I love your writing, the world you have created and the dark angst coloring everything. I feel the danger of the situations you run poor Chuy through, his hope and determination, the low self-esteem which guides his poor decisions. Actually, all of your characters work so well for you! Your characterization of the Good Neighbor is spot on; I recognize that person in some I know, so proudly good.

You have mentioned that the story is actually finished and needs a bit of formatting but it has been quite a while since the last installment. I have been so eager for more of the story that I did look you up a bit more, not in a stalking kind of way, and I see you mentioned on your LJ something about submitting this story, perhaps for publication? It totally deserves that so it gives me hope that perhaps the rest of the story can be found published somewhere I could buy the book. Any chance the rest is out there somewhere, or is the story on hiatus?

I should mention now, because I truly am a determined lurker and should get it all out now, I see your insightful comments on LJ posts and always appreciate them, and mostly agree as well.

Also: I am even older than you ;D

Best wishes, Eric

I really enjoy this story. I Love Chuy. i just want to hug him all the time, and kick all the stupid people in Cuervecitos. I kind of want to kick Tomas and Mark too, LOL. But seriously why can't they just reassure Chuy that nothing's going on between them. Unless something really is at which point I really will want to kick them, bastards. Dammit poor Chuy, he's in so much trouble now isn't he :( And that stupid idiot Willy, he knew he had no money. *sigh* I hope you update soon, I want things to get better for Chuy. He's such a sweetheart. all he wants is to be able to go home *hugs* It's really a very god story, as you can see you've got me all wrapped up in the characters. I hope you keep writing.

Aww, poor Chuy. This is all going to come back and bite him in the ass, innit? At least he gets to see Mark, right?

Can't wait to see the rest as it's posted!

Qui

Oh! squee! an update! that totally makes my week way better than it was already turning out.

I'm sorry to hear that you had a rough time in your life, but I'm glad I've inspired you to posting again (you could update your other stories, too, and I wouldn't complain :D), and I hope things look up for you in the future.

Cheers,

Qui

I really hope you will continue with this story, it's just too good not to. I want to hear that everything'll end up good for Chuy, because the state he's in is just so bleak and hopeless. and Chuy is so great; he deserves happiness after everything that has gone wrong so far.

so I expect to find a new chapter some time! (hopefully in the near future)

Okay, so that's a *horrible* place to stop writing and go for nearly a year without updates! arg!

This is a very intriguing story, and I am very attached to all these characters that you've just abandoned here...

I like your use of the slang and dialect, which despite your fears is nearly always...resolvable. I like that it's consistent and all-encompassing (not just one word here and there that the author then forgets to keep using, like), and also tailored to the characters and their backgrounds.

I have no idea how to pronounce Chuy's name, though (I speak no Spanish...).

I also can't quite figure Jeffrey and Willy out (which is nice) I'm leaning towards Jeffrey being in on...whatever Willy's plan is, and that he's just playing the ass to get Chuy nudged in the correct direction (although they don't need to do that, of course), although he could just still be an ass, I'm not sure yet.

And Willy...is clearly using Chuy to improve the Eagle, but I don't know if he's doing it to, say, sell the improved design elsewhere, or if he just wants to improve the Eagle. I do think he's trying too hard to manipulate poor Chuy when an explanation would get him what he wants, but I guess that's just who he is and where they live.

Anyway, I'm hoping this long and slightly babbling review inspires you to update!

Love and cookies,

Qui

I'm really liking the story - I particularly like the way you capture the cultural differences, which helps to identify with Chuy's confusion and uncertainty. I could almost feel the headaches coming from the frustration of the workplace, combined with the 'unfairness' of his situation. I hope that Mark's storyline remains central... his being an outsider, and the way he highlights the cultural gaps really adds to the understanding of the setting.

I will admit that I'm also hoping the bar thing doesn't turn out to be Chuy dropping back into drinking... while I realise that its a likely outcome, it would start to push me into the realm of disbelief. With everything else that happened, it would just seem too angsty, and a little too contrived. Regardless - I'm looking forward to the next chapter!

I think they're moving Chuy around so much that he'll fix everything for them :D Or something... But I like that theory. Still. Poor boy. He's gonna have a heart attack. Or develop an ulcer. Argh, and I wanna know what's wrong with Mark! D: Hmph. Oh, a bar, eh? I...don't see this ending well. o.o I hope no one makes him drink...

I really love Esperanza Highway as well as A Suitable Lover. I always intend to review, but always forget. I was just wondering if you realized that you posted an already posted chapter of A Suitable Lover in place of Esperanze Highway, Part Two: Exiles chapter 5? Hope to see more soon! I can't wait to see what happens to Chuy next.

...I'd forgotten about Mark. Um...yay, he's still alive! :D I just hope he stays that way... Glad to see he can still visit Chuy :3 It'd be horribly depressing if he couldn't. Oh, and Willy's turning out not to be so bad...maybe he'll be able to help Chuy with the whole Eagle thing. I was amused by his method of questioning. Manipulative little bugger, ain't he? But poor Chuy...trying so hard not make trouble, and he finds it, anyway. Well, maybe things'll improve for him. Hopefully. Pft, and Mark's rather raunchy! I love the last few lines XD That just made my day. So my prediction: Willy will somehow end up jumping Chuy Or something like that.

This place sounds terrifying on every level. Ick. And six years? D: I hope he manages to get out early... And there's definitely something fishy going on with that Eagle line. What are they up to? D: Whatever it is, I'm sure Chuy'll figure out...and get in a lot of trouble. I'm not sure my opinion of Willy yet...he seems like a decent guy, if a little uptight. ...okay, way uptight. But oh well. Ah, Harris. I knew there'd be at least one of his type around. Wonder how long it'll take Chuy to figure out what he meant? And if he'll actually go through with it? :S And Mark...I'm pretty convinced he's going to die/end up in serious condition while Chuy's away. Which would be sad. I like Mark. Oh, there's so much tension :3