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jazzyjbox 's review for:
Guava and Grudges
by Alexis Castellanos
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a cute, lighthearted story about two teens liking each other only to discover they're from rival families.
Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of culinary school, but she's reluctant to tell her parents who own one of two Cuban bakeries in town. When she's on a UCLA college tour, she meets an amazing guy named Miguel and has a wonderful day with him, never to see him again. Until he sees her at a party back home six months later. It must be fate, except she finds out he's related to the OTHER Cuban family in town - her family's bitter rivals.
I liked the story pretty well. It's full of good food, good humor, and family drama. I would have liked to see a little more of the rivalry and maybe one fewer of the On/Off between Ana Maria and Miguel. I loved that the Moraleses and Ybarras retained their culture in the Pacific Northwest and passed it on to their families. I need some of that food immediately.
Side note: What is going on with that cover? The text says that Miguel has golden tan skin and dark hair, and Ana Maria has coal-black hair and light brown skin. The cover looks like two pale white kids with middle brown hair.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of culinary school, but she's reluctant to tell her parents who own one of two Cuban bakeries in town. When she's on a UCLA college tour, she meets an amazing guy named Miguel and has a wonderful day with him, never to see him again. Until he sees her at a party back home six months later. It must be fate, except she finds out he's related to the OTHER Cuban family in town - her family's bitter rivals.
I liked the story pretty well. It's full of good food, good humor, and family drama. I would have liked to see a little more of the rivalry and maybe one fewer of the On/Off between Ana Maria and Miguel. I loved that the Moraleses and Ybarras retained their culture in the Pacific Northwest and passed it on to their families. I need some of that food immediately.
Side note: What is going on with that cover? The text says that Miguel has golden tan skin and dark hair, and Ana Maria has coal-black hair and light brown skin. The cover looks like two pale white kids with middle brown hair.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.