A Lot Like Adiós

Daria’s sultry, standalone second Primas of Power rom-com (after You Had Me at Hola) offers a delightful take on the friends-to-lovers trope. Childhood best friends Michelle Amato and Gabe Aguilar fell out of touch at age 18 when Gabe fled the Bronx for college in California to escape his overbearing parents. Thirteen years later, Michelle is a freelance graphic designer while Gabe is a physical therapist and co-owner of L.A.’s “5th hottest celebrity gym.” With another gym set to open in New York City, the former friends are reunited when Michelle is hired to lead the new location’s marketing campaign. One of Michelle’s conditions for working with Gabe is that he stay with her while location scouting, bringing him back to his old neighborhood for the first time. In such close proximity, feelings from the past threaten to bubble over and the pair find it increasingly difficult to deny their palpable chemistry—all while fending off their overly invested families, who believe they’re dating. Daria keeps the emphasis on the protagonists’ personal growth, capturing the intimacy between Michelle and Gabe as they come to better understand who they are as individuals—and who they could be together. The steamy love scenes, vibrant cast, deeply felt emotions, and sense of fun make this a surefire hit. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary. (Sept.)