David Valdes Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

David Valdes

David Valdes is a Cuban American writer who focuses on young adult romance stories. He also writes books under the name David Valdes Greenwood. His work often centers on characters who feel real and easy to understand. Readers find his protagonists relatable because they face everyday problems with honesty.

Valdes has a clear talent for making his stories entertaining without trying too hard. He crafts characters who have strong personalities and clear wants. This makes the plot move forward in a way that feels natural. His gift for building compelling stories keeps a reader turning pages from start to finish.

The narratives he creates are engaging because they balance feeling with action. Valdes does not rely on fancy language or dramatic moments to hold attention. Instead, he uses simple choices and real conversations to build tension and care. His upbeat tone and straightforward style make his books a good pick for anyone who likes romance with heart.

He entertains readers around the world by staying true to his own voice and experiences. He does not change his stories to follow trends or please outside opinions. Instead, he writes from a Cuban American point of view that feels honest and fresh. This honesty helps readers from many different backgrounds find something to enjoy.

His stories mix real life feelings with light romance and steady pacing. Valdes does not use tricks or big surprises to pull a reader in. He lets the characters act and speak in ways that match their own needs and fears. This makes the book feel real, not made up, which keeps a person reading without effort.

Valdes also adds small moments of joy and hope into every plot. He never makes the story dark or heavy for a long time. His upbeat tone comes from his own belief that love and growth are possible. By staying true to himself, he gives the world a book that feels like a friend.

Fans of Valdes can look forward to more young adult romance books from him in the future. He continues to write new stories that match his own voice and life experiences. Each new project shows the same strong skill for crafting real characters and clean plots. The future holds more upbeat, truthful work from an author who knows what he does well.

Early and Personal Life

David Valdes grew up as a gay Cuban American in a multiethnic family. That background helped him notice early how different parts of a person’s identity can come together. He turned to reading and then to writing as a way to explore those connections.

He finds inspiration in his own life and in the people around him. Valdes writes books and plays for all readers but pays special care to uplift queer and BIPOC lives. He always looks for hope and humor, even when the subject matter feels real or hard.

Valdes has grown as an author by teaching writing at Brown, Boston Conservatory, and Tufts. Working with students keeps his own skills fresh and his thinking open. He continues to build stories that match who he is while reaching readers from many different backgrounds.

Writing Career

David Valdes has built a writing career that includes essays for major outlets. He has been published in the New York Times, Huffington Post, Boston Globe, Medium, and Howlround. This essay work shows his ability to speak to many different readers on many different topics.

He has also written the young adult novels Brighter Than the Moon (2023), Spin Me Right Round (2022), and Finding My Elf (2023). He continues to write new work, with more books and essays still to come.

Spin Me Right Round

David Valdes authored the young adult romance novel Spin Me Right Round. Bloomsbury YA published the book on November 1, 2021.

Luis Gonzalez has one main goal. He wants to attend prom with his boyfriend, but his supposedly open minded high school still does not allow it. A past incident involving a student named Chaz Wilson happened years ago when Luis’s parents were teenagers. Luis believes history will not repeat itself and wants respect for his LGBTQ friends without losing his shot at prom king.

A blow to the head sends Luis back in time to 1985 where he meets a younger Chaz Wilson. Luis then decides to give Chaz his first real kiss. The conservative school environment of the 1980s proves unsafe for a gay student. Homophobes run the campus, including a young man named Gordo who is actually Luis’s own estranged father. Luis struggles to avoid making matters worse while also trying to return to his own time.

Many will find this story hard to put down. The time travel twist keeps the plot moving in fun ways. Luis makes for a main character that is easy to cheer for. Anyone who likes young adult romance with heart should give this book a try.

Finding My Elf

David Valdes wrote the young adult Christmas romance novel Finding My Elf. HarperCollins published the book on November 7, 2023.

Cameron planned to escape to NYU for college, but things did not go well. He is failing his theater classes and may lose his scholarship, plus he has not found a real friend group. He comes home for winter break and takes a mall elf job to avoid a hard talk with his dad. The job offers a cash prize for the most festive helper, which adds pressure.

The competition from another elf named Marco is very strong. Marco seems full of natural Christmas spirit. Cam wants to see Marco only as a rival at first. The two spend more time together, and Cam begins to question his own view. He wonders if he has found his people in a fake consumer driven place where he least expected it.

Readers will also find this book warm and easy to enjoy. Cameron feels like a real person with real problems. The mall elf setting adds a fresh twist to a holiday romance. Anyone who likes young adult love stories with heart should pick this one up.