturm’s a fashion empire is about to go public and Rocco Quinn also a New Yorker, the team leader of the consulting company hired to manage the IPO has been directed by one of the partners and the CFO of Sturm’s to eliminate the programs to make the company look more saleable. Both Julia and Rocco struggle with the intense chemistry they feel for each other in an enemies to lovers romance, and even thought it seems impossible you have to cheer for them to find a way to make it work. There are so many things to enjoy about this book red hot chemistry, strong friendships, families, amazing food that will make you very hungry and of course the love story at the heart. I highly recommend reading this book. Steam Level: Whoa it’s hot in here. Publishing Date: August 25, 2020 #HereToStay #AdrianaHerrera #CarinaPress #HarlequinRomance #ContemporaryRomance #OwnVoicesRomance #bookstagram

One of the best feelings in the world is to fall in love with a book. The nerves when you’re reading the first pages, the anticipation when you get to know the characters and feel that something is up in the air… It’s magical. I felt that way reading Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera, a new-to-me author I was invited to review.

The story talks about Julia, a born and bred New Yorker who moved to Texas with a boyfriend. The guy isn’t in the picture anymore, but our girl has built a life in this new place, working in something she’s passionate about. Her life seems to be good despite her break-up and being apart from her family, until Rocco Quinn appears like a menacing (although sexy) figure in the horizon. This guy will get to decide if the foundation she works with will get cut during a merger that will be happening soon in the company.

Our guy, Rocco, has a life of his own in NYC. He’s in Texas only temporarily, where he expects to do his job and go back home with his sister and niece. He doesn't expect to find someone like Julia del Mar Ortiz, neither expects the attraction and the insane chemistry between them.

I had a great time with this book, I also loved both Julia and Rocco so so much! This story has a great cast of secondary characters as well, and I’m pretty sure you will fall in love with Julia's family (especially with her abuelita), and the NY Exile group. This story kept a smile on my face the whole time I was reading it, and while I was surfing through the pages I discovered a wonderful author I can’t wait to read more about.

So, if you're looking for a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance, take a look at Here to Stay!

Audio review:
Story – 5
Performance – 5
Overall – 5

So good, so hot!

I mostly read (or listen) to MM romance these days and I first became acquainted with Adriana Herrera's writing through her Dreamers series. The first three books in that series were MM but the fourth was MF and I was almost surprised to enjoy it just as much as the others. So, it was no hardship for me to agree to do a blog post for her latest book, Here to Stay.

This story is seriously HOT – like panty melting hot. I read portions of it and then I listened to the audio book. Sean Crisden has long been a favorite of mine but Carmen Vine is a new-to-me narrator. The combination of their two voices was perfect for this story. Sean Crisden's voice during the hot scenes made me go looking for a fan. 😊

There was conflict in this story because the job goals of the two MCs were kind of in opposition to each other. Rocco's job may eventually put Julia's job in jeopardy. Despite this conflict, they fall very much in love. Still Rocco is torn between his obligation to his younger sister and her child, and his love for Julia.

This was such a rich story; t's filled with family and friends who added depth and humor. Rocco's parents are pretty horrible and they provided a suitable amount of conflict.

I particularly enjoyed listening to the audiobook because there are so many words I would not know how to pronounce on my own. (My high school Spanish was 50 years ago!) I love learning new words and that is just one of the reasons I enjoy reading Adriana's books. Her stories challenge me in a good way and I look forward to reading and/or listening to more of them.

A review copy of the ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and a review copy of the audiobook was provided by Harlequin Audio, but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.


***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

Julia initially moved to Dallas to be with her boyfriend, but when he left her and moved back to New York, she became determined to make Dallas work as her home. Then Quinn F**king Rocco walks in. He's a consultant tasked with deciding whether the foundation she runs is worth the expenses for its parent company, and therefore is a threat to everything she has worked for. But despite her conviction to stay away and stay professional, they quickly become friends and then give into the heat and tension they feel between them.

Adriana Herrera has this talent for making you miss places you've never been. I felt it in <i>Finding Joy</i> and I felt again in this book when the Gotham Exiles (the group of coworkers who are all transplants from New York) were all greeting one another for the first time and felt like they were coming home. Even as Julia and Quinn grew to love Dallas and their lives there, you could still feel their love for NYC.

Julia and Quinn individually are such lovely people. Julia is a strong woman who makes such a difference in people's lives in her work as a social worker. Her only hold up is that after uprooting her life for her last boyfriend, she is scared of devoting herself to another relationship and then putting her partner's needs over her own again. Quinn himself is so focused on putting his sister and niece's needs above his own that he feels he has no right to consider his own needs. They're honestly similar in a lot of ways and I loved watching them support one another and realize that the feelings they have between them are too strong and real to ignore.

I also adore all of Julia's family. Herrera always does an incredible job with her secondary characters and this book was no exception. Her parents are so supportive and really help her work through issues she's dealing with. And the way Quinn fits in so seamlessly was also wonderful to see. Particularly given how terrible his own parents are.

I think this is a solid romance with both a fantastic found family as well as relational family (at least on Julia's side. Only Quinn's sister and niece are awesome). Herrera also works in some great commentary on immigration and undocumented families near the border and balances that with some dirty and fun sexy times. This book is on brand Herrera, and though it's not my absolute favorite of hers, it was still a joy to read.

Here to Stay is a charming office romance. Julia moved to Texas to follow her boyfriend, but when she gets there, she is dumped. Julia is strong and decides to focus on her dream job, but the company wants to go public and a consultant is hired to determine if the program Julia works for is worth saving.

As she fights to save her job, she befriends the enemy AKA Rocco, the consultant, a New York exile like her. The more time they spend together, the more sparks ignite. They both fight the attraction but it becomes more and more difficult and succumbing would very well mean that one of them will be out of work.

The romance is so charming. I adored Julia's family, which reminded a bit of the island I'm from. I could very well picture my own mother doing that. I loved that the romance was between two individuals with different cultures. It was amazing to read about these two characters. The banter, the chemistry, the humor - I loved it all.

Both characters are exactly what the other needs and it's beautiful to watch them love, struggle, and grow. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

Heartfelt, playful, and enticing!

Here to Stay is a heartwarming, humorous tale that transports you to Dallas, Texas and into the lives of both Julia del Mar Ortiz, a kind, compassionate, Dominican-Puerto Rican woman who after being dumped shortly after relocating to Texas from Queens is more than happy putting all her time and effort into her dream job, running the charitable foundation for Sturm’s, and Rocco Quinn, an Italian-Irish, handsome, young man tasked with helping Sturm’s get ready to go public and potentially recommending chopping those parts of the company, such as their charitable foundation, that may be an unnecessary expense to the companies bottom line.

The writing is sensual and light. The characters are intelligent, kind, considerate, inclusive, and endearing. And the plot is a push-pull tale full of workplace drama, familial responsibility, witty banter, tender moments, expectations, goals, friendship, diversity, compromise, chemistry, and love.

Overall, Here to Stay is another sweet, passionate, satisfying novel by Herrera that’s more than just a typical enemies-to-more rom-com with its abundance of culture and tradition, social consciousness, and timely perspective.

Adriana Herrera does it again! HERE TO STAY is sexy, funny, and the perfect way to spend your day.

I have already pre-ordered copies for my library’s collection.

NetGalley provide a free copy for an honest review.

Julia is in Dallas after her ex-boyfriend had them move there, but she has a wonderful- dream job for a foundation off a high-end clothing store. The foundation works for immigrants- which comes into play in the book and love how well the author put immigration into the story. Rocco is there to see the company can make an IPO- just falls for Julia right away. Loved the NYC group, loved all the Spanish woven into the story that lets even us non speakers understand what is going on. Its a slow burn but get super steamy once it hits! We even get an added kitten in this one!

