The second book in Oliveras' Key to Love series, Anchored Hearts is an excellent example of a second chance romance. Oliveras is really good at using the characters' families to make the main character's romance so much more real and emotional.

Alejandro left Key West to escape an overbearing father and to follow his dream of becoming a photographer. Anamaria chooses to stay home with her family instead of joining Alejandro's adventures around the world. Instead, she became a firefighter and fitness expert. Fate, however, has other plans, and when Alejandro is forced back to the island, old wounds resurface and sparks fly.

I want to first say this, specifically because it affects the rating of this novel: I've never cared for second chance romances. Blasphemy, right?!? My silly reason is that I've never liked for anything to break up the couple once they fall in love (I'm weird, I know.)

But here's the thing: I LOVED this book. I was nervous because of my aversion of this trope, but I was very surprised how emotional Oliveras made this story. My favorite thing about this novel is how the author made their reason for breaking up very believable. Normally that's the part of the book that has me in disbelief, but Oliveras really pulled it off. It seemed so natural that young love is passionate and it isn't always selfless. I really liked their story and how they are reunited. Another excellent part of this novel is Oliveras' depiction of two, close Cuban families and how their lives are all intertwined. They were both emotional and realistic and loving and passionate. And there was a lot of humor, which I adore.

The only issue I had with the novel was that the romance felt rushed. The majority of the book is them getting to know each other again, which is great, but I wanted more detail of their romance. It ended rather abruptly. However, there is no cliffhanger. That's not what I'm saying. But once they realize what they want from each other, the book ends quickly, I wish I had more of their time together. Also, in case anyone is wondering, there is a little bit of foreplay, but the sexual relationship is closed-door.

Overall, I adored this novel and will DEFINITELY be reading her other books. She does a wonderful job with emotion, love, and family.

*I was given an ARC of this novel by Netgalley to review for an honest review.*

An immersive own-voices contemporary romance set within the Latin community of Key West Florida.
I felt submerged in the beautiful family oriented culture of the hero and heroine. Alejandro is recuperating from a serious injury and his family enlists the help of his childhood sweetheart, who is a fire fighter/EMT to help.

There are numerous second chances to right relationships within this book. I wasn't totally sold on the romantic relationship of the H/h, but I am assuming that if you have read the first book in this series (which I have not) the story continues well. I feel I need to go back and read that book first to establish myself in the character's world.

I don't read a lot of 2nd chance romances, but I'm really glad I read this one! I loved catching up with the Navarro siblings in this second installment in their series!

I was in a reading slump when I started the book but this pulled me out of it, especially the back half of the book. Priscilla's writing transported me again to Key West and reminded me how much I want to visit.

I'd absolutely recommend this book especially if you're a fan of the 2nd chance trope. It's got a medium level of steam and the content is light and joyful. Some parent/child relationships struggle, but nothing extra heavy.

This is really a perfect cute summer read with the summer island setting and I wish I were reading in out in the sun instead of a sark room, but I guess you cannot have everything.
I am usually not a super fan of second chance romances. Usually in these types of romances the first break up is for the most stupid reasons that could have been solved so easily, and I hate it. But, in this book I think the second chance romance were really done well and felt like a very believable first break up from both parties. It showed how both parties saw the situations and I really liked it. I liked the aspects that the couple’s jobs had a prominent feature in the book. I especially loved that the guy was a photographer, and my fingers were itching to go out with my own camera. I also liked the social media aspects of the story from the girl’s job. Family is a very prominent theme of the story which I really enjoyed, and both had two really meddling mothers that was fun to read about.

I really had a great time with this book, and I really want to read more from this author, and I really want to get my hands on the first book in the series!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book! I loved Island Affair, I read it in one night and absolutely loved the story of Sara and Luis. I liked Anchored Hearts, especially the slow burn of the relationship of Luis's sister Anamaría and Alejandro. It is a second chance romance that immerses you in the Cuban-Latinx culture in Key West, FL. I love this series because it makes me feel like I'm on the beach in Key West no matter where I am actually reading the book. However, I would have loved to see more depth in these characters that I felt in Island Affair but still liked the book! I hope Oliveras continues this series!

Anchored Hearts by @prisoliveras is a beautifully written story about reacquainted high school sweethearts. This is the sequel to Island Affair, in the “Keys to Love” series. So I am going to admit I loved this book more than Island Affair. Don’t get me wrong I loved Island Affair but Anamaría and Alejandro’s story was just so much more compelling.

In Anchored Hearts there’s a moving scene at the end, I won’t spoil it, but I was moved to tears. I’m proud of my 🇨🇺 Cuban roots and I loved seeing my culture on paper. Also Cuban mami guilt is real, and so is catholic school guilt 😂

I still love book 1 more (there is more steam there I thought) but this was pretty good.

Anamaria is Luis's (from the first book) sister. She is a part time firefighter with her dad and brothers. She also has a fitness/nutrition business that's she trying to take into the big time with the help of her (almost) sister in law Sara.

Her ex Alejandro comes home after all accident while doing his job as a photographer. He left Anamaria brokenhearted in Key West as he chased his dream. He's on the outs with his father.
Complete with interfering Cuban mamas, can Ana and Ale fine their way back to each other.

This was fun. I love how descriptive things in the book are. Felt like I was right there in Key West with them all.

I was so excited for this one because it looked like a quick fun beach read, but it was a little slow for me in the beginning. I saw so many really good reviews on this one so I am not sure why I just could not get into it. But once I got into the story I truly loved it! I love a book that includes some family drama and a good second chance romance. The characters were all truly lovable, and the romance between Anamaria and Alejandro was so cute. I never read Island Affair, the first book in the romance series, but I will definitely be picking it up in the future. I haven't read a book based in Key West so I thought that was a fun tropical setting, perfect for a romance.

Anamaria Navarro hasn't seen or spoken to Alejandro Miranda for over ten years, since the day he left to pursue his dreams of being a professional photographer and Anamaria made the decision not to follow him. This subsequently ended their young relationship, breaking both of their hearts in the process.

After suffering an accident while out on a shoot, Ale has reluctantly returned home to Key West to recuperate. He didn't leave on the best of terms. Besides leaving Anamaria behind, a rift with his father caused Ale to scarcely visit in the ten plus years he's been away.

He's not looking forward to facing his father again, and to be honest, he's not looking forward to seeing Anamaria either.

Actually the feeling is mutual, but both of their mothers are bound and determined to bring Anamaria and Ale together at every possible opportunity. To get them off their backs they may just have to face the history that hangs between them, and the feelings that don't seem to have gone away.

All it took in the first book for me to get interested was the small mention we get from Anamaria about getting her heartbroken years ago by her boyfriend. That's it. I was hooked. I knew there would be a story and I'm so happy that we got it in Anchored Hearts.

I'm such a sucker for a second chance romance and Priscilla Oliveras really delivers. Not only on the romance itself, but I could feel the ache between Anamaria and Ale for what broken between them all those years ago. In every interaction they had while they were still tentatively trying to avoid one another, it was such a palpable feeling between them. But I loved that Priscilla Oliveras was really able to tap into that emotion because it made the resolution so much sweeter.

The idea of being young and in love is not a new subject in romance. I appreciated the fact that these two were coming together again after they had time to find themselves and figure out what they wanted out of their lives. It makes a relationship stronger when you don't have to sacrifice who you are and what you want to be for someone else which is what Anamaria would have had to do had she followed Ale in the first place. I love the idea of a relationship forming around who you are as individuals rather than changing you to be someone else in order to make the relationship.

But Anamaria and Ale's relationship isn't the only one that has been fractured, Ale's relationship with his father suffered the moment he decided to pick up a camera. His father saw this as Ale abandoning his family, his history by not taking his place in the family restaurant. It's similar to the first book with Sara's family not understanding / taking seriously her job as an influencer. But instead of not taking Ale's talent seriously, it's more that his father felt betrayed by his son turning his back on what he had painstakingly built over the years.

It all wraps around the history of Cubans coming to America, specifically children who were sent to America on their own by their parents in what was known as Operation Peter Pan. They had to carve out a new life from nothing at very young ages with little to no family support. Ale may have not been able to appreciate all that his father accomplished when he was younger, but his travels have taught him so much about his culture and the human spirit. It's just a point of being able to push past the hurt to show his father that he holds his family and their history in high regard. It's one of the most touching aspects of the story, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up in a few spots.

Overall, I think I enjoyed Anchored Hearts more than the first book. And if we're going on trend that means I should love the next book the most! I'm assuming Navarro sibling Enrique will be featured next. His mysterious abandonment of the art he loved so much is mentioned quite a few times and I'm thinking it's time we get some answers.

This so far has been a really enjoyable series with such heart and depth and wonderful family connections. You can certainly read this second book without having read the first, but I'll guarantee you'll want to go back and start from the beginning if you do.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I previously reviewed the 1st title in the series, but this book may be read as a standalone.

Annamaria Navarro is the only daughter with 3 brothers in Key West, and she was introduced in the first book as a personal trainer, nutrition consultant and firefighter. So basically a kickass beautiful and smart protagonist in this second chance love story. Annamaria, or AM as she is called by familia, was childhood friends and later sweethearts/ first love with Alejandro Miranda, a gifted photographer. Ale's dad runs a successful Cuban restaurant Miranda's. Because Alejandro chose to pursue his photography, his dad cut him off. He stayed close with his brother Ernesto and his Mami but never returning to Key West until he has an accident with a waterfall and returns home to recuperate. Years ago when they were 18 or 19, Annamaria didn't want to leave home to be with him because she was afraid she wasn't enough for him or would lose her own identity.

A beautifully written tale of second chances, familia and love. Do reccomend this book when it comes out 4/27/21. I hope there will be a 3rd book about Enrique and a certain art dealer. Bonus points to inclusion w/ LGBTQ community of Key West.

3.5 Stars
I really liked this enemies to lovers/ second chance romance. There were so many sweet things and steamy moments that give you all the feels. For me, I didn’t love all of the miscommunication! Plus I just didn’t see this couple as believable, like they would stand against all the problems that will come their way. Neither of them are really willing to bend and change. In my opinion, at least. I still enjoyed the story, and I loved Island Affair. I would definitely recommend these for beach/poolside reading!

I really enjoyed this one! It was fun to continue the story started in Island Affair with different characters. I also like the atmosphere of Key West and the history brought in from Cuba. I do wish we got more of what happens after they make up and decide to be together.

This second chance romance was such a delight to read and lived up to my most ultimate favourite trope. It’s filled with a lot of family dynamics that you begin to feel like you’re right there sitting at the kitchen table as a part of the familia, along with delicious food mentions and of course, close door steamy moments. The complicated relationship between Alejandro and his papi and Anamaria (along with her family) helping Alejandro work through it was so sweet.

There were also moments of frustration with Alejandro and Anamaria not realizing what each other felt had me nearly pulling my hair out because their pride and stubbornness got in the way of getting back together again. But although there were these frustrating moments, there were so many more tender moments that melted your heart and made you feel sympathetic for them too.

Overall, it was a delightful read that makes you feel like you’re on the island soaking up some rays and loving life.

Anchored Hearts is the second book in the Keys to Love series. I absolutely adored the first one, so got really excited when my request to read this Arc was accepted.

With that being said, I love Priscilla’s writing. I love her storytelling and her ability to really take us and insert us into the setting of the story. I enjoyed the second chance romance theme a lot and was happy that it also focused on family, on culture, traditions, and FOOD! I love being able to travel to Key West during a time when travel has been so limited. This one has a little more steam than the first book and a little less if that insta-love. A fun, quick, summer type book to get the season started!

Two High School sweethearts are reunited after more than 10 years apart in this second chance RomCom. Anchored Hearts, the second in the Keys to Love Series, follows Key West’s Princesa, AnanMaria and Alejandro who left years ago without looking back.

This slow burn romance is filled with Cuban culture, meddlesome mamas and wild antics to bring these two back together. The author manages beautifully the translations from Spanish to English throughout the story. And, ultimately what is predictable between the two leaves the reader wanting more as it felt rushed through the final few chapters.

Anchored Hearts provides the ideal back drop for a fun summer read - 3.5 stars. Book is available April 27.

Thank you Net Galley for a courtesy copy for an honest review.

3.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an e-ARC of Anchored Hearts!

Overall, I enjoyed this second chance romance between high-school sweethearts, Anamaria and Alejandro. After an on-the-job injury brings Alejandro back home to Key West to recover, he and Anamaria reconnect and despite the years apart, their connection is still so strong and it becomes clear their love for each other hasn't gone anywhere.

Things I really liked about this story:
- Anamaria and Alejandro's chemistry and playful banter. They easily fell back into their old ways together and it was really sweet.
- The overall storyline - I liked seeing what tore the couple apart all those years ago and how they found their way back to each other.
- Their families!! While very meddling, they were also very loving - they were great side characters and I'm hoping we get Anamaria's brother (Enrique) story next. Also, the banter between the families was great - lots of playful jabbing.
- The setting! Loved being in Key West and learning all about their families history in Cuba.

The only downsides for me:
- I felt, at times, the plot dragged just a little bit.
- I wish their was a little more romance in it! I think I went in with different expectations on the level of romance we were getting, so I was a bit let down from that perspective.
- There was use of miscommunication towards the end that I didn't feel was really necessary (thankfully it was resolved quickly so wasn't too bad but still...).

Overall, this is a very sweet, funny, second-chance romance that would make a great beach read!

I really want to like this book. I love the idea, but....I DNFed at 45%. The plot - not just the romance, the whole plot - is moving SO SLOW. There are too many repetitive scenes. Also, the writing is heavy on using incomplete sentences with gerunds, making the style choppy and difficult to understand sometimes.

As much as I love the concept, this author is just not for me.

This book was very well written. I loved that the story was set in Key West and how vivid the scenery was. The characters were amazing.

I enjoyed this book. It really is a love story in more than one way. Of course we get it from the two MCs, but it’s also a love story between a father and son, a love of family, and an ode to Cuba. The writing paints a picture and also made me hungry at times.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow I loved this book. It was a second chance romance between Alejandro and Anamaría old family friends and high school sweethearts who haven't seen each other in years. When Alejandro comes home after an injury their families are on the prowl to get them back together. I love their big Latinx family community and the setting of key west. It's the perfect beach read. Both characters are strong independent leads. I loved that Anamaria is a boss ass bitch who is running her own business, helps the community and her family she is the perfect female lead. I didn't realize this was a book 2, so now i need to go back and read the first book. Thankfully it can be read as a stand alone as well!