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girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
3.5* An emotional love story portraying the love of family and romance in equal measures. Featuring hard-hitting discussions on mental illness (specifically depression and self-harm), being undocumented, complex family dynamics, this is a story filled with passion, food, fear, Latinx culture and community.
TW: discussion of self-harm, depression, anxiety, ICE, police brutality
TW: discussion of self-harm, depression, anxiety, ICE, police brutality
afro8921's review
5.0
This book was such a wonderful blend of vulnerability and strength. Both Xander and Pen are seeking different ways to make themselves whole and complete. I love the way Xander and Pen become safe spaces for each other. I also love the way main character's mental illness is handled in this novel. Mental illness is discussed in such a nuanced and honest way. I enjoyed the frank reality of the book. Hard situations aren't necessarily solved by the end of the story.
biblioemily's review
4.0
3.5 stars. I don't mind an insta-love plot, but this seemed just a little too quick for me. JP reads more like a Disney villain than a real person, and Pen's depression is supposed to hugely impact her life, but it just doesn't really feel that way. That being said, I LOVE books that focus on food and cooking. I really liked Xander's storyline and the look at what it can be like to be an undocumented person. The main characters are post-high school, so I'd recommend this to 8th grade & up.
ptg's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
resslesa's review
5.0
Great and interesting. Love descriptions of food. Two POV with girl learning about her own need for growth and boy who is undocumented and abandoned by dad living with his abuelo. Recommend as uplifting and not focused on any crisis but really growing up and the realities of small communities coming together.
sharknato's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
breakfast8am's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
shiartis's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
alexjxr's review
4.0
it was a heartwarming story, I loved it so much! though I became very fond of and connected with both pen and xander too much, for various reasons, the one that made me feel softer was xander. honestly, even now I just want to hug him and protect from anything that might hurt him.