nina_readsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
wardenred's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
We were so different. It had taken me months to be brave enough to go out for a drink with people from the office. He’d just been here a day, and he was taking up space like he owned the place.
I guess I should admit it: Adriana Herrera just isn't the romance author for me. Every time I try a book of hers, I face the same problem. Both leads are interesting characters who sound like they would work well together, but then the progression of their relationship just... isn't anything I can find myself getting invested in. They get the hots for each other way before they catch feelings, or cause a strong emotional response in each other, or do absolutely anything I can relate to. :D I definitely wouldn't call that a flaw. I'm sure there are plenty of allosexual person who find this kind of thing relatable and engaging. I'm just not one of them. In case of this particular novel, it didn't help that a lot of the parts that could bring some relationship development were condensed into a passing mention. The characters went on a date and really enjoyed their time together, yay! But you, reader, don't get to see that date. Let's just jump into the sexy times after. Now that does feel like a flaw!
At the same time, even without getting invested into the romantic plotline, I did find plenty to like about it. All the glimpses of the Afro-Caribbean culture. The amazing food description. The awesome found family vibes. The frank discussion of the issues immigrants face, and the scars left by a religious upbringing on someone who isn't accepted by their Church, and workaholism being treated as a problem and not just a character quirk. I loved both Nesto and Jude as individuals, even if I didn't ship them much, and I loved the people that surrounded them and lifted them up. This is a good book that deserves a high number of stars, it's just not the romance for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Racism, and Homophobia
pucksandpaperbacks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I loved the characters and the story. Cannot believe this is Herrera's DEBUT! I loved how different Jude and Nesto were and how much joy was woven into the hardships.
Spoiler
My only complaint is the 3rd act breakup :/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Cancer, Death, and Sexual content
ariellam's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
kikiareyoureading's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Cancer
Moderate: Death
dominicangirl's review
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Racism
the_insomniac_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
readitandeat's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Racism
perpetualpages's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
CWs: explorations of racism and xenophobia; disownment; references to religious bigotry, religious trauma, homophobia, and disownment; some descriptions of terminal illness and death; explicit sexual content
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Terminal illness
Minor: Death
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I first heard of this one, saw it come across my awareness, from @allisonreadsdc. And as I do with all romances that have gotten great reviews from readers I trust, I bookmarked it for the next time I was in the romance mood. Well, I recently finished The Poppy War, which is amazing but incredibly intense, and a few other deeper reads, and I started craving that quick, “can’t put it down,” “hot and bothered” reading escape vibe. And it was time.
Nesto has just made the major life decision to take his food truck NYC to upstate NY. His mother and sister are up there and they were sure it was the perfect spot to chase his dream of making a living wholly through the food industry. Leaving his three best friends behind in the city was a tough call, but Nesto is ready to take this chance (though, of course, anxious and planning to spend all his energy over the next six months developing the business). Jude works at the local library, which is conveniently adjacent to the location of the new Afro-Caribbean food truck, OuNYe. Jude’s sole life focus is on his work, and his pet project to create a mobile library truck, despite the meddling negativity of the library’s fundraising lead. When a flirty interaction with Nesto during his first food truck visit turns into spending more time together, both realize that this connection they have is more than they bargained for. Nesto will have to find some work-life balance and Jude will have to open up about his family and get over some trust issues before they can make their relationship really work.
This was exactly what I was looking for. I finished it in under 24 hours and was sucked in from the very beginning. Herrera has a gift for human interaction, that genuine touch of sarcasm and support, love both tough and deep, that comes with the best relationships. And while she, of course, nails this in regards to the development of Jude and Nesto (who, for the record have a very believably fast insta-love situation that I was deeply into – the easy way they fell into step with and roles for each other felt so right), but with many other relationships as well. Nesto and his three best friends, Nesto and his mother, Jude and his best friend/coworker Carmen – they were all spectacular, meddling and unconditional in all the ways the closest relationships are. And this goes not just in the way the act and are around each other, but came through with Herrera’s dialogue as well. She writes such realistic verbal back and forth and I love that in a book. I was also very into the Spanish/Spanglish that was woven throughout – it was *chef’s kiss.* It all just flowed and felt so natural.
Other great things (there were so many!) included both Nesto and Jude’s jobs. The Afro-Caribbean burritos that OuNYe served (along with the sides and desserts) basically all made my mouth water. And Jude’s passion for rural reading outreach really spoke to this rural-ish library employee’s heart. Both were written well, in general, and within the context of the way Nesto and Jude both supported each other (and let each other down) in relation to them. On a more serious note, Herrera touches on a few tough topics, including myriad racist and anti-immigrant actions/words, homophobia and being disowned by family after coming out, and terminal illness. These were handled with care, presented realistically but with nuance and understanding where applicable, and they added great depth to the characters and story without overly taking over or taking away from main attraction: the romance.
And let’s talk about that. PHEW, this was STEAMY. The sexual tension and sex scenes were written so well and definitely got me tingly and breathing a little heavy. So, just a heads up there, whether you’re looking for that or looking to avoid it. And also as a warning to be careful reading it in public. Haha. That physical chemistry was a great aspect of the clear connection/fit of Nesto and Jude. But it functioned smoothly in conjunction with the other ways they developed, opening up to each other about personal thing, working through tough family and business moments together, and finding the balance of work and life/love that would make their relationship work. Plus, as a personal note, I loved Nesto’s protectiveness of Jude. I know that that’s individual, and maybe it’s not for everyone, but I love the “bristling, growling, intimidating” protective thing in a partner, within safe boundaries (of course). So that worked for me too.
Overall, this was just the right book at just the right time for me. But I think even if I wasn’t fully in the mood-reader space for a romance, I still would have really enjoyed this one. Herrera’s writing is great and I got totally caught up in Nesto and Jude’s story. I am most definitely looking forward to picking up the next book in this series (what a perfect set-up there, Nesto and his three besties will all get their own stories), because having met them here, I am 100% planning to read all their individual happy endings.
“It was like watching life happen. I wanted to get close, feel what it was like to have all that joy and passion directed at me. Be the reason for it.”;
“It struck me how sad it was that this one thing about me could be more important that everything else.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness