Book: Raspados & Regret by Izzy Ravas
Reviewed by Emily
Rating: 5/5
Let it be known I’m a white girl from Georgia who has less than zero knowledge about Bay Area Mexican-American culture. My google search was working overtime because apparently my Kindle clutches its pearls but it was totally worth it. I learned a lot of Mexican dirty talk. From almost the first page, this book had me cackling especially Elias’ (Lalo) sassy internal monologue. The TikTok “comments” were comedy gold. I never expected to see “yaoi” in a romance about Mexican-Americans. This sparks joy. There were so many funny moments but I’m trying to not be one massive spoiler (y’all just wait until publication day then it’s GAME ON).
There was just enough tension to make it hot when they finally snapped. These boys are down so bad and it’s perfection. Izzy knows how to write a kiss scene. Their first kiss had me fanning myself like a Victorian man who saw an ankle for the first time. The soft moments between them made the sexy moments even hotter. The breathplay? Oh myyyy. Fabi checking in with Lalo? We stan a considerate top in this house.
When I read a romance, I want to feel the connection between the main couple. I felt Fabi and Lalo fumble through their feelings about each other and about themselves though the latter is mostly Fabi. Their relationship felt organic and real instead of two cliches being forced together and asked to mate. I know as a reviewer I I can come down hard on genre romances but this story is proof that genre romance can be so much more. Five stars no question and this story will be a permanent resident on my Kindle.