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johana_iguana 's review for:
Full Moon Over Freedom
by Angelina M. Lopez
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-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
I am convinced that the Milagro Street book series was made for me. Like the first book, I love how these love stories have a bit of magic/supernatural/paranormal side to them - it enriches the story in a way that feels familiar to me. While I am not Mexican, I feel like my culture/family shares beliefs that are similar around auras, energy, and Brujeria.
I found Gillian's book to be a combination of romance and also unlearning + relearning to love yourself and give yourself grace as a woman, as a woman of color. While it is a love story for sure, and Gillian & Nicky found a way back to their love at the end, I appreciated the individual character development the most in this book.
Gillian's story feels familiar in that there are so many women who have or are probably going through similar situations with toxic partners or ex-partners. I liked how candid and real Gillian's experience felt and how validating that can be for other women. Seeing her grow throughout the story and find herself, lean on the people who love her, and stand up against her toxic ex-husband (especially at the end with La Llorona, lol), I celebrated that moment so much for her but also for women in real life who are getting there.
Nicky's character, while it didn't feel as developed as Gillian's, was still a good character. In many ways, spending that summer in Freedom made him confront his demons and unpack not just his heartbreak from his relationship with Gillian in the past but also the trauma and pain of his childhood, his brother's addiction and death, and the complicated relationship he had with the town. His "aha" moment at the end did feel a bit rushed to me, and I wish there were a bit more on how he got to the realization that he needed to stop blaming himself and start living.
All in all, this was a good story, and I am super excited to read the next one. I love a love story with some bruja vibes and social commentary.
I found Gillian's book to be a combination of romance and also unlearning + relearning to love yourself and give yourself grace as a woman, as a woman of color. While it is a love story for sure, and Gillian & Nicky found a way back to their love at the end, I appreciated the individual character development the most in this book.
Nicky's character, while it didn't feel as developed as Gillian's, was still a good character. In many ways, spending that summer in Freedom made him confront his demons and unpack not just his heartbreak from his relationship with Gillian in the past but also the trauma and pain of his childhood, his brother's addiction and death, and the complicated relationship he had with the town. His "aha" moment at the end did feel a bit rushed to me, and I wish there were a bit more on how he got to the realization that he needed to stop blaming himself and start living.
All in all, this was a good story, and I am super excited to read the next one. I love a love story with some bruja vibes and social commentary.