Ms. American Dream

"The American dream is all about aspiration, wanting and striving for better than you already have." ~ 30%

From the star of BET's The Ms. Pat Show, comes a raw and hilarious new memoir of struggle, survival and success. If you read her previous memoir, Rabbit, then you know a bit about Ms. Pat before the Netflix specials, the sold out tours, the stand-up comedy shows, and TV fame. She was a 15-year-old eighth-grade dropout with two babies in one of Atlanta's poorest neighborhoods. Before legal drinking age, she was married and raising six kids. Then one day a stranger dropped some jewels about the American Dream.

With no mentor, no plan but to survive and own a home, Ms. Pat made a way out of no way. This new memoir picks up where Rabbit left off. She goes into detail from Section 8 housing where she proved her place in the neighborhood to television deals and worldwide fans. She outmaneuvered hustlers, bill collectors, caseworkers and judgy folks. She hustled to make it in the comedy scene.

"It's not easy to climb the ladder of success. Especially when you start your journey in the basement. It's even harder when no one believes in your dream except you." ~ 93%

Ms. American Dream is LOL funny. I saw Ms. Pat live at a Detroit stand-up show so read the entire book in her voice in my head. I appreciate her openness and candid conversation with readers. Most importantly, I picked up the message that Ms. Pat was putting down: celebrate your wins with a laugh. This memoir is entertaining, motivating, and downright hilarious with serious shit included at the right moments. I recommend it to Bookhearts that are Ms. Pat fans and those interested in a Black's woman's journey to the American dream.

Happy Pub Day to Ms. Pat! Ms. American Dream is officially on shelves.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Ms. American Dream
Author: Patricia Williams-Lee aka Ms. Pat
Published: October 2026
Pages: 224
Edition: Galley
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