I had read Amor Actually previously and really enjoyed all the stories and all the rep included. Latinx and LGBTQ all in NYC during the holidays. I loved that! And while I did like some stories more than others, there were not any misses.
But to the audio....It wasn't my favorite. I have to say that I liked the female and her performance more than the male's. His voice sounded like he was just describing what was happening. Like when you watch a show or movie and there is that voice that is describing what is going on but really has no inflection to their voice? That is what he felt like. But when there was conversation, his performance was good and he got the accents and emotions involved. It was just a bit flat in the descriptive areas. For that reason, I had to bump the rating down. The stories were great. The narration was a mixed bag.

Amor Actually is a Latinx retelling of the Holiday movie, Love Actually with queer and poly rep as well! I was super excited to see that this was being released as an audiobook and just in time for the Holidays. And some of my favorite authors wrote stories for this, so I knew I was in for a treat! All of the stories happen in the lead up to Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) and we get to see the Noche Buena party at the end with all of the characters and their HEAs.

And listen, I'll be brave and say it...this is BETTER than Love Actually. There wasn't a single story here that I didn't at least like, and I loved a lot of them! The stories are a mix of really spicy and some that just have kissing, and I actually thought that mix worked really well for this anthology.

I thought the two narrators did excellent jobs and would absolutely listen to this again next Holiday season. Could not recommend this enough if you're looking for a diverse Holiday read/listen!

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It was either hit or miss, some short stories where so charming and others weren’t devolved enough to connect to the stories
overall they did had the holiday spirit and as a latina reader i really appreciated the traditions represented in the stories

Normally when I read a short story anthology, I'll come across one or two stories that I won't connect with and will skip. That was not the case here at all; every single story was compelling. I found myself rooting for every character, whether they were a bachelor mayor, a romance author in need of inspiration, a widower, a porn star in love with a costar, a grumpy test kitchen chef, or a manager in love with her pop star boss. I loved the way these stories were interconnected in a way that didn't feel strained or forced, and they all came together in the end. This was a focused, spicy, romantic af book that I think could resonate with anyone. READ THIS BOOK!!!!

rep: all Latine cast! Queer rep, poly rep

spice: SO MANY GOOD SEX SCENES! Many graphic depictions of sex, including toy play, voyeurism, and threesomes

I’ve been wanting to read this romance anthology since I first heard about it so you can imagine my excitement that it’s finally being published as an audiobook! And, as expected, some of my favourite romance authors (and a few that are new to me) writing sweet and spicy Christmas Eve/Nochabuena romances (sometimes together) was as good as I had hoped. There are definitely some stories that I enjoyed more than others but overall I would say I had a pretty jolly good time with all of them. Besides the audiobook just making this a little bit easier for me to pick up, I enjoyed the narration by Ramona Master and Gomez Pugh (there were one or two weird moments/character voice choices but with that many characters I’m not upset about one or two lines). If you’re looking for a fun holiday read/listen (with your headphones on), or a solid romance anthology any time of the year, I would definitely recommend picking this up!

Can I just start off by saying… now I really want to re-watch Love, Actually! I used to watch it every Christmas so I know that movie very well and reading (listen to) this book I was able to connect each story to the plot point in the movie it was related to! I love this so much!

The slight relation but great differences to make it Latinx and for Noche Buena was beautiful. I loved learning about this tradition so much! I also really loved the twists to make it very LGBTQ! 4.5 stars.

Not everything from the original movie was here (we didn’t have the house-swap characters), but so many people and stories were and little changes to bring it into current times and Latinx culture and change-up little things to make it just brilliant, from so many of our favourite Latinx authors… and I learned - this blew my mind! - that Zoey Castile is a pseudonym for Zoraida Córdova (she mentioned it in the reviews so I’m not revealing a secret). Some of the brilliant changes, and I’m not giving it away because it’s in the description of the book and even people who haven’t seen the movie know about the signs that Andrew Lincoln’s character holds up for Kira Knightly… but that one turns threesome!

This book is a brilliant, super hot, Christmas remake of a beloved movie - and every person out there, not just romance readers - needs to listen to it, right now!!

This was narrated by Gomez Pugh, a voice very familiar to me and one I love (great job, as always! Fantastic! Suited all the characters!), and a new to me narrator, Ramona Master, who also did a lovely job. I hope to hear more from her, too!

I received an advance listen copy from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, and this is my honest opinion.

Calling this a romance anthology feels like a bit of a stretch. The first author's story is more erotica than romance. There is an art to short story writing, and it doesn't feel as if this author has mastered the concept of scaling a story down. Not only was the percentage of sex higher than the percentage of story, the author chose to skip over all of the romance and relationship building in an extremely confusing way. It's unfortunate for the other authors that this was the first story because I struggled to want to continue with the rest of the book.

The second story gave me the same sense of disappointment. Once again we were entering a relationship where all the building had been done off the page. I got to read lots about how the main character's 'member' reacted to his love interest, but little about what beyond her body attracted him to her.

Reading through the Goodreads list of the different stories covered, I was surprised and disappointed to find that in 9 stories there were five apparently straight couples but zero gay male couples. Two lesbian stories and two polyamorous ones, but no gay monogamy.

Ultimately I was reminded of the fact that Love Actually isn't really a set of stories about people that I like or want to spend time with, and while a reimagining is a nice idea, the first two authors were not enticing me to read any more.

This audiobook is hot, hot, hot. I loved the multiple stories and how they all linked or led up to a big Christmas event.

The Narrators, Ramona Master and Gomez Pugh did an excellent job portraying the characters. I have to say, if you want a Christmas story that is cute and sexy as hell, then this is the book for you.

The stories were quick to the point and spicy - Just what I needed and didn't know.

I highly recommend it - I had a fantastic time reading this one.

This was absolutely magical and everything I wanted and needed. I loved how each author’s voice felt so distinctive and unique, yet the stories also all fit together in a beautifully vibrant tapestry that raises up Latinx voices and joy and love.

The romances were each compelling, managing to deliver heartrending, touching moments and sizzling chemistry in each short story which was so impressive. And let me tell you, that spice was SIZZLING. I was not prepared but each author really brought their A game honestly.

Additionally, I loved the thoughtful, creative way each author took a vignette from Love Actually (yes the beloved holiday romance that definitely doesn’t age well) and reinvents them, bring much needed diversity in the leads, but also adding in representation across the queer spectrum. Romance in so many shapes and sizes are represented respectfully and fully.

I can’t wait to reread this each holiday season and the audio narration especially was expertly done. The Spanish was brought to life perfectly, showcasing all the different cadences, slang, and styles of Spanish that speak to the breadth and differences across the Latinx world.

5/5 stars
1-2/5 spice Spice varies between stories

I'm upset I slept on this one last year... what was I thinking?!

An anthology with a bunch of my favorite Latina authors and some new to me authors. I loved every story and how everything came together in the last story. It was so heartwarming, magical, and sexy. This is definitely a new favorite classic holiday book. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed every narrator who was on this recording.

Overall, I highly recommend it for fans of holiday romances and short stories. Since the spice varies with each story, it is hard to rate as a whole. Just know there is something for everyone, zero spice to fade to black to open door with details...

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

Overall, I thought that all of these stories complemented each other nicely and it was probably the most cohesive anthology that I had ever read. I loved how all of the characters connected at the end and I also loved that this was only written by Latina authors. It was very interesting and I would recommend it if you enjoy short stories. I always have a harder time with short stories, but overall enjoyed this. There were definitely some stories I enjoyed more than others. I felt like it started out stronger and then went a little downhill from there. My favorite story was meet me under the mistletoe.

Make the Yuletide Gay by Adriana Herrera
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Spice: 4🌶️
This was a fun little short story! I enjoyed the writing style and it was such a cute story that talked a lot about being LGBTQ+ in the Latinx community as well as sexism within the music industry. Very spicy too.
- bisexual
- Latina
- Sexism
- Pop star and assistant
- Dual pov
- Sexuality
- Lgbtq
- First person
- Homophobia
- Workplace

Only Yours by Sabrina Sol
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Spice: 3🌶️
This story was cute! I liked how he was searching all the different rooms for her and had a different meaningful experience in each room. I also enjoyed the writing style.
- Mayor
- Workplace
- Mexican/Puerto Rican mmc
- Single pov
- First person

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Priscilla Oliveras
Rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 1🌶️
This one has been my favorite so far! I thought the story was really cute and loved the relationship between his son and the teacher as well as the fact that she has helped them both heal from their grief.
- Sons music teacher
- Widowed
- Grief
- Single dad
- Puerto Rican
- Dual pov
- First person

All I Want for Nochebuena by Alexis Daria
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Spice: 4 🌶️
I liked this one! I thought that the ending was really cute and it seemed like a great start to a romance. I wasn’t sure about the beginning of this one but it grew on me.
- adult film star
- Puerto Rican and Dominican
- LGBTQ+
- Single pov
- First person

Santa’s Eager Little Helper by Mia Sosa
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Spice: 3🌶️
I liked this one but it wasn’t anything too special. The idea behind it was cute and it was a fun short story.
- Puerto rican
- Chef
- Dual pov
- First person

The Nochebuena Dating Date by Diana Muñoz Stewart
Rating: 3.5⭐️
Spice: 3🌶️
This one was also cute! I liked the premise and how it dealt with some complicated family relationships and pressures surrounding divorce and moving on.
- single mom, divorcee
- Actor
- Librarian
- Hispanic/Mexican
- Single pov
- First person

Love in Spanglish by Zoey Castile
Rating: 3⭐️
Spice: 3🌶️
This one felt incomplete. I’m not sure what it was but I just didn’t really feel any connection between the characters and it didn’t work for me in the way the other stories have. I am always a sucker for the snowed in trope though.
- author
- Forced proximity
- Snowed in
- Single pov
- First person

To Us, You Are Perfect by Alexis Daria and Adriana Herrera
Rating: 2⭐️
Spice: 2🌶️
I wasn’t really a fan of this one. I just didn’t see any connection and didn’t really care for the story.
- poly relationship
- Various pov
- First person

The Great Holiday Escape by Zoey Castile
Rating: 3⭐️
Spice: 4🌶️
I wasn’t the biggest fan of this story and relationship but it was fun seeing how all the stories came together at the end.
- poly relationship
- Single pov
- First person

Yes, this is what it sounds like! A more inclusive/less problematic/LGBTQ-friendly play on the movie "Love Actually".

I was looking for a fun holiday romance to listen to to get me into the Christmas Spirit and came across this title. I jumped right in. While it was definitely festive, it was also incredibly raunchy with a high smut factor. There's nothing at all wrong with that, it just isn't my cup of tea for books, and not what I was expecting from my Yuletide Rom-Com.

✨To me, this anthology is perfect (unlike the crusty movie)🫶✨

Why did I not think this would be an anthology of the various different storylines in Love, Actually??? Because that’s absolutely what it was, only a thousand times better than the movie. It was fast-paced, festive, and full of love stories that didn’t make me want to beat my TV screen with a hockey stick. The narrators were FANTASTIC. This is cinema.

Love in Spanglish by Zoey Castile was my favorite, followed closely by Only Yours by Sabrina Sol, All I Want for Nochebuena by Alexis Daria, and Santa’s Eager Little Helper by Mia Sosa. But truly, I enjoyed every romance in this anthology; they each varied in steam, some with full scenes and some with just a kiss. I wanted full books of just about every story here.

The writing was lush and it felt incredibly cohesive, which was very impressive for so many different writers. Since the stories all intertwine and end together at the Nochebuena celebration, the authors did a wonderful job bringing a different style to each story, but the same energy and direction.

If you’ve had this on your TBR or read the ebook last year, I definitely recommend that you pick up the audiobook. It’s an incredible bang for your buck and an incredible listen!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️.5/5


I received an ALC via NetGalley and I preordered the audiobook. All opinions are honest and my own.

⭐️rating: 4/5
🎧audiobook: 4/5

Amor Actually was such a fun audiobook anthology! With 9 romance short stories centered around Nochebuena (Christmas Eve), it was perfect for starting off the holiday season🎄❄️

There’s a little something for everyone, with all different kinds of characters and relationships. And while I liked some more than others, they were all well done and I enjoyed reading them.

I’d have to say that my favorite was probably Love in Spanglish cause it was just so fun! I loved the language barrier and them being snowed in, I just wish there was more!

