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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a fairly solid debut novel. There are times where it feels like it's trying to go after several trends at once (paranormal romance! cooking! ghosts!), and there's a few cases of Unneccessary Capital Letters, but overall, it's a fairly solid book set around the premise that sometimes you can cook something well enough that it can conjure up a loved one's ghost for the living. The brief interlude with the Russian mob is a bit weird. Overall, worth my time having read it.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4 ⭐️ I loved this book! I finished the audiobook in 2 sittings, about 2 weeks ago but Maycember with the kids ending school nearly killed me, so I am just getting around to reviews and I can honestly say I still love and remember everything about this book! This is a book that took me by surprise, my insta girlies convinced me to read with their glowing reviews as it wasn’t even on my radar and I am so glad I did! This is a multi genre book that has it all - mild romance, paranormal ghosts, magical realism, deep emotions about grief, remembrance and what happens to you after you die. It also is peppered with so many food references that foodies will likely be able to taste this book as well. It was so fun.
For starters the narration is what hooked me, it has a multi cast narration but Ari Fliakos as the main character, Kostya was phenomenal and I was sucked into this immersive story. The first half of this book is easily 5 stars, I devoured the story premise and the first time Kostya brings back the dead through his culinary skills had me sobbing in my front yard while pruning the bushes. I can’t even imagine what I neighbors thought when they drove by! The second half of the book was more 3 stars for me as the story gets overly complex and admittedly lost me a bit. Overall, I think this was one of the most unique and touching stories I have read in quite a while and it made me hungry for Reese’s peanut butter cups.
I can’t wait to see what more people think as it is definitely under hyped and deserves so much more attention.
This was my 52nd book of 2025
Format: Libby, audiobook
For starters the narration is what hooked me, it has a multi cast narration but Ari Fliakos as the main character, Kostya was phenomenal and I was sucked into this immersive story. The first half of this book is easily 5 stars, I devoured the story premise and the first time Kostya brings back the dead through his culinary skills had me sobbing in my front yard while pruning the bushes. I can’t even imagine what I neighbors thought when they drove by! The second half of the book was more 3 stars for me as the story gets overly complex and admittedly lost me a bit. Overall, I think this was one of the most unique and touching stories I have read in quite a while and it made me hungry for Reese’s peanut butter cups.
I can’t wait to see what more people think as it is definitely under hyped and deserves so much more attention.
This was my 52nd book of 2025
Format: Libby, audiobook
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
Thoroughly enjoyed the time spent in this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes