Having loved You Had Me at Hola, I knew I needed to read A Lot Like Adiós. And I was not disappointed in the least. A Lot Like Adiós is charming, sexy, and got me super emotional! I’ve been in a romance read mood lately and this hit the spot. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Hi Mich. It’s Gabe.
After burning out in her corporate marketing career, Michelle Amato has built a thriving freelance business as a graphic designer. So what if her love life is nonexistent? She’s perfectly fine being the black sheep of her marriage-obsessed Puerto Rican-Italian family. Besides, the only guy who ever made her want happily-ever-after disappeared thirteen years ago.
It’s been a long time.
Gabriel Aguilar left the Bronx at eighteen to escape his parents’ demanding expectations, but it also meant saying goodbye to Michelle, his best friend and longtime crush. Now, he’s the successful co-owner of LA’s hottest celebrity gym, with an investor who insists on opening a New York City location. It’s the last place Gabe wants to go, but when Michelle is unexpectedly brought on board to spearhead the new marketing campaign, everything Gabe’s been running from catches up with him.
I’ve missed you.
Michelle is torn between holding Gabe at arm’s length or picking up right where they left off—in her bed. As they work on the campaign, old feelings resurface, and their reunion takes a sexy turn. Facing mounting pressure from their families—who think they’re dating—and growing uncertainty about their futures, can they resolve their past mistakes, or is it only a matter of time before Gabe says adiós again?
Review
I love the idea of childhood crushes/romances coming back for round two. Seriously, it’s the discovery of 2021 for me and A Lot Like Adiós brings the heat! Not only that, but Daria combines this with queer characters (both leads!), fanfiction chapters, and raw sizzling chemistry. Seriously, A Lot Like Adiós is a slam dunk! I loved reading every moment of it as Gabe and Michelle reminisce on their days writing fanfiction, of the best friendship they had growing up, and that moment of passion.
Another sweet spot for me recently has been characters who are all like, “this is totally casual, chill as a cucumber” as they internally are screaming and in denial. Fighting their feels and thinking that they’re being very casual. As if. Needless to say that with the addition of the fake dating and family scenes, A Lot Like Adiós is a book I am eager to re-read. I was consistently eager to come back and read this before bed, to be lost in the characters emotional turmoil, but also in the care they show to each other.
A Lot Like Adiós also discusses that very universal fear of being too scared of what you want. Of being able to see what you want, but being terrified of making the leap towards it. Because you can see the deep chasm beneath you. But it’s also about realizing what is important and that we don’t have to do it alone. That theme about needing to open up to people and accept help? That hit hard. I cannot more highly recommend this book especially if you’re prepared for a lot of steam!
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