I adored Adriana's books -- her writing, the stories she's telling (which are desperately needed!), and of course those covers! American Fairytale was another great read from her. I think I still loved American Dreamer (book 1) a bit more, but it's a close call.

AF starts off with a bang -- or rather, a BJ. ;) Yup, just about a chapter or two in and these two sneak off into a private room while at a gala, and a super dirty face fuck commences. I loved it. There's a few more sex scenes later on, which are also hot, but I was kinda hoping for more from these two? Though to be fair, I think that's purely a me problem, as I'm always greedy when it comes to the sexy bits in my romances. Regardless, what we are given is well done and delivers on the heat, so I really can't complain!

I have to admit, I was a bit annoyed by their conflict about Tom wanting to spend his money to help Milo and his mother out. I get it, Tom was pushy and didn't even ask first, but he was never a truly pushy asshole or anything so I didn't understand why it was made into such a big deal. Maybe it's just me though -- growing up, and still living, *waaaaaay* below the poverty line means that I am in a 24/7 financial struggle with no way out. So if a guy that was otherwise amazing to me and loved me an I loved him showed up and threw his money around to make my life easier? I wouldn't be pissed, I'd be relieved that I could finally catch a break for 5 minutes. IDK, your mileage may vary with this, I know some readers who identified with Milo's view on this so I can't say it's a problem with the book itself, more like a problem that just doesn't work on me, you know?

But that didn't stop me from still enjoying the hell out of American Fairytale, and I cannot wait to get more from Adriana.

An American Fairytale is a unique gay romance by Adriana Herrera. It's a beautiful story of finding someone who loves you for who you are, instead of in spite of who you are.

It wonderfully centers around two immigrants who struggle with their nationality while in America. Together, with a mutual Dominican background, Milo and Tom are able to appreciate each other in a way they've never found before.


It explores depression and the struggle to even want help. It's a story of coming from 2 different worlds, and trying to bridge the gap between their economic divide. It's a story of pride, and learning to accept help. It's a story of control, compromise, and gifts of love. And it's compelling, riveting, and one of those special reads.

The change in Tom from the start to end is fantastic, as he learns to appreciate his relationships and make an effort, instead of just taking control.

Having never read the first book in the series, I definitely need to go back and read it. That said, this is easily read as a standalone. But, loving these men and their world so much, I want more.

An American Fairytale is poignant, tender, and romantic. I definitely fell in love with these men and their story. I also fell in love with the atmospheric setting and culture. Well done Adriana Herrera.

I really tried with this one. But it didnt end up working for me especially because I really dont like how trust between them is completely broken and then magically fixed with a grand gesture which I mean works in the fairytale sense that its all fixed and great but for me I just couldnt buy it.

American Fairytale is book 2 in the Dreamers Series but it can certainly be read as a stand-alone, I know this because this is the first book I have read by this author and I can tell you now it won’t be the last, I really enjoyed this fairytale and I will be going back to read book 1 which I believe is Adriana Herrera’s debut novel.
American Fairytale is a romance between a billionaire and a social worker and it covers all the reasons they shouldn’t fall in love after all they believe in different values or do they.......
This story is a sweet romance with a great cast of characters, every person in this book has a tale to tell and it’s a book that will captivate you so please make sure you have time to finish what you start.
Looking forward to going back to read book 1 and reading the rest of the Dreamers Series as soon as time permits. Highly recommended.

I really liked American Dreamer, the first book in Adrianna Herrara’s Dreamer series and even though American Fairytale didn’t quiet measure up for me, I enjoyed it too. Honestly, the only issue I really had with Tom and Milo was the lack of communication. What I liked most about American Fairytale was supporting characters who were there for both Tom and Milo.

Tom wanted to share what he had to help Milo – he couldn’t understand why Milo wouldn’t accept the help. Milo was too proud and stubborn to even consider the help he was offering and adamant about not accepting it. I could see both their points, but I also have to admit, I got kinda frustrated with both of them. Even so, I could still see how great they were together. I was really impressed with the way Tom figured out a way to help, even if he wasn’t sure Milo would understand.

There’s still more to come with the Dreamer series and the next couple featured has already piqued my curiosity. After reading the description for American Love Story, I’m even more excited to get to Easton and Patrice’s story.

