**Features:**
- One night stand turned something else
- He falls first
- Close knit families and dealing with familial expectations
- Rediscovering yourself and reevaluating your life goals

**Synopsis:**

Ava’s marriage is finally over. She thought the email stating that her divorce was officially finalized would give her a sense of relief and freedom. Instead, she is left feeling a little lost and wondering where her life should go from here. Her family is already pressuring her to find another partner, but that’s the one thing Ava is certain she doesn’t want. A chance encounter with hotelier Roman Vasquez gives Ava the opportunity to take her mind off things and test out the new person she wants to become. But what is supposed to be a one night fling sparks threatens to become more when Ava crosses paths with Roman again at her cousin’s wedding. The hardest part: keeping it all a secret from Ava’s family.

**Thoughts:**

This book had me giggling with delight from the very beginning. There is instant attraction and spice between the two main characters, but it develops into a more meaningful relationship over the course of the story. Despite some of their struggles and flaws, both Roman and Ava bring a lot of maturity to the relationship that helps them properly communicate their wants, needs, and thoughts (or help each other figure these out). It was refreshing not to have miscommunication be the biggest cause of tension. Some readers might feel that Ava’s unwillingness to be open with her family about her relationship with Roman feeling forced, but I personally felt that the book provides plenty of context for this decision early on and I fully understood why Ava felt that it was necessary.

The book switches off between Ava’s and Roman’s perspectives as events unfold. I found myself instantly connected with Ava on many levels and I really enjoyed that her personal journey was about trying to figure out who she wanted to be moving forward rather than fixating on the person and relationship she lost. Roman is incredibly charming from the very beginning and knows how to be a proper listener. My only complaint is that Roman immediately feels the need to pamper and ‘take care of’ Ava in a way that goes a little over the top for me at times. Overall, I had a great time reading this one and would definitely recommend picking it up!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The night her divorce is finalized, Ava meets Roman who owns the hotel she is staying at and the pair have an incredible one night stand. A few months later Ava reaches again and Roman jumps a the chance to see her again. Their sporadic steamy meetings continue until they figure out they are the best man and maid of honor at Ava’s cousin’s wedding. As they spend time wedding planning they also spend more time in their relationship while trying to keep it secret from Ava’s meddling and nosy family.

I am sad to see the Primas of Power series come to an end, but this was a delightful end to the series. I love a book that bangs and this book was steamy from pretty much the first chapter, but we still got the full development of Ava and Roman’s romance. I love that Ava and Roman were adults who acted like adults and were able to communicate. I read most of the book in one sitting and had a great time. It can be read on its own, but I highly recommend reading the first two books to understand the family dynamics and because the couples from the first two books are present for a lot of it (Ava’s cousin who is getting married is from the first book). I love that the epilogue tied up the whole series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Along Came Amor absolutely slayed me, in the best way. It is beautifully written, deeply sexy and intensely emotional.

Roman is one of my all-time favorite romance heroes. I get frustrated with a lot of contemporary romance MMCs who are just perfect uncomplicated cinnamon rolls with no baggage or need for growth. Roman is not like that - he has his own issues, and he makes mistakes - but he learns and grows and makes amends to and for Ava. And Ava herself is such a compelling, sympathetic heroine. She’s the ultimate people pleaser trapped by expectations, and crushed by her divorce and her family’s reaction to it. She places all her self-worth on what she can do for others and constantly being at her family’s beck and call. She never wants to be weak or messy, but Roman truly sees her and gives her room to find her way back to herself. It’s a very moving character arc. And the (plentiful) sex scenes are seriously hot, as well as packing an emotional punch.

Unlike many books which conclude a trilogy, this one also works as a stand-alone. The cast of supporting characters is rich and complex, but never confusing or overwhelming for someone who hasn’t read the previous books (I hadn’t but will certainly be rectifying that). Alexis Daria is a new favorite author for me! .

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc of this fantastic book.

Thank you thank you THANK YOU to Avon for this eARC! This book was absolutely positively Un Put Down-Able. I barreled through this read at light speed because I simply HAD to know what was going to happen next. The structure was so strong, the Primas got to have so much strength with each other. Ava and Roman's chemistry was unbelievably good. The Sex. Was. HOT. 150/10 knocked it out of the damn park just so incredible. I almost don't have words. I can't wait to hold it in my hands and have it join its sisters/cousins on my shelf!

