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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
genderqueer_hiker's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Biphobia and Transphobia
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
nerdysread's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
5.0
Favorite book of the month so far. It’s just perfect. It’s sweet, cute, the romance is kinda cute too, the gentrification theme too. The story is more than what it looks like.
But what I LOVED about this book is THE COMMUNITY. You are never alone.
Also finding yourself in every way possible.
But what I LOVED about this book is THE COMMUNITY. You are never alone.
Also finding yourself in every way possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Transphobia
moonyreadsbystarlight's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
I really loved a lot of things that this book did! There was so much cool stuff going on with theme and character development, as well as discussion of gender and even nonmonogomy. It's such a unique and effective way to discuss breaking up but also different kinds of love in a way that is more nuanced and mature than most YA or adult romance books. The discussion of queer community and queer spaces was also really neat.
While some of the plot didn't feel as high stakes to me (or I wasn't as invested in it as I was in these other elements), it was still a really good read and I think one that would be really important for a lot of people to pick up.
While some of the plot didn't feel as high stakes to me (or I wasn't as invested in it as I was in these other elements), it was still a really good read and I think one that would be really important for a lot of people to pick up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Dysphoria, and Biphobia
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Sexual content and Transphobia
wynterwonderland's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Dysphoria, and Biphobia
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
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