American Christmas by Adriana Herrera

Denpo Myint “Yin” Thuta is living the dream. His dream. A good job, higher education, supportive community and, best of all, his live-in boyfriend, Ari. Yin has his happily-ever-after… if only he and Ari could take the time to actually enjoy it. With the holidays fast approaching, Yin’s determined to change all that and surprise Ari with an over-the-top gift that will leave him in no doubt how much he’s loved—even though they agreed to keep things simple this year.

Like Yin, Aristide “Ari” Douniama worked so hard to secure his future that he may have forgotten how to enjoy his present. Despite there being plenty to be thankful for in the moment. With big plans of his own in the works to surprise Yin, Ari may or may not have gone overboard. Or forgotten to check their respective schedules.

’Tis the season of giving, and in their quest to celebrate the “perfect” American Christmas—and failing—Ari and Yin get a much-needed reminder that they already have the greatest gift of all: each other.

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!

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Dreamers series!
For book one, American Dreamer, click HERE.
For book two, American Fairytale, click HERE.
For book three, American Love Story, click HERE.
For book four, American Sweethearts, click HERE.

 

 

Book 4.5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press (Harlequin)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really fun addition to the series – it features Yin and Ari, but also gives us some time with the gang from Ithaca, and I loved seeing them all settled and happy.

Yin and Ari have finally saved up and gained places at college in the next academic year. Now they get to celebrate their first Christmas in their apartment. Sensibly, they agree on a maximum spend for presents... because they are saving for college. Except they both can't help but go overboard – and learn a hard lesson about being honest with each other.

I loved that they both knew they had made a mistake, but that it wasn't irredeemable, it was just a learning process. And it gave all their (and our) friends the chance to step up and help them turn it all around.

It may only be November but reading about Christmas was a nice escape from reality!


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is a sugary sweet Christmas addition to Adriana Herrera’s Dreamers series. Where most of this series has been alternately gritty and tender, this book hits Hallmark Channel levels of adorable. It’s the perfect Christmas fairy-tale read.

Yin and Ari have been background characters in this series from the start. They’re younger than the series’ main characters but Dreamers fans will be familiar with pieces of their struggles towards their new lives in America. This story focuses on Yin and Ari’s first Christmas living together in their own flat. All of the anxieties of a first Christmas with a new and important partner are heightened for Ari and Yin because they also face the added anxiety of trying to offer each other a perfect ‘American’ Christmas in their new country.

Compared to most of the Dreamers books, Yin and Ari are both almost too perfect. They feel very young, very innocent, and very earnest. And this is where I struggled some with the story. Considering the struggles both men faced as refugees, they both feel a little bit too naive and too young. But their story is absolutely lovely. I can imagine this as a wonderfully relaxing Christmas Eve read.

I really enjoyed catching up with the characters from the Dreamers books. I love the way the older men have become like big brothers to Ari and Yin. I love that Herrera’s Christmas story is about a wonderful cross-cultural mix of chosen family that feels familiar and relatable. This book may lack some of the depth I’ve come to expect from Herrera, but it is a wonderful, feel-good read.

 

 

ADRIANA HERRERA was born and raised in the Caribbean, but for the last fifteen 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.

When’s she 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.

Connect with Adriana

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of American Christmas (Dreamers #4.5) by Adriana Herrera to read and review.