Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: Café y Chocolate
AUTHOR: Johnny Miles
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 372 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 27, 2018
BLURB:
When Sereno Hidalgo writes a review of his new favorite coffee, the last thing he expected was to come in contact with his cousin, Esteban. Once upon a time they’d been close. So close, in fact, anyone who met them for the first time assumed they were brothers. But in their late teens, when they began to date, each ended up with someone the other disliked. Sereno and Esteban parted ways and not in the best of circumstances. Now, in the present, after Sereno’s marriage ends, he finds himself alone. All other family members are gone and with Esteban back in his life, Sereno longs to reunite with his cousin and pick up their bond where they left off. Luckily, Esteban wants the same thing and invites Sereno to visit Puerto Rico, where Esteban lives with his wife, Miriam, on their coffee plantation. There’s only one problem. A category 5 hurricane is on track to slice through the island, just days after Sereno lands.
With the threat of Hurricane Irving on the way, Sereno is thrust into an anxious, yet ordered series of preparations to ensure Hacienda Maria, and the workers, survive what weather forecasters are calling a major catastrophic event. Along the way, Sereno and Esteban catch up. Sereno also immediately falls in lust with August Toro, or Chocolate, as he’s called. The dark-haired, dark-skinned Latino is Esteban’s right-hand man and best friend. He makes sure Sereno understands that his name is not pronounced the American way, but in Spanish which makes it sound much more exotic: Choh-koh-lah-teh. He quickly becomes the object of Sereno’s desire. The trouble is, Chocolate is straight. At least, that’s what Esteban and Miriam say.
REVIEW:
I have to say that this book was not as fast paced as I thought it would be. By-and-large people got on with their normal lives, just with extra jobs to do. This is not a criticism, it’s a tribute to the kind of people they are.
There was a lot of history between the main characters and while I would have liked to have gone into it in more depth, it was enough for me not to feel this book needed a sequel. Everything that happened within it was wrapped up nicely, although there is a lot of material for a second book and I would certainly read it.
The titular character, Chocolate himself (Shock-o-latte) was something of an enigma and kept the enigma going right to the end. I think there is a lot more to know about the man but didn’t feel it was necessary per se to go deeper into his character. There were some surprises along the way but nothing that shocked me. The plot was well thought out and executed.
The thing that was shocking came right at the end with the arrival of Maria. The author did a tremendous job of conveying the sheer horror of the storm and particularly its aftermath. Given the solid and unshakable nature of these characters in the run up to the event, there was more of am impact when their world, and then themselves fell apart.
It was hard to imagine how devastating the storm was, and how the lives of the real people who went through it changed dramatically overnight. I’m sure that none of them ever quite got over it.
One of my favourite thing about the book was the coffee. I love the stuff and it was fascinating to hear about its production and the dedication and love that went into it. I’m not foolish enough to think that the big growers give as many hoots about their product or customers, but it’s nice to think there are people like Esteban out there.
The family secret was shocking to the characters but to me it gave more of a sense of completeness to the story.
As for the characters, I completely fell in love with all of them, even the side characters and I think one of my favourites has to be Chocolate’s mother who was at the same time, tragic and hilarious.
This book is well written and engaging. The plot is richer and a little faster than most romances, especially at the end, and I would say that the romance comes firmly second to the story and adds to it rather than existing side-by-side as so many do.
A little weightier that your average coffee break read, I would highly recommend as worthwhile and even educational.
RATING: 
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