Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Patron Saint of Pendejas

Rate this book
Meet Isabel and Manny, childhood friends and compadres. After Isa’s messy divorce she moves back to Corpus Christi to her mom’s house with her preteen son. Manny proves to be the closet thing she has to a co-parent. Embarrassed about her failed marriage she avoids him her first year home but a new gym membership, a Quinceañera and an upcoming Car Show bring them together in a way they’d never imagine.



Patron Saint of Pendejas is the first book in the Chismosa Chronicles. A novella romcom series in the Nixverse depicting Chicano culture and stories.

138 pages, Paperback

Published June 29, 2025

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Nix Murguia

9 books280 followers
Nix Murguia is a dark contemporary romance author. She resides in Boise, Idaho with her husband and three sons. As a young Chicana growing up in the 90s her grandfather introduced her to various movies that would help her connect with her culture and embrace her identity.
It was in the 1987 movie La Bamba that Nix realized the bad boy was much more attractive. The Bobs, the Miklos, and Chuchos. Her love for the anti-hero, morally grey alpha male bled into the books she read.
She uses her love for story telling and writing to create diverse characters that Latina women can relate to and love. Morally grey men that say “Mija.” And “Te quiero.” And the strong women who would be their only weakness.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
584 (58%)
4 stars
297 (29%)
3 stars
98 (9%)
2 stars
17 (1%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
Profile Image for CarlysGrowingTBR.
814 reviews93 followers
June 30, 2025
A childhood friends to lovers romance that embodies Chicano culture and tons of drama

Book Stats:
📖: 140 pages
Genre: RomCom
Publisher: Indie
Format: Ebook
Series: 1/? Of the Chismosa Chronicals

Themes:
💫: Rebuilding after divorce
💫: Second Chances

Representation:
🌮 : Family trauma
🌮 : Chicano culture

Tropes:
💗: Childhood friends to lovers
💗: Single Mom
💗: Low Rider Enthusiasts

🥵: Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.

Short Synopsis:
Isabel is a single mother struggling to put her life back together after her high school sweetheart turned husband cheated on her. Moving back home to get some stability for her son, she runs across her old best friend from childhood. Will he be able to convince her they belong together or will they miss yet another opportunity for happiness?

General Thoughts:
This novel had me reeling from page one to page 140. There is a roller coaster of emotions and fantastic Chicano representation throughout this entire novella.

As a Mexican woman who lives in the south valley of Albuquerque, NM the book captured the chola/cholo culture so perfectly. I could hear the inflection in the voice. The style of hair and clothing. I could see it in the actions and thoughts. So well done. I could practically see the low riders cruising Route 66 on Sunday evenings. It's a faith, art and form of expression that is unmatched. The pride and tradition of Chicano culture runs deep within.

The romance between Isabel and Manny was so relatable and endearing. I was deeply invested from the beginning and loved where it all ended up.

I loved the conversational Spanish throughout the book. The accurate representation of families in quinceanera's. Everything about this book was just so spot on.

I can't wait to read more from this author both within this series and in general.

Disclaimer: I read this book as a ebook I purchased myself. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Crys.
212 reviews23 followers
July 20, 2025
I need a Manny in my life 😭
Profile Image for Amy Elizabeth.
56 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2025
Every Nix Murguia book I read just gets better and better! Her writing is so beautifully poignant. She knows how’s to move a story with emotion and strategically placed wit. I laughed and awwed and audibly said, “oh, DAAAAAMN🥵” so many times.

Honestly, this book was perfect! I wouldn’t change a thing!

Thank you, Nix, for letting me be an arc reader! I’m forever a fan!
P.S. killer playlist
Profile Image for Nadya.
179 reviews
July 3, 2025
I LOVED this novella!! Childhood friends to lovers and Single mom. I wish I could give it more stars. Manny and Isa are so perfect for each other!! Loved the 90s vibes and how nostalgic this was. Isa is the funniest FMC despite how hard her life has been for the last year. I loved both of their families and how everyone was a chismosa!! I’ve recommended this book to so many people already! If you’re reading this stop and go read this book!!
Profile Image for Ava Ly.
193 reviews112 followers
July 17, 2025
second chance romance

This novella was everything. It’s so sweet and nostalgic. Such a great story. I adored both MCs and their story was unconventionally perfect. If you’re a millennial, or have to deal with a millennial 😩😅, love chicano culture and a good ol’ fashioned love story with some touches of spice?! Then this is for you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️.5
Profile Image for Nix Murguia.
Author 9 books280 followers
Read
March 25, 2025
Patron Saint of Pendejas release date has been pushed back to June 29th. For information on ARC sign-ups, please visit my website.
Profile Image for Lily.
123 reviews29 followers
July 18, 2025
This was a funny and relatable novella. I didn't grow up Chicana but I grew up Mexican and a lot of the elements represent me too. The carne asada with the familia on the weekends, the padrinos and madrinas, altars for Saints, the cholo-chola style, quinceañeras, hardworking families, chismes, funny pet names, and well represented stereotypes.

I loved the representation this book gave to our culture. A lot of the values Mexicans carry are conveyed to their children. The use of Spanish words and Mexican phrases was also present. I live for the tension and banter between Isa and Manny. It was great how reconnected. Their romance arrived later in life but like we say "todo llega a su debido tiempo" (all in due time).

Isa is such a strong character, trying to find herself as a woman after her divorce. Manny was so good for Isa and Junior. He was there for them through their struggles. We had a little drama there for a bit but I was satisfied with how things ended with them. They both found their footing. If I haven't given you enough chisme, I suggest you run to KU and read it mija!

Thank you to the author for sending me an advanced copy of her book. This is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Bookishlyvenus ⋆˚࿔.
54 reviews2 followers
June 19, 2025
reading this felt like home. it brought me so much comfort reading about characters who talked like me. who grew up like me. the representation in this brought me so much joy.

isa & manny are that couple you are rooting for straight from the start. i loved watching their friendship grow to more. and the way manny was with junior healed parts of me. its a quick read but i truly felt like nothing was missing. you get a bit of everything: grief, love, humor, etc everything! 10/10 recommend!!!

🖤 second chance
💗 single mom
🖤 childhood friends
💗 chicano rep
🖤 ex husbands best friend

🖤🇲🇽
Profile Image for NaniBookJunkie.
230 reviews6 followers
July 16, 2025
This novella was cute, chaotic, and hilarious in the best way😂. We’ve got friends to lovers ( Manny 😏), Chicano rep, a single mom juggling her son, moving back in with her own mom (pray for her), and helping plan a quinceañera.

I was cracking up the entire time and was also hit with flashbacks of my own family’s dynamic. The nicknames alone had me wheezing. If you’ve ever had to dodge chismes, survive a family party, or explain to your mom that “yes, you’re eating,” this one will hit way too close to home… in the best way.💕
Profile Image for Olivia Hernandez.
164 reviews9 followers
June 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

🩷Second chance
🍉single mom
🩷childhood friends
🍉Chicano rep
🩷ex husbands best friend

I loved this book so much!! Every girl needs to find their manny!! This book is a great representation of the Mexican American experience, the Chicano experience. These characters were so relatable. The dynamic Isabel had with her family really reminded me of my own. The characters go through grief, second chances, starting new and finding the right path for themselves and the right person.
Profile Image for Ana Elizondo.
338 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2025
What I Enjoyed the Most:
🌮 The author
🌮 The title
🌮 The book cover
🌮The Lovers
🌮 The chapter titles
🌮 The storyline
🌮 The smut
🌮The authenticity
🌮 The culture
& my favorite,
🌮 The hilarity

All so freaking fun!
This made me feel like I was on Cloud 9
☁️🥰
Profile Image for Claudia Rambles.
251 reviews29 followers
June 17, 2025
This book is an absolute delight — in a way, it feels like home.
Isa and Manny were childhood friends who grew up together. But life takes a turn when Isa ends up pregnant by Manny’s best friend.
She moves away, gets married, and has a son. But it’s far from a happy ending, especially after catching her husband cheating.
Now she’s back, living with her mom, and even though she finished her degree, money’s tight, and the solution is selling her late father’s car. But to do that, she has to talk to Manny and she’s been avoiding him.

I read this book in one sitting! It felt like I could hear the characters speaking. The mix of English and Spanish, the expressions, the food, the culture… it all made the story feel so cosy and wholesome.
I might be a little biased because I love Latin culture — but if you enjoy a touch of spice and a whole lot of heart, this book is for you.

This review and more here:
Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube
Profile Image for crystal .
157 reviews48 followers
May 20, 2025
Nix, this novella was amazing. Being able to beta and ARC read it is something I’ll always be grateful for. Every Chicana needs this book on their shelves.

Thank you for releasing this story at a time when nuestra raza needed a reminder of joy, pride, and of course love. It came at the perfect moment for me, and it reminded me to always be proud of where I come from.

Lowrider culture played a huge part in my childhood and still does today. Seeing it represented so beautifully and authentically made me feel seen. It’s rare in books and it meant so much to me.

The dedication alone should be reason enough to read or add it to your tbr.

Viva mi raza. 🇲🇽
1 review
August 7, 2025
I enjoy reading books that I can relate to culturally. This book had me laughing and made me feel the butterflies. It happens to be that my hubby’s name is también Juan Carlos y una vez I was upset with him and came across reading a line from the book that said “Fuck Juan Carlos” lol. I couldn’t have read it at a more perfect time.

Fue mi primer book from her and would recommend it to all my amigas. Can’t wait to read more.
Profile Image for sahltmarie.
119 reviews11 followers
July 11, 2025
Isa, the FMC, is such a strong and caring mother. She’s always there for her family and the community she lives in, helping others out whenever she can. She’s the glue that holds everything and everyone together.

Manny, the MMC, is a total sweetheart. He’s head over heels in love with Isa, but his love for his family, Isa, and Junior makes my heart warm. Taking Isa for some chipotle tacos and bogo margaritas was so real. But what happened after had me screaming with happiness like finally! My girl Isa put on her big chingona pants and made the first move.

Manny taking care of Junior like his own made me cry a little because Juan Carlos would never do that. Manny’s mother trying to set both Manny and Isa up had me laughing. Telling Manny how good Isa has been looking and bringing up the crush he had on her ever since they were small just had me giggling.

This novella reminded me of how much the community was always together, despite whatever we all went through.

Also, having La Virgencita on La Pepto Bisbol (Lowrider) made me happy cry because she’s so MOTHERING. The ending had me barking and crying at the same time.

Overall, this book has a special place in my heart. The characters, family, friendships, chisme and the Latino community.

Thank you for this opportunity to read this amazing novella. But most importantly, thank you for representing and reminding me about being a proud Latina in these tough times.

Make sure you grab a copy and add it to your GoodReads. If you’d like to read it, I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Lynnmarie542_books.
581 reviews42 followers
August 7, 2025
Friends-to-lovers? YES
Divorced single mom finding her spark again? YES
Sass, and serious heart? YES AND YES

Isabel and Manny’s story is short, sweet, and so relatable. If you’ve ever loved, lost, or just needed a good laugh and a second chance, you’ll feel this one.

Spicy. Funny.
💋 Add it to your TBR ASAP.
Profile Image for ANISSA.
130 reviews
September 16, 2025
This is a first Haunt Girl Nix book for me and the one word to describe this book is... Nostalgic!

A story about Isabella having to return home after her divorce; starting fresh and finding out who she really is. Later finding out that Manny her childhood friend and son's padrino has alway been in love with her.

A must read if you want to know how they navigate to their HEA...

Very Relatable:

- I'm from South Texas...

- Precious Moments... No joke it was the theme at my wedding. I still have a ton of figurines boxed up.

- Walter Mercado blasting through my grandmother house...

- Carne Asadas on the weekends - turning into our modern Sunday Fundays.

- Selena Effect - Our kids they can sing it like a pro, but cannot carry a conversation to save their life.

- And Isa's mom... I had the same issue with mine, giving away money she didn't have...

- Famous last words "cuando tengas hijos te vas recordar de mi"

- And we can't forget about the altar of Saints... 😜 In which we all still have.
Profile Image for Edwin.
39 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2026
4.5/5 stars

As an avid sad book reader, this is exactly what I needed. It’s very rare for a book to have me all giddy while reading, but I was eating this story up! This is a book about childhood friends with a second chance romance, the complexities of co-parenting and family dynamics, and Chicano representation. I didn’t want this story to end and would love to read another book to see how Isa and Manny are doing a few years later. Plus, I think we all deserve a Manny in our lives 🥹
Profile Image for Athena A..
235 reviews3 followers
November 3, 2025
everything i woulda wanted from a 2025 independently published romcom novella tbh, bonus for the exceptional cover art!
Profile Image for Jen.
54 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2026
Loved this novella! ✨ So cute, funny, short, and spicy. The cultural relatability made it incredibly nostalgic and hit all the right notes. All the toxicas will love it. 😆
Profile Image for April.
41 reviews2 followers
September 6, 2026
This was a really light, enjoyable read. Loved the characters, the family dynamics. It brought joy and laughter.
Profile Image for Adela Z.
10 reviews
June 16, 2025
I loved it! First off the writing was 👌. It kept me engaged and wanting to read more. I liked how the characters were relatable as well. I can’t wait to check out more from the Author. I definitely recommend!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Melvi Perez.
63 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2025
I love the book cover to this book!
It was super short, it was cute. It gave me on the block vibes!
Profile Image for Mari.
7 reviews
August 24, 2025
Broooo, this book! It’s an amazing story, the culture, the pride, and the beauty of our language. Loved!
Profile Image for eri.
110 reviews3 followers
June 28, 2025
I loved this one! I particularly loved the chicano representation, it was perfectly executed and just felt so natural and real. Here are some tropes within this story:
🩷 second chance romance
🩷 single mom
🩷 chicano rep
🩷 childhood friends

This novella follows Isabella and her preteen son, Junior, as they are forced to move back home to Corpus Christi following Isabella’s divorce from her son’s father. While back home, she attempts to avoid (unsuccessfully) her childhood friend Manny, who happens to have had a huge crush on her since they were kids.
This story was so sweet and funny! It had many relatable moments and sayings/phrases. As a mexican-american myself I felt so seen. If you’re in the mood for a novela but don’t want to sit through thousands of episodes, then consider picking this story up, I definitely recommend.
Also, this story made me want to cruise down Whittier Blvd in a low rider with my oldies playing in the background. IFYKYK.
Profile Image for Jessica Lockett.
16 reviews
July 12, 2025
TROPES
~Childhood friends
~Second chance Romance
~Single Mom
~Chicano representation
~ Rom Com.
~loss of a parent dry

ARC Review

PATRON SAINT OF PENDEJAS

5 🌟  READ
Thank you NIX MURGUIA for the opportunity to send me your ARC review Patron Saint Of Pendejas. Girl, I ate up this  book in one day. 

Meet our two main characters Manny and Isabel. After a nasty divorce Isabel forced to move back to Corpus Christi with her mother and her pre-teen son  Junior.  Isabel still has fear of failure lurking in the back of her mind. Isa trying hard not to make mistakes, and not let it define who she is as a person.

As her mother's bills begin to pile up. Isa must find a way to help her cover for her mothers debt. Her mother suggests she gets in touch with her Childhood friend Manny to help repair her Father's car. Manny has always had strong feelings for Isabel but never had the guts to pour his feels for her.

A gym Gym membership, a car show, and Quinceanera brings them close together ❤️.  I love Second chance romances this book was such a fast novela. I found the perfect Chicano Culture I was looking for!! I couldn't stop laughing how she brought out Rudy Velencia story 🤣  along with thr expression from the Takauache Tribe meaning  "Si Quema cuh."

For the spice I give it 5 stars! thank you NIX for giving me the opportunity to be your ARC reader 🙏.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sacha Delgado.
107 reviews
January 1, 2026
Cute and simple- captures the descriptors well without feeling like mockery.

Oct 2026 I am talking about this book with my hubby and laughing. It’s been a year. This deserves an extra star. Modified from 3 to 4.
Profile Image for Plus Size Bibliophile.
1,225 reviews61 followers
July 2, 2025
4. 5 Stars!!!!

This book was recommended by the Booktoker Questionable Reads. She said it was a very cute romcom that she didn't know she needed in her life.

I'm here to say she was NOT lying because the joy, butterflies, and over all happy feels I got from this story was the highlight of my week.

This is a childhood best friends, second chance, single mom love story.

Isa moves back home after catching her husband cheating on her and honestly, she felt relieved to have a reason to leave. Now she's living with her mom and fresh out the pen brother where she has no privacy and is trying to help her mom out of the medical debt from her father's passing.

Manny has been in love with Isa since he was a kid. Sadly, he fumbled his chance during her Quince and lost her to the new boy in town who also adopted him as a friend and asked him to be the god father of their baby together.

Now that Isa is back with her pre-teen son, Manny has stepped in to be the best god father and sadly father substitute that Junior needs and now that he has confidence and a new sexy body, he wants to shoot his shot at Isa.

Again, the butterflies, the adorableness of these two. We get both POVs and it's soo fun seeing them both process their feelings, make moves at the encouragement of their family, and still be in denial when things start to heat up. It's cute that they think they can hide anything in a close-knit community where the church is basically a group chat.

For me the best part was Isa discovering herself sexually because while YES, she had been married, it was clear that she and Juan Carlos kept things very vanilla and he sheltered her from all the good things.

This book isn't spicy but it's satisfying and lighthearted. It will leave you with a smile and if you are single, it may leave you with a bit of hope and a desire to give the nice guy a shot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews