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meowlson's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
The feud was believable. Lots of misunderstandings, but, reasons for why they were misunderstood. It didn't feel like the overused miscommunication trope.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
passionatereader78's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
A modern twist on Romeo and Juliet set in the kitchen. Pedro and Lari are the latest generation in the bakery feud. When they refuse to work together in Math class they loose the extra credit points for their classmates. Lari tries to make it right and the teacher agrees to give the class extra points if she joins the cooking club. Lari is excited but nervous until she finds out Pedro is the club president. Now they have to lie to their families as they create new recipes together and try to save their family businesses. This is an emotional story however it is beautifully told. I enjoyed every moment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
laheath's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
Sweet YA romance, though slow to develop as the main characters are from families who have been feuding for generations. Their competing bakeries, frequent misunderstandings, and past relationships all contribute to the hard feelings that only the youngest seem willing to look beyond. As they get to know each other and work toward a common goal, all while trying to end the feud between their families, they each learn more about themselves, their pasts, and their goals for the future. They also help each other learn how to advocate for themselves and how to cope with grief.
With all the descriptions of yummy-sounding Brazilian foods, I wish some recipes had been included!
With all the descriptions of yummy-sounding Brazilian foods, I wish some recipes had been included!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
a_ab's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book is a modern day homage to Romeo and Juliet, but the over the top drama was way too thick for my taste and didn't quite fit the modern setting. Especially given the petty stubborn refusal of everyone involved to listen or communicate.
This universal characteristic of all characters in the book seemed both jarring and weird. Sure, there are occasionally people who can't get along and are too stubborn about it, but to have literally everyone behave the exact same way felt like lazy writing.
The romance between the main characters was the whole homage point, but didn't really work - it seemed like a convenient plot point manipulated by the author, not a real relationship between these particular characters. I would have actually preferred it if they faked the romance for the contest and became and stayed friends instead.
The book wasn't very deep, but easy enough to read, so I finished it.
This universal characteristic of all characters in the book seemed both jarring and weird. Sure, there are occasionally people who can't get along and are too stubborn about it, but to have literally everyone behave the exact same way felt like lazy writing.
The romance between the main characters was the whole homage point, but didn't really work - it seemed like a convenient plot point manipulated by the author, not a real relationship between these particular characters. I would have actually preferred it if they faked the romance for the contest and became and stayed friends instead.
The book wasn't very deep, but easy enough to read, so I finished it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
asparagusisreading's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
drtx_bwt's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Death
markedwithanm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
lettuce_read's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent
jessicaludden's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
“Be free to be the baker you want to be.”
Thank you to BookishFirst for a copy of this book!
I loved this book. It was so cute. I loved getting to see Lari and Pedro's relationship develop from enemies due to their families' feud, to friends, to lovers. They got to know each other so deeply and slowly began to realize that they have more in common than not. Their love of cooking and their passion for their families' bakeries brought them together. These characters had so much depth to them, I loved getting to know them. Some of my favorite moments were the quiet conversations they had with each other where they finally had their guard down and were vulnerable with each other. Lari and Pedro both had their insecurities and it was amazing to see them encourage each other to go after their dreams and be their true selves while learning to trust each other. I really like the plot and main conflict between local, family-owned bakeries and the bigger corporation, Deals Deals. It made the stakes very high while putting this story in a very realistic context. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this! There were many laughs, many tears, and many butterflies. It has all the romance I wanted and all the family relationships I wanted as well. I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you to BookishFirst for a copy of this book!
I loved this book. It was so cute. I loved getting to see Lari and Pedro's relationship develop from enemies due to their families' feud, to friends, to lovers. They got to know each other so deeply and slowly began to realize that they have more in common than not. Their love of cooking and their passion for their families' bakeries brought them together. These characters had so much depth to them, I loved getting to know them. Some of my favorite moments were the quiet conversations they had with each other where they finally had their guard down and were vulnerable with each other. Lari and Pedro both had their insecurities and it was amazing to see them encourage each other to go after their dreams and be their true selves while learning to trust each other. I really like the plot and main conflict between local, family-owned bakeries and the bigger corporation, Deals Deals. It made the stakes very high while putting this story in a very realistic context. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this! There were many laughs, many tears, and many butterflies. It has all the romance I wanted and all the family relationships I wanted as well. I would definitely recommend it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Car accident
gkaltam's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief