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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
This was rightfully cute! One of my favorite things about it was the way recipes were incorporated between chapters. Not only were there some really great recipes included in here, but they also directly connected to what was going on in Syd's life. Fair warning-this book will probably make you hungry!
I think the romance element was done pretty well, too. You can right off the bat that Syd and Harley have chemistry, and even though Syd is getting out of a relationship, they are just so perfect together. Plus, there are some great side characters who really round out this queer bakery haven in Austin, Texas.
Some of the magic baking stuff wasn't quite believable, especially towards the end there. However, I did enjoy Syd's journey and think this is an absolutely adorable queer baking romance.
I think the romance element was done pretty well, too. You can right off the bat that Syd and Harley have chemistry, and even though Syd is getting out of a relationship, they are just so perfect together. Plus, there are some great side characters who really round out this queer bakery haven in Austin, Texas.
Some of the magic baking stuff wasn't quite believable, especially towards the end there. However, I did enjoy Syd's journey and think this is an absolutely adorable queer baking romance.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
crackedspines_'s review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
ARC REVIEW
Thank you so much to @candlewickpress for my ARC!
REP: agender bisexual main character, demisexual transgender/non-binary love interest, many queer central side characters (trans woman, several polyamorous characters, a pansexual drag queen, etc), Black, Latine, and other POC side characters
OVERALL: This was one of my most anticipated of the year and it did NOT disappoint! It’s my ideal book. Queer-normative, an almost entirely queer cast, sweet, comforting + easy to read. This is a new comfort read for me. I can see myself rereading it whenever I want the familiarity of a reread or to escape.
PLOT: I’m obsessed with the premise of this book. It was so much fun to watch Syd figure out Syd’s magic and try to clean up the messes made by it. The romance was also really cute.
SETTING: the Proud Muffin sounds incredible - freshly made baked goods in a cozy bakery with a queer community space. I’m obsessed with it.
WORLD-BUILDING: The world-building is very light, which I loved. For most of the book there’s minimal explanation of the magic system; just Syd exploring and slowly learning. Towards the end there’s a short explanation that goes a bit more in-depth. I enjoyed the light world-building. It made the book more relaxing. But the explanations at the end were also fun! It was the perfect amount to answer some questions without a complex magic system.
STRUCTURE: The recipes are so fun!!! The recipes for genders and things like “the best day” were fun to read, and all of the baked goods sound delicious. I’m excited to bake my way through this book.
THEMES: Despite being a lighthearted, fun read, The Heartbreak Bakery also delves into some more thoughtful, emotional topics. We follow Syd’s journey of learning Syd has magic and falling in love with Harley, but also of learning more about Syd’s own emotions and facing hard truths about Syd’s ex + their relationship.
WRITING: The writing is absolutely beautiful. The book is full of food/baking metaphors and it really made it feel like I got to see the world through Syd’s eyes.
CHARACTERS: I mentioned this above but Syd has such an amazing character arc. And I loved all of the characters - Harley, Marisol, Jessalee…all of them are well developed, lovable, and fun.
Thank you so much to @candlewickpress for my ARC!
REP: agender bisexual main character, demisexual transgender/non-binary love interest, many queer central side characters (trans woman, several polyamorous characters, a pansexual drag queen, etc), Black, Latine, and other POC side characters
OVERALL: This was one of my most anticipated of the year and it did NOT disappoint! It’s my ideal book. Queer-normative, an almost entirely queer cast, sweet, comforting + easy to read. This is a new comfort read for me. I can see myself rereading it whenever I want the familiarity of a reread or to escape.
PLOT: I’m obsessed with the premise of this book. It was so much fun to watch Syd figure out Syd’s magic and try to clean up the messes made by it. The romance was also really cute.
SETTING: the Proud Muffin sounds incredible - freshly made baked goods in a cozy bakery with a queer community space. I’m obsessed with it.
WORLD-BUILDING: The world-building is very light, which I loved. For most of the book there’s minimal explanation of the magic system; just Syd exploring and slowly learning. Towards the end there’s a short explanation that goes a bit more in-depth. I enjoyed the light world-building. It made the book more relaxing. But the explanations at the end were also fun! It was the perfect amount to answer some questions without a complex magic system.
STRUCTURE: The recipes are so fun!!! The recipes for genders and things like “the best day” were fun to read, and all of the baked goods sound delicious. I’m excited to bake my way through this book.
THEMES: Despite being a lighthearted, fun read, The Heartbreak Bakery also delves into some more thoughtful, emotional topics. We follow Syd’s journey of learning Syd has magic and falling in love with Harley, but also of learning more about Syd’s own emotions and facing hard truths about Syd’s ex + their relationship.
WRITING: The writing is absolutely beautiful. The book is full of food/baking metaphors and it really made it feel like I got to see the world through Syd’s eyes.
CHARACTERS: I mentioned this above but Syd has such an amazing character arc. And I loved all of the characters - Harley, Marisol, Jessalee…all of them are well developed, lovable, and fun.
Content Warnings
Minor: Dysphoria, Fatphobia, and Transphobia
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