Anchored Hearts: An Entertaining Latinx Second Chance Romance

by Priscilla Oliveras

Overview

Sparkling with humor, romance, Latinx culture, and the unique island energy of Key West, Florida, the acclaimed Keys to Love Series by USA Today bestselling author Priscilla Oliveras is the perfect summer read. Sparks fly for a second time when award-winning photographer and prodigal son Alejandro ends up back home, forced to face the familia—and the girl he left behind—for the first time in years. Can these two Key West natives learn to put away old hurts and embrace a new future under the tropical sun?

Key West is the ideal backdrop for the summer read you need! Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez, Jasmine Guillory, and Jen DeLuca, this gorgeous and stirring new love story from the author of Island Affair will touch your heart…

“Vibrant…A stunning romance of first love found again.”— Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW

Award-winning photographer Alejandro Miranda hasn’t been home to Key West in years—not since he left to explore broader horizons with his papi’s warning “never to come back” echoing in his ears. He wouldn’t be heading there now if it wasn’t for an injury requiring months of recuperation. The drama of a prodigal son returning to his familia and their beloved Cuban restaurant is bad enough, but coming home to the island paradise also means coming face to face with the girl he left behind—the one who was supposed to be by his side all along . . .

Anamaría Navarro was shattered when Alejandro took off without her. Traveling the world was their plan, not just his. But after her father’s heart attack, there was no way she could leave—not even for the man she loved. Now ensconced in the family trade as a firefighter and paramedic, with a side hustle as a personal trainer, Anamaría is dismayed that just the sight of Alejandro is enough to rekindle the flame she’s worked years to put out. And as famillia meddling pushes them together, the heat of their attraction only climbs higher. Can they learn to trust again, before the Key West sun sets on their chance at happiness?

Praise for Island Affair

“Rich with emotion and breathtaking prose . . . a captivating love story that demonstrates the power of forgiveness and strong family bonds.” —Farrah Rochon, USA Today bestselling author

“Don’t miss this lovely beginning to Priscilla Oliveras’s new series. Can’t wait to take my next trip!” —Jamie Beck, USA Today bestselling author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420150193
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	04/27/2021
Series:	Keys to Love , #2
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	362,667
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Priscilla Oliveras is a USA Today bestselling author and 2018 RWA® RITA® double finalist who writes contemporary romance with a Latinx flavor. Proud of her Puerto Rican-Mexican heritage, she strives to bring authenticity to her novels by sharing her Latinx culture with readers. Her work has garnered praise from O, The Oprah Magazine, Washington Post, New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, among others. Priscilla earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and now serves as adjunct faculty in the program while also teaching the online class "Romance Writing" for ed2go.

Find out more at https://prisoliveras.com or catch up with her on www.facebook.com/prisoliveras and Twitter and IG via @prisoliveras.

Editorial Reviews

02/22/2021

Oliveras keeps up the tropical vibes of Island Affair in her lukewarm second Keys of Love romance. When Anamaría Navarro’s high school sweetheart, Alejandro Miranda, left Key West to travel the world more than 10 years ago—leaving behind both his family and her shattered heart—Anamaría swore she’d never speak to him again. Now 30 and working in the family trade as a firefighter and paramedic while building her burgeoning personal fitness brand, Anamaría feels her life is finally coming together. But when a hiking accident forces Alejandro, now a famous photographer, back home to recuperate, Anamaría and Alejandro struggle to deny the spark that reignites between them while juggling their families’ expectations for their future, and their own assumptions about their past. Watching the underdeveloped exes dance around their feelings grows tiring as their dithering drags on, but Oliveras’s authentic portrayal of Latinx family life and picturesque descriptions of the Keys keep the pages turning. This sunny rom-com won’t melt hearts, but it’s good for an armchair getaway. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DiFiore & Co. (May.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 2021-02-02
Former childhood sweethearts reunite after 12 years apart in this emotional romance set in balmy Key West.

Anamaría Navarro is a woman who isn't afraid of hard work, balancing her job as a firefighter paramedic with her own business as a personal trainer. She's motivated, driven, and begrudgingly ruled by her well-meaning Cuban mother. It's because of her Mami that Anamaría has agreed to visit the family home of Alejandro Miranda, a man she'd hoped never to see again after their painful separation more than a decade earlier. Alejandro isn't pleased to be there, either. A highly sought-after international photographer, Alejandro spurned his father's dream of having him work in the family restaurant to pursue his passion. Now, after a serious fall in Puerto Rico has put his leg in a "cyborg-looking contraption," he's back in Key West to recuperate—and his family has called the one person he most wanted to avoid. When Alejandro left, he'd hoped Anamaría would join his jet-setting lifestyle. Instead, his pushing her became the catalyst for their breakup. While both Alejandro and Anamaría lived full lives apart, their meddling families never lost hope that they'd find their way back together, even if they require a hefty nudge. Oliveras has perfected the second-chance romance trope with Alejandro and Anamaría. Their anguish is so real that the book should come with tissues. The Key West setting is vibrant, adding a blessed touch of armchair travel to the current global circumstances. Wonderfully soapy, this is a romance to read in one sitting.

A stunning romance of first love found again.

