by: Marcella Steele
Series: To Barcelona with Love
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy
Release Date: September 1, 2025
Publisher: Red Hot Years Press
Perfect for fans of Beach Read, The Unhoneymooners, and Part of Your World—this witty age gap romance is a sun-drenched escape with heart, heat, and humor.
A fling wasn't on her vacation itinerary. Neither was falling in love.
Romance has ghosted, gaslit, and gone full Shakespearean tragedy on Sofia Drake. She's officially a one-woman rom-com with no third act in sight, ready to bolt if love sneaks up on her again.
Freshly dumped and jobless, Sofia is mid-pity-party (yes, wine and ice cream are involved) when a friend drags her to a job fair. If she'd known how a chance meeting would blow up her carefully constructed life, she would've stayed home. One look into Ryan Hunter's crystal-blue eyes and she can tell he's trouble. He's gorgeous, charming, and way too young. He's also the first man in years to make her feel a real, rocket-exploding kind of heat. But when the jet-setting Ryan invites her on a spontaneous trip to Barcelona, Sofia does what she does best: she runs.
It takes a kick from her best friend (a "get a life" lecture) to move Sofia out of her comfort zone and onto a plane to Barcelona—alone. No men, no pressure, just a solo adventure. At least… until she runs straight into the one man she swore she'd never see again.
Now, Ryan is offering to be her personal tour guide, and Sofia is breaking her own 'no men' rule for a new one: keep it vacation-only. Sun, sangria, and maybe a little sizzle. They make a pact for the summer: Thirty days—no falling in love, no risky complications. Really.
Sometimes the best adventures happen when you finally stop running from what scares you the most.
"The Vacation Bubble will resonate with readers who crave wanderlust, sizzling chemistry, and second chances." Readers' Favorite
Sofia with Ryan - San Francisco - Meet cute #3 - The invitation. The sprint.
“By the way, are you Spanish?” he said.
“That’s random. Why do you ask?”
“You have those Spanish eyes… they’re dark, quite beautiful, and wildly expressive.”
I felt a blush rising on my cheeks. Okay, maybe it was another hot flash. I took a sip of wine. “Um… Thank you. I’m half Spanish, on my mother’s side.”
“Do you speak the language?”
“Does cursing count?” His eyebrow lifted. “She rarely spoke Spanish unless she was mad or yelling at my dad. I don’t think that’s going to help me communicate in a foreign country.”
Ryan leaned in, a grin lighting up his features. I couldn’t take my eyes off those dimples. “I have an idea,” he said. “You want a getaway in Europe, and it so happens I’m headed to Barcelona for a vacation in a couple of weeks. I already have an apartment reserved. Come with me.”
I placed my wine down on the table without taking a sip, afraid to take any more chances swallowing while stunned. “Wow… Um… That’s…”
Ryan jumped in. “Impulsive? Maybe. But why not?”
“Because this is not what grown women do. You’re thirty-five. Impulsive trips are perfectly acceptable at your age,” I said, immediately regretting sounding old.
“Oh, so there’s an age limit on taking a vacation?”
“No, but I have responsibilities.”
“So do I.” He batted the ball to my court, and I sent it right back.
“It’s not practical to just… just run off.”
He volleyed. “Because life always has to be practical? Everything neatly planned out?” That ball landed squarely at the heart of the matter, so naturally I got defensive.
“I can be spontaneous and impractical sometimes, when I want to.” This time, I downed the rest of my glass.
My phone vibrated on the table, a text appearing from Christy. Damn. She was looking for me. Without thinking, I opened the Uber app and booked a ride, then met Ryan’s questioning gaze. “It’s my friend back at the event. I’ve got to go.” I popped out of my seat and grabbed my bag, prepared to sprint.
“Wait. I’ll come with you.”
“No, it’s fine. You stay and finish the food. The Uber driver will be here in two minutes.” I reached inside my purse for my wallet. “I can leave you some cash for—”
He held up his hand. “It’s my treat. But can I get your number? I’d really like to see you again.” Now he was standing inches from me, his eyes pleading with me to concede.
I shifted my gaze to the alleyway. Those beautiful eyes were tempting me, but I held steadfast. “I don’t think that would be a good idea. But thank you for everything.” It took all my strength to turn away from him. Even as I did, I questioned my decision. Then I reminded myself of the promise I’d made. I won’t ever let this happen again.
“Wait.” He reached for my hand and pressed a business card against my palm. “In case you change your mind.”
My phone pinged with an alert. The Uber driver was at the end of the alley. “Goodnight, Ryan.”
It wasn’t easy to sprint on cobblestones with stiletto heels, but I propelled myself down the alleyway like it was midnight and I had to reach the car before it changed into a pumpkin. But princes didn’t exist, and those shoes were too expensive to leave one behind. As I opened the door to the coach—or rather, the car—I ventured a last look back. Ryan was standing by our table, still watching me. I tucked his business card in my purse and slipped into the back seat.
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The To Barcelona with Love Trilogy:
The Vacation Bubble (Book 1)
The Relationship Contract (Book 2)
Places to find Marcella Steele:
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