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Milagro Street #1
Вечер на улица Милагро
Професор Джеремая Поуст е последният човек, когото Алекс Торес очаква да завари в западащия, обитаван от призраци бар на баба си Лорета в затънтеното канзаско градче Фрийдъм. Алекс, световноизвестна барманка с хиляди последователи в социалните мрежи, е зрелищно уволнена от работа и единственият ѝ шанс да съживи кариерата си е да върне семейното заведение към живот.
Очаква я неприятна изненада – баба ѝ съвсем не е готова просто да ѝ отстъпи бара и да гледа как Алекс изтрива и последните следи от мексикано-американското си наследство, превръщайки го в поредното твърде скъпо и претенциозно хипстърско заведение за богати колежанчета. Някога двете жени са били безкрайно близки, но днес отчуждението и гневът са се настанили помежду им.
Татуираната, сексапилна жена е последният човек, когото Джеремая си е представял, когато е слушал историите за внучката на Лорета Алехандра. Младата жена нахлува в живота му като торнадо и се настанява не само в съседната стая на втория етаж, но и в мислите му. И по-лошо – в среднощните му фантазии.
Джеремая също иска да получи сградата, в която се намира барът, за да я превърне в музей на местната история и култура. Съревнованието между двамата се усложнява не само от експлозивната страст, пламнала между тях, но и от намесата на тайнствен предприемач, който изкупува всички изоставени имоти по улица „Милагро“…
Дръзка като текила и изкусителна като летен коктейл, „Вечер на улица Милагро“ е история за горещи страсти, семейни тайни и завръщане у дома.
Очаква я неприятна изненада – баба ѝ съвсем не е готова просто да ѝ отстъпи бара и да гледа как Алекс изтрива и последните следи от мексикано-американското си наследство, превръщайки го в поредното твърде скъпо и претенциозно хипстърско заведение за богати колежанчета. Някога двете жени са били безкрайно близки, но днес отчуждението и гневът са се настанили помежду им.
Татуираната, сексапилна жена е последният човек, когото Джеремая си е представял, когато е слушал историите за внучката на Лорета Алехандра. Младата жена нахлува в живота му като торнадо и се настанява не само в съседната стая на втория етаж, но и в мислите му. И по-лошо – в среднощните му фантазии.
Джеремая също иска да получи сградата, в която се намира барът, за да я превърне в музей на местната история и култура. Съревнованието между двамата се усложнява не само от експлозивната страст, пламнала между тях, но и от намесата на тайнствен предприемач, който изкупува всички изоставени имоти по улица „Милагро“…
Дръзка като текила и изкусителна като летен коктейл, „Вечер на улица Милагро“ е история за горещи страсти, семейни тайни и завръщане у дома.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 2022
203 people are currently reading
18305 people want to read
About the author
Angelina M. Lopez
13 books517 followersWhen my kindergarten teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up, I wrote "arthur." Since then, I've been a journalist for an acclaimed city newspaper, a freelance magazine writer, and a content marketer for small businesses. And I learned how to spell the word “author” correctly.
I write sexy stories about fierce women and the men lucky to fall in love with them. I’m a lifelong romance reader and fan, and a champion of the concept that good art doesn’t have to make you feel bad. Romance writers are re-writing the script about the meaningfulness of pleasure, joy, escapism, and fantasy in art, and I’m proud and honored to be part of that movement, a movement led primarily by women, for women.
Unfortunately and for too long, women who looked like me writing characters of color didn’t get a seat at the table. Today’s romance authors are changing that. I like to say I write adult fairytales when I’m discussing the escapism and over-the-top bonkersness of my books. But my belief that people of color deserve to be the recipients of joy, pleasure, fantasy and happily ever afters is very, very real.
The fact that my parents own a vineyard certainly seems fairytale like. I can’t promise I will always write about wine like I did in my first series. But my Instagram seems to showcase that pleasure of the moments — wine, cocktails, food, fun, family, friends, Supernatural — will always be part of what I deliver.
My first two books Lush Money -- named a Top 10 romance debut of 2020 -- and Hate Crush received rave reviews from Entertainment Weekly, NPR, and Booklist.
My first book in a new high-heat, small town, Latinx series, After Hours on Milagro Street, will be available July 2022.
You can find more about me at my website, AngelinaMLopez.com and at @AngelinaMLo on Twitter.
I write sexy stories about fierce women and the men lucky to fall in love with them. I’m a lifelong romance reader and fan, and a champion of the concept that good art doesn’t have to make you feel bad. Romance writers are re-writing the script about the meaningfulness of pleasure, joy, escapism, and fantasy in art, and I’m proud and honored to be part of that movement, a movement led primarily by women, for women.
Unfortunately and for too long, women who looked like me writing characters of color didn’t get a seat at the table. Today’s romance authors are changing that. I like to say I write adult fairytales when I’m discussing the escapism and over-the-top bonkersness of my books. But my belief that people of color deserve to be the recipients of joy, pleasure, fantasy and happily ever afters is very, very real.
The fact that my parents own a vineyard certainly seems fairytale like. I can’t promise I will always write about wine like I did in my first series. But my Instagram seems to showcase that pleasure of the moments — wine, cocktails, food, fun, family, friends, Supernatural — will always be part of what I deliver.
My first two books Lush Money -- named a Top 10 romance debut of 2020 -- and Hate Crush received rave reviews from Entertainment Weekly, NPR, and Booklist.
My first book in a new high-heat, small town, Latinx series, After Hours on Milagro Street, will be available July 2022.
You can find more about me at my website, AngelinaMLopez.com and at @AngelinaMLo on Twitter.
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August 10, 2022Steamy m-f with a smidge of paranormal and lovely Mexican-American history notes, woven into a strong romance. The heroine is at first pretty offputting--she's a strong angry woman but that's tipped over into being belligerent, deliberately hurtful to people, sexually belittling and generally something of a dick. This is very much because hurt people hurt people, and she's carrying massive wounds to do with endemic systemic racism, misogyny in her profession, childhood trauma with an alcoholic father, feeling excluded from the family she loves. And she very definitely goes through a big learning curve in accepting other people's hurts and finding better ways, so I implore you to keep going even if you don't like her much at first.
The hero is decidedly adorable, with a kind of emotional neediness and openness not often displayed by cishet men, which is lovely to see, though we also see how it's a problem. There's definitely points where their relationship could have gone very south because of their personality types and we really see how they both work to make a better outcome.
I loved the picture of the difficult, argumentative, fractured family with a lot of love pent up behind the barriers erected by life and trauma. I blubbed a bit at the end.
Terrific and extensive sex scenes. Could have used a touch better editing and I kind of wish the cover showed the hero to be the big guy (he's 6'3 and a foot taller than her, it's illustrated, that wouldn't have been hard?) but props for depicting a properly curvy heroine with no messing about.
The hero is decidedly adorable, with a kind of emotional neediness and openness not often displayed by cishet men, which is lovely to see, though we also see how it's a problem. There's definitely points where their relationship could have gone very south because of their personality types and we really see how they both work to make a better outcome.
I loved the picture of the difficult, argumentative, fractured family with a lot of love pent up behind the barriers erected by life and trauma. I blubbed a bit at the end.
Terrific and extensive sex scenes. Could have used a touch better editing and I kind of wish the cover showed the hero to be the big guy (he's 6'3 and a foot taller than her, it's illustrated, that wouldn't have been hard?) but props for depicting a properly curvy heroine with no messing about.
April 17, 2023
I am so very deeply conflicted about this one. On the one hand, the author’s note at the end absolutely GUTTED me. I loved seeing Mexican Americans represented so fully, so vibrantly, so lovingly on the pages of this story. From Mexican American culture and history, to family and community bonds. So much of this was right, was fresh (though sadly shouldn’t be for the ahem, very white genre), and done respectfully and authentically.
Seeing such a unique and often forgotten slice of Mexican American history told on the page, from how entire communities from Mexico emigrated to the US heartland and stayed, to how they them built their own communities in that heartland, often with a presence and contributions to those states far exceeding their white counterparts — ugh, I just cannot tell you what it meant to me seeing that on the pages with no apologies, caveats, or subtlety.
Honestly all the dialogue on pages 199 - 200 is pure gold that captures the above so perfectly, I can only hope this gets told more and more in contemporary romance books to come.
“This was such an important story to be told, not only about who Americans were but about who Americans are.”
And yet….where the conflict comes up for me is not in the romance, which itself was great — she’s the grumpy one, he’s the golden retriever, but in 2 very specific, yet glaring things: 1. The sexual encounter in the very first chapter and….2. Alex herself as our MC. She’s unlikeable, but it’s much more than that. You’ll see these points, particularly the latter, in other reviews and despite the fact it might get spoilery in talking about the first chapter, I think this is so egregious, it merits a warning from the beginning.
First, the first sex scene between Alex and Jeremiah feature dubious consent AT BEST. Just because it’s Alex, a female, asserting sexual control over the situation upon Jeremiah, a physically strong and able bodied man, does not negate the need for consent. I get Alex is supposed to be all sex positive and very cavalier about it, but the way she literally pushes herself onto Jeremiah’s lap and begins putting her body, hands, and lips all over him without any exchange is cringey. We know absolutely NOTHING about him at this point to know if he welcomes this, if he feels comfortable saying no, nothing.
If it were a reversal of genders, I’m sure we would all be crying foul immediately as some man starts physically and groping a woman he’s never met without her uttering a word. Yet the gender reversal is what I think the author thought made it ok. The pretense here is that if hulking 6’2” Jeremiah truly felt uncomfortable he would shout stop or is able to physically remove Alex from him. And he could have, yes, as we learn AFTER, and he later does explicitly consent to wanting sex to Alex, but still, I think that’s making a lot of assumptions about Jeremiah and what he’s comfortable or capable of, which we as readers do not know about him.
This also puts the onus for consent on him, making him responsible for stopping the situation instead of on Alex, who should confirm before proceeding. The later consent to sex, which is followed by penetration, is certainly needed, but it was needed earlier and this just didn’t sit well with me. I just couldnt get past it.
Now to issue 2: Alex specifically. I get she has a lot of trauma (which we only get to in the last 1/3 of the book) and I can absolutely back a boss bad bitch attitude, but this is not it, not at all. I don’t need the MC to be likeable or perfect, AT ALL, but being abusive to her family? Engaging in sexual harassment period, but especially to someone who literally does nothing but try to help you, your family, AND your community? Hard pass. That’s not flawed and unlikeable, that’s a fucking asshole.
“You think a woman who looks like me makes a name for herself by being polite? I’m naturally snarly, but when you pair it with my skin tone, my hair, my body… people who would call me ‘sassy’, which is just another way to demean and dismiss a grown ass woman who’s telling you clearly what’s what.“
The author went too far trying to give us a flawed character and instead veered into actually making Alex quite a toxic person without giving her nearly enough page space and an arc that truly addresses all of that. I feel that a lot of books do this — use some incredibly traumatic backstory as the ‘reason’ and therefore ‘excuse’ for why a character can run a rampage of abuse on those around them and I’m just so sick of it. I don’t buy it. Just because you have been hurt doesn’t give you license to do the same and it is unfair to lay out the expectation that family, friends, and partners should accept that. And instead of really delving into these issues with real character growth and reflection, this trauma is instead cheaply used as a plot device and excuse.
Alex makes several sexually charged comments that make Jeremiah highly uncomfortable. She shames him about his sexual prowess and performance, including his orgasm, after they first have sex MULTIPLE times and each time with the express purpose of shaming, belittling, and hurting him. There’s no miscommunication here, it’s 100% intentional, we see it in Alex’s internal dialogue.
And again, had the genders been reversed, I do not for ONE SECOND believe anyone would think this is ok or redeemable even when someone has a traumatic history fueling their actions. No one would let slide a male partner shaming a woman for her orgasm, no one would be ok with a man repeatedly making sexual innuendo and jokes at her expense that make her uncomfortable, especially when it’s just them 2 alone, so that fact that it’s a female doing it to a male shouldn’t be excused.
Not only that, but Alex repeatedly berates her own family, devalues her own town and its people, and out right states she’d price them out of their own community drinking hole, while at the same time railing against Jeremiah because he’s trying to preserve and honor the history of the community and her family. That he happens to be white seems to be something Alex simply cannot abide by.
And listen, I understand the rage and fury and inherent mistrust of rich white men who say they want to help, who act like white saviors. Yet that mistrust manifests so outright violently against Jeremiah time and again despite him making choices with full knowledge of and consent from Alex’s family, with THEM in control, something Alex is made aware of SEVERAL TIMES, yet she does not let up. It just became so tired and draining to read. Alex was just so viciously awful it was tough to stick it out with her. Even in the end, her dramatic turn around felt cheap and she didn’t ever really process her feelings to demonstrate any actual character growth and reflection.
So…overall I guess what I’m saying is that it’s a very generous rating. Not because the actual plot or backstory wasn’t phenomenal. The premise, the PURPOSE — all of it was SO RIGHT. Yet the characterizations, the dubious consent scene. I just can’t ignore those blaring issues that really cheapened what could and should have truly felt like magic.
Seeing such a unique and often forgotten slice of Mexican American history told on the page, from how entire communities from Mexico emigrated to the US heartland and stayed, to how they them built their own communities in that heartland, often with a presence and contributions to those states far exceeding their white counterparts — ugh, I just cannot tell you what it meant to me seeing that on the pages with no apologies, caveats, or subtlety.
Honestly all the dialogue on pages 199 - 200 is pure gold that captures the above so perfectly, I can only hope this gets told more and more in contemporary romance books to come.
“This was such an important story to be told, not only about who Americans were but about who Americans are.”
And yet….where the conflict comes up for me is not in the romance, which itself was great — she’s the grumpy one, he’s the golden retriever, but in 2 very specific, yet glaring things: 1. The sexual encounter in the very first chapter and….2. Alex herself as our MC. She’s unlikeable, but it’s much more than that. You’ll see these points, particularly the latter, in other reviews and despite the fact it might get spoilery in talking about the first chapter, I think this is so egregious, it merits a warning from the beginning.
First, the first sex scene between Alex and Jeremiah feature dubious consent AT BEST. Just because it’s Alex, a female, asserting sexual control over the situation upon Jeremiah, a physically strong and able bodied man, does not negate the need for consent. I get Alex is supposed to be all sex positive and very cavalier about it, but the way she literally pushes herself onto Jeremiah’s lap and begins putting her body, hands, and lips all over him without any exchange is cringey. We know absolutely NOTHING about him at this point to know if he welcomes this, if he feels comfortable saying no, nothing.
If it were a reversal of genders, I’m sure we would all be crying foul immediately as some man starts physically and groping a woman he’s never met without her uttering a word. Yet the gender reversal is what I think the author thought made it ok. The pretense here is that if hulking 6’2” Jeremiah truly felt uncomfortable he would shout stop or is able to physically remove Alex from him. And he could have, yes, as we learn AFTER, and he later does explicitly consent to wanting sex to Alex, but still, I think that’s making a lot of assumptions about Jeremiah and what he’s comfortable or capable of, which we as readers do not know about him.
This also puts the onus for consent on him, making him responsible for stopping the situation instead of on Alex, who should confirm before proceeding. The later consent to sex, which is followed by penetration, is certainly needed, but it was needed earlier and this just didn’t sit well with me. I just couldnt get past it.
Now to issue 2: Alex specifically. I get she has a lot of trauma (which we only get to in the last 1/3 of the book) and I can absolutely back a boss bad bitch attitude, but this is not it, not at all. I don’t need the MC to be likeable or perfect, AT ALL, but being abusive to her family? Engaging in sexual harassment period, but especially to someone who literally does nothing but try to help you, your family, AND your community? Hard pass. That’s not flawed and unlikeable, that’s a fucking asshole.
“You think a woman who looks like me makes a name for herself by being polite? I’m naturally snarly, but when you pair it with my skin tone, my hair, my body… people who would call me ‘sassy’, which is just another way to demean and dismiss a grown ass woman who’s telling you clearly what’s what.“
The author went too far trying to give us a flawed character and instead veered into actually making Alex quite a toxic person without giving her nearly enough page space and an arc that truly addresses all of that. I feel that a lot of books do this — use some incredibly traumatic backstory as the ‘reason’ and therefore ‘excuse’ for why a character can run a rampage of abuse on those around them and I’m just so sick of it. I don’t buy it. Just because you have been hurt doesn’t give you license to do the same and it is unfair to lay out the expectation that family, friends, and partners should accept that. And instead of really delving into these issues with real character growth and reflection, this trauma is instead cheaply used as a plot device and excuse.
Alex makes several sexually charged comments that make Jeremiah highly uncomfortable. She shames him about his sexual prowess and performance, including his orgasm, after they first have sex MULTIPLE times and each time with the express purpose of shaming, belittling, and hurting him. There’s no miscommunication here, it’s 100% intentional, we see it in Alex’s internal dialogue.
And again, had the genders been reversed, I do not for ONE SECOND believe anyone would think this is ok or redeemable even when someone has a traumatic history fueling their actions. No one would let slide a male partner shaming a woman for her orgasm, no one would be ok with a man repeatedly making sexual innuendo and jokes at her expense that make her uncomfortable, especially when it’s just them 2 alone, so that fact that it’s a female doing it to a male shouldn’t be excused.
Not only that, but Alex repeatedly berates her own family, devalues her own town and its people, and out right states she’d price them out of their own community drinking hole, while at the same time railing against Jeremiah because he’s trying to preserve and honor the history of the community and her family. That he happens to be white seems to be something Alex simply cannot abide by.
And listen, I understand the rage and fury and inherent mistrust of rich white men who say they want to help, who act like white saviors. Yet that mistrust manifests so outright violently against Jeremiah time and again despite him making choices with full knowledge of and consent from Alex’s family, with THEM in control, something Alex is made aware of SEVERAL TIMES, yet she does not let up. It just became so tired and draining to read. Alex was just so viciously awful it was tough to stick it out with her. Even in the end, her dramatic turn around felt cheap and she didn’t ever really process her feelings to demonstrate any actual character growth and reflection.
So…overall I guess what I’m saying is that it’s a very generous rating. Not because the actual plot or backstory wasn’t phenomenal. The premise, the PURPOSE — all of it was SO RIGHT. Yet the characterizations, the dubious consent scene. I just can’t ignore those blaring issues that really cheapened what could and should have truly felt like magic.
October 26, 2022
DNF
I got through two and a half chapters before deciding that this one isn't for me. There are things to like here--the Mexican-American culture, the atmosphere of the bar, and the heroine's grandmother--but the main characters both felt exaggerated instead of natural to me, he in his sweetness and she in her toughness.
I also didn't love that the heroine pushed the hero into a chair and jumped into his lap five minutes (if that) after introducing herself to him without getting his consent until AFTER she'd done it. If a guy did that to a woman he'd just met it would be wrong, and the role reversal shouldn't make it okay.
Also, why does the professor hero wear a Rolex? Can't he just be a professor with a professor's income? Does every hero need to be rich?
The main trope here (enemies/rivals-to-lovers) isn't one I'm crazy about, but I was intrigued by the Midwestern Mexican-American family since I hardly ever see them represented in mainstream romances. I'm grateful to the publisher for making a five-chapter sample available on Netgalley for that reason.
I got through two and a half chapters before deciding that this one isn't for me. There are things to like here--the Mexican-American culture, the atmosphere of the bar, and the heroine's grandmother--but the main characters both felt exaggerated instead of natural to me, he in his sweetness and she in her toughness.
I also didn't love that the heroine pushed the hero into a chair and jumped into his lap five minutes (if that) after introducing herself to him without getting his consent until AFTER she'd done it. If a guy did that to a woman he'd just met it would be wrong, and the role reversal shouldn't make it okay.
Also, why does the professor hero wear a Rolex? Can't he just be a professor with a professor's income? Does every hero need to be rich?
The main trope here (enemies/rivals-to-lovers) isn't one I'm crazy about, but I was intrigued by the Midwestern Mexican-American family since I hardly ever see them represented in mainstream romances. I'm grateful to the publisher for making a five-chapter sample available on Netgalley for that reason.
March 27, 2022
Thank you so much to Carina Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was so much fun, and also so much more than just a romance, which was pleasantly surprising?! I'll admit, I RAN to request this on NetGalley after seeing Angelina M. Lopez's #FridayKiss tweet from a few weeks ago because GD THAT SNIPPET HAD ME SWEATING 🔥. I absolutely adored Alex and Jeremy, as individuals, and together. They balance each other so well and I love how prominent their character archetypes were as a shy professor who isn't so shy in 🛌🏻 and a tattooed bartender who purposely riles him up. I also wanna be Alex's friend so bad--she's definitely one of my favorite FMCs in romance. They both shine so brightly together and I was obsessed with how natural their chemistry and desire for one another felt. But as mentioned, this book is more than just a romance. The plot about Freedom's history and the mission to save Loretta's was super interesting. I think people who are interested in learning about the history of Mexican immigrants to the South would definitely enjoy how rich in history this book is. There's so much that the American public school system doesn't teach us about the history surrounding BIPOC who lived and immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900's, and I definitely felt like I learned a lot from this book, even if the ultimate story is fictional.
4 stars overall! I'll definitely be picking up Angelina's previous works now.
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
This was so much fun, and also so much more than just a romance, which was pleasantly surprising?! I'll admit, I RAN to request this on NetGalley after seeing Angelina M. Lopez's #FridayKiss tweet from a few weeks ago because GD THAT SNIPPET HAD ME SWEATING 🔥. I absolutely adored Alex and Jeremy, as individuals, and together. They balance each other so well and I love how prominent their character archetypes were as a shy professor who isn't so shy in 🛌🏻 and a tattooed bartender who purposely riles him up. I also wanna be Alex's friend so bad--she's definitely one of my favorite FMCs in romance. They both shine so brightly together and I was obsessed with how natural their chemistry and desire for one another felt. But as mentioned, this book is more than just a romance. The plot about Freedom's history and the mission to save Loretta's was super interesting. I think people who are interested in learning about the history of Mexican immigrants to the South would definitely enjoy how rich in history this book is. There's so much that the American public school system doesn't teach us about the history surrounding BIPOC who lived and immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900's, and I definitely felt like I learned a lot from this book, even if the ultimate story is fictional.
4 stars overall! I'll definitely be picking up Angelina's previous works now.
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
September 27, 2022
Have I ever encountered a FMC who so fully embodies the proud status of Best Bitch in Bartending before? Alex could be a lot to take at first but rest assured that it makes for one hell of an emotional arc. She lashes out at others so they can’t hurt her first—understandable but also tough when the person she’s lashing out at is a golden retriever like Jeremiah. I really hope readers will give her a chance though because it’s worth it.
Things start off with a bang between them and then turn antagonistic once they realize they both want to buy her grandmother’s bar for different reasons. I loved watching Alex try and fail to resist her attraction to Jeremiah and how far gone he was for her, regardless of how she initially treated him. Jeremiah was such a special guy, especially given his family of origin. He just wants to be part of a family and to be loved and there’s Alex’s family, filling that role capably. It did my heart good. This had some really great sneaky angst that made me cry.
I didn’t expect there would be a ghost component to the story. It mostly worked, even if it was on the convenient side. The one thing that kept throwing me was the prevalence of the potty humor. It’s just not my thing and it made Alex seem incredibly immature.
Characters: Alex is a 29 year old fat Mexican American bartender. Jeremiah is a 32 year old white history professor who wears glasses and suspenders. This is set in Freedom, KS.
Content notes: , racism, FMC has been estranged from her father for 13 years , FMC’s parents separated years ago but are getting back together, FMC’s father was an alcoholic and has been sober 5 years, FMC sexually shames MMC (premature ejaculation), MMC is estranged from family (mother was verbally and emotionally abusive), past internet and sexual harassment by MMC’s brother’s fans, FMC assaulted her boss (he fired a pregnant coworker after they tried to organize a union), grandmother broke hip (recovering), past bullying, slut-shaming (countered), sexism, classism, gentrification, potty humor, past death of grandfather, on page sex, mutual masturbation (wall separating them), masturbation, alcohol, marijuana reference, meth reference, gendered pejorative, gender essentialism, ableist language, mention of past abortion (secondary character), mention of off page assault of security guard by villain, mention of past animal cruelty (secondary character), mentions of grandmother gambling, mentions of past vandalism and shoplifting
Things start off with a bang between them and then turn antagonistic once they realize they both want to buy her grandmother’s bar for different reasons. I loved watching Alex try and fail to resist her attraction to Jeremiah and how far gone he was for her, regardless of how she initially treated him. Jeremiah was such a special guy, especially given his family of origin. He just wants to be part of a family and to be loved and there’s Alex’s family, filling that role capably. It did my heart good. This had some really great sneaky angst that made me cry.
I didn’t expect there would be a ghost component to the story. It mostly worked, even if it was on the convenient side. The one thing that kept throwing me was the prevalence of the potty humor. It’s just not my thing and it made Alex seem incredibly immature.
Characters: Alex is a 29 year old fat Mexican American bartender. Jeremiah is a 32 year old white history professor who wears glasses and suspenders. This is set in Freedom, KS.
Content notes: , racism, FMC has been estranged from her father for 13 years , FMC’s parents separated years ago but are getting back together, FMC’s father was an alcoholic and has been sober 5 years, FMC sexually shames MMC (premature ejaculation), MMC is estranged from family (mother was verbally and emotionally abusive), past internet and sexual harassment by MMC’s brother’s fans, FMC assaulted her boss (he fired a pregnant coworker after they tried to organize a union), grandmother broke hip (recovering), past bullying, slut-shaming (countered), sexism, classism, gentrification, potty humor, past death of grandfather, on page sex, mutual masturbation (wall separating them), masturbation, alcohol, marijuana reference, meth reference, gendered pejorative, gender essentialism, ableist language, mention of past abortion (secondary character), mention of off page assault of security guard by villain, mention of past animal cruelty (secondary character), mentions of grandmother gambling, mentions of past vandalism and shoplifting
April 17, 2022
First of all, it's a quick read with short chapters.
The writing does not take its sweet time to let you know the characters and the plot.
It's hot, yes. If you're looking for a good short steam romance, go for this one.
I feel the beginning is a bit rushed. It's just my preference. Otherwise the story is solid and the characters are well presented.
A story about two very different people coming together to achieve the same goal that is to save the home they needed.
This one reminds me so much of the Mills and Boons romances witha very happy ending!
Thank you, Carina Press, for the advance reading copy.
The writing does not take its sweet time to let you know the characters and the plot.
It's hot, yes. If you're looking for a good short steam romance, go for this one.
I feel the beginning is a bit rushed. It's just my preference. Otherwise the story is solid and the characters are well presented.
A story about two very different people coming together to achieve the same goal that is to save the home they needed.
This one reminds me so much of the Mills and Boons romances witha very happy ending!
Thank you, Carina Press, for the advance reading copy.
September 27, 2023
Jeremiah deserves better
Content warning: child neglect, racism, misogyny, sexual content, dubious consent (one scene)
Content warning: child neglect, racism, misogyny, sexual content, dubious consent (one scene)
August 23, 2022
DNF at 40%. Solid premise but every time the protagonist opened her mouth I recoiled as if I were the target of her frequent tongue-lashings and angry remarks. On to the next.
May 4, 2023
Super steamy...heck the first chapter ends with a saucy midnight hook up as an intro to our MCs/new co-tenants 😏
They share plenty 🌶 moments as sparks literally fly in this old building full of family and history in the small town of Freedom, Kansas. My favourite aspect of this read was the glimpses of American history we hear so little about - it was absolutely fascinating and frustrating at the same time that these stories are not more mainstream (but I am so glad they are starting to filter through from those whose families lived them).
Best not to get started on the abysmal behaviour of the "founding fam" descendants...I mean I guess every book needs an antithesis but it's so disheartening how not far this probably is from many peoples truths 🥺
The MCs have their own stories to tell which I won't spoil here. Alex is a tough nut to crack & how she treats people initially will undoubtedly get many backs up & Jeremiah is continuously referred to as a large puppy and well it's pretty apt on many levels #enthusiastic 😅
3.5-3.75*
I'm curious to see what the next sister has in store for us, I like the subtle blending of genres this author is weaving together but 🤐 and will keep all available limbs crossed for a trip back in time prequel pretty please 🤞
I *need* to learn someone's full story - hopefully set in 1910-20s timeframe as I am CRAVING stories from this period 🫠
They share plenty 🌶 moments as sparks literally fly in this old building full of family and history in the small town of Freedom, Kansas. My favourite aspect of this read was the glimpses of American history we hear so little about - it was absolutely fascinating and frustrating at the same time that these stories are not more mainstream (but I am so glad they are starting to filter through from those whose families lived them).
Best not to get started on the abysmal behaviour of the "founding fam" descendants...I mean I guess every book needs an antithesis but it's so disheartening how not far this probably is from many peoples truths 🥺
The MCs have their own stories to tell which I won't spoil here. Alex is a tough nut to crack & how she treats people initially will undoubtedly get many backs up & Jeremiah is continuously referred to as a large puppy and well it's pretty apt on many levels #enthusiastic 😅
3.5-3.75*
I'm curious to see what the next sister has in store for us, I like the subtle blending of genres this author is weaving together but 🤐 and will keep all available limbs crossed for a trip back in time prequel pretty please 🤞
I *need* to learn someone's full story - hopefully set in 1910-20s timeframe as I am CRAVING stories from this period 🫠
August 19, 2022
I knew from the first chapter After Hours was going to be a RIDE and oh wow it surely was. From the stranger bang in the dark bar, with maybe a ghost causing chaos, to Alex and her huge family and professor Jeremiah with his suspenders and waistcoat and glasses, what fun I had reading this steamy contemporary romance with a hint of a mystery and big found family feels.
I love the midwestern setting, learning the history of the Mexican immigrants to that era, how they lived in boxcars. Truly so many great details and rich character development!
The steam is also exceptionally fun, and even if I personally hate 🤡, I was not expecting THAT moment and it made me laugh so hard.
I do wish Jeremiah was a bit more fleshed out as a character beyond being a professor, super BIG, and secretly rich.
Read with my Fight Club.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance review copy.
I love the midwestern setting, learning the history of the Mexican immigrants to that era, how they lived in boxcars. Truly so many great details and rich character development!
The steam is also exceptionally fun, and even if I personally hate 🤡, I was not expecting THAT moment and it made me laugh so hard.
I do wish Jeremiah was a bit more fleshed out as a character beyond being a professor, super BIG, and secretly rich.
Read with my Fight Club.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance review copy.
March 15, 2022
Just the other day a friend asked where the alpha heroines are at. Well, I know one of them can be found in the pages of After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina Lopez.
Lopez’s previous books all feature strong women who know what they want and do not let anyone stand in their way. The main character of After Hours, Alex, is written in the same vein but with a depth and breadth that makes her one of the more memorable heroines I’ve read in a long time. I have a feeling some readers will find her difficult – hooray for difficult heroines – because she is so strong. However, due to her circumstances and back story, there are also times where she is angry. A strong personality combined with anger can make for questionable choices and I urge readers to stay with Alex as Lopez subtly teases apart the instances of anger from Alex’s overall incredibly strong will and sense of fairness.
After Hours is a romance between Alex and her opposite in temperament, the handsome and reserved Jerimiah. The sexual tension between the two of them is off the charts and Lopez writes delightfully debouched sex scenes that are infused with a sense of joy. It’s tricky to write a hero who complements a strong heroine without either trying to dominate her or coming off as a welcome mat, and Lopez manages this perfectly.
Just as compelling as the romance is the plot that centers around Alex and her two sisters returning to their hometown in Kansas to help their grandmother keep her bar open. Lopez writes passionately about Alex’s family history and the story of the traqueros, the Mexican and Mexican-American laborers who helped build America’s railroads. Alex’s heritage is a huge part of After Hours and Lopez does an excellent job of weaving in the history without becoming pedantic. It’s a fascinating subject and hopefully some readers will walk away wanting to learn more about it.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a change-up from lighthearted romcoms but not willing to go full-blown angst, anyone who appreciates an alpha heroine, and anyone who loves a big family, ghosts, and page scorching sex!
Lopez’s previous books all feature strong women who know what they want and do not let anyone stand in their way. The main character of After Hours, Alex, is written in the same vein but with a depth and breadth that makes her one of the more memorable heroines I’ve read in a long time. I have a feeling some readers will find her difficult – hooray for difficult heroines – because she is so strong. However, due to her circumstances and back story, there are also times where she is angry. A strong personality combined with anger can make for questionable choices and I urge readers to stay with Alex as Lopez subtly teases apart the instances of anger from Alex’s overall incredibly strong will and sense of fairness.
After Hours is a romance between Alex and her opposite in temperament, the handsome and reserved Jerimiah. The sexual tension between the two of them is off the charts and Lopez writes delightfully debouched sex scenes that are infused with a sense of joy. It’s tricky to write a hero who complements a strong heroine without either trying to dominate her or coming off as a welcome mat, and Lopez manages this perfectly.
Just as compelling as the romance is the plot that centers around Alex and her two sisters returning to their hometown in Kansas to help their grandmother keep her bar open. Lopez writes passionately about Alex’s family history and the story of the traqueros, the Mexican and Mexican-American laborers who helped build America’s railroads. Alex’s heritage is a huge part of After Hours and Lopez does an excellent job of weaving in the history without becoming pedantic. It’s a fascinating subject and hopefully some readers will walk away wanting to learn more about it.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a change-up from lighthearted romcoms but not willing to go full-blown angst, anyone who appreciates an alpha heroine, and anyone who loves a big family, ghosts, and page scorching sex!
November 12, 2022
Dnf @10%. Not only is the audiobook narrator’s voice grating on my nerves but the first sex scene in the book (which happens like 15 pages into the book) had questionable consent due to the way the FMC bulldozed herself on the hero so this is a no from me.
August 26, 2022
I liked the emphasis on Mexican-American culture. The main love story never pulled me in and then seemed to abruptly turn to an engagement. This just wasn't for me.
January 28, 2024
Things to love about this book:
1. There is sex at 4%
2. Alex Torres, our FMC, is butch as hell and, upon meeting the MMC, immediately karate chops his throat.
3. There is a ghost.
4. There is a treasure hunt.
5. There is a vividly drawn small town—Freedom, Kansas—which has been home to a large Mexican American community since they emigrated to be traqueros (railroad builders) in the early 1900s. The history aspect of the story, including the prejudice the community faced, and still faces, is important and absorbing.
6. There is a dastardly enemy in the form of the Hugh family, entitled and corrupt.
7. There is a large and loving extended family that does not include any two-dimensional quirky characters.
8. The sex is so so hot, there’s just enough of it, and it is appropriate to the character arc.
9. Jeremiah, our MMC, is now one of my favorite contemporary MMCs. He’s initially completely befuddled by Alex but soon comes into his own, emerging as an exuberant, nerdy and brutally hot dream guy.
Number 10 is the most important. Alex and Jeremiah are initially at loggerheads as they proceed on their separate paths to saving Loretta’s, the long-established bar owned and run by Alex’s grandmother. But they find their way into a truly grownup relationship marked by open and honest communication. Yes, they TALK. They tell each other what’s on their minds! Contemporary authors, take note.
I love Angelina M. Lopez’s writing; there is a particular scene with a Brando reference that I cannot get out of my mind.
I’m jumping straight into Full Moon Over Freedom to spend more time in this wonderful community.
1. There is sex at 4%
2. Alex Torres, our FMC, is butch as hell and, upon meeting the MMC, immediately karate chops his throat.
3. There is a ghost.
4. There is a treasure hunt.
5. There is a vividly drawn small town—Freedom, Kansas—which has been home to a large Mexican American community since they emigrated to be traqueros (railroad builders) in the early 1900s. The history aspect of the story, including the prejudice the community faced, and still faces, is important and absorbing.
6. There is a dastardly enemy in the form of the Hugh family, entitled and corrupt.
7. There is a large and loving extended family that does not include any two-dimensional quirky characters.
8. The sex is so so hot, there’s just enough of it, and it is appropriate to the character arc.
9. Jeremiah, our MMC, is now one of my favorite contemporary MMCs. He’s initially completely befuddled by Alex but soon comes into his own, emerging as an exuberant, nerdy and brutally hot dream guy.
Number 10 is the most important. Alex and Jeremiah are initially at loggerheads as they proceed on their separate paths to saving Loretta’s, the long-established bar owned and run by Alex’s grandmother. But they find their way into a truly grownup relationship marked by open and honest communication. Yes, they TALK. They tell each other what’s on their minds! Contemporary authors, take note.
I love Angelina M. Lopez’s writing; there is a particular scene with a Brando reference that I cannot get out of my mind.
I’m jumping straight into Full Moon Over Freedom to spend more time in this wonderful community.
August 31, 2023
This was an epic ride of a romance and I loved every minute of it. I particularly loved (in addition to all the other bits) learning the history of Mexican-American colonias and traqueros in the American heartland. I can’t wait to read more about what happens next on Milagro Street.
August 17, 2023
— Walka o nawiedzony bar, mówisz? - Mąż przygląda mi się badawczo, a ja tylko wzruszam ramionami. - I Ty to czytasz? Brzmi, jak fabuła którejś z moich książek, a nie… - szybkie zerknięcie na okładkę - romansu?
Mogłabym mu zrobić w tej chwili zdjęcie, gdy tak stoi nade mną z przekrzywioną głową, żeby lepiej widzieć tytuł.
- I ja to czytam, no popatrz! Powiem Ci więcej. Nie tylko czytam, ale jestem naprawdę zafascynowana fabułą! Tylko z lekka… nawiedzoną.
🌻 „Po godzinach na Milagro Street” - Angelina M. Lopez 🌻
W zasadzie to powinnam zacząć od wcześniejszego dialogu, który dotyczył tej książki. Tego zanim zaczęłam czytać. O ja nieświadoma.
- „Objuczona całym dobytkiem Alex Torres naparła gołym ramieniem na drzwi prowadzące do baru jej babki”. - Mąż złapał książkę leżącą na kanapie i po prostu zaczął czytać ją na głos.
- Co ty robisz? - Odwróciłam się w jego stronę zdezorientowana.
- Będę twoim lektorem! - Odpowiedział wyraźnie dumny ze swojego pomysłu.
- Oddawaj to… - Zbliżyłam się do niego i z uśmiechem na ustach wyciągnęłam rękę po książkę w chwili, gdy on uniósł ją do góry. Runęłam na kanapę. I na niego.
- Mówiłaś, że jeszcze nie zaczęłaś! Tylko pomagam! - Złapał mnie w ramiona.
- No tak. Teraz to rzeczywiście pomagasz…
Kontynuował, mimo moich sprzeciwów. Czytanie. Żeby było jasne!
- Widzisz, pierwsza strona już za tobą! - Uniósł podbródek do góry. Nawiasem mówiąc, po lekturze gest unoszenia podbródka kojarzy mi się z nikim innym, a z Alex Torres.
- Dziękuję wybawco, ale dalej poradzę już sobie sama. - Cmoknęłam go w policzek i w końcu odzyskałam książkę.
O dobry losie. Jak dobrze! Gdyby zaczął czytać dalej… Pierwszy rozdział, co tu dużo mówić, ma mocne wejście. Cała Alex.
- Wiesz… poczytałam trochę opinii o tej książce i głównym zarzutem w tych mniej przychylnych jest to, że ludzie nie lubią Alex. Coraz częściej dochodzę do wniosku, że w takim razie chyba lubię trudne charaktery. Alex była dla mnie osobną zagadką.
- Chyba ja… patrząc na moje codzienne doświadczenie! - Mąż zakrył się dłońmi, jakby szykował się na odparcie ataku.
Słusznie.
😉
Jeśli szukacie:
- książki, która gdyby była muzyką, rozsadziłaby Wasze głośniki latynoskimi rytmami…
- silnej, bezpośredniej i charakternej postaci kobiecej…
- gorącego romansu, który umacnia w bohaterach to, co najlepsze…
- wielkiej, lojalnej, wspierającej się, chociaż niewątpliwie hałaśliwej, rodziny…
- tajemnic, które aż proszą się o ich zgłębienie…
Zajrzyjcie na Milagro Street.
Po godzinach. Gdy będziecie mieć czas już tylko na książkę.
Wejdźcie śmiało do baru i poczekajcie na Alex.
Wdychajcie różany zapach i zniknijcie.
Kto wie, kto jeszcze Was tam odnajdzie.
I kogo odnajdziecie Wy❤️
Zaczytana Querida
Mogłabym mu zrobić w tej chwili zdjęcie, gdy tak stoi nade mną z przekrzywioną głową, żeby lepiej widzieć tytuł.
- I ja to czytam, no popatrz! Powiem Ci więcej. Nie tylko czytam, ale jestem naprawdę zafascynowana fabułą! Tylko z lekka… nawiedzoną.
🌻 „Po godzinach na Milagro Street” - Angelina M. Lopez 🌻
W zasadzie to powinnam zacząć od wcześniejszego dialogu, który dotyczył tej książki. Tego zanim zaczęłam czytać. O ja nieświadoma.
