Seventeen-year-old aspiring chef Isabella Fields’ family life has fallen apart after the death of her Cuban abuela and the divorce of her parents. She moves in with her dad and his new wife in France, where Isabella feels like an outsider in her father’s new life, studiously avoiding the awkward, “Why did you cheat on Mom?” conversation.

The upside of Isabella’s world being turned upside down? Her father’s house is located only 30 minutes away from the restaurant of world-famous Chef Pascal Grattard, who runs a prestigious and competitive international kitchen apprenticeship. The prize job at Chef Grattard’s renowned restaurant also represents a transformative opportunity for Isabella, who is desperate to get her life back in order.

But how can Isabella expect to hold it together when she’s at the bottom of her class at the apprenticeship, her new stepmom is pregnant, she misses her abuela dearly, and a mysterious new guy and his albino dog fall into her life?- Goodreads

Trigger Warning: Death, Adultery, Mourning, Drugs (ish)

Despite the trigger warnings this book wasn't that deep and I would peg it as adorable and touching read. 

I loved the cooking within this novel and the author really should have included a chapter or a page with all the recipes that were highlighted within the novel. Cooking is very important to me. Its one of those things that take so much energy out of you but in a good way. A lot of love and heart goes into cooking if you do it right and the author, Cuevas, doesn't just use that as a foundation but it is what the entire novel focuses on. I was soaking it up. 

Isabella for the most part has a one track mind and for most of the book only sees one road to her dream. There is huge character development for as sometimes our dreams take different turns and for Isabella that take some huge turns. What I love about that point in the book is she isn't doing it because of a boy. Is there romance in this novel? Yes. Does some things happen? Yes but it is a series of events, conversations about her career that she has with other people that brings things to light. I was so happy that the boy (although amazing) was not the reason for how things play out. 

The pace of the novel was slow. It moved slow and at some points you just wonder why Isabella makes things so difficult for herself sometimes. There could have been more things fleshed out within the novel such as more details about her mother and her mother's mother. I also wanted to see more of a relationship with her father. These were the areas that could have been developed and again . . . I really wanted to see those recipes. 

Overall, this was a good novel. It was inspiring. 

3 Pickles

The title of the book could reflect the protagonists story arc. Isa is dealing with grief, a recent parental divorce, an impending half sibling and being in an intense cooking competition.
She starts off sad after her grandmother died, then to anger as she lets the pressure of the competition get to her and make questionable decisions towards her friends, then ends on a sweet note with her having learned from all of the people within her life. As well as these intertwining plot points, their is also an enemies to relationship component.

A light fun read worth your time. I would definitely use the story to inform my teaching.

If you like With the Fire on High or ANY cooking show this book is for you. I am no chef (I barely make pasta and eggs) but the visual explanation of the prep and execution of meals literally had my mouth watering. It makes me want to learn how to cook!

I love the family dynamic it is just complex as real life but with a hint of hope. The divorce representation was good, I only wish to have seen the mother possibly find happiness as the father did.
As a Cuban/African-American having an Abuela who fills the kitchen with love is so heartwarming.
The women's friendships were AMAZING! Pippa, Lucia and Chef Troissant were all strong independent women doing what they love.
All the characters, no matter how small, had so much heart and passion. I particularly enjoyed the presence of a young five year old boy who enjoyed Isa's cooking. Each character had so much history and depth.
The only thing that bothers me a little was that the romance between Isa and Diego felt too easy. In the beginning, there was so much tension. I would have loved if the two of them opened up to each other in either a slower process or not have forgiven that tension so quickly. Being vulnerable is a huge thing and having a first love can be as messy as the family drama.
But it is nice that love was not the main focus.

Overall the exploration of all these people, all different ages and backgrounds, trying to discover what fulfills them is hands down the most beautiful part of this book. I enjoyed that this book makes us question our need to succeed and be the best, rather than focus on finding what makes us happy and doing that.

I would recommend this to everyone!