Scan barcode
hsecen's review
3.5
Island Affair certainly had potential but it felt only halfway to me. Going into books, I'm usually pretty good about suspending my disbelief - it is fiction after all. But on the other hand, I find a good book definitely has one foot in reality and I didn't really feel that. It takes place over one week and the amount of feelings and changes that happen over that one week was just way too fast in my opinion. For a fake relationship, there's the meeting each other phases, getting stories straight, questioning intimacy while starting to feel the chemistry, accepting the chemistry and going for it, running into a conflict of some sort, and resolving it to wind up back together for real. That's just a lot for two people who met each other for the first time a week ago and the ending was wrapped up far too quickly for me to feel any satisfaction.
That's not to say there weren't parts of this that I didn't enjoy. Sarah concocts this charade for the sake of not upsetting her mother - there is definitely some tension that runs in family, stemming from her being over a decade younger than her other two siblings. I really enjoyed the family dynamics shifting around following her mom's illness and how they wanted to be closer but weren't sure how to go about that. However, their were a couple of relationships between Sarah and others that she wanted to mend, and only one of them is truly addressed and has it's own scene. There were others that just seemed so fast to flip a switch and I wish there could have been a little more time to address past issues and intentions to change.
And if you're really good at getting over the super speed at which Luis and Sarah develop feelings for each other, I did like their chemistry. I liked that Luis's more protective side coming out to take care of Sarah throughout her trip and how Sarah was so open to learning everything Luis wanted to show her and in turn wanting to take care of him, more on an emotional level - it was all really sweet.
This book had its good moments but only in chunks - as one flowing story, it just didn't really work. The timeline was just too fast and meant skipping over details that I would have found more interesting and added a depth to the plot that I think the story would have benefited from.
That's not to say there weren't parts of this that I didn't enjoy. Sarah concocts this charade for the sake of not upsetting her mother - there is definitely some tension that runs in family, stemming from her being over a decade younger than her other two siblings. I really enjoyed the family dynamics shifting around following her mom's illness and how they wanted to be closer but weren't sure how to go about that. However, their were a couple of relationships between Sarah and others that she wanted to mend, and only one of them is truly addressed and has it's own scene. There were others that just seemed so fast to flip a switch and I wish there could have been a little more time to address past issues and intentions to change.
And if you're really good at getting over the super speed at which Luis and Sarah develop feelings for each other, I did like their chemistry. I liked that Luis's more protective side coming out to take care of Sarah throughout her trip and how Sarah was so open to learning everything Luis wanted to show her and in turn wanting to take care of him, more on an emotional level - it was all really sweet.
This book had its good moments but only in chunks - as one flowing story, it just didn't really work. The timeline was just too fast and meant skipping over details that I would have found more interesting and added a depth to the plot that I think the story would have benefited from.
kelli7990's review against another edition
USA Today best-selling author Priscilla Oliveras launches a new romantic comedy series set in Key West, Florida and filled with humor, Latinx culture, and fun family dynamics perfect for summer beach listening....
I listened to this book on Everand. I won the second book Anchored Hearts in a Goodreads giveaway in 2021 and I wanted to see if I would like this book before reading that one. I decided to DNF this book at 62%. I liked the setting, the Latinx culture and the family dynamics in this book but I didn’t see any chemistry between this couple. This book has 3 tropes: insta-love, fake dating and one bed. They ended up fake dating because her boyfriend stood her up on the phone. A guy overheard her talking to her boyfriend on the phone and after she gets off the phone, he went up to her and asked her if she was okay. She said she was fine and then she finally admitted that she needed help so she asked this guy if he wanted to be her fake boyfriend and he said yes. Why was her family okay with her bringing home some random guy and sharing a room with him? Wouldn’t they know that that guy isn’t her boyfriend? She came up with some kind of excuse to her family about why she brought him home and they were okay with it. She could have said that her boyfriend wasn’t going to be on the family vacation because he stood her up. It’s weird the way the fake dating situation happened and the dialogue between them is so awkward. They know that they’re in a fake dating situation because they made that choice but they’re so awkward when they hang out with each other.
