'Culpables' Author Mercedes Ron on Sibling Trope and Forbidden Romance: 'I Wanted Them To Live Under the Same Roof'

Young adult fiction and romance have always thrived on complex relationships, and Mercedes Ron, the author behind hits like Culpables and Dímelo (Tell Me Softly), has a unique approach that resonates with her audience.

In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Ron revealed the thinking behind the sibling trope in Culpables, a device that has sparked curiosity and engagement among readers and viewers alike.

"I just wanted them to be living under the same roof,” Ron explained. “Of course, they are not related, so for me, it was fine.” The trope, which places characters in close proximity under one roof, plays into the tension and allure of forbidden romance, a recurring theme in her works. In Dímelo, the twist comes in the form of two brothers falling in love with the same girl, offering another layer of conflict that young audiences find irresistible.

Beyond the romantic tension, Ron is deeply conscious of the agency she gives to her female characters. “When I was reading books, I didn’t find that so much,” she admitted. “That’s why I wrote Noah, because I really wanted a girl who could ride a car and win a race, someone who isn’t afraid to give her opinion and speak loudly.”

She emphasised that characters like Noah inspire young viewers to believe in themselves and challenge traditional gender expectations.

Ron gained international acclaim with her Culpables trilogy, which has been adapted into a Spanish film series on Prime Video. The international reception of her work has been remarkable, with her books hitting the New York Times bestseller list, a milestone she describes as “the dream of my life.”

The English language remake, My Fault: London, premiered in February 2025, expanding her global reach. The trilogy's final installment, Our Fault, is set to release on October 16.