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Wishing for La Luna: A Ficha Mundial Novel

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Their amor was never meant to be real—until their undeniable attraction made it impossible to fake.

Aspiring publicist Luna Santos's reputation was perfectly curated, impeccable... until she was falsely accused of cheating. After drowning in a social media storm with a shattered name, her publicist presents the ultimate a fake relationship with reggaeton's bad boy superstar, Rio Castillo. The only problem? They've despised each other ever since their spark-filled first meeting, when Luna shot down his suave advances, convinced he was a player.

But Rio needs this showmance to reclaim his spot at the top, fill stadiums, dominate the charts, and make las nenas shake their hips. For his comeback—and her redemption—Luna and Rio are forced to play the perfect couple, even as their fiery chemistry simmers beneath the surface.

As they navigate the relationship script, what begins as raw animosity morphs into something auténtico, undeniably passionate, and utterly consuming. But in the ruthless world of fame, where personal demons and fierce rivals lurk, can their unexpected love song withstand the pulse-pounding ritmo of the spotlight?

Wishing for La Luna is a contemporary enemies-to-lovers Latinx romance part of the sexy, pulsating Ritmo y Deseo series, set in the Ficha Mundial universe. Lose yourself in this irresistible journey of love, music, unfiltered sensuality, and soul-deep connection—buy it today. It contains a cliffhanger.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

21 people are currently reading
84 people want to read

About the author

J.L. Lora

16 books329 followers
J.L. Lora is a Dominican-American author of contemporary and romantic suspense. Her stories explore the dark side of good characters—people living in the gray areas of life—playing the cards life has dealt them. Her stories manifest her love for badass alpha heroines and take-your-breath-away alpha men.

Learn more about J.L. Lora at www.JLLora.com.

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for K. Rodriguez.
Author 3 books22 followers
October 1, 2025
A beautiful, literal work of art that I adored with my whole heart and soul.

Wishing for La Luna was so much more than a book for me. It was an experience that seeped into my bones and refused to let go. J.L. Lora captures what it means to be young, Dominican, and dreaming, giving voice to our hopes, heartbreaks, and desires. Reading this felt like looking straight into the heart of my younger self-the girl dancing to Tego and Zion y Lennox in her bedroom, imagining the world beyond her walls, aching for love and belonging. It was raw and lyrical, tender and fierce. It threw me on an emotional rollercoaster I was so not ready for my God was it worth every tear. It broke my heart, stitched me back together, and then tore me apart again.

Thank you, J.L. Lora, for a story that highlights and encompasses our culture, our healing—not just through love, but through people, through community, through language and the essence of latinidad.

"This my ode to us. A ballad to my diosa. Because I've never felt like this before about anyone. Luna es única."
Profile Image for Carolina Brady.
34 reviews
October 9, 2025
This book was amazing! My heart is aching as I write this review. It has been a long time since a book takes me through such an emotional rollercoaster. The characters, the places, and the emotions, I saw them and felt them all. J.L. Lora, you really outdid yourself with this story. I’m the one that will be haunted by Rio AND Luna! I love them, I truly do 🥹

“Even when you hate me, you’ll never stop loving me.”
Profile Image for Kat Burg.
221 reviews11 followers
October 12, 2025
This book is heartbreaking and beautiful - I devoured it because I simply had to know what was going to happen next.
It's full of drama and the stress of living in the public eye, especially when you have someone determined to ruin your life in any way possible.
It's also full of so many sweet, tender moments of such deep love, family, and community.

I do love a fake dating story, and this one was well done, if a touch rushed.
The last couple of chapters had me grinding my teeth at their behavior (annoyed) and scared for the reveal of the little surprise that'll really send things nuclear in the next book.

Thank you to JL Lora and The Next Step PR for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
69 reviews6 followers
October 14, 2025
Anyone who knows me knows I loooooveeee me some reggaeton (let me throw back to the early 2000s!! 💃🏻) and that my motto in life is “el perreo sana”. So let me tell you this was the PERFECT book for little ol’ me 😍 A genre I didn’t know I needed… but J.L. came and DELIVERED!! 🔥

🌙 I loved Luna’s hustle and her determination to be the person SHE dreams she can be. She isn’t trying to fit into a mold - she’s working hard to break it. I loved seeing how she grew into her voice and demanded the respect and care she deserved. And the relationship with her momma?! The sweetest!!! 😍

🌊 Reading Rio’s story was both heartbreaking and infuriating, lol!! I hated the pain he’d suffered and how he was hurt by someone he loved. The relationship he has with his cousin Tito is so special and such a testament to the bond that’s formed between cousins in latine families. Rio’s form of self expression and therapy was really beautiful to read - little snippets of reggaeton magic woven between the chapters of this book. But the boy needed a good smack outside his head every now and then, reminding him to play by the rules especially given his stardom.

Rio & Lina’s story is a complicated one. While untraditional at first their relationship blossoms into something all consuming. But can something so hot last? Or will they burn? I was just about yelling at each of them by the end of the book and then THAT ENDING??!! 😩😩😩😩😩.

I am so excited to see what book 2 brings and what other magic Ficha Mundial has in store for us. Ya se que va ser brutal!
Profile Image for StylesPlenty.
287 reviews
October 14, 2025
This book was beautifully written and amazing great read. We get to see what is being young with dreams, aspirations and ambitions.
The last chapters annoyed me with their behavior but looking forward to the next book(s).
Thank you to JL Lora and The Next Step PR for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jenn Lockwood Editing.
287 reviews9 followers
November 11, 2025
This book will have you flying through the pages to get more! You want every ounce of the emotion, the heart, the sizzling chemistry. Luna and Rio are a fiery mix, and I am here for it!
Profile Image for Cori.
150 reviews12 followers
March 21, 2026
Truly did not expect them to get so toxic towards the end 😭

The cliffhanger killed me

Still spectacularrrrr give me 14 of them rn
Profile Image for Ana Ruano.
186 reviews5 followers
March 10, 2026
Wishing for La Luna by J. L. Lora is EVERYTHING I didn’t know I needed in a contemporary romance. Luna Santos’ life as an aspiring publicist is perfectly curated—until a false cheating scandal throws her entire reputation into chaos. The only way to salvage her career? A fake relationship with reggaeton superstar Rio Castillo. And let me tell you… this isn’t your typical “enemies-to-lovers” setup. Their first meeting should have been flirtatious sparks, but thanks to Adina, a friend who meddled and put Luna in a horrible situation for no good reason, everything spiraled into chaos. That early tension is palpable, making their mutual dislike feel completely justified while still simmering with undeniable chemistry.

What makes this book feel so real is Luna’s journey of growth, not just in love but in life. We see how childhood friendships don’t always last, and how people can use or take advantage of you—Luna realizes she’s been dimming her light to fit around others. At the same time, she has the people who truly have her back: her mom and her cousin Sel, who are always there for her and become protectors in their own ways. Sel, especially, supports Luna through everything, which adds so much heart and warmth to the story. And for Rio, we also get the found-family trope, showing that even someone as high-profile and “untouchable” as him has people who genuinely care for him, which rounds out his character beautifully.

From that chaotic first encounter, what unfolds is a high-stakes, heart-pounding journey filled with banter, steamy scenes, and all the emotions I crave in a romance. The enemies-to-lovers tension hits just right—the push-and-pull between Luna and Rio is messy, frustrating, and swoony all at once. Beyond the heat, there’s real vulnerability: both characters are dealing with public scrutiny, personal demons, and the pressure of performing in the spotlight. The settings are absolutely stunning: Rio’s home is described as his sanctuary, serene and beautiful, and it made me want to book a ticket to the Dominican Republic again. The concert scenes, though, are pure energy—like being at a party where the music and dancing make everyone come alive. You can feel the rhythm, the excitement, and the sheer joy of being in that world.

And the ending. I am so mad. That cliffhanger! It’s honestly the only thing that kept me from just being completely satisfied in the moment, but make no mistake—this is still a five-star read. The emotions, the authenticity, the passion, the humor, the banter, the spice—it’s all here and perfectly executed.

