Note for Publisher: my review will be posted on Goodreads once the book has been published (in July), as per the note on the arc!

“Baby you could kiss a hundred boys in bars, shoot another shot, try to stop the feeling… you could say it’s just the way you are, make a new excuse, another stupid reason! Good luck, babe! Well, good luck, babe! You’d have to stop the world just to stop the feeling” - Chappell Roan
All I could think of after reading this was Chappell Roan!

This was a solid 4.25 star read! I pretty much inhaled it in only a couple days. “Cash Delgado is Living the Dream” is a story about the importance of community, acceptance, and learning to love yourself, regardless of societal ‘expectations’. I really enjoyed the dynamics between all of the characters—even the side characters had their own depth, relatability, and even comedic relief! The town of Ridley Falls has some really remarkable and interesting people. Normally, I’d ask to see more of the community, but I think this book did an amazing job of showcasing not just the main characters, but the minor ones as well. Parker was an extremely intelligent (especially emotionally intelligent) 6 year old, and I think that her character serves as a reminder that children are not born with preconceived notions—hate is taught (or not!!) In Cash’s case, she did a great job of raising an accepting daughter, wise beyond her years and one who said lesbian rights!! That being said, Cash’s character was also super intriguing, because her struggle with her identity and sexuality at the age of 30 (didn’t you know, women are decrepit by then! Kidding.) was something that I think a lot of women can relate to. Heteronormativity is quite difficult to unlearn, but Cash managed to do it! She may have tried to stop the feeling, find a new excuse, another stupid reason, but in the end she finally came to terms with her sexuality—on her own terms and on her own schedule, which is super important. I will say, however, that the reason why this book wasn’t a 5 star was because of the way that Cash treated Inez. I know everything worked out in the end, but I just didn’t love how she kind of used Inez (and Inez was ok with just being an experiment/“get it out of your system” for her “straight” friend????) Inez was honestly too good for the world and I thought there would be more to a third act conflict (there still was one but it was a tad anticlimactic, I don’t know) Suffice to say, Inez, stand up get up 😭 She deserved so much better throughout the book, but I was pretty satisfied with their ending! I also love how much positive media is surrounding lesbians these days: Cash Delgado, Renée Rapp, Chappell Roan, need I say more?

Overall, I really enjoy Tehlor Kay Meija’s writing! Their books feel like a really warm hug. Much like “Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review,” this book tugged at my heartstrings!!! It didn’t make me sob like Sammy Espinoza though, thank god because I do not have the mental capacity for that right now (and this was more of a feel-good book anyway—minus the Chase parts that man can ch0ke). I also loved the references to “Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review.” I love when authors have their own little world and characters from other books make cameos. They’ve created this little world of Ridley Falls and I actually really hope that there may be more to come. Pleeeease keep expanding the Ridley Falls universe! We need more of it. Maybe in the next book chase can go to prison for being an ugly annoying bigot!!! 😁

Anyways, I would highly recommend this book for lovers of Tehlor Kay Mejia’s writing, fans of Emily Henry, lesbians, and those who want to read books that feature more queer characters and focus on self love, questioning, and the importance of community.
Tehlor Kay Melina is honestly one of my go-to authors at the moment, I think they’re gonna be an auto-buy, similarly to Emily Henry. And I love that for me!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tehlor Kay Meija, and the Random House Publishing Team for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Charming and heartwarming.

Cash has an adorable daughter, amazing best friend, and a job she loves. When a big chain of bars is looking to expand in her neighborhood (and in proximity to the bar Cash manages), Cash is determined to fight for the community and the small local businesses who would be crushed by this move. If this wasn't enough to think about, Cash starts to question her sexuality after she has a dream about her best friend.

This was a lovely story and I appreciated the update on Sammy and Max, featured in the author's other novel set in Ridley Falls.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

adored this book! I loved the PNW setting, friends to lovers (my fav!!!), small town vibes. I loved the community and found family, and the bar setting was so fun! I could absolutely envision everything I was reading like I was watching a movie. It was awesome. Highly recommend this one!

BOOK REVIEW

Pub date: July 2, 2024

Spice: 🌶️

Read if you like:
-PNW setting
-strong single moms
-best friends to lovers
-small town romance
-rom-coms
-second chances
-found family
-dirty dreams 😉
-live music/karaoke + bar vibes
-parents who allow their kids full freedom of expression

Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream is a sapphic romance about hope, second chances, and the importance of community. A small-town bar owner and single mom, Cash, is juggling motherhood and a new romance. She’s independent, hardworking, and doing the best she can. She is trying to build a future for her daughter, Parker. And her queer bestie, Inez, is along for the ride with her. Then, Chase, an old “fling” comes back to town with plans to open another bar, which would mean major competition for Joyce’s, Cash’s bar. Cash decides that she wants to do reservations and save the bar! And it’s definitely worth checking out! You will love these characters! I promise!

This was funny, hot, and incredibly sweet. I thoroughly enjoyed the small-town setting, Ridley Falls in the PNW. I seriously want to live there and be friends with all of the locals. The friendship between Cash and Inez is incomparable. We all NEED an Inez. She cracked me up the entire time.

The chapters were short with just the right amount of detail to keep me hooked. This was such a quick read because I was so intrigued to see which the direction the story was going to go. Tehlor’s writing made me fall in love with these characters and wish more than anything that they were real.

Rep:
-lesbian
-bisexual
-non-binary
-half Mexican FMC
-anxiety
-two dads/two moms as parents

Trigger warnings: homophobia, bigotry

Final thoughts: I’m obsessed with these characters and this story. I have absolutely no complaints. It was perfect to me. AND I need a producer to pick this up and make it a movie ASAP! The ending made me tear up. It was so sweet! I will 100% be reading Tehlor’s other books.

If you’re looking for a queer sworn-worthy romance, please consider adding this to your TBR!

Thank you to Tehlor Kay Mejia, Random House, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a honest voluntary review!