Reviews with content warning for Racism - Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp

15 reviews

sydthewitch's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

Sweet and sympathetic. An absolutely cozy read about growing up, the many expressions of love, and the meaning of hope that will have you craving ojos de pancha.

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jens3's review

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emotional inspiring slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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beb989's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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caroliner_readss's review

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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stephsbooktalk's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Audiobook: This was an enjoyable audiobook told from two POVS - one from Pen and the other Xander. Pen's father owns a restaurant called Nacho's Tacos where Xander begins working. Pen does not want to work at her father's restaurant but instead a pastry shop. This causes major conflict between her parents and her. Xander comes to America as an immigrant and longs for a family. This is definitely an important listen as it tackles racism, hate crime & the paranoia of possibly being deported.

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amandalorianxo's review

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

So I know there is romance in this book but I felt more connected with Pen and Xander when they weren’t being coupley. I liked both of their separate storylines as we experience both their POV’s (more Pen then Xander) Kemp doesn’t shy away from police brutality / mannerisms with immigrants. The slight scare/ horror that you could be deported with a simple stop. The ways in which anxiety and depression could mess with you in more ways than one. I wasn’t the biggest believer in the romance - it felt abrupt without a lot of buildup. Overall, as a debut this was great if you are looking for generational Chicano representation set in Texas.

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akuatsu's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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betweentheshelves's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This YA contemporary definitely packs a lot off issues into it, filed with great characters and references to some delicious food. I think the romance between Pen and Xander unfolds really naturally, and adds to the tone of the story. Plus, the audiobook features a song written for the book, which is pretty cool!

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wordrevel's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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ashlightgrayson's review

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This story was incredibly heartwarming, and as a Latinx person myself, made me feel like I was joining a family and a new home. The way Kemp describes the atmosphere in the restaurant makes you feel like you are there in-person. She also has an accurate depiction about how a lot of Latinx families are not great at addressing mental health concerns and male figures in Latinx culture have difficulty expressing emotion. Pen and Xander embody the struggles of many Mexican and Mexican Americans youths in the United States. Pen wishes to follow her dream of owning her own business as her parents have done. However, she must fight against her family's expectations that she obtain a college education and take advantage of the opportunities that they have worked so hard for her to have. Xander deals with the abandonment of his parents as well as surviving in an atmosphere where illegal immigrants are not welcome. The characters also feel genuine and relatable and are independently engaging. I'm looking forward to future books published by Kemp. Hopefully her previously independently published The Girl in Between series will be traditionally published, or something similar in the future. I'm always down for a fantasy story.

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