Not much to say here, i was only approved the preview. I would have much rather received the entire book so I can fully give a review. But yes swoony and all.

Only got the preview but this is now on my TBR because who doesn't love a badass female bartender out for her redemption? We've got our snarky main character returning home to save the day. An unlikely transplant that's already swooped in to help. Forced proximity. Sass. Spice. And that's just the preview.

Will finish. And even though I've only read the preview, would recommend.

Due to a post this author made recently, my ethics and morals do not align with theirs. I will no longer be supporting this author. As someone from a marginalized community myself I would think as a Latinx author that they would understand the atrocities happening overseas. The take that "doom-scrolling is not activism" is such a weird take, when the marginalized community is asking us to boost their suppressed content as much as possible.

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped I would. The insta love is pretty much always an immediate no for me, it’s not a trope I enjoy. The first few chapters did seem interesting enough for me to continue reading the book. However it was not a book I enjoyed.

"After Hours on Milagro Street" by Angelina M. Lopez is a fiery and passionate romance that sizzles with tension, both in and out of the bedroom. This book promises a delightful blend of love, family, and the vibrant culture of the Mexican American community.

The story revolves around two compelling characters, Alejandra "Alex" Torres and Professor Jeremiah Post, who find themselves at odds over the fate of Loretta's, a beloved family bar. Alex's determination to revive her grandmother's bar clashes with Jeremiah's protective instincts, creating a dynamic and engaging conflict that drives the narrative.

The book's portrayal of the Torres family is particularly noteworthy. Their close-knit, boisterous, and loving dynamics add depth and authenticity to the story, showcasing the importance of family bonds and cultural heritage. It's not just a romance between two individuals; it's a love story that encompasses an entire community.

The enemies-to-lovers trope, combined with the insta-lust element, promises an electrifying romance that will keep readers hooked from start to finish. The sexual tension between Alex and Jeremiah, set against the backdrop of their clashing personalities and shared living space, adds layers of complexity to their relationship.

Furthermore, the book introduces an element of suspense as an old enemy threatens Loretta's and the surrounding neighborhood. This plot twist injects a sense of urgency into the story, compelling Alex and Jeremiah to work together and potentially find common ground.

Overall, "After Hours on Milagro Street" appears to be a captivating and emotionally charged romance novel that celebrates love, family, and the power of community. With its well-drawn characters and culturally rich setting, it promises to be an engaging read for fans of contemporary romance. Angelina M. Lopez's storytelling skillfully weaves together passion, conflict, and heart, making this book a must-read for romance enthusiasts

This was so hot and compelling, and I loved the setting of Loretta's bar in small town Kansas! I loved getting to know this complex Mexican-American family.

After meeting and chatting about being bilingual and our shared love for Spanish literature, I left Angelina's table at Book Bonanza wanting to read everything I could by this amazing woman. This preview has only whet my appetite for more. Thankfully it was easy enough to add to my library. I loved Alex, the spitfire middle nieta of the family matriarch who I anticipate reconnecting with her family roots as this story progresses. I feel like her journey will be a read that is hard to put down. This was also a nice introduction to Jeremiah who couldn't be more different from Alex.
They are set up as enemies to lovers, which is one of my favorite tropes, and with them being neighbors, I really hope this dynamic leads to some passionate scenes where their tempers fly. I feel like the professor has a backbone somewhere hidden behind his glasses and quiet demeanor. Can't wait to see how they save the bar and fall for each other.

From the beginning, the connection and sizzling bond between Alex and Jeremiah was palpable. Will definitely continue reading. #AfterHoursonMilagroStreetPREVIEW #NetGalley

The cover of this book definitely appealed to me first but after reading the first couple of chapters I immediately went and found it on Amazon.
Alex’s grandmother owns a bar in a small town. Alex after a recently explosive argument with her boss in Chicago decides to return home to Freedom to revive the family’s business. The book opens with Alex entering the dark and creepy bar and meeting tenant Jeremiah and they have a steamy…introduction?
I love Alex’s character so far. She’s tough, stubborn and determined whereas Jeremiah seems more sky and reserved which isn’t something typical in romance books, Normally the female character is the one that’s meek and quiet. So I definitely love this reversal. Her family were interesting too and as the chapters progressed Angelina M. Lopez developed everything further which made for a really enjoyable reading experience.
I definitely enjoyed this sample and most certainly will be purchasing the whole ebook.

I have been looking forward to reading this one and the first five chapters have convinced me to stop waiting on my local library to provide a copy and buy my own. The cover is gorgeous, the synopsis is promising, and the chemistry between two characters we don’t know much about yet is already explosive. Can’t wait!

I can’t wait to get my hands on the full copy because I am already obsessed and reading the first 5 chapters wasnt enough.. I was already hooked from the first chapter.. I mean there was already spice from chapter 1 😫💕💕.
I already love how confident and strongwilled Alex is, she knows what she wants and gets it without being apologetic.. I already know I will love this.

Well. Here's what I've learned from perusing the early chapters of a couple of Lopez's books: she does not mess around, and she does not believe in starting slow.

In "After Hours on Milagro Street", Alex is home—for now—and she has a bone to pick with the world. She and her sisters want to buy their grandmother's bar, mostly to give their grandmother a chance to rest...but for Alex, it couldn't come at a better time. The problem is that suddenly there's a tall, wealthy, white stranger living in a spare room, and suddenly there's a pile of factors that Alex can't predict or control.

These early chapters hint that Alex has reason to be angry with the world, and Jeremiah (the stranger) is in her warpath. He is...shall we say...not prepared. I'm not sure what to make of Alex here: angry I'm on board with; confident I'm on board with; warpath I'm on board with. But the first chapters ask us to accept behavior from Alex that I (and presumably others) wouldn't accept from a male hero, to the extent that I came away wishing that instead of Jeremiah saying "yes", he'd said "no, I do not consent, get your hands off me". I've read enough from Lopez to be confident that she delivers, so I'm thinking that Alex does some character growth throughout the book, but I'll have to hope for some really direct conversations as well.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing this preview through NetGalley.

I enjoyed reading this Preview! I needed more than just 5 chapters though! I'm so glad that my library purchased a ebook copy through Libby so I could finish reading the story. Thank you!

I absolutely loved this preview and will definitely be buying the book! Right now! Just the small sniper I read was so good and not enough!

I liked this short preview! The main character, Alex, is definitely very tough and brash and I would love to continue on her journey!

When I read the premise of this book I was hooked. I have been looking for a fun Latinx romance and this book, with its Mexican-American elements and romance tropes (Rivals-to-lovers/forced proximity) looked like the one for me.

I'll be honest, the first time the main characters meet made me physically cringe. Their initial interaction already felt so out of character for both of them despite only being a few pages in. I also quickly got tired of how many times the male love interest was described as "big" and "puppy-like". The author's writing felt similar to The Love Hypothesis and Spanish Love Deception except there is a little more fire in the rivals to the lovers trope in this book.

I also struggled to empathize with the main character. Alex was incredibly unlikable to me (and not in a fun way). Her attitude had me rooting and siding with her family during a confrontation and gave me second-hand embarrassment in other scenes. When she wasn't in arguments with side characters, I felt like her personality came off as very stiff and forced. I couldn't get on board with her behavior and disposition toward others.  I don't think this book is my cup of tea but it could be for folks who are fans of Ali Hazelwood or Elena Armas.

*Thanks NetGalley for the preview of this romance novel*

I received a copy of this sneak peek through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

While I was reading this sneak peek, I found myself wondering how much time the author had spent in small midwestern towns. And it might not have bothered me as much if she'd made up a town instead of using one that actually exists. That would have made it a little easier for this Kansas girl to suspend belief for the purpose of this story. See, the small towns of Kansas aren't known for niche communities or diversity, with the exception of Nicodemus (and according to the internet its current population is 14). Had this book been set in Dodge City or Garden City, I could have accepted it, as both of those places do have significant Mexican-American populations, and they're big enough to actually support a restaurant and bar, and I'm pretty sure they both have community colleges. Instead it's set in a town that is literally dying, with streets named in classic Kansas small town fashion using numbers and tree species, nothing "exotic" there. And I realize this seems like a very minor complaint, but the setting is pretty huge in terms of what little I got from the story, and it just wouldn't exist in the Kansas that I know. It also affected my entire experience with this sneak peek.

Things this sneak peek got right. The crumbling building that houses the restaurant and bar would very likely be a good candidate for becoming a local museum and historical site. The students and teachers from the nearby college (that doesn't exist) would absolutely avoid this town at all costs, preferring to drive a little further to a place with actual amenities, and like, a Walmart. A history professor would definitely be the exception to the previous statement.

I was intrigued by the friction between Jeremiah and Alex, but not intrigued enough to be able to look past the setting problems. This is a book I will not be picking up any time soon, unfortunately.

A vibrant story of a woman who returns home with the intention of running her abuela's bar and discovers the true meaning of family.

We all have secrets that impact our decisions, this family will uncover a town full of them and a path to mending fences, friendships, and finding closure.

Angelina is a master storyteller who brings to life characters with layers of depth, a town rich in culture, and a romance that will tug at your heart.

Don't miss this must read!

Family and Fortune!
After Hours on Milagro Street was a powerful story about family, forgiveness, and finally finding home. Alex and Jeremiah sizzle on the page together. Ms. Lopez did a wonderful job of pushing the sexual tension and intrigue in this story. The banter was witty. The family dynamics were complicated. And the character growth was inspiring. Forcing Alex and Jeremiah to team up to save Loretta's was a brilliant way to build their bond. loved the research and sharing of Mexican American history. The story felt rich with culture and love. Can't wait to read more in this series!

The first few chapters didn’t really hook me like I thought it would. Unfortunately I won’t be continuing when the book is released. There wasn’t anything to keep me invested in the story aside from really thinking the premise would be promising during my request. Thank you for the opportunity!