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sdupont's review against another edition
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
4.5
Please do not sleep on this book! It has everything- ghosts, mystery, hidden inheritance, family drama, and a spicy love story. I enjoyed this book so much, I will say the ending is a little rushed. This book would’ve benefitted from an epilogue to help tie things together. I really liked Alex, she was so full of passion for the people she cared about. Also, it needs to be repeated that this book is hot- the scene where they masturbate with each other through a wall while in their own adjacent bedrooms is so steamy and will continue to live rent free in my mind . Highly recommend this read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, and Abandonment
Minor: Abortion and Animal cruelty
livelyghost's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Wow wow wow! This was a book that made me want to get up in the morning just so I could find out what happened next. Alex Torres, a bartender famous for both her drinks and her attitude, leaves her high profile job and returns to her hometown hoping to take over her grandmother’s bar. To her chagrin, professor Jeremiah Post has moved into the renters quarters above and is slowly being adopted into her family. The story follows so many adventures - Alex and Jeremiah’s divergent quests to find a future for the bar, the history of Alex’s hometown and the Mexican communities of the midwest, the ghosts that haunt the bar, and the frantic romance brewing between the two leads.
I hated putting this down. I felt so immersed in the world Lopez created and loved getting to learn some real life history along the way. Everyone’s stories felt so real - like they could all be your neighbors. And honestly, the SPICE. I cannot stop thinking about the bedroom wall scene omg.
I would absolutely recommend picking this up!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Colonisation, and Racism
kiwi_00's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
krysley's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Abortion and Animal cruelty
kimalah's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
I originally DNF’d After Hours on Milagro Street in August 2022. However, several writers and readers I respect held the book in high regard. Over time, I felt like perhaps I was too hasty. I knew Alex began as a very unlikable character but that she grew and changed. So, I tried it again.
The initial encounter between Alex and Jeremiah still is disturbing to me. It creeps closely to the line of non-consensual. And Alex really can be quite horrible. But I continued and found a story that is full of emotion and need and vulnerability. Jeremiah and Alex have both been hurt by family and being othered. But Alex has to face that daily in society by the virtue of being of Mexican descent. Jeremiah recognizes his advantage in life and centers her experience, even when he wants to rage against the abusers and racists.
There is a lot of meat to the underlying factors in the story, a lot to absorb and think about, but it makes for a full and rich experience. The sex scenes are scorching. There is a paranormal element in the form of a ghost but I wouldn’t call it a paranormal romance. I learned about a community I had not heard of before this book and appreciate the history shared. It really ended up being a marvelous book. That first sex scene still bothers me. If it weren’t for that, this would be a five star read for me.
—————————————————————————————
DNF at 19%. Alex turned me completely off from this book. I tried to give time for her story to develop as per other reviewers, but after the dub con encounter she pushed on Jeremiah and her awful behavior with everyone, I couldn’t go any further. I was really interested in the story of the Mexican American communities in the mid-west, but I had to stop.
The initial encounter between Alex and Jeremiah still is disturbing to me. It creeps closely to the line of non-consensual. And Alex really can be quite horrible. But I continued and found a story that is full of emotion and need and vulnerability. Jeremiah and Alex have both been hurt by family and being othered. But Alex has to face that daily in society by the virtue of being of Mexican descent. Jeremiah recognizes his advantage in life and centers her experience, even when he wants to rage against the abusers and racists.
There is a lot of meat to the underlying factors in the story, a lot to absorb and think about, but it makes for a full and rich experience. The sex scenes are scorching. There is a paranormal element in the form of a ghost but I wouldn’t call it a paranormal romance. I learned about a community I had not heard of before this book and appreciate the history shared. It really ended up being a marvelous book. That first sex scene still bothers me. If it weren’t for that, this would be a five star read for me.
—————————————————————————————
DNF at 19%. Alex turned me completely off from this book. I tried to give time for her story to develop as per other reviewers, but after the dub con encounter she pushed on Jeremiah and her awful behavior with everyone, I couldn’t go any further. I was really interested in the story of the Mexican American communities in the mid-west, but I had to stop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, and Racism
ladysadiereads's review
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
This book was brilliant. It started with a bang - literally - and picked up even further around page 100. I deeply loved the “unlikeable” nature of Alex and her passionate, avenging angel ways! Her fighting everyone all the time is both so frustrating and so real. She is tough because she has to be and watching her learn to be vulnerable and being terrified to show her underbelly was a fabulous story! Jeremiah Post is a one hundred percent certified cinnadom. He holds firm boundaries with Alex that made me respect and like him even more. He is well aware of his status as a wealthy, cishet, white man and tries to use that privilege for good - by listening and trying to support the stories of those that wouldn’t otherwise be written. The supporting cast is brilliant - from the matriarch Loretta, to the parents and their own sets of issues and deep love, to the scene stealing primo Joe and the sister who I hope to see more of.
One more thing - The history and background of this story is deeply fascinating and never talked about and I honestly went on a deep dive to learn more about the traqueros and their lives in “boxcar barrios.”
One more thing - The history and background of this story is deeply fascinating and never talked about and I honestly went on a deep dive to learn more about the traqueros and their lives in “boxcar barrios.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Abortion and Abandonment
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
The best part of this book was actually the historical value. I learned a lot about my home state I never knew. I appreciated learning about the Mexican traqueros and how they built their lives in the United States.
I also enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story but I'll admit the supernatural parts were a little much for me.
Alejandra and Jeremiah's relationship was... interesting. It was definitely enemies to lovers and the forced proximity was wonderful but I think Alejandra's hatred was a little too venomous for me.
This was a great Latinx Own Voices book that will give you a lot to think about in terms of racism and perceptions.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
I also enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story but I'll admit the supernatural parts were a little much for me.
Alejandra and Jeremiah's relationship was... interesting. It was definitely enemies to lovers and the forced proximity was wonderful but I think Alejandra's hatred was a little too venomous for me.
This was a great Latinx Own Voices book that will give you a lot to think about in terms of racism and perceptions.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Animal cruelty
marysbookinit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Racism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Violence
risseandshine's review against another edition
emotional
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
This book started off with a bang.
Literally. *wink wink*
From the first chapter where Alex, our feisty, firecracker of a heroine meets Jeremiah, our big yet adorable bespectacled hero, I already knew that I was going to love this book. Thank heavens this delivered until the very end.
This book has a couple who couldn't be more different but has THE MOST explosive chemistry. Every banter, heated eye contact, and the smallest of skin touching exuded so much tension that made me want to root for their relationship more and more. Not to mention that Jeremiah was so gone for Alex even when she was showing resistance. I love watching a persistent hero slowly crumble a heroine's walls.
And the steam??? I have no words besides I just wanted to melt to the floor and stay as a puddle for as long as possible.
In all seriousness, I love it when a steamy scene clearly isn't just there for the sake of steam (although to be honest that isn't bad at all...but I digress). The steam here (at least the latter ones) is clearly laced with intimacy that I physically felt my heart warm up reading them.
I also appreciated that this story showcased the colorful history and culture of Mexicans in the US. The strong family ties in this book was such an emotional roller coaster to read. Plus the whole plot surrounding the history of their bar added a new layer of mystery (and even eeriness) that was mostly interesting to read.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. This is perfect for those who are in the mood for a sweet and sexy romance with a little something more.
A solid 4/5 for this one with the urge to pick up more of this author's works!
Many thanks to NetGalley for graciously providing this ARC! All comments and opinions are my own.
Literally. *wink wink*
From the first chapter where Alex, our feisty, firecracker of a heroine meets Jeremiah, our big yet adorable bespectacled hero, I already knew that I was going to love this book. Thank heavens this delivered until the very end.
This book has a couple who couldn't be more different but has THE MOST explosive chemistry. Every banter, heated eye contact, and the smallest of skin touching exuded so much tension that made me want to root for their relationship more and more. Not to mention that Jeremiah was so gone for Alex even when she was showing resistance. I love watching a persistent hero slowly crumble a heroine's walls.
And the steam??? I have no words besides I just wanted to melt to the floor and stay as a puddle for as long as possible.
In all seriousness, I love it when a steamy scene clearly isn't just there for the sake of steam (although to be honest that isn't bad at all...but I digress). The steam here (at least the latter ones) is clearly laced with intimacy that I physically felt my heart warm up reading them.
I also appreciated that this story showcased the colorful history and culture of Mexicans in the US. The strong family ties in this book was such an emotional roller coaster to read. Plus the whole plot surrounding the history of their bar added a new layer of mystery (and even eeriness) that was mostly interesting to read.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. This is perfect for those who are in the mood for a sweet and sexy romance with a little something more.
A solid 4/5 for this one with the urge to pick up more of this author's works!
Many thanks to NetGalley for graciously providing this ARC! All comments and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Abortion
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Racism, Sexism, Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Bullying, Classism, and Misogyny