Growing up in Puerto Rico, my abuela and I would spend countless afternoons watching telenovelas together. The passion and drama on the screen were always so captivating. To this day, those memories of arriving home from school and sitting on the couch with my abuela watching telenovelas are some of my most cherished.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, here’s a selection of romance novels on the Libby app by Hispanic/Latino authors that have that same passionate energy I loved in those novelas.

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
🎧 Audiobook

This romance is a perfect mix of passion and humor. It follows the love story of a telenovela star and a soap opera actor who team up for a new show.

If you're a fan of those swoonworthy on-screen romances from the novelas, this one's for you. It's a story of love, fame, and figuring out who you are outside of the spotlight.

A Proposal They Can’t Refuse by Natalie Caña
🎧 Audiobook

This is a fun, heartwarming, and culturally rich romance about family expectations, secrets, and love that takes its own path. Natalie Caña does a brilliant job of blending romance with deep family dynamics.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
🎧 Audiobook

This story is as tender as it is empowering. It follows Felix, a transgender teen on a journey of self-discovery, love, and acceptance. While it’s a beautiful coming-of-age story, it's also a romance that captures all the butterflies of first love, heartache, and the beauty of finding yourself.

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
🎧 Audiobook

This sweet, funny, and touching story of Charlie Vega’s journey to self-love and acceptance is a beautiful take on modern romance. It explores the complexities of family expectations, body image, and finding true love, all while showcasing the vibrant experiences of a Latina teen.

This one reminds me of the heartfelt telenovelas where the characters struggle with their own self-worth before realizing that love is about acceptance and being true to yourself.

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
🎧 Audiobook

A blend of romance and historical fiction, Next Year in Havana brings together a forbidden love story and the history of Cuba. With themes of family and identity, this book takes readers on a heartfelt journey, evoking emotions reminiscent of the drama of classic novelas.

The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa
🎧 Audiobook

Mia Sosa crafts a charming story about a wedding planner and a man who unexpectedly finds love while caught up in a scheme to crash a wedding.

This laugh-out-loud, swoon-worthy romance offers a fun, lighthearted twist on the drama and excitement of a novela wedding.

*Title availability may vary by library & region.

These books on Libby, just like the novelas that I loved growing up, remind me of the passionate and often complicated journeys of love. Whether you’re in the mood for a heartwarming rom-com, a family drama, or a forbidden love story, these authors bring the heart this Valentine’s Day. I hope these stories bring you the same joy and warmth that I felt watching those novelas with my abuela.