I really enjoyed this book and it was a super quick read, but it stayed quite surface level for me
This book follows Emoni, a high school student with a passion for cooking and dreams of being a chef. Things in her life are made more complicated by her young daughter and complicated family life, but she's determined to have it all. The chance of a trip to Spain, and the introduction of a new boy at school, make Emoni reconsider her priorities and challenge her dreams
I loved that this book revolves around food and Emoni's love of cooking. I also never follow recipes properly, adding extra chilli and cumin to everything, so I really appreciated seeing her passion for food woven through her life
It felt as though the chapters had been written out of order and flung together randomly sometimes. Not that it didn't make sense chronologically or anything, just that the chapters didn't seem to progress directly and also I couldn't always tell how much time had passed between them. The chapters were also very short, which was good in some ways but made it feel a little disjointed
I really liked the commentary on race and class mentioned throughout, but it never felt too heavy-handed. I also loved the recipes Emoni follows inspired by her Puerto Rican heritage, but also how complicated her relationship with that side of herself was
This book does feature a phrase that makes my eye twitch no less than three times. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding each time too, that's for sure...
Overall I did really enjoy this book, and would recommend it if you're looking for an easy-reading contemporary with a focus on food, family, and friendships. I also really liked the ending and closed the book with a smile of my face and feeling uplifted!
This book follows Emoni, a high school student with a passion for cooking and dreams of being a chef. Things in her life are made more complicated by her young daughter and complicated family life, but she's determined to have it all. The chance of a trip to Spain, and the introduction of a new boy at school, make Emoni reconsider her priorities and challenge her dreams
I loved that this book revolves around food and Emoni's love of cooking. I also never follow recipes properly, adding extra chilli and cumin to everything, so I really appreciated seeing her passion for food woven through her life
It felt as though the chapters had been written out of order and flung together randomly sometimes. Not that it didn't make sense chronologically or anything, just that the chapters didn't seem to progress directly and also I couldn't always tell how much time had passed between them. The chapters were also very short, which was good in some ways but made it feel a little disjointed
I really liked the commentary on race and class mentioned throughout, but it never felt too heavy-handed. I also loved the recipes Emoni follows inspired by her Puerto Rican heritage, but also how complicated her relationship with that side of herself was
This book does feature a phrase that makes my eye twitch no less than three times. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding each time too, that's for sure...
Overall I did really enjoy this book, and would recommend it if you're looking for an easy-reading contemporary with a focus on food, family, and friendships. I also really liked the ending and closed the book with a smile of my face and feeling uplifted!