Huge thank you to J. L. Lora for sending me the ARC after I missed it in my emails—you literally saved my sanity. Wishing for La Luna is a five-star read for me. If you love enemies-to-lovers romance, fiery chemistry, emotional depth, and just a little social media chaos thrown in, this book is a must-read. But fair warning: the ending will leave you screaming into the void because it does not let you rest. I’m counting down the seconds until I can get my hands on book two.
Profile Image for ALEJANDRA (YAYA).
42 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2026
Wishing for La Luna absolutely wrecked me—in the best, most emotionally devastating way possible. I am still completely shooketh because HOW do you end a book like that?! Truly rude. Immediately unacceptable. Where is book two because I need it now—not later, not soon, now.

This story grabbed me from the start and never let go. The emotional depth, the slow-burn tension, the longing that lives in every unspoken moment—J.L. Lora knows exactly how to make you feel. I wasn’t just reading; I was fully immersed, heart in hand, rooting for every step forward while bracing for the inevitable pain.

Now let’s talk about Luna and Rio. I love you both… but I am also ready to knock some sense into the two of you. 😭 WHERE IS THE COMMUNICATION?! The miscommunication, the emotional walls, the holding back when everything is right there had me pacing, yelling, and emotionally spiraling—but also made them feel incredibly real. Messy, flawed, deeply human, and painfully connected.

That ending? Diabolical. Cruel. Perfect. The kind of ending that leaves you staring at the last page in disbelief, immediately desperate for more. Any book that can make me feel this strongly earns all five stars without question.

In short:
• Emotions: immaculate
• Tension: painful (complimentary)
• Characters: deeply frustrating and deeply lovable
• Ending: illegal but iconic

I will be thinking about Luna and Rio until book two exists in my hands. Patiently waiting—but also not okay about it. 🌙🖤📖
Profile Image for Karla.
575 reviews2 followers
October 14, 2025
4.5/5 stars
3.5/5 spice

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Celebrity MMC
Publicist FMC
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Latinx rep 🇩🇴 🇵🇷
Hurt/Comfort
Tension and Banter
Dual POV
Cliffhanger

So I'm not big on celebrity romance because it gets soooo messy. But OMG this one was juicy, angsty, and high on emotions. I was kept on the edge of my seat wondering what the hell Luna and Rio were going to get mixed up in next. But I was also rooting for these two from the start. I've also added a few characters to my list of "Most Hated Characters"... iykyk.

Rio and Luna go through so much in their short time together. Their chemistry was off the charts and the spice did NOT disappoint... phew. But also their emotional connection was so heart-warming. Like the way Rio falls so hard for Luna had me melting, especially every time he brought out his notebook 🫶🏽

I cannot wait for the next book and everything related to Ficha Mundial Latin Entertainment (soooo excited). If you're a fan of fake dating, celebrity romance, diverse characters, rich cultural representation... then I highly recommend checking this book out.

Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
294 reviews3 followers
February 1, 2026
Absolutely ate this book up!! The story was amazing and the author herself is as well she joined our virtual book club to give insights into the book and it made it even more incredible.
Riomar a Reggaeton megastar is going through grief and needs some PR magic to make a come back. As does Luna a new PR specialist for some internet drama with her best friend (think about 2 BFFs 1 super rich and a cheating Football player scandal level blow up lol).
So they are brought together even though Luna can't stand Rio.... or can she. Just loved the tension and yearning, the toxic passionate behavior that felt so raw and real.
Absolutely phenomenal to get the Latine carribean multicultural representation and the spanglish dirty talk was super caliente, quiero mas!!! And i desperately need an audiobook of this!! The ending was so emotional cant wait for part 2 from this author to see where the story takes us with these 2 characters.
AND there will be a greater universe created with interconnected standalones by multiple authors. Book 2 in the universe will be out later this month by Shelly Cruz CANNOT wait!! Love the concept and collaboration!
Profile Image for Nicole Marie.
74 reviews
March 1, 2026
A Moonlit Romance That Completely Consumed Me
Wishing for La Luna is one of those rare stories that does not just pull you in. It wraps around your heart and refuses to let go. From the very first chapter, I felt the tension building like a slow wave rising higher with every glance and every almost touch. The chemistry is electric and magnetic, full of longing and quiet promises under the moonlight.
What stood out most was the emotional depth and cultural richness woven into every scene. J.L. Lora writes with such heart and intensity that every moment feels lived in and real. I laughed. I swooned. I had to pause more than once because the emotion was almost overwhelming in the best way.
This book feels like passion wrapped in poetry and longing wrapped in fire. Knowing it comes from a Latine author makes it even more powerful. You can feel the authenticity in the emotions and the way love is portrayed with both softness and strength.
I am absolutely feral for the next installment. If you love slow burn romance that aches in your chest and lingers long after the final page, you need this book.
Profile Image for Elvira.
127 reviews5 followers
January 23, 2026
This story gave full-on telenovela vibes. The drama, the spice, and everything that makes Spanish soap operas so addictively fun to watch. Rio is suave and instantly down bad for Luna, but he also has a soft, sweet side. I genuinely felt for him when he opened up about losing his mom; as someone who’s been through that, those moments hit close to home. All I can say is have the tissues ready when you reach Chapter 14.

And Luna? She’s feisty and unapologetic, never afraid to dish it right back when she thinks Rio is a player. But once she really gets to know him, she falls hard and honestly, who could blame her? I also have to shout out her cousin Sel, the ultimate ride-or-die.

This book had me giggling, wanting to throw hands at Adina, and absolutely sweating when things got hot and heavy between Rio and Luna. Chapter 28? Steamy.

Highly recommend if you’re looking for a book that delivers all the telenovela vibes—emotion, passion, and drama included.
Profile Image for Keyla Joan.
21 reviews2 followers
March 16, 2026
This book is a literal time machine, it transported me straight back to 2009 in Puerto Rico. The perreo parties, the aspiring singers hustling for a shot, the messy friendships, the drama and toxicity of young relationships… I felt all of it in my bones. I LOVE IT ALL.

It’s the first time in my life I’ve seen Latin and reggaetón culture portrayed with this much heart, wrapped inside the hottest, sweetest, and most heartbreaking love story. The nostalgia hit HARD. The music, the slang, the fashion, the chaos… everything felt so authentic it was like reliving my own memories.

The characters felt like people I actually knew growing up, flawed, passionate, stressed, and so real that their emotions practically jumped off the page. The writing is so vivid I could hear the beats, smell the street food, and feel the heat of those nights.

I’m obsessed. I’m already planning a vacation to the DR while I wait, impatiently, for book 2.
Profile Image for Gabriela Diaz.
111 reviews2 followers
February 24, 2026
~3.75~

This book honestly took me on such a rollercoaster of emotions! Thank you so much for J.L. Lora for the gifted copy and I was so lucky to have been able to read it on the motherland, which made the experience even better. The book truly felt like it hit close to home, especially because there were a lot of nods to Dominican heritage and locations that I had been to which was so special. What I loved about Luna and Rio's story is how they let each other into the deepest part of each other and allowing that emotional connection. I do feel like their love gets a bit toxic at some point and the ending was left on a cliffhanger, I thought parts of my book were missing! Overall, the book gave me telenovela vibes which I did love and I cannot wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Steph.
515 reviews16 followers
October 15, 2025
THE ENDING!!! PLEASE I AM SOBBING WHILE EVERYONE IN MY HOUSE IS ASLEEP AND HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SLEEP NOW NEEDING TO KNOW WHAT’S NEXT FOR RIO AND LUNA?!?!? 😭😭😭😭

I needed this book in my life. The reggaeton, the toxic relationships, the healing, the family connections… so so perfect. I loved how descriptive the settings were. I could imagine myself in the club or staying far away from the edge of the cliff lol. The descriptions of DR transported me there with them. I think I felt every emotion reading this book. I loved this so much and I can’t wait to read more from the Ficha Mundial universe.

I, too, may need therapy to help me move on from these characters. 😭
Profile Image for Miralis.
249 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2026
4.5⭐️
First a big thank you to the author for the physical arc.

This book left me staring at the wall, rage texting the GC + calling my husband just to vent cause what the actual f*ck. I was not prepared for that ending, I should have been warned. All that to say, I loved the book. The way Rio + Luna were written was so well done. Both are flawed, yet so lovable + their reactions to things were very real.

Rio was toxic + had red flags but I still fell for him. He’s so passionate + he fell so hard for Luna. Their love is all encompassing, I know that feeling all too well. I truly enjoyed this one. Now I need book 2.
Profile Image for Sarah R..
13 reviews
March 2, 2026
This is my first time reading a romance book where the reggaeton music/ scene is in the plot. Reading each chapter was an emotional roller coaster with Rio and Luna ( the ending, pissed me off a little lol but thats only because I need to know what happens after!) My favorite parts was the latino experience shared within the characters daily lives, the way they speak to each other in our latino lingo/ dialect and the way they share the relationships with their families. This love story had me rooting for them both and smiling of the way they cared for each other. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys romance, reggaeton music and a whirlwind of emotions.
Profile Image for Jennifer Rivera.
18 reviews2 followers
January 25, 2026
Read this bookclub (@bookishchisme) and getting to read along with the beautiful author definitely added to the experience!

Emotional rollercoaster kicked off strong with the drama and "best friend" villain vibes, it read like a bingeable novela with all the feels of not being able to wait for the next episode/chapter. If it wasn't for hosting book club I would of read this up in one sitting.

Loved how both my love languages collided with this one, got my reggaeton and book romance. Now I'm so ready for book 2!
Profile Image for Ariana.
55 reviews
March 16, 2026
Riomar (Rio) and Luna are embedded so deeply in my heart!

My initial reaction to J. L.: I am not okayyyy (I did not want it to end)!!!

My first thoughts: I love these two, and I cannot stand HER (a “friend” of Luna’s who was NEVER a friend at all… IYKYK).

I love Luna’s genuineness and how suave Rio is.

The roller coaster is irresistible, and you won’t want to put it down, not even when it leaves you on the edge at the end…

This was my first read of J.L. Lora’s, and it will definitely not be my last! I HIGHLY recommend it if you haven’t read it already!
Profile Image for Cici T.
285 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2026
“Even when you hate me, you’ll never stop loving me”

This book was everything. Reading this story it transformed me back to my early 20s dancing to Tego, Anthony Santos, Zion y Lennox, and the list continues. The connections I made, the spanish speaking, EVERYTHING was chef’s kiss. Rio & Luna’s chemistry, the drama, the love. UGHH. BUT THE CLIFFHANGER ! I need book 2 like NOW.

“Si ella es loca, what does that make me? A fucking mad man.”
Profile Image for Karolina Reads.
119 reviews
January 5, 2026
This book was such an emotional and tender read. The story focuses a lot on healing, vulnerability and learning to accept love after being hurt. I really connected with Luna and Rio inner struggles and the slow way trust and feelings developed. It’s not a fast paced story, but it’s beautifully written and very character driven, which made the emotions feel real and raw. If you enjoy softer romances that focus on growth and emotional depth, this one is worth picking up.
Profile Image for Lis Salazar.
8 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2026
The blend of English and Spanish felt natural. It captures that "Spanglish" reality many of us live in, though some of the deeper Dominican idioms sent me to Google to make sure I caught the full vibe. Don't be frustrated if you have to look up a word or two—it’s part of the immersion! It makes the world of Luna feel that much more real.
Profile Image for Frommailenesbookshelf .
330 reviews7 followers
October 14, 2025
I'm OBSESSED with this story, and I literally can't wait for book two because this felt like a telenovela from start to finish, and I need MORE! Luna and Rio's chemistry was flying out of the pages, and that perreo scene is going to live rent-free in my head for the rest of my days 🥵
Profile Image for Aracely.
926 reviews34 followers
January 23, 2026
OMG

I’m just going to say this. WHY, like why this ending?
:( where are the missing chapters? This books is like reading a telenovela! It bring back memories from my teenage years, very nostalgic. Can’t wait for book two.
Profile Image for Alyssa Swafford.
35 reviews6 followers
October 14, 2025
My official rating is 4.5 stars. Spice about 2.5.

What a story! This book had me laughing, wanting to fight someone, and crying. What an emotional rollercoaster J.L. Lora put me through, and I’m not even mad. I had to take time before writing my review, because I had to digest it all.

Wishing for la Luna was a well-written story. Luna and Rio are my favorite couple to date, and I absolutely love them! I am debating re-reading this story again, after I went back and looked through all the quotes that I highlighted on my Kindle. It brings me back.
I am eagerly awaiting the second part of Ficha Munidal Latin Entertainment book.
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