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sydapel's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I find Angelica Lopez's integration of contemporary themes with Mexican spiritual/magical beliefs to be wonderfully compelling, and something that no one is really doing in the romance space. It's utilized so well in Nicky and Gillians story, and yet there's also room made for excellent character development and some HOT scenes as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Xenophobia, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
What I loved: beautiful exploration of the complex feelings of growing up in a small town and whether or not you have to leave to find yourself, nuanced examination of Mexican-American history in the Midwest and the challenges in building generational wealth for marginalized folks, excellent reflection on the trauma of children who "parent" younger siblings due to familial circumstances and the resulting life-long impacts of these experiences.
What I strongly disliked: the intimacy and how it seemed to distract from emotional development rather than contribute to it, the mystery twists at the end that felt overdone, and the use of hygienic language during a discussion of STI status (MMC says he's "clean" for her).
I will also note the storyline involving the FMC's autistic son occasionally used language that needed a sensitivity check with an autistic reader (description of him as high functioning vs having low support needs, etc).
Overall, this just felt uneven, and while I loved Lopez's return to Freedom, I struggled with the romance between our MCs.
What I strongly disliked: the intimacy and how it seemed to distract from emotional development rather than contribute to it, the mystery twists at the end that felt overdone, and the use of hygienic language during a discussion of STI status (MMC says he's "clean" for her).
I will also note the storyline involving the FMC's autistic son occasionally used language that needed a sensitivity check with an autistic reader (description of him as high functioning vs having low support needs, etc).
Overall, this just felt uneven, and while I loved Lopez's return to Freedom, I struggled with the romance between our MCs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Addiction, Grief, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
Minor: Pregnancy
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