Esmeralda and the Second-Hand Suitor by Hebby Roman

Title: Esmeralda and the Second-Hand Suitor (Snowbirds #2)

Author: Hebby Roman

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 189 pages

Publisher: Estrella Publishing

Release Date: March 12, 2016

Reviewed by: Jasmyn

What’s a forty-year-old virgin doing in a predicament like this? Looking for a husband because her late father’s will decrees she must marry or forfeit her orchard, her only means of support. Hank McCall, as a perspective husband, leaves a great deal to be desired—he’s twice divorced and older than Esmeralda. Scarred by their pasts and challenged by the gap in their ages, Esmeralda and Hank struggle with their new-found relationship. But when Hank is faced with losing Esmeralda or surrendering to her yearning to have a real family, their fates hang in the balance. 

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Esmeralda and the Second-Hand Suitor was a cute story. At times a little unbelievable, but other times incredibly down to earth. It was also quite refreshing to see an older couple portrayed as....asn older couple. I know, crazy right? Esmeralda and Hank are both over 40 and living real life with real life problems. Divorce, paying bills, meeting people, family drama, and wondering if it's even worth looking anymore.

Esmeralda was a bit on the unbelievable side for me. A little too much of her character seemed to be determined by what would help the story work better. She's a virgin - which I know can still happen - but let's be honest. It isn't very likely anymore. She can only have her inheritance if she's married - because her father is a chauvanistic jerk - which I am more inclined to believe, but it still seems far-fetched. Especially to have all these things fall on one person's shoulders.

Hank is a divorced, fighting to keep enough from his recent ex so that he can retire in peace, and is really and truly going through what seems to be a mid-life crisis. Flying south to spend some time away from it all, he meets Esmerelda, and they are both faced with some serious adult-like problems (such a refreshing prospect).

This book dealt with real-life people facing real-life issues that would (mostly) affect any one of us that is no longer hovering in that 20-something age group. I really enjoyed seeing an older couple than I usually see in a romance with experiences and personalities that fit them well. 

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To Dance Again by Hebby Roman ~ Review

Title: To Dance Again

Author: Hebby Roman
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 190 pages
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Release Date: December 11, 2015
Source: Review Request
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

They say a woman never forgets her first love, and Maricel Cardona hasn't forgotten Ramón Morales. She remembers dancing all night in Ramón's arms to the sensual beat of their homeland, Puerto Rico. When her family forced her to move to the States, she didn't know she was carrying Ramón's child.

A self-made multi-millionaire, Ramón hasn't forgotten Maricel and the passion he felt, dancing with her. Now, at the pinnacle of his success, he's withdrawn from the world to safeguard his own secret. A secret that, if revealed, would change his life forever. Reunited after twenty-seven years, will the high school sweethearts get a second chance at love or will their secrets tear them apart?

Loves reunited is one of my favorite tropes, and this one did a great job in that area. Maricel and Ramon were high school sweethearts when Maricel's family left Puerto Rico for United States, separating them. Both lived their separate lives for over twenty years, but Maricel is drawn back to Puerto Rico for a few reasons, and talking to Ramon is one of them.

I liked Maricel, and I didn't like Maricel. She kept her secret far too long. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to tell Ramon a secret like this, but there were so many opportunities that she let just pass her by. Once or twice I think I would have understood, but it was just too many times, and I was never a fan of secrets.

Ramon is just as guilty with his secret, the one he tries to keep from the entire world. But all secrets eventually come out, and when his does it just makes him seem a little silly and overly prideful. They did make an amazing couple together, and the ending was incredibly sweet and just what the story needed.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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