I tried reading this book multiple times.

MULTIPLE.

And every single time I would get to those first few pages and immediately say, “No ma’am. THIS is how we are starting?! And it is literally page 5?!”

My poor corazoncito could not take it. 😭

So what would I do? Close the book and run right back to my romance novels where I could find my feel-good stories, get the story arc I expected, and live happily in my little bubble.

Pero Libby kept putting American Dirt in front of me every time I searched for something available. Basically, “Mira mujer, you NEED to read this book.”

And your girl can take a hint.

I am so glad I finally listened because this book hit me deep in my soul.

Lydia and Luca

Gosh. These two.

After Lydia’s journalist husband writes a tell-all story about a cartel leader in Acapulco, Lydia and her son Luca are forced to flee and begin the journey north toward the United States.

And when I tell you they go THROUGH IT.

Luca especially stole my heart. He is so wise beyond his years. Serio. Observant. Always watching and taking everything in. But still with this corazón de oro underneath it all. There were so many moments when I had to remind myself that this is a CHILD carrying things no child should have to carry.

And then there are all the people they meet along the way.

Some will make you angry. Some will make you question humanity. Pero the ones who show kindness? Those moments got me. Because even when this story shows how cruel people can be, it also reminds you that there are people who will choose to help another human being simply because they can.

Beto and El Chacal

These two stayed with me for exactly that reason.

Beto is TEN. Ten years old and already caught in a world that has forced him to grow up way too quickly. And yet, this little boy is out here creating safe passage for Lydia. In a world that has given him every reason to look out only for himself, he still chooses kindness. He still sees another person who needs help and thinks, I can do something.

Mi corazón.

And then El Chacal. His work exists inside this whole system where cartels and violence have turned human beings into transactions. People become cargo. Money. Something to move from one place to another. Pero somehow, he is still trying to hold onto the human part of it. He tries to move people carefully. He tries to keep them safe.

Neither of them can magically change the cruel world they are stuck in. They are surviving within it too. But they can choose how they treat the person standing in front of them.

And they choose humanity.

Soledad and Rebeca

Ay, mis niñas.

My heart hurt for these two girls. I wanted to pull them out of the book, hold them close, and somehow make the world okay for them.

Their story especially had me thinking about how cruel the world can be to migrant women and teenage girls. The dangers they face simply because they are young and female. Just... gosh.

And I think that is what stayed with me most after finishing this book.

Do we ever really sit and think about the journey migrants make?

Nobody makes a journey like this because it is easy. Nadie leaves everything they know, risks their life, puts one foot in front of the other for miles and miles because it sounds like a fun adventure.

They do it because sometimes staying is no longer an option.

This book made me think about the human beings behind the word migrant. The mothers. The children. The teenagers. The people carrying grief, fear, memories, dreams, and esperanza while trying to survive long enough to reach somewhere they believe might be safer.

And maybe that is also why Beto and El Chacal stuck with me so much. Because throughout a journey where people are constantly being dehumanized, some of the smallest acts of kindness become enormous. A little boy helping someone find safe passage. A man doing dangerous work but still remembering that the people he is moving are PEOPLE.

The world around them can be cruel without requiring them to become cruel too.

Whew.

I avoided this book because I knew it was going to hurt.

And sí. It hurt.

But I am so glad I finally let it. ☕️

Okay B.K. Borison, you got me. I LOVED this book.

A Grim Reaper who is over her job and a Guardian Angel who wants absolutely nothing to do with her? Say less. Ya me tienes. I knew the premise sounded fun, pero I was not prepared for how much corazón this story would have.

Darcy

My girl is TIRED. Like imagine being burnt out at work except your work is literally death. 😭 She is frustrated, questioning everything, and trying to figure out if this is really all there is for her. And I loved her for it.

Because underneath all her attitude and ya no puedo con esta energy, Darcy cares. A LOT. Watching her wrestle with who she is supposed to be versus who she actually wants to be was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. Like mija, when your literal job is death but your corazón is telling you there has to be more… what are we supposed to do with that?!

Gabriel

Ay Gabriel.

Sir.

You have ONE JOB and somehow Darcy has you questioning your whole existence too. 😂

I loved these two together. The banter. The tension. The I cannot stand you but why am I suddenly very aware of everything you do energy. Pero what really got me was how their relationship slowly became about more than attraction. They actually SEE each other. The loneliness, the responsibility, the things they carry because of the roles they’ve been given. Ugh. Mi corazón.

And that’s what surprised me about this book. I’m over here thinking I’m getting a cute paranormal romance about a Grim Reaper and a Guardian Angel. Meanwhile B.K. Borison said, qué cute, now let’s talk about grief, loneliness, purpose, life, and death.

Ma’am?! I came here to giggle.

And somehow I DID giggle. A lot. Because this book is still funny and warm and cozy despite literally being about death. And the side characters?! TATER TOT?! Please. Protect that entire little world at all costs.

This is exactly what makes a romance 5 stars for me. Yes, I need the romance to ROMANCE, pero I also need to care about these people outside of their relationship. I need a story that would still matter even if you took away the kissing.

And Grim Tidings gave me that.

No complaints. No “pero…” No deduction.

Just 💀👼🖤 and me asking B.K. Borison, respectfully, ¿qué sigue?

I liked this book overall, but no sé. At some points, Elle just got repetitive. We get it, girl. Money es tu number one enemiga. It did you dirty at some point in your life. Pero you give your wrath to Parker like he personally invented money?! Pobre hombre!

And honestly, no wonder he has his own issues with intimacy. He already believes most women want him for his money, and aquí viene Elle acting like the mere existence of his bank account is a personal offense. 😂 I understood why she felt the way she did, but after a while I was like, mija… we have established this. Let’s move on.

Overall, this was a good, quick romance when you need something in between heavier reads. I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it, but it was entertaining. El trabajo was giving me an episode of The Kardashians. Would I watch because I’m deeply invested? No. Would I keep watching because somehow now we’re at the dentist’s office and I need to know what happens? Absolutely.