3 out of 4 stars
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Enough is enough. Dahlia had always been the typical rich party girl, but on this day, with the taste of alcohol-induced vomit in her mouth, she decides that she is done. Many factors contributed to her decision to start a new life, but the most important factor was the positive pregnancy test in her bathroom. Author Jamie Milloy tells Dahlia’s story of growth in Eight Thousand Miles to Midtown.
Money had never been an issue, but outward appearances were of the utmost importance to the Winston-Blacque family. So, Dahlia’s pregnancy would be an issue. The father was a married man with a family that he had no intentions of leaving. Abortion was not an option. Dahlia would become a mother. Step one was to remove the prescription (and nonprescription) drugs floating around in her system. Next, she had to get away from her family and friends. They would be of no help to her.
Coping with the painful symptoms of withdrawal, Dahlia boards a plane going anywhere but here. There must be a better way of life. Dahlia travels across the heartland of the United States. The people she meets and her unexpected experiences give Dahlia cause to consider that her former life of luxury wasn’t a fulfilling life after all.
I love the premise of this story. This rich party girl living in a pampered bubble finally comes face-to-face with reality. Dahlia is a very well-developed character. She is just flawed enough to be relatable, and her family life makes her bad behavior somewhat understandable. This is a story about growth. Each new experience is a valuable lesson for Dahlia. While I found each of Dahlia’s newfound relationships to be important, the development of these relationships lacked adequate time and detail. Lasting relationships take time to create, and as a reader, I would have enjoyed reading the details of that creation. Dahlia seemed to make a best friend for life in one night many times in this story.
This is a well-written novel. There were a few missing and misspelled words in the book, but these errors did not cause distractions. The story flowed seamlessly from scene to scene creating a pleasant reading experience. I recommend this book to fiction readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. There were a few grammar errors, and the development of many important relationships was rushed. Nevertheless, I was entertained by Dahlia’s story from start to finish. Eight Thousand Miles to Midtown is a story that proves that family isn’t always bonded by blood.
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Eight Thousand Miles to Midtown
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