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nobeliumreads's review
funny
lighthearted
4.0
Thank you Netgalley for providing an ALC.
When Shireen gets accepted into the Junior Irish Baking Show, it’s a dream come true and a way to bring some attention to her parents’ donut shop. But finding out her ex-girlfriend Chris is on the show and getting close to the outgoing rival contestant Niamh means all sorts of complicated feelings--which is NOT what Shireen needs when the stakes are already so high.
When Shireen gets accepted into the Junior Irish Baking Show, it’s a dream come true and a way to bring some attention to her parents’ donut shop. But finding out her ex-girlfriend Chris is on the show and getting close to the outgoing rival contestant Niamh means all sorts of complicated feelings--which is NOT what Shireen needs when the stakes are already so high.
--
Another really sweet contemporary romance from Adiba Jaigirdar and personally my favourite of the three. It might have something to do with the fact that I’m more attuned with what to expect this time around, but regardless, I did enjoy this book! Did I also crack a smile at every pun? Yes, yes I did. I’m a simple person and puns make me weak (personal favourite if I’m recalling it correctly was ‘I knew you were truffle when you walked in’).
I found myself getting quite invested, especially around the competition. Some elements were predictable, but it was still engaging even when I did know what to expect. Shireen deals with some tough things whilst going through the competition but her determination and love for baking had me as invested as she was and really wanting to try every dessert in the book. She shares some cute moments with the love interests, and whilst I do admit that I found some of Shireen’s actions frustrating, I was able to understand why she dealt with things the way she did or jumped to the conclusions she jumped to.
I can’t speak on the representation personally, but I thought it was well done. Fat Bangladeshi MC, Taiwanese LI, ginger LI (this is a joke lmao, iykyk). The narrator was also really good, and I think definitely helped the reading experience like in The Henna Wars.
Overall, though it does touch on heavier topics, it was still a fun read that I recommend for anyone who enjoys contemporary sapphic romances, baking, reality TV, or puns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Racial slurs
katiemack's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this better than the other book of Adiba Jaigirdar's that I've read--A Million to One--and I'm glad to see she returned to contemporary YA romance with this because it works well!
As an avid Great British Bakeoff fan, I loved the spin-off Jaigirdar creates and appreciated all the thinly veiled references to the show and other folks within the celebrity cooking sphere. I'm also glad she addresses the cyberbullying and racism inherent in reality TV, even a cozy cooking show. Love triangles can become annoying quickly, but I liked how this one resolves (and was not expecting the twist or secret motivations of a particular character!); my main qualm is that the book doesn't really address the reason Shireen and Chris broke up before the show. It feels like an oversight, but maybe it's a lesson in closure and expectations.
This book doesn't have a fairytale ending, and that's to its merit. Grab it if you're a fan of cooking shows and want something light and romantic.
I liked this better than the other book of Adiba Jaigirdar's that I've read--A Million to One--and I'm glad to see she returned to contemporary YA romance with this because it works well!
As an avid Great British Bakeoff fan, I loved the spin-off Jaigirdar creates and appreciated all the thinly veiled references to the show and other folks within the celebrity cooking sphere. I'm also glad she addresses the cyberbullying and racism inherent in reality TV, even a cozy cooking show. Love triangles can become annoying quickly, but I liked how this one resolves (and was not expecting the twist or secret motivations of a particular character!); my main qualm is that the book doesn't really address the reason Shireen and Chris broke up before the show. It feels like an oversight, but maybe it's a lesson in closure and expectations.
This book doesn't have a fairytale ending, and that's to its merit. Grab it if you're a fan of cooking shows and want something light and romantic.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Bullying
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
General disclaimer if you've read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You're correct that I don't really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don't like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. Thus, no stars doesn't indicate that the book wasn't worthy of any starred system. It just means I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all, even if the lesson is that I'm a ho for the smut, or confronting my own mommy/daddy issues lol. Everyone's reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Happy reading! Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I AM SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP OVER HOW MUCH I ADORED THIS BOOK! ADIBA NEVER MISSES!
Quick Premise:
Shireen (Desi FMC who is grappling with her anxiety/panic attacks) has recently dumped her girlfriend of one year, Christina (we have a Taiwanese ex who got a haircut) but then, she is invited to compete in the Junior Irish Baking Show! The only problem is.... Christina has also been invited and they immediately get paired up during the first round. It's not all bad though; Shireen meets Niamh, a sweet and outgoing competitor who quickly offers up friendship to her :) However, Shireen needs to focus so she can use the semi-fame of the show to hopefully drive more business to her family's donut business, You Drive Me Glazy.
My thoughts:
First of all, the chapters are titled as food puns, like "Pudding Up With Exes" LOL! If you're a dad joke/punny joke connoisseur, one star immediately is given for the cleverness of that alone! Shireen's angst and inner monologue is so fun (you get first-person narrative), as most main characters Adiba writes are. I just have no notes!
Read this if you love:
-Great British Bake Off (or any adjacent baking shows)
-save-the-family-business trope!
-teen fictional coming of age
-Irish Desi representation <3
-reality tv competition & everything that comes with it, such as the diverse cast of competitors & camaraderie (for most of them), behind-the-scenes moments & the feelings of achievement/pride after completing a bake!
-a fat teenage girl who is not ashamed of her body & won't let anyone else put down her looks/confidence either!
Thank you Adiba for consistently giving us young characters who stand strong in their convictions & inspire me to love myself & go after what I want no matter what.
Adiba's books are so incredibly healing & toe the line between moving coming of age stories and swoon-worthy romantic moments so beautifully!!
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I AM SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP OVER HOW MUCH I ADORED THIS BOOK! ADIBA NEVER MISSES!
Quick Premise:
Shireen (Desi FMC who is grappling with her anxiety/panic attacks) has recently dumped her girlfriend of one year, Christina (we have a Taiwanese ex who got a haircut) but then, she is invited to compete in the Junior Irish Baking Show! The only problem is.... Christina has also been invited and they immediately get paired up during the first round. It's not all bad though; Shireen meets Niamh, a sweet and outgoing competitor who quickly offers up friendship to her :) However, Shireen needs to focus so she can use the semi-fame of the show to hopefully drive more business to her family's donut business, You Drive Me Glazy.
My thoughts:
First of all, the chapters are titled as food puns, like "Pudding Up With Exes" LOL! If you're a dad joke/punny joke connoisseur, one star immediately is given for the cleverness of that alone! Shireen's angst and inner monologue is so fun (you get first-person narrative), as most main characters Adiba writes are. I just have no notes!
Read this if you love:
-Great British Bake Off (or any adjacent baking shows)
-save-the-family-business trope!
-teen fictional coming of age
-Irish Desi representation <3
-reality tv competition & everything that comes with it, such as the diverse cast of competitors & camaraderie (for most of them), behind-the-scenes moments & the feelings of achievement/pride after completing a bake!
-a fat teenage girl who is not ashamed of her body & won't let anyone else put down her looks/confidence either!
Thank you Adiba for consistently giving us young characters who stand strong in their convictions & inspire me to love myself & go after what I want no matter what.
Adiba's books are so incredibly healing & toe the line between moving coming of age stories and swoon-worthy romantic moments so beautifully!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Racism
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