This was my first Herrera novel and won't be my last! Loved it all and loved learning more about Dominican food! I also enjoyed how she had the two families in the books and how different they can be - along with shape you well into adult life.

Overall, 4 stars and 4 steam.

Thank you to Carina Press and Netgalley for the free review copy of Here To Stay.

A huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

The sparks fly between Julia and Rocco. But she's trying to get control of her life again. She's running a charitable foundation and even though she's stuck in Dallas with an apartment and car lease oh so ungenerously gifted to her by her waste of space ex-boyfriend, she's ok. She's making it and she's content.

And her job is threatened when one of the company partners that funds the charitable organization calls in a number cruncher. Julia can hear the death knell. She misses New York anyway.

Rocco is the number cruncher assigned to follow her and evaluate her every move. And he knows he's supposed to be objective and distant and immune. But he finds Julia irresistible. The more time they spend together, the harder it is for him to remember what his priorities should be.

Here are things I loved about this story:
1. It features an AfroLatina heroine whose voice is authentic and grounded.
2. The love story unfolds naturally, as first impressions are shattered.
3. The hero is trying to do the right thing and rise above a past that would break the will of any child.
4. The heroine is strong, independent and unafraid to take control of a situation when necessary.

The level of steam is off the charts in this one, and you'll be doggedly cheering for a happy ending as you swoon.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it definitely won’t be the last, because I was charmed by every bit of this romance. From the heroine Julia’s loving Afro-Caribbean family she adores but can’t be around too much because she finds them smothering, to her found-family of New York expats suffering in the cultural desert of Dallas, Texas (lol), Herrera skilfully draws a picture of a successful professional woman making her own way in the world, self-sufficient despite an ex doing her dirty.

It’s the hero Rocco whose life is messy, who needs to achieve and earn more in order to get his sister and nephew away from their abusive parents. This is where the conflict comes in, because in order to achieve his goals, Rocco has to do a job that will very likely cause Julia to lose hers… and hers matters to a lot of people who need her, because she runs a major social work program, funded by the charitable donations of an upscale department store.

Rocco and Julia have fantastic chemistry together, and there are some wonderful (and wonderfully diverse) side characters determined to see them find a happy ending, but life sometimes does set people up in opposition to each other, and that’s what has happened here. Perhaps the only thing I didn’t like is that Julia was essentially passive in the final major decision; she really had no role to play. It was Rocco’s sister who convinced him to make a recommendation he could live with, and it could still have cost Julia dear. Again… that’s representative of real life when sometimes it really is a Hobson’s choice, so I’m not going to knock any stars off for it. Julia and Rocco found their way to a happy ending for themselves and those they loved best, and in a way that didn’t require either of them to compromise their principles. It was believable and beautiful, and I really bought into their romance. I especially loved the portrayal of Julia’s family as a pack of healthy, loving Afro-Caribbean New Yorkers (and oh, the descriptions of the food!) I did read an ARC of this where the brand Goya was mentioned prominently; I’m going to guess that might be hastily edited out in the final edition (lol again).

Five stars for a gorgeous contemporary romance where there are no easy choices, but the couple find their way to a happy ending anyway.

I loved this!!!! I am a huge fan of Adriana Herrera and I am so excited about this book (and possible new series???) I laughed out loud MANY TIMES throughout this delightful read. It has an amazing cast of supporting characters, a great “conflict” at the heart of the drama, and an adorable kitten, so what else do you really want? Highly recommend, a delight from start to finish.

Honestly this book is just sugary goodness🥰 In Here To Stay, Adriana imbues her quintessential “joyfully challenging toxic power structures to build a better world” into a really beautiful love story about about a woman running the charitable foundation for a massive luxury fashion brand & the man hired to shut the foundation down👀

I love love LOVED this book!! Rocco is just a *dream*, a Henry Cavill lookalike from Queens with a tantalizing back tattoo of the New York skyline who’s mad broody in the streets and a consent-seeking KING in the sheets!! Seriously like the consent in this book was a form of foreplay all on its own🥵 AND THEN HE WOULD SPEAK!!!🔥🔥🔥

Julia was incredible and so relatable—a little bruised from a recent relationship, insistent that she can make it on her own after leaving her family in NYC, and angry that Rocco Quinn is getting under her skin 😍 I loved following her journey and I was a GONER when she drew relational boundaries💕 we stan a queen who knows her worth!!

This book comes out on August 25th and honestly YOU GOTTA— if you a) want to read Henry Cavill dirty talking or b) relate to an opinionated woman dreaming big & fighting hard, this is your book❤️

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin and Adriana Herrera for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
If you’re in the mood for a good forbidden office romance with some MAJOR steam and Latin flair, look no further. Adriana Herrera brings to life a vastly diverse cast of characters that leave you craving a margarita night with your friends and might make you tempted to text that cute guy from your office.
When Julie left New York for Texas a year ago, she was in a serious relationship and starting her dream job. No she’s single and her career is at jeopardy of not making the financial cut. And of course the man hired to decide who gets the axe is gorgeous, sweet and not afraid to let Julia know he feels the connection, too. Rocco is in Texas for a few weeks for a project that would lead to the promotion he desperately needs. He has plans to get a house out of the city and get his sister and niece away from their toxic parents.
Office romances are always fun. The forbidden aspect leads to sneaky glances and sly meetups that keep things fun. The build up to this one is slow but once they connect holy cow... S.T.E.A.M.Y. I actually skimmed the second big scene because it was just so long and so detailed and I just didn’t need that. But I do appreciate some good steam and an author who doesn’t shy away from writing it!
The side characters in this were great! The Gothom Exiles are people I would want to get a drink with on a Saturday night. They’re also the kind of characters I’d love to see Adriana Herrera write more of!

Okay, this book started out as a light rom-com and had a lot of drama in it about whether Julia would keep her new job or not. Lots of dialog that was actually a kind of foreplay for the main event which happened close to the end of the book. Honestly, folks, I tried to like it. But I’m old-fashioned and when the F-bomb is on every other page (sometimes every page), it was obviously written for a generation and kind of person who is not me. The language was atrocious...kind of like the author couldn’t come up with real vocabulary so just stuck in the F-bomb or an equally offensive-to-me word. Anyway, the plot was okay, even though I really knew from the beginning what the ending was going to be. The characters were okay but pretty flat and not very well-developed. Rocco, who may or may not cost Julia her job, was a hunk who was also rich. Talk about stereotypes! Julia was attracted to him and determined to save her job at all costs and with a few funny scenes. All in all, fans of rom-coms who don’t mind poor language, flat characters and an ending that you can see coming from page one will enjoy this book. I was not a fan, in case you cannot tell.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

HOT. I love the depth and well-woven threads of diversity throughout the book, and the very excellent and feasible conflict for the protagonists, but HOT. This book is HOT. Those are some spicy sex scenes and I am HERE FOR IT. The only thing I didn't like was the amount of "primitive Neanderthal" possessiveness the male protagonist had so early on; I get creeped out by that element in romance novels because it usually goes downhill pretty fast, but otherwise thrilled to have gotten the chance to read this book! 4.5/5

Okay, so, why this is the first time I read a novel by Adriana Herrera?! This book is gold ! I loved it from beginning to end!

When he spotted me, he did the slightest double take and then, just for a second, he smiled. Julia del Mar, you're in danger, girl.

Julia moved from NYC to Dallas to follow her boyfriend, who later on dumped her. Thankfully, she found a wonderful job--running a charitable foundation that helps families. Unfortunately, her job is on the line, and the one who can either put a good or bad word is the new consultant, Rocco Quinn.

It's hard for me to relate to characters lately. So when I started this novel and found myself relating to Julia and her family, I knew this would be a book I wouldn't forget. Julia is Puerto Rican and Dominican, and let me tell you, the representation of both cultures is on point! It was exactly how I would have described it. We're loud, we're noisy, we're family from the moment we meet, and so much more that Adriana included. And gosh, don't get me started on arroz con gandules! Seeing this authentic food to both PR and DR being described so well in the story filled me with so much pride!

