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Dreamers #2
American Fairytale
Fairy-tale endings don’t just happen; they have to be fought for.
New York City social worker Camilo Santiago Briggs grew up surrounded by survivors who taught him to never rely on anything you didn’t earn yourself. He’s always dreamed of his own happily-ever-after, but he lives in the real world. Men who seem too good to be true…usually are. And Milo never ever mixes business with pleasure…until the mysterious man he had an unforgettable hookup with turns out to be the wealthy donor behind his agency’s new, next-level funding.
Thomas Hughes built a billion-dollar business from nothing: he knows what he wants and isn’t shy about going after it. When the enthralling stranger who blew his mind at a black-tie gala reappears, Tom’s more than ready to be his Prince Charming. Showering Milo with the very best of everything is how Tom shows his affection.
Trouble is, Milo’s not interested in any of it. The only thing Milo wants is Tom.
Fairy-tale endings take work as well as love. For Milo, that means learning to let someone take care of him, for a change. And for Tom, it’s figuring out that real love is the one thing you can’t buy.
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
This book is approximately 93,000 words
New York City social worker Camilo Santiago Briggs grew up surrounded by survivors who taught him to never rely on anything you didn’t earn yourself. He’s always dreamed of his own happily-ever-after, but he lives in the real world. Men who seem too good to be true…usually are. And Milo never ever mixes business with pleasure…until the mysterious man he had an unforgettable hookup with turns out to be the wealthy donor behind his agency’s new, next-level funding.
Thomas Hughes built a billion-dollar business from nothing: he knows what he wants and isn’t shy about going after it. When the enthralling stranger who blew his mind at a black-tie gala reappears, Tom’s more than ready to be his Prince Charming. Showering Milo with the very best of everything is how Tom shows his affection.
Trouble is, Milo’s not interested in any of it. The only thing Milo wants is Tom.
Fairy-tale endings take work as well as love. For Milo, that means learning to let someone take care of him, for a change. And for Tom, it’s figuring out that real love is the one thing you can’t buy.
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
This book is approximately 93,000 words
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2019
About the author
Adriana Herrera
44 books1,377 followersUSA 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
September 9, 2019
Oh my god! 🤦♀️ Where do I even begin??? 🙄🙄🙄 First of all, that’s the 8 hours of my life that I’m never going to get it back. 😒🙄 I’ve been trying to get into this book for like 3 months. I requested this book to review from NetGalley when it first came out because everyone was so hyped about this book. 🤷♀️ But even then, I couldn’t get past like 10% mark of the book. I just keep picking this up and putting it down. And the other day, I saw this book was available on Hoopla and the narrator was Sean Crisden so I was like, okay, I’m getting down to business and I AM going to finish this book.
Boy, did Milo the biatch try my patience and stretch me thin. 🤦♀️ In one word, this guy is freaking exhausting. First of all, if you have such a problem with people having money, why in the hell are you dating a billionaire??? And there’s loving your independence and there’s being bratty, ungrateful, bitter and just plain old bit*hy. And I don’t understand that part of Tom having a baby and an ex-husband since they are BARELY in the story. Like .. barely. 🙄 And I’m not trying to be offensive or anything. I myself is an Asian .. but what’s up with describing the skin color for every single character in the story??? 😳 Isn’t it like being stereotypical and unnecessary? 🙃 For example, an Asian can have tanned complexion, fair, or may be ebony. Being an Asian doesn’t mean he or she has to have a certain skin complexion. And please note that, I use Asians here as an example because I myself is an Asian. This book is just wrong on so many levels for me. I am not saying this book is NECESSARILY bad. I am just saying this isn’t my cuppa. 🤷♀️ I feel like this is the kind of contemporary story that you get almost anywhere. I had so much high hopes for this book and boy, did they fell short. 😅 I feel exhausted, drained and dissatisfied. I need a cup of soothing tea and a good book from recover from this mess. 🤦♀️🤷♀️
1.5 Ooooooooooo child, mama needs a cup of tea stars
⭐️💫
Disclaimer: An advanced review copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased review.
Boy, did Milo the biatch try my patience and stretch me thin. 🤦♀️ In one word, this guy is freaking exhausting. First of all, if you have such a problem with people having money, why in the hell are you dating a billionaire??? And there’s loving your independence and there’s being bratty, ungrateful, bitter and just plain old bit*hy. And I don’t understand that part of Tom having a baby and an ex-husband since they are BARELY in the story. Like .. barely. 🙄 And I’m not trying to be offensive or anything. I myself is an Asian .. but what’s up with describing the skin color for every single character in the story??? 😳 Isn’t it like being stereotypical and unnecessary? 🙃 For example, an Asian can have tanned complexion, fair, or may be ebony. Being an Asian doesn’t mean he or she has to have a certain skin complexion. And please note that, I use Asians here as an example because I myself is an Asian. This book is just wrong on so many levels for me. I am not saying this book is NECESSARILY bad. I am just saying this isn’t my cuppa. 🤷♀️ I feel like this is the kind of contemporary story that you get almost anywhere. I had so much high hopes for this book and boy, did they fell short. 😅 I feel exhausted, drained and dissatisfied. I need a cup of soothing tea and a good book from recover from this mess. 🤦♀️🤷♀️
1.5 Ooooooooooo child, mama needs a cup of tea stars
⭐️💫
Disclaimer: An advanced review copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased review.
Read
March 22, 2019Very much a fairytale romance as handsome charming millionaire Thomas and charity worker Milo fall in lust at first sight. Milo works for the charity to which Thomas is donating vast sums of money. The relationship accelerates very quickly and the two are very well suited except for the financial gap between them. Milo has no despite to be a kept man and Thomas has a tendency to chuck money around, and a staggeringly obnoxious habit of ordering for Milo at restaurants. (I feel a bit culturally adrift here because I would stare in slack-jawed incredulity at anyone under the age of 70 who tried that, and particularly someone who ordered me alcohol *at a work meeting* without asking, but Thomas does it despite being generally very socially aware and conscious of the power disparity, and presumably of the fact that food intolerances and allergies and religions exist. I have seen heroes ordering for heroines a lot in US romances so I am going to assume it's an actual thing that actual American men actually do, and that they inexplicably don't get the food dumped in their laps when it arrives. Nowt so queer as folk. /shrug/)
The point is, Thomas is hugely successful, driven, has already messed up one marriage by failing to pay attention to a significant other, and has a tendency to assume he knows best and to treat his lovers lavishly. Milo has very particular issues about money in relationships because his mother was a victim of domestic abuse relating to financial indebtedness, but really what it comes down to is that for all Thomas's caring and honesty, and the fact that he places intense value on how clearly Milo sees the real him, he *will not learn* to respect Milo's clearly expressed wishes about financial boundaries and making his own choices. He not only repeats the same mistake three times: he actually escalates.
On the one hand this is deeply frustrating to read. On the other, it's brutally realistic because making the same mistake over and over again is what people do--and it is also perfectly possible to sympathise with Thomas because he is not acting out of selfishness or lack of care. He does the wrong things for Milo, for the right reasons, and on the third occasion it's very hard not to sympathise with Thomas because Milo is being straight-up pig-headed. Which is of course his right, but when the only solution to a problem is "chuck money at it" and someone has money to chuck at it, one can see the temptation. It's very nice to read a millionaire romance that actually faces right up to the issues of wealth disparity in this way: there's nothing fairytale about being the beggarmaid to someone else's king.
It's quite an odd combination: fairytale romance with two people who are pretty much perfect for each other from the start, plus this gnarly, stubborn recurring issue. It means we don't so much have a sense of the story flowing onwards going through different conflicts as building up and sticking at the same place every time--until they finally break through it, which Thomas achieves in an excellent practical grovel. To make this sort of structure work absolutely depends on us rooting for the characters despite finding them frustrating. I think Herrera pulls it off, in part by showing that Milo's not perfect either and allowing us to sympathise with them both in their mistakes as well as in what they get right, and also by giving us an excellent cast of minor characters to shout at the pair of them so the reader doesn't have to.
This is a very strong series and I'm already anticipating book 3.
The point is, Thomas is hugely successful, driven, has already messed up one marriage by failing to pay attention to a significant other, and has a tendency to assume he knows best and to treat his lovers lavishly. Milo has very particular issues about money in relationships because his mother was a victim of domestic abuse relating to financial indebtedness, but really what it comes down to is that for all Thomas's caring and honesty, and the fact that he places intense value on how clearly Milo sees the real him, he *will not learn* to respect Milo's clearly expressed wishes about financial boundaries and making his own choices. He not only repeats the same mistake three times: he actually escalates.
On the one hand this is deeply frustrating to read. On the other, it's brutally realistic because making the same mistake over and over again is what people do--and it is also perfectly possible to sympathise with Thomas because he is not acting out of selfishness or lack of care. He does the wrong things for Milo, for the right reasons, and on the third occasion it's very hard not to sympathise with Thomas because Milo is being straight-up pig-headed. Which is of course his right, but when the only solution to a problem is "chuck money at it" and someone has money to chuck at it, one can see the temptation. It's very nice to read a millionaire romance that actually faces right up to the issues of wealth disparity in this way: there's nothing fairytale about being the beggarmaid to someone else's king.
It's quite an odd combination: fairytale romance with two people who are pretty much perfect for each other from the start, plus this gnarly, stubborn recurring issue. It means we don't so much have a sense of the story flowing onwards going through different conflicts as building up and sticking at the same place every time--until they finally break through it, which Thomas achieves in an excellent practical grovel. To make this sort of structure work absolutely depends on us rooting for the characters despite finding them frustrating. I think Herrera pulls it off, in part by showing that Milo's not perfect either and allowing us to sympathise with them both in their mistakes as well as in what they get right, and also by giving us an excellent cast of minor characters to shout at the pair of them so the reader doesn't have to.
This is a very strong series and I'm already anticipating book 3.
February 7, 2024
Cute, teeth-rotting sappy and very…politically correct while tackling a lot of the modern society traits and issues: racism, discrimination,feminism, domestic violence, cultural heritage, poverty, depression. The book is so wholesome you can’t avoid an eye-roll once in a while and the (too) sweet romance doesn’t help (the older MC is an absolute “too good to be true Prince Charming “). It’s well written and if you like this kind of wholesome, “educational” books go for it. I prefer a different approach, more realistic..Oh, and Milo was freaking exhausting and incredibly obnoxious.
June 12, 2019
Who’s ready to hear me gush about this brilliant book? Because I sure as ever am! This new adult, m/m romance is a sequel to a book I really enjoyed. However, this one took it to another level and stole my heart.
For starters, we are definitely getting some diversity served on a platter here. And it’s the good representation that is central to the story. Camilo is a Cuban-Jamaican living in the US, and his best friend is Japanese-Jamaican. His mother is a Cubanita and we get to see a little about her history, and how she is coping with her depression as well. So, we do get some mental health rep. Oh, and Tom, our love interest is a white passing Latinx man. Oh, and then we have their lovely romance, so we are getting LGBT+ rep too.
I really liked Camilo’s character and very much related to him. He spends a lot of time caught up in his head and spirals there. It’s a good thing he has his friends to talk him out of it. Speaking of, I adored his supportive friends he had around him who were always there to listen to him. While they aren’t where Camilo lives, we get to see his childhood friends in a long-distance way as well. I loved that! Because even though you move away, doesn’t mean your old friends stop being your good friends or there when you need them. The friendship dynamics were A+.
I also loved all the parental relationships in this book. It can be so easy for adult fiction to forget that even though the main characters are adults, it doesn’t mean that their parents have to stay out of the picture! In this one Camilo clearly loves and adores his mother. Seeing some of his mother’s history with Cuba and what she may have had to go through was important. I learned about the Cuban revolution in history class, but it’s fiction like this that teaches us about the social consequences on an individual and personal level. And we also get to see Tom with his parents too, and it was all so heart-warming.
Tom and Camilo had their fair share of problems to work through, but communication was not one of them. They had a lot of healthy communication when it came to sharing their feelings and struggles. But that does not, by any means, mean there were no problems or no tension that needed resolving. I still found that there were obstacles and issues they had to push through despite the healthy communication. And that’s just what I want to see in my romance reads.
This book was also longer than the typical new adult romance, and I appreciated that a lot. I love a romance where it doesn’t just work up to the characters falling in love, but ones where they take it a step further. Not only do we see the characters end up falling for each other, but also the struggles they have to face as a couple in a new relationship. We see the highs and the lows. Seeing them grow together was beautiful.
I very much appreciated some of the mentions of mental illness being a taboo subject and why it shouldn’t be. I like that Camilo identifies as ‘brown’ to make a distinction from black. I also really appreciated all the deeper discussion on being a white passing Latinx with white privilege. Tom’s character really allows the author to bring up some of the important themes and I really learned a lot from reading about it. I am so glad she chose to include that discussion in the novel. Herrera also managed to include it so that it wasn’t a distraction from the romance but imbedded into how the characters grow together.
There is also quite a bit of discussion in the beginning about whether we should or shouldn’t judge people by their financial situation – whether that be richer than us or poorer. I liked that she included the side of the argument we don’t usually get to see, and it was a good point to make. We can be quick to judge.
Tom really was a sweetheart! I mentioned how much I loved Camilo and cannot end this review without mentioning how much Tom stole my heart. He is tall and handsome and honestly so, so considerate of others. He’s aware that he can seem intimidating or powerful and tries to put other people at ease. I liked how he interacted with his parents. He also has a child and we all know how much I love young children in books (I wish she was included more!) Tom was the best.
As the title promises, the whole story kind of has a fairytale-esque feel to it. It’s not a retelling or flowerly prose, but it makes you think: what are the odds of this happening to him? And yet everything is also realistic. I’m giving this book extra points for the Beyonce and Ariana Grande references. I also haven’t gone into detail in this review but this book talks about being an abuse survivor and the work that Camilo does to support them as a social worker. I thought those moments were so important and relevant. I was glad to learn more about what wellness centres and companies do to support those in need of support.
My only slight qualm with the book is that the explicit scenes aren’t really for me. (I do read new adult regularly, so the genre itself was not the problem.) I think they were better than in the first book, so I didn’t mind them too much. But just not for me in this series, I guess shrug
I loved it and need the next one as soon as possible!
This review can be originally found on Olivia's Catastrophe: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2019/0...
For starters, we are definitely getting some diversity served on a platter here. And it’s the good representation that is central to the story. Camilo is a Cuban-Jamaican living in the US, and his best friend is Japanese-Jamaican. His mother is a Cubanita and we get to see a little about her history, and how she is coping with her depression as well. So, we do get some mental health rep. Oh, and Tom, our love interest is a white passing Latinx man. Oh, and then we have their lovely romance, so we are getting LGBT+ rep too.
I really liked Camilo’s character and very much related to him. He spends a lot of time caught up in his head and spirals there. It’s a good thing he has his friends to talk him out of it. Speaking of, I adored his supportive friends he had around him who were always there to listen to him. While they aren’t where Camilo lives, we get to see his childhood friends in a long-distance way as well. I loved that! Because even though you move away, doesn’t mean your old friends stop being your good friends or there when you need them. The friendship dynamics were A+.
I also loved all the parental relationships in this book. It can be so easy for adult fiction to forget that even though the main characters are adults, it doesn’t mean that their parents have to stay out of the picture! In this one Camilo clearly loves and adores his mother. Seeing some of his mother’s history with Cuba and what she may have had to go through was important. I learned about the Cuban revolution in history class, but it’s fiction like this that teaches us about the social consequences on an individual and personal level. And we also get to see Tom with his parents too, and it was all so heart-warming.
Tom and Camilo had their fair share of problems to work through, but communication was not one of them. They had a lot of healthy communication when it came to sharing their feelings and struggles. But that does not, by any means, mean there were no problems or no tension that needed resolving. I still found that there were obstacles and issues they had to push through despite the healthy communication. And that’s just what I want to see in my romance reads.
