Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books Zebra for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of Anchored Hearts.
I was excited to be approved for this book, and then I learned it was the second in the Keys to Love series, so I first read Island Affair to make sure I knew the full story!
I'm not usually a fan of second chance romance stories, but I really enjoyed this book. And being able to read it while in Key West, where the story is set, was pretty amazing! Priscilla Oliveras writes a fun, engaging story, and I think anyone would enjoy escaping into this great romance! It's out today - check it out!

What a joy this was to read! Give me all the Key West Cuban vibes! I need them in Maine right now 🥴

There was so much I loved about this book. Obviously the setting, but the characters were so well developed. I felt like I became friends with them. Anamaría was such a bad ass character with a heart of gold, and Alejandro, bless his heart. I hurt for him with his relationship with his father. I loved watching A & A’s love unfold again. First love that was meant to be is a beautiful thing when it comes back together.

I wound up heartbroken at times, and then put back together. The images that were painted by Oliveras’ words made me feel as if I were truly scarfing down Cuban food in the Key West heat while staring at the clear blue waters. I loved it!

Thank you to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I liked anamaria in the first book so I wanted to read her story but I maybe should have passed on this one because I’m generally not a huge fan of the second chance romance trope.

This was a little too angsty for me. There was too much fighting and not enough fun sexy banter.

I’m also not a huge fan of meddling families and I wasn’t sold on Alejandro. I just really didn’t like him.

I Mostly read this for the Key West setting because I loved that in the first book.

This is the 2nd book in the Keys to Love series and it can be read as a stand-alone.

I received an ARC of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Heartwarming and fun.
Anchored hearts is a story about first love, family and second chances. Full of cuban culture and delicious food.
I had a little trouble with the spanish/english mixed writting, but overall it was a sweet and enjoyable story. This is the second book in a series but can be read as a standalone.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for this eARC.

http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeepleasemx

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an e-galley of Anchored Hearts.

I loved Island Affair, the first book in this series, and was thrilled to continue in this family saga. (You do not have to read book 1 in order to enjoy/appreciate Anchored Hearts).

Anamaria is the only daughter in her family, and thus her nickname is Princesa. Alejandro does not have the best relationship with his father, but when a broken leg requires him to come home 12 years after he left Anamaria behind. As the two are continuously thrown together by their meddling mothers, they resign themselves to being in the same orbit and reach an uneasy truce. Anamarie knows that Ale will leave without her, again, as soon as he has the opportunity.

However, it appears that neither AM or Ale has been able to move on from their past relationship. Can fences be mended when it appears neither is headed down the same path?

This is the second book in a series. I didn’t know that so I quickly dove into the first book in the keys series. I enjoyed the first so I dove into this one. Annamaria is kickass! I love how Priscilla paints a picture of romance. She leaves no detail Untold. You feel like you are right there on the beautiful island experiencing life with the characters in her books. You could read this book alone but it would be best read in the series.

A delightful and rich story
4 stars

This is the second book in Oliveras’ Keys to Love series, set in the sultry Florida Keys and centred around the Navaros clan. The first book in the series was the delightful Island Affair and even though that book whetted our appetite for this second-chance romance, you don’t have to read the books together or in any order as each stands completely alone.

Anamaría is a kick-ass heroine that I really admired. She’s quick to admit her failings - perhaps too quick - but also knows what she’s working with. She’s that great blend of vulnerable and strong that makes you connect with a character and see yourself in her while also rooting for her.

Alejandro was slightly more complex and I definitely felt he had more growing and learning to do over the course of the book than Anamaría did. But I still loved him. He’s grumpy due to his injury that’s brought him back to a place that he never planned to return, but he’s also grumpy because he’s being assailed by all these memories of better times. He’s also funny, cocky and has the sweetest scenes with his little niece, Lulu. Long story short - I loved him.

Together, our couple had a delicious spark that fired up every time they were together and bantered together. For a lot of the book, it’s mostly about the pair learning about each other again, forgiving each other again and then building something of a friendship once again. It was still satisfying when they got together and I sighed at the end in sweet happiness.

But, god dammit, give me an epilogue! I beg you!

As seems to be her norm, Ms Oliveras brings us a story packed full of character and her love of the Keys just shines through. As does her knowledge and understanding of a ‘typical’ Cuban familia and comunidad. You feel the sun shining on your body, you smell the sea and the spices of the cooking and you feel the censure of the traditional mamis! She really transports you to Key West and makes it come to life. I once again played the game of trying to translate the Spanish (of which I speak none) and was very smug with myself when I got it right. But fear not, when there’s Spanish, the characters find a way to get the translation into the narrative so if you don’t understand it you’re never in the dark.

So why not 5 stars? Well, it comes down to 2 things for me. The first is that Anamaría and Alejandro were childhood sweethearts and fully committed to each other as teenagers. This kind of takes away from the ansty, first-time nerves of the pair getting physical with each other as they’ve been there and done that. So our anticipation has to be ramped up in other ways. And for the most part, it was, but Ms Oliveras is pretty much a closed-door sex scene kinda gal and with Anamaría and Alejandro’s history, I really felt we were missing something by not seeing more than we did.

The second reason for 4 stars is simply that I was looking forward to this book so much and could not wait to get my eyes on it. I had enjoyed Island Affair so much and had built this book up that, I suppose, it was never able to live up to my expectations. I wonder if it would have been a solid 5 stars had I read it as a Keys to Love virgin.

This was still a delightful book that brought me back to the heat, heart and love of Key West and the Navarro family. I really enjoyed Priscilla Oliveras’ writing style and how she brings this rich Cuban family to life for me. I look forward to Enrique and Natalia’s story which I’m hoping will be next up in a series I’m very much looking forward to continuing. 4 stars.

This was such a fun and quick romance that I definitely enjoyed. I didn’t actually read the first book in this series. But the joys of romance series is that every book can be read as a standalone.
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I absolutely loved the Key West setting and the second chance romance! I could really feel the connection between Anamaria and Alejandro, and found their miscommunication to be quite realistic.
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Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a quick, fun, and predictable romance. Be sure to go grab your copy today!

Alejandro left the island, his family and Anamaria behind when he followed his dream years ago. He's since avoided coming home because he's disappointed his father in not wanting to work with him in the family business. While Anamaria has worked to move on, she's still hurt over the relationship with Alejandro. Both their families are close to each other and the mothers have been known to get involved in their children's lives, which provides for some funny moments.When Alejandro gets hurt and comes home to recover it's the perfect opportunity for his mom to try to get the two of them together. Although they try to avoid each other, the chemistry is too strong. They have to figure out how to be together with 2 busy careers but most importantly, Anamaria needs to trust him again and he has to work through his problems with his father if there's any hope of returning to the island permanently. Ms. Oliveras is a new author for me and I enjoyed how the characters were developed and the close family relationships each of our main characters have. I received an ARC from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Anchored Hearts is a second chance romance, which is a trope I’m not normally very interested in. I was however pleasantly surprised when reading this book!
This story was so sweet and romantic and the author really had me rooting for the characters, it was especially lovely to see Anamaria grow throughout the book as she pursues her passion. Latinx culture is really showcased throughout this book, which I found really added to the story, both Anamaria and Alejandro’s overly involved families had me laughing throughout! I’m always a fan of a slow burn romance, so I very much enjoyed this aspect of the story, despite the fact that it did seem to drag in places.

Overall, I’d say this book was fairly predictable but very enjoyable, this is the perfect summer/beach read!

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras

Anamaria and Alejandro are forced back together after more than a decade apart, thanks to an accident and some very meddlesome mothers. Now they are dealing with their relationship and breakup and all the decisions in between.

Although I did find the story repetitive and slow. I loved the characters and setting! There was a lot of examining past decisions and being confident with who you are.

Available now! Escape to Key West and immerse yourself in an amazing Cuban family, gorgeous setting and a little romance. Thank you to @greyspromo for my advanced copy!

