“Inclusive, optimistic, and scorching, this romance sends the series out on a high note.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review Award-winning author Adriana Herrera delivers hot romance and social justice in equal measure in this sexy contemporary read. Juan Pablo Campos doesn’t do regrets. He’s living the dream as a physical therapist with his beloved New York Yankees. He has the best … York Yankees. He has the best friends and family in the world and simply no time to dwell on what could’ve been.
Except when it comes to Priscilla, the childhood friend he’s loved for what seems like forever.
New York City police detective Priscilla Gutierrez has never been afraid to go after what she wants. Second guessing herself isn’t a thing she does. But lately, the once-clear vision she had for herself–her career, her relationships, her life–is no longer what she wants.
What she especially doesn’t want is to be stuck on a private jet to the Dominican Republic with JuanPa, the one person who knows her better than anyone else.
By the end of a single week in paradise, the love/hate thing JuanPa and Pris have been doing for sixteen years has risen to epic proportions. No one can argue their connection is still there. And they can both finally admit–if only to themselves–they’ve always been a perfect match. The future they dreamed of together is still within reach…if they can just accept each other as they are.
Dreamers
Book 1: American Dreamer
Book 2: American Fairytale
Book 3: American Love Story
Book 4: American Sweethearts
Book 5: American Christmas
more
Adriana Herrera is talented writer
This is a second chance – friends to lovers romance featuring Priscilla and Juan Pablo, two afrolatinx characters that are so loveable and real. And even though the book handles some heavy issues, it is also a sweet and heartwarming story.
American Sweethearts hits on a lot of important topics. In fact, I can sit here and list several, but the point would be the same. The subject matter is prevalent and each of those topics deserves its fair share of page time. The problem is there is so much that the story lacks a definitive focus, especially where the romance is concerned. Since I picked this one up based on it being a romance, I would’ve liked a bit more focus on that part of the story, but again, it feels like the love story between these childhood friends gets lost in the too busy story. In the end, the book wasn’t bad, but I had a hard time getting into it with so much going on.
I’ve been waiting for JuanPa’s book with alternate joy and sadness. Joy, because he will round out the dynamic foursome that form the central protagonists of Herrera’s American Dreamers series, a series that has brought me an immense amount of joy; but also sadness because it will soon be over (thought I notice there is a Christmas novel being planned for release, so this takes some of the sting out of the series coming to an close).
When I saw the excerpt for this book at the end of American Love Story, I knew I was going to love it.
JuanPa and Pris have been dating on and off for most of their lives. They and their family have a lot of history and it is interesting to note just how vested their respective families are in the outcome of their relationship.
JuanPa and Pris meet on a private plane after having had their last breakup over a year before. The plane carries not only their families but also the Patrice and Easton (American Love Story) to the Dominican Republic for the wedding of Camilo and Thomas (American Fairy Tale). Nesto is already there with Jude (American Dreamer), coordinating the catering for the event. It’s amazing because all the couples from the previous books play their parts in this novel.
Meanwhile, JuanPa and Pris try to play it cool but their chemistry gets the best of them – and the reader. The remainder of the book deals with how they’re going to make it last this time.
This is definitely a second – chance romance, and in this dynamic, Juan Pa has really done the hard work of trying to be a different man for Priscilla. Here, it is Pris who has to re envision what she wants out of life, what sacrifices she is willing to make to live authentically and how vulnerable she is willing to be to accept the love she wants.
The sex-positivity is amazing in this book. Priscilla engages in what Herrera has referred to as sex activism – based on the work of Audrey Lord. Pris runs sex positive workshops teaching elderly clients about sex toys. It is this side hustle that presents her with her internal conflict – should she give up her career as a police officer, a job that she not only once loved but also honors her family’s ambitions for her (her father is a retired police officer) to pursue her dream? As the daughter of Dominican immigrants, expectations for her success are high but what if her definition of success is different from the one her family has envisioned for her? And can she risk the collective dreams of her family if there is a possibility of failure?
The sex positivity doesn’t end there. While the other books in the Dreamers series are m/m, this one is m/f. However, JuanPa is bi, and there is an incredible pegging scene that blows the roof off the hotness in this novel.
