Julia del Mar Ortiz lives in Dallas and has her dream job working for the charitable foundation of a successful department store. A tried and true New Yorker and dealing with a bad breakup, Julia decides to find fellow New Yorkers in her company and the area to help with her homesickness, calling the group the Gotham Exiles. Although she is focused on her career, Julia can’t help but be intrigued by the man who could make or break her place within the company, and when he shows up to a Gotham Exiles get together, they both are surprised to find comfort and respect in the other.

Rocco Quinn is in Dallas to help a lucrative IPO deal go through. He has to monitor various parts of the company and not only decide if the IPO will be worthwhile but also where the company could make cuts. A deal of this size would be the boost he needs for a promotion, which would mean a secure future for himself as well as his younger sister and her daughter, who need to get away from their toxic parents. But as Rocco gets to know the rest of the Gotham Exiles and finally gets closer to Julia, the woman whose vivacious personality and dedication to her career has impressed him from the start, Rocco knows no matter what decision he finally makes, someone will get hurt.

With the deadline for Rocco’s recommendation looming, he and Julia throw caution to the wind and give in to their desires. But hopes for a simple fling are thwarted by real and overwhelming feelings. Can Julia trust someone again after her painful breakup? And will Rocco be able to put his sense of duty and loyalty aside to be with the woman who sees him for who he really is?

HERE TO STAY by Adriana Herrera is an emotional, heartfelt, and fun contemporary romance. Having two hardworking people admit their attraction to the other early on, fight it for a while, and then finally, deliciously give in to their desires was refreshing--it was easy to see from the start that Julia and Rocco wanted to be together. The Gotham Exiles is a delightful group of great friends who know exactly when Julia and Rocco need to be teased about their growing relationship as well as when they need to be supported through hardships. Hopefully, they all get their own love stories! Julia’s loud and loving family was wonderful; it was clear they wanted the best for Julia and welcomed Rocco with open arms, knowing he was right for her. Rocco’s family story was more fraught and his strained relationship with his parents and his need to make sure his sister and niece were all right was heartbreaking because it hindered his ability to fully open up to Julia and see his own self-worth. The details about the department store’s IPO started to muddle a bit, but the scenes where Julia was at work with students and families in need were great and gave insight to her character. Adriana Herrera’s love of New York City is clear and added an authentic voice to the Gotham Exiles, but anyone who has felt homesick will relate to missing home. HERE TO STAY is an entertaining and heartwarming romance!

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