Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I had a lot of fun reading A Dish Best Served Hot! I remember enjoying the first book in this series, and was interested in how this one would unfold. I really enjoyed watching Saint and Lola learn how to love each other (again). At times I felt more interested in what was happening with Leo than what was happening with the main characters, which is a little problematic but also has me excited for the next book.

If you love romance but don’t have a Natalie Cana book on your shelf, what are you waiting for? A Dish Best Served Hot has only a few of my favorite tropes: second chance, big family, single parent, arguably “governess” too. Beyond the tropes is an authentic love story about two endearing but flawed people who strive to be their best selves. And Natalie Cana’s books are unapologetically latine! The way culture, language, and social topics are integrated into the love story makes me happy beyond measure. I’ll read anything she writes.

Book two in the "Vegas Family Love Stories" and it did not disappoint.

Saint: our strong and silent main man. Single dad (widower), always dependable, feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. Will do anything for his family. And he's madly in love with Lola. The girl who disappeared 13 years ago.

Lola: our strong, social warrior. She's feisty and independent. She's made it her mission to protect the vulnerable in her community. Returning to her childhood neighbourhood, Lola comes face to face with the man who stole her heart years ago.

The sparks fly (Saint might not say much, but he sure thinks about a *lot* of things when it comes to Lola), but will the two be able to put their differences aside and see that together they are stronger, better, and happier?

Don't be fooled by the cute cover - this story not only gives us a cute love story but it also explores trauma, community activism and gentrification.

I loved the evolution of the characters, the extended cast of the Vegas family and I am anxiously awaiting Leo and Sofi's story -- because that one is going to be FIRE.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in return for my honest review.

What a fantastic love story! I love the characters, flaws and all. And I love their love story.

This is the second book in a series. I have not read the first, and there were a couple of times where I wondered what the references toward the couple from the first book were, but overall, this stands on its own. Caña writes vivid and strong-willed characters that you can't help but love. Not just the main characters, Saint and Lola, but their fiesta and fiery grandfathers as well. And this second-chance love story is fantastic. I absolutely want to go back and read the first book in the series. And I will read any book by Caña going forward.

Please read this.

I loved this even more than book 1! I really enjoyed the dynamics between Lola, Rosie, and Saint! It sounds like book 3 is in the works and I'll be waiting for it!

Natalie Caña is proof that you don't have to stick your head in the sand to be able to escape into a book. A Dish Best Served Hot serves up tough topics with realism, sensitivity, grace, and sometimes tough doses of reality. And yet the whole read still give those fuzzy romance vibes from beginning to end.

Natalie's characters are *perfection* in this series. I love the Vega family and everyone they pull into their orbit. The dialogue is so well written. Lola is probably my favorite female main character of the year. I identify with so much about Lola, namely her physique and how she has felt about her body in different parts of her life.

I don't read a ton of romance with kids but Rosie is arguably the lead of this book. The most adorable kiddo and excellently crafted into this story.

I truly loved everything about this book and the third book in the series is 100%, hands down my most anticipated book of 2024.

I am absolutely in love with the Vega family and had so much fun following Saint and Lola's love story! Similar to A Proposal They Cant Refuse, one of my favorite aspects of this book was the meddling abuelos and I cannot wait to see how abuelo plays a part in the next book between Leo and Sofie!

My only con about this book was that sometimes the family drama (on both sides) got in the way of Saint and Lola's love story.

Pick this one up if you like:
- second chance romance
- single dad
- big family full of drama
- bi FMC rep
- diverse characters

A Dish Best Served Hot offered a lighthearted and humorous reading experience, making it an enjoyable escape; however, it fell short of my expectations for a romance novel. The narrative seemed to lack the depth and passion characteristic of the genre, leaving me yearning for a more pronounced romantic element. Despite this, the author's witty writing style and comedic flair were undeniable strengths, injecting the story with charm and levity. While the book may not have fully satisfied my romance cravings, it still managed to entertain with its humor and engaging prose.

This was hot, but also very fulfilling. The Latine family representation is spot on, these characters were amazing to read. I loved the first book but this one takes the number one spot.

When I read the first book in this series, A Proposal They Can’t Refuse, I knew I’d love the Vega family and their friends more and more as this series progressed. You don’t have to have read the first book to read and love this one, but I’m enjoying getting to know this boisterous cast of characters.

While I enjoyed the first book, I liked this one even more. It’s another slow burn, but with the amazing chemistry that Saint and Lola have there were plenty of sparks leading up to their fire. They were both being careful before jumping in, with good reason. Saint is a single father and Lola is the woman who disappeared on him back when they were just out of high school. Lola’s father was the local gang/drug lord and she has always wanted to make sure the stereotype she lives under doesn’t rub off on those she loves. Lola and Saint are thrown back together when their grandfathers decide to wage a prank war against each other in their senior living home. There is angst and fun along with yearning and old hurts.

Something I noticed before and that came back to me while reading this book, the author does a beautiful job of incorporating the multilingual aspects of the characters and their community. I’m one of those readers who always wants to know what everything means. Be it the mention of a tree I’m unfamiliar with or a sentence in a language I don’t speak, I tend to stop reading and look it up. My brain has a hard time moving past it if I don’t. The author artfully weaves these multilingual conversations together with plenty of subtext and responses in English that I never questioned what was being said. She does it without having the characters repeat or interpret the Spanish, but in a way that is organic and feels like a naturally flowing conversation. That alone shows me her talent.

I appreciate the way the characters in this story always own up to their shortcomings once they realize what they are. Not only that, but their community is open to accepting the apology and not holding past mistakes against them. Lola is an extremely strong and independent woman who will fight with a single-minded focus to help those who are usually ignored or dismissed. While Saint believes in the things Lola does, his focus centers more on his family and his fierce protective nature when it comes to all of his cousins and siblings. Neither realize how much air they can take up when they are on a tear. This makes them perfect for each other while also making them terrible for each other. This book is about them finding that happy medium that allows them to find joy in life instead of always being “on”.

There are so many characters in these books I want to see get their HEA. Hopefully, they all will in time.

I am absolutely in love with the Vega Family series. Caña has done it again with this one, and i'll be not so patiently waiting for the next one to arrive.

The quiet brother and the firecracker former love collide again, you'd think instant sparks. But time changes people and that was absolutely the case for Saint and Lola. I had been curious about who Saint was and what his impact would be to this story line for a while because he was the quiet brother in the previous story. It seemed like he would be the easy brother who didn't really have problems. Boy was I wrong. Saint is working through survivor guilt, anxiety, PTSD, and so many other mental health problems that many Veterans experience. Lola is atoning for the sins of her father, wanting to do good in the community despite how hurtful her father was.

Through all of this I loved how involved the Vega family was and how much they wanted Saint to find his happy. The real star of the show was Rosie. I was in love with her personality and she was such an integral piece of the story even though you wouldn't think a 4 year old child could be that much of a piece. I was wrapped up with her development and her relationships with Saint and Lola and her Vega family.

Overall, this is so much more than just about actual family. It's about the family you find and fight for. It's about being proud in who you are. It's also about how you can be loyal to your beliefs while also having to do something you don't want to do. I loved the complexity of this novel because it wasn't clear at times what might happen and if we would get a happy end. I will gladly read as many books as Caña publishes. 4.75/5 stars rounded to 5/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, MIRA, and Natalie Caña for my advanced copy in return for an honest review.

When Lola returns to her childhood neighborhood in Chicago and unexpectedly runs into her ex Saint, past feelings begin to boil over. On top of their grandfathers feuding at their senior living facility, Lola is now Saint’s daughter’s kindergarten teacher. Add to that that Lola’s beloved LGBTQ+ homeless shelter is being renovated by Saint’s family construction company. Saint and Lola are put head to head on multiple occasions. Saint can’t help but love Lola’s fighting spirit and Lola loves Saint’s kind heart and familial loyalty.
Can the obstacles in their path help create a new beginning? Or will they just prove Lola and Saint were never meant to be?

This was another home run of a read by Natalie Cana. A story focused on second chance romance but also highlights current political issues such as gentrification and LGBTQ+ rights. I adore how the author highlights mental health issues such as PTSD and social anxiety with the main characters as well. What a perfect second book to this wonderful series!

I read this book in a day and I never looked back! The twist and the plot were pretty easy to identify but the different POV's kept me intrigued to see how everything was going to unfold. A couple of the characters were so unlikable that it made it hard to feel bad or connect with them in any way. I do wish that the ending would've given a little more, I wanted to know how the characters dealt with the aftermath.


*I received a copy of this eARC via NetGalley*

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.