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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
Please see my review of American Dreamer, the first in the Dreamers series by Adriana Herrera. Then read all the books in the series!
This book redeemed the series again, after all the incessant whining from that punk Milo in the last installment.
One of the things I appreciated about this romance was the way the author highlighted issues affecting young black men by pairing the Black immigrant social activist character with his love interest, a well-off White man running for District Attorney. Much, but not all, of the relationship conflict revolved around larger sociatal issues and was extremely deftly handled. I also loved that the author, a trained therapist, included therapy in the happily ever after. I like showing that even as they ride off into the sunset, relationships require ongoing work to keep it strong.
This was the first book by Adriana Herrera I read, and the third in the series but it can easily be read as a standalone. It took me a little while to get into but once it gained traction, I enjoyed it tremendously.
The protagonists had an affair prior to the event of the book and so there was no meet-cute, no getting to know each other, and no growing attraction, because it was all already there. Thanks to this clever plot device we get to the conflict right away which hits the heart of one of the most urgent current issues in American society: the fraught relations between people of color and the law enforcement.
The heroes have vastly contrasting backgrounds: Easton was born into a rich, white, influential family while Patrice is a black Haitian immigrant who grew up in poverty with his single mother. Both heroes overcome the limitations of their origins though, Easton by turning down the family's legacy and working for the DA's office, Patrice by becoming an economics professor at an Ivy League college. Patrice is also an activist for race issues, concentrating his efforts on the apparently racially motivated traffic stops that increasingly happen in their community.
This puts him at odds with Easton who is part of the system Patrice is fighting and causes him to push Easton away who for his part grows progressively frustrated with his impotence to bring about a change in the matter.
Both heroes are beautifully layered, each with strengths and weaknesses which blend seamlessly with their characters and propel the story forward. With each conversation, each encounter the reader watches their relationship evolve and strengthen, all the while carefully maintaining an even power balance. I found myself agreeing with whoever's POV I was reading at the time, nodding along with the inner monologue. Both characters grew exponentially during the story, but completely organically and so the climax of the conflict was inevitable and felt like it couldn't have played out any other way. The HEA was supremely satisfying and I truly loved the epilogue which was structured around their homework for couple's therapy. A large cast of complex side characters fleshed out the story and helped give a deeper understanding of both the main characters and the struggles they were facing.
In summary, a beautiful book which I wholeheartedly recommend.
The protagonists had an affair prior to the event of the book and so there was no meet-cute, no getting to know each other, and no growing attraction, because it was all already there. Thanks to this clever plot device we get to the conflict right away which hits the heart of one of the most urgent current issues in American society: the fraught relations between people of color and the law enforcement.
The heroes have vastly contrasting backgrounds: Easton was born into a rich, white, influential family while Patrice is a black Haitian immigrant who grew up in poverty with his single mother. Both heroes overcome the limitations of their origins though, Easton by turning down the family's legacy and working for the DA's office, Patrice by becoming an economics professor at an Ivy League college. Patrice is also an activist for race issues, concentrating his efforts on the apparently racially motivated traffic stops that increasingly happen in their community.
This puts him at odds with Easton who is part of the system Patrice is fighting and causes him to push Easton away who for his part grows progressively frustrated with his impotence to bring about a change in the matter.
Both heroes are beautifully layered, each with strengths and weaknesses which blend seamlessly with their characters and propel the story forward. With each conversation, each encounter the reader watches their relationship evolve and strengthen, all the while carefully maintaining an even power balance. I found myself agreeing with whoever's POV I was reading at the time, nodding along with the inner monologue. Both characters grew exponentially during the story, but completely organically and so the climax of the conflict was inevitable and felt like it couldn't have played out any other way. The HEA was supremely satisfying and I truly loved the epilogue which was structured around their homework for couple's therapy. A large cast of complex side characters fleshed out the story and helped give a deeper understanding of both the main characters and the struggles they were facing.
In summary, a beautiful book which I wholeheartedly recommend.
“American Love Story” is the third volume in Adriana Herrera’s “Dreamers” series, and by far the strongest. “Dreamers” is about a group of friends who are all immigrants, and it’s very much about their experience in the US. Its strength lies in in conveying that experience, and in creating a cast of characters that feels like a group of friends you wish you had.
This book focuses on Patrice, a Haitian immigrant and new professor at Cornell University, and Easton, who is white, rich and the assistant DA in Ithaca. Patrice is very active in the Black Lives Matter movement, and as such cannot help but feel like a relationship with Easton would mean compromising his beliefs, while Easton struggles with having to constantly fulfil other people’s expectations. They’re both very much attracted to each other, but circumstances for their relationship to work are less than ideal.
