Pride and Piña Coladas by Melanie Summers is the sixth book in the Paradise Bay Series. It is the 
first book I have read in the series, but Melanie Summers certainly delivers with her charismatic characters. You can always count on her books to bring a smile to your face with her snarky characters and witty banter.
Nora Cooper was an event planner at Paradise Bay Resort, and she really wanted the promotion to Senior Events Manager. With the increase in salary, she could buy her dream house on the shore and her contact with guests would be limited, which meant less stress. She has the chance to prove herself and get a promotion when she is chosen to organize the World Bartender Championship at the resort. She isn’t going to allow something such as her mom showing up at her job forcing her bosses to hire her sister, a grumpy director, or someone insulting her wardrobe to stop her.
Theo Rojas, President of Rojas Rum, needed to save his family’s business after bad publicity threatens to shut them down. Sponsoring the World Bartender Championship was a risk he didn’t want to take but he had no other options. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, he is going to be onsite and oversee everything. Only he started off on the wrong foot with his rudeness, controlling ways, and insults to Nora.
Nora and Theo both had Type A personalities, so they struggled to work together. They both like to be in control and didn’t trust others enough to ask for help, which left them stressed and overworked. Eventually, the sparks flying between them changed from dislike to attraction, making it difficult for them to maintain their professionalism.
This was a fun and straightforward enemies-to-lovers story. All of Nora’s family’s drama, Mike the Moose’s TikTok videos, and the witty banter kept a smile on my face. The book was so catchy that I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it if you are looking for a funny and cute romance to read.
Book Info:
Publication: September 22, 2022 | Indigo Group | PARADISE BAY SERIES Book 5
I’m Nora Cooper—single woman about to turn thirty, wildly unsuccessful plant fanatic, and event planner at Paradise Bay Resort. My shot at ‘the big time’ has finally arrived—the resort is hosting the World Bartender Championships and I’ve been asked to head up the hospitality team.
There’s only one big problem. And his name is Theo Rojas. You’ve heard of his family—they own Rojas Rum (and about 200 other premium liquors, some of which may be on your shelf right now). As the major sponsor of the event, Theo has decided to be onsite, micromanaging every second of the competition.
He’s stuck up, rude, and arrogant (and a bunch of other adjectives I had better not use). He also seems to have added ‘make Nora’s life absolute hell’ to the top of his to-do list.
Too bad for Mr. Grumpy Chinos because he doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. I’ve taken on far worse foes than him. And if he thinks he’s going to get the best of me, he’s in for a wake-up call.
So when we find ourselves stranded on a private island overnight, I’m determined to put him in his place once and for all.
Only somehow, instead of continuing our constant sparring, I find myself staring into his gorgeous eyes. And now I have totally forgotten all the nasty things I was planning to say to him. Something about him being arrogant, right?
Gah! Someone please send help because I absolutely CANNOT fall for this guy…
