This was a struggle to finish really, I kept reading and hoping to feel involved and to actually care about any of the characters but I just didn’t.

Dacre’s diabetes just kinda feels shoved in your face as soon as possible. Like this is how the character is defined: the diabetic one. Rather than it be peppered throughout the book and the characterisation. This is the first thing I learn about the character, before I've even worked out if I like them or not.

With the diabetes, is it necessary to have so many examples of Dacre checking his sugars and injecting? Again it seems like his illness matters more than he does. Right now it certainly has more characterisation. It's not until about 40% in that we learn something else about him other than the fact he has diabetes.

To be fair, all the characters just bore me. I haven't really been able to connect with any of them. The "robot" thing just irritates me. I feel like the avocados have more personality than Sal. I do not care about her in the slightest. Then by 60% in she's talking about the robot as it's a separate entity.

Urgh and what a rubbish ending too; it was just so sickly sweet and patronising – it felt really quick even though at times the book seemed to drag. Although, their “relationship” didn’t exactly start until after halfway through the book so maybe it wasn’t completely rushed in the grand scheme of things.

Overall this wasn’t even a cute rom-com or a slow burning romance. This was an awkward, bumpy story that didn’t seem to contain actual characters per-se but just individual characteristics or stereotypes that are never fully developed. Just disappointing, really.

Dacre wants to be more than his Type 1 diabetes. Sal wants to be more than the avocado girl. As their worlds collide when Dacre accepts a job from Sal on her Pa's avocado farm hilarity ensues as well as an adventure that could change them both forever. 

I have so many feelings about Avocado Bliss, all very complicated and layered together since there are just so many things that I feel the authors did very well. First of all, fantastic setting choice--I feel it's getting hard to find a contemporary fiction book in YA that isn't set in the United States. The different setting introduced a different culture that I'm sure many U.S. readers have not had the pleasure of being exposed to, and I enjoyed it immensely. Second, banter was spot on and I loved the dynamic between Dacre and Sal as they both opened up to each other and broke away from what they considered the core part of themselves. It really forced me as a reader to ask myself that question as well, and consider what I feel is the core part of myself. Overall, this was an extremely odd and adorable book that I didn’t bet on having as big of an impact on me as it did; it really encourages all who read it to let their weirdness ooze out (in the best way) and own that core part of themselves.

I only have a few suggestions for improvement. I felt like the writing was a little underdeveloped at times, but of course this will improve with time as the authors continue to write more books and develop their writing. The last minor complaint is I do feel Dacre was pretty negative at times in regards to his Type 1 diabetes, and even though this fact was an essential part of his character, could have been portrayed a little differently in a way that would still serve the author’s needs and the plot in the book while also not making me as a reader feel kinda blah.

Avocado Bliss was a fun, warm and fast-paced book with complex and realistic characters. Dacre doesn't like having diabetes, which I fully understand, but I wish his inner monologue wasn't that negative. Nevertheless, the authors managed to write tension in the book and it was overall a nice read.

Such a cute story! There ended up being more going on than I was expecting and sometimes it felt a little too busy but I enjoyed the twists and turns for the most part. I personally feel like the writing could’ve been developed a little bit more but it’s probably because this was my first YA book in quite a while.

I can’t speak for the accuracy of the Mexican representation but it’s half own voices, so I hope that it’s accurate, although I worry about some the stereotypes. And I really enjoyed the book’s setting — it takes place entirely in Mexico, and the descriptions of the town, etc. were vibrant and fun! It was also nicely diverse with the male MC being diabetic and his younger brother being openly gay, and none of them felt like token characters. The story was also really sex positive for being YA — the brothers openly talking about Lach’s first experience with his boyfriend, and Sal and Dacre being open about talking about it as well.

My biggest problem with this story was actually with Dacre who has diabetes — his mindset about his illness was really negative in regards to his ability to have meaningful relationships. His mindset of “relationships and diabetes don’t jive”, makes it seem like it’s completely impossible when it was just that he’d had bad experiences with overprotectiveness in his past relationships. Diabetes is a difficult illness, I only speak from the experience of a lot of my family having it, but this negative mindset isn’t good for readers who may have it as well.

Overall, it was a cute story about young love and learning to be ok with who you are and letting others be there for you through grief and illness.

This was SO cute. The main and side characters were all dynamic and strong. I really loved seeing a person with an invisible illness dealing with it in the way most of us folks with invisible illnesses deal (a great deal of grumpiness). The romance was so natural and not at all forced. Biggest downside is that I spent the entire novel craving an avocado...

Mhhhhh where shall I start? Should I start with how much I loved it? Because I think that’s a good start. I loved it from the first chapter, when we first see Dacre and his brothers, Ezra and Lachlan. I loved their brotherly relationship throughout the whole story, I loved their shared secrets and inside jokes, I loved their little quirks and their love for each other, especially Dacre and Lachlan’s who are close in age. While they do go on each other’s nerves, they are amazing together, always their to help if the other needs them. Lachlan is Dacre’s buffer to the rest of the family, since Dacre doesn’t have the best relationship with his mother.

