Thirsty

By: Mia Hopkins

Narrated by: Ozzie Rodriguez

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

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?

"Mia Hopkins is an imaginative author who doesn't take the easy road to a formulaic book." (USA Today's Happy Ever 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!

©2018 Mia Hopkins (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“ Thirsty is a sizzling, emotionally intense story that is both gritty and heartwarming, an addictive page-turner that will stay with me for a long time to come.” ( New York Times best-selling author Cathryn Fox)

“ Thirsty is sexy and soul-wrenching, with Sal’s irresistible voice luring you through a living, breathing Los Angeles. Vanessa and Sal’s chemistry sizzles right off the page. Five smoldering, tattooed stars!” ( USA Today best-selling author Sierra Simone)

“ Thirsty is an amazing read! I stayed up way too late to finish and haven’t stopped thinking about the characters. Highly recommended!” ( USA Today best-selling author Molly O’Keefe)

Really good ....

This was an eye opening lesson. To often society dehumanizes and judges unfairly those whom participate in gang lifestyles. Its unfamiliar and we can’t understand and it frightens us. Salvador has been out of prison just 6 months when this starts. He’s pretty much homeless and struggling to get his feet under him. He is trying to avoid notice and recall to his gang. But he hasn’t figured out just how he’s gonna go about that. As he was approached in his early teens and bullied into a lifestyle he didn’t fully understand the ramifications of. And there is no leaving, it’s not done. This story is not violent there is minimal crime or fighting. It’s more the internal war Salvador is struggling with the anxiety and indecision and fear. The worst was the hopelessness he felt. If I’m taking a hurt friend to the hospital it’s mostly an injury earned while having fun. When I fall short at work my coworkers won’t come at me with fists and knives and guns. When I decided to quit my job my boss won’t put out a kill order for me or my family. The pressure is enormous. The trap solid. I don’t want to give spoilers out but Vanessa and Sal’s love story is adorable if that can be said of a gangster and a woman strong enough to love him. The supporting characters around them are colorful and many helped add laughter and hope to the story. I really enjoyed this MH has mad skills and OR did an awesome job voicing Sal. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

Porn + Plot + Heart

This book gave me all the feels. So much heart and well developed characters. And steamy sex. And danger. And a crazy dog. And a feisty abuela. Narrator was the dreamiest.

What a breath of fresh air

I was looking for a sexy romance novel that was not about rich white people bc tbh they all just kind of run together in my head anymore. And I was also looking for a book that had characters who were worth caring about, that would make me feel something....This book f**king delivered. Can’t wait to dig in to the next one!

A bit traumatic but ultimately hopeful

A reminder of how much luck & the kindness of strangers is key to survival. Even more so in tense situations like Sal finds himself in. Being a parolee from a gang he can’t quit makes Sal’s life tense. Somehow, he figures out how to be good at cleaning up after himself & sex. He winds up being a convenient release for his landlady, Vanessa, who is also trying to regain ground ceded to teenaged decisions. Sal is living three separate lives - one with his bew girlfriend’s family, one with his new work friends, and one with/without his old gang. Navigating these varied relationships is not smooth sailing but our plucky hero keeps on keeping on … and learns to brew beer.

4 Stars

I underestimated how much I would like this book. While the story was classified as a romance, I was much more captivated by Salvador's story beyond that. The author did an amazing job at capturing the life of an ex-con attempting to go straight, but also feeling an obligation to his past, as well as to his community. I was emotional during a couple of scenes and found that the first-person narrative was evocative in it's portrayal of Sal's lonely existence as he struggled to figure out his life after prison. I enjoyed the sweet and real romance, but I can honestly say that it was secondary to what I felt for Sal's story alone.

As for the narration, I was concerned in the beginning, because I wasn't sure if I cared for the character's voice. I couldn't have been more wrong. Ozzie Rodriguez did a fantastic job and elevated my empathy for Sal.

Harsh and beautiful

Deeply moving. This is why I read fiction. There is so much insight to be had into other people’s thoughts, choices, and emotions.

Strong characterization, just enough description to give a picture and feeling for the surroundings, well woven story.

Ozzie Rodriguez gives a natural and subtle narration, a perfect voice for Sal and every other character including the females.

Never knew how thirsty I was....

When I read books that represent well ME then I am so happy. What I hate is when books about Mexicans/Latinos are stereotypes. While this could have easily taken that turn it actually had so much heart and hope. I was rooting for Sal. I have known people just like him, being from a gang and growing up and realizing they want more then what they thought they could ever have. This book was raw and honest. There were a few times I was upset with Sal, but he kept pushing forward, kept holding on to that sliver of hope. The author did a great job of capturing the true essence of my people without making them into stereotypes and I applaud her. Definitely, check this book out if you want a story full of heart, heartbreak, and steam!