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kristi_starr35's review
5.0
I LOVED this book.
If you're into romantic tropes, this covers enemies to lovers. Then there's the element of struggling, invisible boy vs. overachieving, brainy girl. But oh, there's so much more. Oscar's Swedish grandfather, Farfar, is the kind of person you'd have to be soulless not to adore. And together they run a food truck specializing in a couple of Swedish delicacies. A guy who lives for culinary classes and whose dream is a restaurant? Yes! And Oscar is, if unwittingly, a problem solver; when Lou comes to the culinary teacher with the idea of repurposing all the uneaten apples thrown away after school lunches, Oscar is unlisted in putting them to use.
Of course they become friends, of course there are misunderstandings, of course something is going to have to happen because hey, you know it's going to. But it's such a fun ride. I enjoyed the full cast of characters, I smiled whenever Terrence entered the scene, I melted when Farfar and Lou used Swedish baby talk on the cat, and I might have a time or two when my eyes got a little misty.
Even with all the tropes and general expectations, this book was ... unexpected. At its core, it's a book about love - platonic, familial, and romantic. It's about hopes, dreams, duty, devastation, delicious food. And always love.
If you're into romantic tropes, this covers enemies to lovers. Then there's the element of struggling, invisible boy vs. overachieving, brainy girl. But oh, there's so much more. Oscar's Swedish grandfather, Farfar, is the kind of person you'd have to be soulless not to adore. And together they run a food truck specializing in a couple of Swedish delicacies. A guy who lives for culinary classes and whose dream is a restaurant? Yes! And Oscar is, if unwittingly, a problem solver; when Lou comes to the culinary teacher with the idea of repurposing all the uneaten apples thrown away after school lunches, Oscar is unlisted in putting them to use.
Of course they become friends, of course there are misunderstandings, of course something is going to have to happen because hey, you know it's going to. But it's such a fun ride. I enjoyed the full cast of characters, I smiled whenever Terrence entered the scene, I melted when Farfar and Lou used Swedish baby talk on the cat, and I might have a time or two when my eyes got a little misty.
Even with all the tropes and general expectations, this book was ... unexpected. At its core, it's a book about love - platonic, familial, and romantic. It's about hopes, dreams, duty, devastation, delicious food. And always love.
esherwood's review
4.0
Tugs at the heart strings. I cried. I put this author's other book on hold at the library. I'm looking forward to reading it. The author is an 8th grade English teacher in PA. I'm impressed!
valerieelseswhere's review
5.0
5/5 stars
I read this book in a day and will re-read it in the future. It has some swearing but is otherwise clean. From the title I thought it would be a romance, and it does have a romantic storyline, but it's more about all types of love; familial, friendship, and community. I laughed out loud at parts and cried on and off for the last 50 pages. It is a beautiful representation of life, it's complexities and all the highs and lows.
I read this book in a day and will re-read it in the future. It has some swearing but is otherwise clean. From the title I thought it would be a romance, and it does have a romantic storyline, but it's more about all types of love; familial, friendship, and community. I laughed out loud at parts and cried on and off for the last 50 pages. It is a beautiful representation of life, it's complexities and all the highs and lows.
beasleysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
heidimrogers's review
5.0
I adored this book. My heart melted, I cried, and I laughed out loud in the middle of a crowded trampoline park while reading it.
_emma_rose_'s review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I was already feeling emotional but this book did make me cry.
I've read a lot of lackluster YA romance, but this one really hit the spot, because the romance isn't the entirety of the characters. The protagonists have full lives and personalities outside of each other so it just felt more natural for them to end up together in the end. I also thought that the conflicts were pretty solid, even if it used a trope I really dislike:
Overhearing a conversation and making a ton of assumptions about it, causing a conflict.
Overall, this is a really good example of well-written YA. I also liked that it was from the perspective of a young man! I read a lot of books from young women's perspectives, especially in YA romance, so this was a cool change of pace.
I've read a lot of lackluster YA romance, but this one really hit the spot, because the romance isn't the entirety of the characters. The protagonists have full lives and personalities outside of each other so it just felt more natural for them to end up together in the end. I also thought that the conflicts were pretty solid, even if it used a trope I really dislike:
Overall, this is a really good example of well-written YA. I also liked that it was from the perspective of a young man! I read a lot of books from young women's perspectives, especially in YA romance, so this was a cool change of pace.
moniska89's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
natalie_j's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Super cute story! I love that the references to pop culture and the political state of the US recently wasn't forced or cringeworthy or anything, but rather helped set the scene and progressed the plot. I felt that the romance went at a pretty reasonable/realistic pace as well. I also liked that the romance was obviously a big part of the story, but was not the main part. This book made each character real and individual. I liked that in the epilogue it shows that Oscar can and does do things and continue the business without Farfar, but still gives us the happy ending of him living and being able to see Oscar do what he loves. He begins his next chapter while having the closure of Farfar being there and watching him thrive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Cursing, and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia, Violence, Lesbophobia, and Sexual content