This was not my favorite of books. I felt as if the hero was always putting himself down, and that was not okay. The story moved too fast and it was too predictable.

vanessa wasn't always a good girl, but she learned her lesson young. so when her grandmother brings salvador rosas into their home as thirsty opens, she's less than pleased. sal is a former gang member, ex-con who is trying to make a new life for himself after five years in prison. sal isn't a good guy. but he's not a bad guy either. he's done bad things. made poor choices. even though some might say he never had a choice at all.

making a new life for yourself in the old neighborhood isn't easy. the people who you left behind want to bring you down to their level, even as you try to rise above. vanessa has been rising above for years, but now that she's got sal in her home, in her life, the temptation is there. sal doesn't have the practice of resisting. he's known deprivation. he knows what it is to have no control. being on the outside, not having a routine, it's terrifying. how is it possible that he'll stand strong?

he's been aware of vanessa for a long time. for a long time, he wondered why she picked someone else, someone who was no better than he was when she could have had anyone. she was so good. and he was so bad. but they are so good together. the chemistry between them. their shared history. i loved the slow burn of this romance until it ignites. and then it's all fire. i love these characters and loved all the touches of latino culture.

part of me prefers the successful latino stories. the stories of middle and upper-class latinos, partly because part of me feels the stereotypes in play in the latinos from the wrong side of the tracks, the ones in gangs, all west side storied. but these stereotypes chafe because they don't reflect me as a latina. that isn't to say it's not authentic. and so at the end of the day, i just have to celebrate that these characters are latino. and that culturally things are represented authentically, even if it isn't a mirror to my experience as a latina, it is still a reflection.

**thirsty will publish on march 13, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/random house publishing group (loveswept) in exchange for my honest review.

Confession time! Sometimes I see book blurbs and think, “that’s going to be awful. I can eviscerate it in a snarky review,” and then I throw my head back and laugh like a deranged Bond-villain.

Such was the case when I read the blurb on Mia Hopkins’ book, Thirsty. I don’t know who wrote the blurb, but to me it read cheesy and then the devil on my shoulder pointed to a single phrase, “hipster gringo.” There, I thought, while stroking my imaginary villain moustache, for that phrase alone, I should read and review this book. Cue Bond-villain laughter.

However, and please don’t tell my husband (I have an image to uphold) I was wrong. I really, really enjoyed Thirsty and could not put it down.

Mia Hopkins does a fantastic job telling the story of Salvador (aka Ghost), a recently paroled, gang member from East L.A., who’s trying desperately to find out who he is and where he belongs. While working two jobs and commuting 2 hours + to work every night, he ends up in a bit of a housing crisis. He’s taken in by a neighbor and her suspicious grand-daughter and single-mom, Vanessa. At the same time he meets brewery owner Allan (the hipster gringo!). Vanessa and Allan both see the potential in Salvador and do their best to show him, that he’s more than the mistakes of his past, even while Salvador’s gang tries to pull him back into a life of violence and crime.

Thirsty is, at its core, Salvador’s redemption story. Salvador has committed crimes in his past and he’s still associated with his gang the Eastside Hollenbeck, but through his relationship with Vanessa and Allan, we come to see that he’s also intelligent, caring and sympathetic to the feelings and well-being of others. It doesn’t take long for Salvador to see his own worth as a lover and friend to Vanessa, and his creative and intellectual worth through his dealings with Allan in the brewery. I can’t tell you whether or not Mia Hopkins got the slang or cultural nuances of gang life in East L.A. right, but she writes Salvador really well and makes his redemption very natural without bashing readers over the head with stereotypes and platitudes. As a reader I wanted to root for Salvador, I felt invested in his story arc and I wanted to see him succeed. That’s good writing.

Thirsty may be a redemption story, but that doesn’t mean it’s holding back on the sexy times. This is a hot read. Salvador and Vanessa are unapologetic about the fact that they’re into each other physically even if they’re not quite sure about their emotional compatibility. These two are quite willing to explore their physical attraction pretty much anytime and anywhere they can. I was particularly happy to see Vanessa, a single mom, written as exploring and enjoying her sexuality without any kind of judgement, moral implications or surprise pregnancy plots.

It’d be pretty easy to judge Thirsty based on its dime a dozen cover and god-awful blurb, something I’m 100% guilty of. Happily, I can say you’d be wrong (like me!) and you’d miss out on a great book with dynamic, sexy characters, a sweet plot and a wonderful happy ending.

Cheering for Sal and Vanessa...4.5 stars!

Thirsty is not what I expected. It was so much more.

Sal “Ghost” Rosas is finding his way in life. After a five-year prison term, Sal is trying to stay away from his past that was enmeshed in gang life. Living in the old neighborhood in East LA brings both familiarity and painful ties. Ties that Sal wishes wouldn’t have such a strong hold on him while he struggles and maneuvers around two part-time jobs and keeping out of trouble. I loved that Sal is quiet, respectful, and a hard working man trying to stay low key and unnoticed but is fortunate to find really good people that help him on his way to “becoming the man he can be.”

Vanessa Velasco is a single mom who has a past with a former gang member. When she learns her grandmother rented out some space to Sal, she’s reluctant to have him around. She’s been around gang life and doesn’t want any bit of it. But Sal and Vanessa forge a friendship and it slowly becomes something more. Vanessa helps Sal envision a new life. A life with purpose and opportunity. Without violence. Without gang life. With her, Sal finds love and a hopeful future. Ms. Hopkins puts all the feels and steamy goodness. What a great read and touching romance. Thirsty is the first book in the Eastside Brewery series. I received an advanced reading copy from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

So many things can be discussed about this book. It covers a wide range of themes. It analyzes all aspects of life on the hood, family, second chance, starting over and taking life changing steps. The main characters are awesome and very very good for each other.

An interesting fact is that the book is told from Ghost’ POV. The author did a great job maintaining that male character tone, combined with Spanish and gang slang. I see the characters as well developed, even if young. Once would argue that at 22, a woman like Vanessa couldn’t know much about life and love. But she has been through so much and has had to learn how to become a mother quickly in life. As for Ghost, he has a chance to start over and he is not willing to let that pass. And I think all their experience is captured very well. The beginning is focused on portraying his mental state and it goes to underline the importance of all things happening now in his life.

I’ll not insist too much on the plot development, as it’s more than well described in the blurb. But I will tell you this: Ghost wants a fresh start and not only for him, but also for his brother who’s still in prison. He tries to stay away from gang life but the pull is there. If he’ll manage to escape it and how, is more a mental process, than a spread of actions.

When they come together, they are both looking for a partner in all aspects: someone to talk to, someone to share some pretty hot moments, someone who won’t judge. But she proves to be his stability, his hope for a better life. Ghost is her spark, he’s what makes her vibrate with youth again, the crazy good, the fun good. And it’s great!

But except that, both he and Vanessa are devoted to their families. Her daughter is the light of her life, the only thing that pushes her forward (that little girl is absolutely adorable anyway!). Ghost wants a quiet life for his brother too. But his devotion to family is visible with his relationship with one of his friends’ wife and children. He cares for them and at one point even offers them a small joy in an ugly neighborhood.

Suffice to say I loved it so so much! I wanted to know more about his struggles, I wanted so much more! I needed 1500 pages more! And I sure have so many other things to add about this book, but I’m going to let you discover all the beauty in it. So please read it and enjoy it :)

In the first book of Mia Hopkins new series, Eastside Brewery, she starts out strong, with an ex-gangster trying to start fresh, to get out of gang life, and live the straight and narrow.

Nothing seems to go smoothly for Sal, and you honestly can't help but feel for his character, with trying to get out of the gang, trying to get on to his feet, working, making his probation officer happy, it's a lot for any person to take on. Then there is Vanessa, and while I loved her strong character, and determination, sometimes her disapproval overshadowed the book, and I found that a little tough to get past.

Overall, I enjoyed Sal and Vanessa bumpy journey, the writing was detailed, and well researched, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

I give Thirsty 4 stars

I was a little skeptical at first. Not really being interested in gang-related books, I was unsure if this story would be for me.
I was so wrong! I was drawn in from the very beginning. Mia Hopkins does a fantastic job of bringing you into (what I imagine) is a real depiction of gang life and what it would be like to return to the real world after prison and want to turn your life around.
The chemistry with Ghost/Sal and Vanessa is also off the charts steamy. I just loved the whole story.
Definitely 5 stars!!

OOooo! Wow. I really cannot say enough good things about Thirsty. This story got me from the first page and I could not put it down. Mia Hopkins is a new author to me, I have had a lot of those lately and she absolutely blew me away with Thirsty! It is raw, gritty, filled with emotion and had my heart full of empathy for these characters!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆
This was an okay read for me – the two main characters are likable and it’s an easy read with a good plotline. I did feel almost like I was missing a portion of the beginning of the story, it just starts oddly and takes a bit to get into. It picks up after the first few chapters though.

Ghost is the member of a gang and has recently been released from prison. He is doing everything in his power to keep his nose clean and save enough money to get a place of his own before his younger brother is also released from prison. Ghost has been staying with a friend and when things don’t work, he’s out on the street until his elderly neighbor offers him her garage as a temporary home. Vanessa is the granddaughter of the elderly neighbor and 0% interested in allowing Ghost to be on the same property with her and her daughter. It takes Ghost a while to break through her icy exterior but once she gives him a chance, things really heat up.

I think what was missing the most from this story was Vanessa – she didn’t feel like a main character. I don’t feel like we every really got to know her and it left me feeling disconnected from her character. I do think her and Ghost were perfect together and I love that he works to make himself better for her. This is a cute romance without being mushy – I enjoyed it.

4 STARS FOR THIRSTY!! This story was so good it keeps you turning pages. The story will hit all your emotion button and then some. Salvador has a story to tell you, so curl up with this book and listen. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

3.5 Stars

Gritty and raw, this book was an intense read that was so much more than just a romance. It started a bit slow for me and took a bit to get into, but once it did I was transported right into the barrio with Sal.

I’ve read other books by this author and have always been impressed with her ability to write the emotions into the page, but this book took that to another level. Perhaps it was that the emotions this book deals with aren’t all those of the heart, but also included getting inside Sal’s head and feeling what his life is like, not just reading it off the page. He is trying hard not to let his past with the gang shape his future, but is not convinced that he is truly worthy or capable of finding what he terms “something real.”

This book had a lot of edge to it, but it also had a lot of heart and romance. There was such chemistry between Sal and Vanessa and their heat was off the chart, but there was also a tenderness between the two that was sweet. Despite all Sal’s hard edges, he’s able to show his softer, sweeter side when it comes to Vanessa…as well as to her daughter and her mother.

As the beginning of a new series we get introduced to lots of characters and the details of the world that is being built. Being immersed in a culture and world that was not familiar to me made this book slow to start, but once I got through that I really felt as if I was part of the world the author created.

I really enjoy the author’s writing style and love how she is able to make you feel right along with her characters – something I have found in all the books by Mia Hopkins that I have read. The characters are real and watching Sal find who he was and begin to see that he was worthy and capable of “something real” was great.

Mia Hopkins has definitely pulled me into this new series – so bring on the next book!

OK, wow. How in the world did I get lucky enough to read two such different but equally amazing books in a row? This is a unique sort of romance book, considering it’s first-person POV from Sal’s point of view.

“’It’s not as easy as you think it is, Vanessa.’ I say.
She narrows her eyes at me. ‘It’s not as complicated as you want it to be, Sal.’
[..]
‘What do you mean by that?’ I whisper. I can hear my own heartbeat, pounding blood through my body.
‘I mean,’ she says quietly, ‘my whole life people have been trying to tell me what I am. A nerd. A good girl. An honor student. A slut. A whore. A failure. They were wrong each time. No one else is going to tell me who I am. Never again.’
She’s right. But her situation is not my situation. ‘That may be true for you. For me, it is complicated.’
‘The word complicated is nothing but an excuse to keep from thinking clearly and making a clean choice. It’s a coward’s word.’"


Sal “Ghost” Rosas has been in prison for five years for car theft, and after his release he goes back to his old neighborhood. He’s sleeping on one of his old gang friend’s couches, working two overnight cleaning jobs, generally keeping his nose clean and saving up money to rent an apartment for when his brother gets out of prison in a few months. While he’s been in a gang for most of his life (as has the rest of his family) he’s overall a good guy – he crashes on his friend’s couch, and when his friend cheats on his wife and leaves her, Sal still keeps coming around to help clean the place up and takes his friend’s wife and her kids to the church carnival. He works hard – he leaves in the dark, commutes via series of trains and buses, and comes home before dawn. He’s also brutally honest with himself about his chances of making anything of himself, with his conviction and the fact that once you’re a gang member, you’re always a gang member – as his own father learned. While he earned his nickname in the gang for other reasons, Sal’s pretty much a ghost now, working a job that nobody really notices, not really making an impression on anyone around him – “[u]nderpaid, often exploited, ignored, dismissed.” Vanessa is the girl everyone thought was going to get away from East LA – until she got pregnant by another gang member and had to give up her dreams of going away to college. Instead, she went to the local community college while living with her grandma and raising her daughter. She’s hardworking and stubborn, but still loving and sweet with her daughter and grandma. Sal’s noticed her since they were in school together, but thought he never had a chance with her. When her grandma offers Sal a place to stay in return for clearing out their old garage, it almost seems too good to be true. Of course, you can probably guess what happens next!

