Sparks fly and tempers flare in the passionate, un-put-downable rivals-to-lovers romance that launches a sizzling new series from Lopez (the Filthy Rich series). Alejandra "Alex" Torres, "the Best Bitch in Bartending," moves back home to Freedom, Kans., to revive her grandmother's failing bar, Loretta's, a staple of her Mexican American neighborhood; prove herself to her family; and revamp her career. Unfortunately, the building's upstairs tenant, sexy and charmingly nerdy professor Jeremiah Post, has plans to turn Loretta's into a museum and quickly proves a thorn in Alex's side, despite their immediate electric chemistry. But when a local development company starts buying up abandoned properties and sets its sights on Loretta's, the pair are forced to work together. There are rumors of a family treasure hidden somewhere in the building--just what they need to save the bar--but Alex and Jeremiah will have to put aside their differences to find it. Reserved Jeremiah and ballsy Alex shine as Lopez expertly peels back their layers, and together they make an endearing power couple. Lopez seamlessly blends high-heat romance with discussions of Alex's heritage and the fascinating history of 19th-century Mexican immigrants to the Kansas plains. This is a treasure. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary. (July)

Alex Torres-Armstead and Jeremiah Post want the same thing: the building that currently houses Alex's grandmother's bar, Loretta's. Bartender Alex thinks she can whip the bar into shape, then leave for the next rung on her career ladder. Jeremiah, who lives in one of the tenant rooms upstairs, has his own secret plans for the space. Alex doesn't trust rich, white Jeremiah to have her Mexican American community's best interests in his plans. Jeremiah isn't sure why Alex has such a large, angry chip on her shoulder, but he can't seem to budge it long enough for her to listen to his ideas. When they find out that other, more nefarious parties want the building and don't have any qualms about how they get it, Alex and Jeremiah call a truce. Working together to save Loretta's uncovers past secrets; can it also break down the barriers they've built around their hearts? The story moves quickly, with engaging writing and a complex, layered plot that pulls readers into Jeremiah and Alex's developing relationship. VERDICT Lopez's ("Filthy Rich" series) likeable protagonists, with immediate chemistry and connection, shine in this steamy novel (the first in a planned series). Recommended for general purchase.--Heather Miller Cover

After completely blowing up her bartending career in Chicago, Alejandra "Alex" Torres heads back home to Freedom, Kansas, to convince her grandmother Loretta to sell her namesake bar to Alex and her sisters. Alex is convinced that she can rebuild and rebrand the bar on Milagro Street as a drinks-and-dining destination. However, it turns out that Alex isn't the only one interested in the building. Drool-worthy professor Jeremiah Post, who has been renting a spare room above the bar from Loretta, wants to turn the building into a museum celebrating the town's Mexican American historical heritage. Not since Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper mixed it up personally and professionally in Ball of Fire has there been such a marvelously mismatched yet inevitably perfect-for-each-other pair of protagonists as Lopez's (Hate Crush, 2020) sexy mixologist and sweet professor. They generate plenty of sizzling chemistry and muy caliente love scenes. Combine with an engaging plot that celebrates Mexican American history, and you have a romance with both heat and heart.