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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
A pretty standard YA which I enjoyed a little more than usual because of the foodie elements. I feel like this could have done without the romance (then again I feel that way about most YA) and that that space could have been used to explore her relationship with her father more (we never got to find out why her father thought it was a good idea to leave her mom just because his side ho got pregnant, and that kind of bothers me).
A pretty standard YA which I enjoyed a little more than usual because of the foodie elements. I feel like this could have done without the romance (then again I feel that way about most YA) and that that space could have been used to explore her relationship with her father more (we never got to find out why her father thought it was a good idea to leave her mom just because his side ho got pregnant, and that kind of bothers me).
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute and fun with great food and fantastic representation ❤️
Thank you to Libro.FM and the publisher for granting me an audio copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Libro.FM and the publisher for granting me an audio copy in exchange for an honest review!
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
Salty, Bitter, Sweet, published in 2020, is Mayra Cuevas’ debut novel. It’s squarely in the young adult category in terms of the character’s personal experiences, but it is very adult in terms of her passion to become a world-renown chef.
Salty, Bitter, Sweet follows Isabella Fields, a 17 year old American high school student, who is spending the summer in France at the home of her father and his new, pregnant wife. Still smarting over her parents’ divorce, Isa is willing to stay with her father’s new family because it is near a noted restaurant led by a Michelin-starred chef who offers an apprenticeship program. The only requirement to enter the program is to take a three week course at the restaurant where you are up against other young chefs competing for the one slot available. Of course, Isa doesn’t count on the unexpected arrival from Spain of her new stepmother’s former stepson, Diego, who is escaping his own issues and trying to figure out what he *really* wants to do with his life rather than follow his father’s expectations.
This story weaves between Isabella’s past and her present. Her past involving her loving relationship filled with cooking and baking with her Cuban American grandmother who escaped from Castro’s Cuba and ended up married to an American man and living on a farm in the middle of the United States. And, Isa’s present in France, dealing with what she still sees as her father’s betrayal while making friends and “enemies” in the kitchens of the French restaurant, competing and also learning about what she really values.
First off, I have to say, if you’re a foodie, this book will satisfy every craving you have. The story may feature a 17 year old, but she’s a teen with an incredible talent and palate competing with and learning from other talented chefs. The food descriptions, the preparations and the stories behind the dishes were mouthwatering and heartfelt. Kudos to that.
While Isa may annoy some readers at times, I found her to be a typical teenager in her self absorption, her single-mindedness, her emotionality, and her self doubt. What I particularly loved about this book is, although Isa lets thoughts of the handsome Diego mess with her head, her memories of and sadness and anger over the loss of her grandmother, her interactions with accomplished women chefs and mentors, and her rocky friendships with two competitors who are also young women are the focal point of this book. It’s really a book about learning from other women and what paths they took as well as learning to value and support each other. It’s a very empowering, female-centric story in this way. Diego does play a key role as an example of a young person who was equally driven by a special talent but decided to jump off that train and take a different path, but he also, ultimately, is supportive of Isa. Once Isa (and the reader) gets to know him, Diego becomes a little too good to be true, i.e., a dream boyfriend. But since this *is* a female centric story, I supposed I can forgive that. I really enjoyed this read. I’d give it an A.
Salty, Bitter, Sweet follows Isabella Fields, a 17 year old American high school student, who is spending the summer in France at the home of her father and his new, pregnant wife. Still smarting over her parents’ divorce, Isa is willing to stay with her father’s new family because it is near a noted restaurant led by a Michelin-starred chef who offers an apprenticeship program. The only requirement to enter the program is to take a three week course at the restaurant where you are up against other young chefs competing for the one slot available. Of course, Isa doesn’t count on the unexpected arrival from Spain of her new stepmother’s former stepson, Diego, who is escaping his own issues and trying to figure out what he *really* wants to do with his life rather than follow his father’s expectations.
This story weaves between Isabella’s past and her present. Her past involving her loving relationship filled with cooking and baking with her Cuban American grandmother who escaped from Castro’s Cuba and ended up married to an American man and living on a farm in the middle of the United States. And, Isa’s present in France, dealing with what she still sees as her father’s betrayal while making friends and “enemies” in the kitchens of the French restaurant, competing and also learning about what she really values.
First off, I have to say, if you’re a foodie, this book will satisfy every craving you have. The story may feature a 17 year old, but she’s a teen with an incredible talent and palate competing with and learning from other talented chefs. The food descriptions, the preparations and the stories behind the dishes were mouthwatering and heartfelt. Kudos to that.
While Isa may annoy some readers at times, I found her to be a typical teenager in her self absorption, her single-mindedness, her emotionality, and her self doubt. What I particularly loved about this book is, although Isa lets thoughts of the handsome Diego mess with her head, her memories of and sadness and anger over the loss of her grandmother, her interactions with accomplished women chefs and mentors, and her rocky friendships with two competitors who are also young women are the focal point of this book. It’s really a book about learning from other women and what paths they took as well as learning to value and support each other. It’s a very empowering, female-centric story in this way. Diego does play a key role as an example of a young person who was equally driven by a special talent but decided to jump off that train and take a different path, but he also, ultimately, is supportive of Isa. Once Isa (and the reader) gets to know him, Diego becomes a little too good to be true, i.e., a dream boyfriend. But since this *is* a female centric story, I supposed I can forgive that. I really enjoyed this read. I’d give it an A.
Forthcoming review in SLJ, but for now, I’ll say that I loved it!
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:
No
YA contemporary romance is no longer my thing and I found myself just not wanting to read it.
Isabelle's life falls apart after her parents' divorce, her grandmother dies, and she has to move in with her dad and his new wife. She gets an opportunity to participate in a restaurant apprenticeship. She takes her grief and pain into the kitchen and leaves out with joy. The love for food was so inspiring. This young adult book themes our friendship, self-care, and acceptance. This story had me hungry with his mouth-watering descriptions of delicious food. The setting takes place in France. I think the message was women uplifting other women. And I really enjoyed this story. I'm reading more by this author. I give this book five stars.
I didn't finish this. And I'm sad about that, but not that I stopped reading.
There was a point were I didn't understand what the true goal of the book was. It was windy, but overall didn't connect with the amount of themes of the book, but none of the intentional wrap ups of the work.
There was a point were I didn't understand what the true goal of the book was. It was windy, but overall didn't connect with the amount of themes of the book, but none of the intentional wrap ups of the work.