Where to Start Reading Alexis Daria
Alexis Daria has established herself as a leading voice in modern contemporary romance by crafting vivid, emotional, and high-heat stories centering on Latinx characters. With settings ranging from reality television sets and soap operas to family weddings and magical islands, Daria's bibliography is full of charm, humor, and deep familial dynamics. If you are new to her work, you have two primary, highly recommended starting points depending on your favorite romance tropes.
For readers who love high-heat celebrity romances, workplace drama, and the glitz of the entertainment industry, the best place to start is with the Primas of Power series, beginning with the national bestseller You Had Me at Hola (2020). If you prefer forced proximity, competitive tension, and reality television competition settings, you should begin with her RITA Award-winning debut, Take the Lead (2017), which kicks off the Dance Off series. Each book in these series can technically be read as a standalone, but because the characters are closely connected as cousins, friends, or siblings, reading them in order offers the most rewarding experience.
The Primas of Power Series
The Primas of Power trilogy follows three ambitious Puerto Rican and Mexican-American cousins—Jasmine, Michelle, and Ava—navigating the highs and lows of their careers in New York City while dealing with their loving but sometimes overbearing Bronx families. The series is celebrated for its strong focus on family bonds, cultural identity, and the ways the cousins support one another's personal growth.
1. You Had Me at Hola (2020)
The series opens with Jasmine Lin Rodriguez, a leading soap opera actress recovering from a public breakup that landed her on the tabloid front pages. Determined to keep her career on track, she returns to New York to star in a new bilingual telenovela for a major streaming service. Her co-star is Ashton Suárez, a telenovela superstar whose career is on the line after his character was killed off in his previous show. To protect his private life and his secret son, Ashton is determined to keep a low profile. However, an on-screen mishap leads to a fake-dating arrangement that quickly turns real as their off-screen chemistry flares. This novel features the popular fake-dating and celebrity romance tropes.
2. A Lot Like Adiós (2021)
The second installment shifts the spotlight to Michelle Amato, a freelance graphic designer and artist who is tired of being the only unmarried cousin in her family. When her childhood best friend and former crush, Gabriel Aguilar, returns to New York to expand his successful fitness franchise, they are forced to work together on a high-stakes marketing campaign. Gabriel left the Bronx thirteen years prior without looking back, leaving behind a complicated relationship with his family and a heartbroken Michelle. As they work in close proximity to launch the new Bronx gym, they must confront their past mistakes and the lingering attraction between them. This book features the childhood-friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance tropes.
3. Along Came Amor (2025)
The final book in the trilogy follows Ava Rodriguez, a newly divorced middle school teacher who is tired of people-pleasing and trying to meet her family's traditional expectations. Determined to live life on her own terms, she meets Roman Vázquez, a successful hotelier, at a local bar. The two agree to a no-strings-attached physical arrangement. However, their casual relationship becomes incredibly complicated when they discover they are both in the wedding party for Ava's cousin—with Ava serving as the maid of honor and Roman as the best man. As they plan the wedding under the watchful eyes of Ava's marriage-obsessed family, they must decide if their connection is worth taking a risk on. This novel features the maid-of-honor/best-man and secret-relationship tropes.
The Dance Off Series
Inspired by reality TV shows like Dancing with the Stars, Daria's debut series follows professional dancers and celebrities finding love amidst high-stakes choreography and intense competition.
1. Take the Lead (2017)
Gina Morales is a professional Latin dancer who is determined to win the upcoming season of the hit reality show Dance Off to secure her financial future. Her plans are thrown off when she is partnered with Stone Nielson, a rugged Alaskan survivalist and wilderness guide who has no dance experience. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Gina and Stone develop a sizzling chemistry both on and off the dance floor. As they battle to win the competition, they must figure out if their romance can survive outside the reality TV spotlight. This book won the RITA Award for Best First Book in 2018.
2. Dance with Me (2017 / 2025)
The second full-length novel in the series focuses on Natasha Díaz, a talented professional dancer who has finally landed a spot on Dance Off. Her career aspirations are challenged when she is paired with Dimitri Kovalenko, a legendary former ballroom champion who is now serving as a judge on the show. Because Dimitri is a judge, any romantic involvement between the two is strictly forbidden, creating an intense workplace and forbidden romance dynamic. The book was originally published in 2017 and was re-released in 2025 to give new readers access to the complete series.
3. Dance All Night: A Holiday Novella (2018)
This festive novella serves as a bridge in the series (often numbered as Book 2.5). The story centers on Jess Davenport, a ballroom champion who has a reputation for being a holiday cynic, and Nik Kovalenko, a Broadway dancer and Dimitri's brother. After a memorable, impulsive kiss on New Year's Eve, Nik went on tour, leaving Jess to assume it was a one-time spark. Nearly a year later, Nik returns to Los Angeles and is determined to win Jess over by proposing three holiday-themed dates. The stakes are set: if she kisses him at midnight on New Year's Eve, they will give their relationship a real chance.
Standalone Novels, Novellas, and Anthologies
In addition to her primary series, Alexis Daria has written several standalones and contributed to anthologies that showcase her versatility in contemporary, festive, and paranormal romance.
The Holiday Hookup List (2025)
This standalone holiday rom-com follows Valencia, a woman recovering from a broken engagement with her cheating fiancé. Looking to reclaim her holiday spirit, she attends a festive party where she runs into her high school archnemesis, Gideon Noble. The two share an immediate, unexpected spark and decide to create a 'naughty and nice' list. Over the twelve days leading up to Christmas, they agree to complete twelve wholesome holiday activities paired with twelve nights of high-heat passion, leading to a second-chance enemies-to-lovers story.
What the Hex (2021)
A departure from her realistic contemporary settings, this paranormal romance novella takes place on Isla Bruja, a secret magical island off the coast of Miami. Catalina Cartagena returns home for her sister's wedding only to find that the groom is possessed by a demon and her family is under a spell. To save the wedding and her family, Catalina must team up with her childhood rival, Diego Paz. The novella features enemies-to-lovers dynamics and magical hijinks.
Only Santas in the Building (2021)
This festive novella, which is part of the Under the Mistletoe collection, follows Evie Cruz, a comic book illustrator navigating her first Christmas since the passing of her grandmother. After moving into a new apartment, she is immediately attracted to her neighbor, Theo Winters. When the two attend their building's Santa-themed holiday party, a mistletoe encounter sparks a sweet and steamy relationship.
Amor Actually (2021)
This holiday romance anthology is a collaboration between seven Latina romance authors, including Daria, Adriana Herrera, Priscilla Oliveras, and Mia Sosa. It features interconnected short stories taking place on Nochebuena in New York City. Daria co-wrote the story 'To Us, You Are Perfect' with Adriana Herrera and also contributed the story 'Solstice Miracle' (originally published in 2016 as 'Solstice Dream').
Alexis Daria Reading Order Summary
For the best experience, readers should follow the publication order of each individual series. The standalones and holiday novellas can be read at any point, though the holiday books are best enjoyed during the winter season.
Primas of Power Series Order
- You Had Me at Hola (2020)
- A Lot Like Adiós (2021)
- Along Came Amor (2025)
Dance Off Series Order
- Take the Lead (2017)
- Dance with Me (2017 / 2025)
- Dance All Night (2018)
Standalone and Holiday Works
- What the Hex (2021) - Paranormal romance novella
- Amor Actually (2021) - Holiday anthology contribution
- Only Santas in the Building (2021) - Holiday novella
- The Holiday Hookup List (2025) - Standalone novel