Let Us Dream

By: Alyssa Cole

Narrated by: Karen Chilton

2017 RITA Finalist

A rebellious cabaret owner and her stubborn chef pursue, life, liberty, and happiness in 1917 Harlem...and find love where they least expect it.

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?

Originally appeared in Daughters of A Nation: A Black Suffragette Historical Romance Anthology.

©2016 Alyssa Cole (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Excellent book!!

I love this author because she has not disappointed me yet! This is a quick and fruitful listen on a lazy weekend day.

Loved it!

For such a short read, there was a lot going on and I loved it! Also loved that the hero wasn't white, which is everyone's go-to with interracial romance. I love two PoC leads in IR romance!

This is a good story but it's the wrong category

I enjoyed the story and the voice actors but when I found this book I was searching for African American romance

Unique

I appreciate how unusual this story is. In the last few months Alyssa Cole has become one of my favorite authors. I've read 6 of her books or more. Really enjoy the African royal series, each one is so unique. This one because the male is south east Asian and the female is the madam of a burlesque house fighting for suffrage. Very unique circumstances well handled

Amazing

This book is wonderful with real life situations. I love the setting and the characters!

This book wasn't for me (you get it)

The book o didn't care for. Maybe someone else would appreciate it. Slow but narrow was Decent

Loved the story

I enjoyed the perspectives of the characters given a time of suffrage. I like how Bertha stood her ground and stayed true to herself, and so did Amir. To me, this was a healthy romance, not a cheesey one.

I want more!

My only complaint is that this book could be twice as long. This story gives me a lot of hope

Great historical romance

This was an entertaining historic romance that had me wanting to do more research on the events outlined.

The book centers around a Harlem cabaret club ran by Bertha Hines. She is a strong woman wanting to use her position as a cabaret owner to influence the upcoming vote granting woman the right to vote. The hero of the story is Amir Chowdhury, a chef and Bengali Muslim immigrant, who Bertha hires as a dishwasher.

The romance is interesting for a number of reasons. First the historic and social discussions regarding the suffragette movement, segregation, subjugation of women and immigration are just fascinating. Secondly is this period piece where the woman is actually the one in a position of power.

Narration on this one is very good. At times the accents would throw me as the Indian accent sounds a lot like an Irish brogue (which I think because of British occupation could be very accurate, it just took me by surprise).

loved it

So well done. Great story. Amir and Bertha had such a wonderful tug of war.