ALONG CAME AMOR

A one-night stand leads to a long-term relationship for a schoolteacher and a hotel owner.

When middle school English teacher Ava Rodriguez finds out that her divorce has been finalized, she’s at a Jersey Shore hotel for an educational conference. Determined to leave her old self behind and embrace “new Ava,” she goes to the bar for a drink and meets the hotel’s handsome owner, Roman Vázquez. Roman’s memories of growing up poor are what propel him to strive for more: In addition to expanding his hotel chain, he owns a rum distillery and is writing a memoir. Flirtatious banter between Ava and Roman leads to a sexy, passionate night together. Ava is determined to keep the interlude just that, but the next time she faces an emotional setback, she contacts Roman and they embark on a discrete, no-strings affair. Since her family was judgmental rather than supportive during her divorce, she’s determined to keep her love life private—even from Jasmine Lin Rodriguez and Michelle Amato, her cousins and closest friends. Then, to her horror, she discovers that Roman is going to be the best man at Jasmine’s upcoming wedding—where she’s going to be the maid of honor. Roman is thrilled to learn about their connection and is determined to take advantage of it, even volunteering to travel to Puerto Rico with Ava to do advance work at the wedding venue. Despite the glamorous settings, the novel is driven by internal turmoil. Ava is wounded not just from the divorce but from some traumatic experiences that have made her feel that she’s never good enough for her family. Roman learns that the quick thinking and problem-solving that make him a successful CEO make Ava feel undermined and overwhelmed. The reveal of their secret relationship is juicy and dramatic, but readers might find it difficult to believe that Ava’s family can heal decades-old hurts so easily.

Strong internal conflict makes for an angsty, emotional romance.