A proposal they can't refuse

Third-generation Puerto Rican chef Kamilah Vega lives and breathes her family's restaurant. It's barely breaking even, but with her grandfather's help, Kamilah thinks she could renovate it. Meanwhile, neighbor Liam Kane is trying to bring his family's distillery up to highest level. He and his grandfather have worked for the past decade on perfecting their craft, but now Granda is dying of cancer. The two grandfathers plot to bring their grandchildren together, and they aren't above using emotional blackmail to do it. They are right to try, since Kamilah and Liam fit together. Kamilah's natural buoyancy is tempered by Liam's self-consciousness, and his introspection is leveled out by her love of spreading joy through food. Valentina Ortiz is vibrant in her accented performance as Kamilah, a woman making her dreams come true. Her voicing of Liam is more circumspect, imbuing his voice with appropriate steadiness. Listeners will also appreciate the delightful Irish lilt that she brings to Liam's grandfather's voice. Ortiz brings Caña's charming debut alive and lets the humor and heat between the characters shine through. VERDICT This sweet, funny, hot, and poignant story hits all the right notes. Libraries should purchase.--Jodi L. Israel