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elg1105's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Gun violence, and Abortion
naysia_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Emoni has a very special gift which is the ability to cook. The author's explanations of family recipes and the detail used to describe cooking made me crave sooo much fictional food!
I adored listening to this audiobook and loved the author's narration. Her ability to both connect with and captivate readers is phenomenal!
Overall, the characters, the romance and the entire story were amazing! I have nothing but love and high praise for this book!
Tropes;
Afro-Latina (Puerto Rican and African American) FMC
Cultural significance of food and cooking
Responsibilities of raising a child
Coming of age
Swipe for a full synopsis
Graphic: Abandonment
megan_harper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism
lilybear3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
My only critique is that I think the story could've been a tad shorter. Like I would've been happy with the story ending after
I'll always recommend her audiobooks as well. I didn't listen to this book, but Elizabeth does the audio and I'm sure it's amazing! I fell in love with her audios of The Poet X (her own book) and Pride by Ibi Zoboi.
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Vomit, and Alcohol
jeanettesreadingcorner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
- Emoni is such a loving and caring mom. Even while juggling high school, friendships, cooking, teen drama, and everything else life throws at her. Her growth is incredible to be a part of.
- Malachi! The sweetest love interest. Malachi is so thoughtful and cute. He respects Emoni’s boundaries and situations with her daughter. The romance between them is honest and genuine. Malachi and Emoni on the trip to Spain is 🔥🥰💋💕
- Emoni’s passion for cooking is amazing. The descriptions of the food and how she cooks is magical. I want to try all of the dishes and recipes in the book. Cooking is not a common hobby in books and it’s cool to see it highlighted in this story. The descriptions of the food and how she cooks is magical. I love how proud Emoni’s of her culture and background!
- Elizabeth Acevedo’s writing is so poetic and lyrical. She gives Emoni such a powerful and compelling voice.
- My life and Emoni’s are so different. However, I still feel like I can relate and connect to her character. I love books like that.
- The setting of the Philadelphia city life was new and fun for me to read. Especially the slang words and pride the characters have for Philly.
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Outing
lizziea229's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abandonment
viireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Abortion
emilyhv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is not a book to read on an empty stomach, every meal had my stomach grumbling at the deletable descriptions, and mouth-watering recipes.
A favorite element of all of Acevedo's books is how race is talked about and dealt with. I relate so much whenever this comes up, and the way it is handled feels like a window to my heart had her peering in and putting onto page what I feel.
I never really thought I would enjoy and relate to a book about pregnancy, and the struggle of being a teen mom, and how it affects your entire life and those around you. It is truly a testament to the excellent writing how relatable and real the characters felt. When 'Buela confessed about her doctors appointments, I think my heart broke a little.
Acevedo truly succeeds at putting so much of herself and her heart in every page, as much as love and family is a running theme, so too is hope, and not giving up no matter how hard life gets. I think one of the reasons I always reach for Acevedo's books is because they alway give me hope, and make me feel less alone. So many times I feel so alone, lost, and adrift in life, and then I read a heart-warming novel such as this one and it makes me feel like maybe I can make through another day. That maybe no matter how much I am struggling now, it will all be worth it in the end. To chase your dreams is to welcome fear and learn to be okay with doubt and taking a chance on stuff that might not succeed. I may not have a family like Emoni does, but I do have an unshakeable perseverance, and books like this that allow me to keep going.
A MUST READ.
Minor: Bullying, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment