Scan barcode
sydapel's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holy cow why did I put this one off for so long. Had me sobbing at midnight from the emotional pay off, and I don think I've loved a contemporary MMC like this since Josh Templeman. I'm in awe of how Lopez manages to write such a beautiful story about community and forgiveness that's also unbearably hot. I hope that she's planning to return to this town and soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Classism
Minor: Abortion, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy
pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The beginning of this book was rough, to say the least. However, it did pick up mabye a third of the way through. I do with there was more resolution though between Alex and her dad. I wish it would've discussed why her father made the choice he did, and the history of why . . . I did really appreciate the small town, particularly considering how there are small town stories never told because the person telling them a POC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcoholism and Addiction
lexa's review
5.0
Opposites attract / instant lust, but also kinda slow burn?? / a ghostly side character / small town with lots of history… and family / only. one. bed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Racial slurs
Minor: Misogyny and Animal cruelty
dearbookboyfriend's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Racism
Minor: Animal cruelty and Abortion
death_by_cliffhanger's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really really enjoyed this book. Can't wait for the second one in this series.
I'm glad I pushed through my initial gut reaction on how I immensely disliked Alex at the start. She was terrible to family and Jeremiah and was completely unreasonable. She was also just horrid to Jeremiah at a lot of points in the book. If you feel that way I strongly recommend sticking it out. You might still end up not liking her very much at the end but at least we get insight into why she is the way she is.
I adored Jeremiah cause I love a nerdy passionate guy. <3 We're not going to skim past that opening spicy scene with very questionable consent because that was a bit dicey. That being said, this story had no business being as hot as it was. There was something about Jeremiah's quiet confidence that was very appealing and the way that Alex let him have that confidence was very attractive. And this is probably just a me thing, but I enjoy when we call body parts by real names and not euphemisms. I know some people won't enjoy that but I actually notice it a lot and embrace it.
I will say I found this story to be a bit confusing - some of that may be due to my listening on audio book so it's a bit tougher to back track and verify details sometimes; but I felt like it was a bit twisty and turny? It was a smidge difficult to follow and even looking back now after having finished it a while ago, I don't fully remember what the outcome of the bar's storyline was.
I loved the history lessons throughout the book and really enjoyed learning more about Latinx history.
I feel like saying there is a paranormal aspect to the story downgrades the significance of spirits in other cultures. Loved the inclusion of the ghost though and enjoyed when he helped Alex and Jeremiah along. :)
Overall I really enjoyed this - highly recommend.
I'm glad I pushed through my initial gut reaction on how I immensely disliked Alex at the start. She was terrible to family and Jeremiah and was completely unreasonable. She was also just horrid to Jeremiah at a lot of points in the book. If you feel that way I strongly recommend sticking it out. You might still end up not liking her very much at the end but at least we get insight into why she is the way she is.
I adored Jeremiah cause I love a nerdy passionate guy. <3 We're not going to skim past that opening spicy scene with very questionable consent because that was a bit dicey. That being said, this story had no business being as hot as it was. There was something about Jeremiah's quiet confidence that was very appealing and the way that Alex let him have that confidence was very attractive. And this is probably just a me thing, but I enjoy when we call body parts by real names and not euphemisms. I know some people won't enjoy that but I actually notice it a lot and embrace it.
I will say I found this story to be a bit confusing - some of that may be due to my listening on audio book so it's a bit tougher to back track and verify details sometimes; but I felt like it was a bit twisty and turny? It was a smidge difficult to follow and even looking back now after having finished it a while ago, I don't fully remember what the outcome of the bar's storyline was.
I loved the history lessons throughout the book and really enjoyed learning more about Latinx history.
I feel like saying there is a paranormal aspect to the story downgrades the significance of spirits in other cultures. Loved the inclusion of the ghost though and enjoyed when he helped Alex and Jeremiah along. :)
Overall I really enjoyed this - highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
amberinpieces's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism and Racism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Bullying, and Abortion
agnesbebon's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I loved the ending and I love the characters. This made me cry which I really did not expect until I was crying.
This took me a bit to get into, but after like 25% it really grabbed me. Sometimes the writing was repetitive and I wish there was more of the ghost. Also begging authors to stop describing what characters are wearing in such detail.
This took me a bit to get into, but after like 25% it really grabbed me. Sometimes the writing was repetitive and I wish there was more of the ghost. Also begging authors to stop describing what characters are wearing in such detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Racism, Abandonment, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Abortion
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay, so I am a pretty emotional person IRL but I rarely cry at books. This book had me WEEPING at the end, and I’m not sure why other than it just hit so hard in a soft place. It exposed so many vulnerabilities and built an incredible love story between two people but also redemptive familial and communal love. The love beyond the central relationship in this story and the redemption and acceptance for all of the MCs in this book hit me right in the feels. Maybe it was the glass of wine I had while I was finishing it, either way, tears were shed and I had to go get a hug from my husband after I put my Kindle down.
These MCs were just so damned relatable and lovable and imperfect and *sigh*
The story Angelina reels out with curses and great-great-great grandparents and vulnerability and *tension* was absolute perfection. Alex’s family was everything. The tiny town of Freedom, Kansas was suffocating and beautiful. Alex was prickly and mean and 100% relatable and believable. The forced proximity and HEAT between Alex and Jeremiah was tangible.
And I haven’t even gotten to Jeremiah.
JEREMIAH POST. Gang. This man. He’s big, he’s handsome, he’s got glasses, he’s SMART as hell, he’s “exuberant” about everything. He uses big words. He asks for consent in the sexxxxxxxxiest ways just…🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠 he’s a great big lovely ball of sunshine with a sad gooey middle and I am a sucker for that.
The spoiiiiice in this. Whew. It’s not like all spice but when it hits it HITS. Get ready.
👍🏻RECOMMENDED. This book is MAGICAL. Basically perfect. Read it. Thank me later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Abortion
kfmcf's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Why is no one talking about this book?! This is one of the BEST romance books I have ever read and I want everyone to read it.
I HAVE to give it a 4.75 for now though because the copy editing is a MESS. There were no less than 3 typos and that's too too many.
But okay this book starts off with a literal bang and then the t e n s i o n throughout the book is just delicious. Mixed with the bit of mystery scouting? So good. And the cast of characters is incredible. Alex has a lot of growth and really made me feel for her and her journey.
I think the end could have used a bit more work, tbh. I didn't love the white savior aspect of the ML saving everything with his money. Also Alex being a descendant was not surprising, which is fine, but I wish it had been integrated a bit better or something?
Jeremiah needed to not wear so many fedoras also. Like I know that's a nitpick but they are v much not the look atm ha.
I HAVE to give it a 4.75 for now though because the copy editing is a MESS. There were no less than 3 typos and that's too too many.
But okay this book starts off with a literal bang and then the t e n s i o n throughout the book is just delicious. Mixed with the bit of mystery scouting? So good. And the cast of characters is incredible. Alex has a lot of growth and really made me feel for her and her journey.
Jeremiah needed to not wear so many fedoras also. Like I know that's a nitpick but they are v much not the look atm ha.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Classism, Racism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Colonisation
levesc17's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wanted an epilogue so bad!! It said in the authors note that this is the first in a series so I’m hoping to see these characters again in the next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism