Luna Santos is carrying the weight of the world, a broken heart, and a secret that could break the internet. She's pregnant. The father is Rio Castillo, THE global reggaetón superstar.
Whose name alone steals her breath.
Whose touch aún arde en su piel.
Whose music is the soundtrack to her life.
The amor that started as a show for the cameras became too real too fast… and left huellas too deep to ever erase. Until old wounds and insecurity tore them apart.
Rio spent months trying to bury his regrets beneath his art, sold-out arenas, platinum records, and screaming fans. None of it worked. Every lyric, performance, and song is a call back to the sirena who owns all corners de su alma.
When fate forces them back into the same room, it takes one look y una bachata for their bodies to intertwine. The heartbreak and the love they tried to deny come rushing back in an all-consuming wave.
And when Rio learns the truth about what he stands to lose, he won’t make the same mistake twice. The future he thought was lost isn't gone. Luna’s been carrying it all along.
Now they must navigate an impossible secret, relentless media scrutiny, and people determined to expose the one thing they’re desperate to protect. Loving each other has never been their problem. It’s surviving the enemies and chismosas who plot against them.
She's his diosa, his muse…his everything.
He's la tormenta in her soul and the song her heart plays on repeat.
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.
the first book left me feening for more with the same, if not more, intensity with which Rio feens for Luna (which is at astronomical levels, by the way). so, when i got my hands on this, i INHALED IT. it delivered everything i wanted and then some. rio is still a certified yearner, luna is still pissing me off (bc i love her), and sel been that bitch. still that bitch !!!!!
this book is a kaleidoscope of the many facets that make up Latin culture. it’s also got the delicious drama that only a novela can provide, with history sprinkled throughout like fairy dust. i found it so endearing— like little pieces of j.l lora’s identity and heart shining through.
the authenticity within these characters is probably one of my favorite aspects of this series. they feel tangible. they’re messy. they overthink. they make dumb decisions (looking at u, luna!!!). they find ways to make it right. to have hard conversations. to set boundaries. they try their best even when the going gets tough. and at the end of the day, isn’t that what we’re all doing?
don’t read this book if you don’t like: bochinche yearners drama tóxicos
read this book if you like: bochinche yearners drama tóxicos bollitos
I absolutely loved this book!! Please let there be more! I don’t want Luna and Rio’s story to end. They had to overcome so much. And Rio is the epitome of a man! He owned his mess ups, he catered to Luna and made it known to the world who is woman was and that there could never be anyone else. Ugh! I loved it so much, and the spicy scenes in Spanish, the reggaeton songs dedicated to Luna 🥵😮💨. Love, love, love it 😍
I did my best to keep this review spoiler free, but just in case, maybe wait until you've finished the book before reading it. And if you're still wondering whether you should pick it up... this is me telling you to go read it.
The wait was absolutely worth it.
Rio drove me INSANE. He's stubborn, toxic, and so damn hardheaded. Luna is just as stubborn, fiercely independent, and determined to carry the weight of the world on her own. They're both frustrating in the best way, and they're absolutely perfect for each other.
Watching Rio and Luna go from playing proud and making each other work for every inch, to finally letting their walls down and fighting for their relationship was one of the highlights of my reading year. Also... possessive Rio is my absolute favorite.
One of my favorite things about this series is that the dialogue actually sounds like us. The Spanish, the slang, the little expressions... it all feels so natural. These books feel like a hug from home.
Can we all give J.L. Lora a standing ovation? Because she didn't just write an incredible sequel, she also wrote original songs for Rio again, and they're SO GOOD. The lyrics are genuinely beautiful. I found myself wishing I could stream every single one.
Without getting into spoiler territory, I do want to mention the portrayal of postpartum depression and early parenthood.
The Latin family representation continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series. Rio reflecting on his childhood and his conversations with his father completely wrecked me and had me thinking about my own late dad. Then, in true Latino family fashion, the suegra moments had me laughing out loud. And Sel? She's the absolute best friend/cousin a girl could ask for. Here's to all of us finding a Sel in our lives.
There's one scene where Luna, Zao, Niko, and Maeven are at a work event critiquing the food and the music, and tell me that's not every Latino at an event like that. I felt so seen.
Puerto Rico on the page will always make me emotional. Reading these characters visit some of my favorite places on the island made me incredibly homesick. Living on the mainland means I don't get to experience those little everyday moments anymore, so reading those scenes felt like getting to go home for a little while. The scenes in the Dominican Republic also made me want to book a flight immediately.
And the bochinche? Absolutely unmatched. The dynamic between El Bochinchón, Azalia, and Germarie had me cackling every single time. "¡QUÉ PAPELÓN! @CloseFriendsPR: Me contó un pajarito..." deserves an award for best gossip account.
On a personal note, this book became even more special because I won the chance to name a character through the Ficha Mundial auction benefiting Mis Amores Café Bookstore. I submitted the name Germarie, fully expecting it to be a tiny cameo. Imagine my surprise when I discover such a fun, memorable character. I'm on cloud nine, and yes, I'm going to be insufferable about this for the rest of my life.
Also... the Albert Pujols mention made my baseball loving heart ridiculously happy.
This universe keeps getting richer with every book, and I'm officially invested in everyone's story. I need to know more about SolMara, Zao, Salomé, Niko, Maeven, and even Sel.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm pouring myself a shot of Brugal Triple Reserva while I impatiently wait for the next book.
After our first rendezvous with Luna and Rio, I was left craving every moment of their tumultuous journey; this book was my ticket to an emotional rollercoaster! Oh, it came for my heart! The way Luna and Rio were right back on their bullshit, had me talking to my Kindle again. These two are as stubborn as ever! Luna caught in her floral he loves me, he loves me not dance. Wandering between hope and hesitation. And let me say, Rio is no angel when it comes to love! His passion intertwines with his toxic tendencies, and you got yourself a bomb romance. Imagine your food sizzling on the stove now multiply that intensity tenfold! The chemistry between Luna and Rio is explosive. Their spicy moments? Let's say they're hotter than a Dominican summer. The way Rio devours Luna in both gaze and flesh will have you fanning your senses. Rio's transformation from toxico to planning a wedding and being a dad was inspiring I may not swim, but I am now a sirena This story is about fighting for your dreams and each other. J.L. Lora does an incredible job weaving culture, music, and the eternal bonds of love throughout this series. From the bonds with family and friends to their deep rooted connections. I mean, how can you not think Maeven is a BAMF?! She reads about outbreaks to learn new things for her clients! That’s the kind of detail that makes the character feel so real. What truly did it for me is the unwavering love that flows through so many of the characters interactions.The heartfelt dialogue Rio shares with Tito towards the end is a standout moment that lingered in my mind long after the final page. Proving yet again that love takes many forms.
Favorite Quotes "We love even when we know the person can be gone tomorrow" "Every atom of a second we had together is locked in my soul"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I just finished Lost Between el Río y el Mar, and J.L. Lora has done it again. I could not put this book down.
If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know representation is everything to me, and this book delivered on every level. It had reggaetón, family, loyalty, friendship, drama, messiness, romance, and even a pregnancy trope. It honestly felt like watching the best novela unfold, and I was completely immersed from beginning to end.
Rio was everything. Protective, kind, loyal, and willing to do whatever it took for the people he loved. He was the definition of a partner who stands beside you no matter what, and I loved every single moment of watching him fight for Luna.
And Luna? She matched his energy perfectly. She was loyal, strong, and his biggest supporter. I loved the way they navigated every challenge together, especially the pregnancy, because their relationship was built on trust, communication, and unconditional love.
I also have to give a shoutout to Luna’s cousin because THAT is what family looks like. The way she showed up, protected the people she loved, and never backed down made me love her just as much. Those family bonds and friendships were just as memorable as the romance.
This book had me in a complete chokehold. I didn’t want it to end because I wasn’t ready to leave this world. Knowing I’ll get to revisit these characters through other standalone books by different authors makes me so excited because I already know I’ll be looking for little glimpses of everyone I’ve come to love.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
J.L. Lora created a world that felt like home, and I can’t wait to go back
Oh man… JL did it again! 🤍 I feel so privileged to have received every ARC in the Ficha Universe because these books just keep getting better and better. One of my favorite things about this series is learning more about my Puerto Rican heritage. JL, thank you for weaving so many beautiful moments from both the Dominican and Puerto Rican cultures throughout your stories. It truly adds something so special to every book. Now… let’s get to the good stuff. 😏 Mr. Riomar Castillo. Whew. That mouth is backkk!! Ay, such a sucio… and I was absolutely here for every second of it. 😂 Luna had me STRESSED in the beginning because, sis… what were you waiting for?! My man was out here doing everything he possibly could for you, and I was practically screaming, “JUST BE WITH HIM!” 🤣 I absolutely loved the storyline. It beautifully showed just how deeply in love and committed they were to each other. Watching them step into their new roles as husband and wife, and later as mom and dad, was everything. Their growth together tied this story together perfectly. And the drama?! Chef’s kiss. 👏 Every twist had me hooked. I also found myself laughing out loud more than once because Sel is MYYYY girl! 😂 (cant forget about Maeven either! bad bitches!) Can we PLEASE get a Sel & Tito book?! 🙏🏽 And that ending… AYE DIOS MÍO. 😩 Now I’m over here counting down until the next book because I NEED to know what happens next!
This was the perfect ending for Rio & Luna. JL left no crumbs!
Let me start by saying I loved learning more about the Dominican & Puerto Rican culture & folktales. It was seamlessly added into the book & it was beautiful to read.
Rio’s a known tóxico and yet he had so much growth in this book. He was so broken by the breakup in book 1 that when he finally decided he was going to get Luna back, it was a no-holds bar. And then when he learned of the pregnancy 🥹 he truly stepped up to the plate. He held it down for Luna every damn time.
Luna herself grew a lot as well. She learned to trust herself, she was no longer naive and became a whole mama bear. JL captured pregnancy fears & postpartum so well.
I’m so glad Adina got exactly what was coming to her, I hated that bitch. But that just proves how incredible JL’s storytelling is she had a whole group of readers ready to fight a character.
This story was beautiful, it truly put my heart back together after book 1 tore it to pieces.
JL did it again. I swear every time I think I couldn't possibly love this world she created more, she proves me wrong. Coming back to these characters honestly felt like coming home, and I was so invested in Rio and Luna from the very first page.
These two are SO stubborn that I wanted to lovingly knock their heads together more than once, but that's exactly why I adored them. Their love has never been the issue. It's the fear, the timing, the hurt, and the walls they've built around themselves. Watching them work through all of that had my heart in a constant tug-of-war. I laughed, I cried, I smiled like an idiot, and I’d happily do it all again.
One of the things I appreciated most was how beautifully JL handled parenthood and postpartum. It wasn't perfect or sugarcoated, it was honest. You could feel the exhaustion, the vulnerability, the quiet moments, and the overwhelming love that comes with becoming parents. It added so much depth to Rio and Luna's story, and I loved that those moments were given the space they deserved.
The bonchincheras... whew. They really stay earning their title. 😂 Between the gossip, the meddling, and the absolute chaos, they had me laughing one minute and stressed the next. And don't even get me started on Adina. Girl... square the hell up because I almost forgot how much I couldn't stand you. Every appearance had me instantly annoyed.
I also have to give JL so much credit for the way she brings Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to life. The culture, the music, the Spanish woven throughout, the food, the family, the pride, the sense of community. It all feels so authentic and full of love. Ficha Mundial isn't just a setting anymore, it's a world I genuinely love getting lost in, and every new book makes it feel even richer.
Rio completely stole my heart all over again, but Luna was just as incredible. They both felt so human. They make mistakes, they frustrate you, they love fiercely, and they keep fighting for the people they love. That's what made me root for them so hard.
This sequel gave me everything I was hoping for and then some. It had all the romance, the angst, the humor, the family, the emotion, and the heart that made me fall in love with this series in the first place. I already miss these characters, and I honestly can't wait to be back in the world of Ficha Mundial again. JL, thank you for creating a world and characters that are so easy to love. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I absolutely loved this book from the very first page. It completely pulled me in emotionally, and I found myself so invested in every moment.
One of my favorite things about this story is how J.L. shines a light on motherhood and postpartum depression. These are topics we don’t always see portrayed with this much honesty, vulnerability, and compassion. The way those experiences were woven into the story made it feel authentic and added so much depth to the characters.
Rio and Luna have my whole heart. Their relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book. Watching their journey unfold, seeing their love, their growth, and the way they found each other through challenges made me root for them even more!! 🥹
And can we talk about Adina? Because… I still hate her. 😂 😒Every time I thought she couldn’t frustrate me more, she somehow managed to prove me wrong. I wanted to throw hands with her AGAIN 😩🩴
After being left on a cliffhanger at the end of Wishing for La Luna, I knew I had to read book two to see how Rio and Luna’s story would play out. Their love story is filled with all the drama and angst you’d expect from a telenovela, but underneath those fiery emotions is a deep and undeniable love. I had to know if they would find their way back to each other.
With Luna pregnant and Rio being the dad, I loved seeing him step up. It was so sweet watching him be there for her in all the ways she needed. These two clearly have so much love for each other, but winning Luna’s heart back was no easy feat for Rio.
And let’s talk about the spice! Rio and Luna’s chemistry is absolutely off the charts, and when these two get together, it’s fire. I definitely found myself blushing during some of their steamy scenes!
Overall, I loved how the author brought their story to a satisfying conclusion. If you love romance with telenovela level drama, angst, strong chemistry, and plenty of spice, this is a series you’ll want to read!
Tropes: Second chance Angst and Tension Mutual pining Secret baby Telenovela vibes Dual POV
The conclusion we've all been waiting for!! Oh my gaaaaawwwd... Rio and Luna had me in a chokehold the entire time.
If you read the first book then that cliffhanger was haunting you. But trust me when I say all that drama and pain our characters went through was so worth it in the end. This book gave all the telenovela vibes but with extra sazón and all the angsty feelings you could hope for in a second chance. Rio and Luna will forever have my heart. Go read the first book before this one and ENJOY!
Thank you to the author and Amoe en Páginas PR for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Thank you so much for my advanced reader copy of this book. J.L. Lora writes men that we women DESERVE and it shows in the relationship between Luna and Rio. I am so happy she had twins, we can read the support system she has and how involved Rio is with the two adorable babies. I'm glad the Belmonts got the karma they deserved because Adina and her mom were so evil and justice was served. One of the reasons I always love reading J.L. Lora stories are that its bilingual and the song mentions throughout the story. As a reggaeton and music enthusiast, reading songs I enjoy mentioned (for ex. Naïka) had me singing in my head as reading. This book was a whole telenovela with twists, turns, drama and all of it. Excited we finally got a part 2 in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Always love coming back to the Ficha Mundial Entertainment world. This is a book that will have you going through the all the emotions from happy, sad, laughing, mad, ready to fight a fictional character to even learning some history. Loved how J.L tied up Luna’s and Rio’s story. You really see their characters grow. This is one of those books where I loved so many things from it but don’t want to spoil it for other people so just pick it up! All I have to say is Sel is my girl! Everyone needs someone like her in their lives. Also there are so many characters that we got some more nuggets about and I hope to see more of them in the future.
Luna y Riomar are everything. I loved this!! The raw palpable emotion we as the reader can feel, I’m a bit of a toxica because I loved all the back and forth before everything really went down between them. The saddest parts were my favorite. But I also loved getting to know Maeven outside of her work personality she can really put her hair down and I loved to see it. But I love that Luna really got everything her and Raquel got in this one. I loved Rio and Luna’s love story.
Book two follows Rio and Luna as they navigate the profound meaning of love, commitment, and effective communication. We get to see Rio's exceptional initiative and support whenever Luna requires a sounding board. The story beautifully captures the unparalleled, emotional transition into parenthood, made even more compelling by the arrival of twins. A highly recommended, deeply touching read that masterfully portrays the realities and joys of expanding a family.
This was book 2 of this dulogy. A reggaeton Latin lead romance I didn’t read book 1 but will in the near future. FMC Luna is an against for celebrity wanting something more fulfilling and grounded. She ends up pregnant from the man she secretly loves Rio. Rio is an upcoming reggaeton artist whooping has feelings only for Luna . The story show amazing Latin culture and language. I definitely need to read how they became but I didn’t feel lost as someone who comes into the story halfway.
OMG I have been looking forward to this one! We were left on a major cliffhanger with book 1. This story had me swooning and wanting to jump into the pages so that Luna and Rio hurried up to figure their stuff out! I loved how you see the growth they both did as they realize what they did to lead to their split. The supporting characters were supporting I want more of them now. This couple is one of my new favorites.
This book was amazing ! Gave me that amazing drama I live for .still had the romance & still showed little about the real world .amazing book 1 & 2 .this book had me on my toes & was able to finish it in a day !!