Book Review: You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

By Jenn Seiler-Patrick | Five Points West Regional Branch Library

In the fun and flirty rom-com You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria, Jasmine Lin Rodriguez has decided to learn how to be a Leading Lady. She has been cast as Carmen in the English-language telanovela Carmen in Charge, but really needs to figure out how to take charge in her own life. This includes not being on tabloid covers for bad reasons (especially for a disastrous public breakup with her ex), not needing a mad to be happy (especially her cheating ex) and definitely not sleeping with costars (especially her new sexy costar, Ashton Suarez).

But Ashton and Jasmine begin getting close through their on-air personas and, not to spoil too much, but some steamy sex scenes follow. Jasmine begins to think what they have could be real, but does Ashton feel the same way? Can he open up his life again or will fear and trauma from the past keep him away?

This latinx-centric book was a joy to read, especially the drama in both the main characters’ familias. While personally I think the storyline of the Carmen in Charge telanovela within the book was more focused on Ashton’s character than Jasmine’s when it should have been the opposite, the overall story of You Had Me at Hola was focused on both characters and their development. Highly recommend this fun romance!