This book was also longer than the typical new adult romance, and I appreciated that a lot. I love a romance where it doesn’t just work up to the characters falling in love, but ones where they take it a step further. Not only do we see the characters end up falling for each other, but also the struggles they have to face as a couple in a new relationship. We see the highs and the lows. Seeing them grow together was beautiful.
I very much appreciated some of the mentions of mental illness being a taboo subject and why it shouldn’t be. I like that Camilo identifies as ‘brown’ to make a distinction from black. I also really appreciated all the deeper discussion on being a white passing Latinx with white privilege. Tom’s character really allows the author to bring up some of the important themes and I really learned a lot from reading about it. I am so glad she chose to include that discussion in the novel. Herrera also managed to include it so that it wasn’t a distraction from the romance but imbedded into how the characters grow together.
There is also quite a bit of discussion in the beginning about whether we should or shouldn’t judge people by their financial situation – whether that be richer than us or poorer. I liked that she included the side of the argument we don’t usually get to see, and it was a good point to make. We can be quick to judge.
Tom really was a sweetheart! I mentioned how much I loved Camilo and cannot end this review without mentioning how much Tom stole my heart. He is tall and handsome and honestly so, so considerate of others. He’s aware that he can seem intimidating or powerful and tries to put other people at ease. I liked how he interacted with his parents. He also has a child and we all know how much I love young children in books (I wish she was included more!) Tom was the best.
As the title promises, the whole story kind of has a fairytale-esque feel to it. It’s not a retelling or flowerly prose, but it makes you think: what are the odds of this happening to him? And yet everything is also realistic. I’m giving this book extra points for the Beyonce and Ariana Grande references. I also haven’t gone into detail in this review but this book talks about being an abuse survivor and the work that Camilo does to support them as a social worker. I thought those moments were so important and relevant. I was glad to learn more about what wellness centres and companies do to support those in need of support.
My only slight qualm with the book is that the explicit scenes aren’t really for me. (I do read new adult regularly, so the genre itself was not the problem.) I think they were better than in the first book, so I didn’t mind them too much. But just not for me in this series, I guess shrug
I loved it and need the next one as soon as possible!
This review can be originally found on Olivia's Catastrophe: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2019/0...
June 6, 2020
This series is SO GOOD
September 27, 2020
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DNF @ 16%
The first book in this series, AMERICAN DREAMER, was so good that I immediately zoomed out to grab all the other books in this series. It was a laundry list of everything I love in fiction: positive friendships, loving families (well-- for the most part), food and foodie culture, diversity(!), and a slow-burn romance where the focus is on the building of the relationship rather than a purely sexual need.
AMERICAN FAIRYTALE... is not that. Camilo is a social worker, which is awesome, and when we meet him he's at a charity event, where he meets a billionaire who casually throws down $10,000 for a plate at the event. They have sex in a bathroom before returning to the event. And then... it kind of gets boring?? One of the things that made AMERICAN DREAMER such an intense read for me was how real Jude and Nesto felt. I know people like them in real life. Even though the book was set in NY, SF has a food culture scene just like that, and I got to drool over the book while enjoying my foodie adventures vicariously through the story. It was passionate and interesting and emotional, and the villain of that story added some pretty desperate conflict to the pacing and plot.
I just don't find billionaires all that relatable. And while I will read billionaire romances on occasion, there has to be more to appeal than just "wow, he's commanding at sex and has a fuckton of money." Because I already have the t-shirt for that. In fact, I have many t-shirts. And they're all full of holes. I also didn't really like Milo as much as I liked Nesto. Part of that was maybe because the plot didn't seem to focus quite as much on his passion for his work, like Nesto's story did, which hooked me in from the beginning and didn't let go. I'm definitely going to continue with the series, but I think I'll be skipping this one, as I'm just not all that interested in Milo or Tom.
1.5 to 2 stars
April 16, 2019
There were many things about American Fairytale by Adriana Herrera that I enjoyed.
-Dual POVs
-The plot certainly lived up to its name. It did feel real fairytale like- successful man sweeps a younger social worker off his feet.
-Loved the relationship development, how Thomas went about courting Milo. It was sweet and romantic.
-Great cast of secondary characters.
-Just as in the previous book, American Dreamer, I enjoyed reading about the characters' heritage and backgrounds, finding what makes them tick.
-I felt Herrera showed how perfect these two men were for each other.
-The groveling at the end- Herrera excells at this part of storytelling. Her characters give good grovel. :)
Why not 5 Stars? The conflict became frustrating for me- from both men. Thomas has more money than he knows what to do with and would use it to solve problems for Milo despite being told by him he didn't want any of his money. Milo was very independent and proud. Thomas kept doing the same thing, but after a while, Milo's argument started to feel more like a whine and started to get on my nerves. The conflict began to be blown out of proportion. I don't know I have mixed feelings about this. All I know is that it soured the book for me a bit.
All in all, American Fairytale was a good story. Herrera's words flow smoothly, and this heartwarming tale was an easy, quick read.
3.5 Stars
P.S. I can't wait for the next book!
-Dual POVs
-The plot certainly lived up to its name. It did feel real fairytale like- successful man sweeps a younger social worker off his feet.
-Loved the relationship development, how Thomas went about courting Milo. It was sweet and romantic.
-Great cast of secondary characters.
-Just as in the previous book, American Dreamer, I enjoyed reading about the characters' heritage and backgrounds, finding what makes them tick.
-I felt Herrera showed how perfect these two men were for each other.
-The groveling at the end- Herrera excells at this part of storytelling. Her characters give good grovel. :)
Why not 5 Stars? The conflict became frustrating for me- from both men. Thomas has more money than he knows what to do with and would use it to solve problems for Milo despite being told by him he didn't want any of his money. Milo was very independent and proud. Thomas kept doing the same thing, but after a while, Milo's argument started to feel more like a whine and started to get on my nerves. The conflict began to be blown out of proportion. I don't know I have mixed feelings about this. All I know is that it soured the book for me a bit.
All in all, American Fairytale was a good story. Herrera's words flow smoothly, and this heartwarming tale was an easy, quick read.
3.5 Stars
P.S. I can't wait for the next book!
August 24, 2024
Review from 2019
A- for narration / B+ for content, 4.5 stars
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.
Sean Crisden’s voice would be completely swoonworthy if he were reading the backs of cereal packets, but fortunately, he’s got much better material to work with here and he more than does it justice. His pacing is spot on, his vocal characterisations and differentiation are excellent, and I was really impressed with the way he moved so seamlessly into what sounded to me like flawless Spanish when called for. (It’s mostly simple words or phrases, and what’s being said is made obvious by the text, so you won’t miss anything if you don’t understand it word for word.) His interpretations of both Milo and Tom are fabulous; he captures Milo’s prickly snarkiness and Tom’s mixture of confidence and vulnerability really well and voices them so completely differently that there’s never any confusion as to who is speaking or as to the difference between narrative and dialogue. The current trend in contemporary romances told in dual points of view is to use two narrators, but I’m really glad that wasn’t done here, as using just one allows for a much greater consistency and cohesiveness throughout. Plus – Mr. Crisden shows that it just isn’t necessary if you get the right narrator! There’s a fairly large secondary cast, and although some of the characters sound a little similar at times – I’m thinking of Milo’s and Tom’s mothers – those characters don’t generally appear in the same scenes, so there’s no real confusion.
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 AND a superb performance from Sean Crisden, it all adds up to an audiobook I have no hesitation in recommending.
A- for narration / B+ for content, 4.5 stars
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.