American Fairytale is the second book in new-to-me author Adriana Hererra’s Dreamers series, which features four Afro-Latinx friends who live and work in and around New York. The story – a romance between a self-made billionaire and a social worker – definitely lives up to its fairytale moniker; it’s sexy and wonderfully romantic, the protagonists are compassionate, decent men, and while there are a couple of “uh-oh” moments, the author doesn’t overdo the angst, instead spending time on developing their relationship and showing us exactly why they’re so perfect for one another.

Social worker Camilo – Milo – Briggs is residential programs director at New Beginnings, an agency that works with disadvantaged people from all walks of life, and he’s passionate about helping to make life better for his clients. He meets handsome, charming and wealthy Thomas Hughes at a swanky charity benefit, and right from the start, they’re captivated by one another, the intense attraction that flares between them culminating in a swift but hot sexual encounter that leaves them both reeling. But afterward, Milo starts second-guessing himself, rattled because something that should have been just a bit of fun has started to feel like something much more intense – and he leaves the event without saying goodbye or expecting to see Thomas Hughes again.

(These guys clearly don’t read enough romance novels!)

Tom, the son of a white American soldier who moved to the Dominican Republic – where he met and married Tom’s mother – came to New York for college when he was in his late teens, and remained there. He and two friends set up an incredibly successful business over a decade earlier and have recently sold it – and Tom is taking his time in semi-retirement to take stock of his life and spend time with his four-year-old daughter, Libe. Divorced a year before, Tom is well aware of the fact that he neglected his relationship for the sake of his business, and wants to do better. For some time now, he has been looking into the possibility of sponsoring a project for abused women in honour of his aunt (his mother’s sister), and has finally decided which charity he wants to work with.

Milo is delighted when he learns New Beginnings’ residential program is to receive a two-million-dollar cash injection – but the last thing he’s expecting when invited to meet the agency’s new donor is to come face-to-face with the guy he’d had sex with at the charity event. Tom is just as surprised to see Milo again, and immediately sensing the other man’s discomfort, does his best to put him at ease, trying to convey to him that he doesn’t plan on saying anything about what happened between them at the gala. But he can’t deny that he’s pleased to see Milo and is keen to spend time with him; cautiously Tom suggests that perhaps they could have regular weekly meetings to discuss the progress being made on the shelter renovation to be funded by his donation, and even as he’s telling himself it’s a bad idea, Milo accepts, determined to keep it to strictly business.

Of course, it doesn’t quite turn out that way, and the meetings quickly turn into a sweet, romantic courtship during which both men open up a bit about their lives, their backgrounds and their dreams, each feeling that at last, here is someone who sees the real him, someone he can just be himself with, and for both of them, that’s a Big Thing. They’re wonderfully and refreshingly honest with each other, and although there’s the suggestion that openly being with Tom could endanger Milo’s career, the story doesn’t really go there; instead the conflict in the tale comes from the characters, who they are, and their respective situations in life.

And this conflict mostly centres around money. Or rather, around Tom’s inability to see that his desire to help Milo and make his life easier – a desire born of love and genuine concern – by throwing money at problems isn’t always the answer. I have to give real props to the author for the way she handles the issue of financial disparity in the book; and she does it without making Tom seem like a total git or Milo seem like he’s being needlessly stubborn, because we can sympathise with both their perspectives and neither is entirely right or wrong. Tom needs to learn that money can’t fix everything, and Milo needs to learn that it’s not weak to need – or accept –help.

Other huge sources of enjoyment in the story come from its exploration of cultural identity, meeting Milo’s diverse group of friends and all the discussions about food, music and community; and I loved Milo and Tom’s discussions about their heritage and family backgrounds.

American Fairytale is a lovely, sexy and heartfelt romance between two people who are made for each other, but who nonetheless have to work for their HEA. With a diverse cast, wonderfully written familial relationships and friendships, insightful explorations of culture and identity, it all adds up to a book I have no hesitation in recommending..

Grade: 4.5 stars

Camilo, or Milo, is a social worker with a heart of solid gold and a sass factor of eleven, while Tom is a billionaire funding a new project through Milo’s agency. Before that relationship is established, though, they happen to have an… er… intimate encounter at a fundraiser and neither can get the other off their minds. When Tom becomes the benefactor to making several of Milo’s professional dreams come true, can the two maintain professional boundaries? Do they need to?

I was charmed by this book from the jump – the book opens with Milo and his favorite colleague at a LGBTQ fundraiser, where they are attending for their boss. Both are social workers and both feel out of place at the $1k-$10k a plate dinner, but they’re – we’re told – working it the best they can. Milo spots a handsome stranger at the bar, quickly discerns he is also gay, and pulls the man towards the bathroom for quite the blow job. No names or numbers exchanged and they were sure to never see each other again.

We know better, though, fellow readers, don’t we?

Open on the next day at work where Milo’s boss tells him they got a huge grant to renovate a residential home for domestic violence victims at their Harlem-based nonprofit and Milo will be the main point guy. He’s bilingual, which is one of the requirements of the donor, and his boss is absolutely confident he’s the right guy for the job. He is too – until the benefactor walks through the door. Of course it’s Handsome Blow Job Guy. Of course it is.

Thomas Hughes is a Dominican immigrant to the U.S. who sold his company several years before for a hefty profit and is now interested in using some of that cash to provide resources to domestic violence survivors due to some family history. The project is important to him, yes, but he probably wouldn’t have requested weekly in-person meetings if his contact at the agency hadn’t been Super Hot Blow Job guy.

They’re in each other’s lives before they can really blink and rubbing up against each other’s baggage and various neuroses. This is 100% a love-at-first-sight tale, with a sprinkle of forced proximity for good measure, and if that is your booknip, friend – one-click this now.

I mention Tom’s ethnic identity because it is central to who he is in this tale – the same way Milo’s status as an American-born son of a Cuban immigrant is to his. They spend lots of time talking about what being Dominican means to Tom’s sense of self (especially as he presents as white), and what being a brown-skinned Latinx queer person means to Milo’s. We spend time with their people – family and friends and Tom’s daughter from his first marriage – and in their heads and by the time these two men commit to the HEA, we are absolutely guaranteed it’s gonna work.

The big conflict is why this is not quite a DIK for me. I didn’t love how Milo handled the resolution and felt there was too much give from one party and not from the other and it just rubbed me the wrong way.

Overall, however, American Fairytale is a delightful romance about two people deciding to take a risk with their hearts and finding it well worth their time.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
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Audio review:
Story – 5
Performance – 5
Overall – 5

Fantastic, so romantic! Wonderful narration.

American Fairytale is the second book in Adriana Herrera's Dreamers series but you don't need to read the first one to enjoy it. I'm a bit late posting this review and here's why: While I got an Advance copy of the book from NetGalley for review purposes I decided that I really wanted to listen to this one instead of read it. Because I like to listen to audiobooks with as little interruption as possible it took me a while to make time for this one.

When I read American Dreamer, book one in this series, I was a little frustrated because I didn't know how to pronounce all of the various ethnic names in the book. This is MY problem, not the author's; I just always want to know the proper way to pronounce things even if I can't say them correctly myself. So, this time I wanted to listen to the book so that I could better embrace the story.

I knew that Sean Crisden would do a great job because I've listened to several books that he has narrated. And I was right, I loved listening to this so much! I now feel like I would be able to read the next book in this wonderful series and hear the voice in my head (you know, that one you "hear" while reading) read the unfamiliar names better than when I read book one.

American Fairytale is appropriately named. Camilo (Milo – pronounced Meelo) hooks up with Tom at a charity event he was given tickets to and they have a hot encounter in the bathroom. Their next meeting is when his boss introduces Tom as the wealthy benefactor on a big project that Milo is responsible for. Sounds like a great beginning to a Cinderella story, right? And it was.

The story really hit me hard in all the right ways and had my emotions all over the place. I'm a sucker for a good billionaire romance. When you add in that Milo is way too proud to take help from Tom when he wants to give it freely, it's the perfect set-up for Tom to do something stupid (and he did). My emotions were totally engaged and tears ran down my face in places. The voices that Sean Crisden does for this book are really wonderful. He captures the emotions of both characters so well that I was just captivated.

I can never seem to keep my reviews short and concise and this one is no exception. My final word is that this is a fantastic story and I really can't wait for the next one in the series to come out.

A review copy of the ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*** (posting on 6/10/19)

I loved this book! The MM romance genre tends to lack men of color as main characters, this book was very refreshing. I plan to read other works by this author and request their books for my system.

American Fairytale provides an unfiltered approach to class differences. There's Camilo who has worked hard for the life he has worked in an agency that helped victims of domestic abuse and has taken care of his mother deeply. Then there's tom who is a Dominican immigrant who put in as much work into his career until he and his business partners could sell it off and make a lot of money. I enjoyed the difference in how Camilo and tom showed their affection. Camilo was out loud and expressive while tom fumbled around, thinking gestures sponsored by money might make Camilo's life easy. But Camilo never did anything that was easy. I fell wholeheartedly for Camilo and tom. Especially milo. his humor, his saltiness, and his passion. They all endeared him to me. Another fantastic romance by Adriana Herrera exploring fantastic nuanced Latinx representation in queer romance. I can't wait to see more from her.

New to me author Adriana Herrera really drew me in with this wonderful story. I really enjoyed the interaction between Milo and Tom. Their chance meeting, the chemistry right from the start, really drew me into the story and had me wondering just how everything was going to work out for both of them.
Tom and Milo were wonderful. One was skeptical of love and the other wore his heart on his sleeve. They each had a lot to lose if things didn't work out. Tom, his heart … Milo, his job. But, they were both willing to see things through even if hearts did get broken. After much negotiation, they knew that it was totally worth the risk. But, there was so much more to this story than their relationship. First there is Libe … she was such a wonderful addition to this story. Then there is Dinorah who may have brought some drama to the story but was an extremely important part. The friends they surrounded themselves with were also an integral part of the story and really brought some depth, humor and compassion.
But, what really got to me was how and why Tom and Milo ended up together. The cause was beautiful and means a lot to quite a few people. I loved why they were both doing what they were and the reasons behind it. This part of the story was really what had me by the heartstrings and the love between Tom and Milo became secondary. Milo's mother, Dinorah''s, story was also both beautiful and heartbreaking. She taught him compassion and made him into the man he is today.
I also loved the humor throughout the story. Milo was a little out there and told it like it was. He had his way of thinking and doing things. He didn't like to be undermined or lied to. He loved life, his friends and his job. He loved Tom and Libe as well and hoped that he would allow him to handle things his way. When he doesn't, Tom has no choice but to go big to get him back. And, what he does, absolutely stole my heart.
I really enjoyed American Fairytale. The story was interesting and complex. The chemistry between Tom and Milo burned up the pages. I love all the different subject matter and how they intertwined throughout the story. Adriana Herrera really intrigued me with her writing, her style and her plot lines. As I said, she's new to me and I am really looking forward to reading more from her.

"Camilo was figuring things out, he had a plan, and even though it was hard, he was doing what he needed to for himself and for his mother. Like he had been all the years before you came."⁣⁣⁣
•⁣⁣⁣
I'm so glad to say that this second book from Adriana Herrera hit me So. Good. in the feels. Bec this is a romance, we already know Tom and Camilo would end up together but I absolutely enjoyed the getting-to-that-HEA in this millionaire x working class pairing. Them being perfect for each other didn't really start from the beginning, but by the middle I loved them being together so much that I HURT when the conflict came to break them apart. Bec sometimes it's not a huge external factor that breaks people up, it's the little internal things, human habits that are hard to break, and good intentions with v bad execution. Also, I love Libe SO MUCH! *that's all the non-spoilery things I'll say about it.*⁣⁣⁣
•⁣⁣⁣
As with Dreamers #1, the rich cultural background makes this a standout book for me. It also deals with other heavy things like gentrification, mental health issues, and the protagonists' financial gap in respectful and honest ways. I also appreciate how the steamy parts escalate early in the story (like, way early!) and that the steam didn't fizzle at all until the HEA. 🧡⁣⁣⁣
• ⁣⁣⁣
"What made it all feel monumental was the reciprocity. I never felt like I wasn't getting as much as I put in with Tom. It wasn't even tit for tat or that I was keeping track. I just felt balanced. Like he wanted exactly what I gave, and I got as much as I needed. Attention, time, sex, space. Everything just right."⁣⁣⁣
•⁣⁣⁣
Thank you to Carina Press, thru NetGalley, for my free review copy! ❤️⁣⁣⁣

* *This review also appears as a bookstagram on my IG: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bentchbites/">@bentchbites</a>

I enjoyed a lot of this book. It was an interesting, diverse story and I loved the characters. I found the opening a little rough to get through, but once I got past that, I did like the book overall.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ebook Reviews

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a fairytale romance for urban millennials. When Milo meets his Prince Charming at a party, he is immediately swept off his feet. But Milo kinda likes standing on his own two feet and he’s perfectly capable of sorting out his own problems. Milo can’t ride into the sunset with Tom until he is certain the power imbalance between them won’t crush his identity. The connection between Milo and Tom is electric, but the two must find a balance that works for them both before Milo can commit to a relationship.

