What is it about magic and romance that makes them go together like guava and cream cheese? Maybe it\u2019s because falling in love is its own kind of spell: the charm of a meet-cute, the alchemy of attraction, the brujer\u00eda of first besos. Embracing the fantastical makes us ready and willing to believe in the power of passion, the fairy tale dream of a happily-ever-after kind of true love that defeats any evil trying to stop it.\n<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been soaking up romance vibes since I was a kid cuddling with my abuela, watching telenovelas while she knitted or crocheted. When I checked out library books, it was mostly to read about heroes swinging swords or slinging spells. If some kissing happened along the way, even better. Now more than ever, I\u2019m spoiled for choice if I want to read stories that bring together these separate parts of my childhood.\n<\/p>\n
National Hispanic Heritage Month<\/a> falls at the perfect time for catching up on all the summer fantasy romance reads before Halloween swoops in to give us the shivers. Whether you\u2019re looking for a witchy romcom, marvelous magical realism, cozy cari\u00f1os or enchanting alternate history, these Latina authors can satisfy your not-so-pumpkin spice cravings.<\/p>\n ‘What The Hex’ by Alexis Daria <\/p>\n ‘What the Hex’ by Alexis Daria.<\/p>\n Imagine you go home to a magical island near Miami for your sister\u2019s wedding, only to find out your future brother-in-law is possessed by a demon and your powerful family is under his spell, too. \u00a1Qu\u00e9 l\u00e1stima!\n<\/p>\n Thankfully, you\u2019re not the only one who sees through the demon\u2019s charms; unfortunately, your ally is your sexy childhood nemesis. This party gone wrong is a hell of a fun time for anyone who wants magical mishaps with a side of forced proximity and only one bed.\n<\/p>\n ‘Witch You Would’ by Lia Amador <\/p>\n ‘Witch You Would’ by Lia Amador.<\/p>\n In another magical Miami tale, a broke witch who works in a spellshop and an adjunct professor who\u2019s secretly a popular himbo mage team up to win a spellcasting reality show competition \u2014 except someone is sabotaging the contestants\u2019 work.\n<\/p>\n This book is for all of us who love The Great British Baking Show <\/a>and Blown Away, with actual magic instead of baking or crafting that only seems like wizardry. The love story is reluctant allies to lovers, with a dash of fake dating, a pinch of pen pals and a whole clove of secret identities. And so many puns!\n<\/p>\n ‘The Anatomy of Magic’ by J C Cervantes <\/p>\n ‘The Anatomy of Magic’ by J.C. Cervantes.<\/p>\n This stand-alone sequel to The Enchanted Hacienda<\/a> follows an ob-gyn who returns to the family\u2019s magical Mexican home after a traumatic hospital incident. Her power to manipulate memories is busted, and she needs to get her confidence back. A second-chance romance with her first love may do the trick.\n<\/p>\n As someone who loved Luisa Madrigal, the buff oldest sister in Encanto<\/a> who struggled to carry the town on her shoulders, I vibe so hard with a story about an overachiever who has their life together and struggles to cope when it all falls apart.\n<\/p>\n ‘Full Moon Over Freedom’ by Angelina M. Lopez <\/p>\n ‘Full Moon Over Freedom’ by Angelina M. Lopez.<\/p>\n The second book in the Milagro Street series is also a second-chance romance. A nasty divorce sends a stay-at-home mom and her two kids back to her hometown, where she finds her overwhelming extended family and the extreme hottie she hooked up with in high school. She\u2019s trying to break a curse to get her groove back, he\u2019s trying to fight his feelings so he won\u2019t get hurt again.\n<\/p>\n Love doesn\u2019t magically solve all problems and heal all wounds, but it can help some scars fade and become less painful. The steamy sex doesn\u2019t hurt, either!\n<\/p>\n ‘Lightning in Her Hands’ by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland <\/p>\n ‘Lightning in Her Hands’ by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland.<\/p>\n What do weather magic and fake marriage have in common? Sometimes lightning strikes when you least expect it, especially if you\u2019re a witch who can\u2019t control her powers. These childhood friends hook up so she has a date to her ex\u2019s wedding, and he can collect his inheritance, but of course their convenient cohabitation won\u2019t stay platonic.\n<\/p>\n