“’Do I look guilty?’
‘No.’ She stares at me a bit longer. She touches my cheek with the tip of her finger and it feels like a match igniting against my skin. ‘You look like you’re in pain.’
There are people who dance around what they mean and hide what they know. There are people who talk to you and ask you questions not because they care to know about who you are or what you feel but because they want to know how to exploit you, how to use you for their own purposes, and how to use your pain against you. Vanessa does none of these things. She gets right to the ugly part of the matter and shines a bright light on it. I suppose that’s what accountants are supposed to do. See where the numbers are wrong and shine a spotlight on them. To say, ‘Here’s where you’re weak. Here’s the hole where the money’s draining out. Here’s how to fix it.'”


Sal is buried under so many expectations of what he’s supposed to be – tatted ex-felon from the eastside – that it’s hard for him to be who he really wants to be. Vanessa helps him learn to say no to things that don’t fit his vision for his life, rather than just going along with whatever will get him attention, and grateful for it. Their relationship is good for Vanessa because it gives her something to focus on for herself – not for her job, or her daughter, or her grandma – oh, and lots of seriously steamy sex. Watching the two of them work out how a relationship would work was sweet and oh so fulfilling.

“’It’s a process, Sal. Just like brewing beer.’
‘What is?’
‘Making . . . making a man. Making yourself.’ He pauses. ‘You know, you remind me a little of myself back then.’
I put down my fork. What do I have in common with this skinny white dude? ‘What the hell are you smoking?’”


As for cons – the book ends on a serious bombshell. Not exactly a cliffhanger, but holy crap, I want to read the next book NOW. I also wish Ms. Hopkins would’ve went into Sal’s mental health issues more. Otherwise – I pretty much loved the whole thing!

Overall, this is an intense, delightful romance. Highly recommended!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Sal is just release from prison for a crime he did while in his neighborhood gang. Vanessa's grandmother offers him a place to stay when he ends up homeless. Sal doesn't want to go back to what he did before he got busted and is trying to staying on the right side of the law but the gang isn't letting him move on. When Vanessa learns about Sal staying there she is against it until she sees that he truly is trying to make his life better. Sal can't believe it when Vanessa starts hanging out with him and is even more surprised when they start sleeping together. He wants to have a good life and have something with Vanessa and her family. Can his past stay there or will it continue to mess up his life?

This was a great story about a man that wants to change his life for the better after being in prison and he has found someone he wants to share it with. The chemistry between Vanessa and Sal slowly builds into something neither really expected. This is a new author for me but I will definitely be looking for more books by her in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

The storyline was well written and the characters were well defined which made this book hard to put down, therefore, I read this book in one sitting!

Short synopsis of the book:
A gang member released from prison. A barrio neighborhood widowed princess trying to protect her daughter in the neighborhood. As Sal tries to restore his life and stay out of trouble, trouble finds him, after he develops a relationship and feelings for the princess of the neighborhood, where everyone looks out for each other. When the ESHB comes calling for Sal, you'll be on pins and needles waiting to see if he can keep Vanessa and her family in his life, or if he gets thrown out of theirs.

Mia Hopkins is a new-to-me author. One I will search out books for. This book is one of a kind. It is a more realistic, true-to-life book, that brings out things that are and can truly happen in daily life for some. In an off-typical lines book, Mia Hopkins writes about a gangster who attempts to clean up his life and finds romance while he's doing it. She shows the realistic side of anxiety and how it can affect anyone, not specific people. It's genuine and most definitely a page turner.

Mia Hopkins takes a person and shows the world that you can have second chances and come out on top. Mia Hopkins as definitely gained a new fan. Now I can't wait for the next book to come out!

I received my copy of Thirsty from Netgalley in return for my honest opinion.

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) This is a second chance story and it was nice, nice in the sense that Salvador gets to correct his past mistakes. Sal is learning to live a life not belonging to a gang and he meets and is captivated by Vanessa. Vaness is single mother working to bring up her daughter and she is not interested in getting with aman who was once in a gang, however Sale starts breaking down her walls and my friends it was explosive. I also truly enjoyed the secondary characters. So grab a copy and Enjoy!

This book was not for me. Liking a certain book is subjective, what I might like others might not and vice versa, it was intriguing but it didn’t capture my undivided attention

I’m new to Mia Hopkins, and what an initiation Thirsty was! It’s told entirely from the male POV which makes it stand out, but Salvador himself was who made me stay.

