Saving Ria

by Jessi Rodriguez

Rosalia Acosta Rivera has always played it safe—especially when it comes to love. In the quiet town of Cidra, Puerto Rico, she buried herself in books and ambition, steering clear of romantic entanglements. But when she earns her master’s degree and finds herself with a summer free of school and excuses, she decides it’s time to take a risk.
That same day, fate delivers a jolt. Her high school crush, Rianna Vasquez, walks into the bar where she works in downtown San Juan. Although Ria doesn’t recognize her, Rosalia remembers everything. Determined not to let this chance slip away, she sets her sights on winning Ria’s heart.
But Ria is no ordinary woman. Charming, magnetic, and emotionally guarded, she harbors a secret that manifests in her Friday night ritual of seducing tourists and breaking the occasional heart. Everyone warns Rosie to stay away, but she doesn’t listen. She, too, gets entangled in Ria’s web, but she refuses to be just another fleeting encounter. Instead, she’s determined to show Ria a love that heals and a love that stays. Even if it means risking her own heart in the process.
A story of longing, obsession, and the deepest connection. This summer in San Juan will change everything—and no one will come out untouched.

Expected publication April 6, 2026

About the author

Born in the mountains of Tennessee and raised between two cultures, Jessi Rodriguez moved to Miami at 18 years old for a fresh start. She draws on real experiences and dreamlike intuition to create stories about survival, second chances, and love that lingers. When she is not writing, she is probably working one of her three jobs to make it in the big city. Or she's at the beach. She loves the beach.
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