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A review by jlennidorner
Juliana Lopez is Fu*king Fire: 21 Boys Later... by Dori Aleman-Medina
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Hmmmm, enjoyed this book, I did.
“Pass on what you have learned. Strength, mastery, hmm… but weakness, folly, failure, also. Yes, failure, most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is.” - Master Yoda, Star Wars quote
The Star Wars fandom is part of this novel, so it feels appropriate to use a quote from one of the movies that ties to a lesson in the book.
I'm also a gamer, like the main characters (though I've never played their favorite mentioned game, not the actual one, anyway). I knew right away what the gamertag was about (though I didn't know about the tattoo reference at that point).
Juliana's parents were 16 when she was born. It becomes clear that she was unwanted. Her biological father barely exists in her life, her mother is resentful and neglectful. The step-father is a trigger-warning and is hinted at throughout the book. None of those three are main characters, but all of them are why Juliana is who and how she is, which is the internal conflict.
But she is strong. There's a scene where someone much larger gets in her face, but she doesn't back down. She does not cower or back away. She keeps much of her pain locked inside.
There's a part that reminded me of the song "Livin' La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin. It's when Chris shows up and is talking to Daniel about Juliana while she's out at the cupcake table.
Missing the idea of what you want someone to be, rather than missing the actual person. It's more common these days, perhaps, to leave negative people, including toxic family members. That's part of this story.
Umbrella tattoos often symbolize shelter, planning, or overcoming difficulties. Semicolon tattoos are generally signifiers of survival, especially from suicide or mental illness. (Neither of those symbols are explained in the book, but they do appear.)
I was fascinated that this is a romance book, and the main characters reach a point where they agree they want their relationship to be more romantic, to try more "typical" dating. And then it skips right over Valentine's Day! I flipped back twice to make sure I didn't imagine the time jump.
This is my honest and unbiased review. I borrowed this book while at my cousin's. (She knows the author. My connection with the author is the interview I conducted for the Operation Awesome blog.)
This is a great romance novel for anyone who enjoys a main character who isn't neurotypical, and who has survived a dark past. There's found-family and some biological family. Straight and LGBTQIA+ characters. Young women who really want children. Excellent read for gamers, geeks, music lovers (especially 80s rap and hip-hop). And Juliana reads, which I love. We need more books with characters who read, in my opinion. The characters all feel very real and fleshed out. They're like people I actually know.
Different chapters are from a different first-person point of view. I am usually frustrated by that type of storytelling, but the author does a fantastic job of it here, and flow is not stifled by it. Bravo. I don't read many romance books, or much Latinx literature, but I really enjoyed this one.
What really kept me turning pages was the way the background was revealed. Everything is hinted out, and then the past unfolds and how it reflects the present is clear. The ending shows the HEA/HFN, and it's clear it was journey to get to that, so it's very satisfying. Like making a chocolate cake from scratch. By the way, in the story, chocolate cake refers to actual 🎂 chocolate cake (not a different sexual innuendo).
I would absolutely read another book from this author, especially if it comes from this series. I'm still unsure what the "21 Boys Later" means, as that exact number didn't seem to be part of the story. Though it might have been implied?
Some words that describe books realistic fiction, happily-ever-after, romantic, sometimes a tear-jerker, controversial, some plot twists, inspirational, fun, and entertaining. It's diverse in that it is Latinx and the culture is very much part of the story, and also that's there's beautiful LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
Without a doubt, the setting is a character in this book. It absolutely comes alive and is present in the story. Plus, the setting brings out character development. Four of my stars are based on my general enjoyment, the fifth star is earned by the setting and how well it is sculpted and integrated in this novel.
The title is almost brought up multiple times. And then, finally, near the end, the exact title is used and it's wonderful.
Triggers:
"Black coffee... a dash of cream to make that pretty Latina color." - There's an ongoing debate about the appropriateness of using foods and beverages when describing skin color; however, note that the author is Latina. #OwnVoices
There is cursing (the title should have told you that), mental illness, panic attacks, self-harm, suicide, self-harm/ cutting, addiction, alcohol, some drug use, a bit of blood, mention of infidelity and violated trust, and an adult video is viewed without consent.
I saw only two or three possible misspellings. The author does have a different style of comma usage than those to which I am most accustomed. I'm fairly certain two end-quote marks went missing. Otherwise, it's very well-written and edited.
Juliana's favorite color is orange. My own main character, Xavier, in my Existence series, his favorite character is orange. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CsH4M4tLIs1 I noted this on Instagram as I was reading. Last two images of the post.)
I was emotionally struck by this book because of all that the characters have endured. Even minor characters have complexity written in.
It holds a mirror up to society in that it shows how challenging life can be for an unwanted child, even if one parent pays for a good education. There's more to life, to family and parenting, than just money. Teen pregnancy is a minor theme, yet there's a strong statement bleeding through Juliana.
“Pass on what you have learned. Strength, mastery, hmm… but weakness, folly, failure, also. Yes, failure, most of all. The greatest teacher, failure is.” - Master Yoda, Star Wars quote
The Star Wars fandom is part of this novel, so it feels appropriate to use a quote from one of the movies that ties to a lesson in the book.
I'm also a gamer, like the main characters (though I've never played their favorite mentioned game, not the actual one, anyway). I knew right away what the gamertag was about (though I didn't know about the tattoo reference at that point).
Juliana's parents were 16 when she was born. It becomes clear that she was unwanted. Her biological father barely exists in her life, her mother is resentful and neglectful. The step-father is a trigger-warning and is hinted at throughout the book. None of those three are main characters, but all of them are why Juliana is who and how she is, which is the internal conflict.
But she is strong. There's a scene where someone much larger gets in her face, but she doesn't back down. She does not cower or back away. She keeps much of her pain locked inside.
There's a part that reminded me of the song "Livin' La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin. It's when Chris shows up and is talking to Daniel about Juliana while she's out at the cupcake table.
Missing the idea of what you want someone to be, rather than missing the actual person. It's more common these days, perhaps, to leave negative people, including toxic family members. That's part of this story.
Umbrella tattoos often symbolize shelter, planning, or overcoming difficulties. Semicolon tattoos are generally signifiers of survival, especially from suicide or mental illness. (Neither of those symbols are explained in the book, but they do appear.)
I was fascinated that this is a romance book, and the main characters reach a point where they agree they want their relationship to be more romantic, to try more "typical" dating. And then it skips right over Valentine's Day! I flipped back twice to make sure I didn't imagine the time jump.
This is my honest and unbiased review. I borrowed this book while at my cousin's. (She knows the author. My connection with the author is the interview I conducted for the Operation Awesome blog.)
This is a great romance novel for anyone who enjoys a main character who isn't neurotypical, and who has survived a dark past. There's found-family and some biological family. Straight and LGBTQIA+ characters. Young women who really want children. Excellent read for gamers, geeks, music lovers (especially 80s rap and hip-hop). And Juliana reads, which I love. We need more books with characters who read, in my opinion. The characters all feel very real and fleshed out. They're like people I actually know.
Different chapters are from a different first-person point of view. I am usually frustrated by that type of storytelling, but the author does a fantastic job of it here, and flow is not stifled by it. Bravo. I don't read many romance books, or much Latinx literature, but I really enjoyed this one.
What really kept me turning pages was the way the background was revealed. Everything is hinted out, and then the past unfolds and how it reflects the present is clear. The ending shows the HEA/HFN, and it's clear it was journey to get to that, so it's very satisfying. Like making a chocolate cake from scratch. By the way, in the story, chocolate cake refers to actual 🎂 chocolate cake (not a different sexual innuendo).
I would absolutely read another book from this author, especially if it comes from this series. I'm still unsure what the "21 Boys Later" means, as that exact number didn't seem to be part of the story. Though it might have been implied?
Some words that describe books realistic fiction, happily-ever-after, romantic, sometimes a tear-jerker, controversial, some plot twists, inspirational, fun, and entertaining. It's diverse in that it is Latinx and the culture is very much part of the story, and also that's there's beautiful LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
Without a doubt, the setting is a character in this book. It absolutely comes alive and is present in the story. Plus, the setting brings out character development. Four of my stars are based on my general enjoyment, the fifth star is earned by the setting and how well it is sculpted and integrated in this novel.
The title is almost brought up multiple times. And then, finally, near the end, the exact title is used and it's wonderful.
Triggers:
"Black coffee... a dash of cream to make that pretty Latina color." - There's an ongoing debate about the appropriateness of using foods and beverages when describing skin color; however, note that the author is Latina. #OwnVoices
There is cursing (the title should have told you that), mental illness, panic attacks, self-harm, suicide, self-harm/ cutting, addiction, alcohol, some drug use, a bit of blood, mention of infidelity and violated trust, and an adult video is viewed without consent.
I saw only two or three possible misspellings. The author does have a different style of comma usage than those to which I am most accustomed. I'm fairly certain two end-quote marks went missing. Otherwise, it's very well-written and edited.
Juliana's favorite color is orange. My own main character, Xavier, in my Existence series, his favorite character is orange. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CsH4M4tLIs1 I noted this on Instagram as I was reading. Last two images of the post.)
I was emotionally struck by this book because of all that the characters have endured. Even minor characters have complexity written in.
It holds a mirror up to society in that it shows how challenging life can be for an unwanted child, even if one parent pays for a good education. There's more to life, to family and parenting, than just money. Teen pregnancy is a minor theme, yet there's a strong statement bleeding through Juliana.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Suicide, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Blood, Pregnancy, and Classism
A sex video is viewed without consent.