4 1/2 Stars for this heart wrenching story!

This book was so realistic! I really liked that the author actually wrote the pandemic into her story with people wearing masks and being concerned about getting covid. This is a story about ordinary people struggling to make a living during difficult times. My heart went out to Angel … from his difficult childhood to doing the grunt work at the family brewery. Deanna had such a good heart … helping men find work and housing after being released from prison. The chemistry between Angel and Deanna was off the charts!

Angel and Deanna had a one-night stand three years ago and they meet again while getting their Covid shots. They can’t keep their hands off each other and decide to have another one-night stand … and another and another. Before they know it, they are meeting each other’s family.

I received an early copy courtesy of Little Stone Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Review + #SundayShelfie

[Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.]

Isn’t it amazing when you read an author & you immediately think, I need to read more of her books?

I loved Tanked by Mia Hopkins, a hot (!) second chance romance between two people who hooked up years three years earlier & reconnect during the pandemic.

This book has a gesture that I think will win over readers everywhere—lead Angel Rosas makes sure lead Deanna Delgado’s phone is charging when they go to sleep on multiple occasions 🥺😆.

I was more than a little in love with Angel when the book ends, he’s so sexy but also so earnest and sincere when it comes to Deanna. He manufactures a fantasy for her that is 🔥 but he also knows how to reassure her whenever she expresses vulnerability or insecurity & that is a sterling hero in my mind.

The interplay between Deanna & Angel is not only sensual as all get-out, it’s also rooted in real love & respect & loyalty. It has one of those things I love: leads standing up for each other with family—not to mention leads who communicate their needs & wants with one another. Especially when it comes to sex and Angel’s participation in underground fighting.

The stakes feel big in this one: I think it’s only the second book I’ve read that’s set during the pandemic & there are references to death & isolation. The business Angel & his family own is struggling & Deanna is laid off. There’s also just “normal” challenging family dynamics.

But this couple & the community surrounding them is strong, & I really love how Hopkins portrays both elements.

There are a couple of things that didn’t get tied up as clearly as I would like but if you’re looking for a contemporary romance that serves up plenty of steam & feels I definitely recommend this one!

4.5 ⭐️. Release date: 04/26.

CW: references to the family’s previous involvement in a gang as well as current gang threats made to a secondary character’s family. References to people who have died during pandemic. A secondary character has postpartum depression. Past abuse. Hero felt abandoned as a child.


[ID: an ebook sits on a bookshelf filled with colorful spines. A real pot with a cactus is on on one shelf & at the bottom of the pic is a bright red pot holding another plant.]

This is a bittersweet review because I'
love this book and it is a perfect end to the Rosas trilogy, but I don't want the series to be over. Even though the external stakes are nowhere near as high in TANKED as they are in the previous two books, the internal conflict and the characters' growth are classic Hopkins. As always, I highlighted a million insightful lines. And it's smoking hot. It was beautiful to watch Angel and Deanna safely explore their fantasies and boundaries together.

I really, really, really liked this book. Angel and Deanna had a one-night stand in the prologue (though you only get to witness them meeting, not sex, but that is very much made up for later which some fabulously hot and sexy sex scenes, full of chemistry passion, experimentation and fire, like you could expect anything less than Mia Hopkins--like seriously, amazing sex. Not the only amazing part of the book but amazing).

Anyway, story, back to story. It's a one night stand, not by his choice by hers. Later we learn she was just getting out of an abusive relationships (though she's scared to admit it and initially tells him everything from the seven year age difference--she's older--to the idea that they are in different places in their lives etc.). Anyway, they run into each other when they are getting their vaccine doses and she passes out. He takes care of her, and, after learning that she is being laid off with the only immediate job offer meaning leaving the community she loves and believes in helping, she turns to him.

Angel works for his Eastside Brewery older brothers. They didn't grow up together and in certain ways they don't know him and see him more as young and unseasoned. But he is a strong survivor with amazing instincts and a few secrets in his past (ones which are not his fault but he fears). He is perceptive and strong and exactly right for Deanna as they each grow into themselves and the relationship.

There's a bit of heavy stuff in this book (see the content warnings) but it's handled well and mixed in to the story in a way that is natural, i.e., it shows their lives and their world and makes them more real. The world and the choices they and their families make (and who they become because of them and the different paths they take) are well drawn and again, add to who they are and how they navigate their lives and each other, grounding the story and making it fuller. The characters and couples from earlier in the series do not cloud, they add.

Anyway, I thought this book was just excellent. Hot and intense and real, and just really well-done. Highly, highly, recommended.

Tanked is the third book in the Eastside Brewery series and I haven't read the first two. So let me confirm that this can 100% be read as a standalone.

Angel and Deanna had a (scorching) one night stand three years ago - then she ghosted him. When a booster clinic brings them back together, Angel is ready to jump in but Deanna's not so sure.

So this book is hot. Like really super scorching hot. But it's also really somber. Deanna is dealing with a crisis in her professional life, Angel is trying to help his family's business to survive, and covid is all around them. In some ways, it all feels very real. I really enjoyed the ways in which Deanna and Angel connected and supported each other. Family is a big part of both stories.

I have two criticisms - First, I feel like the book wrapped up really quickly. Maybe it's just a fast read, but the resolutions felt a bit rushed to me. Second, and this is maybe more about me than the book, Tanked takes place in a world where covid is taken seriously - everyone is masking, you have to show proof of vaccination to get into an underground fight club, and people are generally careful. At this moment in time when mask mandates are evaporating, it felt like a fantasy... or like it took place a year ago. But it is the first book I've read that's fully in a covid world, which I respect.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was really happy to get approved for an ARC of this. I loved the previous books in the series.

Before I jump into talking about this one I want to point out that in the beginning of the book the heroine does make reference twice to "lady parts" Begging authors once again to be mindful of this phrasing. It can be very hurtful to your trans readers. It's 2022, if you've been paying attention you should know by now why you should just jettison this from your vocab.

Now, I absolutely adored Angel, my big softy! He was sweet and sexy. I get Deanna, I really do. She couldn't help but fall for him.

I really liked the MCs together. They felt like real, multi-faceted people with flaws and anxieties and fears. The scenes where they just talk things out really stood out to me. They let the other know the things they didn't like and worked out their boundaries.

I think this maybe my first book where the setting is in the midst of covid and I think the author handled this well.

Everything wrapped up perfectly in the end!

**This review contains content warnings**

For me, this book felt a bit 'meh' even though the story line was promising.

The relationship between Angel and Deanna, while super, explicit steamy, could have been explored more from an emotional point of view and developed more. I also think there were pacing issues with it starting off strong, then dragging on a bit without exploring the main relationships deeper, and a whole lot of stuff happening in the last 20% of the book. 

This has been my first contemporary romance that was set during the pandemic. And while I think it's been handled with care, attention to detail, and flawlessly woven into the story, it felt a bit too somber at times for me and I wished the emotional connection between the characters would have provided some balance, but it just wasn't there for me.

This second chance romance is the third in the series and can be read as a standalone in my opinion. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Stone Press for providing a copy of this story before official publication time.

** Content Warnings **Incarceration, gang violence, death of close family, physical abuse, postpartum depression, covid pandemic

Thanks to Little Stone Press for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! 3.5 stars rounded up

TL;DR: I’ve been looking forward to reading Angels’ story so I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed it! I don’t read much age-gap romance but I loved Angel and Deanna together. Their chemistry was fire and their relationship was built on healthy communication and trust, and I loved how much positivity it brought to both their lives. The third and final book in the Eastside Brewery series does a great job of bringing the three brother’s stories full circle—from pursuing a dream to creating a new path for the Rosas family to elevating their successes and still maintaining great pride in their roots.

What I liked:
- Angel. Sweet, SWEET filthy Angel! 😍 I loved him so, so much! I didn’t know what to expect of his character as we really don’t learn much in the previous books except for the fact that he was sent to live with his grandma and uncle, and he’s grown up away from his brothers. Reading about his upbringing made me incredibly sad and knowing how much he had to deal with from such a young age, without having the support of his brothers/father, made my heart hurt for him even more! He is such a soft, sweet and caring character and I really adored how much he thought of others around him.
- Deanna was also such a great heroine. She’s feisty and compassionate and I loved her dedication and passion as a social worker and for helping the formerly incarcerated reintegrate into society, as well as others who haven’t had the easiest life. I actually found myself relating a lot to her relationship with herself and also, to an extent, with her family.
- I don’t read a lot of age-gap romance where the man is younger (Angel’s 24 and Deanna’s 32) but I really enjoyed their dynamic and their chemistry was undeniable! ❤️‍🔥 I honestly forgot that Angel was younger because he’s quite mature but also, I found their relationship to be so positive! They actually spoke (like adults!) about everything and there was none of that secret-keeping thing to “protect the other person”. That openness in their relationship let them be vulnerable with each other but also created such a healthy and supportive environment for them to grow not only independently but together. Also, the way Angel cared for Deanna melted my heart every single time and it was so swoony… Their romance was very low-angst and I was 100% here for that!
- I really like how this series addresses topics that I don’t read about often in romance such as gentrification, rehabilitation of formerly incarcerated gangsters and intergenerational trauma. You can see that Hopkins has done her research and I think she handles these topics sensitively, plus the way she writes these aspects into the character’s arcs is really well done. I loved being able to see how passionate Angel and Deanna are about the community and their pride in supporting their culture and heritage and ensuring it continues in some way as the world changes around them.

Also, this is one of the first books I’ve read where the pandemic plays a part in the plot. Personally, I didn’t find it triggering and again, I thought Hopkins integrates it well, but just a warning for those who might not want to read a story that examines the socio-economic impact or talks about the personal impact of the pandemic!

What I struggled with:
- There were times the writing felt inconsistent. Some parts flowed really well and other times it felt kind of stilted and a bit awkward, especially the dialogue. It wasn’t overly bothersome but it did take me out of the story at times.
- I wish that the family relationship aspect had been stronger. There was more interaction between the brothers towards the end but I was hoping for more development throughout the story, especially since Angel has been apart from Eddie and Sal for so long. They all work together, see each other regularly and live in such close proximity to one another so I found it odd that they were actually so uninvolved in each others’ lives? It felt a bit like a missed opportunity since this is the last book in the series and it would’ve been nice to have a moment with just the three of them together again after all these years, talking about how far they’ve come. That said, this could also just be my personal preference seeing as I do love romances that have strong family connections.

It was really wonderful (and worth the wait) to return to the Eastside Brewery world! Tanked does not shy away from tough topics, including the most frank writing about the pandemic I've seen in a book yet. The details of the pandemic and the impact it has had on the brewery brings this book to another level of realism. Into that real backdrop comes Angel, an amazing unreal hero in all the best ways. Angel has a troubled past and an uncertain future, but he is very clear about his affection and desire for Deanna. I absolutely loved these two and their journey to figure out themselves as individuals and who they are together.

Here's my quick review of Tanked: Worth every minute of the wait!

In the long wait since Trashed, there was every reason to believe Angel's story wouldn't live up to Eddie (Trashed) or Sal (Thirsty). We'd only seen a hint of the younger brother, and the years since the Rosas brothers' stories have been hell on the world, not to mention authors. Mia Hopkins did something truly amazing with Angel: she made the covid-19 pandemic its own character, one that refused to be ignored as it battered the Rosas family. It was already an ugly, harsh, unfair world when Angel and Deanna had their first one-night stand three years ago, then the pandemic tried to break down everything around them. That Angel and Deanna found each other again, when both were at their most beaten and vulnerable, that they found strength to hold onto something tender, beautiful, and worth fighting made this more than a romance - it was an ode to survival. They found love in a hopeless place, and it was a wonderful final chapter for the Rosas.

Authors must be struggling with how to include the pandemic in their stories or how to ignore it altogether. I applaud the author for not glossing over covid's brutal assault on struggling working class families like the Rosas. Their beloved brewery's existence and their family's survival is teetering; and loved ones have been lost to the pandemic. In fact, Deanna and Angel meet again when Angel appears for his booster shot. Time and again, there are stark reminders that Angel and Deanna aren't the only ones struggling to survive in a very new world.

But their story isn't only about survival or violence in the fighting ring. Angel and Deanna are also about the frank filthiness of two people who, despite the uncertainties of the world outside, are completely in sync in their private inside world. Worries about unemployment, sickness, forgiveness, the future, family tension, and the age difference melt away when these two are together.

Like with Eddie and Sal, Angel's path is heartbreaking in its seemingly hopelessness. He's uneducated, abandoned, running from a bad past, struggling to find a place in his family, struggling to find his place in the world; all leaving him with nothing to offer Deanna who is dealing with broken dreams of her own. That is, nothing but his devotion and care and strength, all leading to a path forward for a gorgeous HEA for them and the Rosas family.

i will be forever indebted to this book for showing me such a splendidly good time. i was taken by Tanked, by angel and deanna from beforeeee the author even teased it on instagram, i was tanked by it from the epilogue in trashed, nearly three years ago, so i feel like i've been EDGED all these years, begging for release. and finally, i get it. and it's so sweet and so heartfelt, and so, so, so hot.

Tanked isn't the type of book romance readers pick up, read, and move on to another. it's a book that'll have you awake at odd hours of the night, simply thinking: "Love like that exists? Community and friendship exist?" Despite it being set in the pandemic, i was rather comforted by its mention.

This book is truly melt your hair off hot, but it's also so heartfelt and compassionate you'll cry yourself to sleep after you finish it. Take it from me: I did it.

I was hooked on this book. I binged this in one setting. I love all the characters and there relationships between them. I loved Angel and Deanna relationship.I loved how it was a present day romance that talked and dealt with Covid. You don’t see that in romance. I really enjoyed this read and recommend.

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Mia Hopkins for this ARC

I binge read this book in one sitting. I was so hooked by the story that I couldn’t help myself, from the first few chapters I was so engaged! The characters are fun and I loved the relationship between them. This is another great book by Mia Hopkins.

Included as a top pick in bimonthly April New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

I really didn't enjoy this read - only finishing it because it was a NetGalley copy.

I didn't love the characters. The story wasn't a standalone - because I honestly felt that the other brothers were really hard to like unless you read their own books. Outside of that it definitely needs a better content editor - the story felt disjointed and I didn't connect with it nearly at all.

This trilogy reminded me of the great storytelling of Mia Hopkins. This installment is from Angel's perspective, separated from his brothers and feeling isolated in more ways than one. His anger, loneliness, and resentment is just brewing below the surface. We get to see him contextualize who is, wants to be, acknowledge his pain, and be vulnerable. Yes, it's emotional but I think the craftsmanship in the writing tells a story of perseverance and hope. Oh and timing. Deanna and Angel's meeting at a time where new beginnings required a heavy dose of trust and taking a leap of faith. I loved it and the symbolism woven throughout the story was chef's kiss. A perfect ending to this heartfelt series that focuses on second chances, family, community, culture, and love.

CN: gentrification, prison, housing/financial insecurity, domestic violence (on page), child abuse, on page fighting, arrest, gang dealings, covid and covid related deaths, postpartum depression, grief, bondage and impact play, unprotected sex, colorism, complicated relationships with family, pull bootstraps conversation

This third and final book in the Trilogy is focused on povs Angel; the youngest brother of the Rosas and Deanna who Angel develops a relationship with. Yes, it can be read as a standalone although I found I was able to appreciate the other characters with the backstories from the previous books.

Angel comes to live with his oldest brother Sal and wife Vanessa (book1) and helps with the work around their brewery. What starts off as mundane chores around the business turns into something much more impactful to the family business, as you read through the storyline. He falls in love with Deanna Dalgado a social worker who works at the same agency Eddie Rosas(book2)use to use when fresh out of jail. Deanna comes from an established family who runs a well-known furniture company to upper class L.A. while Angel background is much humble and new with business in the neighbourhood. It's great to see these two characters work through there differences, especially having such Opposite family dynamics. You also get a good feel for what it's like for these two being the youngest siblings in their homes.
The storyline is set in East L.A during the pandemic. This adds a lot of conflict to the Rosas newly opened business, the emotions and insecurities of the impact on family gatherings and of course health.
I can say I really didn't care for this bit of the plot, I think we have all experienced this pandemic in various ways, personally didn't need the reminder and I actually found myself reading more to escape the whole situation we are all emersed in. I did skim through a lot of the story at these points.
I did enjoy this story, the family life, emotions and how they are being supportive to each other. The smutty scenes were fantastic both povs carried through so much chemistry. Entertaining, a great twist towards the end (great surprise) and everything came together beautifully.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thirsty was one of the first romances I picked up after a long break from reading and writing this genre, and it completely blew me away. These books are blazingly hot and beautifully written. They also deal with issues romance doesn't tackle often, like housing insecurity, gentrification, PTSD, reentry after incarceration. But it's the characters who really shine for me. The Rosas brothers will break parts of your heart you didn't know existed. Angel is no exception, and his love story with Deanna might be my favorite of all the brothers. If you haven't read this series, I can't recommend it enough.

Three years after a very hot one-night stand, Deanna and Angel encounter each other once again and the chemistry is still there. Deanna is facing budget cuts in her community office where she works with parolees and Angel is still a bit lost, working for his brothers in their microbrewery, and secretly participating in underground fight clubs. Even though the pull is strong, Deanna is leery of getting involved with a younger man and isn’t sure what to do professionally and Angel doesn’t want Deanna to get tangled in his own difficult past.

This is the third book in the Eastside Brewery series but for me read as a complete standalone—I didn’t feel as though I had missed anything vital to the story. It was the first book I’ve read that actually addressed the pandemic—mostly talking about masking and times when people couldn’t be together. Deanna and Angel were good together and her reasons for being hesitant made sense. It still seemed a bit too much like insta-love and insta-family for me. I did enjoy it enough that I will be checking out more of Mia Hopkins’ backlist. Thanks to Netgalley and Little Stone Press for the eARC. Available 4/26/2022.

The past returns with a bang, and doesn't relent! So that beautiful one-night stand, you thought was in the past, yet here you are - and he's just as beautiful if not more! Fun romance with family strings and a brewery in trouble - it all adds up to a quick and fun read with engaging cast!