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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
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:
No
I thought this was a pretty cute book! I liked Amy and Rose’s friendship, as well as Amy’s relationship with her sister. I did actually like the star-crossed Romeo and Juliet aspect! Miguel was a pretty solid love interest, but I wasn’t a big fan of the insta-love. I also thought the grudge aspect got a little annoying after a while. The pacing in the middle was really slow and I found the plot to get a little predictable. The writing was also pretty easy to digest.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
No
What a fun read!! I enjoyed reading Guava and Grudges so much! The characters were so animated and fun. I loved the mix of romance and family drama. I don’t read a lot of YA but I had so much fun reading this book. I love baking so reading a book about an aspiring pastry chef kept me really invested in the characters and story.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a cute, lighthearted story about two teens liking each other only to discover they're from rival families.
Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of culinary school, but she's reluctant to tell her parents who own one of two Cuban bakeries in town. When she's on a UCLA college tour, she meets an amazing guy named Miguel and has a wonderful day with him, never to see him again. Until he sees her at a party back home six months later. It must be fate, except she finds out he's related to the OTHER Cuban family in town - her family's bitter rivals.
I liked the story pretty well. It's full of good food, good humor, and family drama. I would have liked to see a little more of the rivalry and maybe one fewer of the On/Off between Ana Maria and Miguel. I loved that the Moraleses and Ybarras retained their culture in the Pacific Northwest and passed it on to their families. I need some of that food immediately.
Side note: What is going on with that cover? The text says that Miguel has golden tan skin and dark hair, and Ana Maria has coal-black hair and light brown skin. The cover looks like two pale white kids with middle brown hair.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of culinary school, but she's reluctant to tell her parents who own one of two Cuban bakeries in town. When she's on a UCLA college tour, she meets an amazing guy named Miguel and has a wonderful day with him, never to see him again. Until he sees her at a party back home six months later. It must be fate, except she finds out he's related to the OTHER Cuban family in town - her family's bitter rivals.
I liked the story pretty well. It's full of good food, good humor, and family drama. I would have liked to see a little more of the rivalry and maybe one fewer of the On/Off between Ana Maria and Miguel. I loved that the Moraleses and Ybarras retained their culture in the Pacific Northwest and passed it on to their families. I need some of that food immediately.
Side note: What is going on with that cover? The text says that Miguel has golden tan skin and dark hair, and Ana Maria has coal-black hair and light brown skin. The cover looks like two pale white kids with middle brown hair.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really loved Ana Maria's story! It was very relatable and touching. I loved seeing how she gained confidence in herself and her dreams of becoming a famous pastry chef.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ana Maria “Amy” Ybarra wants to become a pastry chef. Her family is Cuban and she loves developing and making new treats in her family’s bakery. Her dad will not change the menu that her grandfather created years ago. There is a bakery across the street, Morales Bakery; that is doing so well.
Amy wants to change her dad’s mind and win a social media recipe competition, but Miguel shows up. Miguel is a boy she spent one day with months ago and never saw or spoke to him again. Amy soon finds out that Miguel is a Morales; which is the family rival who she is forbidden to stay away from. Miguel is behind the success for the Morales Bakery and she needs him to help her with her competition. Will she be able to keep the secret from her family while following her dreams?
This book was super cute and the characters were all pretty lovable. The author did a great job as far as character development. I love how Amy’s mom and dad trusted her and her sister so much; until they didn’t! Most parents are super strict when it comes to teenagers! The banter between Amy and Miguel was cute. I kinda wish it was some spice in the book; there was barely any at all. I feel like this book is for anyone would feels like they can’t follow their dreams because they feel as if their parents are holding them back. Amy’s mom and dad wanted her to go to college and she wanted to go to pastry school. Many times in the book, I wanted to knock Amy upside the head and have her just spit it out already. I was not expecting the reaction her parents gave her.
The book started off quick and then once I got midway, it was super slow and felt like it was a lot of filler. The ending was good! I liked how the book wasn’t super predictable. I would put this book under “frenenemies” to lovers.
Amy wants to change her dad’s mind and win a social media recipe competition, but Miguel shows up. Miguel is a boy she spent one day with months ago and never saw or spoke to him again. Amy soon finds out that Miguel is a Morales; which is the family rival who she is forbidden to stay away from. Miguel is behind the success for the Morales Bakery and she needs him to help her with her competition. Will she be able to keep the secret from her family while following her dreams?
This book was super cute and the characters were all pretty lovable. The author did a great job as far as character development. I love how Amy’s mom and dad trusted her and her sister so much; until they didn’t! Most parents are super strict when it comes to teenagers! The banter between Amy and Miguel was cute. I kinda wish it was some spice in the book; there was barely any at all. I feel like this book is for anyone would feels like they can’t follow their dreams because they feel as if their parents are holding them back. Amy’s mom and dad wanted her to go to college and she wanted to go to pastry school. Many times in the book, I wanted to knock Amy upside the head and have her just spit it out already. I was not expecting the reaction her parents gave her.
The book started off quick and then once I got midway, it was super slow and felt like it was a lot of filler. The ending was good! I liked how the book wasn’t super predictable. I would put this book under “frenenemies” to lovers.
The author perfectly weaves in culture, history and representation. This was so refreshing, and such a quick read , i laughed I cried and I felt seen but also saw people I knew in Ana Maria, and Miguel. Not to mention the Romeo and Juliet , west side story parallels. With dash of foodie knowledge it was the perfect quick YA read.
The chemistry between these two protagonists was PALPABLE. An incredible meet cute at a college tour turns Romeo and Juliet-esque forbidden romance ALL set amongst dueling Cuban bakeries. It's wholesome and heartwarming and leaves you craving sweet treats. Luckily, the author includes a family recipe to soothe all desires!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Wasn’t terrible but felt like a rip off of other YA romances I’ve read and loved. Would recommend other YA romances before this one. The characters only had physical chemistry and the ending felt thrown together.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted