A beautifully heartfelt second chance romance between two high school sweethearts. Single Dad and war vet, Santiago, 'Saint' is reunited with his childhood girlfriend, social justice advocate and elementary school teacher, Lola when their two meddling grandfathers get in trouble and both are called in to mediate.

In addition, Lola volunteers to help with Saint's daughter, Rosie's selective mutism condition. This was a slow burn, dual POV romance full of a great cast of secondary characters, strong community and fierce, fat, bisexual FMC (Lola). I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for the next book in the series featuring Leo and Sofi. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book was so good! I absolutely adored the first book in the series, but I think I might love this one more. A single dad and second chance romance? My absolute favorite! I loved the relationship between Saint and Lola. The flashbacks helped me feel the love these two had for each other in the past, and why the separation was so painful for them both. And I love how they reconnected and their second chance felt hard won and believable.

Also-Rosie is adorable and I love her. I want to be part of the Vega family, because their dynamics are just so much fun! I also want to be in a prank war with Abuelo and Benny.

And that epilogue???? I need the next book ASAP!

Slow Burn Second Chance Romance With Quite A Bit Of Political Commentary Baked In. Straight up, just from the nature of the work of our female MC in particular, this book has *quite* a bit of left leaning politics baked in. That noted, if you can accept that this is simply this character... it actually isn't overly preachy. I've certainly seen *far* more preachy books given similar characters in other works by other authors before, so, truly - don't let that scare you too much, just know your eyes may roll a bit if you disagree with the politics being espoused.

Beyond that though, this really is a solid and remarkably deep second chance/ single dad romance showing the power of love... and meddling grandfathers and saccharine sweet young daughters. But it *is* a *very* slow burn, almost with more focus on everything *other* than the romance itself. Like, our MCs met in HS and had this instant chemistry, broke it off, went their separate ways, and yet the flame never died... so it is never really *shown* in the book so much as *told* that it is there (with the *occasional* view of it, often seeming more to remind the reader that this *is* intended to be a romance novel).

And yet... the story really does work quite well. There's nothing definitively *wrong* with it, and the world created here is remarkably "real" and one of the more fully fleshed out communities I've encountered in all of my reading. It just may not be *exactly* the kind of book various readers are looking for for various reasons. Including pissing off the sweet/ clean crowd with its in-the-room sex scenes.

Still, ultimately this *was* a really good book. I *am* looking forward to Book 3. And this *is* very much recommended.

**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I made a promise this year to myself to make sure I read more books with diversity. I love stories that are so unlike my own because I learn so many new things and new cultures. I knew as soon as I read the description of this story that I had to read it. This book sounded like it had culture, love, family… so many of my favorite things.

I have never read anything by Natalie Cana before and she didn’t disappoint. While this story is obviously a romance novel, it was so much more than that. I really loved the initial story about the community center being torn down for luxury apartments. I felt it was such a real life problem in our world where people are being priced out of their neighborhoods and communities being torn apart by developers. I really liked how Cana was able to portray that in such a realistic way in the book. This story was so realistic.

Of course, the romance was adorable too. The only thing I was bothered by in this book, and it wasn’t anything terribly upsetting, was the predictability. I do love a good story that just makes you feel good, but a little mystery would bring it up a tiny bit. But overall this wasn’t a big downfall and the book was thoroughly enjoyable. Those who love a good romance with a lot of meat on the bones should definitely pick it up.

"A Dish Best Served Hot" is full of laughs, sass, cuteness overload, feuding grandpas, compassion, and all the feels. Loved it!

Lola is awesome! She's a passionate social justice advocate who cares deeply about her community and making a difference after enduring a lonely (and sometimes dangerous) childhood. She’s a natural-born leader and a great mentor. There’s a lot to admire about her.

I liked Saint most of the time. He’s a single dad (who's done a great job at that) and a veteran (Green Beret). He loves his family and would do anything to help or protect them. His assumptions about Lola kind of irked me. And, in his case, his well-meaning savior complex seems to be a result of unintentional parentification (he’s the eldest of five, I think).

I loved Lola and Saint as a couple. They’re more alike than they realize and were meant to be all along. Sadly, these high-school sweethearts broke things off after Saint enlisted and Lola disappeared following her father and older brother’s imprisonment. Many unresolved issues - internally and externally - standing between them now after so many years apart. They don’t just fall right back into love even though those feelings are still there. Instead, they restart as friends and try their best to get to know the person the other has become. This made for a heartwarming, second-chance romance.

"A Dish Best Served Hot" has a fantastic and lively cast of supporting characters that I adored. The prank war between “frenemies” Benny (Lola’s grandpa) and Abuelo Papo (Saint’s grandpa) was hilarious. And Rosie, Saint’s four-year-old daughter, was the cutest! I liked how much depth and realism her character had. I appreciated how the author wrote about selective mutism. It’s a very real thing that I could relate to.

The author is very forthright about several social issues that greatly impact communities like Humboldt Park (the setting) and historically marginalized groups, such as gentrification and unhoused queer youths. The story also shows why things like positive role models, community centers, shelters, and access to resources are so important for communities to have.

I had a good time reading "A Dish Best Served Hot." I was as entertained as I was completely moved by this story that captured my attention from start to finish. Natalia Caña is a new-to-me author. I can’t wait to read more of her work.

CW: unhoused queer youth, military related ptsd, on-page panic attacks, incarcerated family members, attempted kidnapping, gun violence

Thanks again MIRA and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review!

We're back wth the Vega family in Humboldt Park where the community centre is in danger of shutting down and two exes need to work together to save it.

Saint is the oldest son/brother in the Vega family. He's the caretaker who would do anything for his family, especially Rosie his adorable daughter. Lola is a champion for those in need especially in her beloved hometown community she has just returned to. She's a fighter full of passion both qualities she shares with Saint and what originally brought them together.

We loved getting a glimpse of their past relationship as teenagers. They had an epic love that ended too soon. Watching them find their way back to each other and try to fight their attraction was very satisfying.

The secondary characters brought the laughs and heart with the pranks between the Abuelos as well as Rosie and her struggles fitting in and feeling safe. She was an adorable addition that made our heart melt.

We really love the Vega family and can't wait for more from them!

Read if you like:
▪️ Second chance romance
▪️ Flashback chapters
▪️ Single dads
▪️ Family dynamics (especially latin families)
▪️ Plus size rep
▪️ Latinx rep

Set in Chicago with a large Puerto Rican family, A Dish Best Served Hot is an entertaining read.

Lola is a strong woman with a bit of a Joan of Arc complex - out to right the social injustices around her. Unfortunately some of her family have not fared well, due to some of these social injustices and found their way into a life of crime.

Saint is a kind caring person, with a bit of an Atlas complex. As far as he is concerned he has to hold up the whole family on his shoulders.  Most of all he cares for his beautiful four year old daughter Rosie who suffers from selective mutism at school.

Add in two warring, crafty grandfathers and a whole range of brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles and aunts and it's one big mix of drama.

Saint and Lola have known each other for years and as they meet again sparks fly. The challenge for them is to accept themselves and be aware of what is not really working for them so that they can be the best.

I enjoyed the story although at times I found it a little lengthy. That said it was a worthwhile read.

I feel like meddling grandpas are a micro trope the world needs more of! 😂

This read as more of a contemporary fiction, and not much of a romance, and the romance portion felt a bit rushed and like a bit of an afterthought. Generally though, this was fine.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Harlequin. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This is book two in the Vega family world. While I enjoyed the book for most part, it didn't have the same pull for me as the first. This is a second chance romance with flashbacks to the origin story of the couple first falling in love. There was another set of meddling grandfathers (alas, my heart missed Killian from the first book.) The single dad storyline with the cute kid reunites after years of separation with the feisty heroine who happens to be the child's teacher. Throw in some suspense leading to a third act breakup. Some of the plot just seemed over the top and didn't really add to the overall storyline for me. I still would like to see where the Vega story goes with our next couple.

3 stars

This book delivered and then some! I love Natalie’s writing style and how she balances humor and serious topics. Foodies, this one is for us!

I'm loving the Vega Family series and this one was up to A Proposal They Can't Refuse: fun, entertaining but also dealing with social issues and inclusivity.
Saint is the responsible one, the one who would do almost anything to help his family. Lola is the warrior, the social worker who's ready to fight against the guy she still loves.
Plus there's the Abuelo, my favourite character.
A well plotted and fast-paced novel that talks about a second-chance love story but also about gentrification and the less lucky.
Read it and have fun
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

4.25/5!

A Dish Best Served Hot is a second chance romance starring Saint, the ex-military overprotective single father and eldest brother of the Vega family, and Lola, the flamethrowing badass woman with a heavy past who will absolutely fight for the good she believes in. It’s been seventeen years since Lola left and returned to Chicago, only to find that her life is now tangled up with Saint. This hey find themselves at opposing sides of the community, only to work together to rectify the loss of their community center/housing for displaced and lost queer youth.

Saint is the ideal single father I’d ever hope to read in a romance book. He’s trying his best for his loud and loving family, despite not always feeling like he fits in as the quiet, more reserved type. His love language is undoubtedly acts of service— to a fault.

Lola will bulldoze her way as she fights for what’s right. She has quite a ways to go in figuring out how to allow other people into her life in a deep and meaningful way, and this is something I relate to. But she is also loving, she is confident, and she is everything I hope to grow to be.

Both characters being ready to forgive as they come upon their life revelations (presumably from reading grown folks as opposed to new adult) was honestly refreshing for me, as someone who struggles to let go of grudges. Their ability to process and willingness to compromise their sheer stubbornness to be become better partners/people is something I aspire for.

I absolutely /loved/ the Vega family and their near tangible love that binds each person together, yet not devoid of drama and heartache, as is expected from large families. As someone who comes from a large extended family myself, reading the Vegas felt like home. The teasing, the annoying younger siblings (hi yes that’s me), the eldest siblings and the elders who feel the weight of their lineage, the laughter shared, the readiness to be there for each other, and even the pain and understanding between the characters who have been through it. I loved all of it.

Additionally, the way Natalie Caña touched upon fatphobia, both internally and externally, felt true to life, and the stories of queer fat confident brown women will always be the ones I hope to fill my life and shelves with!

I’m excited to continue reading the stories of the Vega family as well as anything and everything Natalie Caña continues to write! Thank you, MIRA and Netgalley, for the ARC!

Natalie Caña writes with HEART OH MY GOSH. 4.5 Stars Rounded Up!!!! The depth with which Natalie writes her characters is unparalleled. I jumped into this book after reading and LOVING A Proposal They Can't Refuse earlier this year, and I had high, HIGH hopes. I'm so glad that I was nowhere close to disappointed with this sequel!

A Dish Best Served Hot is a second-chance romance between Saint Vega & Lola León. Saint is a single dad to Rosie and Lola is back in town to help take care of her Benny. There are tons of shenanigans with Benny & Abuelo Papo. I love the banter, the family dynamics, and the depth of emotions for the characters. The character arcs are also realistic, which is refreshing in a rom-com. The only thing I wish this book had is more relationship building IN the book. I know it's a second-chance romance, but I still felt like we missed some of the reconnection between Saint & Lola in between the chapters. I would have rather had more pages than miss the way their relationship rekindled.

All together, I loved this book and will be back for more of the Vegas in book three! (I think we know who this one will be about!!!)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. After reading the first book of this series, I was excited for this one. Unfortunately, I've been a little disappointed and I am DNFing at 54%. This book is being marketed as a romance but the romance was lacking! Lola and Saint were high school sweethearts who had a bad ending and are reunited a decade later.

Things I enjoyed in the book:
- The community! The theme of gentrification that carried over from book one
- I love that the assisted living and elders are present in this book. It seems like grandparents are going to be the reason for all the couples getting together and I love it! (Papa Vega and his tricks must be stopped though lol)

Things I did not enjoy:
- I didn't like how Saint would send Rosie off to the next room by telling her to "watch the adults" or be the mature person in the room. I know that it was meant in a light-hearted and fun way but I didn't think it would be good for in the future. And it feels like she's putting some unnecessary responsibility on a kindergartner.

All in all, I don't think I was the intended target for this book but I hope the target audience is reached. I do have plans to attempt other books in the series as/if more are published.

I loved Rosie, who doesn’t? Saint and Lola’s story seemed a little rushed at the end. It is more HFN than a true HEA as there is much work to be done for both. I also felt there was a big jump from Lola being bad for the neighborhood and suddenly becoming the shelter director. Overall enjoyable.
3.5 stars

“A Dish Better Served Hot” is the second book in The Vega Family Stories Series but can be read as a standalone!

