Welcome back to another edition of my Weekend Small Press & Indie Book Review! Every weekend I spotlight a book from a small press or indie author that deserves a place on your shelf — and this week’s pick is one I had such a lovely time reading. If you love sweet, heartfelt YA romance with real family warmth, keep reading. 💕

This Weekend’s Pick

This weekend’s pick is Dear Sofia by Danielle Keil — a YA sweet romance that is cozy, charming, and genuinely refreshing. Sofia is a Chicana teen living with her twin brother, her mother, and her aging Mexican grandmother, and from the very first pages, family is given a warm front-row seat in this romance. The family dynamics feel real and loving, and they add so much heart to the story.

Over the course of a summer, Sofia begins receiving notes from a secret admirer — and the mystery of who is writing them becomes the delightful beating heart of the whole book. Is it her ex-boyfriend? Someone from her cheer squad? Or maybe someone from her childhood she never expected? Sofia spends the entire summer trying to figure it out, and the slow, sweet build keeps you guessing right alongside her. The story wraps up with a simple, tender kiss — exactly the kind of ending that leaves you smiling.

The Details

• Title: Dear Sofia
• Author: Danielle Keil
• Genre: YA Sweet Romance
• Spice Level: Sweet — no spice YA read 🫑

Why You’ll Love It — My Spoiler-Free Thoughts

I genuinely loved everything about Dear Sofia. This is the kind of sweet, wholesome YA romance that is perfect to hand to a teenage daughter, a younger reader just getting into romance, or anyone who simply wants a story with zero steam and all the heart. No spice, no drama for drama’s sake — just a warm, cozy read that feels like sunshine.

Dear Sofia is part of the “Love Notes” series — stories about girls who receive a series of love letters from a secret admirer. The premise is sweet and timeless, but what makes this installment special is the way Danielle Keil grounds it in culture and family. Sofia’s Chicana identity and her relationship with her Mexican grandmother add layers of warmth and authenticity that I really appreciated.

The mystery of the secret admirer is genuinely fun — Danielle keeps you guessing, and the possibilities feel real and plausible rather than contrived. And when the answer is finally revealed, it earns every bit of the gentle, sweet ending. No cliffhangers, no heartbreak — just a lovely, feel-good conclusion. I could not put it down!

Where You Can Find It

Ready to pick up Dear Sofia? You can find Danielle Keil’s books at Flying Pig Books, or purchase through Amazon, KU Books, and Walmart.com.

Whenever you have the chance, please consider supporting small press and indie authors — they pour so much love into their stories, and books like Dear Sofia are proof that incredible reads exist outside the big publishing houses. Your support means the world to authors like Danielle. 💕

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Happy Reading! 💕 — Eliza