Dulce, Por Fin: A Short Story

by Tamaya Cruz

"Tamaya Cruz won me over with her book This Bowl of Stars, and I read her story first. 'Dulce, Por Fin' is filled with a deep longing that Cruz eloquently writes. I was drawn in from the beginning." —Desi Stowe, author of the Charleston Harbor series

Lourdes and Jules have been best friends all their lives. They grew up on long conversations about their favorite cartoon characters and spent their college years cheering each other on through law school and marathons.

Though years and distance between them grew, Lo had always been the biggest part of Jules’s heart, even if he was the love she couldn’t admit she wanted.

When Lo moves to Jules’s town to open a food truck, they find themselves back in each others’ lives where their friendship feels like it’s growing into more.

Will their friendship finally cross a line into love?




This short story originally appeared in Craving A Spicy Valentine's Day Anthology published by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, released in February 2025. This ebook contains supplemental material from the author.

58 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2025

About the author

Tamaya Cruz is an author living in the Rocky Mountain Southwest. She writes sweet and spicy romance that celebrates complex characters who tell their own stories like we all do: with depth, love and laughter - flaws and all.

Reviews

[María Peláez García · Rating 4 out of 5]

de momento mi favorito de la colección

[Cecilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay story. Frankly I would have enjoyed it more without the 2 main characters have other partner's. mainly for lo since Jules was just a friends with benefits thing. I just can't respect people who go into relationships they don't take seriously especially when the other person isn't aware that it's not a serious relationship. my main issue with that childhood love stories is they've had a chance to be together Lo ran away from it then when she ended her relationship moves back close to Jules. she is under the impression that he's in a happy relationship but knowing how he feels still feels the need to insert herself back in his life. This would have been better if they had just separated for their careers and then met back up when they were successful without including other people.it just seems selfish to hurt other people's feeling because they couldn't get their feelings situated

[Lilly Guirguis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo and Julian (Jules) are a lovely couple!

😮‍💨
Read if you love reading about cultures in books, great food, and second chance romance. 🥰
😆 it got spicy near the end so be aware!

Best quotes: “Two years ago,” she said, “you asked me if I felt the same way about you. Yes, Jules. I did. I still do. I was afraid and I’m sorry I couldn’t say it then.” I held her for a moment, my arms wrapped around her so tightly, there was no way she could get away again. “The only thing I want to do is make sure you feel like you never have to be afraid again.”

“Lo,” he whispered, his breath hot on my earlobe, “this will change us forever. I need you to tell me you want this.” We were already changed forever. “I want this,” I said. “I’ve wanted this for years. I want you.”

[Tonita Spillers · Rating 5 out of 5]

representation matters!

I’m from New Mexico and reading a spicy romance set in Albuquerque among other places made me so happy! Some authors try to represent Latino characters and clearly have no clue but this felt authentic and it made me happy!! I loved Lo and Jules. Thank you Tamaya for a wonderful quick read!

[Dulce Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and short! Gould this beautiful book because it has my name on it 🫶🏻 childhood besties happy ending