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jocauliflower's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
absolutely beautiful, what an incredibly vivid story. i can't think of what to say other than i loved this with my whole heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Vomit, and Death of parent
megan_harper's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.5
This book has wonderfully developed characters who are complicated and imperfect but relatable. It doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects. In fact, it embraces many of them. I love the relationship between Imani and Abuela, the love and connection between them was very evident.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism
k_fry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
I love how tenderly Acevedo wrote teen perspectives, giving them so much dignity, maturity, and growth that felt realistic. It’s not often that I come across a YA where there isn’t at least one unbelievably written character but every one of them in this story had wonderful depth. Of course, mistakes are made but they’re teens so it’s expected - the beauty of the story is how they react or learn believably.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Minor: Racism, Homophobia, Child death, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Lesbophobia, and Abortion
lilybear3's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Elizabeth Acevedo never misses. I took way too long to read this book. She has a git in storytelling and writing beautifully. Nothing in this story felt forced and she took the time to develop each character. Even if they weren't in the story that much, I felt like I knew them well and they fit in perfectly. I love Emoni and how she is always proud to be a mother and stands up for herself and her daughter. There's so much love in this story. Plus there's a few recipes!
My only critique is that I think the story could've been a tad shorter. Like I would've been happy with the story ending aftershe gets back from Spain and she has a new boyfriend, 'Buela has a boyfriend, and she gets accepted into college. I personally don't mind an open ending with speculation. However, I think for most readers of YA, it's nice to have all the loose ends tied up and to end the story at the end of the school year. Though I appreciated tying up the ends with Tyrone and Julio.
I'll always recommend her audiobooks as well. I didn't listen to this book, but Elizabeth does the audio and I'm sure it's amazing! I fell in love with her audios of The Poet X (her own book) and Pride by Ibi Zoboi.
My only critique is that I think the story could've been a tad shorter. Like I would've been happy with the story ending after
I'll always recommend her audiobooks as well. I didn't listen to this book, but Elizabeth does the audio and I'm sure it's amazing! I fell in love with her audios of The Poet X (her own book) and Pride by Ibi Zoboi.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual content, Death, Cursing, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Gun violence, and Vomit
frawst_disasta_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
I could not stop listening. I wanted to know more about what happens and I kept rooting for everyone. The food felt like a beautiful buttercream icing on a solid and delicious cake.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Abortion
carrot2025's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
This is by far one of my favorite books by Elizabeth Acevedo. It's a wonderful story about how the only mistake you can make in life, is not following your dreams. It's was so amazing getting to ready a story about a single teen mom and her struggles growing up as a poor mixed kid. Watching her grow from a more quiet girl who does what she can to please everyone around her while also feeling guilty for all the pain she's caused into a girl who is willing to do what she has to for her daughter and her own happiness. I love that at no point she's ever told that can't be a chef just because she has a daughter.
It's an amazing read and I highly recommend it to anyone.
It's an amazing read and I highly recommend it to anyone.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Racism, Abortion, and Classism
For the most part it's a very happy book though since it's also realistic, there are mentions of the above topics though nothing that majorly detracts from the overall hopefully message of the storyvictoriousbookworm's review
emotional
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Death of parent and Abortion
veskumelooni's review against another edition
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Gun violence
jeanettesreadingcorner's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
- Emoni is such a loving and caring mom. Even while juggling high school, friendships, cooking, teen drama, and everything else life throws at her. Her growth is incredible to be a part of.
- Malachi! The sweetest love interest. Malachi is so thoughtful and cute. He respects Emoni’s boundaries and situations with her daughter. The romance between them is honest and genuine. Malachi and Emoni on the trip to Spain is 🔥🥰💋💕
- Emoni’s passion for cooking is amazing. The descriptions of the food and how she cooks is magical. I want to try all of the dishes and recipes in the book. Cooking is not a common hobby in books and it’s cool to see it highlighted in this story. The descriptions of the food and how she cooks is magical. I love how proud Emoni’s of her culture and background!
- Elizabeth Acevedo’s writing is so poetic and lyrical. She gives Emoni such a powerful and compelling voice.
- My life and Emoni’s are so different. However, I still feel like I can relate and connect to her character. I love books like that.
- The setting of the Philadelphia city life was new and fun for me to read. Especially the slang words and pride the characters have for Philly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Outing, Murder, Gun violence, and Lesbophobia
lizziea229's review
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment