I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
While I wasn’t a fan of Tehlor Kay Mejia’s first foray into romance, I had hope that the next would be better. And sure enough, Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream turned out to be really sweet, and also incredibly affirming, as someone who discovered their sexuality later in life (and in some ways, is still figuring things out where that's concerned).
Cash overall is a really solid lead. She’s a single mom and bar manager, and both things keep her pretty busy. But I really liked how, in the midst of changes that hang over her professional future at the bar and supporting herself and her daughter, she’s also discovering more about herself and her sexuality. And the way it happened was so sweet, as she started developing feelings for her best friend.
Inez is a sweet love interest, and while I didn’t feel super attached to her, I liked how she supported Cash, both on her self-discovery journey and in her professional life too.
And with this book set in a small town and discussing the threat of big-business to the bar’s future, I loved the sense of community the bar and its patrons had. There are multiple scenes showing the importance of the bar, including fun karaoke scenes, and I love the role they play in the characters’ arcs as well.
I really enjoyed this, and would recommend it to readers interested in a lighthearted queer romcom with an emphasis on self-discovery.

Thank you to Random House (Dell), Mejia, and NetGalley for the free eARC. I had the best time reading this small town Oregon lesbian romance.
Knowing it was set in Oregon (as an Oregonian) and then having it be focused on our two main characters working on saving a local establishment just warmed my heart.
I didn’t see the romantic connection with Inez at first - but maybe we were all like Cash in a way. Which, as I reflect, is kind of genius. We, the readers, experienced the feelings just like Cash did.
There was one small plot hole I noticed and then some small errors. Nothing crazy for an uncorrected proof.
I’m so proud to have Mejia as an author we can lift up and have in our community. I’m excited to see what they write in the future for romance, but also need to connect to their other readings.

*Received an ebook copy from NetGalley and an audiobook copy from PRH Audio.

I absolutely loved this upcoming release from Tehlor Kay Mejia. Cash Delgado Is Living The Dream is a sapphic queer awakening, friends to lovers romance with so much heart. Sometimes our dreams show us more of what we want for our conscious life, even before we can admit it to ourselves. Cash, Inez and Parker are some of my favorite characters and this book is a warm hug of found family. I need to go back and read Sammy Espinoza!

The audiobook is VERY well done, even Parker's voice (children's voices in audiobooks sometimes drive me nuts)

On the whole, this was an okay read, but maybe not really for me. That said, I'm glad I read it, and I think some will really love it. And I am all for more representation in this space.

The main character, Cash, was a delight to read both in general personality, her struggles, and as her "queer awakening" unfolded. Inez was a good supporting cast member, and when they became a "couple" it felt like a natural progression in their relationship. The plot moved along, although the pacing was at times uneven. The writing itself was strong. Cash's daughter, Parker, was great.

That said, there was just a lot going on in this story, and it felt like I was reading two separate stories simultaneously that occasionally intersected. I wasn't really sure if the main plot was about saving her bar, or her queer-awakening/development of her relationship with Inez, (which didn't really happen until like a good chunk of the book had gone by). Much of the sexual awakening/relationship was seen through inner-monologue, but lack of show. When they got together, it was great, but their relationship didn't really develop beyond that, and I have no idea how Inez felt about it because we got none of her perspective.

I will say that I could easily see this story become a tv-romance show. It would translate well because it read like a Hallmark movie!

Super cute small town romance.

Cash is a single mom and so straight so when she starts having very sexy dreams about her bestie Inez it’s alarming. On top of that she has to save her bar from a dumb franchise.

I really liked this sapphic-gay awakening/panic story. Friends to lovers, sassy kid and really bar community. It had great characters (Cash annoyed me a little but overall she’s endearing)

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an eARC

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book!

As a general rule for my own personal reading, I tend to read romance as a palette cleanser for the more grim reads. I tend to get bored, easily. With that being said, I am happy to say I loved this and I wouldn’t change a thing. Where this book absolutely succeeds for me, is how real it is. Because yes, even some romances(or most) seem far fetched at best.

The perfect Pride Month book release! This story is a friends-to-lovers sapphic romance and it was adorable and heartwarming. I did find the lesbian awakening of the MC in the beginning to be a little bit irritating but as Cash's journey progressed, I enjoyed it more. The small-town vibes and excellent cast of characters were wonderful. Recommended to anyone looking for a good queer romance!

Hot, sexy, funny, with a side of sticking it to the corporate man. I loved this book. It was a lovely exploration of later in life coming out and sexuality in a small town. I loved Cash and Inez and the large supporting cast.
Highly recommend

It is a book that I wouldn't pick on my own, so I was excited to read it. My opinion on the story isn't the greatest, it wasn't bad but I wasn't as entertained as I would have liked to have been. I don't think this story was for me, but it could great for someone else. I thought the story was kind of slow, and a little boring. It didn't sell me the fantasy of falling in love and romance. I also thought the bar storyline took up way too much space.

Thank you Dell books and PRH audio for the free copies of this new queer romance, a sweet, steamy story with strong character growth, a celebration of the strengths of single mothers and queer identities and small towns, and a great friends to lovers story. I appreciated the space that Tehlor Kay Meija gave Cash to grow in a few ways throughout this story, to allow her to realize her sexuality and sexual identity, to explore her feelings for her best friend, but to also give her the space to think about her future with her work, with her daughter; the depth of details about the town and the secondary character development gave the story a richness that was rewarding.

Cash Delgado is a single mom working at a small town bar and dealing with an identity crisis regarding her sexuality when her ex comes to town, bringing with him a threat to her workplace in the form of a new bar opening in town. Cash spirals a bit, freaking out about the possibility of her favorite place closing, about how her sexuality may affect her young daughter, and about those strange sex dreams she is suddenly having about her BFF Inez.

This was my second read from Tehlor Kay Mejia, and I loved returning to the small town of Ridley Falls. This one can definitely act a a standalone, though characters from the prior book do appear in this one. The love story here felt authentic, with a friends to lovers storyline that is complicated by Cash’s realization that her sexuality may be different from what she thought it was. Her confusion and final realization were treated with care and openness, and I found several of her conversations with already out characters to be well written and eye opening.

The bar storyline was fun, with the characters working together to try to raise enough money to upgrade their hometown hangout. The town came together in heartwarming ways, and it made for an entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC! All opinions are my own,

3.75 stars

Okay. I came to the wonderful world of Tehlor Kay Mejia through YA, but I have to say that I'm really digging these romances for grown folks even more. First Sammy and now Cash? I'm here for this.

Cash lives a fascinating life as a bartender and single mom of six-year-old Parker, an absolutely winning personality, and she has a best friend, Inez, who is becoming more than just a friend...at least in Cash's steamy (and for her, somewhat confusing) dreams. These dreams are really messing with Cash's sense of self, and they cause her to wonder about the unplumbed depths of her identity. This element of the text is my favorite, but I suspect readers with less access to folks who have come out later in life might find Cash's questioning surprising (though, I suppose these folks need to get access to this phenomenon somewhere). Mejia pulls off this representation nicely, and it is both amusing and charming to watch Cash discover new aspects of herself.

The secondary characters add texture in good (and, at times, challenging) ways throughout the text, as do the small-town atmosphere and the dive bar backdrop. I'd have loved even a bit more engagement with some of these characters, but they still add a lot to this charming friends to lovers tale.

Of course, I'm already looking forward to Mejia's next book (especially added efforts in this particular realm).

This book is such a heartwarming queer romance. "Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream" by Tehlor Kay Mejia invites readers into the charming small town of Ridley Falls, where Cash, a dedicated bartender, juggles motherhood and a blossoming new romance. Set against the backdrop of a karaoke bar, this heartwarming queer romance explores second chances, found family, and the complexities of love.

Cash Delgado, a single mother, is content with her life in Ridley Falls. She pours drinks at the local bar, raises her adorable daughter, and navigates the challenges of parenting. But when Inez, an intriguing stranger, walks into the bar, Cash's world tilts on its axis. Sparks fly, and Cash finds herself torn between her responsibilities and the possibility of a new love.

I adored the authentic characters. Cash is relatable and endearing. Her struggles as a mother and her vulnerability make her a compelling protagonist. Inez, too, has depth and complexity, and their chemistry is palpable.

The novel beautifully portrays the bonds formed within the tight-knit community of Ridley Falls. From quirky regulars at the bar to Cash's supportive friends, the sense of belonging is heartwarming. The karaoke scenes add a delightful touch. Whether you love or hate singing scenes, they play a significant role in the characters' growth.

Mejia celebrates queer love with authenticity. The slow burn between Cash and Inez feels genuine, and their journey resonates with readers. Mejia's novel is a delightful addition to the world of queer romance. It's a tale of love, self-discovery, and the magic that happens when dreams come true.

While the chemistry between Cash and Inez is evident, their romantic connection takes time to develop. Some readers may wish for more early sparks, but patience pays off as their relationship deepens.

"Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream" is a sexy, funny, and sweet story about love, second chances, and the power of found family. Mejia's writing captures the essence of Ridley Falls, making readers fall in love with both the characters and the town. If you're looking for a heartwarming queer romance, this book is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dell, and Random House Publishing Group for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Let me start by saying I texted my group chat to recommend this book somewhere around chapter 6, I think. And my enjoyment only went up from there. It's a perfect book. Like, I thought Sammy Espinoza's Last Review was phenomenal (easy five star rating) but I loved this one even more. Honestly no need to even read the rest of this review; go buy this book or borrow it from your library right now.

