If you're looking for a journey of what it could look like to reimagine a different life than what you've carefully planned. Out of Office might be the book for you. Gen career minded is experiencing burnout but with a looming promotion, it makes sense to take some time before the next phase of her career. The break came along with a very attentive and ready-to-serve hero. During their time in Panama, the plans start to unravel because a new reality sets in. What if I want to include a partner? Of course, the original plan didn't include the very elusive love and partnership but what if. Let's not get ahead of ourselves because it's only 2 weeks but the time and close proximity the what if becomes louder. If you want to read 2 characters who are struggling with 'work is not who I am but what I do' then you should absolutely read this tender love story.

I am ready to pack up all my things and move to Panama. This is how you write a vacation romance.

Genevieve is all work, no play….just the way her mother raised her. After spending a few months overseeing the final phases of a new resort she is determined to get some well deserved rest and relaxation. Adrian has spent the last 4 months driving Gen around and he he’s not quite ready to let her go. So he invites her to change her plans and come spend her vacation with him at his family property.

There was something that just felt right about these two. Their connection was so easy and normally that would give me pause but I didn’t feel that at all. They are grown people so they were definitely better at expressing themselves. I related so much to their conversations about career pressure and being successful, being happy and learning how to find that balance. Watching them learn each other AND figure out that balance was *chefs kiss*.

The writing was really beautiful. It was like a love letter to Panama and its rich history and culture. AH always has a way of making me feel while reading and this was no different. If you want to read a LOVE story I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to AH Cunningham, Afterglow Books(Harlequin) and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

I read this one while on vacation, laying on the beach, with good food and a drink. Thankfully, it was the perfect vibe to relax and enjoy a sweet love story. The FMC is a workaholic that had to breakaway from her mother's expectant gaze and just live in the moment for herself. She was so relatable, especially with regard to finding balance bewteen her work-life and her own personal fulfillment and joy within herself. Adrian, the MMC, was a complete sweetheart and I completely enjoyed the incorporation of his culture into the story. I also really appreciated the maturity with which the characters relationship conflicts were handled by the author. The author has quite a few books on backlist which I will be purchasing to enjoy based on this book. If you're looking for a sweet vacation romance, with a little bit of angst and wholesome compromise then I definitely recommend giving this one a try.

Out of Office was a romantic oasis that captured my attention very quickly. Career focused Genevieve, finally decided to take a much needed vacation after a four month work assignment in Panama City. She was the prime example of what it means to be “all work and no play”. I felt Genevieve’s mother had too much influence on her career and I was waiting for her to set boundaries with her. Adrian was the perfect match; he was a hard worker but understood the meaning of balance.

After Adrian proposed the idea for Genevieve to spend her two week vacation with him, they end up getting to know each other more intimately. I was curious to see who would fall first, what their chemistry would be outside of the work environment, and what would happen at the end of the two weeks. I think the author did a great job showing the different cultures on page and provided good insight without it being overly done. It was just enough for me to feel like I was on the trip with them. With any new relationship there are tests and that was no different for Adrian and Genevieve. They had to compromise a lot but I think it worked because their love was so strong. I found myself frustrated at times because it seemed like they were content with not being with each other. But they were miserable without each other.

The story was very grown and sexy, it sort of reminded me of How Stella Got Her Groove Back and that’s definitely not a bad thing. The sexual chemistry was intense and the banter was a good touch. It was also realistic, especially the woes of citizenship. Overall, this was a good read.

4.5 ⭐️ Thissssss!! Adrián & Genevieve’s relationship drew you in IMMEDIATELY! I feel like Adrián understood Genevieve so well coming from a person who was a workaholic. For him it took something tragic to happen to make him realize that his family meant more to him then he realized!

I feel like they were completely made for each other! The character development was so good! I have read several books from A.H. Cunningham & so far, this is my favorite one!

This one took a while to get through--pretty sure it was a *me* problem and not the book, I just wasn't connecting with the story--but it finished strong, at least. Hoping the next book stars the two characters that were giving off strong enemies-to-lovers vibes here.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is my first time reading a book by the author A.H. Cunningham. This is a great read that I enjoyed, and I look to reading more from his author. I enjoy her characters and her plot. Gen is a workaholic and has just opened a new hotel chain in Panama and on the fast track to a promotion. In need of a vacation for relaxing, rest and some fun in the sun and to get away from her mom, she opts to stay for two glorious weeks in Panama. After a family tragedy Adrián's finds him self-looking at life differently. He is laid back while focusing on his family’s hometown hostel. Adrián is Gen’s driver, and he invites her stay with him at his family’s hostel and she happily agrees. These two are great together as they are spending time and enjoying themselves.

