GUAVA AND GRUDGES, by Alexis Castellanos, Bloomsbury YA, Sept. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (young adult)
Two teens from rival Cuban bakeries find themselves falling for each other in Guava and Grudges, by Alexis Castellanos.
Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of becoming a pastry chef. She loves developing new and exciting Cuban-fusion treats in her family’s bakery, but her dad refuses to change the menu created by her abuelo decades ago-meanwhile, the rival bakery across the street, Morales Bakery, is thriving with their Instagram-famous desserts.
Ana Maria’s only hope to change her dad’s mind and save up for culinary school is winning a recipe competition with a social media angle. But then the ultimate distraction shows up in her small town: Miguel, a boy she spent one magical day with six months ago, and who she never thought she’d see again. Ana Maria thinks maybe fate has brought them together again-until she learns the horrible truth. Miguel is a Morales.
An Ybarra cannot be associated with a Morales, let alone fall for one. But when she finds out Miguel is behind the Moraleses’ viral success and he offers to help her with the competition, she is so desperate to win she can’t turn him down. All she needs to do is keep Miguel at arm’s length and make sure their families don’t find out. After all, teaming up with Miguel is just business and nothing more…right? —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury YA
Guava and Grudges has a little Romeo and Juliet vibe with family grudges not even allowing for simple friendships. In this version, though, there’s no deadly tragedy, only an appealing story that ends with the happily ever after you want from a romantic comedy.
The story unfolds from Ana Maria’s point of view, and she’s a likeable character. She comes across and smart and driven and devoted to her family. Miguel is less developed, but is the kind of guy you’d want your kid to date.
The third main character/s in Guava and Grudges are Ana Maria’s recipes. These delectable dishes are key to the story and so well developed, you can almost smell them through the pages of the book. It’s clear author Alexis Castellanos has a passion for baking, and she’s even included a recipe at the end.
Guava and Grudges is a fun YA rom-com that moves quickly. It’s a sweet romance that feels familiar and unique at the same time.
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