The characters in this story are carefully observed and beautifully developed. Urban Millennials will immediately recognise themselves in these characters. Like the first book, this story celebrates Milo and Tom’s Caribbean cultures. The book takes a hard look at intersectional identity, making insightful observations about various characters’ identities and experiences. But this isn’t a heavy story. Milo and Tom are incredibly likeable characters with a few flaws. I rolled my eyes more than once at Milo’s snowflake angst, but I couldn’t help but love and admire him. And while Tom is always well meaning, there are a few moments where he takes advantage of his privilege. Tom’s sense of entitlement is instinctive – and bloody irritating at times.

I fell in love with Adriana Herrera’s writing in the first book in this series and this second book doesn’t disappoint. I love the way Herrera writes dialogue, and her characters and their city are wonderful. Herrera’s voice feels fresh and I really enjoy the mix of romance and social commentary in these books. I’m already looking forward to the next story in this series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in this series about a group of friends and their lives and loves. I would recommend the first book to you, but you could definitely read this a standalone and still really enjoy it.

Camilo is doing exactly what he wanted to for a career, and he works hard to make his and his mother's life better. So, when a rich benefactor turns out to be a guy he hooked up with, he is not interested in rocking the boat, even if Tom is hot and keen. The story that follows is a mix of the backward and forward as Milo squares his feelings with his principles, and Tom throwing his money at solving any problems as often as he could.

Certainly both men learn some lessons about life, money, and love – but I did feel that Tom's idiocy should have ended sooner, given his friends' advice and the strong messages he gets from Milo directly. There is a point where being protective becomes controlling, and he wasn't so stupid that he couldn't decide the tipping point.

Once he did straighten himself out, then it was fun to see their families and friends join them in what really was a dream romance, even if not exactly a fairytale!


Angie – ☆☆☆
I loved the blurb about this book and I was really excited to read it. Unfortunately, I think I am in the minority on how I feel about this book. Milo is a social worker, Tom a massively rich guy. I hate when rich people think they can buy love or affection with material things. Milo just wants Tom, nothing else. I was honestly bored and found myself skimming this book hoping for it to get better. I like fairy-tale books but this one just didn't work for me.


Audiobook Review (Purchased by Reviewer)

Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
As much as I enjoyed American Dreamer, I have become addicted to American Fairytale. Book by book, Adriana Herrera is opening my eyes to people, places, cultures, and foods that I’ve had little to no exposure to as a white girl who grew up in the Deep South. Even living in Key West for well over a decade and visiting Miami, my experiences are limited so I am loving the experiences she’s shared – even the ones that break my heart.

Milo (and yes, I will forever second guess its pronunciation in the future) is a proud Jamaican-Cuban man who loves his mother and is committed to making the world a better place – or at least his part of Harlem – as much as humanly possible. Anyone who knows a social worker knows it’s a calling, not a job, so I adored Milo’s throw-caution-to-the-wind attitude at the gala and his first encounter with Tom. Granted, the uncomfortable meeting with his employer’s new donor made it even more entertaining because… awkward! It’s the kind of thing you wish only happened in fiction, but the real world is so much smaller than we often realize. While some label him prickly and opinionated, Milo’s passion for the people he works with and how committed he is to helping them make a new, safer life for themselves is inspiring. It’s no wonder Tom fell head-over-heels for him. And while Tom was a down-to-earth guy and did an okay job of tamping down his White Knight Syndrome for most of the book, when he oversteps, he does it BIG!

Tom is a conundrum we don’t often meet in romance novels. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic to a Dominican mother and American father, he’s an interesting mix of his parents. His father’s love of the DR meant that Tom was raised Dominican with, it seems, little emphasis placed on his father’s American roots. Yet he inherited his physical appearance from his father, a fact that opened doors for him in the US that he knows would have otherwise been closed to him. This is something Tom has grappled with as an adult because while he’s thankful for said opportunities, he’s well aware of the unfairness of it and strives not to take it for granted, especially as it helped him and his friends in the business venture that made them millionaires. Unfortunately for Tom, he’s not as mindful about taking his money for granted and how using it to solve problems is taking the easy way out – at least in Milo’s opinion. Thank goodness, Tom has a group of friends who are just as supportive and straight-talking as Milo’s GA Crew and they give Tom the swift kick in the rear he needs to make things right with Milo.