Sean Crisden’s voice would be completely swoonworthy if he were reading the backs of cereal packets, but fortunately, he’s got much better material to work with here and he more than does it justice. His pacing is spot on, his vocal characterisations and differentiation are excellent, and I was really impressed with the way he moved so seamlessly into what sounded to me like flawless Spanish when called for. (It’s mostly simple words or phrases, and what’s being said is made obvious by the text, so you won’t miss anything if you don’t understand it word for word.) His interpretations of both Milo and Tom are fabulous; he captures Milo’s prickly snarkiness and Tom’s mixture of confidence and vulnerability really well and voices them so completely differently that there’s never any confusion as to who is speaking or as to the difference between narrative and dialogue. The current trend in contemporary romances told in dual points of view is to use two narrators, but I’m really glad that wasn’t done here, as using just one allows for a much greater consistency and cohesiveness throughout. Plus – Mr. Crisden shows that it just isn’t necessary if you get the right narrator! There’s a fairly large secondary cast, and although some of the characters sound a little similar at times – I’m thinking of Milo’s and Tom’s mothers – those characters don’t generally appear in the same scenes, so there’s no real confusion.
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 AND a superb performance from Sean Crisden, it all adds up to an audiobook I have no hesitation in recommending.
March 5, 2022
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but I LOVED this one. A wonderful twist on the millionaire (billionaire?) trope, with two MCs whose backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives on life are very similar in some ways but very different in others; who are 100 percent committed to their close-knit families and friends; and who are caring, competent, funny, and not afraid to face hard truths and work on themselves when they fuck up. And this is Adriana Herrera, so you know it is hot. Damn, she writes good chemistry.
There is so much to love about this book, but I want to focus particularly on Camilo's job as a social worker in a grassroots organization called New Beginnings that provides services, shelter, and support to survivors of domestic violence. While Camilo and Tom first meet and have a scorching encounter at a gala dinner (Camilo's ticket scored from his boss, who had to cancel), their further relationship is enabled by the fact that Tom, the m/billionaire, is funding a huge project for the renovation of one of New Beginnings' domestic violence shelters, for which Camilo is the project leader (neither of them knew this when they had the aforementioned encounter). Adriana Herrera is herself a social worker and trauma specialist working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and her expertise, compassion, care, and awareness is so evident in the way she writes Camilo and his work. Herrera is an excellent and empathetic writer regardless, but in this story - where she is writing about something she obviously knows, lives, and cares deeply about - you can just feel the care, knowledge, and commitment radiating off the page. And it's such a gift for the reader as well, to be made aware of so many everyday things that affect trauma victims' sense of security and self - things that those of us who are lucky enough to not be affected by intimate violence (or other sources of trauma), often would not be aware of. Camilo and Tom's story is a fun, funny, hot romance - but in telling their story, Herrera is also giving her readers a gentle lesson in paying attention to and being mindful about how we can support survivors in our lives, even if only in small ways. And she pushes back hard - and rightly - against the idea that poor people, or people on the margins, or people who are struggling don't deserve joy:
"Turning, [Camilo] pointed in the direction of the street. 'What they hear out there is, "If you're black or brown, poor and a single mom, you have no right to joy, you haven't earned it." We say, "Fuck that because neither has anyone else." So we make a point of doing stuff like the New York City Bodies classes. To reinforce they have the right to moments that are just theirs, that no matter what good or bad decisions they've made or how hard things are, they still get joy.'"
This is so moving and so goddamned right that I nearly busted out crying. Romance as a genre is about many things, but I think that fundamental to the idea of romance is the idea of finding and centering joy - which, in a romance novel, primarily (if not exclusively) takes the form of romantic love. And that is very much present in this novel too: Camilo and Tom's joy comes from many places (family, friends, food, their cultures, their work), all of which are given their due, but certainly the intimacy and love and relationship that grows between them is the focal point of the book. But reading this full-throated defense of joy as something for everyone, not something "earned" or "deserved" or contingent on other people or a relationship or sex or even a happy ending - damn, that made me so happy. Just hats fucking off to Adriana Herrera for this.
As a long-term expatriate raising bi-national, bilingual children, I also really loved the exploration of identity, belonging, and (for lack of a better word) splittedness felt by many of us living with a foot in two countries and cultures. Really beautifully done, and something I really identified with.
Like all Adriana Herrera books, the cast is diverse across many identity markers. I love the way Spanish is woven in, love the dialogue, love the love that Herrera has for her characters and their cultures and how this shines through on the page.
I also appreciated the fact that the story raises and deals with things that legitimately could be obstacles (Camilo's concern about having a relationship with a donor; Tom not telling Camilo about his daughter until an unplanned meeting forces the issue) in a straightforward and grownup way. Like, yes, these are valid issues and concerns! And there is definitely scope for drama here! But guess what? We thought them through and communicated about them like adults, and it ended up that we could work through it! This is like a freaking object lesson in how to deal with your shit, individually and together. Hats off again, Ms. Herrera.
Also, Priya and Ayako are fucking queens. Just so that's clear.
There is, of course, inevitably a conflict that blows up, one that is seeded and foreshadowed throughout. And while I'm hugely sympathetic to Camilo's point of view here, I will say that it felt a bit one-sided (all Tom's fault). I understand that Tom fucked up in how he dealt with the situation, but I also know from experience that it can be incredibly frustrating and hurtful to be in a relationship where the other person is refusing to accept help in a way that is actually harming themselves. So while I accept that Tom was in the wrong, I would have liked if Milo could have similarly accepted that he needs to work on taking a helping hand when it's offered him, and in articulating what it is he needs (not just blankly denying what he doesn't want, i.e. Tom's money). But that is probably more me than the book.
All in all - a fantastic, moving, fun, compassionate, hot read that is just like a big warm hug from a friend you didn't know you had. Loved loved loved it.
There is so much to love about this book, but I want to focus particularly on Camilo's job as a social worker in a grassroots organization called New Beginnings that provides services, shelter, and support to survivors of domestic violence. While Camilo and Tom first meet and have a scorching encounter at a gala dinner (Camilo's ticket scored from his boss, who had to cancel), their further relationship is enabled by the fact that Tom, the m/billionaire, is funding a huge project for the renovation of one of New Beginnings' domestic violence shelters, for which Camilo is the project leader (neither of them knew this when they had the aforementioned encounter). Adriana Herrera is herself a social worker and trauma specialist working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and her expertise, compassion, care, and awareness is so evident in the way she writes Camilo and his work. Herrera is an excellent and empathetic writer regardless, but in this story - where she is writing about something she obviously knows, lives, and cares deeply about - you can just feel the care, knowledge, and commitment radiating off the page. And it's such a gift for the reader as well, to be made aware of so many everyday things that affect trauma victims' sense of security and self - things that those of us who are lucky enough to not be affected by intimate violence (or other sources of trauma), often would not be aware of. Camilo and Tom's story is a fun, funny, hot romance - but in telling their story, Herrera is also giving her readers a gentle lesson in paying attention to and being mindful about how we can support survivors in our lives, even if only in small ways. And she pushes back hard - and rightly - against the idea that poor people, or people on the margins, or people who are struggling don't deserve joy:
"Turning, [Camilo] pointed in the direction of the street. 'What they hear out there is, "If you're black or brown, poor and a single mom, you have no right to joy, you haven't earned it." We say, "Fuck that because neither has anyone else." So we make a point of doing stuff like the New York City Bodies classes. To reinforce they have the right to moments that are just theirs, that no matter what good or bad decisions they've made or how hard things are, they still get joy.'"
This is so moving and so goddamned right that I nearly busted out crying. Romance as a genre is about many things, but I think that fundamental to the idea of romance is the idea of finding and centering joy - which, in a romance novel, primarily (if not exclusively) takes the form of romantic love. And that is very much present in this novel too: Camilo and Tom's joy comes from many places (family, friends, food, their cultures, their work), all of which are given their due, but certainly the intimacy and love and relationship that grows between them is the focal point of the book. But reading this full-throated defense of joy as something for everyone, not something "earned" or "deserved" or contingent on other people or a relationship or sex or even a happy ending - damn, that made me so happy. Just hats fucking off to Adriana Herrera for this.
As a long-term expatriate raising bi-national, bilingual children, I also really loved the exploration of identity, belonging, and (for lack of a better word) splittedness felt by many of us living with a foot in two countries and cultures. Really beautifully done, and something I really identified with.
Like all Adriana Herrera books, the cast is diverse across many identity markers. I love the way Spanish is woven in, love the dialogue, love the love that Herrera has for her characters and their cultures and how this shines through on the page.
