Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno

What a sweet, fun book this was!

Rosa Santos is cursed by the sea-at least, that’s what they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you’re a boy with a boat.

But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices. Between her abuela, a beloved healer and pillar of their community, and her mother, an artist who crashes in and out of her life like a hurricane. Between Port Coral, the quirky South Florida town they call home, and Cuba, the island her abuela refuses to talk about.

As her college decision looms, Rosa collides – literally – with Alex Aquino, the mysterious boy with tattoos of the ocean whose family owns the marina. With her heart, her family, and her future on the line, can Rosa break a curse and find her place beyond the horizon?

I love books that depict the diversity of people of color. Not all Latinx characters have to be making tortillas with their abuelas right? They can love boats, they can practice magic, they can be super intelligent and do all sorts of things. If you like sweet romance, this is for you.

Also qualifies for the Diversity Reading Challenge.