Sean Crisden is the perfect choice for this series. Again, I won’t even begin to pretend I know the difference between the various characters’ accents, but he has created such distinct voices for the main characters so far that I’m enthralled. I love how he’s able to take Tom and Milo from fun and flirty to sensual and sexy. I found myself laughing out loud more than once and coming to a complete standstill with all of my attention fixed on my earbuds when things began to heat up. Whew! I needed a cold drink more than once, that’s for sure. But it’s how he captured Milo’s passion, exhaustion, and frustration that really impressed me because it took me from listening to an audiobook to hanging out with a friend whose life has become a bit too much and just needs to vent about it. Even after listening to American Fairytale for the fourth time this week – I wasn’t kidding when I said I was addicted – I’m still transported to Milo and Tom’s Harlem and even more amazing is that I hear something new on each listen. I wasn’t sure that Herrera was going to be able to top American Dreamer, but American Fairytale did just that. I so cannot wait for the next book in the series to see how she outdoes herself again and I sincerely hope that Crisden is able to continue narrating this fabulous series. Just like Herrera’s couples, theirs is a perfect match for this band of Dreamers.

On a side note, it was fascinating to have listened to Tom’s experiences as a white-presenting Dominican man when compared to Nesto’s experiences as a Dominican man who looks traditionally Dominican. I’m glad I was able to listen to American Dreamer and American Fairytale back-to-back because it emphasized that disparity even more than I’d probably been aware of having only listened to book two.

I’ve been anticipating this book ever since the series was announced because of the social worker hero. Herrera just graduated with her MSW and has worked in the field of intimate partner violence for a while before that. Fiction so often gets social work wrong and I was hopeful this one would get it right. And boy were my hopes exceeded!

American Fairytale is a romance between a billionaire and a social worker that really wrestles with the financial disparity between them. With that disparity comes potentially complicated power dynamics when billionaire Tom makes a sizable donation to the organization Camilo works at. But there’s more to Tom than meets the eye and because of that, he does as good a job as he can at interrogating his privilege and minimizing the risks for Milo. Would that all billionaires behaved this way…

One of the reasons Tom and Milo work so well together is because of the way they see each other and are able to be fully themselves. Tom is white-passing Dominican-American (his white American father moved to the DR where he met and married his Dominican mother; he grew up in the DR and came to the US for college) and feels like he’s always one or the other in business, where appearing white helps get him ahead, and in his personal life. Milo is Cuban Jamaican and I loved hearing the story of how his parents met and especially how his mother Dinorah came to the US from Cuba on her own as a Marielita, a slice of history I’d never heard about before. Milo has a very close relationship with his mom but he also looks out for her because of her depression and anxiety. Tom and Milo both have things in their lives past partners haven’t necessarily understood but they aren’t barriers for one another and this was so nice to see.

This isn’t to say it’s all sunshine and roses for these two. While Tom initially seems perfect, he very much isn’t. He has to learn money doesn’t solve everything. And Milo has to learn how to let other people in and when it’s the right time to accept help. Their central conflict felt so real and I could clearly see where they were both coming from.

I adored Tom and Camilo but especially Camilo because of the way he practiced social work. What I found most fascinating in how Herrera structured the story is how client-centered and strengths-based it is in what she reveals about his work. While Tom and Milo both have loved ones affected by partner violence, his clients are never trotted out with their stories or put on display. Instead we see them at a dance class or in their apartment going hard after that fresh start. It was beyond refreshing to read a story to took clients’ agency to this degree.

As with the first book in the series, the side characters are a delight. Tom has such a wonderful group of friends and it was great seeing him as a single father, sharing responsibilities with his ex. I loved the glimpses we see of Nesto and Jude, as well as Juan Pablo and Patrice. It was interesting that Camilo’s friends are less central now, with both Nesto and Patrice in Ithaca. And yet they’re still clearly a priority for one another. It was an unexpected look at how friendships can change but continue to grow no matter where life takes us.

Herrera is clearly an author to watch and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

I was hoping for something more out of this book, however I am done with the millionaire billionaire books. I was looking for a fairytale in a different sense not one Camilo has so many issues and is not willing to take any type of help. I also didn't like how Thomas used what he had to try to manipulate Camilo including helping his mother behind his back. This just was not the book for me.




** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

2.5 Stars

Whew. This is unexpected considering the enjoyment I had reading the first book; but I just don’t like this second entry as much as “American Dreamer.” AMERICAN FAIRYTALE started of “fun” with strangers met and hooked up; and they thought that’s it then - of course! - proven wrong.

