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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
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
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.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
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