Picture a storyteller who spins tales of love, friendship, and self-discovery with the warmth of a cozy coffee shop chat—meet Marisa de los Santos! A New York Times bestselling author, Marisa captivates readers with her poignant novels and heartfelt poetry, blending romance, contemporary fiction, and even middle-grade adventures. From her breakout hit Love Walked In to her latest works, she’s a literary voice that feels like a friend sharing secrets over tea.
Born on August 12, 1966, Marisa’s journey from poet to novelist is as enchanting as her stories. With a knack for crafting characters who linger in your heart, she’s become a beloved figure in modern American literature, inviting readers to explore the messy, beautiful connections that define us.
The Making of Marisa de los Santos
Growing up in Baltimore and Northern Virginia, Marisa was the daughter of a Filipino surgeon and a Maryland nurse, a blend of cultures that shaped her vibrant worldview. As a child, she devoured books by Louisa May Alcott and Lucy Maud Montgomery, often reading while skating or tumbling—sometimes with comical mishaps! Her love for words led her to a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia, an M.F.A. from Sarah Lawrence College, and a Ph.D. from the University of Houston. Initially a poet, she published her award-winning collection From the Bones Out before a character named Cornelia Brown sparked her shift to novels.
Settling in Wilmington, Delaware, with her husband, children’s author David Teague, and their two kids, Marisa’s life is as rich as her fiction. Her early poetry, published in journals like Prairie Schooner and Poetry, earned her a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award and a Delaware Arts Council grant, setting the stage for her novel-writing career.
Marisa de los Santos’s Unforgettable Stories
Marisa’s novels are like a warm hug—deeply emotional, yet light with wit. Her debut, Love Walked In (2005), introduces Cornelia Brown, a Philadelphia coffee shop manager whose life changes when she meets Martin Grace and a precocious girl named Clare. This romantic tale, a nod to classic films, became a bestseller, praised for its vivid characters and heartfelt prose. Its sequel, Belong to Me (2008), dives deeper into Cornelia’s world, exploring suburban friendships and family ties with a page-turning charm.
Falling Together (2011) follows college friends on a global quest, weaving themes of loss and reconnection, while The Precious One (2015) tells a gripping story of sisterhood and family secrets through alternating voices. Marisa’s latest, I’ll Be Your Blue Sky (2018), revisits Cornelia as she unravels her mother’s past, blending mystery and love. With David, she co-authored middle-grade novels Saving Lucas Biggs and Connect the Stars, infusing time-travel and adventure with her signature emotional depth.
Her writing style—lyrical, character-driven, and rich with dialogue—makes every page feel alive. Whether exploring the Philippines in Falling Together or the complexities of sisterhood, Marisa’s stories resonate with readers who crave authentic, uplifting narratives.
Why Marisa de los Santos Matters
Marisa de los Santos’s impact lies in her ability to make the ordinary extraordinary. Her novels, often compared to Jojo Moyes and Elin Hilderbrand, offer a lens on human connection, earning her a loyal following and critical acclaim. By tackling themes like grief, love, and identity with grace, she’s carved a niche in women’s fiction and contemporary literature, inspiring readers to cherish the bonds that shape their lives.
Her poetry and middle-grade works broaden her reach, showing her versatility and commitment to storytelling across ages. As a Filipina-American author, she subtly weaves cultural threads into her work, adding depth to her universal themes. Marisa’s stories remind us that even in a chaotic world, love and friendship can light the way.
- Born: August 12, 1966
- Key Works: Love Walked In, Belong to Me, I’ll Be Your Blue Sky, From the Bones Out
- Awards: Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award, Delaware Arts Council grant
Snag Love Walked In and dive into Marisa de los Santos’s world of heartfelt contemporary fiction—you’ll be hooked!