4.5 stars

The first book in this series, Here to Stay, was my introduction to this author. Although I enjoyed that book, I’ve only had a chance to read one other since then. It was one of her historical romance books and I’m here to tell you, Adriana Herrera writes beautifully in both contemporary and historical. I need to get onto reading some of her back library because I always enjoy her writing.

Alba was endearing from the very beginning. While this story does show both Alba’s and Theo’s POV, it starts with Alba for the first few chapters. And boy did I wonder about Theo. He is set up to be a rich perfectionist who is standoffish with Alba. Yet it’s mentioned that most people love Theo and he’s a kind and considerate boss. So you know there has to be more to him than meets the eye when we meet him through Alba’s eyes. Truly, the man made me swoon when we pick up the story from his POV. Theo’s got it bad and has for years. He’s just very aware that he is Alba’s boss and never wants her to feel uncomfortable.

Theo does have some rich guy problems, but he’s not too bad. What I mean by that is Theo does sometimes think he can fix things with money. Yet he’s very aware of how strong and independent Alba is and takes the advice his stepmother and sister give him and he’s careful about buying his way to her heart. Theo is quickly shown to be what everyone (other than Alba) says he is, a thoughtful and caring person. He has issues with the feeling he has to live up to everyone’s expectations, which is the same but different from Alba’s issues of feeling she has to take care of everyone. The difference is that since Theo is rich and in charge of a very successful company that he’s assumed to be doing what he wants and is happy with his life’s course.

While Alba and Theo are both immigrants to a certain extent, Alba carries a lot of scars from when she first moved to America and nobody in her family spoke English. Alba, at a young age, went from being taken care of to being a caregiver in a way. Having to navigate the world for herself as well as for her parents. At the same time, Theo never felt he fully fit into his Greek roots or his Dominican roots, always feeling a bit of an outsider.

These two as a couple are fire. This is a slow burn, but so hot even before these two even kiss. There are different levels of a slow burn and this one doesn’t even seem like it’s a slow burn because the couple is so hot together no matter what they’re doing. Once the line is finally crossed, Theo and Alba prove to be raunchy in the best way possible.

Even though Alba is stubborn, I love that Theo always seems to understand why she’s so intense when it comes to her work and career. He grew up with money but understands she did not and never had the safety nets he has had in his life. Theo is very patient, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t make some major missteps. There is so much character growth for both Alba and Theo and it was so lovely to read.

Thanks to Harlequin Publicity Team for the complimentary finished copy and the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

I’ve been so excited to read On the Hustle by Adriana Herrera since someone first started listing its tropes. In the end this book really satisfies, with a “he chases her bc he’s secretly had feelings for her,” plotline & a FMC who doesn’t take shit from our demanding, authoritative hero & makes him re-evaluate some very necessary things.

Alba Duarte is such a great lead. She actually designs spaces for bibliophile-lovers (is this a real thing someone can buy for me, thanks) & when she’s given a chance for a big design in Texas while she’s visiting her BFF Julia she decides to stay there, throwing the boss she’s just given notice to—who happens to secretly have been lusting for her for years— in a tizzy.

Said boss Theodoro is soon given a chance to film a reality tv show in Texas which will one, allow him to help his business, & two, eventually allow him to win Alba over once he gets her hired to design the space he’s working on for the show.

It’s fun seeing how Theodoro opens himself up once he’s no longer Alba’s boss & how she makes him question some of the things he thought about her & his own life.

The beginning starts off really strong for me, & the steam is so good, but the ending is a little wobbly. It feels like at least one thing is wrapped up pretty quickly. There are also moments when it’s a little challenging for me to understand how Theodoro could be so cold as her boss & then magically switch a flip to someone warmer, something Alba has some issues understanding as well.

But I love the book references, how she doesn’t magically fall into his arms, how he defends her, & how the FMC is the workaholic with extreme ambition in this one.

All in all another fun, steamy powerhouse contemporary from AH.

This is a hot, spicy read filled with great Dominican pride, a strong woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants, and a quiet, supportive hero who has been secretly pining after his heroine for years. Alba quits her job working for Theo to go out on her own with her small business designing rooms around bookish themes. Theo can't believe she left NYC and left him and decides that now Alba no longer works for him he can go after her in the hopes of finally winning her heart. Alba can't believe it when Theo shows up in Dallas and, not only are the working together on the same project, but also Theo is so different from the rude, gruff jerk she worked for the past three years.

These two really have some chemistry. I loved Theo and the way he quietly and subtly goes after Alba. He wants nothing more than her happiness and to take care of her. Alba is great. She is strong and feisty and so admirable. I love how well Herrera is in interweaving Dominican culture through her books. We get to see characters from the previous book in the series which is always fun. I really enjoyed the language relating to a love of books and reading found through Alba. Any avid reader will love that. Overall, this is a great read that I believe any romance reader would enjoy.

Alba Duarte is hustling to support herself and family with several jobs, including assistant to the demanding Theo Ganas. Realizing it’s time to focus on self and career, Alba resigns and relocates to Dallas, only to unexpectedly find Theo has followed! In Dallas, Alba fights a long simmering attraction while Theo fights to break through the walls around Alba’s heart.

On The Hustle took the Boss-Assistant trope and intertwined it with the pitfalls of hustle culture. Alba’s determination to grow and seize every opportunity left her stretched thin while Theo’s desire to be everything to everyone made him miss what people truly needed. This book felt very current and relatable.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Adriana Herrera STAN account! She never misses when it comes to romance. She knows how to write main characters and get you invested in the story. And the steam is on point (IYKYK)!! I ate this story up! You’ve got strong, confident and sexy Alba on one hand and sauve, charming and 'hands on' Theo on the other – a perfect storm. The chemistry and banter between Alba and Theo was *chef’s kiss*. And can I just mention the co-stars in this story – Alba’s bestie and Theo’s stepmom – were hilarious! This enemies to lovers romance was just so delicious! If you are looking for your next steamy read, you will want to pick this one up!

I really loved this romance. Alba and Theo are such a great couple. Theo is definitely swoon worthy. I loved how he had patience with Alba while she tried to get a grip on her insecurities. This story was so relatable like other reviewers said. I was thoroughly entertained.

ON THE HUSTLE follows Alba Serena Duarte as she juggles three jobs to provide for her family, and for the future of her promising interior design company, Bookish Boudoir. Her only problem? The sexy, uptight Theo Ganas - her (former) boss.

This is only my second book of Adriana’s that I have read, and damn, did I love it. Alba is a hardworking Dominicana that refuses to have a bad day because her family depends on her and her hustle. I resonated so much with Alba’s experience, and her own struggle between pursuing her dreams, or letting them fall apart to be there for those who need her most.

Theo Ganas? I can only describe my love for Theo in emojis:
He is charming, he is kind, and a real pleaser, too. Alba and Theo’s chemistry was off the charts, and I will never forget the pool scene. And the barn scene.

All in all, another spectacular and relatable romance from Adriana!

I’ll come out and say it; this is one of the goddamn sexiest romance books I’ve read in a while. Whew! Alongside a lot of lip-smacking and eating (wink wink), the sex did not deter from the story. We have the grumpy ex-boss that turns out to be a hero in all of your favorite films and the feisty Latina who will do anything to make sure her dreams of becoming a bookish home designer come true. I like these characters, even though they both are painstakingly prideful. I enjoyed watching them try to figure out the space between them. While Alba was pretty much in denial, Theo became the man of his word through and through. I liked that for them.

I rated this 4.5 stars. It definitely had me in my feelings, and I’m so happy it was a standalone series that I don’t have to refer back to.

To be honest half the time I read a romance it’s hard not to roll my eyes at the general nonsense that’s in them. Luckily this book wasn’t one of those I liked it a lot and that’s probably because Alba and Theo are so likable. Considering that this is only the 2nd contemporary romance that I’ve given 5 stars to this year it says something about how much I liked it.

They story goes...

