Mia Sosa Recommends 10 Great Romance Reads By Latine and Hispanic Authors to Read for Latine Heritage Month (Exclusive)

‘Along Came Amor’ by Alexis Daria

Romance-shy Ava Rodriguez is perfectly happy to spend an evening with the handsome owner of the hotel she’s staying at for a work conference. A no-strings, one-night stand with Roman Vásquez is the ideal way to move on from the end of her marriage. But when Ava discovers that Roman is the best man at her cousin’s wedding, sticking to her no-strings, no feelings mantra is harder than she ever could have imagined.

Along Came Amor is the perfect sendoff to Daria’s beloved Primas of Power series but can be read as a standalone. It has all the ingredients for a must-read romance: a kindhearted divorcée trying to get her bearings and hiding from love; a handsome hotelier who wants nothing more than to sweep her off her feet; and a cozy and culturally rich world filled with friends and family who will make you laugh, yell and cry. Oh, and steam. So much steam.

‘Mrs. V’s Hot Girl Summer’ by A.H. Cunningham

Trinidad Velasquez has a lot to juggle in her life: a demanding job as an event planner; her role as a mother of twin boys, whom she (barely) co-parents with her ex-husband; a situationship with a man who doesn’t seem interested in settling down; and a frustrating crush on Orlando, the 25-year-old man who mentors her teenage sons. When said sons scheme to get their mother and Orlando in one place, Trinidad embarks on an unexpected vacation in Ofele Town, Fla., where a magnificent Caribbean Carnival celebration is underway.

As she spends more time with Orlando, Trinidad discovers that Orlando has cared for his younger brothers and unwell mother for years and is now facing the difficult decision to attend law school rather than continue pursuing his passion in animation. They agree to prioritize themselves for the rest of the trip, something neither one of them has managed to do for some time. What follows is a fun and deliciously sexy journey to love and to finding oneself, complete with richly drawn descriptions of the pageantry and zest for life that Caribbean carnivals are known for.

‘Kiss Me Maybe’ by Gabriella Gamez

Gamez follows up her debut novel in the Librarians in Love series with a story about Angela Guitterez, a librarian who gains internet notoriety when she posts a video about being on the ace spectrum and craving community. Capitalizing on her newfound audience, she devises a scavenger hunt in which the winner earns Angela’s first kiss.

But after enlisting her favorite bartender, Krystal Ramirez, to help her organize the hunt, Angela wonders if the connection she’s been searching for has been right under her nose this whole time. Kiss Me Maybe is a beautiful exploration of identity, attraction and belonging. Gamez put her whole heart into writing this romance, and her fans will be all the better for reading it.

‘Fair Trade’ by Millie Perez

Luisa Álvarez, the first woman to serve as general manager for a Major League Baseball team, the New York Monarchs, can’t believe her misfortune: The man with whom she had an incredible, anonymous one-night stand turns out to be none other than Nick Stonehaven, the new owner of the Monarchs — and her boss. Luisa and Nick’s relationship is forbidden for obvious reasons, but when Luisa discovers that the fate of the team depends on a stipulation in Nick’s estranged grandfather’s will, she offers to enter into a marriage of convenience with Nick to protect Nick’s (undisclosed) asset and, more importantly (to her), the team’s existence.

The banter in Fair Trade is top-notch, and it’s a blast watching Luisa and Nick spar. Lines like “I didn’t have a chancleta nearby, so a flying Louboutin will have to do” keep the tension where it needs to be while showcasing what the reader already knows: These two are made for each other. Getting Luisa on board with making her new title as Nick’s wife permanent is the true battle, however, and therein lies all the fun. Bonus: Book one in the New York Monarchs series, Strikeout, is also available for your reading pleasure.

‘A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke’ by Adriana Herrera

The latest (and final) book in Herrera’s Las Leonas series is an absolute triumph. It pairs Aurora Montalban Wright, a physician running an underground women’s clinic in Paris, with Apollo César Sinclair Robles, a newly minted duke still figuring out his place among the ton. This isn’t a match Parisian society would approve, and sinister forces are determined to keep them apart. Still, these two find themselves sharing a bed — and much to their surprise — a whole lot more.

Fans of the series have been waiting with bated breath for Apollo to finally meet his match, and there’s no question he’s found it in Aurora. She’s strong-willed, tenacious and fiercely protective of the people in her orbit, and it’s a joy to watch Apollo take his place beside her. As usual, Herrera accomplishes so much in this love story, imbuing it with humor and wit, challenging racist and misogynistic beliefs, illuminating men’s efforts to control women’s bodies in this period of history and showcasing Aurora and Apollo’s positively electric sexual and intellectual chemistry. This book is not to be missed.

‘The Game’ by Leonor Soliz

If you enjoy romance with a side of sports, The Game by Leonor Soliz will fit your reading vibe perfectly. Evie Moreno and Logan King had a memorable one-night stand. Six years later, Evie is a publicity executive for an American football team, the Seattle Strike, and Logan is the team’s new quarterback. Do they instantly recognize each other? Yes. Do they pretend not to recognize each other? Also yes. And … cue the pining.

Evie’s desperate for a promotion so she can help her parents financially; Logan wants to play the sport he loves beyond the shadow of his famous father. Both have built walls around themselves to protect their hearts, but now that they’re working together to promote the team, they’re finding it difficult to resist their chemistry. It’s easy to root for Evie. As the only daughter of immigrant parents, she’s apt to take on everyone’s burdens, leaving little time and space for herself. Evie’s journey to prioritizing her own wants and desires is depicted wonderfully and resonated with me deeply. This one’s a gem. 

‘Gabriela and His Grace’ by Liana De La Ros

The third book in the Luna Sisters series follows the journey to love for the youngest and most rebellious Luna sister, Gabriela. Residing in London after fleeing Mexico City during the Second Franco-Mexican war, Gabriela is no longer content to wait for her father to inevitably summon her home now that the tide of the war is changing in Mexico’s favor. Besides, she misses Mexico, and she desperately wants to find a way to both garner her father’s approval and ward off the London suitors who only care about her dowry or connections. So Gabriela and her companion set off on a steamship headed to Altamira.

Unfortunately for her, Sebastien Brooks, the Duke of Whitfield, is on the same voyage, and the rake is as frustrating and handsome as ever. Sebastien’s trip is only meant to protect the future of his dukedom, but within the confines of the ship, he and Gabriela get to know each other, and their once-acrimonious exchanges are replaced by moments of curiosity and understanding. When Gabriela’s trip takes an unexpected  turn, His Grace just might be the friend and confidant she needs.

I fell head over heels with this story, and I have no doubt you will too. The couple’s banter is perfection, and Sebastian’s ability to see Gabriela like no one else makes him a worthy partner indeed. Although Gabriela and Sebastian are incredibly charismatic characters in their own right, together they absolutely shine.

‘The Captive Merman’s Promise’ by Zoey Castile

If audiobooks are more your speed, add The Captive Merman’s Promise by Zoey Castile (aka acclaimed author Zoraida Córdova) to your TBR immediately. This is a magical and deliciously spicy romance between Amada, a witch who is cursed to always lose the person she loves, and Rónán, a merman warrior who has relinquished his freedom to the Grand Warlock of the Abyss.

When her curse begins to affect her physically, Amada travels to the Abyss to seek a cure from the Grand Warlock. There, she encounters Rónán, the main attraction in the Grand Warlock’s oddities exhibit, and the Grand Warlock himself, who has his own reasons for bringing Amada and Rónán together. Masterfully narrated by Philip Alces and Ava Flynn, this novella packs a powerful punch, fully fleshing out the fantastical world and keeping the reader guessing as to how these star-crossed lovers will evade their fates.  

‘Sleeping with the Frenemy’ by Natalie Caña

In Sleeping with the Frenemy, the third book in Cana’s Vega Family Love Stories, Leo Vega tries to win the heart of his sister’s best friend, a woman with whom he’s had a secret on-again, off-again relationship for more than a decade. Having recently returned from overseas, Sofi isn’t interested in rekindling a romance with Leo, not when she’s focused on helping her best friend plan the wedding of her dreams and still trying to figure out her own life.

But when Leo’s grandfather and Sofi’s grandmother devise a scheme to put Sofi and Leo in close quarters, Sofi suddenly finds herself contending with a bare-chested, guitar-playing Leo serenading her under the guise of practicing for an upcoming Puerto Rican festival. In other words, resistance is futile.

Sleeping with the Frenemy manages to feel like both the messiest telenovela (in the best way) and the most charming small-town romance wearing a big-city costume (it’s set in Chicago). Make no mistake, however: Caña deftly grapples with some heavy topics — including sexism, colorism and familial pressures — while still keeping the romance front and center. She’s an immensely gifted writer, and this book underscores that fact. 

‘Like First Love, Again’ by J.J. Arias

Two women reunite and discover their story isn’t finished in Like First Love, Again by J.J. Arias. Tori Alvarez has made a name for herself in Miami. A commercial real estate broker with a thriving business, she’s proud of what she’s accomplished. Who cares if her love life isn’t flourishing? She’s … fine. That is, until Mia Falcon, the friend she hasn’t seen in 14 years, walks into her office and asks for her help.

Mia has returned to Miami to sell her late mother’s home, and Tori reluctantly agrees to help her. Soon, however, Tori and Mia realize they have a lot to catch up on, including a few secrets that could change the nature of their relationship forever. Arias weaves a lovely tale of unrequited love that isn’t as unrequited in this sapphic, slow-burn romance that also touches on weighty topics, including divorce and grief. The characterization of both Tori and Mia is superb, and the myriad issues they must navigate to get their happily-ever-after are handled with great care.