Anamaria and Alejandro were high school sweethearts whose dreams took them in different directions -- Alejandro to exotic locations to follow his dream of being an accomplished photographer and to escape his father’s disapproval, and Anamaria staying in their Cuban Key West hometown to find her own dreams while staying close to familia. Both were broken-hearted and felt betrayed by the other, so it comes as no surprise that Alejandro’s temporary return after a bad accident 10 years later reopens wounds that have barely healed. With their mamis’ meddling, the two forge a tenuous friendship that turns into something more. Both are unable to ignore the passion they still feel for one another and realize this may be the chance they have to get the closure they need. Because Alejandro is destined to leave again and Anamaria is just beginning to find her own success. But what neither realizes is that their hearts are anchored together, to each other, to their familia, and to their hometown. It will take a lot of healing for these two and their families to reach a HEA…

Thoughts: If you’re looking for more than just a romance novel, this one’s for you! The strong theme of family throughout the novel really separates this book from the rest. Yes, the story centers around two young lovebirds finding their way back to one another, but it’s also about family and a sense of “home”. The way each of these characters cares about and loves one another was just beautiful, and the strain between Alejandro and his father is so tense it’s practically tangible. I loved how each character had their own goals and dreams, and it was poignant and meaningful how the dividing of Anamaria’s and Alejandro’s paths led to each of them finding their own success yet still pining for each other -- they didn’t need one another to be successful but they couldn’t help but be proud of each other’s achievements, even while apart. There are just so many heartfelt and significant messages throughout this story that I was near tears at the end. My only complaint is that I needed an epilogue -- I wasn’t quite ready for this story to end!

**Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.**

I'm kicking myself that I haven't read Priscilla Oliveras before! I just finished reading Anchored Hearts and I would like to go to Key West right now!

Anchored Hearts is the second book in a series, but worked very well as a stand alone for me. A slow burn, conflicted second chance romance. I love that the book is set between two large Cuban American families with deep friendship for each other. I loved the natural flips between Spanish and English in the book.

Alejandro is an award winning photographer who is home after many years with a bad leg injury. He left home years ago after a disagreement with his father and also leaving behind his girlfriend, Anamaria. Anamaria is growing her booming AM Fitness business, an EMT Firefighter and all around helper. Once Alejandro is home, they cannot escape their meddling mamas. I loved getting to read this fun, sweet reconnection.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington for the early read. #PriscillaOliveras #AnchoredHearts

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved that there were many family conflicts happening but it wasn't complicating the story and not hard to follow. I loved that it's not all about romance but also about family. But I did get frustrated by how stubborn Anamaría and Alejandro were. Overall, it was a sweet read and I loved the ending.

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras is a sweet, slow burn, second chance romance. The main characters, Anamaría and Alejandro are both stubborn and ambitious and full of regret over how their relationship ended over a decade ago. Alejandro has been away from home after his father refused to accept his passion for photography instead of him taking over the family business, while Anamaría stayed home, broken hearted, she has finally started pursuing her passion. When a freak accident brings Alejandro home, insert their meddling Cuban Mami’s trying to get them to reunite. I always love when families get involved in their children’s s love lives, and Anchored Hearts was no exception. While there was a lot of Will they or won’t they, there was some truly heart warming moments involving family! This was a quick read that is perfect for sitting my the pool, drinking some fun cocktails!

** spoiler alert ** I was immediately interested in reading Anchored Hearts after spotting the delightful cover. It screamed beach read with its vibrant palette and the synopsis sounded just as promising. (Not that i'll be seeing any beaches anytime soon but we can all dream, right!)

On the whole, I enjoyed the story. The chemistry between the two 'anchored hearts' was evident from the moment they reunited, and I initially enjoyed the 'familia' aspects of the story. I didn't realise this was the second story in a series, but that didn't bother me as the characters were immediately likable and felt authentic. However, the pacing of the story overall seemed extremely laboured, and really dragged for the first two thirds. I also struggled with the repetitiveness of some of the dialogue. I welcome diverse voices and while I'm aware that not everyone speaks fluent Spanish, many of the phrases were rudimentary and I find it hard to believe that most readers wouldn't have understood. There was just so much translating of dialogue that for every sentence containing a piece of dialogue in Spanish, there was a corresponding one with a translation, and this kept pulling me out of the scene. It's clear that the author knows Key West intimately, and this makes many scenes feel so much more authentic, but we could do without entire paragraphs of driving instructions, please.