Alba decided it’s time to quit her job as a PA and focus on her own business of book theme interior designing. What she doesn’t expect is finding an opportunity while visiting her friend in Dallas. After a life time of sacrificing and doing everything and putting everyone before her in her family it’s time to focus on herself and her own ambition. All of which is thrown into chaos when her former boss shows up and her new job turns into a reality show where they have to work together. After three years working together Theo finally has the opportunity to pursue Alba since she no longer works for him. He’s a patient and determined man with a plan to get the woman that had no idea that he’s had feelings for her. The course of love reality shows and renovations does not run smooth of course. But the journey along the way is thoroughly enjoyable and very steamy.

I loved Alba and Theo and I liked their friends it’s was a cute story. Now I have to go back and read Julia’s book since it came first. Always looking forward to what the author has coming next.

Excellent chemistry between the two main characters, loved Alba and her whole journey throughout the book. Such a good time!

Adriana Herrera’s newest book is out in the world and it is utter perfection! I fell hard and fast for Alba and Theo and it was so wonderful to be back with the whole Gotham Exiles crew.

Alba has worked for her strict, exacting boss, Theo for three years when she finally gets the courage up to put in her two weeks notice to pursue her dreams of making her side business Bookish Boudoir—a book themed room makeover service—into her full time job. Theo, who has been wildly attracted to Alba since the day she came in for her interview has kept a mountain up between them and he’s secretly thrilled when she puts in her notice because it means he can finally pursue her. His plans go comply awry however, when she writes to him from Dallas to say she will not in fact be returning to New York to finish her remaining two weeks. After a frantic and growly call from him demanding to know where she is, Theo shows up in Dallas with a career making opportunity for Alba. Knowing she cannot refuse, she begrudgingly agrees to film a home improvement reality TV show with her former boss. But the cold, distant boss she knew seems to have been left behind in New York, and this new charming, flirtatious version who just wants to take care of Alba has her feeling things she wasn’t expecting.

Here are some of the things you can expect from this one:

- boss/employee - roommates/coworkers - lovers
- forced proximity
- an independent, grumpy, bi, heroine allergic to vulnerability and a sunshiney hero who just wants to take care of her
- a hero who falls first (and hard) & gets social media just for her
- scorching steam hotter than the hottest texas summer and so much 🐱👅
- the best found family group of friends
- top notch banter that had me laughing and sweating in equal measure, ie “Is my choice of clothes really what you want to talk about?”“ Red looks stupid on you.” He chuckled and licked his lips. Licked. His. Lips. I swear on my life I felt the ghost of that tongue on my nipple”
- The most accurate description of Texas heat i’ve ever read - “The summer is so hot I literally feel like my soul is leaving my body just from walking from my car to the door of my building on campus.”

I loved this book so much. I cannot get enough of the characters Adriana writes, her focus on Dominican family, food, and culture, and her inclusive and joyful plots that never shy away from tackling heavier topics with attention and care. I have been shouting about Adriana’s books for years at this point and if you read nothing else I recommend, i hope you’ll read her books. Thanks so much to harlequin for this beautiful finished copy!

✨𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘✨

THIS BOOK!! This is good representation done right!
Alba is Dominican and BEYOND proud of where she comes from & where she's going. She works for an a-hole, but don't worry.. it won't be for long.
Theo is our half-dominican/half greek MMC who hides his secret pining behind a wall of douchebagel attitude. He was just biding his time to make his move. Of course, there's a wrench thrown into those plans when his girl decides to move STATES away. What's a uber rich CEO to do? Follow her to make her fall in love, of course.

What followed was a bunch of heat, laughs and heartfelt moments. I related so much to both characters in different ways. With Alba, it was how PROUD she was being Dominican. But also, with Theo, it’s the feeling of not fitting in when you’re mixed race/ethnicity. Reading their inner thoughts had me connecting so much with both of them in different ways. Even the side characters, I love everything about this book. Also, the SPICE? 🔥🥵. Theo’s dirty talk, I’m a sucker for a vocal man 😂. Also, a man who pays attention, that part where he shows Alba, he noticed every single thing about her, even (or especially) when he was her a-hole boss? 😍😍😍

The writing style kept me engaged also, literally read this in one sitting, while at work 😂.

