Book Review: As Long As You Love Me by Marianna Leal

Title: As Long As You Love Me
Author: Marianna Leal
Genre: Romance
Publication Date: September 12, 2023
Publisher: Wattpad Books

How can rivals and opposites seem like they’re meant to be?

Catalina Diaz Solis needs just a few things to achieve her her student visa, a full-time job, and to get Gabriel Cabrera out of her head. Since leaving Venezuela after her brother was killed in a political protest, Cata has been working to finish her Engineering degree, and now she’s in line for a full-time job that will allow her to stay in the United States. A major wrinkle in her plans is Gabe, the campus babe. He’s always in Cata’s way, competing for top grades and poised to take the job at their internship.

Gabe seems to have it all; he succeeds without trying and is extremely good-looking. It makes hard-working Cata endlessly frustrated. But when Gabe needs a plus-one for his brother’s wedding, he strikes a Cata will be his fake date, and he’ll step out of the running for the job she desperately needs. As they attend events together, Cata discovers there’s more to her nemesis than she ever imagined. It’s all fun and games until Cata’s visa renewal is rejected, and Gabe complicates things with a new proposal that might either solve all her problems or destroy her dreams. Cata will have to put everything on the line to follow her heart.

Rating

 *I received a copy of this book digitally for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

First of all, if anyone needs a book boyfriend can I recommend Gabe? He's so sweet, I can really see why Catalina ends up falling in love with him (although he falls first, which I am always a sucker for). First, let us talk about how Leal addressed the political situation in Venezuela as it is not something you hear talked about much less used as a plot point in a book. 

As for Catalina and Gabe, I loved them. Rivals to Lovers and Fake Marriages just give me the tingles and never fail to make me completely fall in love with a book. I will say that I could have done without the drama from a certain side character (looking at you Gabe's Mama), but that shouldn't deter you from this sweet romance.

Overall, very good read.