Cash Delgado is straight, there's never been a doubt in her mind... until she starts having sexy dreams about her best friend. It's probably just stress, and the fact that Cash hasn't been with anyone in a while, right? Maybe the fact that Inez is lesbian has something to do with these fantasies? Because Cash is for sure straight. It's just that Inez is beautiful, and her favorite person (aside from Cash's daughter, Parker), and they spend so much time together. That's all it is... right?

I freakin ADORED this book. I loved Cash's internal struggle, and the non-romance plot--of Cash and Inez trying to save their smalltown bar from a large corporation hoping to build a competitive establishment--was also very captivating. This book is perfectly balanced, and I loved all the characters. I really hope we get more stories set in this town in the future; I'll be first in line to read them.

I didn’t realize this was best friends to lovers when I started it but ahhhh. I loved Cash’s whole sexuality crisis, it was so funny and relatable, I laughed out loud early on when she was like “I'm just a regular straight girl who had a regular sex dream about my lesbian best friend. No big deal at all.” And then the scene where she realizes that she’s a lesbian had me tearing up. The romance was so so good too. ❤️

I loved that even though they live in a small town, there’s still a queer community, and Cash’s journey to accept that she’s a part of it and that there’s people who support her (both in terms of her sexuality and in general) made me so emotional. Cash’s daughter Parker was also SUCH a good character. Ngl I don’t always like kids in books but she was so cute and has such a personality.

I read this in one sitting in a couple of hours and I had an amazing time. I might even bump it up to a 5 star the more I think about it, but for now I’ll leave it at a 4.5, rounding down. Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the digital ARC, all opinions are my own.

As a reader, one of my favorite types of stories is a coming of age story and through this book, I leaned that coming of age can happen at any time in our lives like the main character here! She was absolutely a blast to follow along in her self discovery! I loved the characterization in this book and the entire story was so cute and so fun! I loved the queer rep and would absolutely recommend this read to anyone!

Single mom Cash has spent the last six years living for her daughter Parker, while running local dive bar Joyce’s for its mostly absentee owners. Has considered herself tragically straight, but with how she never really dates anymore? And then has a series of increasingly racy dreams about her best friend? Well… this brings questions. Full on sexuality crisis, many times googled questions.

Inez, the best friend and coworker in question, on the other hand is an out and proud lesbian. One whose last relationship crumbled primarily from her girlfriend’s jealousy of the time she spends with Cash, both in and outside of their work

When Chase - Cash’s ex …something - strolls back into town and attempts a quickie for old times sake, before dropping a bomb it brings so many things to a head at once for her.

All the sudden she’s worried about losing her job, home, place in town all while trying to understand the questions these dreams have opened up. Knowing every decision affects her kid as much as herself, and she’s always tried to keep Parker’s life as ‘normal’ as possible. It’s a lot!

This is a little spoilerish so avert you’re eyes if you want -
If you have ever frantically googled questions that you probably already knew the answer to
Are a big fan of rooting for the underdog
And you thrive on bad things happening to bad people
Then you’re going to want to read this!

The side characters are great, and I super loved everyone from Inez’s farm/commune/rainbow-paradise.

And I don’t read very many books with kids as fairly main characters, but I loved Parker in this one. She’s clever and thoughtful, but still an impulsive kid. And with how important she is to the other characters, the story would not have been the same without her.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dell for the arc!

Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream is the delightful latest story from Tehlor Kay Mejia. I really enjoyed this cozy and queer romance. Cash is a single mom who runs a bar with her best friend Inez. One night, Cash has a steamy dream of her best friend and starts to question whether she is truly straight. When an ex comes back to town with a plan to put the bar out of business, Cash and Inez must work together to save their jobs and their friendship.

Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream is a queer late coming-out story, with incredible characters and realistic issues. Cash and her relationship with her daughter was so heartwarming. I loved the thoughtful details woven in: like how Inez takes care of her grandmother and lives on a cooperative farm with kind and caring members. Of course, there is excellent LGBTQ+ rep in both main and side characters. While Cash questions her identity and faces a real threat of being put out of business, Mejia simultaneously crafts a cozy and lovely story. It was fun to see the cameos from Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review. I can’t wait to see what Tehlor Kay Mejia writes next!

Thank you to Tehlor Kay Mejia, Dell, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream by Tehlor Kay Mejia is a charming and heartwarming story that explores the themes of second chances and the importance of finding a family. With well-developed characters and a captivating storyline, this book will keep you engaged until the very last page.

I loved the self discovery journey in this book. Questioning your sexuality, your attraction after thinking you know who you are for so many years is not linear. It's not easy especially when we live in a world where being hetero is the norm. I liked the friend group and the sense of community in this group. Are the homophobes, yes.

I liked this a lot a enjoyed this.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.