Wishing for La Luna

by J.L. Lora

Their amor was never meant to be real—until their undeniable attraction made it impossible to fake.

Aspiring publicist Luna Santos's reputation was perfectly curated, impeccable... until she was falsely accused of cheating. After drowning in a social media storm with a shattered name, her publicist presents the ultimate a fake relationship with reggaeton's bad boy superstar, Rio Castillo. The only problem? They've despised each other ever since their spark-filled first meeting, when Luna shot down his suave advances, convinced he was a player.

But Rio needs this showmance to reclaim his spot at the top, fill stadiums, dominate the charts, and make las nenas shake their hips. For his comeback—and her redemption—Luna and Rio are forced to play the perfect couple, even as their fiery chemistry simmers beneath the surface.

As they navigate the relationship script, what begins as raw animosity morphs into something auténtico, undeniably passionate, and utterly consuming. But in the ruthless world of fame, where personal demons and fierce rivals lurk, can their unexpected love song withstand the pulse-pounding ritmo of the spotlight?

Wishing for La Luna is a contemporary enemies-to-lovers Latinx romance part of the sexy, pulsating Ritmo y Deseo series, set in the Ficha Mundial universe. Lose yourself in this irresistible journey of love, music, unfiltered sensuality, and soul-deep connection—buy it today. It contains a cliffhanger.

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

J.L. Lora is a Dominican-American author of contemporary and romantic suspense. Her stories explore the dark side of good characters—people living in the gray areas of life—playing the cards life has dealt them. Her stories manifest her love for badass alpha heroines and take-your-breath-away alpha men.

Learn more about J.L. Lora at www.JLLora.com.

Reviews

[K. Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, literal work of art that I adored with my whole heart and soul.

Wishing for La Luna was so much more than a book for me. It was an experience that seeped into my bones and refused to let go. J.L. Lora captures what it means to be young, Dominican, and dreaming, giving voice to our hopes, heartbreaks, and desires. Reading this felt like looking straight into the heart of my younger self-the girl dancing to Tego and Zion y Lennox in her bedroom, imagining the world beyond her walls, aching for love and belonging. It was raw and lyrical, tender and fierce. It threw me on an emotional rollercoaster I was so not ready for my God was it worth every tear. It broke my heart, stitched me back together, and then tore me apart again.

Thank you, J.L. Lora, for a story that highlights and encompasses our culture, our healing—not just through love, but through people, through community, through language and the essence of latinidad.

"This my ode to us. A ballad to my diosa. Because I've never felt like this before about anyone. Luna es única."

[Carolina Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! My heart is aching as I write this review. It has been a long time since a book takes me through such an emotional rollercoaster. The characters, the places, and the emotions, I saw them and felt them all. J.L. Lora, you really outdid yourself with this story. I’m the one that will be haunted by Rio AND Luna! I love them, I truly do 🥹

“Even when you hate me, you’ll never stop loving me.”

[Kat Burg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is heartbreaking and beautiful - I devoured it because I simply had to know what was going to happen next.
It's full of drama and the stress of living in the public eye, especially when you have someone determined to ruin your life in any way possible.
It's also full of so many sweet, tender moments of such deep love, family, and community.

I do love a fake dating story, and this one was well done, if a touch rushed.
The last couple of chapters had me grinding my teeth at their behavior (annoyed) and scared for the reveal of the little surprise that'll really send things nuclear in the next book.

Thank you to JL Lora and The Next Step PR for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me knows I loooooveeee me some reggaeton (let me throw back to the early 2000s!! 💃🏻) and that my motto in life is “el perreo sana”. So let me tell you this was the PERFECT book for little ol’ me 😍 A genre I didn’t know I needed… but J.L. came and DELIVERED!! 🔥

🌙 I loved Luna’s hustle and her determination to be the person SHE dreams she can be. She isn’t trying to fit into a mold - she’s working hard to break it. I loved seeing how she grew into her voice and demanded the respect and care she deserved. And the relationship with her momma?! The sweetest!!! 😍

🌊 Reading Rio’s story was both heartbreaking and infuriating, lol!! I hated the pain he’d suffered and how he was hurt by someone he loved. The relationship he has with his cousin Tito is so special and such a testament to the bond that’s formed between cousins in latine families. Rio’s form of self expression and therapy was really beautiful to read - little snippets of reggaeton magic woven between the chapters of this book. But the boy needed a good smack outside his head every now and then, reminding him to play by the rules especially given his stardom.

Rio & Lina’s story is a complicated one. While untraditional at first their relationship blossoms into something all consuming. But can something so hot last? Or will they burn? I was just about yelling at each of them by the end of the book and then THAT ENDING??!! 😩😩😩😩😩.

I am so excited to see what book 2 brings and what other magic Ficha Mundial has in store for us. Ya se que va ser brutal!

[StylesPlenty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written and amazing great read. We get to see what is being young with dreams, aspirations and ambitions.
The last chapters annoyed me with their behavior but looking forward to the next book(s).
Thank you to JL Lora and The Next Step PR for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jenn Lockwood Editing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you flying through the pages to get more! You want every ounce of the emotion, the heart, the sizzling chemistry. Luna and Rio are a fiery mix, and I am here for it!

[ALEJANDRA (YAYA) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishing for La Luna absolutely wrecked me—in the best, most emotionally devastating way possible. I am still completely shooketh because HOW do you end a book like that?! Truly rude. Immediately unacceptable. Where is book two because I need it now—not later, not soon, now.

This story grabbed me from the start and never let go. The emotional depth, the slow-burn tension, the longing that lives in every unspoken moment—J.L. Lora knows exactly how to make you feel. I wasn’t just reading; I was fully immersed, heart in hand, rooting for every step forward while bracing for the inevitable pain.

Now let’s talk about Luna and Rio. I love you both… but I am also ready to knock some sense into the two of you. 😭 WHERE IS THE COMMUNICATION?! The miscommunication, the emotional walls, the holding back when everything is right there had me pacing, yelling, and emotionally spiraling—but also made them feel incredibly real. Messy, flawed, deeply human, and painfully connected.

That ending? Diabolical. Cruel. Perfect. The kind of ending that leaves you staring at the last page in disbelief, immediately desperate for more. Any book that can make me feel this strongly earns all five stars without question.

In short:
• Emotions: immaculate
• Tension: painful (complimentary)
• Characters: deeply frustrating and deeply lovable
• Ending: illegal but iconic

I will be thinking about Luna and Rio until book two exists in my hands. Patiently waiting—but also not okay about it. 🌙🖤📖

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars
3.5/5 spice

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Celebrity MMC
Publicist FMC
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Latinx rep 🇩🇴 🇵🇷
Hurt/Comfort
Tension and Banter
Dual POV
Cliffhanger

So I'm not big on celebrity romance because it gets soooo messy. But OMG this one was juicy, angsty, and high on emotions. I was kept on the edge of my seat wondering what the hell Luna and Rio were going to get mixed up in next. But I was also rooting for these two from the start. I've also added a few characters to my list of "Most Hated Characters"... iykyk.

Rio and Luna go through so much in their short time together. Their chemistry was off the charts and the spice did NOT disappoint... phew. But also their emotional connection was so heart-warming. Like the way Rio falls so hard for Luna had me melting, especially every time he brought out his notebook 🫶🏽

I cannot wait for the next book and everything related to Ficha Mundial Latin Entertainment (soooo excited). If you're a fan of fake dating, celebrity romance, diverse characters, rich cultural representation... then I highly recommend checking this book out.

Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

[Stephanie Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ENDING!!! PLEASE I AM SOBBING WHILE EVERYONE IN MY HOUSE IS ASLEEP AND HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SLEEP NOW NEEDING TO KNOW WHAT’S NEXT FOR RIO AND LUNA?!?!? 😭😭😭😭

I needed this book in my life. The reggaeton, the toxic relationships, the healing, the family connections… so so perfect. I loved how descriptive the settings were. I could imagine myself in the club or staying far away from the edge of the cliff lol. The descriptions of DR transported me there with them. I think I felt every emotion reading this book. I loved this so much and I can’t wait to read more from the Ficha Mundial universe.

I, too, may need therapy to help me move on from these characters. 😭

[Cici T · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Even when you hate me, you’ll never stop loving me”

This book was everything. Reading this story it transformed me back to my early 20s dancing to Tego, Anthony Santos, Zion y Lennox, and the list continues. The connections I made, the spanish speaking, EVERYTHING was chef’s kiss. Rio & Luna’s chemistry, the drama, the love. UGHH. BUT THE CLIFFHANGER ! I need book 2 like NOW.

“Si ella es loca, what does that make me? A fucking mad man.”

[Karolina Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such an emotional and tender read. The story focuses a lot on healing, vulnerability and learning to accept love after being hurt. I really connected with Luna and Rio inner struggles and the slow way trust and feelings developed. It’s not a fast paced story, but it’s beautifully written and very character driven, which made the emotions feel real and raw. If you enjoy softer romances that focus on growth and emotional depth, this one is worth picking up.

[Frommailenesbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm OBSESSED with this story, and I literally can't wait for book two because this felt like a telenovela from start to finish, and I need MORE! Luna and Rio's chemistry was flying out of the pages, and that perreo scene is going to live rent-free in my head for the rest of my days 🥵

[Alyssa Swafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

My official rating is 4.5 stars. Spice about 2.5.

What a story! This book had me laughing, wanting to fight someone, and crying. What an emotional rollercoaster J.L. Lora put me through, and I’m not even mad. I had to take time before writing my review, because I had to digest it all.

Wishing for la Luna was a well-written story. Luna and Rio are my favorite couple to date, and I absolutely love them! I am debating re-reading this story again, after I went back and looked through all the quotes that I highlighted on my Kindle. It brings me back.
I am eagerly awaiting the second part of Ficha Munidal Latin Entertainment book.