Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing,  October 31, 2023

Format: ebook

Pages: 400

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary (Goodreads):

Santiago “Saint” Vega gets a second shot at love with Lola León, but when duty to his family forces him to do something she’ll never forgive, will everything he’s built come crumbling down?

Years ago, Santiago “Saint” Vega walked away from the girl he loved to fulfill his duty. Now the word duty has become both his motto and his albatross. He’s already struggling to build bridges between his drifting family, take on more responsibilities at his uncle’s construction company, figure out why his daughter refuses to talk at school and curtail his mischievous abuelo’s escalating pranks. Then she walks back into his life.

Social justice advocate Lola León has returned to Humboldt Park for two reasons: to help care for her dear abuelo and to serve the community center she loved, particularly the shelter for unhoused LGBTQIA+ youths. When she finds out that the Vegas are responsible for endangering both, she is more than ready to go to war, even if Saint— the boy she never forgot—is standing at the front of the battlefield.

Neither of them expects to become allies in saving the shelter, helping Saint’s daughter or ending the decades-long feud between their grandfathers. They definitely don’t expect all of their old feelings to come rushing back. As Saint and Lola enter combat, they can’t help but wonder where the other’s true allegiance lies, and whether they’ll win these battles only to lose the war and, ultimately, each other.

My Review:

Read if you like: Second Chance Romance
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Saint and Lola were high school sweethearts who became separated due to outside circumstances. Years later they reconnect when Lola moves back to the neighbourhood, but while there is still chemistry and a spark between the two, both have grown and changed a lot since high school.
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I really liked both protagonists. Lola is fiery and fierce and is willing to fight for those who are marginalized. Saint is a dedicated member of his family and an amazing dad who would do anything for his daughter. I appreciated how the author handled Lola’s relationship with Rosie and how she went about getting to know her.
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Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for the copy of this book.