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mari1532's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Brief Summary: Kamilah Vega is trying to keep her grandmother's bakery and dream alive. However, at every turn, she butts heads with her grandfather about the direction in which to take the business. However, when he seems willing to enter the bakery on a popular food tour in town Kamilah immediately agrees to anything he wants. Little does she know that he wants her to marry his best friend's grandson, who happens to be her childhood enemy, Liam Kane.
Thoughts: This was a charming and heartwarming romance novel. I enjoyed Caña's writing and in large part, I enjoyed the tension and chemistry between Kamilah and Liam. However, I did feel that the marriage of convenience and forced proximity of it all was a bit hard to buy into sometimes. The hidden aspect of the relationship went on a little longer than I felt was necessary.
My favourite parts of the book were the relationships between Kamilah and her grandfather and Liam and his grandfather. They were loving but complicated, and a large part of the entertainment throughout the book. Caña captured the complex relationships of grandchildren and grandparents well and nailed difficult, but endearing grandfathers.
I did enjoy the way that Kamilah and Liam were able to learn about their familial trauma together and develop a deep and vulnerable relationship with one another is the real highlight of the book. Overall this emotional connection made the romance feel real and well-rounded. There is sexual chemistry between the two of them but it accentuates the emotional connection between them.
Caña's writing is very good and the plot is heartwarming. I enjoyed this book, but the troupes were not my favourite.
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
kyrstin_p1989'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
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
kyeruhh'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
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Mental illness
indieandajean'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
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, and Classism
reading_rebellion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
There's a friends to enemies to fake dating trope. Not a trope I tend to like, but I actually enjoyed this one. The first few chapters are kind of slow, but it really picks up at about chapter 3-4 and keeps getting better and better as it unfolds.
I LOVED the background setting and intermingle of interracial culture with food and drinks. As well as the mix of both English, Spanglish and Spanish accents of the characters. The narrator was phenomenal!
It does tackle some heavy topics of childhood and generational trauma but does it in a way that doesn't weigh you down and keeps the overall vibe lighthearted.
It also follows some typical Latin family stereotypes but also seeks to correct them.
Overall this was an unexpected, but very fun read. Sentimental and deep while being lightheaded, full of warmth, spice and heart!
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying and Cancer
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment