This is a good queer romance book that is filled with suspense and drama in addition to the romance. At the beginning of the book the main character is questioning who she likes and then begins to question her own sexuality. She explores this throughout the book all while trying to save the bar where she works and also will trying to be a good mom. There are a lot of really likable character in the book.

Thank you to Penguin Random House for the gifted Net Galley copy of this book

In this fun and charming LGBTQ+ romance, readers join Cash, her daughter Parker, and her best friend Inez in the small town of Ridley Falls as their lives and jobs seem to be going incredibly well. However, when Cash’s ex Chase Stanton returns with bad news for Joyce’s Bar and other local businesses, the stability and peace seems to be shaken, especially since Cash is beginning to see Inez in a new light. As the peacefulness of Ridley Falls changes and business dynamics are threatened by Chase’s new plan, Cash, Inez, and the rest of the town must band together to defend their local businesses against the new threat. With its fascinating characters and beautiful locale, readers will love this charming small-town friends-to-lovers romance and the characters populating Ridley Falls. Cash is a great protagonist with excellent relationships with Inez, Parker, and other characters from Ridley Falls. These character relationships are the star of the novel and really succeed in bringing this world and its challenges to life. Brilliantly written with an excellent heart and fascinating and detailed world-building, readers will love Tehlor Kay Mejia’s latest book and the inhabitants of Ridley Falls at this critical point in time for the local economy.

This is a fun, quick read. No big overly dramatic/emotional rollercoasters, just cozy and sweet small town romance vibes. Sapphic, best friends to lovers, mild spice, late in life coming out, single mom

This one took me a little bit to get into but once I did, I really enjoyed this book! First time reading this author. The characters were easy to love but I felt like it was a lot right at the beginning.

Tehlor Kay Mejia’s *Cash Delgado is Living the Dream* is a vibrant exploration of self-discovery wrapped in humor, heart, and the complexities of modern relationships. Set against the charming backdrop of Ridley Falls, the novel introduces readers to Cash Delgado, a relatable protagonist who juggles the demands of motherhood, friendship, and the pressures of running a beloved local bar. Mejia masterfully crafts a narrative that invites us to reflect not only on the pursuit of dreams but also on the challenges that come with embracing one’s true self. Cash’s life appears idyllic on the surface; she manages Joyce’s Bar, engages with a colorful array of regulars, and enjoys the delightful chaos that her spirited six-year-old daughter, Parker, brings. The lively atmosphere of Karaoke Thursday is a testament to her ability to create joy in her surroundings. Yet, as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Cash is at a crossroads. The unexpected return of Chase Stanton, her former flame and the bar's ex-manager, brings with it a wave of uncertainty that threatens her carefully constructed life. Chase’s ambitions challenge Cash’s dreams for revitalizing Joyce's, creating a delightful tension that drives the narrative forward. What makes Mejia’s writing particularly compelling is her ability to blend humor with deeper themes of self-exploration and identity. Cash is portrayed as a woman who has diligently worn the mask of responsibility, often at the expense of her own desires. The intimate dreams she begins to have about her best friend, Inez, serve as a catalyst for her journey of self-discovery. Rather than merely being a source of conflict, these dreams are emblematic of Cash’s deeper yearning for connection, love, and authenticity—a poignant reminder that self-acceptance often comes with uncomfortable realizations. As Cash navigates her evolving feelings and the implications they carry, readers are treated to a beautiful portrayal of friendship. The dynamic between Cash and Inez adds depth to the narrative, showcasing how friendships can evolve and challenge us. Inez’s carefree approach to life not only contrasts with Cash’s grounded demeanor but also provides a necessary push for Cash to reconsider her definition of happiness and love. Mejia skillfully illustrates that love can take many forms, urging readers to reconsider societal norms and personal expectations. The novel’s pacing is spot-on, balancing moments of levity with introspective passages that resonate long after the last page is turned. Mejia’s vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue breathe life into Ridley Falls, making it feel like a character in its own right. The setting encapsulates the warmth and familiarity of small-town life while simultaneously serving as a backdrop for personal growth and change. At its core, *Cash Delgado is Living the Dream* is a story about the courage to embrace change and the transformative power of love in its myriad forms. Mejia invites readers on a journey that is both relatable and enlightening, encouraging them to confront their own barriers to happiness. Will Cash choose to remain in the comfort of her existing life, or will she take the leap into the unknown? This question lingers, urging readers to reflect on their own life choices. In conclusion, Tehlor Kay Mejia’s *Cash Delgado is Living the Dream* is a delightful and thought-provoking read that beautifully balances humor with heartfelt themes of self-discovery and love. Through Cash’s journey, we are reminded of the importance of living authentically, embracing change, and recognizing that dreams can evolve in unexpected ways. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a story that resonates with the complexities of life, love, and the courage to dream anew.

An equally wholesome and sweet queer story of a bartender who is trying not to let corporate America make its way into their small town and juggling motherhood and whatever is going on with their best friend.

This book was such a cozy queer read. Loved the friends to lovers vibes and all the familial vibes, too.

This was such a heartwarming story with Hallmark vibes - a town comes together to fight back against an evil corporation threatening local businesses. I really enjoyed how the romance was a sweet and slow transition for these two best friends who become lovers.

As someone who went on journey of self discovery and understanding about my own sexuality later in life, I really appreciated seeing it reflected on page and found Cash’s journey incredibly relatable.

Overall, this was very endearing!

