On the Hustle

I received an eARC from NetGalley and Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. Alba Duarte is going to quit her job. She is finally jumping into her passion project, designing bookish rooms, with both feet. The only thing standing in her way is her uptight, perfectionist, former Olympian, gorgeous boss, Theo Ganas. Now she’s in Dallas, taking a break from her New York life, with a new opportunity to give her business more visibility. The last thing she expects is Theo flying in, pitching a reality tv that puts her spot of visibility on steroids. But the Theo she knew seems to have stayed in New York. Who is this Dallas Theo? This fun, flirty, kind man who she barely recognizes. Now that his cold demeanor is gone, how long can she deny the attraction she feels?

I was so excited to get this book and it did not disappoint, five stars is not enough! Herrera writes wonderful characters. Alba is a strong, independent, driven woman. She puts everyone before herself. She doesn’t need someone to swoop in and save her, but she might need a cheerleader. I love the Latinx representation in both Alba and Theo, the little bits of Spanish sprinkled throughout. Theo is the man I never knew I always wanted. I don’t want to give anything away other than to say he has a way with words, and my new love language may be food. This book captured me from the start and while I couldn’t stop reading I didn’t want it to end. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys workplace romance, forced proximity, Latinx reads, and steamy novels. But honestly, I’d recommend this to everyone.

I discovered Adriana Herrera last year when I came across Here to Stay. It was one of the best books I read last year, so I was excited that she had written a long awaited second book in the Dating in Dallas series.

First and foremost, Adriana Herrera is really good at writing strong women and nice guys with dirty mouths.

Alba (Julia's bestie from Here to Stay) has been working her behind off for three years so that she can start her own interior design business. Theo is her boss and is gone for her, but has wanted to keep it professional, so he distances himself from her. When an opportunity arises in Dallas for Alba, she quits before Theo can tell her how he actually feels about her. Theo is determined to tell her, so he ends up meddling his way into her life so that they're forced to be in close proximity for 4-6 weeks.

I love books where the MMC falls first because I love the pining. Alba thinks the Dallas version of Theo is a completely different Theo than she's used to and over time gets to know the real him. Theo really had to put in the work with Alba. He needed to prove that he's someone she can count on and that he wants her, chaos and all. Alba is too busy taking trying to get her company off the ground and taking care of everyone else, back at home, that she's not ready for a relationship, especially from her former boss she thinks isn't interested in her.

Prepare yourselves for a spicy one. Their sexual tension and chemistry was fire and the flirtatious banter was hot. I thought I loved Rocco from Here to Stay, but Theo just pushed him out of the top spot. Dirty talk in Spanish is not something I knew I needed, but I am here for it!

This is one of the best books I've read this year. If you haven't started this series, you need to. I am becoming a huge fan of Herrera's.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

5 Stars

This. Book. I don't even think I can post a coherent review for this because it was EVERYTHING. I love Adriana Herrera as is but this? THIS? A masterpiece. I started swooning at 2% in and could not put it down. A fierce, hustling, bisexual Dominican Woman who doesn't wear size 0 and does bookish design make overs? This was everything I needed in life. Alba is probably one of my very favourite characters I have ever read and I love her something fierce. I am also such a sucker for heroes who fall in love first as well and reading Theo's POV was delicious. The amount of pining just made me giggly and happy, as did this whole book. As always, the writing style is impeccable, the characters beyond lovable, I want to live in this world with these characters forever. Side note: the fact that this doesn't end with children but a pack of dogs made me happier than is decent.