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gerzonvillegas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Toxic relationship and Death
literarypenguin's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
This was such a adorable graphic novel with a just as adorable romance! I love how baking was weaved into the story and both of the characters had a love for baking. One rediscovered his love for baking while the other shared his love for baking with people who appreciated it. I also liked how it explored the themes of some friendship can be toxic, along with relationships and how everyone is trying to find their place in the world no matter where it may be. The romance was really cute, how it went from strangers to friends to lovers! I recommend this novel for a really cute and quick read if you are in the mood for some adorable romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death and Toxic relationship
forrestalexander's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I love the illustrations and the graphic novel's style overall - but there were a number of elements that irked me and I couldn't get past them.
As others have said, the pacing was off - it is a very slow start, and then the ending and the romance are rushed.We have a couple of pages worth of romantic interactions between Ari and Hector, however, despite this, the story ends with both of them saying "I love you" in front of family and friends. I enjoyed how their romance was built up and taken slowly, but it went from 0 to 100 in a matter of one scene.
Aside from this, the plot was choppy and confusing at times, and honestly, Ari was so unlikeable I couldn't enjoy any of it. Especially at the middle and toward the very end of the book, it feels like Ari doubles down, projecting onto Hector and letting him take the blame for everything bad that happens, which confirms the fact that he has learned nothing and had zero character development throughout the entire book.
It is a sweet concept, I love a queer young love story - I like the potential this book has, but it didn't follow through for me.
As others have said, the pacing was off - it is a very slow start, and then the ending and the romance are rushed.
Aside from this, the plot was choppy and confusing at times, and honestly, Ari was so unlikeable I couldn't enjoy any of it. Especially at the middle and toward the very end of the book, it feels like Ari doubles down, projecting onto Hector and letting him take the blame for everything bad that happens, which confirms the fact that he has learned nothing and had zero character development throughout the entire book.
It is a sweet concept, I love a queer young love story - I like the potential this book has, but it didn't follow through for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Toxic relationship and Death
kaitlyng's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Bullying
Minor: Toxic relationship and Car accident
rainbowpridepin's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Car accident
Minor: Toxic relationship
katanai's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Minor: Death and Toxic relationship
huntersflapjack's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Toxic relationship and Death
booksdogsandcoffee's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
A wonderful graphic novel about figuring out who you are and what you want out of life.
Ari’s family owns a bakery, but his true passion is his band. His father wants him to take over the family bakery and keep the business alive. Ari wants no such thing, all he wants to do is go to Baltimore and live his dream of becoming a musician.
So he sets out to find a replacement for himself at the bakery. That’s when he finds Hector, a culinary student who is taking a break from school to take care of his grandmothers estate. Hector is perfect for the job, he already is an amazing baker and knows his way around the kitchen. All Ari has to do is show him the ropes and then he’s out of there!
But as the summer goes on Hector and Ari become close friends working at the bakery together. And Ari finds his love of baking again…and maybe his love for someone else too.
This was such a cute story! I loved Ari’s dad, he was such a love and light in this book. I also loved that Hector was so good at drawing boundaries when Ari pulled some stuff later on in the book.
Cw/tw
Fire
Slight homophobia
Toxic friendship
Toxic relationship
Ari’s family owns a bakery, but his true passion is his band. His father wants him to take over the family bakery and keep the business alive. Ari wants no such thing, all he wants to do is go to Baltimore and live his dream of becoming a musician.
So he sets out to find a replacement for himself at the bakery. That’s when he finds Hector, a culinary student who is taking a break from school to take care of his grandmothers estate. Hector is perfect for the job, he already is an amazing baker and knows his way around the kitchen. All Ari has to do is show him the ropes and then he’s out of there!
But as the summer goes on Hector and Ari become close friends working at the bakery together. And Ari finds his love of baking again…and maybe his love for someone else too.
This was such a cute story! I loved Ari’s dad, he was such a love and light in this book. I also loved that Hector was so good at drawing boundaries when Ari pulled some stuff later on in the book.
Cw/tw
Fire
Slight homophobia
Toxic friendship
Toxic relationship
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia
mapscitiesandsongs's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Protect Hector at all costs!
He was such a lovely dude and I especially liked how he was fed up with Ari being a dick and calling him out because of that. I just hated Ari to be honest. Being sensitive doesn't mean you have to be a dick to everyone. I hate how we never got to know why Ari wanted to pursue music or why he suddenly stopped baking with his dad. (I guess it was because of that group of friends) The relationship and the ending were quite rushed. I also felt like Hector forgave Ari way too fast. Their whole relationship was just toxic in general. And don't get me started on his supposed "friends".
He was such a lovely dude and I especially liked how he was fed up with Ari being a dick and calling him out because of that. I just hated Ari to be honest. Being sensitive doesn't mean you have to be a dick to everyone. I hate how we never got to know why Ari wanted to pursue music or why he suddenly stopped baking with his dad. (I guess it was because of that group of friends) The relationship and the ending were quite rushed. I also felt like Hector forgave Ari way too fast. Their whole relationship was just toxic in general. And don't get me started on his supposed "friends".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death
cams_all_booked's review
emotional
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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Toxic relationship