I listened to this book on Everand. I won the second book Anchored Hearts in a Goodreads giveaway in 2021 and I wanted to see if I would like this book before reading that one. I decided to DNF this book at 62%. I liked the setting, the Latinx culture and the family dynamics in this book but I didn’t see any chemistry between this couple. This book has 3 tropes: insta-love, fake dating and one bed. They ended up fake dating because her boyfriend stood her up on the phone. A guy overheard her talking to her boyfriend on the phone and after she gets off the phone, he went up to her and asked her if she was okay. She said she was fine and then she finally admitted that she needed help so she asked this guy if he wanted to be her fake boyfriend and he said yes. Why was her family okay with her bringing home some random guy and sharing a room with him? Wouldn’t they know that that guy isn’t her boyfriend? She came up with some kind of excuse to her family about why she brought him home and they were okay with it. She could have said that her boyfriend wasn’t going to be on the family vacation because he stood her up. It’s weird the way the fake dating situation happened and the dialogue between them is so awkward. They know that they’re in a fake dating situation because they made that choice but they’re so awkward when they hang out with each other.
pageturning_gamer's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this book so much. With its Florida Keys vibes. Fake relationship. One bed. Strangers to lovers. Hot firefighter with a good heart and Cuban/Hispanic culture. I enjoyed the family times spent together. Also I love the book cover. 🌴🌺☀️ I recommend this book.
Check out my IG at pageturning_gamer for book posts.
Check out my IG at pageturning_gamer for book posts.
evarano's review
4.0
3.5 ⭐️
This book is about Sara Vance, a social media influencer who is beginning her vacation in Key West with her family. Upon her arrival, she discovers that her current boyfriend isn't making the journey to join the vacation. He's bailed on her, and she panics. Not wanting to disappoint her parents, who she feels disconnected from, she enlists the help of sexy firefighter Luis, who she happens to run into at the airport. Luckily for Sara, Luis has just been placed on mandated leave from his job to work through some personal issues he faced in the past. As the two develop a plan to be a couple, they realize that their connection is blossoming into something far more real.
I liked this book! I wish I could give it 3.5 stars, but I decided to round up because it did get better towards the end. The book was well written, the setting well described and interesting. I liked how light and beautiful the setting was. The characters were likeable and the story enjoyable. I enjoyed spending time in this story. The setting offered a lightness to contrast the darkness of what the characters were dealing with. The love story was sweet! Issues I had with the book include how terribly unrealistic it was, at times it was repetitive and extremely cheesy. I thought the beginning dragged on and on and right when I finally connected, it was almost over. I simply didn't find that deepness in the characters, despite their tough backstories. I wanted to connect with them so I would want to continue reading. I suspect this didn't happen until the end because it was predictable. Some parts felt rushed, some felt dragged. However, in the end, this was a feel good, light and fun book with likeable characters. It was a good read!
Thanks to NetGalley for the free preview in exchange for an honest review!
This book is about Sara Vance, a social media influencer who is beginning her vacation in Key West with her family. Upon her arrival, she discovers that her current boyfriend isn't making the journey to join the vacation. He's bailed on her, and she panics. Not wanting to disappoint her parents, who she feels disconnected from, she enlists the help of sexy firefighter Luis, who she happens to run into at the airport. Luckily for Sara, Luis has just been placed on mandated leave from his job to work through some personal issues he faced in the past. As the two develop a plan to be a couple, they realize that their connection is blossoming into something far more real.
I liked this book! I wish I could give it 3.5 stars, but I decided to round up because it did get better towards the end. The book was well written, the setting well described and interesting. I liked how light and beautiful the setting was. The characters were likeable and the story enjoyable. I enjoyed spending time in this story. The setting offered a lightness to contrast the darkness of what the characters were dealing with. The love story was sweet! Issues I had with the book include how terribly unrealistic it was, at times it was repetitive and extremely cheesy. I thought the beginning dragged on and on and right when I finally connected, it was almost over. I simply didn't find that deepness in the characters, despite their tough backstories. I wanted to connect with them so I would want to continue reading. I suspect this didn't happen until the end because it was predictable. Some parts felt rushed, some felt dragged. However, in the end, this was a feel good, light and fun book with likeable characters. It was a good read!
Thanks to NetGalley for the free preview in exchange for an honest review!
anns_book_chronicles's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jennabarricklo's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
maryshelleysbestie's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmaj19's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5