4/5 stars
Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2013
256 pages
YA Contemporary
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like this is another YA contemporary about which I hadn't heard much. Luckily that tends to work in my favor as I don't enter the book with expectations, instead being prepared to just enjoy whatever comes. What I did know was that this book would feature its protagonist cooking a lot, something that really pleased me. Unfortunately I kept wanting recipes and this book did not provide any. I feel like I am encouraged to give cooking (and baking, my first love) more of a shot but I'd like a bit more guidance before attempting.
Anyway the plot for this one is less focused than your typical dystopia or fantasy. Basically we have Olivia going through the summer before senior year: she's getting her first real job in a casting agent's office, her adoptive gay dads are having money struggles, and she's starting to wonder about her birth mother in addition to creating a plan to pursue her love of cooking and first romance troubles.
One of my big concluding impressions of this book is that it is light. Yes, it does look at some more serious topics but the writing and plotting is very smooth and flows well. It's on the shorter side and I read it pretty quickly. Although I am thinking about it now, a few days after finishing, it didn't have anything substantial that will continue to resonate with me for the rest of the year like my favorite books did.
I pretty much liked everything but didn't love anything. It was great to see Olivia as a child of adoption and the easy acceptance of her dads for what they were (although as is shown, sadly not everyone is cool with it). I liked the cooking aspect, which plays a huge role. I liked Olivia's best friend and her support of Olivia at multiple key points. I wasn't too thrilled with how the romance plays out but if you're someone who doesn't want too much romance, you might be pleased with its representation here (I sometimes wish for more casual relationships in YA but really I do want the one true love intensity that we most often get.)
Overall: A perfectly pleasant read-fine for the beach or other summer locales. It just didn't knock my socks off :(
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The Compulsive Reader
I've not heard of this book at all, but it sounds like an interesting read with all the different elements going on within it. :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
I feel like it really hasn't gotten much buzz but all of its elements were well-balanced and it's definitely worth a read for contemp fans.
DeleteFirst off, love the name Olivia. This sounds cute, like I could enjoy it on the beach with a frosty beverage.
ReplyDeleteI love that name too! I think this could potentially be a beach read (or poolside for people who can't make it to the beach!)
DeleteI haven't heard much about this one but an enjoyable light book sounds good to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm helping to spread the word about this one because it really was quite enjoyable.
DeleteSounds like a good summer read. If my library gets it, I might check it out!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
Yeah, I don't know if it's a must-read but if your library has it, then take advantage!
DeleteNice read! I like that it shows her having two gay dads and that the bigger issues aren't focused on with a lot of negative emotions. It does sound good for the summer!
ReplyDeleteI love the diversity there so much and the cover fairly screams summer.
DeleteThis book looks like it'd be a good beach read. I love books that are accepting towards gay couples raising children:) Glad you liked this one and thanks for the review!
ReplyDelete-Danna
I loved that aspect too-it was not a big deal at all. Everyone was very accepting.
DeleteI recently read a book about a ballet dancer and hardly any scenes focused on her dancing. I am not super into ballet, but I was really frustrated. Hope you can find a good book with recipes in it or at least practical cooking tips.
ReplyDelete-Jenna
I would hate that! The food described here was just so delicious that recipes would have been greatly appreciated.
DeleteThis is another one I want to read soon. Lewis' other book is one of my favorites and I have been so amped to read new work from him. I haven't actually read any books about cooking that had recipes. Only baking books with recipes. That might be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI've read Joanne Fluke's murder mysteries with recipes but I can't think of any others at the moment-I just think it would have been a cool addition.
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