2.5 stars
I enjoyed this book but sadly didn't love it. With the fire on high is about Emoni, a teenage mother, student and wannabe chef. We follow her journey of finding her feet, challenging herself at her main passion of cooking, her relationships with her grandmother, absent father, best friend and her baby's dad. And of course there is a little romance thrown in too.
It was an easy read which I needed but perhaps a little too one level and simple. I did enjoy a lot of it but towards the end I sadly got a little bit bored.
There was some talk about race, poverty and developing countries which did add some depth but not enough for me.
What annoyed me was the lack of follow through with a lot of themes. So Emoni is scraping by with pennies and can't afford to do things yet she can buy saffron, rainbow chard and other expensive ingredients AND afford for her daughter to go to day care every day? And her grandmother was on disability for a hand injury but took care of a small child, did the groceries etc. It just isn't believeable. I know women in the USA that can barely move for pain and can't get disability payments.
I just think the depth wasn't there sadly and there was a lack of thought to detail. Also if I read the word "babygirl" one more time I will scream.
I wish this was a higher rating but I did still enjoy the different food based storyline.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book but sadly didn't love it. With the fire on high is about Emoni, a teenage mother, student and wannabe chef. We follow her journey of finding her feet, challenging herself at her main passion of cooking, her relationships with her grandmother, absent father, best friend and her baby's dad. And of course there is a little romance thrown in too.
It was an easy read which I needed but perhaps a little too one level and simple. I did enjoy a lot of it but towards the end I sadly got a little bit bored.
There was some talk about race, poverty and developing countries which did add some depth but not enough for me.
What annoyed me was the lack of follow through with a lot of themes. So Emoni is scraping by with pennies and can't afford to do things yet she can buy saffron, rainbow chard and other expensive ingredients AND afford for her daughter to go to day care every day? And her grandmother was on disability for a hand injury but took care of a small child, did the groceries etc. It just isn't believeable. I know women in the USA that can barely move for pain and can't get disability payments.
I just think the depth wasn't there sadly and there was a lack of thought to detail. Also if I read the word "babygirl" one more time I will scream.
I wish this was a higher rating but I did still enjoy the different food based storyline.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.