A-
Genre: Historical: American, Novella, Romance
Archetype: Chef/Foodie/Bartender, Diverse Protagonists
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2017 review was written by ppyajunebug. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Romance Novella category.
The summary:
*This novella originally appeared in Daughters of A Nation: A Black Suffragette Historical Romance Anthology*
Harlem, 1917
After spending half her life pretending to be something she’s not, performance is second nature for cabaret owner Bertha Hines. With the election drawing near and women’s voting rights on the ballot, Bertha decides to use her persuasive skills to push the men of New York City in the right direction.
Chef Amir Chowdhury jumped ship in New York to get a taste of the American Dream, only to discover he’s an unwanted ingredient. When ornery Amir reluctantly takes a job at The Cashmere, he thinks he’s hit the bottom of the barrel; however, working at the club reignites his dream of being a force for change. His boss, Bertha, ignites something else in him.
Bertha and Amir clash from the start, but her knowledge of politics and his knowledge of dance force them into a detente that fans the flames of latent desire. But Bertha has the vice squad on her tail, and news from home may end Amir’s dream before it comes to fruition. With their pasts and futures stacked against them, can Amir and Bertha hold on to their growing love?
Here is ppyajunebug's review:
I don’t know how to start this review other than to say that “Let Us Dream” by Alyssa Cole is really, really good and you should go and buy it immediately.
“Let Us Dream” is the story of Bertha, a black suffragette who owns a club in Harlem in 1917, and Amir, an immigrant from Bengal with socialist leanings and a hell of a way in the kitchen. If you’re sick of upper and upper-middle class heroes and heroines, this is a book for you. Bertha worked her way up from prostitute and showgirl to the owner of the Cashmere and she’s damned proud of it. Amir is the dishwasher and eventual sous chef at the Cashmere who lives with three roommates. He is trying to avoid the immigration authorities after he jumped ship when the British naval vessel he was cooking on docked in New York.
Both Bertha and Amir are stubborn and quick to anger- this is not a quiet romance or relationship. The two clash almost immediately, but slowly build a connection with each other over dance, politics, and their passion for helping the lowest in society fight for their voices to be heard. Cole’s writing is as good as ever, and the connection between Bertha and Amir is vivid and believable.
There are a few things that could be improved upon- while I liked Miss Q, a fearsome “number runner” who also speaks up for the rights of the lower class, her relationship with the neighborhood at large and Bertha in particular could have been explored more. The ending felt a little rushed, as they often do in novellas, and I wanted to see more of how Bertha and Amir built to their happily ever after. But these are minor issues in the scheme of things; in a genre that can often feel whitewashed and repetitive, “Let Us Dream” is a reminder of the richness of stories that reach beyond dukes and millionaires.
Cole is one of the few authors on my instabuy list – I will buy anything she writes, regardless of genre, pairing, or length. She writes interesting, fully-realized characters with an eye towards how society shapes their experiences and personalities. “Let Us Dream” is no exception to that rule and I, and everyone else who reads it, should be thankful for that.
This book is available from:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well.
Thanks!
This sounds so good. Alyssa Cole is becoming one of my auto buys, but I haven’t read this one yet.
Lovely review. I don’t think I’ve read anything by Alyssa Cole. It sounds like I’ve been missing out.
I really want this book. On my To-Buy list!
You’re a denizen of the Toast! I recognize your username!
Also, that description is very enticing and sounds very Miss Fisher-y.
This review was really well-written! Bravo!
Love this review! You’ve definitely sold me on the book.
AHHHHH I WOULD SO BUY THIS THING IN A JIFFY…if it were a full length novel :(.
I know, I know, I’m a bitch ass for not reading short stories. BUT IF EVER I WAS TEMPTED, ALYSSA COLE HAS MY NUMBER, MAN!
I read “Let us Dream” in the anthology. All respect to the other authors, but Alyssa Cole is in a different class. It’s a great story even as a novella. There was so much room for expansion, though – I wished it were a full-length novel. These were two characters I had never read before, in a milieu that was new to me, and I just thought the whole thing was so very well done – I would happily have read twice as many words. 🙂
Great review and I wholeheartedly concur. Alyssa Cole is an auto buy author for me and LET US DREAM was awesome. 🙂
Just here to say—Alyssa Cole is amazing. She should be way better known.