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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Between 3-4*. While this book irritated me in many ways, not least the parents, the character did have a lot of growth & i enjoyed the ending.
Review for Netgalley.
The title of the book could reflect the protagonists story arc. Isa is dealing with grief, a recent parental divorce and being in an intense cooking competition.
She starts off sad, then to anger, then ends on a sweet note. As well as the intertwining plot points, their is also an enemies to relationship component.
A light fun read worth your time.
The title of the book could reflect the protagonists story arc. Isa is dealing with grief, a recent parental divorce and being in an intense cooking competition.
She starts off sad, then to anger, then ends on a sweet note. As well as the intertwining plot points, their is also an enemies to relationship component.
A light fun read worth your time.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I really loved this book! It was one that I kept putting down because I just didn't want the story to be over. It's a little slow to start, but Isa is quite relatable and I was really rooting for her throughout the story. Part of why I enjoyed this story so much is because many of the topics and places throughout the book were new to me and I love a book that teaches me something, even if it's just a little something. I learned a little bit about France, a little bit about Spain, and a little bit about cooking.
I loved every character in this book, which is pretty rare for me! The villains were perfectly villainous, and each character had depth. This story is partly Isa figuring out who she is and what she wants, and that's something that every teenager faces. It's a good coming-of-age story, and also includes a sort-of enemies to lovers romance which is always a plus for me. I loved all of the back story with her grandma, her parents, and her new family and friends woven together. I can't wait to see what else Ms. Cuevas puts out in the future.
I really loved this book! It was one that I kept putting down because I just didn't want the story to be over. It's a little slow to start, but Isa is quite relatable and I was really rooting for her throughout the story. Part of why I enjoyed this story so much is because many of the topics and places throughout the book were new to me and I love a book that teaches me something, even if it's just a little something. I learned a little bit about France, a little bit about Spain, and a little bit about cooking.
I loved every character in this book, which is pretty rare for me! The villains were perfectly villainous, and each character had depth. This story is partly Isa figuring out who she is and what she wants, and that's something that every teenager faces. It's a good coming-of-age story, and also includes a sort-of enemies to lovers romance which is always a plus for me. I loved all of the back story with her grandma, her parents, and her new family and friends woven together. I can't wait to see what else Ms. Cuevas puts out in the future.
Entertaining YA novel set mostly in a kitchen where teens and young adults are vying for the chance to apprentice with a renowned chef.
The weaving of love through the making of food is something that resonates with this Italian gal. Food is one of the love languages some use.
If there is one thing I wished for when reading this book, it is the inclusion of recipes of the dishes described on the pages. I now have a hankering for apple pie, too.
The weaving of love through the making of food is something that resonates with this Italian gal. Food is one of the love languages some use.
If there is one thing I wished for when reading this book, it is the inclusion of recipes of the dishes described on the pages. I now have a hankering for apple pie, too.
I liked and it qas cute, but move a little slow. Many times I wanted it to get to the point.
This was a cute heartwarming story perfect for teenagers and adults alike.
My only critique was that it did not come with a slice of apple pie and coffee.
I really enjoyed the ending of the book and the lessons that can be learned about perfectionism, heartache, and family dynamics.
My only critique was that it did not come with a slice of apple pie and coffee.
I really enjoyed the ending of the book and the lessons that can be learned about perfectionism, heartache, and family dynamics.
This book is so sweet it really just feels like a hug, especially the ending. Never let it be said I’m not a sucker for a happy ending.
The book was definitely an adventure, and it is definitely shown through the title. Isabella’s character development is so awesome!
The other characters are great as well, just not as complex as her (which makes sense… she’s the main character). The ways the different characters are shown throughout the story really complete it.
The writing style in itself isn’t unique except the flashbacks really add more depth to the story and Isa’s choices. And also, it’s marketed as a “slow-burn” but really, she hates him, and then she accepts his presence and starts to like him over the span of a few chapters. If you’re looking for a true slow-burn, wouldn’t recommend this one.
Honestly, my only complaint about this book is that I feel like it wasn’t long enough to be realistic. But that just bothered me after reading it. Immediately after I finished, I loved it nonetheless.
