Carlos is obsessed with red licorice candy; Isabel is haunted by the anniversary of her boyfriend’s death. One afternoon the two meet in an art gallery—introduced by Vanessa, a spunky, straight-talking mutual friend—where Carlos works as a security guard. Sparks don’t exactly fly, but there’s enough curiosity to promise the possibility of romance. The pair’s first double date with Vanessa and Carlos’s friend Snake, however, ends in tragedy. At its heart, Hernandez’s second novel is a peculiar one: It’s not exactly a page-turner, but it has enough simple appeal to thrill a broad readership. A complex patchwork of imagery, voices and allusions comes together easily, nearly mirroring one of the collages in the gallery where Carlos works. Death and the fear of it pervade the novel; both Isabel and her parents harbor a near-innate paranoia about their mortality. Meanwhile, hot brushfires scorch the California coast and the novel’s backdrop like a smoky, sunny afternoon in Hell. The smart, sophisticated, yet remarkably accessible writing melds everything together with slow-burn effects, and the characters are dead-on (so to speak). A smoldering read.  —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Hernandez, an award winner in poetry, puts his skills to work in his second novel. His blunt, realistic dialogue will lure readers into the world of Isabel and Carlos and the swift, poetic descriptions will keep them there....Through compelling characterization and stunning language, No More Us for You builds to a gripping conclusion in the gallery where it all began. In the process, it proves itself to be a beautiful, moving novel of tragedy and hope.  —Pittsburgh-Post Gazette

Hernandez builds Isabel and Carlos into characters that readers come to root for and love. It is a testament to his talent as an author that when he elects to put several characters into a car accident, the reader's response is a fine blend of grief and anger. But the event is a challenge these heroes overcome with style and aplomb, and the message is ultimately uplifting. This novel is very much like the red licorice Carlos always has on hand and which Isabel craves. It is a tasty snack that is quite enjoyable, but you might still be hungry afterward.  —VOYA

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