A Proposal They Can’t Refuse by Natalie Cana

This book was grabbed as part of a sale on Audible and the made the road trip this book was listened to on so much more enjoyable. The author has managed to capture real family dynamics, yes some extra drama was tossed in because it is a book, but so many people can see their family members in the large Vega family or in Liam and his grandfather. The pace of the story was great, and the pattern clearly fit the rom-com format, which is a shame because there was a point you hoped there would not be a misunderstanding or fight that caused the fake relationship turned real relationship to fall apart. Of course Kamilah and Liam end up together at the end of the book, but it is the fun crazy ride they are on that makes the book worth reading (or listening to). The grandfathers who set this crazy plot in motion might be a little extra, but if the reader thinks about it they probably know old men like this. The best part of the story is not when Liam takes Kamilah to a pumpkin patch, or when she gives away the tickets for the rides since he no longer goes on them, or when each of them realizes they do love the other one. It is at the end when abuelo is talking to Granda in the sky and realizes he is a matchmaker and sets up the next book in the series.
As this was listened to on a road trip, there is no list of characters as writing and driving is not a wise thing to do. The list below is of some characters, whose names may be misspelled and not all characters are mentioned.

Kamilah Vega – granddaughter to abeulo, works at the family restaurant, wants to update the menu and restaurant because the neighborhood is changing and she promised abeula that she would keep the restaurant open. Her mother constantly points out what Kamilah is doing wrong, her mistakes, and disappointments.  Her abeulo and his best friend own the building the restaurant is in and offer her and Liam control of each of the business if the two get married. After a fight with Liam and then her family she realizes that she has been trying to keep her family’s business together without letting others know what is really going on.

Liam Kane – owns the distillery with his Granda in the same building as Kamilah’s family restaurant. Was friends with Kamilah since childhood, but after the accident he started to pull away. Wants to expand the distillery but does not have the support of his partner Granda. Is excited that his father’s special blend is going to be ready this year and he and his Granda enter the distillery in a contest. Is impressed with how Kamilah makes food with his whiskey to help the tasting be more appealing. Remembers that Kamilah is afraid of thunderstorms and comforting her during one leads to them cementing their feelings for each other are more than just an act.

Leo – Kamilah’s brother who is a firefighter. Teases Kamilah and gives her a hard time. Locked out on the roof during a thunderstorm as a kid, which lead to her fear of thunderstorms and going to the hospital with pneumonia. Does check on Kamilah when there are thunderstorms.

Saint – Kamilah’s oldest brother, who has a daughter (who is not speaking in class). After the family fight, he takes Kamilah in and goes to collect her clothes from Liam’s apartment. Asks why Kamilah never told him how unhappy she was or came to him for help. She explained after he lost his wife he was going through enough.

Granda – Liam’s grandfather from Ireland became bestfriends with abeulo during the war and the two bought a building in Chicago to start their businesses. He has cancer and uses that as guilt to get Liam to agree to the deal of marrying Kamilah.

Abeulo – Kamilah’s grandfather, lives with Granda in a senior center. The two of them are constantly getting in trouble at the senior center for pulling pranks and causing mischief. Realizes that he has a knack for matchmaking and thinks he might help a few more of his grandkids find love.

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