I really enjoyed reading about these two! Saint and Lola had good communication like the no BS type. They never sugar coated anything and were real with each other. Of course not everything was perfect, there was plenty of mistakes being made, misunderstandings, and their fair share of problems.

I loved getting to know Saint more especially learning how he got his nickname. The two navigate personal change, social change, and trauma as they slowly try to make their way back to each other.

This book brought out a lot of feelings and tugged at my heart strings!! Natalie Cana does it again! 5/5 definitely recommend!

I really enjoyed revisiting the Vega Family! A Proposal They Can't Refuse was one of my favorites, so I was super excited for the opportunity to read about more characters, and of course see Papo Vega up to his match making again. Lola and Saint's second chance romance was such a beautiful story, with so many deep and interesting layers that made it about so much more than just them. Cana always does such a great job weaving Latinx culture, storytelling, history, family values, language, it's a wonderful learning experience in addition to an enjoyable read. Saint is a single Dad who tries to carry the weight of all his loved ones on his shoulders. Lola is the daughter of an inprisoned gang leader and very outspoken social justice warrior, who just moved back home. Seeing their love story begin in high school through flashbacks was a great way to learn more about the characters as well. I enjoyed the stories about the Community Center and the at-risk youth Lola worked with. I loved seeing Kamilah and Liam from APTCR ❤️. Little Rosie was such a sweet part of the book and one of the reasons why I love parent tropes! Saint and Lola grew a lot throughout and I felt their HEA was so mature and well done. I definitely noticed Papo Vega sniffing around for another match, so I sense we will be seeing more of the Vega Family in the future.

It's been 17 years since Saint has seen Lola. She disappeared without a word and left him heartbroken. Lola is back and she is now Saint's daughter's teacher. Seeing each other again brings all of those feelings and fire to the forefront and it's only a matter of time before they fall back into their old ways.

I love me a second chance romance, especially one where lots of time has passed without a word with one another. Saint and Lola were both amazed by the what the other had become in their adulthood. I loved that their chemistry came back in that instant that they saw each other for the first time. I couldn't wait to see their journey back to one another.

With the dual timeline, we got to see what Saint and Lola were like back when they were teens. Their relationship was complicated even back then, with lots of challenges that involved their families. Saint and Lola's love for one another ran deep and it transcended a puppy love most would experience at that age. That's why when they see each other as adults, they can't help but fall back in love with one another so quickly.

This book has a bit of a suspenseful element to it and I enjoyed those scenes with the high drama. I was on the edge of my seat, flipping pages because it was so engrossing. It was quite entertaining!

Pick this up for an entertaining second-chance romance that will pull at your heartstrings.

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥
⚠️: gun violence, incarceration of a loved one

What a great second book in the Vega Family Love Stories series, and sophomore novel by Caña! I enjoyed it so much, especially the appearances of Kamilah from book 1.

Saint (Santiago) and Lola and their second chance romance, rekindled from high school as adults so many years later - Saint as a widower and single father, former military and working in the family construction company, and Lola, returned to town and working in the community centre and taking over the pre-school class where Saint’s daughter attends, putting them in each other’s path again…

Pit against each other when the shelter for un-homed queer teens comes between them for reasons you’ll have to see in the book, Saint fights for a third chance to keep the love of his life around.

Such a fantastic read and I loved it more than the first book! I absolutely recommend it to everyone - if you loved the first book, and if you love Latinx romance, single dads and second chances (and saucy bisexual leading ladies), this is absolutely for you! Brava, Natalie Caña! Excellent book!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing (MIRA), and this is my honest feedback.

I thoroughly enjoyed "A Dish Best Served Hot" by Natalie Cana. It's a captivating second-chance romance that had me hooked from the beginning. After 17 years apart, Saint and Lola reunite, and the chemistry between them is as electric as ever. The dual timeline provided depth to their relationship, showing their complicated teenage years and the depth of their love. The added suspense added an extra layer of excitement, making the story even more enthralling. I particularly loved the meddling grandfathers and the dynamic between Lola and Saint. However, there was an unexpected plot twist in the third act that felt somewhat out of place, but I suspect it sets the stage for future developments. Overall, this book is a fantastic read for those who love second-chance romance and intense chemistry.