Natalie Caña’s Vega Family series has grown on me. Centered around a Puerto Rican family and community in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, the books in this series feel alive. The romance is the central relationship in each book, but they happen with in the context of family and friendships. A Proposal They Can’t Refuse sets the scene with the family restaurant, El Coquí, meddling grandparents, and the younger generations’ mission to fight gentrification and strengthen the existing community. A Dish Best Served Hot continues the theme of community building and meddling elders. Sleeping With the Frenemy wraps up some of the loose ends from Proposal, but I hope we get many more Vega Family love stories.
Sofi declared herself done with the Vega family when Kamilah revealed that she had lied about why she didn’t go to Paris a decade earlier. In cutting off the Vega family, Sofi also ended her secret off and on situationship with Leo Vega. And then she took a year to do the world traveling she had thought she would do with Kamilah years before. While she was abroad, Leo was shot, damaging his shoulder and possibly ending his career as a firefighter.
I’ve been anticipating Sofi and Leo’s story and was so happy to read it. Sofi and Leo are both at points where their lives aren’t going the way they wanted. Sofi quickly makes amends with Kamilah and is welcomed back into the Vega family, though Leo is unwilling to jump back in to their secret situationship. Enter the meddlesome elders, Papo Vega (a three time offender as a meddling matchmaker) and Sofi’s Abuela Fina. These two know that Sofi and Leo have feelings for each other, and need to be thrown together repeatedly in order to acknowledge it. Meanwhile, there are professional futures to sort out, family expectations to work through, fears to face, and a puppy to raise.
Be prepared for all the feelings. A bad father gets dealt with, family misunderstandings are worked through, and friendships are healed. Caña is not afraid to go hard on the third act break up. And she needed to get some stubborn character to look beyond their noses. It’s fantastic.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Harlequin and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.