So, if you follow my reviews you probably know that I gravitate towards stories where the HEA isn’t easy. I like watching the main MCs conquer personal demons, rebuild their lives, and never give in. With that said, I wish we had more MCs like Salvador Rosas.

Sal works hard, pinching every penny, as he picks up the pieces of his life. Eventually, he wants to save enough money to buy a place for him and his brother. Being an ex-con and a member of a gang makes that difficult. You can see Sal’s inner struggle as he re-shuffles some pieces only for his past to come knocking.

Meeting Vanessa again sends Sal for an even bigger loop. He doesn’t think he deserves the time of day where she’s concerned. Vanessa has plenty on her hands too with school and her daughter.

These two were so well-drawn and developed. Sal is open about his past, honest and self-aware with himself and others, and he’s so genuine with Vanessa. His inner thoughts were just heart-wrenching. His story just dug into my soul and attached itself, and I’m not going to forget it anytime soon.

And Vanessa was FIERCE. I loved her to pieces. She’s got such heart, and although she doesn’t trust Sal one hundred percent, she can’t resist the silent but determined man he is. They learned a lot from the other and the character development was on point.

What makes this read totally swoon-worthy, though? Sal appreciates the hell out of Vanessa, and oh my gosh, he just understood how hard Vanessa works as a single mother…

Heart. Throb.

It doesn't hurt that seeing them together was blazing hot. Gosh damn.

If you’re wanting a story that tears you to shreds and picks you back up again—making you even stronger—than I highly recommend this book.

4.5 stars!

This story takes the reader into the heart of a community run by a powerful gang, East Side Hollenbeck. After being released from prison, Salvador Rosas is trying to avoid being part of the gang but it is hard. He was an enforcer for it and his father was the leader but now his father is dead and prison has changed him, he has anxiety issues, though others don't realise how bad it is and his "Ghost" reputation still remains. He is endeavouring to start again without being dragged back into the gangland culture, but  the pull to be part of it all again is there. It is also about being there for one another, caring for those in need and supporting each other.

Vanessa Velasco was at school with Salvador but she was a studious student with big dreams that were crashed when she became pregnant. Now she's a single Mom, living with her Gran who recognises how hard Salvador is striving to go straight. Nothing is simple for the people in this community. Can Salvador make a fresh start? He is hard working and is given unexpected opportunities but can he escape the past that has killed so many of his family? Can he make a fresh start for himself and his brother? Will Vanessa give their mutual attraction a chance, trust him to give her and her child a future together?

This is an emotional roller coaster, a brilliant start to a new series and an enthralling read. A very different, dark story, venturing into the gangland underworld with all its ramifications, it is a page turner that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance with well developed characters and plenty of hints of more to follow.

I requested and received a copy of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

***4 Stars***

So it went like this “Ohhhh the cover” then “Oooohhhh, beer?” then “Oh, gangsters?”
Mmmm, Yes. Please *hit request*
And I thoroughly enjoyed it. It took a different direction than what I had expected, but I really liked it. It’s got all the goodness of a romance, the heat, the connection that goes soul deep, but there is so much more going on than just that. It’s about getting back on your feet and believing that there is more to you than where you come from, if only you let yourself believe it.

I loved Sal. He’s working really hard to do the right thing and stay on the right side of the law for more reasons than the simple desire to NOT go back to prison. But along with that determination, there was also an honesty that made it easy to connect with him and see just how golden his heart was, even if he couldn’t see it. Vanessa was a little spitfire. Hardworking, sassy, stubborn, but also compassionate, caring and honest. She was a lot of fun and I loved how she didn’t mince words. She let you know what was what and was more than capable of standing her ground when needed.

Sal and Vanessa’s journey was interesting one with how everything started between them, but it actually worked in their favor because they were probably more open and honest about who they were than if things had started differently. The smexy was off the charts! But the way they connected and how they saw each other simply made the chemistry between them burn brighter. Some issues arise, which come as no surprise, but how everything worked out in the end for them was perfect!

This is my first read by Mia Hopkins and I really enjoyed it. The writing was engaging and I really enjoyed the solo 1st person POV. I loved how gang life was shown in the book and how it affected everyone who lived around it. The secondary characters brought a lot of depth to the story and definitely kept things interesting. Alan was fun, but Chinita stole the show for me. That woman has moxie. And with that little mystery popping up at the end...all I can say is I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!