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cassielaj's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book had me cryinggg at the end 😭 but also laughing throughout. Super fun story with a crazy premise (as soon as meddling octogenarians were introduced, i was hooked) and some really sweet and mostly realistic interpersonal moments between all of the characters. I’m excited for more of this series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
simoemil's review against another edition
Language and spice
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content
booksalacarte's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
5⭐️2.75🌶️
Rom com
Multicultural romance
Friends to enemies to lovers
Marriage of convenience
Chef FMC
Brew Master MMC
Older Main Characters
He fell first
Forced proximity
Chicago setting
Barely open door romance
Tw: cancer, death of a family member
The side characters are so vibrant and adorable. I loved all of them. The family dynamics are top tier and so relatable!
Pop cultural references, but I didn’t mind.
The spice was there, but it was more liked a cracked door into the on page romance rather than open door. Things get hot and heavy, but the sex itself is off page.
As someone who only speaks English, the use of Spanish was a lot, but not overwhelming due to the wonderful way that it was used and expressed throughout the book. It lent such a rich texture to the family and story.
I adored this book so dang much!
Rom com
Multicultural romance
Friends to enemies to lovers
Marriage of convenience
Chef FMC
Brew Master MMC
Older Main Characters
He fell first
Forced proximity
Chicago setting
Barely open door romance
Tw: cancer, death of a family member
The side characters are so vibrant and adorable. I loved all of them. The family dynamics are top tier and so relatable!
Pop cultural references, but I didn’t mind.
The spice was there, but it was more liked a cracked door into the on page romance rather than open door. Things get hot and heavy, but the sex itself is off page.
As someone who only speaks English, the use of Spanish was a lot, but not overwhelming due to the wonderful way that it was used and expressed throughout the book. It lent such a rich texture to the family and story.
I adored this book so dang much!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
alyssancoon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I thought this was good, but I have a few gripes.
Her family sucked big time. I was begging her to go no contact with them at one point. The scene where she made up with her parents was really nice, but her brothers never apologized or admitted their guilt in making her life miserable.
The book concludes withouther making up with her childhood best friend! Maybe Emily Henry has spoiled me, but I don't know how anyone can get their HAE without their best friend.
Speaking of friends, I wanted Liam to have better friends or more screen time with his friends. At one point he's in a mood and his friendsstraight up, are like, "fuck you and your depressive episodes. We don't care enough about you to have an adult conversation about this." Like
I get he was mean to them first, but there is a better way to do that.
Her family sucked big time. I was begging her to go no contact with them at one point. The scene where she made up with her parents was really nice, but her brothers never apologized or admitted their guilt in making her life miserable.
The book concludes without
Speaking of friends, I wanted Liam to have better friends or more screen time with his friends. At one point he's in a mood and his friends
I get he was mean to them first, but there is a better way to do that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
mari1532's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
I listened to this book through my library with Libby.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
bendersreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
fleur____'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
callidoralblack's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
chailady's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sweet frenemies to lovers book. I had picked up the second book in series, not knowing about the first. But I found the first one and enjoyed the read. Now I’m ready to read the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, and Death of parent
kyeruhh's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
This book had so many things I love: sad men, childhood friends to lovers, complicated family dynamics. The premise is absolutely ridiculous but I adored both grandfathers so much that I simply did not care. Kamilah and Liam were so sweet. The biggest issue I had was how awfully Kamilah’s family treated her and how quickly that was resolved. She deserved more justice!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Mental illness