The Queen has done it again. Adriana is a masterful storyteller. I recently read her book A Caribbean Heiress in Paris and have since then fallen headfirst into her backlist. The banter in this book was top tier, the chemistry was so freaking good, the heart and storytelling, the tension and tv show element oh my gosh it was just so DELICIOUS. I loved the diversity, representation, the way he paid attention to her, the way she helped him sort out his things. EVERYTHING. So good.

On the Hustle by Adriana Herrera is a totally satisfying read! This amazing author has managed to create main characters with humor, passion, substance and believability. For three years Alba Duarte has worked as a personal assistant to Theo Ganas, former Olympian and scion to a real estate empire. While working for the standoffish but appealing Theo, Alba has handled the many tasks he set before her with aplomb, while simultaneously serving as the gatekeeper to her family AND nurturing her gift for design by creating book themed bedroom makeovers. Talk about wearing many hats! Alba is ready for a transition and tells Theo that after her vacation she plans to hand in her two weeks’ notice. Theo appears to be surprisingly unbothered by the idea of his hard-working assistant leaving. Alba heads to Dallas for a much-needed vacation and to reconnect with her best friend. However, when Alba receives an offer of employment and the chance to remain in Dallas, Theo’s calm is shattered. For the three years that Alba has worked with him, Theo has been biding his time, not wanting to initiate a relationship while he is her superior. Now he too must hustle in order to show Alba that he has real feelings for her! Theo’s plans involve him moving to Dallas and partnering with Alba on a design show, what could possibly go wrong. This story resonates on many levels; Alba’s inability to trust that she is enough and her sheer drive to succeed is heartbreaking AND inspiring. We also get to see the many layers of Theo’s commitment and devotion to Alba even as her uncertainties and insecurities push him away. Ms. Herrera has given us a swoon worthy hero and a flawed but sparkling heroine. We could not ask for anything more. On a closing note, the tangible villain of this story is Chase and while he did not get a written comeuppance, I am confident that somewhere in literary land he was given his walking papers!

I'm so glad I saw a friend rec this book and immediately went to request it on NetGalley. I decided I wanted to read the first in the series before I read the eARC and I'm so glad I did. It's still a standalone but I loved knowing this friend group and getting to revisit the characters again.

Read this one for:
- All the Texas vibes
- A beautiful friend group
- Latinx representation
- A hero who is GONE FOR HER FOR YEARS
- Women being boss babes and going after their dreams
- Some mad dirty talk and spice
- A heroine who loves books and creates an entire business around loving books
- Buffy The Vampire Slayer love and references!

This really has amazing cultural representation and I'm here for it. I enjoyed continuing on in the series with Alba a career focused and driven woman and Theo, the one who loved her for years. When Alba finally quits working for Theo to pursue her own business and dreams, she leaves NYC and Theo is frantic. Theo decides the only way he can get to her is by getting his Dad's company he runs on a reality TV show with him as a B list celebrity and Alba as the designer for the show. This has to happen in Texas, because Alba has gone there to visit her best friend and start her company.

I loved how Theo wanted to help and support Alba in all her dreams. As her former boss, he was a grumpy demanding and still very hot fixture in Alba’s life. When Theo’s plan to win Alba involves a reality show where she heads up design, Dallas Theo comes to play and he’s an entire new man Alba can’t resist.

This book was fun, has heart, and characters who make one another better with how they support each other. I highly recommend giving it a read!

Thank you to Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read this book….not once…or twice…but THREE TIMES! (The first time I finished it in one sitting)

Getting to know Alba Duarte and Theo Ganas was so much fun!

Talk. about all the FEELS- I will never get tired of recommending this book. to all my friends and. romance book lovers!

