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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
elliott_the_clementine's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
Just like a perfectly baked pastry - sweet and light, with knowledge of the hard work put in to make it so delicious.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia
jenny_librarian'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
5.0
This little gem of a book is exactly what I needed. It’s so wonderfully queer that it made me want to cry multiple times.
It’s a very soft rom-com that is as much about figuring yourself out as the cute relationship.
And the recipes made me hungry and eager to bake. Might keep some of those in my cooking collection.
It’s a very soft rom-com that is as much about figuring yourself out as the cute relationship.
And the recipes made me hungry and eager to bake. Might keep some of those in my cooking collection.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
theoryfruit's review
I wanted to love this book, but the writing was overly verbose and, honestly, cringe-inducing at points. I found Syd to be a pretty flat character, and Harley was almost a caricature of a happy-go-lucky delivery person. My biggest issue with the book was that the author seemed a little too concerned with designating characters as AFAB or AMAB rather than introducing and referring to them by their correct gender, which was annoying and made the inclusion of so many genders and sexualities seem a little superficial.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Dysphoria, Transphobia, and Homophobia
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