It’s a very smart book that doesn’t gloss over the difficulties of a relationship like Patrice and Easton’s, but it’s both realistic and hopeful, which is my favourite thing. I like how Herrera manages to show that Patrice, too, has to change, without him having to compromise with regards to the causes he fights for.
For me, the whole series shines when it comes to showing the immigrant experience and what they can bring to any country. All three books made me realise things I wasn’t previously aware of, and this book especially made me realise how my white privilege works without me ever being aware of it. They made me think about a lot of things, which is another thing I love.
I remember complaining about it feeling like there was too much information dumping going on in book two, and in the beginning I was going to say something similar for this one, but then I realised something. At this point, there aren’t that many books like these, and as such, there is still a lot of knowledge that needs to be established for people like me. Like, there is no need to explain what Thanksgiving or Valentine’s day is, but there is at this point a need to explain the significance of Soup Joumou. Until we get to a point where there are enough books about people who would eat Soup Joumou, the books about them are probably going to feel a bit infodumping, but that is not the books’ or the writers’ fault. (I hope I am making sense and what I am trying to get across is actually coming across.) I really need there to be more books like these, about people from all kinds of background, is what I am saying. I want more diversity in my romances.
Speaking of romance, that is admittedly where the books’ weaknesses lie for me. This is because of the way the relationships and the conflicts are set up - the characters’ mutual attraction is always established from the beginning. As someone who prefers UST and a super slow burn, it’s simply not what I like, but that is not a fault of the books. I also think that the way the relationships are set up make more sense for the stories Herrera is trying to tell, so, again, not a criticism, just an observation.
And while it may be true that I didn’t feel the kind of “spark” I prefer in romance, I absolutely love these characters. Nesto, Camilo, Patrice and Juanpa are wonderful, as are their mothers and families and friends and love interests. I love reading series about people that feel real, and about people I would love to hang out with, and Adriana Herrera has definitely created that here. And since she is getting better with each book, I cannot wait for what comes next.
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
This book focuses on Patrice, a Haitian immigrant and new professor at Cornell University, and Easton, who is white, rich and the assistant DA in Ithaca. Patrice is very active in the Black Lives Matter movement, and as such cannot help but feel like a relationship with Easton would mean compromising his beliefs, while Easton struggles with having to constantly fulfil other people’s expectations. They’re both very much attracted to each other, but circumstances for their relationship to work are less than ideal.
It’s a very smart book that doesn’t gloss over the difficulties of a relationship like Patrice and Easton’s, but it’s both realistic and hopeful, which is my favourite thing. I like how Herrera manages to show that Patrice, too, has to change, without him having to compromise with regards to the causes he fights for.
For me, the whole series shines when it comes to showing the immigrant experience and what they can bring to any country. All three books made me realise things I wasn’t previously aware of, and this book especially made me realise how my white privilege works without me ever being aware of it. They made me think about a lot of things, which is another thing I love.
I remember complaining about it feeling like there was too much information dumping going on in book two, and in the beginning I was going to say something similar for this one, but then I realised something. At this point, there aren’t that many books like these, and as such, there is still a lot of knowledge that needs to be established for people like me. Like, there is no need to explain what Thanksgiving or Valentine’s day is, but there is at this point a need to explain the significance of Soup Joumou. Until we get to a point where there are enough books about people who would eat Soup Joumou, the books about them are probably going to feel a bit infodumping, but that is not the books’ or the writers’ fault. (I hope I am making sense and what I am trying to get across is actually coming across.) I really need there to be more books like these, about people from all kinds of background, is what I am saying. I want more diversity in my romances.
Speaking of romance, that is admittedly where the books’ weaknesses lie for me. This is because of the way the relationships and the conflicts are set up - the characters’ mutual attraction is always established from the beginning. As someone who prefers UST and a super slow burn, it’s simply not what I like, but that is not a fault of the books. I also think that the way the relationships are set up make more sense for the stories Herrera is trying to tell, so, again, not a criticism, just an observation.
And while it may be true that I didn’t feel the kind of “spark” I prefer in romance, I absolutely love these characters. Nesto, Camilo, Patrice and Juanpa are wonderful, as are their mothers and families and friends and love interests. I love reading series about people that feel real, and about people I would love to hang out with, and Adriana Herrera has definitely created that here. And since she is getting better with each book, I cannot wait for what comes next.
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
Definitely includes triggers for police violence and racism. Was an incredible story of two men falling in love and struggling to find their way together in a real and complicated world. Beautiful HEA.
I loved this story so much! Reading it right now is also so timely. I really didn't expect going into this to have such a current story. With all the protests going on against the police, with BLM and the movement pushing for more awareness. I loved how this book made me think and brought awareness to the struggles black men go through everyday. The juxtaposition of a black professor very present with his activism and a white prosecutor with the DA's office, so perfect.
First of all I love Patrice. He's struggled and pulled himself up to become a respected professor. He fought hard for his degrees. He's well respected in the activist community. He takes his presence and platform incredibly seriously. I really enjoyed how his internal struggle was never over his feelings for Easton, but how to reconcile those feelings with Easton's profession and his position in his community.
This storyline pits Patrice and Easton against each other right as they're reconnecting with each other. When the local police start pulling over young men of color in bogus stops the community is looking for someone to speak up and do something before things can escalate. Easton is stuck between a rock and a hard place, truly believing that the DA's office should speak up but he's only an assistant DA and his boss doesn't want to rock the boat with the relationship they have with the sheriff's office. Patrice wants someone to step up and speak out against what's happening. He's looking for more from Easton, but the real trouble is that he doesn't trust easily and hasn't really given him a chance.
I really liked the back and forth with these two. Easton is so sweet and patient. He gives Patrice the space to come to him and provides him a stable framework. He's like the perfect balance to Patrice. He really cares and wants to do better, to be educated on how he can be a better ally. Loved this story and loved how it made me think and provided a broader picture for my own understanding.
First of all I love Patrice. He's struggled and pulled himself up to become a respected professor. He fought hard for his degrees. He's well respected in the activist community. He takes his presence and platform incredibly seriously. I really enjoyed how his internal struggle was never over his feelings for Easton, but how to reconcile those feelings with Easton's profession and his position in his community.
This storyline pits Patrice and Easton against each other right as they're reconnecting with each other. When the local police start pulling over young men of color in bogus stops the community is looking for someone to speak up and do something before things can escalate. Easton is stuck between a rock and a hard place, truly believing that the DA's office should speak up but he's only an assistant DA and his boss doesn't want to rock the boat with the relationship they have with the sheriff's office. Patrice wants someone to step up and speak out against what's happening. He's looking for more from Easton, but the real trouble is that he doesn't trust easily and hasn't really given him a chance.
I really liked the back and forth with these two. Easton is so sweet and patient. He gives Patrice the space to come to him and provides him a stable framework. He's like the perfect balance to Patrice. He really cares and wants to do better, to be educated on how he can be a better ally. Loved this story and loved how it made me think and provided a broader picture for my own understanding.
I was a big guy, people usually approached with caution, but Easton came to me like he was coming home.
Ohhhhhh this one got me good. I've been loving all of Herrera's romances that deal with Dreamers, and I found this one especially appealing. Two guys who are bad at emotions in different ways (though Patrice takes the cake and then some), a long year of pining between meeting and reuniting, learning to trust and let go, all against a backdrop of escalating racially motivated traffic stops in the city. Real life issues belong in books and I'm glad to see them, but sometimes they can be... idk clumsily written? Not here; I think the author did a fantastic job. These events were motivated by real life, and they weren't written in like, a flowery and OTT way; just facts. There was one moment that was so tense and scary and well-written, it had me on the edge of my seat (even though in the back of my mind I was like "It's a romance novel! It'll be fine! Probably..."). I adored Patrice and Easton. Patrice's hot and cold routine in the first parts of the book were frustrating, but ultimately understandable, given the kind of person he is, so reluctant to open up. I'm glad Easton didn't take it all lying down. And without getting spoilery, I'm gladder that the issue of privilege was handled in such a competent, pragmatic way. Easton wasn't coddled, and he also wasn't just a stock white dude.
I really like how things tied up, and I loved all of their intimate moments and how close they became, even when Patrice was being a butt. There were some lovely sentiments about love and relationships throughout. And the B plot kiddos were so cute. T__T
Really well done.
Ohhhhhh this one got me good. I've been loving all of Herrera's romances that deal with Dreamers, and I found this one especially appealing. Two guys who are bad at emotions in different ways (though Patrice takes the cake and then some), a long year of pining between meeting and reuniting, learning to trust and let go, all against a backdrop of escalating racially motivated traffic stops in the city. Real life issues belong in books and I'm glad to see them, but sometimes they can be... idk clumsily written? Not here; I think the author did a fantastic job. These events were motivated by real life, and they weren't written in like, a flowery and OTT way; just facts. There was one moment that was so tense and scary and well-written, it had me on the edge of my seat (even though in the back of my mind I was like "It's a romance novel! It'll be fine! Probably..."). I adored Patrice and Easton. Patrice's hot and cold routine in the first parts of the book were frustrating, but ultimately understandable, given the kind of person he is, so reluctant to open up. I'm glad Easton didn't take it all lying down. And without getting spoilery, I'm gladder that the issue of privilege was handled in such a competent, pragmatic way. Easton wasn't coddled, and he also wasn't just a stock white dude.
I really like how things tied up, and I loved all of their intimate moments and how close they became, even when Patrice was being a butt. There were some lovely sentiments about love and relationships throughout. And the B plot kiddos were so cute. T__T
Really well done.