If you love romance you will love this book. It carries some heat and the dirty talk that will have you smiling while you are reading 😬🥵😇

All while shining a light on how many of the oldest child in an immigrant home carry the weight of their families well being on their shoulders, but deserve a break-having a man come into your life that makes you take care of yourself and put yourself first!

Of course that throws you for a whirlwind…..but in my opinion WE ALL NEED A THEO in our life!

I am absolutely LOVING the Dating in Dallas series featuring strong independent Dominican American women making success happen in life, work and love.

Full of found family, swoony love interests and super STEAMY love scenes. This dual POV, forced proximity workplace romance between Alba and Theo - former boss/employee turned co-hosts of a reality tv show was great on audio and had amazing character growth to boot.

Highly, highly recommended and I also really enjoyed the fact that Alba is bisexual and career-focused, not looking for love but unable to resist her smoking hot, former Olympic swimmer boss who has been secretly pining after her for years!

Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Adriana Herrera cannot miss this year. Another 5 star read.

Alba quits her job, finally free from her demanding yet sexy boss, and decides to stay in Dallas after landing a killer opportunity to renovate a library for the foundation her best friend works for. But before she knows it, Theo, her demanding and uh...very sexy ex-boss is in town, and they're hosting a reno tv show together. It's not long before Alba realizes Theo may have had another reason to head to Texas.

UGH this love story was so sweet yet as scorching as the Texas summer sun. Theo & Alba's love story has all the trappings of a romance feast:
- he falls first/he's OBSESSED with her (and her ass)
- she hates being vulnerable/needing help, yet he keeps delivering on what she needs
- banter for days
- found family! - a NY transplant group of friends (from Here to Stay)
- steammmy scenes including a pool scene, a shed during a Texas hailstorm...
- discovering yourself away from familial obligations
- Alba runs a book-themed room makeover company that sounded like everything I've ever wanted and more - Bookish Boudoir
- she's bi <3
- all the Latinx culture

I enjoyed this book so much! It was very sweet, full of so many amazing friendships, and unexpected feels!

4.5-stars rounded up to 5

I’ve read some of Herrera’s other works before so I knew to expect the excellent writing and beautiful storytelling, the lgbtq inclusive characters, and, being Dominican herself, that the characters would also have this background. Other than that, I went into it quite blind, simply knowing that I would love it whatever the plot was about - and I loved every single second, and every single word.

Alba Serena (or, insert other made up middle name here! IYKYK) worked as Theo Ganas’s assistant at his family real estate firm for 3 years, before she finally quits to take on her side-gig of designing bedrooms as book-themes full time, and moves to Dallas (really, she went to visit her friend for a week, was offered a fantastic opportunity and stayed… she meant to go back to NYC!). When he’s suddenly at a loss, that he’s not her boss anymore and can finally do something about his feelings, but she’s left town with no notice, he gives in to the reality TV renovation show that has been hounding him for years, and sets it up to suddenly be to take on the project Alba has agreed to do in Dallas… what could possibly go wrong with a decision like that?!

Alba and Theo’s interactions right from the beginning let the reader know that it’s going to be an explosive chemistry reaction, as soon as they can both give in and let their feelings take over, and let the former boss-employee dynamic go. It was beautifully written, pacing, steam, chemistry - everything was just right, and I definitely recommend this for everyone to pick up!

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin), Carina Trade, and this is my honest feedback.

Thanks to CArina Press and NEtgalley for this advanced copy!

I am loving this Dating in Dallas series from Adriana Herrera. This book opens with Alba finally moving on with her life, taking her dream and making it happen by quitting her job working for hunky Theo and moving to Dallas to follow her designer dreams. But Theo follows and ooo boy, it is steamy. Theo was such a great character, he is hot, hunky, knows what he wants, but actually understands boundaries and cares about Alba's dreams and needs. And Alba is so fun. She's smart, sassy, does the work, and clearly makes Theo spin. Also, does a company like hers exist in real life and can it? It sounded amazing!

Overall, I found this to be fun, hot, and, at times, a really touching story of lifting up your partner's dreams and moving on with your life. I can't wait to read more of Herrera's books and I hope she keeps this series going!