Rating this one 4.5/5 Stars
Super fun rivals to lovers sort of second chance slow-burn romance between two feisty women who run Cuban pastry businesses for their families in Miami. Lauren and Sylvie hated each other because of a perpetual family feud, but also shared romantic feelings for each other as teens. Small misunderstandings led to a big falling out between them during a high school dance.
They reunited in their early thirties during a prestigious foodie event in Miami and built a new friendship that quickly evolved into love. It all felt a little fast as Lauren literally only broke up with someone else a few weeks before her and Sylvie first kissed. Still, they had some actual dates that were fun with silly and whimsical twists. The treehouse scene was hilarious. Loved their private wedding scene.
Their families were a great addition to everything else going on. Sylvie's godmother Regina was wonderful. Wished there were a few more scenes with Lauren's friends. There was a mystery in the story that was solved with a sort of predictable answer that put an end to the question of why their families feuded. Their romantic relationship shocked their families, but also challenged them all to end their fighting with each other as well.
Told in third person with dual POVs with inner monologue statements that just popped up italicized. Some chapters mixed POVs, but it wasn't too hard to follow. Lots of kissing with an interrupted scene and one long steamy scene with positions all over the place. There's mention of a strap a few times with no actual showing of them using it. Regardless, they felt very connected in all their intimate scenes.