Member Reviews
This is absolutely my favorite installment in the Vega series by this author.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Harley Quinn trade books for the arch copy. This is my honest and willingly published review.
I have read the other two books in this series and I feel like you really do need to read them in order to get the most impact, although they can be read alone. So far this one has been my favorite in the series. It is absolutely so well done and the characters feel so flawed and human and yet emotionally charged.
We get some really great representation for trusting ones. Hard learning to build trust in others again when you've been hurt by previous close family members. We have Afro Latina representation. We have recovery from a traumatic injury. We have just so many great things that many people can relate to.
I absolutely recommend reading the first two books and then getting to this one when it's released on October 29 because it is absolutely worth the read.
I love this series and it’s very hard to pick a favorite couple but I must admit Sofi and Leo are delicious! I loved finally getting to the meat of their relationship. With books 1 & 2 all we got were glimpses and sprinkles of moments and comments that left you wanting more information. Both characters were so fully fleshed and had such interesting arcs they went through individually. Sofi’s conflict with her father felt so familiar and I loved their confrontation. Seeing Leo realize he was more than what he thought made him who was heartwarming, the Vegas are the most loving communicative Puerto Rican family I’ve ever seen lol
Not to mention the ups and downs of Leo and Sofia’s relationship. I loved their banter, the flashbacks, the spice and dirty talk, and the grand (and small) gestures. This was so well worth the wait
OH and I loveddddd all the musical references, it made me smile, sing the songs to myself while I read. I need a playlist with release! The representation was everything to me as well. BRAVO Natalie this is absolutely my favorite Latinx romance series
I am obsessed with this book. Like so much. I adored every second of this. I've been obsessed with this series since I picked up the first one. I was waiting for Leo's book so much.
I always love the Puerto Ricaness of Natalie Caña's books. I love the bilingualness. The messy grandparents that meddle in their grandchildren's affairs and the close family that has each others backs always. Reminds me so much of my family and why I love being Puerto Rican. Like so much.
Sofia right now is my favorite Latine female lead. I love me a non-curvy Latina. It made me feel so represented in the way that I am not the "tradicional" latine looking person. I love my girl and I'll always protect her and her feelings. In some moments I wanted to smack her, but she's so great. She's so human and I wish she was real and my friend.
Leo on the other hand was great to see him not be such a fuck boy. Like how he now wants his life to be. Like I want to marry him, to be honest.
I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5/5 and 3/3 for crying while reading the last third of this book.
It was a rollercoaster and I loved every single minute of it.
Seeing Leo's maturity in the forefront and his growth from book 1 to book 3 was amazing. I'm still shocked at how long he and Sofi had been dancing around each other. That was a wonderful surprise and a great foundation that helped bring a solid foundation for the book.
Papo is brilliant and I love Abuela Fina. She's my second favorite character in this whole series.
Sofi and Leo had a lot of road bumps in the journey of their happily every after and I was invested in every single moment. The third act break up was a punch to the gut and I was in tears throughout all of it. I understand Sofi's trauma wounds and I related to her pain so deeply that I just wanted to give her and Leo the biggest hugs.
This book was beautiful and like the rest of the series, I felt so seen and represented. I loved every single bit of this series and I can't wait to see what is next for Natalie.
Thank you NetGalley and Mira/Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free eArc in exchange for a review.
There’s a reason I love this series so much :) I feel like these books always have the best blend of romance, angst, spice, depth, and heart. I love these characters and it was fun stepping back into this world. I will say, it’s not my favorite of the three just because I found myself getting a little more frustrated with the main characters and their decisions than the other two books but it made sense with the story and I will still always auto buy from this author. :)
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Former firefighter Leo Vega is trying to reignite the flame between his sister's best friend and woman he's had a secret on-again-off-again relationship. Sofi is still recovering from her best friend lying to her, and swears she is done with the Vega family. She’s trying to move on with her life, but unforeseen circumstances force Sofi and Leo into a tense roommate situation. It’s nearly impossible for her to move forward with someone new while Leo is constantly there, reminding her of what they once had.When his great-granddaughter Rosie informs Papo Vega about the unresolved tension between Leo and Sofi, he springs into action with a plan and some backup. Collaborating secretly with Sofi’s mom, he’s determined to bring these two headstrong individuals back together where they truly belong.
I am giving Sleeping With the Frenemy 3 out of 5 stars. This was the first book I have read by Natalie Caña, and I loved her writing style. It was fast-paced and I loved the family aspect of the plot. This was an interconnected stand alone in the Vega Family Love Stories, and they don't necessarily require a reading order. However, it did take me a little longer to catch up to the characters and what was going on because I hadn't read the previous books. I wasn't a fan of the third act break up, and after some of the things they said to each other, I was questioning if they should be together at all. I loved Sofi and how relatable she was. I really enjoyed this book and want to read more in the Vega Family Love Stories.
Sleeping With the Frenemy by Natalie Caña comes out on October 29.
Thanks you NetGalley for this e-ARC! I really enjoyed Sleeping with the Frenemy! The author truly had me invested in the main characters, Leo and Sofi, and I truly wanted them to win and get out of their own ways. My favorite part of any family novel is the relationship with grandparents, and I loved how the authors wove the grandparents into Leo and Sofi’s love story.
I read this book without finishing the first novel in the trilogy and I wasn’t aware of the second book, but now I want to go back and read the others to learn more context about things shared in this book.
If you’re looking for a light romance novel that will touch on vulnerability, childhood trauma, and abandonment as roadblocks to love in a masterful way, check this book out!
I love this series so much. The meddling grandparents just amplify it for me. I love the dynamics within the family. This was not my favorite in the series because I struggle with the fighting or f*cking dynamic between love interests. I did like how it was resolved by the end. I also really liked the discussions about body disabilities and how pushing the body can be more damaging at times and how listening to your body is so necessary.
Wow. This was absolutely fantastic!
I love visiting the Vega family and the tension between Sofi and Leo made it all the more fun.
Leo and Sofi were dnd game from the start but got in each other’s way and made the journey so much harder. I loved them together though. His chaos blended so well with her Type A personality and made for such a unique bond.
I liked the mix of romance with the spice. The spice wasn’t overwhelming or too much.
The Vega and Santana families were too sweet. They were all up in each other’s business but in the best way possible.
One of my favourite things about this series is how much culture is embedded in the stories. I loved that Natalie felt comfortable enough to have the characters speak in Spanish and not need to translate it. Kindle and Google make it so damn easy go translate it into English if you need it without taking away from the Latinx culture.
Overall this was a sweet romance with found family, the cutest puppy and some wicked tension to boot. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a standalone rom com in a three book universe. You get more back story if you read the first two but it isn't necessary and is still a fun read!
This is my favorite of the three Vega family love stories so far! (It was also by far the steamiest/spiciest.) I just love a good second chance romance. The flashback scenes were well done and not overused. I also love how chill the best friend's brother trope seems to be, compared to the brother's best friend trope. Sofi's best friend (Kamilah!) is nothing but supportive of Sofi's relationship with her brother.
Sofi has major daddy issues, and she projects that trauma onto Leo. I didn't necessarily like this because I didn't find the characterization fair to Leo, since he's always shown up for her and is nothing like her father. Buuuuut I understand that trauma distorts reality, so I can see why Sofi would feel this way, even if it wasn't correct. She knows how to hold a grudge and run away from her problems rather than face them head on. Everybody in Leo's life seems to misunderstand him, so I can see why it hurt so much that Sofi saw him in the same way.
The third act breakup felt over the top and overdramatic (I feel this way about most third act breakups). I expected the breakup because the other two books in the series had them too, but I just wanted to grab their shoulders and shake both of them (well, I would be nice and only grab Leo's good shoulder) to stop trying to intentionally sabotage their relationship by picking a fight! Go take a second to calm down first before having a conversation because otherwise you'll say things you regret and don't actually mean! I honestly didn't think the family meddling was THAT bad, especially compared to what Papo did to bring Kamilah and Liam together.
Also, I love that his pet name for her is bombón. Their relationship dynamics are so tender and sweet, ugh.
I love the entire Vega family and can't wait to see what Natalie Caña writes next.
Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
I really wanted to like this book. The first two in the series were pretty cute. Maybe it’s because they feel so repetitive. It’s the same people, and the same boring lives, and the same immature problems caused by not communicating. I kept wanting to fall asleep reading this and actually felt depressed every time I picked it up to make myself keep reading. Finally, I had to quit. I wasn’t invested in the characters at all and didn’t care about the outcome.
Sleeping with the Frenemy was an okay, but one time read for me. I hadn't read the previous books in the series, so I had no idea what to expect with the author's writing style. The main and side characters were okay, but I can't say that there was anyone of them that I truly loved. There were sweet moments between Sofi and Leo and times, but I just wasn't feeling the chemistry between them. There where parts of the story that made me laughed out loud, but the flow of the story was slow, and it made the story drag. For me, this is a story that is forgettable the moment it's over. It wasn't a terrible story it just wasn't the one for me with all of the overdramatic moments the characters had and all of the crying they did. This story had a sweet ending, and although this wasn't a hit story for me it wasn't all terrible. It just isn't the story for me, but I would recommend readers giving the story a try to see if this is the story for them.
Enemies to lovers is done so well in this story! Sometimes I wonder if the trope is being overused, but it's novels like this that bring so much tension and angst without feeling melodramatic that make the trope feel brand new to me!
I really enjoyed this book and had lots of fun reading it. This was my first by the author and I loved the Puerto Rican representation and the romance was cute. Leo the mmc is recovering after being shot and having that affect his future. Sofi the fmc is back from her European trip and isn't happy with her job and needs a place to stay. She ends up rooming with Leo who is her on-again off-again situationship. They rekindle the situationship but they both have emotional development and growth to go through before they can be in a relationship. The romance was so steamy omg and it was good. I really liked the family moments and how important family and found family was. Overall this was a good diverse romance and I need to go back and read the other books in the series. Thank you HTP for the arc for an honest review.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for an advanced reader's copy of Natalie Caña's book, Sleeping with the Frenemy, the third book in the Vega Family Love Series. Oh, how I missed the hilarious Vega family and their drama. This crew is always up to something. Papo Vega is hilarious and is always scheming to set one of his grandchildren up. I am pretty sure he is my favorite character in this series.
The author does a beautiful job of portraying strong women who stand up for themselves and who were raised to do so. I, for one, can tell you it isn't so easy to raise girls with strong personalities. As has been said, here's to strong women: May we know them, may we be them, and may we raise them.
The relationship between Sofi and Leo is a rollercoaster, yet Ms. Caña does a wonderful job conveying how they care for each other throughout the book. Sofi has fears she has to overcome, and Leo needs to change his priorities for them to work out.
This book kept me laughing and crying, too. I recommend it, and while you don't have to read the two previous books to enjoy this one, you should help understand some of the background that comes up in it. There is a lot of Spanish in the book, which I enjoyed. I speak some Spanish, but there was a lot of it that I didn't understand. This is why I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5. I felt as though I missed out on some of what was happening.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this Advanced reader's copy. I LOVE Natalie Cana and this whole series! The Vega family is incredible and she writes their stories with authenticity, wit and lots of heart. Sleeping with the Frenemy is finally here and we get to enjoy Leo and Sofi's story. I also loved reading about previous characters, including Kamilah and Liam's wedding!! Leo and Sofi have been together since they were teens, but they have never officially been in a relationship. Sofi is back from a year abroad to find a different Leo who is recovering from a gunshot wound and struggling with his new life. I loved the bond between these two characters, who were so different but who truly knew and loved each other. They are both flawed but really care about each other, and their story has many ups and down before they get to their HEA. Cana writes beautiful stories set in the rich backdrop of Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood and a vibrant Puerto Rican community. I loved the family relationships too. A wonderful story. I can't wait to read more Natalie Cana books!!
Sleeping with the Frenemy by Natalie Caña is a great addition to the Vega Family Love Stories, focusing on Leo and Sofi. This book perfectly captures the tension and longing between the two characters, making their second-chance romance both compelling and relatable. The cultural richness, with Leo's Puerto Rican roots and Sofi's Afro-Latina heritage, adds a special layer of authenticity and depth to the story. The banter, emotional struggles, and meddling grandparents make for an engaging read that balances humor and heart. Fans of the series will love revisiting the Vega family and their lively dynamics.
Sleeping with the Frenemy by Natalie Caña was exactly what I was hoping for Leo and Sofi. Leo truly stole the show in the first two Vega Siblings boosts. I was so happy to earn he was getting his own love story. After about a year of no contact Leo and Sofi reunite and the palpable longing and chemistry is obvious. One of them has always known that there is so much left unsaid and unresolved and when the opportunity presents itself (with the help of meddling grandparents) they use the opportunity for a second chance at love. The banter between Leo and Sofi was so fun. They were such a perfect match. Both of them are dealing with a lot of things, things that impact their ability to be honest with themselves about what they want from the other. I had such a wonderful time getting to better know Leo and Sofi. I am a sucker (now) for second chance and I think Natalie did a wonderful job of it here. Im so excited for everyone to read Leo and Sofi’s story. It’s full of heart, laughs, it’s emotional and sweet. I always love revisiting the Vega Family and their shenanigans not to mention the culture Natalie imbues into the story. It’s wonderful seeing people proud of their Latine heritage and as a Latina myself I loved all the Spanish and the song references. It felt special and intimate. Check this one out and if you haven’t I’d recommend reading A Proposal They Can’t Refuse and A Dish Best Served Hot first!! 4.25⭐️
Just wrapped up Leo and Sofi’s story, and I’ve got to say it was a blast! I’ve been itching to dive into their story since they were hinted at in the earlier books, and it totally delivered. The sparks between them? So good! The mix of steamy moments and tension kept me flipping pages like crazy. I loved how their cultural backgrounds were woven into the story. Leo’s Puerto Rican vibe and Sofi’s Afro-Latina perspective really added something special. Sofi’s experience with not always being recognized as Latina felt super real. The mental health angle was handled really well too. Both Leo and Sofi had their own issues to sort out, and it was refreshing to see that being part of the story. The third-act breakup? Yeah, it hurt, but it made sense and wasn’t just drama for drama’s sake. Hanging out with the Vega family again was awesome, and Leo and Sofi’s romance was everything I hoped for. I’m really hoping we get more books about the other siblings because I’m not ready to let them go yet!
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Seriously, get ready for this one!