ADORE, AMOR ROMANCE BOOK FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2026

Special romance event in the Bronx, featuring bestselling authors, Instagrammable moments, & bookish community vibes at an historic mansion!

Adore, Amor Festival hosted by The Bronx is Reading is a new romance event taking place at the historic Andrew Freedman Home. It's a lawn/garden party that will feature a day filled with amazing vibes. This event will be atmospheric, and a day to celebrate all things love, and romance culture. Come ready to listen to some amazing authors, take dope Instagrammable photos, while connecting with other romance book lovers! It's the perfect way to celebrate Romance Bookstore Day in NYC! We can't wait to see you there. Grab Your Tickets Below!

 2026 SPEAKERS

 ADORE, AMOR ROMANCE BOOK FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

10:30AM – BOOK SWAP X FRIENDSHIP MEET-CUTE MIXER HOSTED BY AMIRAH MIMI NASH

TAKE A CHANCE AND GET TO KNOW SOMEONE NEW. EXCHANGE A BOOK OR RECOMMEND THE ONE YOU BROUGHT. MAKE A NEW BOOKISH FRIEND.

11AM–3PM – BOOKISH CRAFT STATIONS

DESIGN YOUR OWN KEYCHAIN, BUILD YOUR OWN MINI SILK FLOWER BOUQUET, AND CREATE YOUR OWN ACRYLIC BOOKMARK WITH COLD-PRESS STICKERS.

11:00 AM–11:45 AM – LOVE FROM THE BOOGIE DOWN

JOIN CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BRONX ROMANCE AUTHORS CELESTINE MARTIN (DEJA BREW), C.W. ROSE (OCEANSONG), AND J.L. POLANCO (LOVE ME AGAIN) AS THEY SPIN TALES OF ROMANCE AND ANGST—FROM COZY LOVE STORIES TO SPICY SCENES. MODERATED BY DIGNA MOTTA, NYPL.

SIGNING 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

12:00 PM–12:45 PM – AROUND THE WAY GIRL

INSPIRED BY LL COOL J'S CLASSIC "AROUND THE WAY GIRL," BESTSELLING AUTHORS ZAKIYA N. JAMAL (SPARKS FLY), RISS M. NEILSON (A LOVE LIKE THE SUN), AND ADRIENNE THURMAN (DON'T TELL ME HOW IT ENDS) DISCUSS LOVE ON THE BLOCK, FEATURING DOWN-TO-EARTH, HOMEGROWN CHARACTERS AND THE GIRL NEXT DOOR. MODERATED BY AMIRAH MIMI NASH.

SIGNING 12:45 PM - 1:15 PM

1:00 PM–1:45 PM – LOVE IS LOVE

BESTSELLING AND CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHORS VENESSA VIDA KELLY (WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON), ZAKIYA N. JAMAL (TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME), AND KIMANI MAE (HALF COURT SHOT) DISCUSS CRAFTING STORIES THAT CENTER QUEER ROMANCE FOR THE MODERN AGE, WRITING UNAPOLOGETIC LGBTQIA+ CHARACTERS, AND THE POWER OF DIVERSE REPRESENTATION IN ROMANCE. MODERATED BY AVI SHARON, NYPL.

SIGNING 1:45 PM - 2:15 PM

2:00 PM–2:45 PM – CON MUCHO MUCHO AMOR

MORE AMOR, PLEASE! JOIN BESTSELLING LATINE AUTHORS ZORAIDA CÓRDOVA (KISS THE GIRL), PRISCILLA OLIVERAS (WEST SIDE LOVE STORY), ALEXIS DARIA (ALONG CAME AMOR), AND MAYRA CUEVAS (HOW TO FAKE A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN) AS THEY DISCUSS WRITING ROMANCE FEATURING FIERCE LATINE LEADS. MODERATED BY J.L. POLANCO (LOVE ME AGAIN).

SIGNING 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM

3:00 PM–3:45 PM – ROMANCE IN MY FANTASY

ROMANCE AND FANTASY, OH MY! BESTSELLING AND CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHORS CELESTINE MARTIN (DEJA BREW), VENESSA VIDA KELLEY (WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON), AND C.W. ROSE (OCEANSONG) DISCUSS THE POWER OF BLENDING GENRES, HOW TO BALANCE ROMANCE IN FANTASTICAL WORLDS, AND WHAT IT IS ABOUT ROMANTASY THAT KEEPS THEM COMING BACK. MODERATED BY JESS LEE.

SIGNING 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM

4:00 PM–4:45 PM – CRAFTING WORLDS, SWOONING HEARTS

JOIN CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AND BESTSELLING AUTHORS RISS M. NEILSON (A LOVE LIKE THE SUN), ZORAIDA CÓRDOVA (KISS THE GIRL), KIMANI MAE (HALF COURT SHOT), AND PRISCILLA OLIVERAS (WEST SIDE LOVE STORY) AS THEY DISCUSS CRAFTING STORIES FOR ROMANCE READERS, THEIR WRITING PROCESS, AND MORE. MODERATED BY MAYRA CUEVAS.

SIGNING 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM

5:00 PM–5:30 PM – SPOTLIGHT ON DECISIONS, DECISIONS, NO HOLES BARRED

JOIN MANDII B AND TEMPEST X FOR A CANDID CONVERSATION ON SEXUALITY, RELATIONSHIPS, AND MORE. MODERATED BY CHRISTINE OSORIA, OWNER OF LAVISH BOOKTIQUE.

SIGNING 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM