sarful's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 I really enjoyed Nesto and Jude. I felt they had a lot of nuance in their story without ever being stereotypes.
Nesto decided to move from NYC to Ithica, not only to bring Caribbean food to the suburbs, really try his own brand, but to be near his mom. He knows he’s got the skills, he’s just hoping and working his ass off to make his dream a reality.
Jude moved go Ithica 3 years ago as a librarian. He’s also got dreams, of bringing books to the outer city in his new mobile library. One day he and his best friend go to the new food truck and Jude is mesmerized.
The two men are love at first sight, like deep. However, Jude’s been burned a lot from people he thought loved him and he’s skittish. Nesto is thirsty from the beginning, but realized early on Jude’s not a one night man. Nesto also realizes while Jude may be an amazing man, he won’t be second nor will he demand to be first priority. And I really liked that aspect about these two. They try to be perfect and when they’re not, they reevaluate what they’re doing.
I enjoyed this way more than I anticipated. Highly suggest. These men are so wonderful. Plus, the food truck sounds beyond delicious.
Nesto decided to move from NYC to Ithica, not only to bring Caribbean food to the suburbs, really try his own brand, but to be near his mom. He knows he’s got the skills, he’s just hoping and working his ass off to make his dream a reality.
Jude moved go Ithica 3 years ago as a librarian. He’s also got dreams, of bringing books to the outer city in his new mobile library. One day he and his best friend go to the new food truck and Jude is mesmerized.
The two men are love at first sight, like deep. However, Jude’s been burned a lot from people he thought loved him and he’s skittish. Nesto is thirsty from the beginning, but realized early on Jude’s not a one night man. Nesto also realizes while Jude may be an amazing man, he won’t be second nor will he demand to be first priority. And I really liked that aspect about these two. They try to be perfect and when they’re not, they reevaluate what they’re doing.
I enjoyed this way more than I anticipated. Highly suggest. These men are so wonderful. Plus, the food truck sounds beyond delicious.
becka6131's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was brilliant. The author created such a vivid, warm cast of characters and a beautiful romance which unfolded at a slow pace. There were several elements which usually annoy me because they can be so ham-fisted - the well-meaning interfering family/friends who push the MCs into taking risks, for example - which I didn't have a problem with here because everyone was just so well drawn and human, it seemed to make sense. I didn't blame Nesto's family for getting involved in his business because like.. that's who they are? It came from a place of love rather than them not seeming to have any concerns outside him, as is sometimes the case in romance.
I was so invested in Nesto's food truck business! He was just working so hard and everyone was behind him, it was very heartwarming to read about. Nesto's love for his family and community shone through in the text and it was lovely to see Jude becoming a part of that. I wondered if the interracial aspect of their relationship would be a source of tension but it isn't; Jude understands that he can't understand everything Nesto goes through, and he doesn't try to barge in and make things about him. The villain herself is all too realistic and recognisable, and I think the author did a good job portraying the kind of microaggressions Nesto experiences as a Latinx person and how he feels like he has to just rise above it because he always has to strive to be better. There's a lot of quite complex stuff in here about what it means to be Latinx - and queer - in the US right now, but it never feels heavy-handed because it's so deftly woven into the story and the characters' interactions.
In terms of the romance, this is really quite a fluffy one - Nesto and Jude are SO sweet together, I was living for the careful development of their relationship. I particularly loved how patient Nesto was at the beginning when Jude was finding it hard to trust. The inevitable fuck up made sense, as did the reconciliation. Thank God it wasn't about somebody's ex, I feel like I've been reading too many of those lately.
I am absolutely dying to read Milo's story in the next book because he is my favourite. Also it's incredible that this is the author's first novel, which I heard on the NNIR podcast - it's one of my favourites of the year.
I was so invested in Nesto's food truck business! He was just working so hard and everyone was behind him, it was very heartwarming to read about. Nesto's love for his family and community shone through in the text and it was lovely to see Jude becoming a part of that. I wondered if the interracial aspect of their relationship would be a source of tension but it isn't; Jude understands that he can't understand everything Nesto goes through, and he doesn't try to barge in and make things about him. The villain herself is all too realistic and recognisable, and I think the author did a good job portraying the kind of microaggressions Nesto experiences as a Latinx person and how he feels like he has to just rise above it because he always has to strive to be better. There's a lot of quite complex stuff in here about what it means to be Latinx - and queer - in the US right now, but it never feels heavy-handed because it's so deftly woven into the story and the characters' interactions.