The blurb pretty much said it all, Milo grew up in tough life and learned never to lean on anyone. Tom always had the love of his extensive family, even when his (first) marriage failed. He shared custody of his daughter with his ex and - while between new ventures - championing good cause. Hence the second meeting and more chance to get to know Milo.

Personally I thought the dynamic between Tom and Milo was imbalance, not only due to Tom’s significant power over Milo. It read to me that although Milo had his own shortcoming, it was glaringly obvious he would come up the right one (with Tom the obvious daft and WRONG one) from the start. Yes, Tom often had me gritted my teeth with his bullheaded know-it-all way. But I also saw Milo mulishness nor hot and cold stance as not endearing. Now, one might argue that the collision of these two was what made the story. But man, it exhausted me no end.

Not only that, the majority of exchange between Tom and Milo hurt my teeth. It’s like having plates of sweet syrupy dessert with tall glass of iced sweet tea or iced caramel coffee. Sweet sugary overload. Gaaah!!! Now, I think it’s a matter of personal preference and those who loved sugary overload stuff would love this. Unfortunately, I’m not among those and as a result I struggled throughout the story!

I’m still keen on the next installment of Herrera’s “Dreamers” series which would centered between Easton and Patrice. I shall just notch this second entry as a fail simply because of personal preference.


Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Boundaries, agency and trust are central themes in Adrianna Herrera’s second Dreamer novel, American Fairytale, where a dashing divorced Dominican millionaire philanthropist attempts to sweep a wary and overworked Cuban-Jamaican American social worker off his feet when they are awkwardly reunited after their impulsive hook-up at a boozy gala. The novel is supremely sexy and with high emotional stakes, as they can’t resist kicking off a secret affair, complicating their lives while making them reexamine their past choices. Like in American Dreamer, Herrera’s representation of modern Latinx culture is rich and nuanced, aware of how wealth, skin-color and immigration status greatly affect a person’s life as Latinx in the US. Herrera continues to fills her novels with engaging secondary characters, who feel solidly real, from Tom’s business partners and neighbors, Sanjay & Priya to Camilo’s fragile mother, Dinorah and his irrepressible co-worker Ayako.
While I really enjoyed American Dreamer, I adored American Fairytale. I loved the angst, and the sources of conflict between Tom and Milo. I particularly appreciated how Herrera contrasted the various complicated caretaking relationships in the book. Dinorah’s mental health struggles were compassionately depicted, Herrera is able to skillfully present the worry, guilt and occasional resentment Milo carries, while still presenting Dinorah as sympathetic and frankly fascinating character in her own right. Her history, choices and reactions are her own, and not simply something Milo has to respond or is able to solve for her. Likewise Tom has to learn how not swoop in and try to throw money at problems and instead learn to listen and do the harder work of being present in order to have Milo feel like a partner to a problem to be solved.

American Fairytale complicates the cinderella/millionaire caretaker fantasy and enchants with its nuanced and utterly romantic resolution.



Ana received a copy of this book from the publisher for review via NetGalley

Whoops I am failing at this review thing. I had definitely meant to review this before it came out, as I nabbed this one off of NG (thank you, NetGalley!).

This was actually my first book by the author, after I had hemmed and hawed at checking out the first book, American Dreamer. Let's just say that I one-clicked Book 1 before I had even finished, and I CANNOT WAIT for the rest of the series. There's an authenticity to Herrera's writing, specifically her portrayal of the POC and immigrant experience in America, that you just can't fake, and on the strength of that alone, I happily give this book all the stars. (As a side note, I was happy to find that same caliber of realness in Book 1, so thankfully it was not a fluke).

Was the book perfect? For me, it kinda was, even when the conflict was a totally dumb and unexpected move by one of the heroes. To be honest though, I had been expecting an even worse (ie cliche) conflict to arise, so hey, I'll take people doing dumb things all day any day.

Also, I should probably mention that I'm in love with Milo (and Nesto from book 1), and I intend to collect the whole damn set like they're Pokemon. Oh, and their sex game is strong. Ta!

OMG an Afro-Dominican/Cuban book was just what I needed. This book means so much to me based on the representation. I loved that it was set in NYC with a backdrop of Harlem. The billionaire love story was truly sweet. This book was such a treat. It's a must read summer book.

I will be sharing this book in the Summer Reading Guide Romance in the next few weeks in What to Read Next Blog