American Love Story

Dreamers #3

by Adriana Herrera

No one should have to choose between love and justice.

Haitian-born professor and activist Patrice Denis is not here for anything that will veer him off the path he's worked so hard for. One particularly dangerous distraction: Easton Archer, the assistant district attorney who last summer gave Patrice some of the most intense nights of his life, and still makes him all but forget they're from two completely different worlds.

All-around golden boy Easton forged his own path to success, choosing public service over the comforts of his family's wealth. With local law enforcement unfairly targeting young men of color, and his career--and conscience--on the line, now is hardly the time to be thirsting after Patrice again. Even if their nights together have turned into so much more.

For the first time, Patrice is tempted to open up and embrace the happiness he's always denied himself. But as tensions between the community and the sheriff's office grow by the day, Easton's personal and professional lives collide. And when the issue at hand hits closer to home than either could imagine, they'll have to work to forge a path forward...together.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, M M Romance, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Queer

Audio CD

First published October 7, 2019

About the author

USA Today bestselling author ADRIANA HERRERA was born and raised in the Caribbean, but for the last 15 years has let her job (and her spouse) take her all over the world. She loves writing stories about people who look and sound like her people, getting unapologetic happy endings.

Her debut Dreamers, has been featured on Entertainment Weekly, NPR, the TODAY Show on NBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Oprah Magazine.

When she's not dreaming up love stories, planning logistically complex vacations with her family or hunting for discount Broadway tickets, she’s a social worker in New York City, working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

Third in this strong series about the US immigrant experience. Patrice is Haitian-born and has overcome a traumatic childhood to become a professor at an Ivy League college in Ithaca. He's an activist and passionate about Black Lives Matters and racial justice. He's also both exhausted and exhausting: he makes huge demands of himself and others, as activists do, and the result is that he's denying himself a personal life and putting a lot of expectation on people.

Easton is a white moneyed DA who benefits from massive privilege and, while believing in social justice, is also very much part of the system. He's also got a lot of issues stemming from rejection and a horrible judgemental father. So Patrice's judgeyness and hair-trigger rejection of people for failing to meet his standards are particularly bad for Easton.

This is a terrifically complicated situation and the author handles it well. Patrice is *right* to be angry, to be loud about injustice, to demand better, but he's also not having a good impact on people around him or on himself, and his tendency to judge means he makes mistakes. Easton is privileged but that doesn't mean his genuine pain doesn't matter or that it's OK for Patrice to put emotional pressure on him to be perfect. ("I can't be in a relationship where I'm constantly one mistake from being iced out.") The personal *is* political, but political people need personal lives too. And the fact that Patrice needs to go easier on people is very clearly shown not to be a principle of general application--there's a major plot thread about racially motivated traffic stops where the police chief is keen to go easy on the perpetrators rather than 'cause more trouble' and that is very much not OK at all.

Basically, this is a book that raises really complicated questions and doesn't try to offer glib or easy answers. I loved that. Easton and Patrice have a powerful attraction that's more than just sexual, though there's a lot of sex: we can see what keeps drawing them together, and the slow process of Easton realising he is not doing nearly enough to improve the wider world, and Patrice realising that he's got to strike a better balance in his personal life, for his own sake as well as that of his lover and friends.

It's a rare romance that ends with the MCs aware that the work on their relationship is really only just starting, but that just shows the intelligence of this one. It very much reflects the exhaustion that pretty much anyone who cares about social justice is feeling right now, but it never loses hope that we can make things better. And hope is what romance is all about.

I had an ARC from the author.

[Olivia-Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, Herrera was NOT PLAYING with this book. It is intense. She brought the game up to the next level, and I cannot wait to discuss this one. While it is the third one in a series, it’s a companion series so you don’t have to read them in order. This is an NA, m/m romance. One of the love interests is Haitian, so we get some Latinx black representation and a interracial couple.

The first we need to talk about is the subject matter here. Honestly, the romance takes a back seat in comparison to what is going on with the thematic discussion. Easton, one of the love interests, works for the law. He takes SVU cases which is already a very difficult job. He also comes from old money and is a trust fund baby. But he is painfully aware of his privilege as well. On the other side of the story we have Patrice, our other love interest. He’s a refugee, a black man, and very aware of his roots, history and the suffering of black people face in present day America. In their city, POC are getting stopped by police while driving. This is occurring when Easton starts to fall for Patrice, who is an activist against racism. Though they may fancy each other, Patrice thinks Easton’s justice system is failing him and his people. And Easton feels like he has limited power (remember, it’s not his unit) so… as well as a lot of romantic tension, they have all these political happenings to deal with too.


It’s intense. Adriana Herrera takes this heavy topic head on and she is relentless. We get to see examples of what is happening and feel all the emotions too. We get to see Patrice and Easton talking about the difficulties of their relationship and how to move forward… if they even can. And we both see them doing what they think is right. But what pleasantly surprised me is that they both make mistakes. They both have a lot to learn about what it means to be a good ally and also to accept of help. I appreciated that.

Simultaneously, we have a side focus on what it means to be a refugee, and the difficulties many refugees face. We see that reflected in Patrice and Ari’s history. We also get to see Ari and Yin dealing with homophobia. It’s a side storyline but I did want to mention it because I felt like it was handled well for something that is not the focus.


