Review: Thirsty (Eastside Brewery #1) by Mia Hopkins

"Not even lying would make me look like a good guy, Vanessa." - Salvador Rosas

Thirsty
Series: Eastside Brewery #1
Author: Mia Hopkins
Publisher: Loveswept
Published: March 13, 2018
Source: Publisher

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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?

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.

Oh boy... What can I say about Thirsty? To be honest, we had a bit of a rocky start. Mostly for 2 reasons... The book is in 1st person, which can be a hit or miss for me. The hero is (or was) a gang member. I've read some troubled heroes in the past, but holy cow, Sal takes the cake. He's definitely a hero that took me a couple chapters before I could stand behind him. Once I was and the book started to pick up, I was all-in. By the end of the book, I was in love with Salvador, Vanessa, and the rest of the group. 

Turns out I flipping loved that Thirsty was in Salvador's perspective. That gave me the opportunity to really get to know him as a character. He tells readers about his darkest moments and his biggest fears. We also get to watch him transform and grow as a character. And it felt as if he was telling me his story rather than just watching it through his eyes, which is something I don't see very often in a first person. I loved that Sal was able to fully explain his past and his hope for the future. He won me over. Plus the sex scenes? In Sal's perspective? Holy shit! They were beyond hot.

I've been a fan of Mia's for a couple years and I'm super excited for the journey she's about to take her readers on. I loved Thirsty. There were so many scenes that had me laughing so hard, especially between Vanessa and her grandmother. Holy cow, that woman was a riot! I hope we get more of her in the series. Mia took risks and they certainly paid off for me. Writing a book in 1st people is difficult enough, but doing so with a character that can be difficult to love took guts and I applaud Mia for that. That ending! My jaw dropped... I can't wait for the next book.

Mia Hopkins writes lush romances starring fun, sexy characters who love to get down and dirty. She’s a sucker for working class heroes, brainy heroines and wisecracking best friends. She lives in Los Angeles with her roguish husband and waggish dog.

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