As his sold-out residency in Puerto Rico comes to a close, Bad Bunny revealed in an interview with i-D magazine that his decision to skip U.S. tour stops was influenced by a concern that ICE agents would target his concerts. This information came during the lead-up to Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15 and is meant to honor the cultures and contributions of people of Latin American descent, while also encompassing the independence days of multiple Central American countries. However, it’s hard to reconcile a spirit of celebration with the daily horrors being visited upon the very people this month is meant to highlight and uplift.
And yet, Bad Bunny’s residency, “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” (“I Don’t Want to Leave Here”), managed to strike that balance, expressing a joyful and exuberant celebration of Puerto Rico and “the sense of homeland that unites generations,” by an artist who intentionally uses his platform to shine a light on the issues and struggles facing Latino communities.
The word “escapist” is often used to describe novels, especially in the romance category, but even when creating work meant to entertain, Latine authors (particularly those writing stories from a cultural lens) don’t have the luxury of forgetting we exist in the world. (Even if it sometimes feels like the world forgets we exist outside of this 31-day period.) And while romance novels can be emotional, steamy, and downright funny, they also provide a vehicle for exploring complex themes such as sex, love, family, friendship, identity, creativity, work, success, history, and, yes, politics. My upcoming novella, The Holiday Hookup List, is super sexy and includes a plethora of Christmas romance tropes, but also highlights another fairly recent dissent written by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (who is, like me, a Nuyorican from the Bronx).
This year, in celebration of Latinx Heritage Month and in the spirit of Bad Bunny, I wanted to highlight a range of books by Latine romance authors that each tell a fun and deeply immersive love story, celebrating the author’s heritage while also exploring how these broader themes intersect with our cultures. Read, enjoy, and remember that our stories are available all year long.
Romance Novels by Latine Authors to Read During Latinx Heritage Month
Streams and Schemes by Rebecca Kinkade
It’s the end of the world as they know it…or is it? When an emergency text alert causes panic, next-door neighbors Valeria and Lander finally act on their mutual secret crushes and spend their last 20 minutes on Earth together…only to find out that the world is not, in fact, ending. Now they must confront what they’ve done, and what they want to do again. Unfortunately for Lander, he’s a lawyer, and Valeria has vowed to never, ever date a lawyer. She has her reasons and has built up a solid career for herself as a camgirl, but Lander is not so easily put off. In addition to being extremely hot and sex-positive, Streams and Schemes is also incredibly funny, smartly written, and has two amazing friend groups that readers will fall in love with.
Like First Love, Again by J.J. Arias
Recently divorced and grieving the loss of her mother, Mia needs help selling her mother’s house. She unexpectedly runs into Tori, her former best friend, who is now a real estate broker. Tori and Mia haven’t seen each other since high school, but when they reunite, a complicated mess of feelings arises. What follows is an emotional and insightful slow-burn romance that examines the ways people change and grow over the years. JJ Arias has crafted a heartfelt exploration of the friends-to-lovers trope, while also tackling grief and loss with nuance and respect.
A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera
The third book in Adriana Herrera’s Las Leonas series finds Dr. Aurora Montalban Wright in cahoots with Apollo, the Caribbean-born Duke of Annan, in the fight to provide safe reproductive healthcare to Parisian women in 1889. Apollo uses his newfound power and influence to assist Aurora in her efforts (which is honestly what rich men everywhere should be doing). For his part, Apollo is on the hunt for the perfect duchess. While Aurora has absolutely no interest in the role, that doesn’t stop them from embarking on a steamy and satisfying affair. On top of being meticulously researched, Herrera has crafted a story that is hot and full of hijinks.
Gabriela and His Grace by Liana De la Rosa
The final book in Liana De la Rosa’s trilogy about Mexican heiresses set in the 1860s revolves around Gabby, the youngest Luna sister. From the beginning, Gabby and Sebastian, the Duke of Whitfield, can’t stand each other, but he happens to be friends and business partners with the men who are married to Gabby’s older sisters, so there’s no getting away from him. Forced proximity fans will rejoice as Gabby and Sebastian travel by ship from England to Mexico and back again — and things heat up on the return journey. De la Rosa has penned a story that is firmly feminist and anti-colonialist, incorporating Mexican history with complicated family dynamics, all while never losing sight of the romance at the story’s core.
Sleeping with the Frenemy by Natalie Caña
After a traumatic injury, firefighter Leo Vega is struggling to get his life back on track when his sister’s ex-friend Sofi re-enters his life and ends up as his roommate. Leo and Sofi have had a secret on-again, off-again thing for years, but it’s a complicated situation. Enter the meddling elders, a hallmark trope of the series. Sleeping with the Frenemy is packed with humor, banter, and heat, and Leo Vega is the perfect book boyfriend. Set in Humboldt Park in Chicago, this series unpacks a multitude of elements from the Latine diaspora and has crafted an incredibly rich and realistic family that readers won’t soon forget.
When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa
Mia Sosa writes rom-coms that truly deserve the label, and When Javi Dumped Mari is no exception. Told in dual timeline and dual POV, Javi and Mari meet in college, and after a few false starts, become besties (who also are attracted to each other). After a painful friend breakup, they reconnect by chance, but just when Javi is ready to shoot his shot, Mari asks him to be the Man of Honor in her wedding. Cue the shenanigans as Javi attempts to show Mari that her fiancé isn’t right for her. Like Harry and Sally before them, Javi and Mari undergo a roller coaster of hilarious and deeply emotional events before finally reaching their hard-won happily ever after.
Witch You Would by Lia Amador
When cautious overthinker Penelope joins a spellcasting reality show, she’s horrified to discover that her celebrity — excuse me, Spellebrity — partner is none other than the unserious himbo Leandro Presto, known for his viral videos of magical mishaps. Little does she know, Leandro is actually Gil, aka, Dr. Witch, the blogger she’s been emailing about magical theory — and secretly crushing on. Mixing magic, reality TV drama, and a desire to honor one’s elders, Witch You Would is an adorable and funny romance with an extremely voice-y writing style.
Out of Office by A.H. Cunningham
Workaholic Genevieve is in Panama opening a new luxury hotel, but before she heads back to Florida, she takes a two-week vacation to indulge in the undeniable chemistry she feels with her former driver, Adrián. Genevieve falls not just for Adrián, but for the cozy, small-town resort his family runs. Genevieve is all about work and ambition, but Adrián has been there, done that, and he now prioritizes family and mental health over climbing the ladder of success. Their relationship unfolds slowly and organically, and the book beautifully depicts their attempts to merge their lives and balance their goals. Out of Office explores professional burnout, hustle culture, and the long history of Black communities carving out spaces and making them their own — all amid a sexy and satisfying romance.
When We Were Widows by Annette Chavez Macias
Nobody writes intergenerational family dynamics like Annette Chavez Macias. When We Were Widows follows a mother, daughter, and grandmother who are all…you guessed it…widows, who end up living under the same roof, along with the many secrets they’ve kept buried for years. The book features a fresh and compulsively readable voice as it digs into the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, as well as Mexican-American history in Southern California. Amid the grief and drama you’d expect from the title, there’s also humor and two romantic storylines, making this well-rounded book an absolute winner.
Alexis Daria is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of Along Came Amor, You Had Me at Hola, Take the Lead, and more. Her books have been featured on several “best of” lists and have received starred reviews from multiple trade publications. A former visual artist, Alexis is a lifelong New Yorker who loves Broadway musicals and pizza.
