Amor Actually: A Holiday Romance Anthology

Though I don’t read many holiday romances, I had to read Amor Actually, a short-story collection centering Latina characters. So many of my favorite authors contributed to this anthology, with all their stories interconnecting by the end. Leading up to one Nochebuena party among friends, nine different partnerships (couples and throuples alike!) will get their much deserved happily ever afters.

Review

Usually with short story collections or anthologies, I find the different stories to be pretty uneven. But that wasn’t so with Amor Actually. I genuinely enjoyed all the stories, diverse as they were. These nine stories range from straight to queer, from friends-to-lovers to strangers-to-lovers, from super spicy to low steam. Each story mirrors one of the relationships in the movie Love Actually, but all with their own twist.

In addition to the diversity in types of stories and relationships, I also liked getting to know different Latine traditions surrounding the holidays. With authors from a range of backgrounds, the characters, likewise, come from different cultures across Latin America. I’m not religious myself, but I’ve always loved Christmas and the traditions, music, and family connection that come with it.

From the nine stories here, my favorites were “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe” by Priscilla Oliveras; “Love in Spanglish” by Zoey Castile (aka Zoraida Córdova); and “To Us, You Are Perfect” by Alexis Daria and Adriana Herrera. However, I enjoyed each story!

Final Thoughts

If you love contemporary romances, Christmas love stories, and Latine culture, Amor Actually is a wonderful anthology to read for the holidays. It’s also a great taste of seven different authors, all of whom also have full-length novels available. I’m already a fan of several authors here, and I’m excited to dive into the others’ books, too.

Get the Book

You can buy Amor Actually here – it’s available as an ebook and in paperback.

Amor Actually: A Holiday Romance Anthology
Audience	Adult
Genre	Romance; Holiday Romance; Short Stories
Setting	New York City
Number of Pages	412
Format I Read	ebook
Original Publication Date	December 3, 2021

Official Summary

Nochebuena. One Party. Nine Happily Ever Afters.

It’s Christmas Eve in New York City, when anything is possible. For these couples, it’s the season to find true love. From second chances, big leaps, missed connections, and reconnections, this charming collection celebrates the spirit of the holidays and delivers nine perfect HEAs.

From seven acclaimed and bestselling Latina authors—Zoey Castile, Alexis Daria, Adriana Herrera, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Priscilla Oliveras, Sabrina Sol, and Mia Sosa—comes a holiday romance collection like never before.  

Make the Yuletide Gay • Adriana Herrera
After a string of broken engagements, an international Latin Pop Star finds love in her sexy and constant manager. Days before her big live holiday special, Vivi wonders if the woman of her dreams could finally be hers.

Only Yours • Sabrina Sol
The Mayor of New York embarks on a Christmas Eve search to find the woman he loves before she gets away.

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe • Priscilla Oliveras
Challenged by his friends to find a plus one to Nochebuena dinner or else, widower Hector Gutierrez isn’t sure he’s still got any good moves left. That is until he strikes the right chord with his son’s music teacher, Cristina.

All I Want for Nochebuena • Alexis Daria
When sparks fly between adult film stars Honey and Julie, Honey must work up the courage to invite Julie to her family’s holiday party or risk losing what she really wants for Nochebuena—a chance at true love.

Santa’s Eager Little Helper • Mia Sosa
Sarita’s plan to confess her crush on a coworker goes awry when she’s tasked with playing the Sexy Elf to his grumpy Santa. Will she seize the opportunity to make Carlos’s naughty list, or will she spend another Nochebuena alone?

The Nochebuena Dating Dare • Diana Muñoz Stewart
Eneida Lucero takes a second chance on love with the handsome musical director at her school—even if it means causing some Nochebuena drama with her ex-husband and familia.

Love in Spanglish • Zoey Castile
A heartbroken romance writer gets snowed in with a novel-worthy hero who may just make her believe in love again.

To Us, You Are Perfect • Alexis Daria & Adriana Herrera
Newlyweds Pasquale and Yamilette’s Christmas is just short of perfect. The missing piece is their best friend Marcelo, who has loved them from afar for years. This Nochebuena, they’ll finally complete their happily ever after.

The Great Holiday Escape • Zoey Castile
Gigi is always on the hustle, making sure her little sister has everything she needs including a big Christmas Eve fiesta with all their friends and family. That night, Gigi receives an all-expenses-paid trip to a luxe South Beach weekend where not one, but two beautiful strangers steal her heart.