In terms of the romance, this is really quite a fluffy one - Nesto and Jude are SO sweet together, I was living for the careful development of their relationship. I particularly loved how patient Nesto was at the beginning when Jude was finding it hard to trust. The inevitable fuck up made sense, as did the reconciliation. Thank God it wasn't about somebody's ex, I feel like I've been reading too many of those lately.
I am absolutely dying to read Milo's story in the next book because he is my favourite. Also it's incredible that this is the author's first novel, which I heard on the NNIR podcast - it's one of my favourites of the year.
daniellesalwaysreading's review against another edition
5.0
It was a goofy romance but I really liked it. It had good characters who had chemistry and who realistically overcame their relationship problems. Plus there were several steamy bits. I already have the next book in the series and am very much looking forward to reading it.
sandlynn's review against another edition
4.0
Adriana Herrera’s American Dreamer, published in 2019, is the beginning of her Dreamer series. Each story will feature one of a group of friends who grew up in New York City and are a part of the Afro-Caribbean community that has immigrated to the U.S.
This first book focuses on Ernesto Vasquez, who owns a food truck that features the cuisine of the Dominican Republic, from which is family emigrated. Ernesto has world class training but he’s hungry to feature the food he grew up with, on his own terms. He’s been running a food truck in the Bronx, but in order to stand out even more, his mother encourages him to leave his friends and big city life behind and relocate to Ithaca, New York, where she has been living and knows his food would be unique. Nesto takes her up her proposal, and while just beginning to make a splash in Ithaca, he meets Jude Fuller. Jude works at the local public library. He’s a quiet, serious person who’s dedicated to getting books to underserved and rural communities. When he and his friend Carmen try out the new food truck in town, Jude feels an immediate spark with the truck’s proprietor and realizes he is the same man who had flirted with him during an earlier, brief encounter. Jude and Nesto’s friends notice their interest in each other and encourage them to become better acquainted. However, there are both people and personal obstacles that stand in the way of their relationship as well as each of their individual successes. First, a bigoted woman with influence in the town tries to interfere both in Jude’s quest to fund a program for a bookmobile and with Nesto’s food truck which is in competition with her own son’s business. But more significantly, each man carries his own demons and baggage that stands in the way of their happiness. For one, Nesto is all-consumed with making a success of his business which has led him to put every relationship he’s ever been in second to his career. As for Jude, he comes from a very narrow-minded, evangelical family that basically disowned him once he came out and, since then, he’s never felt like he belonged or would mean anything special to anyone. How can these two people connect, when their needs almost appear to be at cross-purposes?
For the first 100 or so pages, I found this book to be a very nice, but not terribly remarkable, small town romance. Of course, with so many of the characters being people of color and with the protagonists being gay, that *was* different. However, the obstacles just seemed pretty routine, especially the rather uninspiring, small-town bigot, and even Nesto’s drive to succeed which made his focus so narrow. What I ultimately found compelling and emotionally riveting was Jude’s backstory and journey. Once we learn about his family’s abandonment and are swept up in the drama as he decides to reconnect, the book really took off for me. It’s not that Nesto’s journey wasn’t interesting, but having such loving family and friends made his obstacles – which mostly came from outside forces – more bearable and easier to imagine him overcoming. Jude’s boogeymen – so to speak – were both internal as well as devastatingly sad. I was happy to see that Nesto was ultimately able to support Jude but I think we could have used a little more groveling. That being said, if you’re a foodie, you will definitely enjoy the many descriptions of Dominican cuisine that will leave you looking for a close substitute. I’d give this story a B.
This first book focuses on Ernesto Vasquez, who owns a food truck that features the cuisine of the Dominican Republic, from which is family emigrated. Ernesto has world class training but he’s hungry to feature the food he grew up with, on his own terms. He’s been running a food truck in the Bronx, but in order to stand out even more, his mother encourages him to leave his friends and big city life behind and relocate to Ithaca, New York, where she has been living and knows his food would be unique. Nesto takes her up her proposal, and while just beginning to make a splash in Ithaca, he meets Jude Fuller. Jude works at the local public library. He’s a quiet, serious person who’s dedicated to getting books to underserved and rural communities. When he and his friend Carmen try out the new food truck in town, Jude feels an immediate spark with the truck’s proprietor and realizes he is the same man who had flirted with him during an earlier, brief encounter. Jude and Nesto’s friends notice their interest in each other and encourage them to become better acquainted. However, there are both people and personal obstacles that stand in the way of their relationship as well as each of their individual successes. First, a bigoted woman with influence in the town tries to interfere both in Jude’s quest to fund a program for a bookmobile and with Nesto’s food truck which is in competition with her own son’s business. But more significantly, each man carries his own demons and baggage that stands in the way of their happiness. For one, Nesto is all-consumed with making a success of his business which has led him to put every relationship he’s ever been in second to his career. As for Jude, he comes from a very narrow-minded, evangelical family that basically disowned him once he came out and, since then, he’s never felt like he belonged or would mean anything special to anyone. How can these two people connect, when their needs almost appear to be at cross-purposes?
For the first 100 or so pages, I found this book to be a very nice, but not terribly remarkable, small town romance. Of course, with so many of the characters being people of color and with the protagonists being gay, that *was* different. However, the obstacles just seemed pretty routine, especially the rather uninspiring, small-town bigot, and even Nesto’s drive to succeed which made his focus so narrow. What I ultimately found compelling and emotionally riveting was Jude’s backstory and journey. Once we learn about his family’s abandonment and are swept up in the drama as he decides to reconnect, the book really took off for me. It’s not that Nesto’s journey wasn’t interesting, but having such loving family and friends made his obstacles – which mostly came from outside forces – more bearable and easier to imagine him overcoming. Jude’s boogeymen – so to speak – were both internal as well as devastatingly sad. I was happy to see that Nesto was ultimately able to support Jude but I think we could have used a little more groveling. That being said, if you’re a foodie, you will definitely enjoy the many descriptions of Dominican cuisine that will leave you looking for a close substitute. I’d give this story a B.
iggyebab's review against another edition
4.0
I love this author's writing style. Nesto's family & friends are so great. They are loud and loving and so supportive. They also do not allow wallowing or asshole-ishness.
Jude comes from such a different place. His family completely disowned him when he came out. His church threw him out. It didn't work out with the boy he loved and he does not trust anyone to be there when he needs them.
Both of them have issues and have big life things going on. Neither has been good at relationships before.
I think this is the first M/M I've read where both men are cinnamon roles. Yes Nesto is masculine but he has such a smooshy center. He is loving and kind and so supportive. He does have some issues with being hyperfocused on success but he is not alpha at all.
Jude has hidden so much of himself for a lot of his life. He has been taught that he cannot count on people to be there when he needs them. He is smart and sexy and a little shy. I love how he flirts with Nesto, especially in Spanish.
All of the circumstances around these two were so real. The connections, the mistakes, the pain, and the way they come back together. It is not over the top dram. It is not a ton of miscommunication. There are mistakes and then apologies.
Loved it all so much. I can't wait to read the next book.
Jude comes from such a different place. His family completely disowned him when he came out. His church threw him out. It didn't work out with the boy he loved and he does not trust anyone to be there when he needs them.
Both of them have issues and have big life things going on. Neither has been good at relationships before.
I think this is the first M/M I've read where both men are cinnamon roles. Yes Nesto is masculine but he has such a smooshy center. He is loving and kind and so supportive. He does have some issues with being hyperfocused on success but he is not alpha at all.
Jude has hidden so much of himself for a lot of his life. He has been taught that he cannot count on people to be there when he needs them. He is smart and sexy and a little shy. I love how he flirts with Nesto, especially in Spanish.
All of the circumstances around these two were so real. The connections, the mistakes, the pain, and the way they come back together. It is not over the top dram. It is not a ton of miscommunication. There are mistakes and then apologies.
Loved it all so much. I can't wait to read the next book.
bookclubbitches's review
5.0
A sweet and spicy romance!!
Jude and Nesto were such a good match and they chemistry was so lovely to read.
Jude and Nesto were such a good match and they chemistry was so lovely to read.
rmyd42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jordan1978's review against another edition
This may be one of those that I come back to at a later date, but I just couldn't get into it. I also found some of the dialogue to be clunky...characters saying things purely to inform the reader - it's obvious that the person they're talking to already knows this information.
lowkeymarie's review against another edition
I'm bored. Where is the banter? Where is the chemistry?
_mjreadsbooks_'s review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25