Alexis Daria burst onto the contemporary romance scene with You Had Me at Hola, the inaugural novel in her Primas of Power series, after establishing herself with the RITA® Award-winning Take the Lead and the beloved Dance with Me duology. This telenovela-inspired romance serves as both a stunning standalone and the perfect foundation for what would become a trilogy celebrating Latina women, family bonds, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.
The Primas of Power series continues with A Lot Like Adios (featuring Michelle’s story) and Along Came Amor (completing the trilogy with Ava’s journey), but it all begins here with Jasmine’s beautifully chaotic path to love and self-acceptance.
Plot Overview: When Life Imitates Art
Jasmine Lin Rodriguez thought she had escaped the tabloid nightmare of her very public breakup with rock star McIntyre, but returning to New York City to star in Carmen in Charge—a bilingual romantic comedy for ScreenFlix—proves that some fires refuse to die down. When a last-minute casting change pairs her with established telenovela heartthrob Ashton Suárez (née Ángel Luis), their disastrous first meeting involves spilled coffee, ruined silk, and enough awkwardness to sink a streaming series.
Both actors desperately need this show to succeed: Jasmine to rehabilitate her image and prove she’s more than tabloid fodder, and Ashton to transition from Spanish-language television to mainstream American entertainment. Their professional necessity to generate convincing on-screen chemistry becomes increasingly complicated when their private rehearsals evolve into genuine attraction, forcing both to confront their carefully constructed walls and the media circus that threatens to destroy everything they’ve worked toward.
Character Development: Authentically Flawed and Relatable
Jasmine Lin Rodriguez: The Vulnerable Leading Lady
Daria crafts Jasmine as a refreshingly real protagonist who struggles with middle-child syndrome, the pressure to succeed in an industry that often tokenizes Latina actresses, and a pattern of seeking validation through romantic relationships. Her Leading Lady Plan—a set of rules designed to keep her focused on career rather than love—becomes both armor and prison, reflecting the impossible standards women in entertainment face.
Jasmine’s journey from someone who defines herself through others’ opinions to a woman who recognizes her own worth independent of romantic validation feels genuinely earned. Her relationship with her Primas of Power—cousins Ava and Michelle—provides the emotional foundation that makes her eventual vulnerability with Ashton believable. The group text conversations and family dynamics ring with authentic affection and the comfortable teasing that defines close relationships.
Ashton Suárez: The Guarded Heartthrob with Hidden Depths
Ashton initially appears to fit the brooding male lead archetype, but Daria skillfully peels back his layers to reveal a man carrying the weight of family responsibility and a traumatic past that makes trust nearly impossible. His protectiveness over his eight-year-old son Yadiel and his decision to keep his child’s existence secret provides legitimate conflict beyond manufactured drama.
The revelation of Ashton’s past—including a stalker incident that endangered his family—adds depth to his seemingly antisocial behavior and creates empathy rather than frustration. His journey from isolation to trust, particularly his willingness to bring his family to Esperanza’s birthday party, represents genuine character growth.
Strengths: Where Daria’s Storytelling Shines
Rich Cultural Authenticity
In You Had Me at Hola, Daria’s portrayal of Latinx culture feels lived-in and genuine, avoiding both stereotypes and sanitization. The Rodriguez family dynamics, from Esperanza’s obsession with skincare to the mandatory cheek-kissing rounds at family gatherings, capture the beautiful chaos of large, close-knit families. The code-switching between English and Spanish flows naturally, and the cultural references—from telenovela tropes to family restaurant dynamics—create an immersive experience.
The exploration of language and identity, particularly Jasmine’s imperfect Spanish contrasted with Ashton’s fluency, addresses real issues facing second and third-generation Latinx Americans without heavy-handed messaging.
Industry Insight and Meta-Commentary
As someone with clear entertainment industry knowledge, Daria weaves authentic details about television production, streaming services, and media manipulation throughout the narrative. The behind-the-scenes glimpses of Carmen in Charge production, the role of intimacy coordinators, and the pressure of representing an entire community in mainstream media add layers of realism that elevate the story beyond typical celebrity romance.
The commentary on representation—both positive and negative—feels particularly relevant as the romance genre continues grappling with diversity and authentic storytelling.
