A review by paperbackportals
Rubi Ramos's Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra

funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

📖Review: Rubi Ramos’s Rules for Success by Jessica Parra

This deliciously delightful coming of age story is sure to warm your heart and tempt your tastebuds. 

Rubi Ramos loves to bake, but her mom, nicknamed the boss, has instituted a ban on baking until Rubi can fulfill the Recipe for Success: get into Alma and become a lawyer. Despite the ban, Rubi is always doodling Cuban inspired recipes in the margins of her school notes. She secretly applies and participates in an opportunity to bake in the Orange County Bake-Off. Bending the ban, and being waitlisted at Alma, begins an avalanche of secrets, while she figures out how to navigate her parents’ plan for her life and her own. 

Cheering on Rubi as she navigates her coming of age story is as easy as pie. She is a spunky, passionate protagonist, who stole my heart immediately with her smart remarks, love of her family, and smooth LOTR, Star Wars, and other pop culture references. 

Her external struggle as a second generation immigrant to America from Cuba and her parents’ expectations for her future as well as prep school prejudice, are developed with care and highlight Rubi’s intricate identity and the struggles that she faces. 

The secondary characters in the story are lovable and quirky. Her best friend Devon, her “boyftu” Ryan, and the staff at the bakery, bring depth to the story and highlight Rubi’s amazing community of supporters. 

Finally, the bake-off is intense with quirky elements that made me laugh - baking puns and Rubi’s smart retorts. I always love when cooking or baking is used in stories to demonstrate passion and character development. This is no exception and perfectly advances the plot causing me to constantly be cheering and hoping Rubi as I read. 

Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success comes out on May 16, and is a wonderful YA coming-of-age story that makes me look forward to Jessica Parra’s future novels. 

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Publishing for the digital ARC as well as the ALC in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own - I read it twice, which is pretty positive ❤️