When vacation time is over and Gen heads back home will she do things differently, is there an HEA in store for Gen and Adrián?

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 3.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: contemporary romance📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
A sweet romance I enjoyed but didnt really grip me.

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Vacation romance
Workaholic FMC
Heavy topics
Mental health convos
Afro Panamanian characters
Spicy scenes
Opposites attract
Character development
Plus size FMC
Spanish dirty talk

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
All the diversity and representation in this book is *chefs kiss*
The communication

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
I didnt really feel engaged with this one

Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin Romance and A. H. Cunningham for the arc.

This was my first read by this author. I do have other books by them but just haven’t gotten to those yet. I felt the story was just okay. Somewhere along the way the writing went flat for me and i was moving along to finish. Liked the concept of a workaholic with dreams of hitting certain things in their career but also knowing when they need a break. Then the laid back person that has their own business and loves their family very much. Then you have the overbearing mother with her mess. I didn’t fall in love with the characters nor do I dislike them.

I enjoyed most was the talk of career and realizing what means most to you. The culture we got to experience through this book. Lastly, that finding love is never too late.

This was my first book by this author. I enjoyed reading Genivive and Adrian’’s vacation love story. The Panama history and descriptions made the story alive. This book was about love, self-discovery, grown woman decisions,& putting yourself first. It took me awhile to finish it as it was very slow in the beginning and I had to keep coming back to it, but it heated up. I didn’t care for Gen’s mom though. She was judgmental & overbearing.

I would recommend this book to other readers if they enjoy romance.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher & of course the author for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

One thing for certain and two things for sure, ahc is going to write about couples with healthy communication, and in-tune with each other's needs, wants, bodies 😏. She's also going to write about FMCs that are way better than me. Because the way Ricard said, 'Don't worry about yo lil ol' wedding and catch that flight' made me punch my Kindle! Talk about risking it all, chile! The representation of afro-Latin culture and history is immersed in the book. That may have been my fave part. I'm all about a bilingual story especially when i know both languages 😜. I see a trip to Panamá in my future. Both MCs were so lovable and understanding; oh the patience! What a whirlwind love that blossomed into so much more. Thank you NetGalley and Afterglow books by Harlequin for the eARC. Special thanks to ach this heartfelt vacation romance I can't wait for the rest of the world to read! Happyish reading.

Out of Office is the latest from the one and only A.H. Cunningham, released under Harlequin’s brand new Afterglow imprint.

Genevieve Raymond is climbing the corporate ladder, the way she and her mother have wanted her to for her entire life. But with the completion of her latest hotel project, she’s finally doing something for herself: taking a vacation. the perfect tour guide? Her driver, Adrian, who has spent the last four months waiting to show her life outside of the office.

This book was romantic in a way I wasn’t expecting and it felt so good. I loved them being grown and putting their feelings out there, and seeing Gen take chances. Adrian’s past and his hesitance about Gen’s world gave me great emotional weight for this story, as did Gen dealing with her mother’s expectations. The way Adri and Gen leaned into each other, was so beautiful and easy. I loved how they never fought where love took them. They may have doubted it would work, but they never backed away from wanting it to work. That’s what makes easy love easy. Their passion left room to explore and they fed it with intention. Adri never stopped trying, and Gen never stopped believing. The way he took care of her was magic. And the way it opened her eyes and made her take care of herself was beautiful.

The other beautiful part of this book was the culture. So much rich history, and I love the effort that went into exploring Panama, and Florida in this way. Adri's family was as messy and lovable as families can be, and the friends gave this book balance. Wonderful.

This was so fun and sexy I had such a good time reading this! It will be a perfect vacation or beach read!

The characters were easy to love and root for. The chemistry between Gen and Adrian was steaming off the page it was so good! The book is truly a love letter to black women and Panama. The book was steeped in Afro-Latin and Panamanian cultural it was beautiful. Overall this was such a good time and I can’t wait to see what the author writes next!

Out of Office is my first book by author A.H. Cunningham and it won't be my last.

It starts off very insta-lovey, but their love for each other grows over time and I was there for the ride.

Gen is such a relatable character. It was fun to see her grow from doing what she thought she needed to do to please her mom and her job and shifting to pleasing herself. Choosing herself. Adrian is such a swoony book boyfriend. You can tell he just LOVES Gen. He's so patient and attentive to her. And the dirty talk in Spanish was just HOT.

It also felt like a love letter to Panama and Panamanian culture. I love when books make me want to visit a place that may have never been on my radar.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. I'm used to more of a conflict, but it was refreshing to just read something about two people falling in love and choosing each other.

This was my first book by A.H. Cunningham. The book is beautifully written. I really loved her style of writing and will continue to read more from her.

Thank you to Harlequin Romance and NetGalley. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

4.25 Stars

Cute romance with important notes about Black women trying to achieve successful careers and finding balance. I enjoyed the vacation romance aspects even if Adrian was a little too perfect, I did like that Gen got to relax a little finally. I didn't feel a huge connection between them and the dialogue felt a little stuff. .

Out of Office is a novel that intrigued me from the time I saw the deal announced. A lot of the main action takes place in Panama where Genevieve decides to spend vacation resting and relaxing. When she's moving Colón to a smaller town of Aguaimar he takes her transportation driver up on a tempting offer to explore the chemistry between them.

I love a good vacation romance so that sucked me in. Hyper focused Gen gets to let her hair down for once with Adrian, her sexy Panamanian lover who is ready to please. As she spends time in his town with his family it's a welcome escape from the work promotion looming over her and her mother's huge expectations.

The conversations that the book has about career and happiness and finding the right balance were well done. It's been awhile since I've read a novel with an mc like Gen who had so much ambition and it wasn't merely about advancing her career but also advancing her community. I liked the realistic relationship with her mother who tries so hard to push her and in some ways lives through her. But her mother isn't demonized despite her harsh demeanor. Instead it's acknowledged that her mother is on a different path and an explanation is given for why she is the way she is.

I would've liked to see a little more development on Adrian because he's almost the perfect mate. There is a little bit of drama thrown in with him but it's easily resolved. And his one fault of being a people pleaser works to his advantage when it comes to Gen.

I recieved an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 3.5!

Out of office follows 2 Afro Panamanian Main characters Genevieve and Adrian.
Genevieve is a workaholic and that is all work no play. Adrian on the other hand likes to relax spend time with friends and family and works out of necessity.

Genevieve is working in Panama and after her project is done she stays in Panama for 2 weeks to explore the island. She gets closer to Adrian and their connection gets stronger by the day. After the 2 weeks she has to go back home but the connection doesn’t dwindle they need to see it they can make it work. They have real life real relationships conversations about work life balance, how do they see their future. What is important to them and where can they possibly compromise in.
This book was full of culture with Panama, food, dance, lifestyle & family dynamics, setting boundaries and going for what you want by taking risks. This was a beautiful love story with two people that show each other new experiences and maybe seeing things in a different light.

I loved how the author showed the character development of Genevieve of how she went from living for the acceptance of her mother and her job to living just for her and choosing what made her happy. The love story of Genevieve and Adrian was beautiful as well! I also liked how the author included culture and family into the book as well. This story was very entertaining and the ending had me smiling so hard 😊!

This was wonderful! One of my favorite things was the build up of the attraction. I enjoyed this one so much and I will be revisiting.

😍Latinx Romance 🇵🇦 MCs & author! Plus size FMC 😌 Bi MMC
Loved these characters and their story so much! They meet in Panama during her 4 month work trip and he’s her driver! It’s super fast paced and there are a lot of time jumps throughout the book! Their relationship starts after the 4 months she’s there and I loved how open they were with their feelings! He was the sweetest mmc, always respected & admired her 🥹 and I loved that she was able to be in the moment with him, let her guard down when she’s always working. He calls her Preciosa 😫🥹🤭 and the culture was so beautiful! Seeing her embracing her culture was amazing and the dancing scene??! 😭😭 my favorite scene!! Also the Spanish dirty talk!!? 😮‍💨😮‍💨🧎🏻‍♀️MY ALL TIME FAVORITE IN BOOKS! I was so nervous with the ending but it was the best decision and I love that for them so much!