For her mom and grandma, lack of gandules was right up there with lethal levels of dehydration.

Even though we have two main characters, the story felt like it wasn't just about them; it was also about the side characters. Their presence is always there, in a good way. We get to see these former NYC residents with Latin background come together as co-workers and as family. From their first get-together, the reader gets to feel their bond immediately. Their interactions, their nosiness, their personalities brought so much to the story!

I found Julia to be a wonderful, compassionate, selfless woman that I admire. Every situation that gets thrown her way, she manages with grace. I loved her personality and how dedicated she is with everything she stands for and believes in.

I did get a bit tired with Julia always running away from Rocco. While I did understand she was doing it because it wouldn't be good for them to be together because of their jobs, I mostly felt she was using it as an excuse. Still, Julia's and Rocco's moments together were beautiful. I loved how we meet Rocco little by little.

"That man looks at you like you're the answer to every question he's ever had. Trust that you can be that to someone."

Rocco’s character is like an onion, and as the story goes on, we get to peel one layer at a time. Each layer that came off showed a wonderful man that had my heart melting over. Rocco is such a sweet man! Well, he’s a dirty-talking man in bed that had me with eyes wide open. But at the same time, he’s unbelievably sweet and swoony! He deserves all the recognition in the world. When he started calling Julia muñeca , I legit MELTED! I’m pretty sure I read that part at least 5 times. Yes, I melted each time.

Julia's family was something else, in the best way possible. I loved all the wonderful advice Julia's dad gave her. I loved how nosy her mom is (extremely similar to my mom). And then we have abuela, who's pretty much an exact replica of my grandma in terms of personality. I was laughing so hard when Rocco offered to clean the kitchen and everyone else was watching and waiting to see what would abuela do. It's literally how it is in Puerto Rico!

"My parents and my grandma only have one volume setting, and it's loud."

Most stories I've read with a Latin background barely touch on the culture, yet Adriana went all in with it. I honestly felt like I was reading a book about a family member. Adriana gave me a story with all the culture I've ever wanted for a book to have when it comes to Puerto Rican culture. THANK YOU FOR DOING US JUSTICE!

If you're looking for a story with a different culture (PR/DR), POC-characters (and author), authentic characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and a story that will live in your heart, HERE TO STAY is totally for you!

Title: Here to Stay
Author: Adriana Herrera
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

Starting over is more about who you’re with than where you live…

Julia del Mar Ortiz is not having the best year.

She moved to Dallas with her boyfriend, who ended up ditching her and running back to New York after only a few weeks. Left with a massive—by NYC standards, anyway—apartment and a car lease in the scorching Texas heat, Julia is struggling…except that’s not completely true. Running the charitable foundation of one of the most iconic high fashion department stores in the world is serious #lifegoals.

It’s more than enough to make her want to stick it out down South.

The only monkey wrench in Julia’s plans is the blue-eyed, smart-mouthed consultant the store hired to take them public. Fellow New Yorker Rocco Quinn’s first order of business? Putting Julia’s job on the chopping block.

When Julia is tasked with making sure Rocco sees how valuable the programs she runs are, she’s caught between a rock and a very hard set of abs. Because Rocco Quinn is almost impossible to hate—and even harder to resist.

I really enjoyed the diversity in this novel—and the food descriptions alone were enough to make me drool. This was a fairly straightforward read, with no unexpected surprises. Being in Julia’s viewpoint was a lot of fun, and Rocco was a genuinely nice guy, although his personality changed from sweet, polite, and nice anytime he and Julia were intimate, and the abrupt switch seemed forced and inauthentic.

The secondary characters were all fun and vibrant, but came across more as clichés than anything else, which was disappointing to me. Still, this was a solid, easy read.

Adriana Herrera was born and raised in the Caribbean. Here to Stay is her new novel.

(Galley courtesy of Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.)