Picture a Puerto Rican storyteller who whips up mouthwatering tales as skillfully as a chef crafts a gourmet dish—meet Mayra Cuevas! This award-winning author and CNN journalist has captured hearts with her vibrant young adult novels, blending multicultural flavors and heartfelt narratives. Her debut, Salty, Bitter, Sweet, is a delicious romcom that serves up love, loss, and culinary dreams, all inspired by her rich heritage and zest for life.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Cuevas channels her island roots into stories that celebrate Latinx culture and universal emotions. When she’s not penning novels or producing inspiring news stories, she finds balance through Buddhist meditation in the colorful town of Norcross, Georgia, where she lives with her family.
The Making of Mayra Cuevas
Growing up in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, Mayra Cuevas was enchanted by the magic of words. At 12, she discovered the novels of Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, sparking her dream to tell stories that resonate. Her passion for narrative led her to journalism, where she honed her craft as an award-winning CNN producer for nearly two decades. This blend of journalistic precision and creative flair shapes her fiction, making her stories both authentic and emotionally gripping.
Cuevas’s Puerto Rican heritage infuses her work with vibrant cultural details, from the sizzle of a kitchen to the warmth of family traditions. Her commitment to diverse storytelling also stems from her belief in the power of literacy to change lives, a mission she champions through her writing and advocacy.
Mayra Cuevas’s Unforgettable Stories
Cuevas’s debut young adult novel, Salty, Bitter, Sweet (2020), is a culinary romcom that follows 17-year-old Isabella Fields as she navigates grief, family drama, and a high-stakes cooking apprenticeship in Lyon, France. With a trilingual Latina protagonist and mouthwatering food descriptions, the novel explores identity and resilience, earning praise as a Hypable Best Book of Winter.
In 2022, Cuevas co-authored Does My Body Offend You? with Marie Marquardt, a powerful young adult novel tackling school dress codes and feminism. Long-listed for the PEN/Faulkner Award and named a 2023 Book All Young Georgians Should Read, it showcases Cuevas’s knack for addressing social issues with heart and humor. Her short story “Resilient,” featured in the 2019 Foreshadow anthology, further highlights her ability to craft poignant, diverse narratives.
Looking ahead, Cuevas’s debut picture book, My Abuela is a Bruja, set for release in August 2025, promises a magical Puerto Rican tale, while her adult romance How to Fake a Southern Gentleman (2026) will blend her signature warmth with romantic sparks. Her stories, rich with Latinx culture and universal themes, invite readers to savor the complexities of life.
Why Mayra Cuevas Matters
Mayra Cuevas is more than an author—she’s a cultural bridge, bringing Latinx voices to the forefront of young adult literature. As co-founder of the Latinx Kidlit Book Festival, she amplifies diverse creators, earning accolades like the Library of Congress’s Emerging Strategies Honor in 2024. Her work empowers young readers to embrace their identities, making her a vital voice in contemporary fiction.
Her storytelling, rooted in her Puerto Rican heritage and Buddhist philosophy, resonates with readers seeking authentic, uplifting narratives. By weaving themes of resilience and belonging into her work, Cuevas inspires a new generation to find their own stories.
- Born: Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico
- Key Works: Salty, Bitter, Sweet (2020), Does My Body Offend You? (2022), My Abuela is a Bruja (2025)
- Awards: Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult, 2023), PEN/Faulkner Award long-list
- Fun Fact: She and her husband appeared on Season 2 of Buying and Selling with the Property Brothers!
Snag Salty, Bitter, Sweet or Does My Body Offend You? and dive into Mayra Cuevas’s heartwarming, flavor-packed world!