Along Came Amor is the third and final book in Alexis Daria's Primas of Power series. I love this series and was really excited to read Ava's story. Ava is newly divorced and not looking for a serious relationship. She meets Roman at one of his hotels and they have a one-night fling. She is determined to keep things casual between them, but Roman wants more. Things get crazy when they learn they are in the bridal party of Ava's cousin (and best friend) and Roman's best friend. Ava is unsure about finding love again, and Roman has to put in a lot of effort to win her over.

Alexis Daria writes steamy stories with lots of swoon-worthy scenes, and this book is no exception. The main characters have so much chemistry, and as the story progresses, they really support each other in many ways. Ava and Roman are well-matched and I loved reading how their families and backgrounds really defined who they are, and really brought them together. A negative for me was Ava's negative feelings about herself and her divorce. Her family is intense and makes unfortunate comments, but she really believed everything that was said about her and felt so bad about herself. That aspect of the story made me give this book 4 stars.

As usual in this series, the side characters and family members of the Primas bring a lot of drama and comic relief to the story. I loved the diversity of the characters and the LatinX representation. I was really happy to see Ava get her happily ever after, since she is the Cinderella of the family/series who always seems to be doing everything for everyone. I really like following characters through a series, and the author skillfully wraps up all three Primas' stories at the end. Overall, this was a great wrap up to the Primas of Power series, and a fun read.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This a book for readers of Alexis Daria's Primas of Power series because it's the third (and final) one in the trilogy. This one specifically reads quite quickly and is chock full of banter and compelling language that draws me in. It's very spicy, much like the other books in the series, like definitely more than the plot. All in all, it's cute and, for sure, to read the other Primas of Power books first because the characters are major presences and it'll help you understand FMC Ava's backstory more than if you were going in blind.

Perfect! GOD I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. All apologies to Jasmine and Ashton...but they've been unseated as my favorite couple from the Primas of Power series.

Are you a recovering perfectionist who still struggles with people pleasing tendencies because you seek validation as an adult in hopes of healing your inner niña? (Ava) Are you a newly wealthy and successful workaholic who is too deep into the details and a "fixer" because that's how you show you care? (Roman) If either of those speak to you, YOU WILL BE SEEN IN THIS BOOK.

Along Came Amor was so wonderfully emotional and messy. Filled with realistic anxieties and fears that can't simply be overcome because all of a sudden you're getting some good D. This book is about healthy communication in a relationship as one of the many keys to happiness. It's about how deeply we internalize toxic thoughts and comments from those around us and challenges of breaking free from their negativity. It's about the slow realization that you are worthy of love. It's about how challenging it can be to take the reigns in your own life.

This book is a deeply nuanced and layered story about two people taking a risk on love - and the beautiful way they make space for honesty, vulnerability, and safety to find a way forward together. Roman has the patience of a saint. Ava is continuously holding back emotionally. The conflict between the characters is primarily internal, allowing the characters to really explore their emotions and carefully develop intimacy. It's spicy when it needs to be, but for me the highlight was the depth of emotion on page.

Read this for all of the reasons I stated above and more:
Double Latinx leads (ie. Latinx romance)
Interconnected standalone (book #3)
Emotional depth
One night stand to more
CEO MMC x Middle school teacher FMC
Set in New York City (with some portions in Puerto Rico)
Secretly hooking up / dating
Whoops, we're in the wedding party

Roman and Ava are one of my all time favorite book couples! I love the divorcee trope and devoured this book. Roman is sexy and truly what a dream book boyfriend is made of!

Ava, a recently divorced teacher, meets Roman, a wealthy bachelor businessman, in a his hotel bar. He is charming and Ava is at a particularly down time in her life, so she thinks that a one night stand with this handsome stranger might be a good idea. Only this one night stand turns into several and this stranger turns out to be a great guy. Ava tries to fight the feelings she has for him but there's no denying his appeal and his love for her. She also tries to keep him a secret from her Primas of Power - Jasmine from You Had Me at Hola (book #1) and Michelle from A Lot Like Adios (book #2) and their significant others Ashton and Gabe- but it's impossible to hide this secret forever. Overall, it was an engaging read and a satisfying ending to the trilogy.

I really enjoy this novel and it stood out to me when compared to other books in the series. Along Came Amor really touched me emotionally and I thought the descriptions of anxiety and internal turmoil of Ava were impactful and true. Alexis Daria did an amazing job of writing fully dimensional characters and representing the impact that family can have. I found the romance between the characters compelling and it built in a believable way. I enjoyed reading about characters we had met in other books as well. I thought the ending wrapped things up almost too perfectly but I do love a happy ending. I would recommend this book to my friends if they wanted a hopeful romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the advanced reader copy.

Ava, the third Prima of Power, finally gets her love story told. Ava, a middle school teacher whose husband has dropped the bomb that he no longer wants to be married to her is trying to find her way forward and, at an educator's conference ends up having a one night stand with Roman, the owner of the hotel where the conference is being held. Though both think this was a one-time thing, Roman finds that he wants more, and they develop a situationship that could be a relationship--if not for her meddling and judgmental family.

Alexis Daria does a great job of giving all the major characters (and many of the minor ones) their own distinct voices and the dialogue is snappy. While much of what Ava's family says is cringeworthy, I enjoyed reading it all and picturing the different family members. Since this is a romance, we know that Ava and Roman will wind up together, but the journey is worth the read.

Along Came Amor is out May 27, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

Wow!! What a great book!! This one was a page turner! Had me hooked from the first page! This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last. I enjoyed the plot, characters and the writing style!!

I’ve been waiting for the 3rd book in Alexis Daria’s “Primas of Power” series and it did not disappoint! Once I read the first in the series, “You Had Me at Hola” I read all of Alexis Daria’s backlist and made her an “auto-buy” author. Her characters are just so refreshingly real since we get to experience the POVs of both main characters, Ava and Roman.

You don’t need to read the previous two books about Ava’s cousins and how they met their love matches, but it would help getting familiar with the big blended multicultural families that make appearances. There’s Puerto Rican grandparents holding center court, but marriages have included Italian, Greek, Jamaican and Filipino members. As the author remarks “The mix of cultures, customs, and foods present at every birthday party and holiday celebration had imbued the Rodriguez family with flavor and depth. And a huge gossip network”.

The central story has Ava Rodriguez, fresh off her divorce, meeting hotelier Roman Vasquez when she’s attending a teacher conference. Their electricity is amazing, but Ava wants a new start and decides to keep Roman as a “no strings attached” encounter (that occurs more than once). She is constantly reminded by her extended family of her marriage failure as they all prepare for the spectacular wedding of her soap opera star cousin Jasmine to telenovela hunk Ashton (book one, “You Had Me at Hola”). Of course, Ava has no idea that Roman is Ashton’s best man while she is the maid of honor. We get to experience Ava and Roman falling more and more in love while navigating the expected family drama. In the end, each of the Primas of Power get their happy endings! This is actually fairly long (512 pages), but it never lagged at all. I loved it and can’t wait for whatever else Alexis Daria writes in the future!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Ava has hazel green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO I did like that Heliconia was referred to as Lobster Claws.

Thank you to Avon and Harper/Voyager and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

This title was a beautiful and real depiction of people pleasing. The couple were, reflective and gave a great depiction of what healthy adult relationships are supposed to look like. I loved the realness of Ava and her anxieties, is us. All of us. I think the author showed the true ways our loving households can hold us back and hurt us and how boundries can bring us back to ourselves. The way Ava let her family treat her had me STRESSED OUT. Thank God Roman's beautiful and sturdy presence got us through it all.

This is by far the best book in the series.
This book was so beautifully written. It’s been awhile since I’ve understood a character so well.
Ava always does the right thing, for everyone else. When her marriage falls apart it shakes her to the core.
Roman has working hard to be the best for his family. His personal life didn’t matter.
When these two collide, it’s perfection. I loved watching their growth and how each had to accept themselves.
It’s sexy and emotional and it m sad to see it end.

5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Alexis Daria providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

As a Latina, I loved reading about Ava and her family! Along Came Amor turned out to be my favorite of the series and I knew it was going to be a 5 star read when I was not even halfway done! The story has moment of love, emotion, grief and culture. As a first generation daughter myself, I related to her a lot and felt her pain; we put too much pressure on ourselves because of what our parents have sacrificed to give us a better life. I needed to see her have her happy ending and I got just that 🥹

Tropes:
- Best Man x Maid of Honor
- Secret Romance
- Family Drama
- He Falls First

Really enjoyed this book! A fun romcom with heart, humor, and heat. The writing carries emotional depth and her writing has grown from book to book. Love this series and cannot wait for more!

