NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST • A gangster hiding from his past. A single mom fighting for her future. Can she show this bad boy the man he’s meant to be? “A powerful, honest look at love as both a motivation and a risk.”—The Washington Post “Heartrending, raw and beautiful.”—USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog My name is Salvador Rosas. Back in the barrio, my past … After blog
My name is Salvador Rosas. Back in the barrio, my past is written on the walls: ESHB. Short for East Side Hollenbeck, my father’s gang—my gang. Hell, it’s a family tradition, one that sent both my brothers away. They used to call me “Ghost” because I haunted people’s dreams. Now I’ve got nothing going for me except a hipster gringo mentoring me in a new career. An ex-con making craft beer? No mames.
Still, people in this neighborhood look out for one another. That’s how I became Vanessa Velasco’s unwelcome tenant. Chiquita pero picosa. She’s little, but with curves so sweet they’re dangerous. I remember Vanessa from the old days, the straight-A student with big plans. Plans that were derailed by another kid stupid enough to think he was bulletproof. Now Vanessa knows better than to believe in empty promises. There’s fire in her . . . and if I touch her, I might get burned.
I’m trying everything I can to go straight. But when East Side Hollenbeck comes calling, I might have to risk it all to find out if there’s a future for Vanessa and me. Because she’s the only one who can quench my thirst for something real.
The Rosas brothers will return in Trashed!
Praise for Thirsty
“Thirsty held me captivated from its first page to its last with its heartrending, raw and beautiful story. . . . Mia Hopkins sublimely blends blunt realism with romantic fantasy and sharp-eyed social observation and delivers a happy-ever-after that is much more than a neat conclusion to a love story. . . . A singular reading experience.”—USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog
“Thirsty is a brilliant read. There are good writers, and then there are writers that just leave you in awe. And Mia Hopkins has definitely left me in awe after reading this novel.”—Hypable
This standalone novel includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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I loved this book!!
Mia Hopkins writes some of the best contemporary romance out there right now. This is a favourite.
I am holding all of you responsible for not shoving this book into my hands ages ago! It’s so devastatingly AMAZING. It’s all hero POV, and the story follows Sal as he’s trying to get his life together after being in prison for five years. He’s a total cinnamon roll hero with a troubled past. The heroine, Vanessa, is strong and determined and so freaking good. And this book is HOT AS HELL.
Mia Hopkins is a new author for me and I must say I really enjoyed her work and she’s gained a new fan. She has a nice writing style that took me out of my world in the burbs and brought the barrio to life for me. I loved her characters and I was intrigued by the struggles they face on a daily basis.
As a member of the neighborhood gang, Sal was caught and convicted for auto theft. He’s served his time and has been released on parole but being back in the barrio has him facing everything that pushed him into that life before. When he finds himself homeless, a kind old woman in the barrio offers him a place to stay. She knows he’s working hard to stay straight, keep his head down, and save enough money for a place of his own. Her kindness is what brings Vanessa into his life. She’s faced her own hard times but she’s fighting hard to make a better life. To Sal Vanessa is everything good in life. She’s everything he ever wanted but knew he didn’t deserve. Now though if he can stay out of the clutches of his old gang maybe he can have the life he’s always dreamed of.
This was a fantastic read and one I highly recommend.
Mia Hopkins is one of the most original voices I’ve come across in a good while. This story is raw, complex, and, real. Loved it.
This book is so much more than just a romance novel, it’s social commentary and philosophy and romance all rolled into one. There’s not a billionaire or a millionaire anywhere near this book.
What’s it like to be so absolutely down and out that you have to depend on the kindness of others? To be grateful to sleep in someone’s infested garage on a filthy cot? To have to fit everything you own into a backpack? To have goodness in you that very few people want to see? To be forced to do things that are contrary to who you really are? To be told that you are a piece of shit so often that you start to believe it? And in spite of all that, to still want and need to feel loved.
This story is so gritty and raw and completely believable that you’re forced to succumb to the sadness of it, but the characters have to accept it as normal and carry on. Then when the main character is able to pull himself out of it, his victory is that much more sweet and satisfying.
On the lighter side, there’s lots of subtle humor in this book. It might just be a word choice, or a turn of a phrase, or a scene, or it might be from the mouth of the grandma Chinita. She’s LOL hilarious. The Spanglish lends to the realism and isn’t at all hard to figure out. The writing style flows beautifully and it’s not hard to read. In fact, it’s hard to put down. The chemistry between the H and h is off the charts. Some reviewers commented that they didn’t like the exclusively male POV, but I beg to differ. This story is about the H and the way he sees things is the way we should see them too.
This is the second time I’ve read Thirsty and I loved it just as much as the first time I read it. It’s one of my all time favorite books and the only romance book that has ever brought tears to my eyes.
So if you’re tired of shallow love stories, or even if you’re not, read this book. It has the power to reach the reader on many levels. It has the romantic escapism you might be looking for in abundance, but at the same time it offers the opportunity to dig deeper and become more aware about social conditions that are mostly ignored. This story is a rare and special gem in the romance genre.
Sal is an ex gang member trying to stay out of trouble when he ends up meeting Vanessa in her grandmother’s garage. Vanessa knows all about the gang life and doesn’t want anything to do with it. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. Will they be able to overcome their pasts to have a future together? Read on to find out. This was my first book by this author and I will be looking for more in this series.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is not your typical hero… he’s better.
Let’s start with he’s not a billionaire and she’s a single mom. Let’s talk about writing from the first-person point of view in a way that is sophisticated and doesn’t come across like self-absorbed college student. Let’s talk about Thirsty.
If you read this book, you’re spending most of your time with Salvador Rosas. That’s fine with me because he’s introspective and full of heart. By the time I got to chapter 15, I was cheering for both Salvador AND Mia Hopkins. By then, we’ve had the hookup, the heartfelt interaction and we’re into how love transforms the lovers. This what romance is about. In Salvador’s observations of Vanessa, we see how love is made of the little things of daily interaction. The opening to this chapter couldn’t have been better.
The steamiest scenes have a direct tie into the evolving relationship. Mia delivers heat that moves the story forward and binds the characters together. Huzzah!
Mia Hopkins holds Salvador’s tone throughout the whole book. The character is consistent, well developed and memorable. He’s not like any character you’ve met before – which is something I thoroughly enjoy. The major plot problem resolves a bit too easily, but Mia carries on the other threads and wraps them up sufficiently that it’s not a deal-breaker. I look forward to digging into her backlist.
If you love blue-collar heroes and out of the ordinary romance, where two broken people find a way to make themselves whole, then, by all means, pick up this book.
This story grabbed me by the throat from the very beginning. I was mesmerized by the author’s voice and completely engaged by the story of this broken, vulnerable man who is suffering from anxiety and doing his best to find his way in a complicated world where he has limited choices. The story is so compelling. You can’t help feeling a deep connection to the hero. And the love scenes are fire. I highly recommend the story. I immediately purchased Trashed.
This was my first time reading Mia Hopkins but I shall forever be a devoted reader of her work from here on out. Sal was such a captivating character and having only his POV as the narrator just plain worked. We meet him shortly after he was released from prison and watching him navigate his new life, which includes avoiding his old gang, working two part-time jobs, and trying to figure out where he belongs in the neighborhood, was gripping. I could see how hard Sal was working and how the odds were stacked against him, particularly as a Person of Color- the whole system is stacked against ex-cons but especially so for PoC.
When Vanessa, his long-time crush, gives him a chance, I so badly wanted them to make it work. Vanessa was strong and determined and a great balance for Sal. She doesn’t trust him at first and it was wonderful to see her wariness melt away over time. They were so good together but the pressures working against Sal were always lurking in the background and I had no idea what decisions he would make. In the author’s note, she mentions she volunteers with former gang members and this experience is clear. The story veers away from stereotypes and I was really impressed with the Latinx representation (although, to be clear, I’m saying this as a white woman. I will defer to Latinx reviewers in this regard.)
I loved how the neighborhood was portrayed. There’s such a strong sense of place and community and belonging. Vanessa and Sal stay where they grew up because this is where their friends and family are and it’s a vibrant place, even if it has problems. I also appreciated the juxtaposition between Sal’s friends, those he had before prison and after, and those who would use him or bring him down. Sal has hard choices to make but he also has a lot of love and support in his life beyond Vanessa and this was so moving to see. The character growth was tremendous and you’d better believe the ending made me tear up.
Grab this book NOW and see what everyone has been raving about. You won’t be disappointed!
Thirsty is my first read from Mia Hopkins and overall I enjoyed the storyline and look forward for more not only in this series but more from the author.
I will start off by admitting that it started off extremely slow for me and it took well into the second half of the book for the storyline to pick up and capture my full attention. I say this not to deter people away from the book but to encourage anyone who might feel the same way at first to keep going.
Salvador Rosas fell into a gang as a young boy . When he was nineteen, his criminal activity put him in prison. Five years later, he’s out and trying to make an honest living. He’s working two part time jobs and trying to lay low but it’s known that you can’t ever escape that life, right? When the gang finally does come back into his life, he ends up risking the one good thing he has going for him. The beautiful woman who is stealing his heart.
Vanessa Velasco’s been around the neighbor and the gang scene. She knows how it works and she’s already got a past with one man who was in it. When Sal shows up in her Grandmother’s garage, she wants nothing to do with him but he slowly starts to break down her defenses and she starts to see what a good man he really is. But the past always catches up to you.
My absolute favorite thing about Thirsty isn’t the two main characters. It’s the Grandmother. Oh my god, I couldn’t get enough of her. She’s blunt with zero filter. She’s not afraid to talk about anything, including her or her granddaughter’s sex life. Her direct dialogue had me laughing so hard.
Thirsty is ultimately about the possibility of getting a second chance to better your life. Love comes along with that but what had me rooting the most was for Sal to end up with a straight, narrow and happy life. Free from the gang. Free from violence. The beauty in the story is not only about the person working to change their life but allowing others that believe in them love and guide them along the way. If you are looking for a story that will lift your spirits by the end of it, then Thirsty is the book for you.
WOW! You go Mia Hopkins. This book can be enjoyed on so many levels. If you want a fun, fast, steamy read, this book will satisfy your thirst, however, it can also be enjoyed for its brave originality and Hopkins brilliant–and insightful–metaphors. Hopkins is as adept at making you laugh out loud as making you wipe away a tear. Some of my favorite lines:
*On his girlfriend’s worrying about her ass getting too big: “…so weird to me, like worrying about your bank account getting bigger. Why wouldn’t you want something awesome to get bigger”
*On the human heart: “It needs to be soft enough to feel things but hard enough to survive them.”
*On orgasms: “We’re pure light, set free for a moment before the universe gathers us and sets us back inside.”
What I love about this book is that it is just plain well-written. Although Hopkins has a gift for writing “sweet kinky” sex, she also delivers in all others areas of her books: the plot is compelling, the language is smart, the characters are multi-facted.
I was so impressed by this book on so many levels. Hopkins has raised the bar on all us contemporary romance/women’s fiction authors! Way to go girl!
Read.This.Story.
Everything single moment in time of life can be split down to a choice. There is always a choice. Sometimes, the choices are just shit either way. That thought was a constant in the back of my mind when I read this journey. Man, you guys are gonna feel this book down to your bones and it will be worth it. #TRUST
The unique cover drew me in and the pages inside just sucked me into a vortex of constant reading till much too late in the night! I regret nothing!
Copy provided via NetGalley for review
I absolutely loved this well written story and characters!! An original story that could very well be true! Super bummed I have to wait a year for the next book!! Look forward to more from this author!!
This is a new to me author but not the last one I read. Sal Rosas is newly paroled and now homeless thanks to his homie getting kicked out of his girls’ home when Vanessa’s grandmother takes pity on him and makes him a deal. He can stay in the garage for 2 months while cleaning it out. This works out since he is only there during the day to sleep and gone at night working. This a well written and brings to life the Eastside of L.A. and trials of trying to stay out of the gang. Will Sal be able stay away from the gang or will they bring him back in? He has a good thing going with Vanessa but she will not put up with him going back with the gang. This was a good one and I look forward to more from this author.
I am now a big fan of Mia Hopkins! This book was hot, hot, hot! I loved Sal and Vanessa’s story. This book read very true to life about a second chance and life and true love after being incarcerated. I know about gang members and even went to a high school with gangs. However, I was pulled in with the story because of the in depth details of the gang and how they work. Once a member always a member. Vanessa a clean cut girl (accountant) living in the bario has somehow not been involved with the gang with the exception of her first husband. I highly recommend Thirsty for all who want to broaden their knowledge of gangs and romance.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I’ve expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
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!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book I received from NetGalley.
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 exchange for my honest review.
Thirsty was an okay read for me. I enjoyed the beginning of the book with a few laughs but as the story went on I was losing interest in the story. Maybe because the story seemed to move at a slower pace than what I expected. I liked the characters: Salvador, Chinita, Vanessa, Brianna, Regina, Alan, Barry and even Eddie, although he showed up closer to the end of the book. I didn’t believe in the beginning that Sal thought of Vanessa constantly when they barely knew each other as teenagers. However, I did feel the chemistry between them as adults and there were definitely some steamy moments between the two. This book ends with a huge cliffhanger and although I liked the characters, the story itself was just an okay read for me so I’m unsure if I will read the next book in this series.