cover image American Fairytale (Dreamers #2)

American Fairytale (Dreamers #2)

Adriana Herrera. Carina, $8.99 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-1-335-21596-3

Herrera delivers an emotionally resonant, sensually charged second Dreamers contemporary (after American Dreamer) that will knock readers’ socks off. Tireless Jamaican-Cuban social worker Milo Briggs meets American-Dominican heartthrob Thomas Hughes at a fund-raising gala for homeless LGBTQ youth, and soon they escape the boring speeches for a sizzling encounter in a side room. The Monday following their steamy hookup, Milo learns that his domestic violence support organization has just received a huge donation—from Tom, who planned it before he ever met Milo. Tom, recently divorced and ready for something new, seizes this opportunity to get to know Milo better and hopefully win his heart, though Milo has many misgivings about mixing business and pleasure. The two of them are an ideal match, except that Tom is made of money and Milo has almost none. Achieving the happy ending both desire will mean navigating this difference and how it colors their views of the world. Herrera’s work remains compulsively readable. She crafts lively Latinx characters with instant, electric chemistry that sings on the page, and handles realistic relationship obstacles in a relatable manner. Series fans will find plenty to love in this installment, which acts as an expansion of the previous book, but also stands alone just fine. Agent: Linda Camacho, Gallt & Zacker. (June)