I have to be honest, I considered abandoning on several occasions because it took until about 70% of the book for the romance to actually really start, but ultimately i'm glad I finished.

And herein lies the biggest problem. This is supposed to be a romance. At several times this felt more about the protagonist's extended families than the rekindled romantic connection. Alejandro and Anamaria spend more time apart than together on the pages. It's frustrating because there was so much potential and I fear the pacing will put some readers off, which means they won't get the satisfying ending. But again, I felt more moved by Alejandro's reconcilation with his father than the ultimate rekindled romance.

I would still recommend reading as we definitely need more diverse voices, and there are some genuinely lovely moments, enough to leave me intrigued for what comes next. I sense a romance between Anamaria's younger brother and a certain art consultant is coming next, and I would like to see how that plays out! ;)

*Thank you to Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily*

I have reviewed on Amazon UK and am awaiting moderation.

It's the time of year where I wish that I was on a beach with a big floppy hat and a cold drink. I've also dreamed of going to Key West for at least 10 years, and I feel like this book delivered on 1. making me feel like I was on a beach and 2. helped me live my Key West dreams.

I loved the chemistry between Anamaria and Alejandro - with a second chance romance I think it can be very easy to just assume there's chemistry and not necessarily show the reader what's there. But this book does a great job of building up the relationship between the two of them over the course of the book. I do wish that the cause for their breakup was explored a bit more between the two of them, but overall, I enjoyed their love story. I love a good slow burn, and this was exactly my speed.

I've also been into food books recently, and this book made me HUNGRY with all the descriptions of food at Miranda's. I recommend not reading on an empty stomach. I also hadn't read the first book prior to this one, but the characters that showed up in this one sold me on needing to read the first book immediately.

10/10 would recommend.

Alejandro and Anamaria were high school sweethearts and planned on travelling the world. All that changed when Anamaria’s father suffered a heart attack and Anamaria chose to stay in Key West to look after him. They broke up and Alejandro left to pursue his dreams.

Alejandro is returning to key west to recover from an accident that will take months of recuperation.
It has been a decade since he was last in Florida and not much has changed except his high school sweetheart who is now a successful influencer, paramedic and fitness instructor.

As Alejandro recovers so does his feelings for Anamaria. The only problem is does she feel the same.

This is a a perfect beach read. The characters are fun and likeable and I absolutely love the extended family and how they interact with each other.

This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.

𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝗪⁣
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Priscilla Oliveras⁣
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 27th April 2021⁣

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𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:⁣
𝘗𝘭𝘰𝘵: “Anchored Hearts” is your typical second chance romance trope: two ex-lovers meet again in adult life and things go from there. As much as I don’t have anything against this kind of trope, the plot of this book just fell flat to me. It held on too long reminiscing the past and there was not much action going on. The idea of the novel is better than the actual novel itself. ⁣
𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨: The book is well written and the story makes sense, however, as mentioned above, there wasn’t anything going on all the time! I wish the author had spent more time focusing on the present rather then on the past. The writing unfortunately wasn’t good enough even to keep me hooked on the more romantic/steamy scenes.⁣
𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴: Now the one thing that saved this book for me were its characters! I loved all of them and really just wanted all their plans to succeed because they are such lovely people! I also loved the Cuban family representation. As much as I’m not Cuban, I too come from Latin America and I can say that the bond in a Latin family is not something one kids with haha⁣
𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵: I didn’t love it and don’t really recommend it. Apparently the first book in the series is better (they can also be read as standalones) but this one was way too slow for me. I don’t recommend. ⁣
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𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: He could appreciate the flower, but she wasn’t his to pluck and take anymore”⁣
𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤: Teenage Dream, by Katy Perry⁣
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝: The Unhoneymooners, by Christina Lauren⁣
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Thank you @netgalley and @zebra for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ⁣

This was an entertaining, well-written book. Anamaria and Alejandro were each other's first loves, and now he has come back to Key West to recover from an injury. Their families are close and they are being pushed together. Can they learn to trust each other as the people they are today? I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.