Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of A Dish Best Served Hot. I’ve really loved Natalie’s other books, and this one is no different. A Dish Best Served Hot is a sweet second chance romance. There is LGBTQIA+ representation, and I loved it. Lola’s personality is feisty, and she doesn’t take anything from anyone. She knows who she is and what she wants and doesn’t hesitate.

Overall, a very sweet romance. Would highly recommend.

If like me you’ve been impatiently waiting for Natalie’s next romance after reading A Proposal You Can’t Refuse, let me tell you, she does not disappoint in her upcoming release. I dropped everything I was reading and DEVOURED this in less than 24 hours.

This second chance romance will have you laughing out loud, swooning, and tearing up. It is so unapologetically Latinx filled with Spanish phrases that sound like family and a family that stands by you but are going to tease you nonstop.

Returning to the Vega family, Saint is the older brother who takes the world on his shoulders and wants to protect everyone. Lola León is a social justice warrior who wants to save everyone no matter the cost.

Lola and Saint (she gives him that nickname) had a sweet high school romance that ended when Saint enlists to fulfill his duty and Lola has to leave to escape the threats of violence when her father is arrested.

Almost two decades later, Lola returns to Humboldt Park. And she comes face to face with Saint when their abuelitos won’t stop a prank war that is getting out of control. If you thought the first book had shenanigans, esto dos no paran. This second time around they need to confront their past to finally fully accept each other.

I LOVED EVERY PAGE. Every moment was so thoughtful from conversations about our legacies to duty to putting ourselves first. Saint and Lola have a sizzling chemistry that will have you giggling. She is not afraid to ask for what she wants and he does not hesitate in giving it to her.

If you love a single dad, the interactions with Saint’s daughter, Rosie alone will have you obsessed with this book.

2023 Latinx Release
Format: digital arc
2.5 🌶️

Natalie Caña writes stories with so much love, passion, and joy! I really liked this story and the importance of family. I loved the characters so much and I can't wait to read more books by this author.

This is the second in series but can be read as a standalone.

Santiago Vega Jr., or Junior, was a good kid. He volunteered, did well in school, and saved Lola from getting in a fist fight with the biggest bully in high school. In return? She gifted him his new nickname … Saint.

Years later, Lola is serving her community, teaching high schoolers self defense, helping kids who were kicked out of their homes due to their families not accepting their sexual or gender identities, and now teaching preschool. Oh, and don’t forget she is taking care of her grandpa Benny. And … someone at the senior center put ex-lax in his drink.

Saint is raising his daughter Rosie, helping his family however he can, and working at his Tio Luis’s construction company. He gets a call … his grandfather is in big trouble … he might even get kicked out of the senior care center…

That isn’t even the half of it. To put it mildly, these two have a lot on their plate… and Lola is now Rosie’s preschool teacher.

I really enjoyed reading about these two. I appreciated that they talk to each other. They don’t let things slide, they don’t keep secrets. They ACTUALLY have conversations. Now, I won’t say there aren’t mistakes, misunderstandings, and problems … but they aren’t the cliche “if you only had a five minute talk then there would be no plot”. It was such a breath of fresh air to see adults share and have real conversations.

Lola had more personality than any character I’ve read in a while. She is smart, fierce, protective, and overall just a kind human. Saint is an incredibly hard worker who cares so much about his family, almost too much. We not only got to know them in the present, but we got flashbacks of their past, too!

As for other characters, don’t get me started on Saint’s daughter, Rosie. She is so adorable in the best way. Their abuelos were hilarious and awesome. I also loved the rest of the Vega family, and appreciated catching up with everyone from the last book. The kids and staff at El Hogar were great, too, even if my heart broke for them.

I feel like this book had so much in it. I’m not sure I can list it all or do it justice. All I can say was that it felt real and true. The book kept me engrossed and I couldn’t put it down.

Five stars … and heres looking to you Leo, I can’t wait to see what happens between you and Sofi.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an arc of this book.

Years ago, Santiago walked away from the girl he loved to fulfill his duty. He now has a second chance with her.... but can they overcome their past?

This is another terrific book in the Vega family series. Love the first 2 books and this one is great too! The family is terrific. I love how close-knitted they are. So funny and colourful.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc.