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A review by amandalorianxo
After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
2.25
Re-read in January 2024:
The initial set up meeting between Alex and Jeremiah felt a bit uncomfortable for me and I’m not sure why I glossed passed this when I first read this book. Not to mention - we are told that Alex is the best “bitch” in bartending but her actual skills are never really put on display for us to understand why she’s just that good. The cover art disappointed me too because for all the drooling over Alex’s floral tattoos… it wasn’t even drawn on the cover! Why?! I also wasn’t a fan of her behavior toward Jeremiah and the initial reason why she left 13 years ago felt way more built up compared to the actual reasoning. Overall, not my cup of tea when it came to the romance (they aren’t really enemies like that) but I did fully appreciate the historical context when Mexican railroad workers were elaborated on. I’m sure a ton of small town / small cities had a spread of people of color coexisting amongst Europeans and other settlers as well. Crossing my fingers Juliana’s story is better.
Contemporary romance set in Kansas with a Mexican American family at the centerfold along with two people who you think wouldn’t work together romantically but they grow on you the more you read. Lots of steam / spice (one in particular that happens a little early on in the book.) But you also get a mini spooky story within (possible haunted house?!)
The initial set up meeting between Alex and Jeremiah felt a bit uncomfortable for me and I’m not sure why I glossed passed this when I first read this book. Not to mention - we are told that Alex is the best “bitch” in bartending but her actual skills are never really put on display for us to understand why she’s just that good. The cover art disappointed me too because for all the drooling over Alex’s floral tattoos… it wasn’t even drawn on the cover! Why?! I also wasn’t a fan of her behavior toward Jeremiah and the initial reason why she left 13 years ago felt way more built up compared to the actual reasoning. Overall, not my cup of tea when it came to the romance (they aren’t really enemies like that) but I did fully appreciate the historical context when Mexican railroad workers were elaborated on. I’m sure a ton of small town / small cities had a spread of people of color coexisting amongst Europeans and other settlers as well. Crossing my fingers Juliana’s story is better.
Contemporary romance set in Kansas with a Mexican American family at the centerfold along with two people who you think wouldn’t work together romantically but they grow on you the more you read. Lots of steam / spice (one in particular that happens a little early on in the book.) But you also get a mini spooky story within (possible haunted house?!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism