Reviews with content warning for Dysphoria - The Heartbreak Bakery

Reviews tagging 'Dysphoria'

The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R. Capetta

21 reviews

cozyscones's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

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novella42's review

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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!

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froggydanny's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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nerdysread's review

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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.

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caidyn's review

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

This is an utterly cute, highly affirming read. Both the MC and LI are nonbinary. It was such an enjoyable read and it was a fantastic choice for the Enby Book Club.

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imstephtacular's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

A beautiful, warm, magical story. The writing is lovely and the story has a great sense of place! I loved the characters and felt so joyful reading this

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moonyreadsbystarlight's review

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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.

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