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3.21 AVERAGE
3.21 AVERAGE
*3.5 STARS.
(Review originally posted here at The Book Barbies.)
I was so excited for Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous! What a fun idea! As a self-proclaimed Chopped addict (even though I don't like any other reality shows unless they involve dancing), I was definitely looking forward to this one. The story sounded so cute, and how completely adorable is that cover?
While it was not exactly what I was expecting, Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous delivered on the cuteness level. Which I desperately needed, as I had recently finished sobbing for basically 2.5 hours straight because I went to see Les Mis. It was an entertaining little story with lots of fun drama and antics. Stick a bunch of teenagers in a high-stress environment with little-to-no privacy in which to express their thoughts? Oh, you're going to have drama. But it was pretty authentic. I could see this being a show on the cooking channel. In fact, it would probably be more interesting than several of the shows I've seen (well, at least previews) on the Food Network.
I really enjoyed reading about Sophie's family. Sophie had a large family who owned and ran their Greek-Italian restaurant. I liked the whole atmosphere. While her family could be a bit much, she still loved them. The whole restaurant crew as well as Sophie's best friend Alex were basically treated like part of the family, as well, and they would sometimes sit down to these gigantic, crazy dinners. I felt like I was there in the middle of the chaos, and I loved it!
As for the love story, there are actually some twists you might not expect from the summary, and I don't want to give anything away. But I thought it was interesting how it all played out, even though I was totally convinced of something that was not the case at one point. Although I wasn't a fan of the execution, I did wind up liking the way it ended.
Perhaps my favorite thing about the entire book was the recipes it included! I was so happy about that! I feel like it would be worth buying for the recipes alone. Several of the recipes included looked delicious, and I only wish it had included more.
Overall, I enjoyed Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous. Word of advice, though: I would not recommend reading while you're hungry! Or if so, make sure you have some great ingredients handy, because this book will make you want to embrace your culinary skills (no matter how imaginary they may be) and whip up something delicious.
(Review originally posted here at The Book Barbies.)
I was so excited for Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous! What a fun idea! As a self-proclaimed Chopped addict (even though I don't like any other reality shows unless they involve dancing), I was definitely looking forward to this one. The story sounded so cute, and how completely adorable is that cover?
While it was not exactly what I was expecting, Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous delivered on the cuteness level. Which I desperately needed, as I had recently finished sobbing for basically 2.5 hours straight because I went to see Les Mis. It was an entertaining little story with lots of fun drama and antics. Stick a bunch of teenagers in a high-stress environment with little-to-no privacy in which to express their thoughts? Oh, you're going to have drama. But it was pretty authentic. I could see this being a show on the cooking channel. In fact, it would probably be more interesting than several of the shows I've seen (well, at least previews) on the Food Network.
I really enjoyed reading about Sophie's family. Sophie had a large family who owned and ran their Greek-Italian restaurant. I liked the whole atmosphere. While her family could be a bit much, she still loved them. The whole restaurant crew as well as Sophie's best friend Alex were basically treated like part of the family, as well, and they would sometimes sit down to these gigantic, crazy dinners. I felt like I was there in the middle of the chaos, and I loved it!
As for the love story, there are actually some twists you might not expect from the summary, and I don't want to give anything away. But I thought it was interesting how it all played out, even though I was totally convinced of something that was not the case at one point. Although I wasn't a fan of the execution, I did wind up liking the way it ended.
Perhaps my favorite thing about the entire book was the recipes it included! I was so happy about that! I feel like it would be worth buying for the recipes alone. Several of the recipes included looked delicious, and I only wish it had included more.
Overall, I enjoyed Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous. Word of advice, though: I would not recommend reading while you're hungry! Or if so, make sure you have some great ingredients handy, because this book will make you want to embrace your culinary skills (no matter how imaginary they may be) and whip up something delicious.
This book was the cutest thing I've ever read! I literally wanted to puke up rainbows and unicorns by the time I was done. Although it was a bit naive, and that could just be to me, it was still a fun experience. This book went by really fast, it was a really quick read. I honestly was not watching the time, and finished it in the span of a few hours. This book just drags you in like that. You're also learning new things, like different recipes that the author throws in here and there, which is a fun little tid-bit to look forward to after every chapter. The story-line isn't confusing and it's easy to follow/understand. It's funny, charming, and flows very well together.
The author does seem to have a background in cooking, so the novel didn't just spout out random pieces of information that made no sense. The concept of a "teen reality-show" was also a great idea. It was entirely like reality shows that we see on TV these days, and I felt like I was actually watching it as I was reading. There's drama, there're cat-fights, it-couples, and sabotage. But the characters also grow stronger, and develop relationships that'll last a life-time. The language in this book is very modern, which is why it's easier to understand. The dialogue wasn't awkward and the situations don't seem forced. It fit the role of YA contemporary novel very well.
The main character Sophie grew up with a Greek-Italian family, and was practically born with talent in her blood. She loves cooking and it has always been a big part of her life. She is a very down-to-earth character with occasional bursts of anger that come with her Greek heritage. She's an impulsive character, and she loves to try new things. I love how her character knew what she wanted, to be a top-chef, and strives to get there. She forges positive relations and negative ones with the other characters she meets on the set of the reality show. She makes best friends, enemies, and even a secret summer fling with a cute French culinary student on set. She faces a lot of trials, but in the end realizes that her true-self is what will win everyone's heart. The only thing trait I didn't not like about Sophie is that she treated making a decision between two boys like she was contemplating world-peace. She was beyond herself with the romantic part of her life, and I feel like the author shouldn't have spent so much time on the romance. But it all worked out in the end. Without the secondary characters, this book wouldn't have been as good. Sophie made two really good friends, Shelby and Stanley, throughout her show-biz experience. I loved Shelby because she had a great deal of confidence and was really tough. Also, in the end, she always had Sophie's back. Stanley was basically the 'comical relief' to the story. He had the witty repartee, the easy-going style, and the demeanor that you can't help but love.
Overall, this book kept me smiling and flipping through the pages constantly. This was an enjoyable young adult contemporary summer read. I recommend it to those who love a sweet romance with a touch of spice as well as to food-lovers everywhere. This book sent me into constant fits of hunger, and I learned many new facts about international foods from it. It has the humor, drama, innocence, and romance that'll leave you in delighted glee.
My Rating: 3/5 Stars
What the author lacked in details, she made up for in plot.
The author does seem to have a background in cooking, so the novel didn't just spout out random pieces of information that made no sense. The concept of a "teen reality-show" was also a great idea. It was entirely like reality shows that we see on TV these days, and I felt like I was actually watching it as I was reading. There's drama, there're cat-fights, it-couples, and sabotage. But the characters also grow stronger, and develop relationships that'll last a life-time. The language in this book is very modern, which is why it's easier to understand. The dialogue wasn't awkward and the situations don't seem forced. It fit the role of YA contemporary novel very well.
The main character Sophie grew up with a Greek-Italian family, and was practically born with talent in her blood. She loves cooking and it has always been a big part of her life. She is a very down-to-earth character with occasional bursts of anger that come with her Greek heritage. She's an impulsive character, and she loves to try new things. I love how her character knew what she wanted, to be a top-chef, and strives to get there. She forges positive relations and negative ones with the other characters she meets on the set of the reality show. She makes best friends, enemies, and even a secret summer fling with a cute French culinary student on set. She faces a lot of trials, but in the end realizes that her true-self is what will win everyone's heart. The only thing trait I didn't not like about Sophie is that she treated making a decision between two boys like she was contemplating world-peace. She was beyond herself with the romantic part of her life, and I feel like the author shouldn't have spent so much time on the romance. But it all worked out in the end. Without the secondary characters, this book wouldn't have been as good. Sophie made two really good friends, Shelby and Stanley, throughout her show-biz experience. I loved Shelby because she had a great deal of confidence and was really tough. Also, in the end, she always had Sophie's back. Stanley was basically the 'comical relief' to the story. He had the witty repartee, the easy-going style, and the demeanor that you can't help but love.
Overall, this book kept me smiling and flipping through the pages constantly. This was an enjoyable young adult contemporary summer read. I recommend it to those who love a sweet romance with a touch of spice as well as to food-lovers everywhere. This book sent me into constant fits of hunger, and I learned many new facts about international foods from it. It has the humor, drama, innocence, and romance that'll leave you in delighted glee.
My Rating: 3/5 Stars
What the author lacked in details, she made up for in plot.