Mocha for Mateo

Pier 3 Coffee #1

by Melanie Greene

Alicia Wells never asked for a knight in flour-dusted apron to show up full of ideas for saving her surf-side cafe. She’s quite brilliant at plans, which is how she kept Pier 3 Coffee afloat through plenty of tough times already. She’ll just have to do it again. Mateo James doesn’t want to live for his family bakery, but even more, he doesn’t want his father to die for it. So he’ll do what’s required of him, including throwing himself into community organizing. If it helps his parents, and Alicia, to thrive, he’ll sacrifice anything. Even his own chance at happiness. As Alicia charges forward with his plans to save Pier 3, Mateo would love to slow her down long enough to show her the value of their connection. But if she won’t let him in, he’ll have no choice but to let her go.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

172 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2021

About the author

Melanie Greene lives in a tiny woodland cottage in a big skyscraper city. She shares her life with her hunk of a husband and children so amazing they defy superlatives.

She writes smart, sizzling contemporary romance.

Reviews

[Jill Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

author doesn't even drink coffee

[Jessica Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this a lot. Was particularly happy to see not just a diverse cast of extras, but a bisexual lead -- and a man at that. Generally when bisexuality is made visible in art it's with bisexual women, who are seen as somewhat "more palatable" to the masses because woman/woman sex is fetishized by mainstream society while man/man sex is often framed by the loudest of the homophobes as something "disgusting" to see. The fact that Mateo's bisexuality is acknowledged and accepted as a part of the story without being a prop or a sideshow is wonderful. I also really felt the stakes and hindrances in Mateo and Alicia's relationship. It felt authentic to these two people and not manufactured for the sake of extended drama. That said, my only real complaint is that I wanted more of this. It wasn't long enough for me. I wanted more of their lives, more of their growth together, more of their sex, and more details in general. I get that this book isn't intended as a thick tome, but I'm a greedy reader and I always want more more more more more.

[Jamie (Books and Ladders) · Rating 4 out of 5]

See this review and more on Books and Ladders!

This might be the book that gets me into reading (a specific kind of) romance books! I absolutely loved it and the cast was wonderful. A BI MALE CHARACTER??? Amazing. Mateo's bisexuality is not just acknowledged, but accepted!! As a bi woman myself, I generally never see this type of rep be so wholly accepted unless it's a one-off line.

On top of that, the stakes felt realistic and the love was so amazing to watch. I actually wish this was longer! Alicia and Mateo were such a good couple and I loved joining them on their journey to romance.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 3.5 star.

Cute and sweet (like a mocha) but not quite what I was expecting (I'd say it wasn't my cup of tea, but that's the wrong drink and I don't want to get carried away on the puns ;) Besides, it was still an enjoyable enough read).
Some parts were a bit hard for personal reasons, but I think that just gives it more of an authentic feel, which I like.
The writing was decent with very few errors catching my attention, though I do wish there had been an actual POV change between chapters.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting book of diverse characters. Mateo is easy to love because he is so kind and warmhearted. Alicia takes some time to warm up to because she initially comes across as cold. She protects herself by using defense mechanisms and comes to recognize the joy that her support system, which definitely includes Mateo, brings her.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful novel. I was instantly in love with the Wells family and Mateo, and the author created a great sense of place. The diversity is wonderful.

[Jessica Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a kindle copy in a giveaway and I can't wait to get started! Coffee with a side of romance?? Yes, please.

[Leila Fusfeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was cute. I appreciated the diversity in characters and that the protagonists were small business owners with family businesses.

The female protagonist was a bit unreasonable in her treatment of the male protagonist, which annoyed me.

The book also needed better editing - in a couple places there were mistakes that should’ve been easily caught and corrected.

I received a free copy as a #goodreadsgiveaway

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mateo and Alicia's Story . . .

Alicia Wells owned Pier Three Coffee and had an apartment upstairs, which meant she was the sibling who had to wake early and open up for business each day. Mateo and his parents owned James Family Bakery, so when the truck arrived, she always checked to see if Mateo was driving. They hooked up occasionally, but no one ever assumed they were a couple. If he walked up to her, all he got was “hello”, never a hug or kiss. Alicia, Abraham, and Austin met with their landlady about her now wanting to sell the Pier Three's building. It was not good timing for them. So Alicia sat down with her lists and tried to make a plan to save their coffee shop.

Mateo James has never wanted to work for his family bakery, but his father needed his help. He started organizing things so he made a plan to help Alicia save Pier 3. What he really wants is for her to notice him and see how their connection is important. But she has charged ahead on his plan. So if she won’t let him help, won’t let him into her life, then his only other option is to let her go. He has sacrificed for everyone else. But Alicia is something he needs for himself. Will he have to give her up after all?

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was hard. Why did a 156 page book take 2.5 weeks to read? I felt like I was coming into an established series, 75% of the way through, and I had little to no backstory. I did not find Alicia to be a likable character and Mateo just rolled over anytime she pouted about one thing or another.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, talk about a book (story) that brings out so many emotions. I experienced aggravation, humor, awe, love, happiness all in one book. At first, Alicia seems like a self-centered girl but reading on you find out differently. But I still became VERY aggravated with her. Mateo seems like a dream boat. I fell in love with him instantly. Always giving and sacrificing for family and love. Enjoyed the journey of these two lovers and was pleased with the outcome. I would definitely read another book from Melanie Greene again. Wonderful writer!
FYI: I received this book as an advanced reader copy.

[runofthemillwallflower · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC by the author, thank you!

I had a bit of a hard time getting into this story and i still can't really figure out why. It was a good story with a great premise. Maybe because i didn't feel genuine chemistry between Mateo and Alicia. I did, however, like the traces of a Jennifer Cruise novel i got AND The Taming Of A Shrew vibes i got, two of my favorite things. It was full of interesting characters and LGBTQ inclusive.

[Gin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts I liked, and I liked that the characters were diverse, but overall, I didn't really feel a connection with the characters and I didn't feel engaged with the story. I liked Mateo the most, but at times he came across as being an emotional masochist, especially when it came to Alicia.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.