Scan barcode
mandkips's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Car accident, and Alcoholism
Minor: Addiction and Sexual assault
amberinpieces's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Biphobia, Infidelity, Racism, and Toxic relationship
quillify_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
It's very rare that a romance book has something bigger going on than the obstacles put in for the main couple, so this was really amazing! I almost never like the leads in romance books, but since this was a retelling of my favorite Austen book, I found myself falling in love with Liza, and of course being surprised like a forgetful idiot as her love interest, James's character arc progresses. The page time given to Grace, Liza and Sarah's and James and Ben's friendship, I appreciated, because again friendships usually take a backseat for the romance. The author reworked P&P really well. I also appreciated the time devoted to Liza and her mom's tense relationship and criticism, in addition to the baking aspect and Liza's authentic love for it. (*gasp* a female lead with realistic dreams, hobbies, flaws and a proper arc!) I do not know much about baking, but one of my closest friends is a baker, a great one at that, and I recommended this to her!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Cursing
yeojinqueen's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
such a cute book. It was also funny and touched on deeper subjects. In the second half they even added some extra drama
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Car accident, and Infidelity
crystalmethany's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Sexual assault, Car accident, and Infidelity
decklededgess's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
Trigger warnings: racist microaggressions, parental pressure, classism, sexual assault and harassment, cheating mention, underage alcohol use mention, car accident mention, divorce mention, emotional manipulation mention, eating disorder mention
I thoroughly enjoyed this. A truly unique take on the classic Pride and Prejudice, the altered relationships and characters who follow the main stories in p&p make for a suspenseful read despite knowing exactly what’s coming. I also enjoyed the family dynamics. It’s heartwarming to see books depict family dynamics as complex yet loving. Gestures can be grating but they always come from love (in healthy families) and this was expertly shows in this book. I loved the budding relationships and Lisa’s boisterous and headstrong personality. James was brooding yet soft in the cutest way ever. Loved this book!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this. A truly unique take on the classic Pride and Prejudice, the altered relationships and characters who follow the main stories in p&p make for a suspenseful read despite knowing exactly what’s coming. I also enjoyed the family dynamics. It’s heartwarming to see books depict family dynamics as complex yet loving. Gestures can be grating but they always come from love (in healthy families) and this was expertly shows in this book. I loved the budding relationships and Lisa’s boisterous and headstrong personality. James was brooding yet soft in the cutest way ever. Loved this book!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Car accident, and Alcoholism
kindredbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I received a gifted copy from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
In A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen, a young Taiwanese American high school student, Liza, loves to bake and she is trying her best to finish her finals while thwarting her mother’s attempt to matchmaker her with the Asian boys within their vicinity. At the fifth annual baking competition hosted by her mother’s bakery, Liza is invited to be a judge and she soon realizes that it is an elaborate scheme set up by her mother. All the accepted contestants are Asian - some with very questionable abilities in baking for a baking competition. While Liza wants to rebel against her mother, there perhaps may be a chance for love with one of the contestants.
I absolutely loved all the mention of bubble tea - that bonding of friendship over boba feels too familiar to me. There were also a lot of cultural and pop culture references that made the story and characters feel real to me. I did feel that there were quite a number of HP references - which I could have done without to be honest. Jennifer Yen’s story writing and themes remind me a lot of Gloria Chao - and so if you are a fan of Gloria Chao, I’m sure you’ll really enjoy Jennifer Yen. Both draw a lot on the first generation Taiwanese/Chinese experience and while it is quite refreshing from most YA novels, I’m still waiting on a novel that has a Chinese mom like mine, one who has shown no tendency to those matchmaking ways. Though depending on how you may look at it, perhaps I’m missing out on my chance of love and baked goods, as Liza’s mom’s scheme seems to have worked out in the end for Liza.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the copy of the book. I am very pleased to see the diversity in authors and books available to readers.
In A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen, a young Taiwanese American high school student, Liza, loves to bake and she is trying her best to finish her finals while thwarting her mother’s attempt to matchmaker her with the Asian boys within their vicinity. At the fifth annual baking competition hosted by her mother’s bakery, Liza is invited to be a judge and she soon realizes that it is an elaborate scheme set up by her mother. All the accepted contestants are Asian - some with very questionable abilities in baking for a baking competition. While Liza wants to rebel against her mother, there perhaps may be a chance for love with one of the contestants.
I absolutely loved all the mention of bubble tea - that bonding of friendship over boba feels too familiar to me. There were also a lot of cultural and pop culture references that made the story and characters feel real to me. I did feel that there were quite a number of HP references - which I could have done without to be honest. Jennifer Yen’s story writing and themes remind me a lot of Gloria Chao - and so if you are a fan of Gloria Chao, I’m sure you’ll really enjoy Jennifer Yen. Both draw a lot on the first generation Taiwanese/Chinese experience and while it is quite refreshing from most YA novels, I’m still waiting on a novel that has a Chinese mom like mine, one who has shown no tendency to those matchmaking ways. Though depending on how you may look at it, perhaps I’m missing out on my chance of love and baked goods, as Liza’s mom’s scheme seems to have worked out in the end for Liza.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the copy of the book. I am very pleased to see the diversity in authors and books available to readers.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident
More...