I do need to talk about the romance, because, well, this is a new adult romance. To be honest, I felt like the romance definitely took a backseat here in this one. I didn’t particularly mind because the contemporary themes were so relevant. But I did like the romance well enough. The explicit scenes weren’t to my taste, but that’s my personal taste – they are not bad. You’ll probably like them more than me. But the use of ‘that’ in certain situations bothers me. ‘That big hand’ or ‘that strong shoulder’… It’s a technicality of writing style which takes me out of the moment and feels dissociative to me.

I have always loved these books for the strong bromance friendships, and the mother-son relationships we get to see. This book shows both of them again! I loved it. We see it a little less than in the other book but it’s okay. Herrera was busy tackling a massive and important topic here, so I understand completely. And it was still included so I was satisfied.


I’m starting to realise the epic grovel is definitely a theme in her books. I love that you never know who needs to epic grovel, and can’t guess. Not only epic grovelling in the romance storylines, but sometimes in the friendships too. I feel like it is rarely who you would expect to mess it up. And lastly, that epilogue was so healthy? It was very unlike a lot of other romance I read and I was grateful to see it. All in all, grabby hands for the fourth book because I need that ASAP.

This review and others can originally be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2019/0...

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS]

Dnf @ 74% I tried 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this an A- at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars rounded up.

Adriana Herrera’s  Dreamers , a series about a group of four Afro-Latinx friends who live and work in and around New York, seems to get better and better with each book.   American Love Story  is the third instalment and I loved it.  It’s complex and romantic while remaining grounded in reality; the two leads are principled men who come from completely different worlds and their HEA is hard work and hard won; the secondary characters are well-rounded and the relationships between them well-written, and I loved the romance, which is intense, sexy, angsty, tender and superbly developed.  On top of all that, the author tackles some difficult topics – institutionalised racism among them – and takes a long, hard look at the immigrant experience in the US, and does it so skilfully that the reader is completely drawn into the world she has created. There are no info-dumps or soapboxes here, just a damn good story that isn’t afraid of telling some unpleasant truths while also telling a tale of love, friendship, shared experience and shared ideals.

Around a year before this story begins, Haitian born Patrice Denis, a Black economics professor and activist, met Assistant District Attorney Easton Archer, and the insanely hot chemistry between them led to some insanely hot hook-ups.  At the end of his visit to Ithaca (to help his friend Nesto (American Dreamer) set up his business) Patrice went back home and that was that – except now, he’s accepted a tenure-track position at Columbia University, and even though he strenuously denies it when his friends tease him about his having moved to Ithaca because he wants to reconnect with Easton, deep down, Patrice can’t help but admit – to himself – that there is perhaps just a tiny kernel of truth to their teasing.  But anyway, it doesn’t matter. Even though Patrice is completely captivated by Easton all over again the moment he sets eyes on him once more, there’s no possibility of anything long-term happening between them. They’re too different; he a black immigrant who has worked doubly hard for everything he has, Easton from a background of wealth and white privilege; he a long-time activist for racial justice, Easton part of the system which is failing people of colour so badly. No, being with Easton would mean compromises Patrice just isn’t prepared to make.

Easton is still desperately attracted to Patrice, and senses the reverse is true, but he remembers Patrice’s tendency to keep him slightly at a distance and to close himself off when things get too heavy, so Easton doesn’t push.  He makes his interest clear and waits for Patrice to come to him – which Patrice eventually does, and they resume their physical relationship, but this time, they start to spend time together out of bed as well as in it, and to Easton’s delight (and Patrice’s confusion) start to get to know each other properly, talk about some of the issues that have arisen between them and are building a real relationship.  The connection between them is as strong as it ever was, and they take care to communicate with each other, but even so, it’s not easy or simple. Patrice can be very judgmental, and holds everyone –including himself – to an incredibly high standard, not taking time for himself, feeling he doesn’t deserve to be happy while there is still so much of the good fight to be fought.  He’s passionate in his beliefs, and he’s right to be angry about the injustice faced by Black and Brown people on a daily basis – but he’s also exhausting to be around, and his desire for perfection takes a serious toll on his relationship with Easton, who feels like he’s constantly treading on eggshells around him:

“I can’t be in a relationship where I’m constantly one mistake from being iced out.”

The big external conflict in the story comes when the local police in start performing more traffic stops than usual on young men of colour. Easton is every bit as furious about what’s going on as Patrice is, but is in a tricky situation. He wants to talk to the sheriff and make it clear the situation is unacceptable and must stop, but he’s ordered to take a softly-softly approach by his boss, who doesn’t want to rock the boat and lose the support of local law enforcement. Easton is a good man and a highly respected lawyer who cares passionately about justice and has built a reputation for aggressively prosecuting cases of sexual assault and domestic violence; he wants to see the officers responsible for the stops receive more than a slap on the wrist and to suggest that the department should have some anti-racism training. But his hands are tied and he’s forced to sit back and wait. Patrice recognises Easton’s frustration and appreciates his desire to do more, but he doesn’t have the luxury of being able to wait and see, a fact that’s brought home to Easton in a forceful and scary way.

Patrice and Easton are two complex, flawed and very well-realised characters, and while there’s no question they care for each other deeply, the author doesn’t gloss over the difficulties inherent in their relationship. In spite of their intense and powerful mutual attraction, Patrice feels, deep down, that being with Easton will mean having to compromise his beliefs, while Easton struggles under the weight of expectation placed upon him by those around him, including his incredibly judgmental father and his boss, who is trying to persuade him to run for DA. Much as he wants to be with Patrice, he slowly comes to the realisation that he can never live up to his expectations and that he can’t be in a relationship with someone who won’t meet him halfway.

“I can’t keep getting pushed away every time things go awry. My parents have made me feel like I wasn’t enough, my whole life. I can’t do that with you too…”

Both men learn new things about themselves, each other and the world around them as a result of their association. Easton, who has worked hard against injustice, comes to see there’s even more he can do, while Patrice has to learn that his insistence on perfection isn’t having a good effect on those around him and that he needs to achieve a better balance in his life if he’s not to run himself into the ground. When the novel ends, it’s clear that Patrice and Easton are in it for the long haul, and committed to making things work between them – and work it is; American Love Story is quite possibly the only romance I’ve ever read that ends with the central couple acknowledging that that work is just beginning.

As with the other novels in the series, there’s much to enjoy in addition to the complex, well-written romance. The supporting cast is strongly characterised and the relationships between them are brilliantly drawn; these guys would do anything for one another and know they have each other’s backs, no matter what. Ms. Herrera has created a group of relatable, engaging individuals and continues to portray their experiences as immigrants to the US with incredible insight, showing clearly what they bring to the table and their passion for what they do.

If you’re already following this series, then you’ll need no encouragement from me to pick up American Love Story as soon as it’s released; if you haven’t, then it can be read as a standalone (all the books in the series can), or you could just hop back to American Dreamer and start there. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very very sad I only have one book left to read in this series (at least until nov gets here!)

[Leigh Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adriana Herrera’s Dreamers series is a standout of the year for me. I knew this, the third book, was going to be good but it's truly excellent. This is how you write intersectional feminist romance. It made me so happy!

Patrice and Easton shared a hot summer fling but now that they live in the same place, their differences loom before them, seemingly preventing that fling from becoming anything more. Patrice is a Haitian-born economics professor and activist, while Easton is a white assistant district attorney whose hands feel tied while the sheriff’s department targets People of Color who are driving. There’s no way Patrice can stay silent while this injustice persists. As much as Easton hates what is happening, his boss has ordered him to stand down.

As far as external conflicts go, this is quite the quandary. No matter how attracted they are to one another, racial injustice matters to Patrice on a visceral and personal level as a Black man. He has to decide what he needs from a partner. Easton, of course, needs to do this as well but the stakes are irrevocably higher for Patrice and he doesn’t want to have to educate Easton on what he should do. At the same time, as a privileged white man, Easton isn’t always going to get it right, even when he tries his best, and he will inevitably disappoint Patrice if Patrice insists on perfection. These are the questions they must address: Are they on the same page ideologically? And if they are, what external proof do they each need in order to see they can overcome their differences?

I loved how open and honest they were about their fears with this relationship. In addition to their racial differences, they have to address the power dynamics and class differences, especially as Easton becomes Patrice’s landlord. It was refreshing to see how they navigated the different obstacles once they decided to give their relationship a real go.

But romance doesn’t solve everything, alas. The plot deftly explores racial injustice, immigration, and what it looks like to make our communities and world a better place without taking a personal toll. From the side characters to the plot choices, Herrera’s experience as a social worker shines through, making sure each person’s agency is front and center. When Easton and Patrice’s issues inevitably clash, she imbues them with humanity and compassion. No one is off the hook but no one is beyond redemption either.

There are no easy answers to the questions plaguing our country these days. (Well, there are answers to some of those questions but unfortunately not everyone yet agrees.) As such, there are no neat and tidy answers in this story. But it’s a necessary one. We need to see happy endings for activists and PoC and queer people that much more. No matter the struggle, love is love and we all deserve to love and be loved in return. American Love Story is a triumph in that regard.

The epilogue further cements just what Herrera has accomplished in Patrice and Easton’s love story. It shows them doing their couples therapy homework. Even though they're good together, there's still plenty they're going to have to work through and it was refreshing and necessary to see them actually doing that necessary work.

CW: racism, microaggressions, police aggression, racial profiling, reference to coup in Haiti, political asylum, immigration, past infidelity, homophobia, toxic uncle, parental abandonment, Driving While Black, past forced outing

Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[.Lili. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adriana Herrera has been my stand-out new to me author of the year. Her stories are relevant and real, and this third installment of her Dreamers series was no different. American Love Story is about fear, honesty, activism, trust. It's more than just a romance.

Highlights:

-Activism. American Love story touches on diversity, immigration, racial injustice, equality. All topics that are important today. The best part of all this is that Adriana Herrera touches on all these topics without becoming preachy.

-Romance. Patrice and Easton had their work cut out! Even though I knew it'd work out at the end - I was questioning how they'd be able to make it work? Just like in real life, relationships aren't easy, and they require work. AH made these guys work hard, and it was so satisfying how realistic it was.

-Chemistry. Off the charts! I knew it'd be hot between Patrice and Easton. The past two books had indeed built up my expectations for their story, and they did not disappoint.

-Interracial romance.

-Second chance.

-The end was unconventional for romance and but it's one that many couples today will be able to relate- and I think give them hope.

As a Colombian immigrant living in the United States, a POC, in an interracial marriage, this series has been everything. American Love Story is my favorite of the series thus far. Fantastic writing, highly recommend it.

5 Stars

[Sahitya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was intense af and that’s all I want to say about it. The author does a great job tackling so many important issues like police brutality and discrimination against black people, the plight of refugees, and homophobia giving each of these the thoughtful representation that they deserve. And all the while, she also deftly manages to include a fascinating romance between two people from opposite backgrounds but similar values.

I thoroughly loved the experience of reading this book but I have to say I’m still reeling from that one particular intense scene from the story and I just don’t know to describe more of my feelings. Just go pick up this book because it’s important and lovely.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Love Story is the third book in Adriana Herrera’s Dreamers series of contemporary m/m romance novels. I was so excited about the opportunity to read this book because I absolutely loved the first two books in the series about a group of guys from NYC who all have Caribbean heritage; they’ve been friends since middle/high school, and now one by one, they’re finding their happily ever afters. I’ve been waiting to see how Patrice and Easton’s story was going to play out ever since Herrera dropped hints about them in American Dreamer. So, needless to say, I was ridiculously excited to finally get to read their story.

Patrice has just started a job as a professor at Cornell economics professor, and returning to Ithaca brings him back in contact with Easton, a local lawyer. Patrice and Easton had a short-term attachment about a year ago, when Patrice was helping his friend Nesto get his food truck up and running in Ithaca. Patrice and Easton’s chemistry was off the charts hot, but things dissolved when Patrice returned to the City.

So can they just pick up where they left off?

Ideally, yes, but it’s not that simple. Patrice, who is Haitian-American, finds himself having to justify his Twitter activism when he speaks out against a variety of social issues, including the alarmingly high number of African-American men being pulled over by local police for no reason.

And Easton, who works as a DA, comes from a completely different background: he’s white, his family is moneyed, and he owns the apartment building Patrice moves into. He acknowledges the problems with the police, and wants to do something to help, but it’s different when considering the issue in an abstract sense.

At times, the issues they face seem insurmountable, and Patrice and Easton have to work through need if they’re going to fight for their love.

This book has so much to say about race, politics, immigration, activism, and finding one’s place in the world. Patrice’s outrage at the injustices he sees is visceral, making this the most emotionally evocative entry in the series.

As a fan of the series, I appreciated the chance to see some of the characters from previous books, and as much as I loved the secondary romance, I really hope those two get their own book eventually.

I would absolutely recommend American Love Story. Readers should start at the beginning of the series in order to fully appreciate the character arcs. But really- an Ivy League economics professor as a romantic lead? Yes please! And I’ve gotta say- there’s a small preview for the fourth book, American Sweethearts, can't wait to read it.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 fuck it I'm rounding up.
Now gimme a novella of their first times. Pretty fucking please

[Xan]

I'm going to review this soon, but I want to say that I loved it a lot, & really appreciated the complexity & nuance in the story & this is my fave so far in a v strong series.

[Adri · Rating 5 out of 5]

TWs: systemic racism, racially targeted traffic stops, & peripheral homophobia

My heart is legit SOARING 💕

American Love Story is aptly titled, because it's a story that shines light on what it means to love in America today. Folx have to ask themselves: Does my partner believe in what I believe in? Do we respect and understand each other's lived experiences? Do we acknowledge that good, healthy love takes work in this day and age?

Patrice and Easton come from very different backgrounds, to say the least. Patrice is a Haitian-American immigrant, activist, and newly-hired professor raised by a single mom in poverty for a majority of his childhood, while Easton is a white, moneyed, trust-fund type going against the grain in his family as a dedicated assistant DA. As someone who's had to be on guard his whole life, Patrice has to learn not to cheat himself out of happiness and how to allow Easton to work through his shortcomings and mistakes rather than villifying him. And while Easton realizes that his privilege does not negate his pain, he also has to put in a lot of work to sharpen his awareness and use his privilege to make a difference.

We can't afford to shut out the people who hold it down when things get tough, and that notion is definitely tested as these characters endure hardships within their local community. Furthermore, this story shows how powerful it is to feel safe enough to vocalize what you want, the kind of bravery it takes to show someone your heart and know that they value it completely and are willing to work for it.

This is an amazing social commentary that doesn't pull punches and addresses the uncomfortable parts of dismantling injustice in this country, and it shows how the political is personal, but more importantly how loving other people out loud is the most deeply political thing we can do. I absolutely cannot wait to read all of the other Dreamers books and get filled up with as much joy as I got from American Love Story!

**Note: I was sent an ARC by the author for review. All opinions are my own.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a huge fan of this series, exploring the US immigrant experience, since reading book #1 – American Dreamer. I think Herrera is writing some of the most complex, realistic romance out there right now and American Love Story kicks it up yet another notch.

