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A review by kimalah
After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I originally DNF’d After Hours on Milagro Street in August 2022. However, several writers and readers I respect held the book in high regard. Over time, I felt like perhaps I was too hasty. I knew Alex began as a very unlikable character but that she grew and changed. So, I tried it again.
The initial encounter between Alex and Jeremiah still is disturbing to me. It creeps closely to the line of non-consensual. And Alex really can be quite horrible. But I continued and found a story that is full of emotion and need and vulnerability. Jeremiah and Alex have both been hurt by family and being othered. But Alex has to face that daily in society by the virtue of being of Mexican descent. Jeremiah recognizes his advantage in life and centers her experience, even when he wants to rage against the abusers and racists.
There is a lot of meat to the underlying factors in the story, a lot to absorb and think about, but it makes for a full and rich experience. The sex scenes are scorching. There is a paranormal element in the form of a ghost but I wouldn’t call it a paranormal romance. I learned about a community I had not heard of before this book and appreciate the history shared. It really ended up being a marvelous book. That first sex scene still bothers me. If it weren’t for that, this would be a five star read for me.
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DNF at 19%. Alex turned me completely off from this book. I tried to give time for her story to develop as per other reviewers, but after the dub con encounter she pushed on Jeremiah and her awful behavior with everyone, I couldn’t go any further. I was really interested in the story of the Mexican American communities in the mid-west, but I had to stop.
The initial encounter between Alex and Jeremiah still is disturbing to me. It creeps closely to the line of non-consensual. And Alex really can be quite horrible. But I continued and found a story that is full of emotion and need and vulnerability. Jeremiah and Alex have both been hurt by family and being othered. But Alex has to face that daily in society by the virtue of being of Mexican descent. Jeremiah recognizes his advantage in life and centers her experience, even when he wants to rage against the abusers and racists.
There is a lot of meat to the underlying factors in the story, a lot to absorb and think about, but it makes for a full and rich experience. The sex scenes are scorching. There is a paranormal element in the form of a ghost but I wouldn’t call it a paranormal romance. I learned about a community I had not heard of before this book and appreciate the history shared. It really ended up being a marvelous book. That first sex scene still bothers me. If it weren’t for that, this would be a five star read for me.
—————————————————————————————
DNF at 19%. Alex turned me completely off from this book. I tried to give time for her story to develop as per other reviewers, but after the dub con encounter she pushed on Jeremiah and her awful behavior with everyone, I couldn’t go any further. I was really interested in the story of the Mexican American communities in the mid-west, but I had to stop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, and Racism