A heartwarming and engaging romance that delves into self discovery and love. The writing is realistic and captures the difficulties of Cash’s journey with wit and emotion. The plot can be a little predictable but overaa very good read.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story appealed to me for two very big reasons. The first is that the friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites. And the second is that I came to question my own sexuality later in life, so I could really relate to Cash.

Cash has always thought she was straight, just that she didn’t really want to be in a relationship with any of the guys she hooked up with. When she starts questioning her sexuality, she goes through a lot of emotions and a lot of fear for how it will affect her life, her relationships, and, most importantly, her daughter’s life. It takes her time to fully accept herself.

I love the community in Ridley Falls. Everyone is very accepting and supportive, even though they initially kind of kept to themselves. But everyone proves to have both Jane’s and Cash’s best interests at heart.

The friendship between Inez and Cash is amazing, even before it develops into more. I don’t blame Cash for being afraid to mess that up and probably would have made some of the same decisions that she did. Inez is an amazing person, and you can see how much Cash and Parker mean to her from the beginning.

While I didn’t feel like distance between Inez and Cash before the final confrontation was true to their characters (or at least not true to Inez’s character), I did like the way everything came together in the end.

And I adored Parker.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this story through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cash Delgado never though that living behind a bar with her daughter and bartending would be her destination, but when that life is threatened by a former beau and his corporate business, she decides it is exactly what she needs. Cash works with her best friend Inez O'Conner, to save Joyce's Bar from isolation by capitalizing on what makes it unique. The people in their small town need to be convinced that they do not need chain store coming in and ruining the local flavor. Additionally, Cash finds herself attracted to Inez and wonders what that means about her sexuality. Author Tehlor Kay Meja weaves in characters from her book Sammy Espinoza's Last Review, which makes it a fun flashback.

Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream by Tehlor Kay Mejia was a cute queer read! It was nice to see how Cash discovered her identity later in life and liked how the romance flourished between her and Inez. The dreams were a bit unrealistic but other than that I enjoyed this!

Cash is living a life that she finds
enjoyable but like anything else in life things are changing. What she doesn’t expect is to fall in love with her best friend. She finds herself on a journey of self discovery and it was great to follow along.

Thank you #randomhouse and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

A cute love story about finding your soulmate in the most unconventional ways.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel.

Latine Heritage Month

Not the same vibes at all, but I loved Tehlor's Lucha of the Night Forest. And like everything else I've read recently, I sort of read this out of order with its companion piece, Sammy Espinoza's Last Review.

I guess I didn't realize this was sapphic friends-to-lovers, which is one of my favorite genres within the queer scope. Cash is living the straightest existence known to humankind in Ridley Falls. She manages Joyce's Bar and her six-year-old daughter, Parker. Her best friend, Inez, is a lesbian. You know where this is going.

I loved nearly every minute of this. While both books by Tehlor that I read span different genres, they are easily becoming a must-buy author. After I finish my disordered reading order, I will look for more from them.

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dell

I love Cash Delgado!! Friends to lovers is my absolute favorite. Even the support characters in this book felt complete. The small town vibes gave me the best Gilmore Girls feel as well. I was rooting for Cash throughout this entire book. The ending was completely swoon worthy! 4 stars

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Cash Delgado has a job she enjoys working in a bar alongside her best friend, a comfortable home with her smart and confident daughter, and her life mostly figured out. She's coasting in comfort when her ex comes back to town as a representative of a big franchise bar that would destroy everything Cash loves. And then there's the fact that she's suddenly seeing her best friend as a potential lover despite never before thinking it possible that she was gay. So Cash has to fight to keep her job, her home, and her best friend all while trying to figure out what it is she truly wants.

This one gets 3.5 forward-leaning stars because it's enjoyable but didn't blow me away. There's something almost performative about Cash's struggle with recognizing that she's in love with her best friend that just didn't gel with me. It's obvious they love each other and I get that suddenly realizing that you're attracted to someone of the same sex is disorienting, I just wish it wasn't so much about how other people would potentially react instead of Cash sitting down and thinking things through. The rest of the story is pure small-town goodness that I loved, from everyone being in everyone's business to the amazing amount of support shown, it's happy goodness all around. Honestly, I enjoyed saving the local bar from evil franchise overlords more than the romance.

Overall, it's not as romantic as I was expecting but it'sa good small-town story with solid queer representation.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and

- Tehlor Kay Mejia is lowkey one of the best romance writers out there. Their books are brimming with love and hope and queerness and I want to scoop everyone up into a big hug.
- CASH DELGADO IS LIVING THE DREAM deals with a later in life queer awakening, and I am so so glad it exists. I think regardless of when you come out, you’ll relate to a lot of Cash’s confusion, justifications, and ultimately feelings of freedom.
- Plus, Sammy from SAMMY ESPINOZA’S LAST REVIEW plays a key role in this book, which I loved!

This was a cute and easy read. It was just an okay read for me. I didn't really feel the chemistry between the two main characters as strongly as I would have liked. It could be because Cash spent a lot of time pining after Inez. I can definitely see a lot of people being able to relate to this and really enjoy it, especially those looking for a queer sexual awakening story.

Thank you Netgalley, Tehlor Kay Mejia, and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Dell for the eARC.

Thank you, Netgalley & Tehlor Kay Mejia, for the e-arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

I thought this was a cute romance with a diverse set of characters. Cash's daughter was just sooo cute, and such a joy to read about.

This book is a self discovery book and I really enjoyed it!