Patrice, a Haitian-born activist, moves to Ithaca, NY to become an Ivy League professor & possibly to see where things go if he just so happens to run into his former hookup, DA – Easton Archer. Which, because of mutual friends, he does. But things don’t go smoothly despite their intense chemistry.

Easton comes from money and privilege and is considering a run for ADA. Although he’s a good man and aggressively prosecutes cases of domestic violence and sexual assault – he feels fairly helpless and when it comes to a string of racially profiled traffic stops in his town. It’s not that he doesn’t care or that he doesn’t see what’s happening - but he’s able to take a wait and see attitude (in deference to his superiors) because it doesn’t affect him. Until it does. Being with Patrice, opens his eyes to a system that he believes in but now sees that he can and must to do better.

But man, is it a struggle to get to. Patrice, as a Black Lives Matters activist, struggles in a way that I think is very common for most people involved in social justice or other causes. He’s angry and fighting the good fight but at a personal cost to himself. It’s hard to balance that activism and let yourself be happy when there’s so much work to do. Especially, if you feel like the person you love, is in position to help, could do more - faster. He has so much on his plate and constantly feels like he has to be on top of everything, be better than his white counterparts and never let anyone down. There’s also a fair amount of, not shame, but in letting Easton learn how he and his mom escaped the Haitian Revolution to come to the US, that he might be deemed not good enough or judge his mom - who Patrice loves more than anything.

Patrice tends try to get ahead of being let down or rejected by having high standards. In doing so, he judges others too harshly for not meeting them and, instead lets them down. As he does with Easton over and over again. Easton has always been judged and deemed lacking by his father and Patrice’s constant judgement both awakens Easton to the big picture but also cuts deep at an already exposed wound.

I’ve always mentioned, in my previous reviews for the series, how fast this author gets the relationship going and then throws in the obstacles and makes them earn the HEA. Well, these two are almost doomed from the start but Herrera deftly unpacks all the issues one by one and builds this beautiful and solid relationship.

Yes, they hurt each other but both men are willing to take advice (from the wonderful supporting characters – a BIG feature in this series) and grow, say they’re sorry and do the work. They even go to couples counseling – something rare in romance where great sexual chemistry seems to solve all ills.

A few other things I want to touch on quick because there are so many things this book does well….

Privilege – some people take this word as an insult or get defensive but American Love Story shows that it doesn’t mean you haven’t or can’t experience pain or that it’s less than just because you have privilege. Patrice learns that Easton’s privilege certainly didn’t protect him from his father or mean that he can’t understand or learn empathy for others. And Easton learns that his privilege allows him faster access to certain situations and solutions that Patrice and PoC just don’t have in their fight against injustice. It’s not about hurling it as an insult or judgement but leveraging it to help uplift others.

Activism – I was very involved in animal welfare (shelter work) years ago, and it was so completely draining that I didn’t even want to look at an animal for years & it made me hate people. Social justice and activism – even if it’s done casually - can be exhausting if you don’t protect yourself. Everyone wants problems solved and they’ll let you do ALL the work if you let them so they can say they did something to ease their conscience yet walk away. But letting others help, letting some things go, learning to trust was hard but necessary lesson Patrice learned. You are also allowed to take time off to recharge and be happy. Or else what kind of future are you fighting for?

Layers of diversity/privilege – This was a super fascinating and relevant plot point. The ADA, DA (Easton) and Mayor are all part of the LGBQT+ community and when the racial profiling accusations are first reported – the first impulse is to lay low and see how it plays out because they don’t want to rile the police or community any more because it was difficult to get to their positions as openly gay/lesbian. They didn’t want to lose the hard fought for acceptance or funding for their (important) programs. You can't just fight for your own cause then stop - the I got mine mentality. You need to keep using your voice to lift others.

And oh yeah – American Love Story was hot as hell and super romantic! *wink*

I think Adriana Herrera is a brilliant writer of complicated but real romances that are compelling and uplifting and I can’t wait to read what she writes next!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread via audio. I love this book


Original review
Wow. Ok. This book was outstanding, full stop. The romance was incredibly satisfying on so many levels, and the story deals quite directly with issues of class and racial justice, the targeting of black folks by police, the justice system, challenges faced by refugees, academia….I mean. This book was written pretty much exactly at the intersection of several things I care about. It was masterfully done.

I could discuss the ways this book deals with social justice at length, but I also need to yell a bit about the romance itself. Easton and Patrice have so much chemistry I am surprised my kindle didn’t self combust. I loved each of them as individuals, their growth and vulnerability was beautiful, their love story had me near tears in a few places (when I wasn’t fanning myself).

One of my favourite things in this book is the mark of some of my absolute favourite romance novels: the way they fought and talked about difficult things. This book is obviously very different in style and content, but that aspect reminded me of the best of KJ Charles.

Plus this book has what is sure to be one of my all time favourite epilogues. I will be revisiting this book for sure, and I am eager to complete the series, which is also shaping up to be a favourite.

[shoesforall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't take this tell don't show thing anymore. This author doesn't seem to trust the reader because everyone tells everyone else their entire emotional spectrum in every conversation. I am washing my hands of this series (sadly). Also, some people are complicated and some people have a lot to deal with but that doesn't make them any less assholes.

[Chellabration]

I saw a Haitian MC and I came running... It's the representation for me!



but I wish I hadn't. Tried to read this with my buddy Laurel and the consensus was that this was extremely lacking from page 1.
Despite my initial excitement this book failed to deliver everything it promised.
This just wasn't it.



The author did the readers a MAJOR disservice by having Patrice and Easton's relationship having started off page (not sure if their entanglement is mentioned in the other books as I haven't read them). Leaving behind only a very desperate MC and another who keeps giving him the cold shoulder



From page one until I simply couldn't take anymore here are the points I understood (and was extremely annoyed by):

1. Easton came across as extremely desperate/ Thirsty
2. Even during his own POV Patrice only mentions lusting after Easton (I kind of understood what the author was going for, but Patrice didn't make it clear from the beginning that he really liked Easton and was only keeping away because of whatever misgivings he had... nope. Instead Patrice seems legitimately annoyed by Easton's presence on a few occasions without us getting the background into the reasoning.)



3. Patrice continually gives Easton the cold shoulder. Walking off in the middle of their conversations like Easton was nothing but a nuisance.
4. Patrice GHOSTED Easton for a year after they hooked up. Brushed him off when he reached out via text and never made a move to even say hi after moving to Easton's town. Yet Easton continues to shamelessly chase him, act jealous and embarrass himself. (After the clear rejection at the party, why would you show up the next day to give him a house tour? Come on sis, get a f*king clue)



5. WHY ARE ALL the couples we are introduced to interracial? I'm all for a good swirl but... EVERY SINGLE ONE?
6. The author spends so much time telling us how in love the couples from her previous books are... WE DON'T CARE! (Especially those of us reading this as a standalone) We're ONLY here for the current couple. A brief mention is fine but Patrice goes on multiple rants about how perfect his friends are for each other, and how in love they are, how devoted ect...



7. Patrice is a big powerful voice of black twitter... yet the first scene we're shown of him making a post he simply took the word of his co-worker an event happened and twitted about it... No fact checking, no verifying the info himself... See I can't handle that in my activists. You need to make sure you ALWAYS have the info upfront because people try and find ANY excuse to shut down black voices.



Dropping this one with no rating.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

So here's the thing... I don't mind imperfect characters but when I read my romance, I also want something of a balance, especially when it involves two people in the main relationship.

Unfortunately, American Love Story makes it very easy for me to like Easton - he's the nice guy who wants to understand the problem of the minorities, coming from a rich family but he's NOT LIKE THAT (!) and forgiving. And on the other hand, very easy to think of Patrice being a judgmental prick that he is - despite that he's fighting for what's right. And I would LOVE a reason to root for these guys more than just "they seem to have good sex".

It's not all bad, of course. I like the real-life problem that Herrera infused into the story. And yes, Easton and Patrice connect nicely (when Patrice is not being self-righteous or Easton is not acting extra to get Patrice to notice him)

[Cee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

¸.•´¸★*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.★¨*.¸¸.•`★¤4.5 stars. This is what I look for in a story.¤★¨*.¸¸.*ˑ˞★

As a Caribbean woman, I can truthfully say that this book was quite impressive and mind boggling.

Impressive as the author, Caribbean born herself understands the struggles and layered this book with sincerity. Patrice Denis was Haitian born. Though he had a somewhat life of privilege, he was knew the struggles of his people and those that confronted him when he found asylum in American. With his mother by his side, he learned the art of perfection and fighting for those who could not fight for themselves.

Mind boggling in the sense that the author could have seasoned the book with angst and rage on the homophobia, but she made it a non focus. And trust me, homophobia among the Caribbean is dreadful.

Assistant District Attorney Easton Archer was like woah. Here was a man who wore his heart on his sleeves. I just wished I had read the other books before I started this one, but the synopsis drew me in faster than the first two in the Dreamers series. The story started with an obvious continuation as these two men had already had an affair months earlier and the book picked up with them meeting again. I can say, even if you have not read the other two books, it was still somewhat easy follow. [Still plan on reading those though, LOL.] The awkwardness and the heated chemistry lit fire and made this reader wanting to go on and on despite life calling.

Patrice and Easton were drawn to each other and they had quite a bit of issues between them. Patrice was annoying at times and it was like he could be so cold and uncaring. But this reader soon realised that it was his way of protecting himself. I loved Easton and his stance on a lot of things and am glad he stood up for himself when needed.

Relationship goals? Somewhat. But love is never an easy road and when the race card is played, someone always ends up hurt. One just has to learn to fight for forever. An amazing read and highly recommended.

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from Carina Press
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to this series! I thought the characters were wonderfully captured, and the dynamics and issues here were really interesting and thoughtfully captured. Continuing to really enjoy all the representation and the authentic and respectful way its incorporated throughout. Loved the little glimpses of other characters, though I wish there'd been a bit more of Milo and Juan Pablo. It makes sense that there wasn't, given the physical distance, but since Juan Pablo's book is the next, I actually would have like a *bit* more of him to get me more interested, especially since it's (as far as I can tell) a het book in what has so far been a slash series, and is likely to suffer a bit in readership for it.

[Shawna (what.shawna.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only regret that I jumped right into this book without having read the previous ones in the series. It works fine as a stand alone, but seeing the cameo's from the previous couples and references to past events made me wish I had the full story.

Adriana Herrera wrote complex characters who aren't going to be "fixed" by finding love, who have to work for their happy ending, and who have to have hard conversations in order to be together. Easton and Patrice have very real conversations about their different backgrounds and what that means for them to be together, while also recognizing their own flaws and the things they still have to learn. I just love that Herrera could write an interracial couple in today's tense society without making everything seem to be magically fixed once they're together.

Thanks to Carina Press and Netgalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Audio: I had to triple check, but there is a single narrator for this dual POV book, but he is able to seamlessly and consistently narrate in different voices for Easton's and Patrice's POVs and speech.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“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.

[Teo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly wasn’t sure how I felt about Patrice at first - on the one hand, his convictions were beyond admirable and I totally respected his dedication to social justice. On the other hand, his “fuckboy attitude” (Herrera, I love your writing so damn much, this description killed me every time) towards love interest Easton was frustrating and off putting, and there were times where I wasn’t sure if I wanted to finish the book because I couldn’t tell where the story was going.

That all being said - the journey was absolutely worth it. I loved the growth that Patrice and Easton went through, both together and as individuals. The ending was so damn satisfying and heartwarming, Herrera did a wonderful job. I’ll definitely be re-reading this soon.

[Felicia Grossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so the first thing I will say about this book is that if there were more than five stars to give, I would give them. Second, just buy it and read it. It’s amazing. Seriously amazing. I adored the first two books in the series but this one is my favorite, and honestly one of my favorite books of the year, hands down. So, so, so, good.
Patrice and Easton’s story was beautiful and well balanced and perfect. I felt every emotion, every bit of their arcs, how hard Easton tried and how much fear of failure, of not being enough and how brilliant, and driven and sensitive Patrice was, of how much he’d seen and how terrified he was of getting hurt and how guilty he felt at grasping at happiness. There are parts I’m still gasping about because I felt every single emotion with them.
And the way the book addressed racism in law enforcement, how there are not only plenty of people who do terrible things intentionally, there are also plenty of people with the best intentions, doing an important, serious job, who care, who still fail, who don’t do enough out of fear or misguided practically, and, who, end up injuring, endangering, and terrorizing the exact people they are supposed to protect, is just done so well, and in such a realistic way. The story is important and necessary to read, for everyone, but especially for everyone in law enforcement and in the justice system.
Now yes, the emotions and feels are going to last forever and are so intense and wonderful, but don’t think that the book is all gloom and doom and tears and serious political issues. There’s still lovely romance and hot love scenes and adorable banter. All the balance is there and well-crafted and just wonderful.
In summation: read the book. Seriously. Read it over and over and over.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about this book is that it’s a ‘we’re on opposite sides’ book done in the best way possible. Because Patrice and Easton are not actually on opposite sides and let’s be real – in 2019/2020 most of us cannot handle reading books that brush aside the very real issues of racism or homophobia or police violence. Herrera not only doesn’t brush aside those issues but confronts them extremely head on AND includes Afro-Latinx friends getting HEAs.

Patrice is a Black economics professor and a very active activist, fighting for justice, whereas Easton is an ADA in Ithaca, where there has been a recent run of police discrimination and racism. The conflict between these two managed to be extremely real and relevant to current events, but also balanced with their steamy romance. There’s so much complexity and nuance to this story and Herrera managed it extremely well.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent. I think of all the books in this series, what really worked for me was that you got both characters working on themselves IN the relationship at the same time. That was lacking for me, especially in book two, but this made up for it.

[Sofia (Bookish Wanderess) · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3,6 stars*

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

I can’t get enough of Adriana Herrera’s writing! This third Dreamers book is a difficult, angst filled read - but it’s also a wonderfully warm and beautiful written romance. After years of hard graft, Patrice has finally been hired as a professor at Cornell University. The move brings him back to Easton, the gorgeous, talented assistant DA that Patrice refuses to let himself desire.

I’m not sure I can remember having such conflicting reactions to any previous characters, ever. Patrice and Easton are both as infuriating as they are wonderful. As a Hatian immigrant, Patrice has had to work impossibly hard for everything he has achieved. Nothing is more important to him than his values and his fight for equality. He’s almost superhuman in his passion - but his refusal to compromise or to allow space for human error makes relationships almost impossible for him. Easton’s passion for justice is just as strong as Patrice’s but at times Easton’s privilege clouds his judgement and he can’t seem to live up to Patrice’s exacting standards.

I think this is the darkest and grittiest of the books in the series so far. Easton and Patrice’s relationship is genuinely complicated in ways that romance usually writing tends to avoid. The conversations between Easton and Patrice are difficult but immensely important. As an assistant DA, Easton represents a system that is institutionally biased against Patrice and the people he identifies with. And while Easton tries to be an ally, he gets things wrong sometimes. This book explores uncomfortable truths about race, privilege and identity in a way that is both thought provoking and meaningful.

The story isn’t all dark and it isn’t all heavy discussions. The sexual connection between Patrice and Easton is explosive and very steamy. Nesto and Jude from the first book bring some light and some balance to the book. Patrice’s friends drag him from his soap box and back into the real world when he needs it. But Easton and Patrice are probably the most serious of the couples in this series and they both spend their lives working with the darkest parts of society.

I have loved this series from the start and I love the way the author writes romance that is a million miles away from genre norms. This is romance writing that demands thought, reflection and reader engagement. It’s writing about people I recognise and whose voices I want to hear more of. I can’t wait for the next book.

[Bookish Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 4/5
Spice level: 2/5
Tropes: second chance, LGBTQ, opposites attract, interracial, slow burn

TW: homophobia, problematic traffic stops

I previously read another book in this series and really enjoyed it.

I still enjoyed this one, but my main issues were all the mistakes in the book. I know some people can overlook them, but that's not me. It detracts from my reading experience because I'm correcting it in my head. And that's with published book. ARCs are different of course. And I also felt there were moments that the plot of the traffic stops somewhat overshadowed the romance, though I agree they're a relevant and important topic. But I did want more heat from the story, but I always want more heat. The other 2 books I read from this author had much more spice than this one, so I had certain expectations. But the way Patrice was conflicted about being with a prosecutor, he had trouble reconciling that with his life's mission to be a voice in his community.

But as far as the actual story, I enjoyed the chemistry between Patrice and Easton. And Easton was a man of privilege but also recognized that and worked on himself to actively be anti-racist and help others in the community. As the ADA in a county where problematic traffic stops of Black and Brown men are occurring, he comes together with law enforcement to make change.

I also appreciate how diverse Herrera's books are. They reflect the world we live in, in so many ways. And I love how she really displays the culture of her Latinx, Afro-Latinx, and other non-white characters' culture. Whether it's food or language or just customs, she draws you in and teaches you something.

Easton makes space for Patrice to be a vulnerable man in a society that doesn't always allow that. He also made space for every other emotion he wanted to feel.

There was 2 characters who really annoyed me. The DA Cindy and the sheriff. They were both LGBTQ but allowed their white privilege to blind them to how dangerous these traffic stops could be. They both eventually got their act together but it took a lot.

Characters I loved were Easton's sister and grandfather and of course Patrice's friends and family.

Overall I'd definitely recommend.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from Carina Press via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.

Content notes:

💜 casual ableism
💜 mention of heart surgery, secondary character
💜 references to anti-Black racism
💜 systemic racism
💜 immigrant detainment
💜 Black drivers stopped by cop
💜 white gay man comparing his experiences as equal to Black gay Haitian immigrant’s experiences (micro-aggressions)
💜 explicit on page sexual content
💜 case where white man entered the home of and assaulted a Latina woman
💜 some lines that can be construed as minimizing friendship compared to sex/romance
💜 phone/Skype sex
💜 toxic father, belittlement
💜 statement that racism is using slurs, etc., challenged
💜 personal space invaded
💜 homomisia
💜 secondary character kicked out of his home for being gay

This is the best Dreamers book yet!! And that cover? I cannot get over the beauty and that wonderful smile!!

Patrice is a new professor at Cornell in Ithaca and he came to America from Haiti when he was six with his mother. He has strong activist roots as a Black man and focuses his research on things like implicit bias and being an immigrant. Almost two years ago when his best friend, Nesto, set up his food truck in Ithaca Patrice came to help and met Easton, a white assistant district attorney whose family runs a local winery. They’ve had a relationship strong on the sexual chemistry and weak on communication, but now that Patrice is in Ithaca to stay, they start getting to know one another outside the bedroom.

One of the strongest things about this series has been the friendships between Juan Pablo, Nesto, Camilo, and Patrice, a group of young Afro-Latinx Caribbean immigrants who have built a strong familial bond between themselves. They are each other’s support network and the people they know have their back no matter what happens. This series is also a love letter to mothers who give their all to their children. Patrice’s mother was the mistress of an influential man in Haiti, which was a big part of how they were able to get out of Haiti when political changes were happening, but she also worked her hardest to ensure her son would get the best education possible and that she’d be able to support herself and him in achieving their goals.

I really liked how much this book in particular looked at how inaction from people in positions of power when communities, especially Black and Brown communities, are being harmed can seem like ignoring the situation or even encouraging that harm to continue. A central part of the story is how the local cops have started “”routine stops”” that are mainly targeting Black and Brown young men, and the sheriff is afraid to do much more than slap some wrists and the district attorney, Easton’s boss, is afraid to say anything because she doesn’t want to lose the support of local law enforcement with their cases, and Easton feels conflicted as he wants to speak up, but isn’t sure what to say and isn’t allowed to because of the local politics. This book, I feel, really looked at the complexity of those situations, but also pulled no punches with how those kinds of situations affect Black and Brown communities especially and negatively impact the local community as a whole.

At it’s center, though, this is a romance. I loved seeing Easton and Patrice slowly and gradually lower their walls around each other and work on communicating feelings and experiences, rather than just letting their bodies do their talking.

Overall, definitely my favorite of the Dreamers series and a book that really makes me think about the casual racism and implicit biases that turn “routine traffic stops” into “life or death.”

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.