Overall, I liked the stories, and I usually wished there was more, though I suppose that’d defeat the point of the short story anthology🤷🏼‍♀️. I was also really glad we got to end the book at Gigi’s Nochebuena party. After the build up of 8 interconnected standalone stories, it was great seeing everyone come together at the end🎁

Lastly, the audio narration was done pretty well. I tended to prefer the female narrator and the stories that were primarily the female POV, but I liked the dual POVs as well. I’m partial to seeing words on a page, but I’m glad I got to listen to this to kick off my holiday reads.

¡Feliz navidad! Ahora quiero coquito👀

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

a nice holiday read with lovely representation. Perfect to listen to while you relax with a warm drink!

This was such a fun holiday short story collection! I meant to read this when it came out but never got around to it so I was so excited when I saw the audio version! I loved the audiobook narrators and thought they did a great job! The narrators were really able to embody each character so well. I thought this was a great short story collection and I enjoyed seeing how each story was interconnected. After every story I wanted more which speaks to how great each author's writing was. I was rooting for every relationship. These short stories are the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. These short stories have great Latinx representation! I plan on seeking out all of these authors' full length romances if I haven’t read them before.

This anthology was amazing and definitely the perfect holiday read. The narrators did a phenomenal performance and I loved the way they embodied each of the characters and made the stories so engaging. I haven't seen the Love Actually movie, but that definitely didn't hinder any enjoyment I got from this anthology. Each story was romantic and sexy and had me rooting for every relationship.

Highly, highly recommend picking this up in any format.

This was such a delightful holiday read! I’ve never personally seen Love Actually, so I couldn’t recognize which parts of this book were references to the movie. But I don’t think that hindered my enjoyment at all, it would probably just be a fun bonus for those in the know. I enjoyed getting to see the start of all these different relationships leading up to a Nochebuena party. Some were lighter and spicier while others dealt with more serious emotions, but I was sold on all of them. That doesn’t always happen for me in collections of short stories.

I’ve read from some of these authors before, but it was also great to be introduced to other writers for the first time. I’m definitely planning on seeking out some full length romances from them. I really enjoyed getting to see a wide variety of characters in the stories. They’re all focused around Latinx characters with unique backgrounds and complex lives. I’ve been meaning to read this book since it came out a couple of years ago. So I’m happy that I finally did through the newly released audiobook. It was so easy to get sucked into all these romances. Definitely give this one a shot if you’re in the mood for some swoony, spicy Christmas romance short stories.

I hadn’t heard of this title before, but when I saw the beautiful cover, and multiple author list, I was intrigued.

Overall this was such an entertaining holiday anthology, and I loved the Latinx culture that was represented, while giving off Love, Actually vibes. It was the perfect kick off to the holidays.

*many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review.

What to Expect:
🌲8 standalone novellas leading up to a Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) Party
🌲The 9th novella is the big party where characters from all the stories come together
🌲Love Actually retelling but modern, Latinx and inclusive of queer love
🌲Lots of Spanglish

🫶🏽What I enjoyed
This anthology was a great way to get introduced to a few new-to-me Latinx authors. With romance novellas, I always struggle with pacing because the story isn’t long enough for me to feel the tension genuinely building. Here, I think Mia Sosa and Priscilla Oliveras CRUSHED it! Their novellas were my favorite because they balanced providing a strong back story to establish context, while still describing enough to feel the tension building without being rushed. I just wish I had caught on sooner that each story is a retelling from the stories in Love Actually!

🤷🏻‍♀️What didn’t work for me
This is very much the open door version of Love Actually 😂 Because novellas are already so short, spending a chapter or two on spice was too much for me, and not enough story development around the relationships.

🎧Audio Review🎧
The female narrator was great, both narrators were animated and there were smooth transitions. The only problem I had was with the male narration in story 2 specifically. He does a fantastic job with different male voices, but his female voice in story 2 was a little cringe and distractingly fake. But all of the other stories, including others he voiced, were fine. To highly sensitive audiobook listeners, and for readers intrigued who would rather skim pass the excessive spice, I recommend this via print or ebook. If you’re here for the spice and don’t mind 1 short story from a 12hr long book being less than perfect, go for the audio! *still read story 2, even with the cringe voice, it was in my top 3 fave stories*