As I’ve already mentioned – everyone wants these two to win. The sense of community in this series culminates with the families and friends all conspiring to help these two idiots build a love that lasts. But first they have to get out of their own way. Juan Pa fighting his old, bad habits and Pris learning to be vulnerable, take risks and give herself permission to live authentically is one of the best plot arcs in this entire series.
Adriana Herrera delivers the goods in this installment of a series that was nothing short of excellent. I never want it to end.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher.
Mutual pining and a legacy of failed relationship attempts don’t stop the sparks flying between two former best friends and lovers who reconnect at the destination wedding of their mutual friends. But can Pris, a NYC detective growing weary of her job, and JuanPa, a physical therapist for the NY Yankees, get over their past to have a future together?
Herrera closes out her Dreamers series with a delicious second-chance romance that reconnects fans with the other beloved couples and closes out with a hard won and well deserved HEA for our jaded couple who both are absolutely gone for each other. As always Herrera deftly weaves social justice, therapy, and culture into her characters’ lives without ever losing track of the heart and soul of the romance. And oh the heat. It is real good.
Come for the romance, stay for the seniors learning about b*tt play.
CW for discussion of sexual abuse of a minor – it is a case Priscilla is working on as a NYC detective. All discussion is based on the facts of the case.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.
Woooo!!!This book! I loved it. I am shooketh! JuanPa and Pris have been my favorite book couple in a while!
Rated 3.5 Stars
American Sweethearts was a hot and sexy read. It’s a childhood sweethearts and second chance romance that I enjoyed. It was a bit slow in parts but I liked the dynamic between the main characters, Juan Pablo and Priscilla. I loved how caring and attentive Juan Pablo was. However this book just didn’t fully work for me but I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley
Adriana Herrera keeps getting better and better. American Sweethearts BLEW ME AWAY. The story is unique, the heroine is alpha, the hero is a certified cinnamon roll/alpha forward, and I didn’t want this story to end. I can’t wait to read more books by this rockstar!
American Sweethearts by Adriana Herrera
Dreamers #4
JuanPa and Pris have known and loved one another for years. Their relationship has been plagued with on again off again love-hate periods that have made them both feel it just wasn’t worth it to be together only to be drawn to one another again without seeming to avoid the magnetic pull they feel. I have to say I don’t remember much about the two of them from previous books and didn’t see what the two saw in one another except history and intense chemistry although perhaps there might be more. I also felt that JauanPa had jumped through hoops to be what Pris wanted but didn’t see Pris doing much giving on her side.
The book introduces the two and the cast and crew from the previous books on a private jet set to fly to the Dominican Republic for the wedding of their friend Camilo. The whole group and their parents spend time together on island then head home again. There is talk of their jobs and friends and some time spent together and a case that is bothering Pris but in spite of their time together and how hot they are for one another – at least in the bedroom – I don’t get why they are REALLY together and what they have to sustain their relationship.
I did enjoy the other books more than this one and think it might be because I could relate to the characters and the relationships they developed with their love interests in a way that I had trouble doing with JuanPa and Pris. I might have liked more about the two as individuals in their respective jobs or more time with them actually talking about their career goals and dreams of the future. I guess I felt I needed more about them and felt I had that with the characters in the previous books.
Did I enjoy this story? So-so
Would I read more in this series? Perhaps
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
2-3 Stars
Progressive, timely, and downright steamy!
American Sweethearts is a passionate, second-chance romance between the intelligent, delectable Juan Pablo and the spirited, unfulfilled Priscilla as they discover that even though they’ve been stubborn and let each other go multiple times in the past, the heart wants who the heart wants, and a love like theirs is definitely worth fighting for.
The writing is titillating and light. The characters are kind, supportive, genuine, and open-minded. And the plot is a push-pull tale full of miscommunication, introspection, patience, acceptance, encouragement, love, friendship, family, diversity, community, and culture.
Overall, American Sweethearts is a sexy, sweet, uplifting tale by Herrera with a whole cast of characters you can’t help but fall in love with, an inclusive, diverse storyline that will keep you engaged, and a happy-ever-after ending that will make you swoon.