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bibliorey's review against another edition
5.0
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a mother in possession of great wisdom, must be in want—nay, in need—of a daughter who will listen."
I AM SPEECHLESS. THIS BOOK IS A TOTAL MASTERPIECE.
I had a readalong with my best friend Nana and as she is still reading it, I am writing this review because I cannot hold this feelings in any longer. THIS BOOK WAS TOTALLY AMAZING. I LOVED IT SO MUCH. I AM STILL HAVING THE WARMY FUZZY FEELINGS FROM THE BOOK OMG.
Liza is an aspiring baker, but growing in a typical Asian family, her family has high expectations of her and I felt that. THE AMOUNT OF THINGS I RELATE TO THIS BOOK OH MY GOOOOOOOD!!! So much, literally Asian vibes all around and I'm all for it. This book made me hungry. In fact, after posting this review I'm gonna make myself some food. The idea of a baking competition is so so cute. Sort of reminding me of The Princess Switch mixed with To All The Boys I've Loved Before sort of vibe. The element of love, friends and family in this book are just *chef's kiss*.
THE ENDING OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLS I HAVE NEVER FELT SO SINGLE IN MY LIFE BEFOREEEEE!!!!
If I'm not mistaken, this is the author's debut novel and for a debut novel this is stunning, amazing, beautiful, literally a masterpiece, I just love it. I'm not sure if this is a standalone or it will have a sequel but if there is a sequel to this, I would literally buy it like for realsssss.
Honourable mentions: LITERAL TOP 3. Jeannie, Ben and James. Jeannie was such a good sister to Liza. Love her. Eventhough they had a tiny conflict. Ben, literally a comedy king. LOVE HIM. James, where do I find a man like you? Seriously. Are you available on Amazon or Shopee or sumn? Let me know kay luv!
calypsogilstrap's review against another edition
2.0
I will buy it for the library but for me personal it was meh.
kthornette's review against another edition
2.0
I picked to read this book because I wanted an Asian romcom foodie kind of read. Yes, we got the family restaurant and then all the boba visits, but if the book’s synopsis is going to tell me about a baking competition, you’d think it wouldn’t start almost halfway through the book. I think it should’ve started earlier and then the revelations at the ending could’ve been better spaced out and presented. (I will say that the other bakers in the competition were very entertaining).
I also wasn’t fond of the romance. I didn’t see the chemistry between James and Liza so I found no reason to root for them. Liza was an interesting character though. I liked her attitude and witty remarks, defying her parents’ expectations but also wanting their approval. I also liked the portrayal of Asian culture (half-Asian here) and it seemed accurate to my own experience and other depictions in other YA books.
I also wasn’t fond of the romance. I didn’t see the chemistry between James and Liza so I found no reason to root for them. Liza was an interesting character though. I liked her attitude and witty remarks, defying her parents’ expectations but also wanting their approval. I also liked the portrayal of Asian culture (half-Asian here) and it seemed accurate to my own experience and other depictions in other YA books.
meganfuhr's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
I wish I liked it more. The pacing was a bit too slow for me at times, and it really affected how connected I felt to the characters and the plot.
I wish I liked it more. The pacing was a bit too slow for me at times, and it really affected how connected I felt to the characters and the plot.
amyka's review against another edition
3.0
In a sea of teen beach reads I read on vacation this was in the middle, but toward the bottom. I felt like there was less character development than in the other ones - as with many authors, they just repeat the same character traits over and over again using a few different words here and there. I didn't cheer for anyone or get caught up.
rfrockwood's review against another edition
4.0
Asian American leads, Austen-based plot, with lots of baking? A recipe for success.
kcmmp13's review against another edition
5.0
I love a good enemies to lovers and this one takes the cake (pun intended)! Liza was such a fun character and I loved learning more about her background and Taiwanese baking. If you're not craving Taiwanese pastries after reading this book, there's something wrong. Back to Liza, her mom has been trying to set her up with a nice Asian boy, preferably Taiwanese, and Liza is having none of it. She hides the American boys she dates and tries to live her own life, like her sister Jeannie who's a model in NYC. Liza's mom owns a bakery & her father owns a restaurant that they named Yin & Yang. Her mom hosts an annual bakeoff and this year Mrs. Yang uses it as a matchmaking exercise for Liza, cue the drama.
What really adds to the story are the secondary characters. Her friend Grace is the perfect complement to Liza's reserved self. She's bubbly and outgoing. Grace's outgoingness leads the girls to meeting James & Ben, two boys that moved to Houston from NYC (you learn why later in the story). Grace and Ben hit it off, but James rubbed Liza the wrong way the first time she met him, in her high school parking lot. After constantly being forced together due to Grace & Ben, James and Liza become friendly.
Both Ben and James are in the baking competition along with 8 other boys. Drama ensues both at the bakeoff and in Liza & Grace's lives. Throw in a lying boyfriend, a baking foe, and the drama from New York and you have the perfect recipe for something more crazy than a K-drama (according to Liza). I really enjoyed how the story unfolded, though I did guess some of the things in the end reveal.
It was a cute story full of friendship, family, and delicious treats.
What really adds to the story are the secondary characters. Her friend Grace is the perfect complement to Liza's reserved self. She's bubbly and outgoing. Grace's outgoingness leads the girls to meeting James & Ben, two boys that moved to Houston from NYC (you learn why later in the story). Grace and Ben hit it off, but James rubbed Liza the wrong way the first time she met him, in her high school parking lot. After constantly being forced together due to Grace & Ben, James and Liza become friendly.
Both Ben and James are in the baking competition along with 8 other boys. Drama ensues both at the bakeoff and in Liza & Grace's lives. Throw in a lying boyfriend, a baking foe, and the drama from New York and you have the perfect recipe for something more crazy than a K-drama (according to Liza). I really enjoyed how the story unfolded, though I did guess some of the things in the end reveal.
It was a cute story full of friendship, family, and delicious treats.
brandienoel's review against another edition
2.0
While this was a cute story, I’m not a fan of inserting commentary on the current negative political climate in the country. One line of that nonsense brought this book from a four star rating to a two star rating for me. That sort of talk in a book just isn’t my thing, regardless of what side it lands on politically, especially when it adds absolutely nothing to the story. I read to escape from all of that.
darenah's review against another edition
3.0
-cute but i feel like the relationship could've been developed more
-more drama than i anticipated tho
-nathan (main character's sisters boyfriend) sucks so much she deserved better than him
-also kissing someone without their consent (sexual assault) should've been talked about more
-more drama than i anticipated tho
-nathan (main character's sisters boyfriend) sucks so much she deserved better than him
-also kissing someone without their consent (sexual assault) should've been talked about more