Unfortunately this was not a favorite for me. I think it was part me and part the book that was the problem. On the one hand, I read the first two in this series years ago when these romances were more my speed, and this one didn't hit. On the other hand, there were many aspects of this book that really annoyed me. The frequent descriptions of peoples looks, clothing, decor, etc. was unnecessary and felt juvenile. Ava got on my nerves so much. Girl go back to therapy!!! Her thoughts were illogical and I wanted to yell at her. Also WHY did Roman give a lap dance to her MOM?????? Hello????? I am so sorry I did not like this.

I love it when I read a book and I like it so much that I need to go and read the author's backlist and this is how I felt after finishing this book. I liked the fling aspect and the chemistry between the main characters was instant. The fmc is a school teacher who recently got a divorce and the mmc is a millionaire who is always on the go and successful. When they meet it's only meant to be a one-time thing and of course, it's not and they start a fling.

I loved the diversity and Puerto Rican representation in this one. He fell first and wanted to explore a relationship but the fmc didn't because of her family and divorce. I thought the MCs were so cute especially when the mmc told her that one of the conditions of the fling is that he gets to spoil her. The steamy scenes were hot and everything about the fling was hot. At times I did find the fmc not wanting to tell her family and anyone about the mmc frustrating but I understood it. Loved the wedding plot between her friends and can't wait to read the other books. Thanks to Avon for the arc!

Read for:
- Latinx romance
- Secret fling plot
- Millionaire CEO mmc x teacher fmc
- Newly divorced fmc
-Tight-knit family and friend group

My review: This is charming, Grown Adult romance with a healthy dose of instalust between two characters you get the sense are just starting to let go after years of trying to do the right thing. There's a lot of comfort in a read like this, and a lot of vindication in seeing Ava especially navigate messy family dynamics. By the end, you feel genuine joy in reading both Roman and Ava blossom as people in their thirties and forties, romantically and otherwise.

If you know me, you know I'm trash for a one-night stand and not just because it's an early sex scene (and it was! there was a penthouse suite and a pool involved, and it was HOT)— to me, it sets up the couple's early chemistry, but since chemistry alone obviously can't sustain a relationship, how do they make this work? Ava is a somewhat neurotic, relationship-averse middle school teacher who was very suddenly dumped one day, and is still dealing with judgement and gossip from her family. No wonder she insists on a no-strings relationship with Roman— something I always think is funny especially when the hero is SO TRAGIC about it. Do I think this was dragged out a little too far, especially when Ava insisted on dating Roman secretly despite being a grown-ass woman who technically shouldn't have to answer to anyone? Sure, but it's a very... white American viewpoint I'm espousing, and I know all to well the expectations that come with being a part of an immigrant family, first-gen, second-gen, or otherwise, and Ava here is definitely feeling it.

Roman was the perfect counterpoint to Ava— he reminded me of something Adriana Herrera said about romance heroes sort of being "just Ken" in the relationship. Their heroines are out there doing the good work, the tough work, and they're here to rub her feet, feed her food, and dick her down, yk. That isn't to say Roman doesn't have his own stuff going on— he's a very typical (only) son of immigrants, a striver who had the added burden of feeling like he needed to take care of his mom and sister from a young age since there was no father figure in the picture.

The sex: Like I said, I'm garbage for a one-night stand and Ava and Roman's first time did not disappoint— yes it was hot but it was also just really ROMANTIC the way Roman eased Ava back into things and made her feel like it was okay to voice her desires, something that continues throughout the book.

BUT my favorite scene by far was probably him eating her out from behind in a very tense, "what if someone catches us" moment followed by a door bang.

Overall: I'd strongly recommend this to any romcom reader. It has a little bit of everything: glamorous locations with a wedding backdrop, hot sex, messy families. Alexis Daria knows how to write a good contemporary that doesn't take itself too seriously (see: Roman's bachelorette party lap dance), but still gives you this feeling of romantic and emotional catharsis.

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Pub Date: May 27th