Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month—a time to honor the cultures, histories, and contributions of Latinx communities. For me, it’s also a moment to pause and notice how deeply these stories shape the romances I write and the romances I reach for.
The Characters Who Carry Us
Right now, I’m editing Ximena, My Heart, the sequel to Holland, My Heart. And I have to tell you—it feels so good to finally give Ximena Hernández vda. de Gallagher her own happily-ever-after.
Ximena has always been one of those characters who refused to stay in the background. Bold, stylish, funny, and heartbreakingly strong, she carries her grief with fire and grace, grounded in her Mexican family and heritage. In Holland, My Heart, she was Holland’s ride-or-die, the woman who could comfort and scold in the same breath, who made the people around her braver just by being herself.
Now, in her own book, she gets to fall in love again. She gets to rebuild. She gets to be more than her loss. And honestly? Writing her arc this way isn’t just character work—it’s an act of love and respect for the women like her I’ve known in my own life.
Heritage isn’t just history. It’s living, breathing, laughing, weeping, cooking, hugging, storytelling. It’s all of it.
When I think about representation that cracked my heart wide open, I think of Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender, narrated by Logan Rozos. Felix’s journey—messy, fierce, vulnerable, triumphant—reminded me just how powerful it is to see queer, trans, and Latinx characters living their truths in a story that refuses to deny them joy.
Listening to this audiobook felt like being invited into someone’s soul. Rozos’s narration made every emotion pulse, and Callender’s words demanded more space in the world for stories like this. Felix Ever After wasn’t just a book I enjoyed; it was a book that shifted something in me. That’s what the best books do.
What’s Next on My TBR for Hispanic Heritage Month
This year, I’m carving out space on my shelves (and in my earbuds) for more romance novels by Latinx authors. Here’s what I can’t wait to dive into:
The Starter Ex by Mia Sosa, narrated by Noah B. Perez and Miranda Jay – A second-chance romance with all the wit and warmth Sosa is known for.
One Tough Cookie by Delise Torres, narrated by Stacy Gonzalez – A Puerto Rican rom-com that promises sharp humor, heart, and just the right amount of spice.
Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria, narrated by Seraphine Valentine – Book three in the Primas of Power series, full of family, passion, and the kind of love that refuses to be small.
If you’re searching for Latinx romance books to read during Hispanic Heritage Month, these are perfect places to start.
Why Romance Reading Is Its Own Celebration
Romance novels are sometimes dismissed as fluff—but anyone who’s ever been swept away by one knows they can be radical. When you pick up a romance by a Latinx author, you’re not just reading for fun (though, yes, it’s fun). You’re celebrating voices that deserve to be heard. You’re saying: this love matters. This joy matters. This story matters.
And let’s be real—there’s no better way to honor Hispanic Heritage Month than by curling up with a story brimming with joy, resilience, food, family, laughter, and love.
What’s a book by a Latinx author that’s left a mark on your heart?
