when it says Liz Alden i am there for every word and book. read it today and you will love it too. Must read and buy it at once.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Liz Alden for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Summary

After moving to Madrid, confident and independent Jade wasn’t expecting to be paired with the one man who rejected her, Carlos, her older, grumpy colleague.

When Jade is given the opportunity to travel across Europe delivering presentations about a treatment close to her heart, helping prevent hair loss during chemotherapy, it’s a dream opportunity. The catch? Carlos will be accompanying her as her translator. As they travel from city to city, disastrous presentations, long train rides and unexpected moments together begin to reveal the man beneath Carlos’ stoic exterior. Beneath the grumpiness is a devoted grandfather, a talented linguist, and someone who has spent years protecting his heart.

As their professional partnership slowly turns into something much more, Jade and Carlos must decide whether they’re willing to let go of the past and take a chance on a future together.

Review

This was hands down my favourite book in the series! I absolutely devoured it and didn’t want it to end.

Carlos and Jade had incredible chemistry from the very beginning. I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, the age gap, and the way their relationship developed naturally as they travelled across Europe together. Their banter was hilarious, and watching Carlos slowly lower his walls made for such a satisfying romance.

One of my absolute favourite parts of the book, though, was Izan. His wonderfully gassy dog completely stole every scene he was in! Every appearance had me laughing, and he was such an unexpected but perfect addition to the story. He was honestly one of the highlights of the entire book.

I also loved that the story centred around Jade’s work advocating for chemotherapy patients. It added so much heart and meaning to the romance, giving the story an emotional depth that balanced the humour and spice beautifully.

The pacing was spot on! There wasn’t a single dull moment and the romance built at just the right speed. And yes… the spicy scenes absolutely delivered. They were passionate, well-written and fit the story perfectly without overshadowing the emotional connection between the characters.

Cava with My Colleague was funny, heartfelt, emotional and incredibly romantic. Between the unforgettable chemistry, laugh-out-loud moments, swoon-worthy romance and Izan’s scene-stealing antics, this was an easy five-star read and my favourite of the series so far. I can’t recommend it enough!

I loved this book! It’s beautifully written and deeply authentic, especially in its portrayal of life after cancer 💛

Jade and Carlos work because they feel like complete opposites in the best way. Jade is vibrant, a little chaotic, always saying the wrong thing in the funniest way, and bringing so much life into every space she’s in. Carlos is the opposite, more reserved, more guarded, very set in the life he’s built, and watching that contrast slowly soften between them felt really natural.

Jade’s experience as a cancer survivor was handled with so much care. The balance between not wanting to be defined by it, but also not wanting to hide it, felt incredibly honest and added a layer that really stayed with me.

Carlos’s growth is quieter, but it’s there. Watching him open himself back up, not just to love but to change, felt earned. And I loved that once things started to shift between them, they actually communicated. No drawn-out miscommunication, just two people trying to figure it out.

The travel element added such a nice layer, and Madrid in particular felt lived-in and real ✨ And Jade’s friend group? Immediately the kind of people you want more time with. (And yes, I’m going to go back and read the rest of the series!)

Thank you so much to Liz Alden for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💕