Kirkus Reviews

Praise For the Keys to Love Romances:
 
“A big-hearted, beautiful book about first love, second chances, and finding one’s place in the world. An exceptional getaway of a book!” —Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read on Anchored Hearts
 
“Anchored Hearts has it all: undeniable chemistry, believable roadblocks, a heartwarming world, and a lush Key West setting that leaps off the page. Alejandro and Anamaría’s love story is not to be missed!” —Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man on Anchored Hearts
 
“Priscilla Oliveras carries readers away on a tropical escape through the pages of a cheery, optimistic romance that casts island sunshine on even the darkest of circumstances. Island Affair is her strongest work yet, perfectly calibrating its inviting family scenes with a sweet, heart-melting romance…a charming fake relationship romance made all the sweeter by Oliveras’ understanding that the best kind of love is one with room for the whole family.” —Entertainment Weekly on Island Affair

“Oliveras has perfected the second-chance romance trope…The Key West setting is vibrant, adding a blessed touch of armchair travel to the current global circumstances. Wonderfully soapy, this is a romance to read in one sitting. A stunning romance of first love found again.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW for Anchored Hearts

“The Florida island setting is only part of the appeal of this character-driven, second-chance romance between smart and badass Anamaria and sexy and artistic Alejandro as they slowly realize that successful relationships have room for both partners’ professions and dreams. Another draw: Oliveras' portrayal of family and social media ties are reminiscent of Alisha Rai's romances.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW for Anchored Hearts

“Oliveras keeps up the tropical vibes…Oliveras’ authentic portrayal of Latinx family life and picturesque descriptions of the Keys keep the pages turning.” —Publishers Weekly for Anchored Hearts
 
“Looking for a spring getaway that doesn't involve leaving your couch? Then let Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras transport you to Key West.” —PopSugar for Anchored Hearts
 
“I finished Island Affair with a big smile on my face. I can’t decide what I adored more: Luis and Sara’s love story; their relationships with their complicated and loving families, or the setting of Key West, which sounded so beautiful I wanted to jump on a plane. I can't wait to read more by Priscilla Oliveras!” —Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author on Island Affair
 
“Rich with emotion and breathtaking prose…a captivating love story that demonstrates the power of forgiveness and strong family bonds.” —Farrah Rochon, USA Today bestselling author on Island Affair

“A classic fake relationship romance, set in the dreamy Florida Keys…When they finally admit their feelings for each other, there's nothing fake about it. And in this novel, happy ever after isn't just for the hero and heroine, but their families too.” —NPR on Island Affair
 
“The Key West setting is lovingly portrayed, showing how local families struggle with the rising costs of living on an island paradise…Oliveras has a gift for showcasing how new lovers navigate introducing romantic partners to their families…Two good people find love in this emotional, slow-burn romance.” —Kirkus Reviews on Island Affair
 
"Oliveras' delightful romance, the start of the Keys to Love series is infused with the sights and tastes of Key West, creating an immersive experience. The families are realistically drawn in all their challenges, and building a relationship in a week in close quarters is a fun setup, with friction and a satisfying ending. Readers will look forward to the next installment." —Booklist on Island Affair
 
“Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras is a hug of a book—it fills the heart to the brim with its tenderness, warm-heartedness, and kindness. With some books, you know from the very beginning how wonderful the characters and their story are going to be and that feeling only grows with every page you turn.” —Frolic, Book of the Week on Island Affair
 
“A pitch-perfect beach read!” —BookPage, Most Anticipated Romances of the Year on Island Affair

“Island Affair is a perfect, romantic Caribbean escape. Much like a warm ocean breeze, Priscilla Oliveras’ beautiful take on the beloved fake fiancé trope sweeps readers into a heartfelt story about two people who fall in love while helping each other overcome substantial personal obstacles. Don’t miss this lovely beginning to Priscilla Oliveras’ new series. Can’t wait to take my next trip!” —Jamie Beck, USA Today bestselling author on Island Affair

From the Publisher

Narrator Raquel Beattie immerses the listener in the Cuban culture of Key West. When photographer Alejandro Miranda is injured, he is forced to return home and confront his past, which includes the girlfriend he left behind, Anamaria Navarro, a fitness instructor. Both their scheming mothers plot to bring them back together. Beattie radiates Alejandro’s frustration with his family situation, especially his father’s disapproval of his career choice. One can easily visualize Alejandro’s toddler niece through Beattie’s childlike vocalizations. Beattie’s performance brings out the conflict between Anamaria and Alejandro, evolving into acceptance of each other’s faults. The author uses sporadic Spanish throughout, and Beattie handles it masterfully with a lilting Cuban accent. S.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2022 - AudioFile

Narrator Raquel Beattie immerses the listener in the Cuban culture of Key West. When photographer Alejandro Miranda is injured, he is forced to return home and confront his past, which includes the girlfriend he left behind, Anamaria Navarro, a fitness instructor. Both their scheming mothers plot to bring them back together. Beattie radiates Alejandro’s frustration with his family situation, especially his father’s disapproval of his career choice. One can easily visualize Alejandro’s toddler niece through Beattie’s childlike vocalizations. Beattie’s performance brings out the conflict between Anamaria and Alejandro, evolving into acceptance of each other’s faults. The author uses sporadic Spanish throughout, and Beattie handles it masterfully with a lilting Cuban accent. S.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2022 - AudioFile