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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
Adriana Herrera writes a steamy sex scene! So for those of you underprepared for that, get a fan and a cold towel, because this one has some scorchers.
Nesto and Jude are complex thoughtful three-dimensional characters that made me want to immediately eat some Afro-Caribbean food (must find this food truck NOW!) and reach for the second book in this series.
I liked these people, the way they react to the world, how they give each other chances to apologize and correct behaviors. I like books with a reasonable confrontation and resolution, considering that the book is about adults.
It even made me say "Ithaca sounds nice". (I've been to Ithaca and it did not feel as special as what I read).
Thank you Adriana Herrera for these people and a glimpse into their lives.
Nesto and Jude are complex thoughtful three-dimensional characters that made me want to immediately eat some Afro-Caribbean food (must find this food truck NOW!) and reach for the second book in this series.
I liked these people, the way they react to the world, how they give each other chances to apologize and correct behaviors. I like books with a reasonable confrontation and resolution, considering that the book is about adults.
It even made me say "Ithaca sounds nice". (I've been to Ithaca and it did not feel as special as what I read).
Thank you Adriana Herrera for these people and a glimpse into their lives.
Hard to even articulate how much I loved this. Sweet, resonant, real-seeming characters, a whole queer chosen family PLUS really awesome bio family stuff, incredible food descriptions (I could have had even more, to be honest, but I could always have more food stuff), sexy, great place details, and absolutely achieved emotional justice. Ticked all my boxes. I can’t wait to read AMERICAN FAIRYTALE!!
3.5 Stars
Super easy and fast read and I loved the characters. But it almost felt too fast and forced at points, I would have liked a little more time with the characters. I loved the premise and Jude and Nesto are the best
Super easy and fast read and I loved the characters. But it almost felt too fast and forced at points, I would have liked a little more time with the characters. I loved the premise and Jude and Nesto are the best
American Dreamer is one of those books that I read then kick myself in the butt for not getting to it sooner. I loved everything about this book, the family and friendships, the Latinx rep, the food truck and most importantly Nesto and Jude. I love their funny meet cute, attempt to be friends and their relationship. This book does check off all of my romance book boxes, the banter was on point, the sweetness of Jude and the swoon Nesto brought was top notch, and the steam was through the roof. This was the perfect quick, fun summer read!
TW for homophobia, racism, death of family member(s), cancer
TW for homophobia, racism, death of family member(s), cancer
A little late to the wonder that is this book, but so happy I finally read it!
Representation Matters!
This is how POC characters should be written. This is why more POC authors are desperately needed. I love how Nesto, Jude and all of the characters felt real. These are people I could have went to school or work with. Herrera to fall back on stereotypical description of Nesto. I’m so tired of reading stories where men, especially darker skinned men, are described as a bull or gorilla or some other derogatory term. The love story was perfect. It felt real and believable. I can’t wait to start the next book in the series.
This is how POC characters should be written. This is why more POC authors are desperately needed. I love how Nesto, Jude and all of the characters felt real. These are people I could have went to school or work with. Herrera to fall back on stereotypical description of Nesto. I’m so tired of reading stories where men, especially darker skinned men, are described as a bull or gorilla or some other derogatory term. The love story was perfect. It felt real and believable. I can’t wait to start the next book in the series.
A romance novel featuring the Afro-Latinx (in this book, Dominican) experience, with mouthwatering descriptions of Caribbean food. Seriously, why do I live so far away from food like that? Ugh.
The positives: the food. A unique (for the genre) perspective. A focus on family, friends, and found family. Descriptions (albeit somewhat shallow ones) of hard-hitting issues like racism, xenophobia, and homophobia insofar as it relates to religion. And what truly makes this story shine: lots of immigrants and refugees.
The negatives: a very two-dimensional villain who just sort of vanishes. Uneven perspectives - Jude reads like Nesto. Sort of strange/uneven descriptions that show a need for a more careful editing; for example, Nesto is "a head taller" than Jude, who we later find out is 5'10". So what is Nesto then? Like 6'6"? If he were that tall, surely the author would have mentioned it?
Anyways, it's not a bad story (I'm debating whether to up the rating to 4 stars, actually) but it needed some editing. I'll read more in this series.
The positives: the food. A unique (for the genre) perspective. A focus on family, friends, and found family. Descriptions (albeit somewhat shallow ones) of hard-hitting issues like racism, xenophobia, and homophobia insofar as it relates to religion. And what truly makes this story shine: lots of immigrants and refugees.
The negatives: a very two-dimensional villain who just sort of vanishes. Uneven perspectives - Jude reads like Nesto. Sort of strange/uneven descriptions that show a need for a more careful editing; for example, Nesto is "a head taller" than Jude, who we later find out is 5'10". So what is Nesto then? Like 6'6"? If he were that tall, surely the author would have mentioned it?
Anyways, it's not a bad story (I'm debating whether to up the rating to 4 stars, actually) but it needed some editing. I'll read more in this series.
I love this author's writing style. Nesto's family & friends are so great. They are loud and loving and so supportive. They also do not allow wallowing or asshole-ishness.
Jude comes from such a different place. His family completely disowned him when he came out. His church threw him out. It didn't work out with the boy he loved and he does not trust anyone to be there when he needs them.
Both of them have issues and have big life things going on. Neither has been good at relationships before.
I think this is the first M/M I've read where both men are cinnamon roles. Yes Nesto is masculine but he has such a smooshy center. He is loving and kind and so supportive. He does have some issues with being hyperfocused on success but he is not alpha at all.
Jude has hidden so much of himself for a lot of his life. He has been taught that he cannot count on people to be there when he needs them. He is smart and sexy and a little shy. I love how he flirts with Nesto, especially in Spanish.
All of the circumstances around these two were so real. The connections, the mistakes, the pain, and the way they come back together. It is not over the top dram. It is not a ton of miscommunication. There are mistakes and then apologies.
Loved it all so much. I can't wait to read the next book.
Jude comes from such a different place. His family completely disowned him when he came out. His church threw him out. It didn't work out with the boy he loved and he does not trust anyone to be there when he needs them.
Both of them have issues and have big life things going on. Neither has been good at relationships before.
I think this is the first M/M I've read where both men are cinnamon roles. Yes Nesto is masculine but he has such a smooshy center. He is loving and kind and so supportive. He does have some issues with being hyperfocused on success but he is not alpha at all.
Jude has hidden so much of himself for a lot of his life. He has been taught that he cannot count on people to be there when he needs them. He is smart and sexy and a little shy. I love how he flirts with Nesto, especially in Spanish.
All of the circumstances around these two were so real. The connections, the mistakes, the pain, and the way they come back together. It is not over the top dram. It is not a ton of miscommunication. There are mistakes and then apologies.
Loved it all so much. I can't wait to read the next book.
Sweet, gentle, and steamy romance between two guys in Ithaca, NY. I love that area and it was delightful to recognize tons of local details. There are also trucks, one for library books and one for Afro-Caribbean fusion burritos, so total catnip for me, specifically.