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library_kb's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.25
This was a great book to finish out my Nerdy Bookclub Reading Challenge. The character development of Pen and Xander was so amazing, that very early in the story I was invested in them and their challenges and lives. Pen's struggles with depression and Xander's struggles with being undocumented and not feeling like he belongs were treated with such care, but also honesty. I liked the setting of the restaurant and cooking. The one critique I have is that I think the ending wrapped up a little quickly--I would have been willing to read a more drawn out and deeper ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Deportation and Abandonment
beb989's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Violence, Alcohol, Mental illness, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism
betweentheshelves's review
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Racism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Alcoholism and Stalking
marissasbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
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 book was definitely more sweet than bitter! Hehe. We get POVs from Pen and Xander, two different narrators in the audiobook and both were excellent. Pen and Xander are easy to like and root for, and I loved their individual growth over the course of the story and the growth of their relationship with each other.
There is a good plot here, but I would say it's more character-based. A lot of the plot has to do with Pen and Xander coming of age and figuring out who they are, and parts of it felt a little unrealistic (but this is true for most YA books I think). The setting was wonderful though—there are so many food descriptions in this book, you will be hungry throughout the whole book! I loved all the scenes at Nacho's Tacos, Pen's dad's restaurant (major flashbacks for me, I worked at my dad's restaurant as a kid), and the family aspect within this community and all that I learned about Mexican culture. So many good developed side characters too.
Overall I enjoyed this quick audiobook and this sweet story! Now I'm gonna go eat some tacos.
Thank you to Libro.fm, Hachette Audio, and the author for my ALC.
Read if you like: eating, cooking, community families, not backing down.
There is a good plot here, but I would say it's more character-based. A lot of the plot has to do with Pen and Xander coming of age and figuring out who they are, and parts of it felt a little unrealistic (but this is true for most YA books I think). The setting was wonderful though—there are so many food descriptions in this book, you will be hungry throughout the whole book! I loved all the scenes at Nacho's Tacos, Pen's dad's restaurant (major flashbacks for me, I worked at my dad's restaurant as a kid), and the family aspect within this community and all that I learned about Mexican culture. So many good developed side characters too.
Overall I enjoyed this quick audiobook and this sweet story! Now I'm gonna go eat some tacos.
Thank you to Libro.fm, Hachette Audio, and the author for my ALC.
Read if you like: eating, cooking, community families, not backing down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
bookiecharm's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
meagankc21's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Full of lush and delicious language that perfectly embodies the sense of family, community and culture.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Mental illness
Content deals with living with depressionintrovertinterrupted's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Bullying
Minor: Stalking
utopiastateofmind's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the Libro.fm. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet is a stunning and emotional book. It perfectly encapsulates the experiences that leave your heart tinged with bitterness. That threaten to overwhelm your entire taste palette. That you're not sure if you'll ever taste anything again. While also celebrating moments of sweetness. Sugar that rolls over your tongue and lulls you into a moment. A memory sweeping you away on dusted pastries. It's a sweeping and moving book about family and future. About figuring out how to pursue our own futures in the shadows of legacies.
To try to escape the ghosts and uncertainties of haunted mistakes. It can tear an abyss in our heart when the ones we love don't understand our dreams. When these decisions rip us apart, putting a gulf of space between us. Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet will have your mouth watering. But my favorite element of the book has to be the characters. They unfurl before us and to each other across the pages. We witness their dreams, ambitions, and hopes curl in the fire. Taking bloom, rising from the ashes, and swirling in the wind.
Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet is a stunning and emotional book. It perfectly encapsulates the experiences that leave your heart tinged with bitterness. That threaten to overwhelm your entire taste palette. That you're not sure if you'll ever taste anything again. While also celebrating moments of sweetness. Sugar that rolls over your tongue and lulls you into a moment. A memory sweeping you away on dusted pastries. It's a sweeping and moving book about family and future. About figuring out how to pursue our own futures in the shadows of legacies.
To try to escape the ghosts and uncertainties of haunted mistakes. It can tear an abyss in our heart when the ones we love don't understand our dreams. When these decisions rip us apart, putting a gulf of space between us. Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet will have your mouth watering. But my favorite element of the book has to be the characters. They unfurl before us and to each other across the pages. We witness their dreams, ambitions, and hopes curl in the fire. Taking bloom, rising from the ashes, and swirling in the wind.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
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