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novella42's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This book was generous, warm, and wholeheartedly delicious. A cookie. This book was basically a cookie. Fresh out of the oven and scrumptious.
I adored all the food metaphors, many of which were downright poetic. I loved the way that the city of Austin was its own character, one very true to form, I think. It was just so sweet, in every way I could've wanted. It really had everything I could've asked for in a YA queer romance set in my hometown.
It reminded me of the queer foodie goodness of Chef's Kiss by TJ Alexander, and also the magical realism culinary romance of The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
Tiny spoilery complaint about the polyam rep:my only complaint here is that I don't know anyone in the polyamorous community who would surprise invite someone to a polyamory brunch. The community functions on lots of communication and informed consent, which is otherwise wonderfully represented in this scene, but the plot device of having Syd invited without understanding it was a polyam meetup rang really false to me. Maybe it was meant to be a misunderstanding? I think the main reason it bothers me is that polyam people get pinged with a lot of suspicion that we'd try to trick someone into dating us, when the reality is most polyam people (at least the ones I know) go to great lengths to make sure everyone is on the same page and opting in on their own terms. But otherwise, it was a great scene and I truly appreciated having good representation.
Anyway, I loved this book so very much and think I will be swinging by Book Woman soon to pick up a hardcopy for my own Comfort Book Shelf.
I've also snapped pics of the recipes for the Very Sorry Cake and the Shiny New Scones and have loaded up the ingredients in my HEB grocery app. I will update here if they turn out as delicious as they sound!
I adored all the food metaphors, many of which were downright poetic. I loved the way that the city of Austin was its own character, one very true to form, I think. It was just so sweet, in every way I could've wanted. It really had everything I could've asked for in a YA queer romance set in my hometown.
It reminded me of the queer foodie goodness of Chef's Kiss by TJ Alexander, and also the magical realism culinary romance of The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
Tiny spoilery complaint about the polyam rep:
Anyway, I loved this book so very much and think I will be swinging by Book Woman soon to pick up a hardcopy for my own Comfort Book Shelf.
I've also snapped pics of the recipes for the Very Sorry Cake and the Shiny New Scones and have loaded up the ingredients in my HEB grocery app. I will update here if they turn out as delicious as they sound!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Fatphobia, Transphobia, Homophobia, Dysphoria, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infidelity
city_girl_writer's review
I don't care or have a strong enough curiosity to finish. There is nothing bad about it, just...not for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
morebedsidebooks's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Dysphoria, Biphobia, Fatphobia, and Transphobia
Fundamentally, the whole aspect of magical baking creates moral and ethical questions that infuse the whole novel. The handling of such can and will be debated by readers.looseleafellie's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This YA contemporary with a magical twist follows agender teen Syd, who works at a queer-owned bakery. When Syd goes through a bad breakup and accidentally makes some brownies that causes everyone who eats them to break up, it’s up to Syd and the bakery’s cute delivery person Harley to save the day!
I am a SUCKER for a slow burn friends to lovers romance, and Syd and Harley are now one of my favorite book couples! I loved seeing their playful banter turn into a beautiful relationship — but with a good amount of angst along the way, cause the angst is what makes it fun.
The magic system is soft, and I didn’t completely understand the rules by the end, but I didn’t mind it the way I would with a high fantasy story. The dash of fantasy was incorporated into Syd’s coming-of-age story in a way that really resonated with me.
The book is also set in Austin, and as someone who lives in the Austin area, it was so fun to see Syd and Harley visit so many familiar places!
If you’re looking for a story with a cute romance, thoughtful coming-of-age themes, a magical twist, and tons of LGBTQ+ representation centered around community, I cannot recommend this book enough!
CWs: dysphoria, misgendering, toxic relationship, fatphobia mention.
I am a SUCKER for a slow burn friends to lovers romance, and Syd and Harley are now one of my favorite book couples! I loved seeing their playful banter turn into a beautiful relationship — but with a good amount of angst along the way, cause the angst is what makes it fun.
The magic system is soft, and I didn’t completely understand the rules by the end, but I didn’t mind it the way I would with a high fantasy story. The dash of fantasy was incorporated into Syd’s coming-of-age story in a way that really resonated with me.
The book is also set in Austin, and as someone who lives in the Austin area, it was so fun to see Syd and Harley visit so many familiar places!
If you’re looking for a story with a cute romance, thoughtful coming-of-age themes, a magical twist, and tons of LGBTQ+ representation centered around community, I cannot recommend this book enough!
CWs: dysphoria, misgendering, toxic relationship, fatphobia mention.
Content Warnings
Minor: Dysphoria, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, and Fatphobia
longlost's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
Absolutely obsessed with this book. Was drawn to it for the concept of an agender main character and was not disappointed. I wish I worked at the Proud Muffin.
The variety of characters was so refreshing - I adore how seamlessly Capetta switched Harley's pronouns throughout the book according to what they were most comfortable with at the time. And Syd's experience with no pronouns feeling right was incredibly relatable to me. Capetta's writing style was also so enjoyable - their penchant for baking metaphors reflected Syd's identity perfectly, and made the book feel even more unique. Reading this book made me so happy - the scenes of queer joy meant so much to me and Syd's passion for baking was so endearing.
The variety of characters was so refreshing - I adore how seamlessly Capetta switched Harley's pronouns throughout the book according to what they were most comfortable with at the time. And Syd's experience with no pronouns feeling right was incredibly relatable to me. Capetta's writing style was also so enjoyable - their penchant for baking metaphors reflected Syd's identity perfectly, and made the book feel even more unique. Reading this book made me so happy - the scenes of queer joy meant so much to me and Syd's passion for baking was so endearing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Minor: Fatphobia
caseythereader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Fatphobia, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
betweentheshelves's review
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
This was rightfully cute! One of my favorite things about it was the way recipes were incorporated between chapters. Not only were there some really great recipes included in here, but they also directly connected to what was going on in Syd's life. Fair warning-this book will probably make you hungry!
I think the romance element was done pretty well, too. You can right off the bat that Syd and Harley have chemistry, and even though Syd is getting out of a relationship, they are just so perfect together. Plus, there are some great side characters who really round out this queer bakery haven in Austin, Texas.
Some of the magic baking stuff wasn't quite believable, especially towards the end there. However, I did enjoy Syd's journey and think this is an absolutely adorable queer baking romance.
I think the romance element was done pretty well, too. You can right off the bat that Syd and Harley have chemistry, and even though Syd is getting out of a relationship, they are just so perfect together. Plus, there are some great side characters who really round out this queer bakery haven in Austin, Texas.
Some of the magic baking stuff wasn't quite believable, especially towards the end there. However, I did enjoy Syd's journey and think this is an absolutely adorable queer baking romance.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
crackedspines_'s review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
ARC REVIEW
Thank you so much to @candlewickpress for my ARC!
REP: agender bisexual main character, demisexual transgender/non-binary love interest, many queer central side characters (trans woman, several polyamorous characters, a pansexual drag queen, etc), Black, Latine, and other POC side characters
OVERALL: This was one of my most anticipated of the year and it did NOT disappoint! It’s my ideal book. Queer-normative, an almost entirely queer cast, sweet, comforting + easy to read. This is a new comfort read for me. I can see myself rereading it whenever I want the familiarity of a reread or to escape.
PLOT: I’m obsessed with the premise of this book. It was so much fun to watch Syd figure out Syd’s magic and try to clean up the messes made by it. The romance was also really cute.
SETTING: the Proud Muffin sounds incredible - freshly made baked goods in a cozy bakery with a queer community space. I’m obsessed with it.
WORLD-BUILDING: The world-building is very light, which I loved. For most of the book there’s minimal explanation of the magic system; just Syd exploring and slowly learning. Towards the end there’s a short explanation that goes a bit more in-depth. I enjoyed the light world-building. It made the book more relaxing. But the explanations at the end were also fun! It was the perfect amount to answer some questions without a complex magic system.
STRUCTURE: The recipes are so fun!!! The recipes for genders and things like “the best day” were fun to read, and all of the baked goods sound delicious. I’m excited to bake my way through this book.
THEMES: Despite being a lighthearted, fun read, The Heartbreak Bakery also delves into some more thoughtful, emotional topics. We follow Syd’s journey of learning Syd has magic and falling in love with Harley, but also of learning more about Syd’s own emotions and facing hard truths about Syd’s ex + their relationship.
WRITING: The writing is absolutely beautiful. The book is full of food/baking metaphors and it really made it feel like I got to see the world through Syd’s eyes.
CHARACTERS: I mentioned this above but Syd has such an amazing character arc. And I loved all of the characters - Harley, Marisol, Jessalee…all of them are well developed, lovable, and fun.
Thank you so much to @candlewickpress for my ARC!
REP: agender bisexual main character, demisexual transgender/non-binary love interest, many queer central side characters (trans woman, several polyamorous characters, a pansexual drag queen, etc), Black, Latine, and other POC side characters
OVERALL: This was one of my most anticipated of the year and it did NOT disappoint! It’s my ideal book. Queer-normative, an almost entirely queer cast, sweet, comforting + easy to read. This is a new comfort read for me. I can see myself rereading it whenever I want the familiarity of a reread or to escape.
PLOT: I’m obsessed with the premise of this book. It was so much fun to watch Syd figure out Syd’s magic and try to clean up the messes made by it. The romance was also really cute.
SETTING: the Proud Muffin sounds incredible - freshly made baked goods in a cozy bakery with a queer community space. I’m obsessed with it.
WORLD-BUILDING: The world-building is very light, which I loved. For most of the book there’s minimal explanation of the magic system; just Syd exploring and slowly learning. Towards the end there’s a short explanation that goes a bit more in-depth. I enjoyed the light world-building. It made the book more relaxing. But the explanations at the end were also fun! It was the perfect amount to answer some questions without a complex magic system.
STRUCTURE: The recipes are so fun!!! The recipes for genders and things like “the best day” were fun to read, and all of the baked goods sound delicious. I’m excited to bake my way through this book.
THEMES: Despite being a lighthearted, fun read, The Heartbreak Bakery also delves into some more thoughtful, emotional topics. We follow Syd’s journey of learning Syd has magic and falling in love with Harley, but also of learning more about Syd’s own emotions and facing hard truths about Syd’s ex + their relationship.
WRITING: The writing is absolutely beautiful. The book is full of food/baking metaphors and it really made it feel like I got to see the world through Syd’s eyes.
CHARACTERS: I mentioned this above but Syd has such an amazing character arc. And I loved all of the characters - Harley, Marisol, Jessalee…all of them are well developed, lovable, and fun.
Content Warnings
Minor: Dysphoria, Fatphobia, and Transphobia
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