Reviews

Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp

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Penelope "Pen" Prado dreams of opening her own pastelería next to her father's restaurant (and local institution in Austin, Texas): Nacho's Tacos. While Pen has managed to get her experimental desserts on the menu, her traditional parents are unwilling to let Pen go any further instead wanting her to focus on nursing school. Watching her brother flounder managing the restaurant, Pen finally admits she's been skipping classes and finds herself fired.

Pen's last day is Xander Amaro's first and his opportunity to finally change his luck and make a place for himself with his aging abuelo. Meeting when both of them are spinning out, shouldn't lead anywhere. Except it does drawing Pen and Xander together in the heady reality of first love, finding their own paths, and working together to save the restaurant that comes to mean everything to both of them in Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet (2021) by Laekan Zea Kemp.

Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet is Kemp's debut novel. The story alternates between Pen and Xander's first person narration.

Kemp brings the setting of Austin, Texas and its Chicanx vibrantly to life while offering a carefully detailed behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced, high octane world of a restaurant kitchen.

Staccato writing and snappy dialog immediately draw readers into Pen and Xander's stories as the two crash into each others' orbit. Pen's vicious anxiety attacks and Xander's own stressors worrying about his grandfather and his own immigrant status can make for a claustrophobic--and nerve-inducing--narration.

Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet is a thoughtful, fast-paced story perfect for readers looking for a romance with an unlikely connection and delicious food descriptions.

Possible Pairings: Permanent Record by Mary HK Choi, The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert, Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan, When We Collided by Emery Lord, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez

cklansang's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes

3.0

katiewrites's review

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5.0

This is such a gorgeous story about growing up, finding family, and making a home. The themes of community are heartwarming and play out really well here. I also love the romance between the two leads. It’s so supportive, soft, and honest. Such a good representation of a healthy romantic relationship.

Also, the author accomplished her goal and I was craving Mexican food the whole time I was reading it.

pbest's review against another edition

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emotional 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

3.5

melindagallagher's review

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4.0

A thought-provoking story that makes you hungry! All Pen wants is to take over her father's restaurant in Austin, Tx, and cook and bake. Xander, the newest employee, is undocumented and looking for his father. The restaurant employees are like a big, dysfunctional, and messy family, as is the community. When Pen's father catches her in a lie, she has to move out and try to make it on her own. When Pen and Xander become romantically involved, they try to find ways to save the restaurant and the community from the menacing threat around them.

divineb94's review

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3.0

It's fine, not great. Way too many step by step cooking descriptions and not enough depth on the issues that the book uses as emotional bait such as mental illness and self harm.