Overall, sweet book with an endearing story and loveable characters. Average writing, and my only complaint is it wasn’t “long enough” to be realistic. Would recommend, even to get you out of a reading slump, and would reread.
The book was definitely an adventure, and it is definitely shown through the title. Isabella’s character development is so awesome!
The other characters are great as well, just not as complex as her (which makes sense… she’s the main character). The ways the different characters are shown throughout the story really complete it.
The writing style in itself isn’t unique except the flashbacks really add more depth to the story and Isa’s choices. And also, it’s marketed as a “slow-burn” but really, she hates him, and then she accepts his presence and starts to like him over the span of a few chapters. If you’re looking for a true slow-burn, wouldn’t recommend this one.
Honestly, my only complaint about this book is that I feel like it wasn’t long enough to be realistic. But that just bothered me after reading it. Immediately after I finished, I loved it nonetheless.
Overall, sweet book with an endearing story and loveable characters. Average writing, and my only complaint is it wasn’t “long enough” to be realistic. Would recommend, even to get you out of a reading slump, and would reread.
I LOVED this book. The descriptions of the story and food and scenery. This is a 100% recommend.
I really didn’t like the main character and describing her as trilingual is a stretch. I think of someone who is trilingual as speaking three languages fluently. The whole book, she talks about how bad her Spanish is. The story was nice, a good bit of escapism for people who would love to travel and eat.
Thank you Blink YA Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 ⭐
What do you get when you work hard, love food, and grow up loving your Cuban abuela's food and learning to cook it? Well, Isabella's abuela recently passed away, and her parents divorced, and that's all been a kick in the gut, but she's moved in with her father in France, and Chef Pascal Grattard's world-famous kitchen apprenticeship is nearby, so she signs up to chase her dream of being a Michelin-starred chef. Things get messy in the kitchen as she stumbles during her apprenticeship, and at home she deals with her now-pregnant stepmother and the pain of her parents' divorce, but Isabella keeps working hard to cook up delicious culinary creations that sizzle on the plate (and the page) as she competes with the other apprentices.
The many tantalizing descriptions of savory, mouthwatering, scrumptious food were a particular highlight of this contemporary YA story, but the real stars are Isabella and her complicated family dynamic and emotions. With emotions ranging from grief, to anger, to joy, Isabella rolls up her sleeves and gets right up to her elbows in delicious flavors and drama. I liked that Isabella worked hard for what she wanted, but I also wished that her mother had more presence, and that other family dynamics had more resolution. While it wasn't a focus, there is some romance, and given Isabella's character and everything she deals with, I don't think the romance was even needed, however I do think that romance and food do belong together so perhaps it was inevitable.
If you're a fan of delicious food, and like your drama as messy as a well-loved kitchen, sit down and get a taste of Salty, Bitter, Sweet by Mayra Cuevas.
4.5/5 ⭐
What do you get when you work hard, love food, and grow up loving your Cuban abuela's food and learning to cook it? Well, Isabella's abuela recently passed away, and her parents divorced, and that's all been a kick in the gut, but she's moved in with her father in France, and Chef Pascal Grattard's world-famous kitchen apprenticeship is nearby, so she signs up to chase her dream of being a Michelin-starred chef. Things get messy in the kitchen as she stumbles during her apprenticeship, and at home she deals with her now-pregnant stepmother and the pain of her parents' divorce, but Isabella keeps working hard to cook up delicious culinary creations that sizzle on the plate (and the page) as she competes with the other apprentices.
The many tantalizing descriptions of savory, mouthwatering, scrumptious food were a particular highlight of this contemporary YA story, but the real stars are Isabella and her complicated family dynamic and emotions. With emotions ranging from grief, to anger, to joy, Isabella rolls up her sleeves and gets right up to her elbows in delicious flavors and drama. I liked that Isabella worked hard for what she wanted, but I also wished that her mother had more presence, and that other family dynamics had more resolution. While it wasn't a focus, there is some romance, and given Isabella's character and everything she deals with, I don't think the romance was even needed, however I do think that romance and food do belong together so perhaps it was inevitable.
If you're a fan of delicious food, and like your drama as messy as a well-loved kitchen, sit down and get a taste of Salty, Bitter, Sweet by Mayra Cuevas.