You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This was sweet and spicy and seeing these characters absolutely SEE each other was lovely- the addition of some light ghost business felt really in line with a reimagined Mexican-American magical realism that felt so perfect for Alex.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Wow did I love this & the unexpected level of steam <33
Wow did I love this & the unexpected level of steam <33
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this take on a small-town romance, which was a fantastic reminder of the diversity and multi-racial history of rural places in the United States. Set in Liberty, Kansas, an actual historical railroad town that has been reimagined for this story, this romance explores the history of Mexican-American communities that settled in Midwestern towns in the 19th century. Liberty is a town with both a racial, and a town-gown college and economic divide, which reminded me of my own small-town liberal arts undergrad experience in Iowa.
Alex Torres has branded herself "the baddest bitch in bartending," and worked hard to make a name and career for herself that puts distance between her present adult life and her difficult past. But after her grandmother experiences health issues and Alex quits a job under a terrible manager in spectacular fashion, she finds herself back home and hoping to transform her grandmother's run-down bar into a destination and a career comeback that will provide a ticket out of Liberty for good. What she hasn't counted on is Jeremiah, a professor at the local college with his own ghosts, love for her boisterous Mexican-American family, and plans for the bar.
This is a very character-driven story, and while it's told in alternating POV, Alex's development is really at its heart. There are some fantastical elements for which you have to suspend your disbelief (ghosts and a straight-op treasure hunt), but I found they added to the adventure, and allowed Lopez to explore and integrate the historical elements into the romance plot.
Alex Torres has branded herself "the baddest bitch in bartending," and worked hard to make a name and career for herself that puts distance between her present adult life and her difficult past. But after her grandmother experiences health issues and Alex quits a job under a terrible manager in spectacular fashion, she finds herself back home and hoping to transform her grandmother's run-down bar into a destination and a career comeback that will provide a ticket out of Liberty for good. What she hasn't counted on is Jeremiah, a professor at the local college with his own ghosts, love for her boisterous Mexican-American family, and plans for the bar.
This is a very character-driven story, and while it's told in alternating POV, Alex's development is really at its heart. There are some fantastical elements for which you have to suspend your disbelief (ghosts and a straight-op treasure hunt), but I found they added to the adventure, and allowed Lopez to explore and integrate the historical elements into the romance plot.
Overly long story, but the very spicy bits raise it to a 3-star.
The story did a decent job of describing long-established racial prejudice in the Midwest.
The story did a decent job of describing long-established racial prejudice in the Midwest.
This contemporary romance set in the Midwest and staring a multigenerational family was as a fun and steamy read. The characters were very real and endearing, and the plot was compelling.
It reminded me of the TV shows 'Gentefied' and 'Vida' and the book 'A Proposal They Can't Refuse by Natalie Caña'
I would definitely like to see this become a series. The town is great and there are more than enough characters to follow.
It reminded me of the TV shows 'Gentefied' and 'Vida' and the book 'A Proposal They Can't Refuse by Natalie Caña'
I would definitely like to see this become a series. The town is great and there are more than enough characters to follow.
So much drama
So many repetitive descriptions of their beautiful body parts
Agree with the many reviews that pointed out that the opening sex scene, when reversed by gender would have seemed outrageous so also not cool the way it is written.
And agree with another review that some of the characters seemed very stereotypical
I honestly want to love this book. I'm such a huge sucker for stories with big families in it. I love how the author weaved Mexican American history throughout the story. And Jeremiah our sweet cinnamon roll boi is just soooo stinking cute. However what's stopping me from loving this book was our FMC Alex. Don't get me wrong I LOVE strong, independent, I don't take shit from anyone female characters. Alex is all that but she's just an asshole to almost everyone!! I truly want to understand her but even with everything that's happened to her, I just don't understand her using everyone as her emotional punching bag. That first sex scene with Jeremiah in the first chapter honestly made me feel uncomfortable and it felt like assault to me and the way she used that scene to humiliate Jeremiah every single time is just despicable. Honestly everyone around her from her granmo, her mom and Jeremiah deserves better. I honestly was dying to dnf the book at some point but big family stories are one of my weaknesses and the back story was also very interesting.