- „Objuczona całym dobytkiem Alex Torres naparła gołym ramieniem na drzwi prowadzące do baru jej babki”. - Mąż złapał książkę leżącą na kanapie i po prostu zaczął czytać ją na głos.
- Co ty robisz? - Odwróciłam się w jego stronę zdezorientowana.
- Będę twoim lektorem! - Odpowiedział wyraźnie dumny ze swojego pomysłu.
- Oddawaj to… - Zbliżyłam się do niego i z uśmiechem na ustach wyciągnęłam rękę po książkę w chwili, gdy on uniósł ją do góry. Runęłam na kanapę. I na niego.
- Mówiłaś, że jeszcze nie zaczęłaś! Tylko pomagam! - Złapał mnie w ramiona.
- No tak. Teraz to rzeczywiście pomagasz…
Kontynuował, mimo moich sprzeciwów. Czytanie. Żeby było jasne!
- Widzisz, pierwsza strona już za tobą! - Uniósł podbródek do góry. Nawiasem mówiąc, po lekturze gest unoszenia podbródka kojarzy mi się z nikim innym, a z Alex Torres.
- Dziękuję wybawco, ale dalej poradzę już sobie sama. - Cmoknęłam go w policzek i w końcu odzyskałam książkę.
O dobry losie. Jak dobrze! Gdyby zaczął czytać dalej… Pierwszy rozdział, co tu dużo mówić, ma mocne wejście. Cała Alex.
- Wiesz… poczytałam trochę opinii o tej książce i głównym zarzutem w tych mniej przychylnych jest to, że ludzie nie lubią Alex. Coraz częściej dochodzę do wniosku, że w takim razie chyba lubię trudne charaktery. Alex była dla mnie osobną zagadką.
- Chyba ja… patrząc na moje codzienne doświadczenie! - Mąż zakrył się dłońmi, jakby szykował się na odparcie ataku.
Słusznie.
😉
Jeśli szukacie:
- książki, która gdyby była muzyką, rozsadziłaby Wasze głośniki latynoskimi rytmami…
- silnej, bezpośredniej i charakternej postaci kobiecej…
- gorącego romansu, który umacnia w bohaterach to, co najlepsze…
- wielkiej, lojalnej, wspierającej się, chociaż niewątpliwie hałaśliwej, rodziny…
- tajemnic, które aż proszą się o ich zgłębienie…
Zajrzyjcie na Milagro Street.
Po godzinach. Gdy będziecie mieć czas już tylko na książkę.
Wejdźcie śmiało do baru i poczekajcie na Alex.
Wdychajcie różany zapach i zniknijcie.
Kto wie, kto jeszcze Was tam odnajdzie.
I kogo odnajdziecie Wy❤️
Zaczytana Querida
September 13, 2022
5 "Inheritance" Stars!
Where do I begin with trying to write a non spoilery comprehensive review for this story. This book took me through some feelings! Mostly feelings of rage, tbh! Not going to lie, I was mad at Alex for a good portion of the book. What I had to remember was "hurt people, hurt people." Alex had been hurt deeply by people she completely relied on, loved and trusted. Her behavior was more understandable once you knew where it stemmed from. I was also pretty mad at her family for a good part of the book. Even though I was mad at Alex, I knew she was lashing out. I wanted her family to fully support her rathern than doubt her or challenge her motives. She had given them reasons though...
What almost sent me through the roof was the audacity- no, the blatant racism of the "leadership" of the town of Freedom. I mean, historically, yes. Historically I know the racism was authentic. And I'm not naive enough to not KNOW racism IS alive and well today. But these people were so dang blatant! I wanted to punch some people! Like punch them in the face! 🤬
Speaking of history. I thoroughly enjoyed learning some of the history of Mexican American people in the Midwest. It was fascinating stuff I definitely didn't learn in American History class. The research that went into adding these facts to the story were much appreciated. Romance books get a bad wrap for being frivolous but I've certainly learned a whole lot of different types of facts and information from reading romance.
So, speaking of the romance... The progression from adversaries, to partners for a cause, to lovers between Alex ans Jeremiah was fantastic. They started off with a bang. Literally. But then they really got to know each other through a lot of push and pull. I was here for it. Jeremiah was The Nerdy Professor in the streets and a complete freak in the sheets! Whew!! 🥵
There was a paranormal element that I loved, and also the very timely question of appropriation. This book had so much! I really wanted just a little bit more after the big discovery. A bit of an epilogue would have set this book over the top! Still a top read of the year.
Okay, I hope I covered everything without spoiling anything. This review has gone long. So thanks so much if you are still reading. 😊 Happy reading!
Where do I begin with trying to write a non spoilery comprehensive review for this story. This book took me through some feelings! Mostly feelings of rage, tbh! Not going to lie, I was mad at Alex for a good portion of the book. What I had to remember was "hurt people, hurt people." Alex had been hurt deeply by people she completely relied on, loved and trusted. Her behavior was more understandable once you knew where it stemmed from. I was also pretty mad at her family for a good part of the book. Even though I was mad at Alex, I knew she was lashing out. I wanted her family to fully support her rathern than doubt her or challenge her motives. She had given them reasons though...
What almost sent me through the roof was the audacity- no, the blatant racism of the "leadership" of the town of Freedom. I mean, historically, yes. Historically I know the racism was authentic. And I'm not naive enough to not KNOW racism IS alive and well today. But these people were so dang blatant! I wanted to punch some people! Like punch them in the face! 🤬
Speaking of history. I thoroughly enjoyed learning some of the history of Mexican American people in the Midwest. It was fascinating stuff I definitely didn't learn in American History class. The research that went into adding these facts to the story were much appreciated. Romance books get a bad wrap for being frivolous but I've certainly learned a whole lot of different types of facts and information from reading romance.
So, speaking of the romance... The progression from adversaries, to partners for a cause, to lovers between Alex ans Jeremiah was fantastic. They started off with a bang. Literally. But then they really got to know each other through a lot of push and pull. I was here for it. Jeremiah was The Nerdy Professor in the streets and a complete freak in the sheets! Whew!! 🥵
There was a paranormal element that I loved, and also the very timely question of appropriation. This book had so much! I really wanted just a little bit more after the big discovery. A bit of an epilogue would have set this book over the top! Still a top read of the year.
Okay, I hope I covered everything without spoiling anything. This review has gone long. So thanks so much if you are still reading. 😊 Happy reading!
August 9, 2022
All the stars possible. Probably my favorite read of the year so far. Full review to come…
Read
May 26, 2023DNF 16%...just not feeling it
August 24, 2022
☆☆ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review☆☆╮
THE 411...
*•.¸♡ 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐖𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. ♡¸.•*
This book kept me up last night as I was determined to finish it and those final few lines gave me goosebumps!! After Hours on Milagros Street is a romance with mystery, paranormal, and historical fiction aspects sprinkled throughout. I love my romance to be complex and the story line to have some depth, this was just that. We meet Alex Torres as she makes her appearance back in her hometown of Kansas. She’s an Alpha plus size Mexican-American female who has made a name for herself as an in demand bartender. Alex has been summoned by her sisters with hopes of convincing their matriarch of a grandmother to sell them her bar so that she may retire comfortably. The problem is that many in the Torres clan view her as a bit louder than the rest of them and a bit of a loose canon. For Alex, her image is something she plays up for the white people she bartends for. “The world expected an angry black woman, and Alex had let it pay her rent” She plans to use what she’s learned as well as her social media presence to put Kansas/Milagro Street back on the map. The town that for many years has been home to Mexican-American working families is struggling to keep the lights on. Jeremiah Post is renting a room at the bar, he is a white college professor whose own backstory is a mystery to all and he’d rather keep it that way. He loves the Torres clan, grandmother Loretta treats him like one of her own and the many aunts, uncles, and cousins who congregate at the bar daily see him as family too. Alex & Jeremiah’s first encounter is 10/10 spicy and hot. Alex knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go for it, she absolutely DOES get consent even as she’s going through the motions. I LOVED IT!
WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS...
Full transparency, it took me a few days to finish this book but I didn’t see it as a negative. The pace is a bit slower than most romance books because of the historical fiction/mystery aspects but the latter half really picks up the pace. I appreciated the character development we see with Alex who goes from wanting to change everything about the bar to wanting to preserve some of what makes it feel like home to many of Freedom’s residents. Also, Jeremiah’s work as an ally helping preserve the Mexican-American immigrant history of the town and the fact that Alex makes sure that he knows she’s not down with the white savior roles perpetuated by many. Jeremiah’s respectful stance in making sure that he remains an ally in the background, his respect towards her family and the towns roots make him a new fave! This book has a whole lot of heart and the characters quickly come to life including our older generations. Last but not least, the supernatural aspects the author introduced to highlight the racism and bigotry surrounding Mexican-Americans bumped this book to a five star read for me. Consider reading if you enjoy romance wrapped in a bit of a mystery, found families that just so happen to be LARGE families, and angry ghosts.
𝗧ropes: close proximity, opposites attract, hate-to-love, grumpy sunshine
Content Warnings: mention of alcoholism, racism, bigotry, microaggressions
THE 411...
*•.¸♡ 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐖𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. ♡¸.•*
This book kept me up last night as I was determined to finish it and those final few lines gave me goosebumps!! After Hours on Milagros Street is a romance with mystery, paranormal, and historical fiction aspects sprinkled throughout. I love my romance to be complex and the story line to have some depth, this was just that. We meet Alex Torres as she makes her appearance back in her hometown of Kansas. She’s an Alpha plus size Mexican-American female who has made a name for herself as an in demand bartender. Alex has been summoned by her sisters with hopes of convincing their matriarch of a grandmother to sell them her bar so that she may retire comfortably. The problem is that many in the Torres clan view her as a bit louder than the rest of them and a bit of a loose canon. For Alex, her image is something she plays up for the white people she bartends for. “The world expected an angry black woman, and Alex had let it pay her rent” She plans to use what she’s learned as well as her social media presence to put Kansas/Milagro Street back on the map. The town that for many years has been home to Mexican-American working families is struggling to keep the lights on. Jeremiah Post is renting a room at the bar, he is a white college professor whose own backstory is a mystery to all and he’d rather keep it that way. He loves the Torres clan, grandmother Loretta treats him like one of her own and the many aunts, uncles, and cousins who congregate at the bar daily see him as family too. Alex & Jeremiah’s first encounter is 10/10 spicy and hot. Alex knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go for it, she absolutely DOES get consent even as she’s going through the motions. I LOVED IT!
WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS...
Full transparency, it took me a few days to finish this book but I didn’t see it as a negative. The pace is a bit slower than most romance books because of the historical fiction/mystery aspects but the latter half really picks up the pace. I appreciated the character development we see with Alex who goes from wanting to change everything about the bar to wanting to preserve some of what makes it feel like home to many of Freedom’s residents. Also, Jeremiah’s work as an ally helping preserve the Mexican-American immigrant history of the town and the fact that Alex makes sure that he knows she’s not down with the white savior roles perpetuated by many. Jeremiah’s respectful stance in making sure that he remains an ally in the background, his respect towards her family and the towns roots make him a new fave! This book has a whole lot of heart and the characters quickly come to life including our older generations. Last but not least, the supernatural aspects the author introduced to highlight the racism and bigotry surrounding Mexican-Americans bumped this book to a five star read for me. Consider reading if you enjoy romance wrapped in a bit of a mystery, found families that just so happen to be LARGE families, and angry ghosts.
𝗧ropes: close proximity, opposites attract, hate-to-love, grumpy sunshine
Content Warnings: mention of alcoholism, racism, bigotry, microaggressions
January 21, 2023
LOVED THIS A LOT.
Yes, it’s a spicy romance but wow, it was so much more than that. I love seeing multicultural relationships so much and I feel like I don’t see it often enough. This book also had so much good history bits in it while talking about family dynamics, systematic racism, and injustice with a touch of magical realism…. LOVED.
Yes, it’s a spicy romance but wow, it was so much more than that. I love seeing multicultural relationships so much and I feel like I don’t see it often enough. This book also had so much good history bits in it while talking about family dynamics, systematic racism, and injustice with a touch of magical realism…. LOVED.
March 29, 2023
I really struggled with this book at the beginning, and I think that if I hadn’t switched to the audiobook, I likely would have DNF’ed. However, I am incredibly glad I didn’t! After Hours on Milagro Street is full of emotion, sexy as hell, and I loved how steeped in family and Mexican culture it was. The treasure hunt aspect was also super fun to follow.
I really struggled to connect with Alex, but as she started to open up and I began to understand the motive behind her actions, I was able to appreciate her character a lot more. She loves fiercely and I especially loved how she sank into her feelings for Jeremiah.
Jeremiah is a star. I loved how open he was with Alex, and the harder, more honest conversations between the two of them were such a highlight.
Another highlight has to be the steamy scenes. Whooo boy, Professor Jeremiah has a mouth on him and I was all for it. He WORSHIPS Alex and it was sexy as hell.
The audiobook narration wasn’t my favourite (I would have loved two narrators here!), but it definitely helped me get into the story!
I really struggled to connect with Alex, but as she started to open up and I began to understand the motive behind her actions, I was able to appreciate her character a lot more. She loves fiercely and I especially loved how she sank into her feelings for Jeremiah.
Jeremiah is a star. I loved how open he was with Alex, and the harder, more honest conversations between the two of them were such a highlight.
Another highlight has to be the steamy scenes. Whooo boy, Professor Jeremiah has a mouth on him and I was all for it. He WORSHIPS Alex and it was sexy as hell.
The audiobook narration wasn’t my favourite (I would have loved two narrators here!), but it definitely helped me get into the story!
December 13, 2022
As a born and raised Kansan, it was so fun to read a book set in Kansas by someone who actually knows the state. I desperately want to know which town Lopez is from—the references seemed like an amalgam of several different ones. I absolutely died when she threw in a casual Neewollah reference and didn’t bother to explain it!! IYKYK!
dnf
August 8, 2022DNF’d @ 21%
I’m not going to continue with this book mainly because of the dubious consent hook up in the beginning of the book and then the continual sexual harassment by the female main character towards the male main character.
I’m not going to continue with this book mainly because of the dubious consent hook up in the beginning of the book and then the continual sexual harassment by the female main character towards the male main character.
June 30, 2022
After enjoying Angelina M. Lopez’s Lush Money, I started following her on social media. She’s talked for a while about wanting to set a romance with Mexican-American characters in southeast Kansas, where she is from, because so many people are surprised to learn there are Mexican American communities in small Mid-western towns. Her new series, which begins with After Hours of Milagro Street, does just that.
Alexandra “Alex” Torres is coming home to Freedom, Kansas after years of being the Best Bitch in Bartending in Chicago. Her grandmother, Loretta, is in the hospital after a fall, and Alex has a plan to save the family bar, Loretta’s, on Milagro Street. Professor Jeremiah Post has found a home renting a room above the bar. Loretta has taken him under her wing, and he also has a plan for the bar – to turn it into a museum focused on the history of Freedom’s Mexican American community, starting with the Traqueros who built the railroads after the Chinese Exclusion Act caused a labor shortage. Each suspects the other of using Loretta for personal gain. They start off with a literal bang when they meet in the middle of the night.
Alex is driven with an explosive temper and a huge (well earned) chip on her shoulder. Her relationship with her family is fractious enough that it’s not unreasonable to think she may not have their best interest at heart. Added to that, Alex is available to save the bar because she was filmed having a spectacular blow out with her boss and is now unemployed. Alex’s suspicions about the very white, clearly from money, Jeremiah are rooted in the history of white people appropriating the history and struggles of others. It’s only when a larger threat to both their plans is revealed that they work together. The attraction simmering between them grows as they come to like each other.
Jeremiah is much quieter. Lopez doesn’t try to make him match Alex in force of personality. While he is quiet, he is also smart and perceptive. He is much quicker to let go of the rivalry than Alex, once he realizes that yes, she really does have a plan that will modernize Loretta’s without gutting it.
After Hours on Milagro Street is another example of the micro trope where a man and woman are directly competing for something and the woman wins both the prize and the man’s love. I would like to see more of it.
Racism and family history play big roles in the internal and external conflicts. There are ghosts, both metaphorical and literal.
CW: on page and historical racism, parental neglect, alcoholic parent, misogyny, the intersection of capitalism and racism.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Carina Press and NetGalley. My opinions are my own and freely given.
Alexandra “Alex” Torres is coming home to Freedom, Kansas after years of being the Best Bitch in Bartending in Chicago. Her grandmother, Loretta, is in the hospital after a fall, and Alex has a plan to save the family bar, Loretta’s, on Milagro Street. Professor Jeremiah Post has found a home renting a room above the bar. Loretta has taken him under her wing, and he also has a plan for the bar – to turn it into a museum focused on the history of Freedom’s Mexican American community, starting with the Traqueros who built the railroads after the Chinese Exclusion Act caused a labor shortage. Each suspects the other of using Loretta for personal gain. They start off with a literal bang when they meet in the middle of the night.
Alex is driven with an explosive temper and a huge (well earned) chip on her shoulder. Her relationship with her family is fractious enough that it’s not unreasonable to think she may not have their best interest at heart. Added to that, Alex is available to save the bar because she was filmed having a spectacular blow out with her boss and is now unemployed. Alex’s suspicions about the very white, clearly from money, Jeremiah are rooted in the history of white people appropriating the history and struggles of others. It’s only when a larger threat to both their plans is revealed that they work together. The attraction simmering between them grows as they come to like each other.
Jeremiah is much quieter. Lopez doesn’t try to make him match Alex in force of personality. While he is quiet, he is also smart and perceptive. He is much quicker to let go of the rivalry than Alex, once he realizes that yes, she really does have a plan that will modernize Loretta’s without gutting it.
After Hours on Milagro Street is another example of the micro trope where a man and woman are directly competing for something and the woman wins both the prize and the man’s love. I would like to see more of it.
Racism and family history play big roles in the internal and external conflicts. There are ghosts, both metaphorical and literal.
CW: on page and historical racism, parental neglect, alcoholic parent, misogyny, the intersection of capitalism and racism.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Carina Press and NetGalley. My opinions are my own and freely given.
July 6, 2022
I've read and enjoyed everything I've read by Angelina M. Lopez but let me just be completely honest - this might be her best work to date. She has really leveled up as a writer with this book, with its complicated and flawed characters, its complex and tightly woven plot, and layering it with her brand of high heat and steam.
Bartender Alex follows in the grand tradition of Lopez heroines - difficult and arguably unlikable and obviously, I loved her. She has reasons for why she is the way she is and peeling her character like an onion reveals that while her exterior is tough and crusty, underneath lies a heart as soft as a marshmallow, full of love and compassion for those she holds near and dear to her.
Professor Jeremiah is sexy and nerdy, from a rich east coast family that has never shown him the love he so desperately wants. When he finds that sense of belonging in Alex's family, he's not willing to let go much to Alex's dismay.
Set amidst a plot that involves a lot of history, a ghost, and a mystery, the book is both a history lesson and a steamy contemporary romance all wrapped up in one tight package. It's about family and belonging, about the power of the past impacting one's future, and how important it is to dig a little deeper to find the true nature of a person. Both Alex and Jeremiah harbor deep secrets and a lot of heartbreak and the way they slowly learn to open up to each other and trust each other is the reason this romance really works.
Content notes: racism, sexism, toxic family relationships, off page alcoholism, absentee father, minor character has an abortion and is shamed for it (not by the MCs);
ARC from publisher, opinions are all mine;
Bartender Alex follows in the grand tradition of Lopez heroines - difficult and arguably unlikable and obviously, I loved her. She has reasons for why she is the way she is and peeling her character like an onion reveals that while her exterior is tough and crusty, underneath lies a heart as soft as a marshmallow, full of love and compassion for those she holds near and dear to her.
Professor Jeremiah is sexy and nerdy, from a rich east coast family that has never shown him the love he so desperately wants. When he finds that sense of belonging in Alex's family, he's not willing to let go much to Alex's dismay.
Set amidst a plot that involves a lot of history, a ghost, and a mystery, the book is both a history lesson and a steamy contemporary romance all wrapped up in one tight package. It's about family and belonging, about the power of the past impacting one's future, and how important it is to dig a little deeper to find the true nature of a person. Both Alex and Jeremiah harbor deep secrets and a lot of heartbreak and the way they slowly learn to open up to each other and trust each other is the reason this romance really works.
Content notes: racism, sexism, toxic family relationships, off page alcoholism, absentee father, minor character has an abortion and is shamed for it (not by the MCs);
ARC from publisher, opinions are all mine;
July 26, 2022
First things first. I loved this huge, loud family and how they all have their own lives but still manage to find time and energy to fall into each other's orbits. I loved seeing Jeremiah get accepted into the fold as if he had always been there.
Alex was just so dang unlikeable at the beginning and so mean when she got cornered. Her first instinct was to lash out as painfully as possible to anyone who was in front of her when she got hurt. Since he was taken by her, the person usually in front of her was Jeremiah. Since he has a family history of being dismissed or discarded, I hated to see this and it set my teeth on edge every time.
I was fascinated by all of the secret bootlegging operations that kept popping up in the family history. I feel like it wasn't the main focus of the story by any means but it was such a fun historical nod.
But. My favorite/least favorite part of this book were the sex scenes. On one hand, you have a gal using typical words you see in romance novels. Big daddy on the other hand over here throwing out anatomical names for things. I listened to the audiobook and I am horrified and delighted that v@gina was moaned into my ears more than once. The narrator of this book is worth her weight in gold.
Thank you to Harper Audio and Carina Press for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. My opinions were my own.
Alex was just so dang unlikeable at the beginning and so mean when she got cornered. Her first instinct was to lash out as painfully as possible to anyone who was in front of her when she got hurt. Since he was taken by her, the person usually in front of her was Jeremiah. Since he has a family history of being dismissed or discarded, I hated to see this and it set my teeth on edge every time.
I was fascinated by all of the secret bootlegging operations that kept popping up in the family history. I feel like it wasn't the main focus of the story by any means but it was such a fun historical nod.
But. My favorite/least favorite part of this book were the sex scenes. On one hand, you have a gal using typical words you see in romance novels. Big daddy on the other hand over here throwing out anatomical names for things. I listened to the audiobook and I am horrified and delighted that v@gina was moaned into my ears more than once. The narrator of this book is worth her weight in gold.
Thank you to Harper Audio and Carina Press for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. My opinions were my own.
August 15, 2022
What an amazing and cute found family/romance story!!! (4.5/5 Stars ⭐️)
I listened to the audiobook while also reading along with my hardcopy and the narrator was fantastic! I was so immersed in the story and the culture and the history that was discussed and it was such a fun ride!
This was more than a romance story, it was about family and friendships and fighting for what’s right and the power of standing together and loving one’s culture and that just made my heart so happy!
Alex was an amazing female MC she was so strong and beautiful and edgy! and honestly pretty freaking funny at times! Jeremiah was a sweetheart and a wonderful male MC who had quite a filthy mouth! 😜🌶
I loved the writing and the passion of this book! I highly recommend picking up this book to make you smile and make you feel all the emotions! 🥰
I listened to the audiobook while also reading along with my hardcopy and the narrator was fantastic! I was so immersed in the story and the culture and the history that was discussed and it was such a fun ride!
This was more than a romance story, it was about family and friendships and fighting for what’s right and the power of standing together and loving one’s culture and that just made my heart so happy!
Alex was an amazing female MC she was so strong and beautiful and edgy! and honestly pretty freaking funny at times! Jeremiah was a sweetheart and a wonderful male MC who had quite a filthy mouth! 😜🌶
I loved the writing and the passion of this book! I highly recommend picking up this book to make you smile and make you feel all the emotions! 🥰
May 2, 2022
Thank you Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) and NetGalley for the advanced preview (chapters 1-5) of this book.
This is absolutely FANTASTIC and I definitely need the rest of the book. I need to know what happens! I mean open door in chapter 1? Yes, please, what a first impression. Alex is such a bad ass and so confident and Jeremiah is such a sweetheart. I need to see if they'll tame each other and if he'll smooth her edges and if she'll get him to let loose. I'm also really intrigued about the history of Mexican American families in the plains and want to learn more. Fingers crossed I'll get approved for the rest of the book!
This is absolutely FANTASTIC and I definitely need the rest of the book. I need to know what happens! I mean open door in chapter 1? Yes, please, what a first impression. Alex is such a bad ass and so confident and Jeremiah is such a sweetheart. I need to see if they'll tame each other and if he'll smooth her edges and if she'll get him to let loose. I'm also really intrigued about the history of Mexican American families in the plains and want to learn more. Fingers crossed I'll get approved for the rest of the book!
September 17, 2022
This was fantastic - longer write up here https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks...
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