Melissa Coss Aquino Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

About Melissa Coss Aquino

Dr. Melissa Coss Aquino is a writer from Puerto Rico who grew up in The Bronx. She teaches English at Bronx Community College as a professor. Her stories stand out because she builds characters that feel real and interesting. People enjoy reading her work because it pulls them in with lively personalities and situations.

The way she shapes her main characters makes her writing fun and engaging. She has a skill for putting together stories that keep readers hooked. Her narratives move smoothly, mixing emotion and action in a natural way. This makes her work easy to follow while still being thought-provoking.

Readers appreciate her ability to craft tales that are both entertaining and meaningful. Her background as a Puerto Rican from New York adds depth to her storytelling. She writes in a way that feels honest and relatable. This combination makes her work enjoyable for a wide range of people.

The characters in Melissa Coss Aquino’s writing stay with readers long after the story ends. They feel familiar, like people one might know, yet their journeys offer a break from everyday life. Her protagonists face challenges that are easy to connect with, making their triumphs and struggles meaningful. This balance makes her stories both comforting and exciting.

Readers find escape in her narratives, stepping into worlds that feel vivid and alive. Whether set in the Bronx or beyond, her settings and characters create a space to explore new perspectives. The way she blends realism with engaging storytelling keeps the experience fresh. It’s the kind of writing that makes time pass without notice.

Her ability to craft relatable yet captivating characters makes her work stand out. People return to her stories for that mix of familiarity and adventure. The emotions she captures, hope, resilience, curiosity, make the reading experience immersive. It’s a gift, making everyday struggles feel part of something bigger.

Through her stories Aquino reaches readers far beyond her own community, entertaining people across different backgrounds. She writes with honesty, staying true to her roots while making her tales universal. The emotions in her work, joy, struggle, resilience, are things anyone can understand. This authenticity is what makes her writing connect with so many.

Her stories don’t just entertain; they feel real, like slices of life shaped by her perspective. Whether she’s writing about family, identity, or everyday challenges, she does it in a way that’s engaging without losing depth. Readers appreciate that her voice remains genuine, never forced or exaggerated. That sincerity keeps them coming back for more.

Even as her work finds fans worldwide, she stays grounded in the experiences that shaped her. Her writing proves that the most personal stories often resonate the widest. People enjoy her books not just for the plots, but for the truth in them. That’s the mark of a writer who knows how to entertain without compromising who she is.

Melissa Coss Aquino’s writing journey is far from over, with more stories waiting to be told. Readers can expect new characters, fresh perspectives, and the same heartfelt storytelling she’s known for. Her future work will likely keep blending authenticity with the kind of narratives that pull people in. There’s no doubt she has much more to share with the world.

Early and Personal Life

Melissa Coss Aquino grew up in the Bronx, where her Puerto Rican heritage and New York upbringing shaped her early years. From a young age, she developed a passion for storytelling, finding inspiration in the vibrant world around her. This love for words eventually led her to pursue writing as both a career and a calling.

Her academic journey took her through The City College of New York and The Graduate Center, CUNY, where she earned advanced degrees in English. Along the way, she honed her craft through prestigious programs like AROHO, VONA, and Hedgebrook, learning alongside other talented writers. These experiences helped her refine her voice and deepen her commitment to storytelling.

Today, she balances her writing with teaching at Bronx Community College, where she also co-advises the literary journal Thesis. Her work reflects a blend of personal experience and literary skill, resonating with readers who appreciate authentic narratives. As she continues to write and inspire students, her journey as an author remains full of promise.

Writing Career

Melissa Coss Aquino’s writing has appeared in respected publications like The Fairy Tale Review, Callaloo, Hippocampus, and Centro, showcasing her range across fiction and nonfiction. Her essay in Of Color: Poets’ Ways of Making (2019) further highlights her thoughtful engagement with transformative poetics. Additionally, her book Jesús Colón was under contract and slated for a 2021 release, reflecting her dedication to Puerto Rican literary history.

Her debut novel, Carmen and Grace, published in 2023 by William Morrow HarperCollins, marked a major milestone in her fiction career. With representation through Soumeya Roberts based at HG Literary, her work continues to reach wider audiences. With more projects undoubtedly ahead, her writing journey remains dynamic and evolving.

Carmen and Grace

Melissa Coss Aquino’s contemporary coming-of-age novel titled Carmen and Grace would be published on April 4, 2023, by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins. The book marks Aquino’s debut novel in the literary fiction market. This publication represents a significant milestone in the Puerto Rican author’s growing body of work.

The story itself follows cousins whose bond strengthens through a difficult childhood until Doña Durka enters their lives, offering stability while secretly leading a Bronx drug empire. When Durka dies unexpectedly, Grace prepares to take over the business while Carmen, pregnant and seeking change, struggles to break free. Carmen faces an impossible choice between loyalty to their found family, the tight-knit D.O.D sisterhood, and her desire for a safer future.

Tensions rise as external threats loom and Grace’s reckless ambitions accelerate, forcing Carmen to confront what she’s willing to sacrifice.

This gripping novel delivers an emotional story about family, survival, and impossible choices. Readers will find themselves invested in Carmen and Grace’s complex bond as they navigate loyalty and change. The vivid Bronx setting and strong female characters create a compelling, immersive read. Fans of character-driven dramas will appreciate its raw honesty and tension.