I also appreciated the fact that the story raises and deals with things that legitimately could be obstacles (Camilo's concern about having a relationship with a donor; Tom not telling Camilo about his daughter until an unplanned meeting forces the issue) in a straightforward and grownup way. Like, yes, these are valid issues and concerns! And there is definitely scope for drama here! But guess what? We thought them through and communicated about them like adults, and it ended up that we could work through it! This is like a freaking object lesson in how to deal with your shit, individually and together. Hats off again, Ms. Herrera.
Also, Priya and Ayako are fucking queens. Just so that's clear.
There is, of course, inevitably a conflict that blows up, one that is seeded and foreshadowed throughout. And while I'm hugely sympathetic to Camilo's point of view here, I will say that it felt a bit one-sided (all Tom's fault). I understand that Tom fucked up in how he dealt with the situation, but I also know from experience that it can be incredibly frustrating and hurtful to be in a relationship where the other person is refusing to accept help in a way that is actually harming themselves. So while I accept that Tom was in the wrong, I would have liked if Milo could have similarly accepted that he needs to work on taking a helping hand when it's offered him, and in articulating what it is he needs (not just blankly denying what he doesn't want, i.e. Tom's money). But that is probably more me than the book.
All in all - a fantastic, moving, fun, compassionate, hot read that is just like a big warm hug from a friend you didn't know you had. Loved loved loved it.
May 27, 2019
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.
CW: domestic violence, references to microaggressions and racism
Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.
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.
CW: domestic violence, references to microaggressions and racism
Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2019
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.
June 15, 2019
FYI – “American Fairytale” is the second in Adriana Herrera’s Dreamers series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.
“American Fairytale” draws together two strong characters into a romance that definitely holds your interest. I like the flow of the plot and especially enjoy how the author portrays the characters’ rich Latinx culture and background – Camilo’s Cuban heritage as well as Tom’s Dominican heritage. And as the author notes, this book is a love story to strong Latinx women.
Camilo and Tom meet hot n’ steamy (can you say smokin’ bathroom blow job with a sizzle of dominance) in the midst of a black-tie gala, and then meet again – to their horror – when Tom turns out to be the wealth White Knight who has donated buckets of money to build a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse to the agency that employs Camilo. Camilo worries that his boss will learn of their prior involvement, but then again, Camilo worries about everything.
Camilo is a porcupine of emotion – prickly, irate, pissed off, worried, upset, mad, pouty – basically anything life-related bumps into Camillo’s thick pelt of spiky emotions and it sets him off. IMHO, Camillo is one of those people who starts with the absolute worse-case scenario in any given situation, and hangs onto that with all they’ve got. Simply put, Camillo is exhausting.
Millionaire Tom is incredibly wealthy and extremely generous in using his money to help people, but he has a tendency to throw money at a problem. And one of the central issues of this story is how Tom uses his money to “help” Camilo, only to have Camilo rail against having control taken away from him. And Tom also has some real tone deafness when it comes to keying into the feelings of others.
Tom and Camilo have a deeply satisfying sexual relationship; their problems begin when they leave the bedroom. But eventually, slowly and at times with lots of aggravation (I think this is the sort of book where either Tom will drive you crazy, or Camilo will drive you up a wall because of their dynamic), they eventually work it all out. I could have done without about 50% of the drama, but overall, this was a very satisfying read. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from Carina Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
“American Fairytale” draws together two strong characters into a romance that definitely holds your interest. I like the flow of the plot and especially enjoy how the author portrays the characters’ rich Latinx culture and background – Camilo’s Cuban heritage as well as Tom’s Dominican heritage. And as the author notes, this book is a love story to strong Latinx women.
Camilo and Tom meet hot n’ steamy (can you say smokin’ bathroom blow job with a sizzle of dominance) in the midst of a black-tie gala, and then meet again – to their horror – when Tom turns out to be the wealth White Knight who has donated buckets of money to build a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse to the agency that employs Camilo. Camilo worries that his boss will learn of their prior involvement, but then again, Camilo worries about everything.
Camilo is a porcupine of emotion – prickly, irate, pissed off, worried, upset, mad, pouty – basically anything life-related bumps into Camillo’s thick pelt of spiky emotions and it sets him off. IMHO, Camillo is one of those people who starts with the absolute worse-case scenario in any given situation, and hangs onto that with all they’ve got. Simply put, Camillo is exhausting.
Millionaire Tom is incredibly wealthy and extremely generous in using his money to help people, but he has a tendency to throw money at a problem. And one of the central issues of this story is how Tom uses his money to “help” Camilo, only to have Camilo rail against having control taken away from him. And Tom also has some real tone deafness when it comes to keying into the feelings of others.
Tom and Camilo have a deeply satisfying sexual relationship; their problems begin when they leave the bedroom. But eventually, slowly and at times with lots of aggravation (I think this is the sort of book where either Tom will drive you crazy, or Camilo will drive you up a wall because of their dynamic), they eventually work it all out. I could have done without about 50% of the drama, but overall, this was a very satisfying read. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from Carina Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
May 30, 2019
I absolutely adored this! 😍😍 It was so sweet and adorable and highly recommended. 💜💜💜
But yes, I took a star off for
But yes, I took a star off for
April 22, 2019
I love Adrianna Herrera's debut,
American Dreamer
, which shows Herrera's strong love towards her Caribbean root using the delicious foods. Unfortunately, as a follow-up to that one,
American Fairytale
fails to entertain me.
Duly noted, maybe I should stop reading romance that involves millionaires because it doesn't seem to end well for me. It usually involves issue of money -- especially if the love interest doesn't share the same social class. The millionaire will be baffled because it's only money, "I GOT ZILLIONS!" while the love interest will feel that the romance is tainted with money, and that he/she loses all control of their relationship. It's no longer an interesting topic for me to read. I prefer to read romance between two working class people, everyday's guys/girls, because it resonates with me better.
Anyway, this trope is what builds American Fairytale . Camilo Santiago Briggs is a New York City social worker who works with survivors of domestic abuse. Thomas Hughes is a billionaire who becomes a donor for shelter project, overseeing by Milo. Yes, there's attraction between them, but there's also that question about "imbalance power". MAYBE, it can be something interesting to read, unfortunately, the things that Herrera brings into the story are all seem passé to me -- like, I've read these scenes many times in the yesteryear.
I am not very much amused with how Tom doesn't seem to understand that by simply "ordering tickets, ordering menu, and buying a whole building" in regards to Milo, is taking Milo's control from under his feet. Trust me, I will be quite angry with Tom in real life if he does the same with me.
However, I'm also not prone to Milo's drama llama. So, yes, I'm already not a fan of the trope, and I'm not inspired by these two men. Which is quite a shame, because Milo's occupation really intrigues me. I wish that I can read more interactions between Milo and the survivors.
On the positive note, I still love how Herrera includes strong diversity in her stories -- be it characters or explanation of cultures. I still look forward to further story coming from her. Currently, book #3 has yet title or release date. But rest assured, I'll be reading that one as well :)
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Duly noted, maybe I should stop reading romance that involves millionaires because it doesn't seem to end well for me. It usually involves issue of money -- especially if the love interest doesn't share the same social class. The millionaire will be baffled because it's only money, "I GOT ZILLIONS!" while the love interest will feel that the romance is tainted with money, and that he/she loses all control of their relationship. It's no longer an interesting topic for me to read. I prefer to read romance between two working class people, everyday's guys/girls, because it resonates with me better.
Anyway, this trope is what builds American Fairytale . Camilo Santiago Briggs is a New York City social worker who works with survivors of domestic abuse. Thomas Hughes is a billionaire who becomes a donor for shelter project, overseeing by Milo. Yes, there's attraction between them, but there's also that question about "imbalance power". MAYBE, it can be something interesting to read, unfortunately, the things that Herrera brings into the story are all seem passé to me -- like, I've read these scenes many times in the yesteryear.
I am not very much amused with how Tom doesn't seem to understand that by simply "ordering tickets, ordering menu, and buying a whole building" in regards to Milo, is taking Milo's control from under his feet. Trust me, I will be quite angry with Tom in real life if he does the same with me.
However, I'm also not prone to Milo's drama llama. So, yes, I'm already not a fan of the trope, and I'm not inspired by these two men. Which is quite a shame, because Milo's occupation really intrigues me. I wish that I can read more interactions between Milo and the survivors.
On the positive note, I still love how Herrera includes strong diversity in her stories -- be it characters or explanation of cultures. I still look forward to further story coming from her. Currently, book #3 has yet title or release date. But rest assured, I'll be reading that one as well :)
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
January 10, 2021
Milo and Tom. These two, on their own, would be in the running for most stubborn mates. But what I love is that together, their stubbornness has more to do with who they are and what they stand for than being stubborn for stubborn’s sake like you frequently see in romance novels. And the power differential in this book was a huge conflict and so well dealt with. There was no magic...instead it was good-old-fashioned hard work and compromise that won the day. I started to say more about this, but you’ll see for yourself.
As someone who has done similar work as Milo does in the story, I’m grateful for how Herrera wove the reality of domestic violence into her story in a way that was meaningful but also hopeful. I truly loved Dinorah’s strength. And Libe is a true gift in this story. Loved her fire.
I highly recommend this story for anyone who wants to read a well-grounded fairytale with humor, great dialogue, and a powerful read that takes you deep. Loved this book.
As someone who has done similar work as Milo does in the story, I’m grateful for how Herrera wove the reality of domestic violence into her story in a way that was meaningful but also hopeful. I truly loved Dinorah’s strength. And Libe is a true gift in this story. Loved her fire.
I highly recommend this story for anyone who wants to read a well-grounded fairytale with humor, great dialogue, and a powerful read that takes you deep. Loved this book.
April 10, 2019
I haven’t been this conflicted about a book for sometime but I think I wanna give this a 3.5.
I haven’t read the first book in this series but I have heard great things and really got excited when I got this ARC. I love stories with fairytale-esque themes and this book was very adorable and swoony for the most part.
Camilo is a social worker and I loved the passion he had for his work. Every time he talked about the work he did at the shelter and the ideas he had for how to help his clients, it was wonderful to read and I could totally see why Tom fell in love with him. Tom on the other hand is such a thoughtful amazing person, very connected to his roots and this drive to support causes that are close to his heart. Except the part where Tom tries to solve issues with money, which made Camilo uncomfortable, these two were literally perfect for each other. The attraction was instant since the first time they met and the slow organic progression to love was beautiful to watch. And the scenes with Tom’s daughter Libe were an absolute delight.
The writing in this book is just so easy to get through, I was done in a single sitting. The author does a great job of showing us the culture that both Tom and Camilo come from, and it was awesome to read their conversations about their heritage, the ethnic food or even the issues related to their community. The friend group in this book is also very very diverse and I liked getting to know them, even if I couldn’t keep track of all of them sometimes. While I understood why the conflict occurred in the story, I didn’t completely like how it played out and I felt that some very thoughtless accusations were thrown around, which never did get a proper resolution. Also, despite hearing so much about Camilo’s passion for his work, we don’t get to see much of him actually doing it and I think that was a missed opportunity.
Overall, this is a swoony sweet romance featuring very good characters and some emotional angst thrown in. I recommend this book if you like reading romances about people who are proud of their cultures and it reflects off the page and who are very eager to do something for helping those in society who need it. It also works very well as stand-alone and I never felt that I was missing out any references. I also have a feeling I’ll be checking out the next one in the series because I really liked the author’s storytelling.
I haven’t read the first book in this series but I have heard great things and really got excited when I got this ARC. I love stories with fairytale-esque themes and this book was very adorable and swoony for the most part.
Camilo is a social worker and I loved the passion he had for his work. Every time he talked about the work he did at the shelter and the ideas he had for how to help his clients, it was wonderful to read and I could totally see why Tom fell in love with him. Tom on the other hand is such a thoughtful amazing person, very connected to his roots and this drive to support causes that are close to his heart. Except the part where Tom tries to solve issues with money, which made Camilo uncomfortable, these two were literally perfect for each other. The attraction was instant since the first time they met and the slow organic progression to love was beautiful to watch. And the scenes with Tom’s daughter Libe were an absolute delight.
The writing in this book is just so easy to get through, I was done in a single sitting. The author does a great job of showing us the culture that both Tom and Camilo come from, and it was awesome to read their conversations about their heritage, the ethnic food or even the issues related to their community. The friend group in this book is also very very diverse and I liked getting to know them, even if I couldn’t keep track of all of them sometimes. While I understood why the conflict occurred in the story, I didn’t completely like how it played out and I felt that some very thoughtless accusations were thrown around, which never did get a proper resolution. Also, despite hearing so much about Camilo’s passion for his work, we don’t get to see much of him actually doing it and I think that was a missed opportunity.
Overall, this is a swoony sweet romance featuring very good characters and some emotional angst thrown in. I recommend this book if you like reading romances about people who are proud of their cultures and it reflects off the page and who are very eager to do something for helping those in society who need it. It also works very well as stand-alone and I never felt that I was missing out any references. I also have a feeling I’ll be checking out the next one in the series because I really liked the author’s storytelling.
April 27, 2019
The minute I saw this book was available I grabbed it. Book one, American Dreamer, was so outstanding I knew I’d be in for a treat with more. Could the author top her debut book? Oh yes. Milo’s story is highly entertaining and fulfilled my fantasy of having everyone find Mr. Right to make them happy.
Am I sappy? Yes, I am. But the story made me feel so very good, I simply want to share the experience with others.
Four young men grew up together in New York City. All sons of Caribbean immigrants, the men are of an age to strike out on their own. In American Dreamer, Nesto pursued his dream by taking his food catering business to Ithaca, where he met the man of his dreams. Now, in book two, we spend time with Camilo Santiago Briggs, or Milo to friends and family, a social worker and project manager in a nonprofit that serves victims of domestic abuse.
When he’s assigned as liaison to Thomas Hughes, a wealthy donor who is contributing to renovating the home for women and to funding future projects, he’s thrilled to be chosen. Until he meets the man and realizes he’s the guy he recently hooked up with at a friend’s wedding, and he wants to crawl into a corner and hide out. But Thomas isn’t going to let that happen. He’s smitten with Milo and plans to pursue him until he’s good and ready to walk away.
Milo is attractive, friendly, driven, and fiercely independent. He’s family-oriented, a hard worker, and takes his responsibilities to his mother, his friends, and his job seriously. Born in the Dominican Republic, Thomas is strong, wealthy, goal-driven, and totally head over heels for Milo. He values Milo’s individuality and refuses to give up before finding a way to make their lives mesh.
Just like with American Dreamer, there’s so much to like about this story—the writing, the pace, the interesting Dominican Republic cultural information, the relationship-building, the secondary characters, and the core message of drawing strength from family and friends.
I’m definitely looking forward to more from this author in future. I can’t wait to read stories devoted to Milo’s best friends, Patrice and Juanpa. I very highly recommend this book to all lovers of MM romance, and especially to those who enjoy stories so rich in cultural heritage that readers are inspired to learn more.
A copy of the ARC was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.
Am I sappy? Yes, I am. But the story made me feel so very good, I simply want to share the experience with others.
Four young men grew up together in New York City. All sons of Caribbean immigrants, the men are of an age to strike out on their own. In American Dreamer, Nesto pursued his dream by taking his food catering business to Ithaca, where he met the man of his dreams. Now, in book two, we spend time with Camilo Santiago Briggs, or Milo to friends and family, a social worker and project manager in a nonprofit that serves victims of domestic abuse.
When he’s assigned as liaison to Thomas Hughes, a wealthy donor who is contributing to renovating the home for women and to funding future projects, he’s thrilled to be chosen. Until he meets the man and realizes he’s the guy he recently hooked up with at a friend’s wedding, and he wants to crawl into a corner and hide out. But Thomas isn’t going to let that happen. He’s smitten with Milo and plans to pursue him until he’s good and ready to walk away.
Milo is attractive, friendly, driven, and fiercely independent. He’s family-oriented, a hard worker, and takes his responsibilities to his mother, his friends, and his job seriously. Born in the Dominican Republic, Thomas is strong, wealthy, goal-driven, and totally head over heels for Milo. He values Milo’s individuality and refuses to give up before finding a way to make their lives mesh.
Just like with American Dreamer, there’s so much to like about this story—the writing, the pace, the interesting Dominican Republic cultural information, the relationship-building, the secondary characters, and the core message of drawing strength from family and friends.
I’m definitely looking forward to more from this author in future. I can’t wait to read stories devoted to Milo’s best friends, Patrice and Juanpa. I very highly recommend this book to all lovers of MM romance, and especially to those who enjoy stories so rich in cultural heritage that readers are inspired to learn more.
A copy of the ARC was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.
May 23, 2019
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!
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!
April 1, 2020
Things I loved in American Fairytale:
- Men of color getting an HEA
- Thoughtful discussions of social justice, white-passing privilege, and mental health stigma
- Thomas having an adorable daughter
- Strong friendships and family ties
- Camilo enforcing his boundaries in a relationship, even when it might be easier not to
Things I was not such a fan of:
- Hookup to lovers is one of my least favorite tropes. I'm a slow-burn fan so this almost immediate graphic sex scene felt jarring to me.
- Insta-love? It feels like to compensate for the quick hookup, the Camilo and Thomas are made to sense this instant and deep connection which I didn't quite buy.
Basically, I loved the messaging of this and the development of the characters and friendships quite a bit. The romance for me was meh, but I will probably read more in the series anyway.
- Men of color getting an HEA
- Thoughtful discussions of social justice, white-passing privilege, and mental health stigma
- Thomas having an adorable daughter
- Strong friendships and family ties
- Camilo enforcing his boundaries in a relationship, even when it might be easier not to
Things I was not such a fan of:
- Hookup to lovers is one of my least favorite tropes. I'm a slow-burn fan so this almost immediate graphic sex scene felt jarring to me.
- Insta-love? It feels like to compensate for the quick hookup, the Camilo and Thomas are made to sense this instant and deep connection which I didn't quite buy.
Basically, I loved the messaging of this and the development of the characters and friendships quite a bit. The romance for me was meh, but I will probably read more in the series anyway.
June 21, 2019
3.25
There's still too much tell/exposition for me. It did take some feels out for me.
Interestingly, the big "choice" conflicts I understand with the ordering and what not. Silly though to make the second time at the chef's table w/ a pre-planned menu because that's part of the experience and... Like .. Usually amazing?
I like what Herrera's doing, and appreciated that there was no real villain here. Two sweet, idealistic, evolved heroes that talk.
There's still too much tell/exposition for me. It did take some feels out for me.
Interestingly, the big "choice" conflicts I understand with the ordering and what not. Silly though to make the second time at the chef's table w/ a pre-planned menu because that's part of the experience and... Like .. Usually amazing?
I like what Herrera's doing, and appreciated that there was no real villain here. Two sweet, idealistic, evolved heroes that talk.
February 23, 2020
I am a control freak. I do not like asking for help. I understand Milo's issues with both. THAT SAID, loving someone who has money means accepting they have money. I genuinely do not believe that Milo is capable of this.
This book fails as a romance because there's no way this couple will last, which is a shame, because I actually liked them together. So very grateful I did not buy this book.
This book fails as a romance because there's no way this couple will last, which is a shame, because I actually liked them together. So very grateful I did not buy this book.
February 2, 2024
This book was SO GOOD. My god this series.
This one is about Camillo, a social worker who has a one night stand at a gala with a man who then turns out to be a major donor to the org he works for. Tom is a wealthy entrepreneur from the Dominican Republic with a heart of gold. I loved the romance, the side characters once again crackled. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
This one is about Camillo, a social worker who has a one night stand at a gala with a man who then turns out to be a major donor to the org he works for. Tom is a wealthy entrepreneur from the Dominican Republic with a heart of gold. I loved the romance, the side characters once again crackled. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
May 20, 2019
4.5 Stars! Adriana Herrera pens a marvelous between social worker Milo Santiago and tech millionaire Tom Hughes. It is fully of sexy chemistry, charm, and heart.
I love the world Herrera creates with Milo's circle of friends who represent the Afro Caribbean diaspora. Milo's mother is Cuban refugee and his father who who is not around is Jamaican. Tom is white passing Dominican whose father is white but moved to DR and met and married Tom's mom. His parents are amazing. Milo's mom is pretty amazing too. She struggles with depression and Milo works himself to exhaustion trying to ease some of her money and housing stress.
I really value the exploration of Tom's perceived identity versus his home culture because my home culture and my red hair don't match up either. Tom's own circle friends from his Ivy League college days as well as their business is wonderful drawn.
The conflict of the plot teases with the forbidden workplace but doesn't really go there and the work meeting become lovely dates and courting. The really conflicts come as they should from the character themselves.
We do get systemic pressures as well with class, mental health care, and housing but Tom's habits of not putting in the time and relay on money and taking away Milo's agency. Also, Milo's work in domestic violence and his and his mother's histories with men make his boundries and learning to partner and balance independence and inter dependance.
The writing is depth and all the characters are so well crafted and romance made me so happy.
Can't wait for the next one in the series!
I was given this book for my honest review. So there you have it!
I love the world Herrera creates with Milo's circle of friends who represent the Afro Caribbean diaspora. Milo's mother is Cuban refugee and his father who who is not around is Jamaican. Tom is white passing Dominican whose father is white but moved to DR and met and married Tom's mom. His parents are amazing. Milo's mom is pretty amazing too. She struggles with depression and Milo works himself to exhaustion trying to ease some of her money and housing stress.
I really value the exploration of Tom's perceived identity versus his home culture because my home culture and my red hair don't match up either. Tom's own circle friends from his Ivy League college days as well as their business is wonderful drawn.
The conflict of the plot teases with the forbidden workplace but doesn't really go there and the work meeting become lovely dates and courting. The really conflicts come as they should from the character themselves.
We do get systemic pressures as well with class, mental health care, and housing but Tom's habits of not putting in the time and relay on money and taking away Milo's agency. Also, Milo's work in domestic violence and his and his mother's histories with men make his boundries and learning to partner and balance independence and inter dependance.
The writing is depth and all the characters are so well crafted and romance made me so happy.
Can't wait for the next one in the series!
I was given this book for my honest review. So there you have it!
April 24, 2019
Camilo Santiago Briggs doesn't believe in fairy tales. He believes in working hard and making things happen for yourself, a lesson he's learned from his mother and from his career as a New York City social worker.
So when Milo finds out the mystery man he shared the hottest hookup of his life with is in fact billionaire Thomas Hughes, and is in fact going to be funding the project Milo's in charge of at his non-profit job, he is completely skeptical. Knights in shining armor don't exist, and hot men in expensive tuxes who seem to good to be true are exactly that.
But Tom is going to show Milo just how real fairy tales can actually be.
Hot, hot, hot, and so incredibly swoony! I ate up every word of this delicious big city contemporary. I especially love a romance that sees the two main characters hooking up in the first chapters, then fighting their feelings for each other and trying to resist doing it again! Good luck!
Herrera is a talent to watch and her Dreamers series is A+ romance at its finest!
Content warning for discussion of domestic violence, but nothing is on page.
I received a free ARC in exchange for a fair review. Thank you!
So when Milo finds out the mystery man he shared the hottest hookup of his life with is in fact billionaire Thomas Hughes, and is in fact going to be funding the project Milo's in charge of at his non-profit job, he is completely skeptical. Knights in shining armor don't exist, and hot men in expensive tuxes who seem to good to be true are exactly that.
But Tom is going to show Milo just how real fairy tales can actually be.
Hot, hot, hot, and so incredibly swoony! I ate up every word of this delicious big city contemporary. I especially love a romance that sees the two main characters hooking up in the first chapters, then fighting their feelings for each other and trying to resist doing it again! Good luck!
Herrera is a talent to watch and her Dreamers series is A+ romance at its finest!
Content warning for discussion of domestic violence, but nothing is on page.
I received a free ARC in exchange for a fair review. Thank you!
March 14, 2022
3.75 I still enjoyed this greatly, and it was every inch a love letter to Latina Moms - and if you have one at home, you know.
But at the end of the day it is still a romance novel, and there were a few things that felt unresolved to me - which is a damned shame.
This still had great chemistry and intensity, I just wanted 50 more pages for it to fledge itself out.
But at the end of the day it is still a romance novel, and there were a few things that felt unresolved to me - which is a damned shame.
This still had great chemistry and intensity, I just wanted 50 more pages for it to fledge itself out.
May 17, 2019
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
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.
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.
March 21, 2019
LOVED! American Dreamer is still my fave of the series, but I really loved American Fairytale as well. So many good feels. So many great characters. Some real issues and real talk in between all the hot action. And the elementary set is well represented by a fierce daughter of one of the main characters. Love this book.
July 25, 2019
I was all about the first book in the Dreamers series, and I loved this follow-up just as much. Milo, a social worker, has a sexy encounter with a stranger at a fancy fundraising gala. At work the next day, his boss introduces him to Tom, the new donor who’s bankrolling their latest project AND (you guessed it) the same guy Milo just got up close and personal with. Although they vow to keep things professional, sometimes chemistry is too strong to ignore (!!). I just love this series. The characters all feel so real, which is not a thing I expected to say about a billionaire romance. There's no manufactured drama here--the conflicts are genuine, and complicated, and not solvable with a single conversation. The side characters are always delightful, too, funny and warm and surrounding the main characters with perspective and support. There's just something deeply comforting about a social worker being provided funds to make people's lives better. Also, Sean Crisden is probably my favorite audio book narrator ever. I don’t think there’s an accent, age, or gender he can’t effortlessly convey.
January 24, 2022
Fairytale
Booksellers
Harlequin Amazon Barnes & Noble
From the publisher:
Fairy-tale endings don’t just happen; they have to be fought for.
New York City social worker Camilo Santiago Briggs grew up surrounded by survivors who taught him to never rely on anything you didn’t earn yourself. He’s always dreamed of his own happily-ever-after, but he lives in the real world. Men who seem too good to be true…usually are. And Milo never ever mixes business with pleasure…until the mysterious man he had an unforgettable hookup with turns out to be the wealthy donor behind his agency’s new, next-level funding.
Thomas Hughes built a billion-dollar business from nothing: he knows what he wants and isn’t shy about going after it. When the enthralling stranger who blew his mind at a black-tie gala reappears, Tom’s more than ready to be his Prince Charming. Showering Milo with the very best of everything is how Tom shows his affection.
Trouble is, Milo’s not interested in any of it. The only thing Milo wants is Tom.
Fairy-tale endings take work as well as love. For Milo, that means learning to let someone take care of him, for a change. And for Tom, it’s figuring out that real love is the one thing you can’t buy.
Review:
American Fairytale is the second installment of Adriana Herrera's American Dreamer series. I read the first book, American Dreamer, and fell in total love with Nesto and Jude (check out my review here). This book is a perfect followup to the brilliance of her debut novel.
American Fairytale centers on the relationship between Camilo (Milo) Santiago Briggs, a Cuban/Jamaican social worker, and Thomas Hughes, a wealthy, Dominican/American tech CEO who, together with his two friends and co-owners, sells the company for an obscene amount of money. Milo and Thomas have an explosive hook up that, over the course of the novel, results in a relationship based on hard-earned understanding and mutual respect.
There is so much to unpack in this novel, so much that is done well. The negotiations between Milo and Thomas, given the huge wealth differential are critical to their blossoming relationship. They also share cultural understandings that can only come from people who come from a similar background. Kudos to Herrera for representing mixed identities in romance, something that doesn't get depicted often. Both protagonists are of mixed parentage and this influences the way they navigate the world and their romance.
The only tiny complaint I have is that, at the end, I grew a bit exasperated with both characters - Thomas is a bit pig-headed about throwing money at problems after he is told, over and over, not to do so. Camilo, though, is also very stubborn about accepting help and complicates his existence in consequence. However, this also makes the novel more realistic because sometimes our biggest obstacles to happiness are not in external conflicts but in our own inability to get over intrinsic flaws that cause us to repeat the same damned mistakes over and over. Refreshingly, our protagonists are guilty of just that.
And can I say, I love an m/m romance that features every kind of relationship, including straight ones in a non-toxic way? Especially friendships with straight women.
I get the feeling sometimes in m/m romances that women and straight folks are characters-non-grata and, while I understand why this is the case, in the real world, things are a bit more nuanced. Yeah, cishet folk as a collective give everyone a lot of trouble in the real world but most of us love the queer family and friends in our lives I can say that, among my people, we take care of each other and we are an important part of each other's lives so kudos to Herrera for depicting that dynamic.
I can't wait to read the entire series.
Booksellers
Harlequin Amazon Barnes & Noble
From the publisher:
Fairy-tale endings don’t just happen; they have to be fought for.
New York City social worker Camilo Santiago Briggs grew up surrounded by survivors who taught him to never rely on anything you didn’t earn yourself. He’s always dreamed of his own happily-ever-after, but he lives in the real world. Men who seem too good to be true…usually are. And Milo never ever mixes business with pleasure…until the mysterious man he had an unforgettable hookup with turns out to be the wealthy donor behind his agency’s new, next-level funding.
Thomas Hughes built a billion-dollar business from nothing: he knows what he wants and isn’t shy about going after it. When the enthralling stranger who blew his mind at a black-tie gala reappears, Tom’s more than ready to be his Prince Charming. Showering Milo with the very best of everything is how Tom shows his affection.
Trouble is, Milo’s not interested in any of it. The only thing Milo wants is Tom.
Fairy-tale endings take work as well as love. For Milo, that means learning to let someone take care of him, for a change. And for Tom, it’s figuring out that real love is the one thing you can’t buy.
Review:
American Fairytale is the second installment of Adriana Herrera's American Dreamer series. I read the first book, American Dreamer, and fell in total love with Nesto and Jude (check out my review here). This book is a perfect followup to the brilliance of her debut novel.
American Fairytale centers on the relationship between Camilo (Milo) Santiago Briggs, a Cuban/Jamaican social worker, and Thomas Hughes, a wealthy, Dominican/American tech CEO who, together with his two friends and co-owners, sells the company for an obscene amount of money. Milo and Thomas have an explosive hook up that, over the course of the novel, results in a relationship based on hard-earned understanding and mutual respect.
There is so much to unpack in this novel, so much that is done well. The negotiations between Milo and Thomas, given the huge wealth differential are critical to their blossoming relationship. They also share cultural understandings that can only come from people who come from a similar background. Kudos to Herrera for representing mixed identities in romance, something that doesn't get depicted often. Both protagonists are of mixed parentage and this influences the way they navigate the world and their romance.
The only tiny complaint I have is that, at the end, I grew a bit exasperated with both characters - Thomas is a bit pig-headed about throwing money at problems after he is told, over and over, not to do so. Camilo, though, is also very stubborn about accepting help and complicates his existence in consequence. However, this also makes the novel more realistic because sometimes our biggest obstacles to happiness are not in external conflicts but in our own inability to get over intrinsic flaws that cause us to repeat the same damned mistakes over and over. Refreshingly, our protagonists are guilty of just that.
And can I say, I love an m/m romance that features every kind of relationship, including straight ones in a non-toxic way? Especially friendships with straight women.
I get the feeling sometimes in m/m romances that women and straight folks are characters-non-grata and, while I understand why this is the case, in the real world, things are a bit more nuanced. Yeah, cishet folk as a collective give everyone a lot of trouble in the real world but most of us love the queer family and friends in our lives I can say that, among my people, we take care of each other and we are an important part of each other's lives so kudos to Herrera for depicting that dynamic.
I can't wait to read the entire series.
May 24, 2019
This was good but not great. Milo's dramallama crap and the preachy feeling of a lot of this wasn't my cuppa.
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