Supporting Character Excellence
The Primas of Power themselves become integral to the story’s success. Ava’s teaching background and gentle wisdom, Michelle’s corporate-consultant-turned-designer pragmatism, and their group dynamic create a found family that supports Jasmine’s growth without overshadowing her individual journey. Their interventions feel organic rather than convenient, and their distinct personalities set up anticipation for their own stories in subsequent books.
Esperanza emerges as more than the typical wise grandmother figure, with her own agency, opinions, and the delightful obsession with getting Ashton to attend her birthday party. The extended Rodriguez family, while large, feels distinct rather than interchangeable.
Areas That Could Use Polish
Pacing Inconsistencies
While the overall narrative arc works well in “You Had Me at Hola”, certain sections feel rushed while others drag. The initial attraction between Jasmine and Ashton sometimes feels sudden given their initially antagonistic relationship, and the resolution of their major conflict—Ashton’s secret son being exposed—comes together almost too neatly.
The transition from enemies-to-lovers could benefit from more gradual development, particularly in the middle section where their professional relationship shifts to personal attraction.
Predictable Plot Points
Despite Daria’s skilled character work, certain story beats follow familiar patterns. The tabloid expose timing, the family crisis that provides the wake-up call, and the grand gesture finale all feel somewhat telegraphed. While executed well, these moments lack the surprising emotional impact they might have had with less predictable timing.
Secondary Conflict Resolution
The McIntyre subplot, while providing necessary backstory for Jasmine’s trust issues, resolves somewhat anticlimactically. The media circus around Ashton’s secret son, which should provide major conflict, gets handled more easily than such a revelation would realistically require.
Romance and Chemistry: Steam with Substance
Daria excels at building both emotional and physical chemistry between her leads. The progression from professional necessity to genuine attraction feels organic, and their intimate scenes serve character development rather than existing purely for steam value. The grocery store dancing scene and their private rehearsals showcase the author’s ability to create romantic tension through everyday moments.
The steam level is moderate to high, with several detailed intimate scenes that respect both characters’ boundaries and emotional states. Jasmine’s past trauma and Ashton’s protective instincts create realistic obstacles that enhance rather than hinder their physical relationship.
Series Context and Comparison
You Had Me at Hola establishes themes and relationships that carry throughout the Primas of Power series. While each book functions as a standalone, reading them in order provides deeper appreciation for the cousin dynamics and family evolution. A Lot Like Adios explores Michelle’s relationship with a childhood friend turned successful artist, while Along Came Amor completes the trilogy with Ava’s teacher-meets-single-dad romance.
Readers who enjoy Christina Lauren’s workplace romances, Adriana Herrera’s uplifting Latinx contemporary fiction, or Priscilla Oliveras’s family-centered romance will find familiar themes with Daria’s distinctive voice in “You Had Me at Hola”. The telenovela backdrop recalls Jane the Virgin‘s meta-commentary on the genre while maintaining its own unique identity.
Final Verdict: A Confident Series Starter
You Had Me at Hola succeeds primarily through Daria’s authentic voice and deep understanding of her characters’ cultural backgrounds. While certain plot elements follow predictable paths, the execution demonstrates skill and heart that elevate familiar tropes into something fresh and engaging.
You Had Me at Hola works exceptionally well for readers seeking contemporary romance with meaningful cultural representation, workplace dynamics, and family-centered storytelling. Daria’s ability to balance humor with serious themes—media scrutiny, family expectations, cultural identity—creates a reading experience that’s both entertaining and substantive.
Who Should Read This
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Contemporary romance with authentic cultural representation
- Workplace/entertainment industry settings
- Strong family dynamics and found family themes
- Moderate steam levels with emotional development
- Meta-commentary on media and representation
- Series with interconnected characters
Best avoided by readers seeking:
- Fast-paced action or suspense elements
- Minimal family/cultural themes
- Straightforward romance without industry commentary
- Historical or fantasy settings
Series Recommendation
You Had Me at Hola excels with excellent character development and cultural authenticity, despite some predictable plotting. It establishes Daria as a significant voice in contemporary Latinx romance and creates eager anticipation for Michelle and Ava’s stories. The Primas of Power series as a whole celebrates the complexity of modern Latina identity while delivering satisfying romance—making the entire trilogy worth readers’ time and emotional investment.
For fans of family-saga romances and authentic cultural storytelling, this series represents some of the best contemporary romance has to offer, with You Had Me at Hola providing the perfect introduction to Daria’s warm, engaging storytelling style.