In general, I loved every family relationship in this book. They were all written so well. Warm and with lots of love, of understanding and kinship. Sal and her father have such a tight bond and an unconditional love for each other. God, I loved them. Sal’s father lovingly calls her a robot, since she always has to be in control and plan everything and sometimes does things as if she’s programmed to do them. But she is deeply passionate about her avocado farm and has such a warm, open heart.

Dacre is more closed up, anger often boiling beneath his skin. While diabetes is a big part of him, he doesn’t want to let it define him and when he can, he doesn’t tell people about it. He’s generally not too good in talking about emotions. But he has a good sense of humor and can be so nice and warm hearted.

The plot was great as well. Dacre and Sal have completely different lives that intertwine with each other. We get to know family life from both, we feel the the trees of the avocado farm, the healthy trees and their little avocado babies. We see differences in American and Mexican ways of life. We see Dacre and Sal on their road trip that brings many surprises, danger but that also brings them clsoer together. They go from „I offer you a job even though I don’t know your name“ to deeply trusting each other and taking a roadtrip together. They’re just so cute together, they both have secrets that they share piece for piece, they thaw and become super sweet. I love them!

I have never before read a book with a diabetic character before so this was new for me. It was a bit hard to read about at points, but I liked seeing this illness in a book. I understood Dacre’s reasons for not telling anybody new, but I wish he had. At this point, I just want to say that if you’re diabetic, tell at least one person around you so they can help in a case of emergency. This is what I learned from this book but also from an unpleasant situation with a classmate.

Anyways. What I want to say is that I enjoyed this book loads. It had such a warm, beautiful feeling and I felt right at home there with the trees and the heat and the family love. If I had to describe Avocado Bliss as a person, I’d say it has an open heart, a warm laugh and always a shoulder to cry on. It made me both happy and tearing up and to say I loved it might be the understatement of the year.

"No one in this world is ever a hundred percent okay."

That was such a sweet young adult contemporary. I keep saying I've read enough to last me a lifetime but apparently I can't resist them. I also love reading and learning about Latin American culture. That being said, this book was right up my alley.

The story is written in two points of view and follows Sal, an introvert who enjoys taking care of her family's avocado farm and Dacre, a self-conscious 17-year-old boy who is trying to cope with his parents' divorce, his mom's boyfriend and of course, his daily struggles of living with type 1 diabetes. I didn't know much about the disease prior to reading this book but I feel like that part was so well-written I managed to understand and empathize with him. It's hard thinking about what people with this (or any other chronic) disease have to go through. There were also a few great supporting characters, my favorites being Dacre's brothers, both of which I could identify with. I wasn't a huge fan of Sal's friend who was only described as a hormonal teen and nothing more. I mean, I get it but come on. There were more aspects of her character that could have been explored. And what is it about losing your virginity before you turn 18? There's no such thing and if people make you feel bad about it or push you to do anything you don't want to, you need to get away from them.

As far as the writing goes, it was definitely an accessible book. It did, however, feel like a debut at times which isn't the case. I would have preferred it if it were a bit more lyrical. I loved how the authors managed to build tension and I'm looking forward to reading Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault which is a ya horror novel by one of them. Also, this book managed to fit a carnival, some sketchy business and a road trip through a jungle all in under 300 pages. Admittedly, some parts felt rushed, which I guess you can expect, but it was very funny and entertaining. If you're looking for something like that, Avocado Bliss would be a great choice.

Theme Song: Santana - Smooth (ft. Rob Thomas)

4.5 stars.
An amazing take on living with Type 1 diabetes.
Raw and very tender.

“Avocado Bliss”, by Candace Robinson & Gerardo Delgadillo (Evernight Teen), is a sweet, emotional, heartfelt story, with an amazing, realistic depiction of a 17-year old boy living with Type 1 diabetes.
A very slow burn romance set in Mexico, a refreshingly different heroine, Sal, and a hero, Dacre, who stole my heart. Dacre (and Sal, too) is wise beyond his age, but he’s still fresh and full of innocence .
Despite the serious matter, the story is very entertaining and well written and I read it in one setting. The authors must have put a lot of thought into it while also writing a light tale of young love.
Showing how a teen deals with a chronic condition, “Avocado Bliss” is also a story full of humor, with great dialogue and interesting and vivid characters. The love bonds in these two families are wonderful.
Dacre’s predicaments as a diabetic, his experiences and pain are poignant and raw to read sometimes; and his will and tenacity to live a normal life like any other teen are admirable. There’s a message of hope and resilience despite the adversity.
There’s a softness and gentleness about this romantic couple that I loved; their relationship is sweet and light without being cheesy. Dacre’s reluctant tenderness is also very well written and makes him such a touching character and a delight to read.

The main reason I picked up this book was because I have never read one with a diabetic patient as the main protagonist. And I do not regret it. I knew some patients had a really difficult diabetic life but I never knew that they could have such self-conscious and self-esteem issues. I never knew that they could have problems in letting someone love them. So this book provided a great deal of insight on their lives and a different perspective from a diabetic point of view to ponder about.

Having said that, apart from DIABETES which was present throughout the novel, the main setting of the story is in Mexico and is about two fellows falling in love in an avocado farm. There were no of themes that I enjoyed like the carnival, the plum farm, quicksand if the method was true because I have never heard of that technique, the GIFT among others. I ofcourse did not like the party to whom they are delivering their products.
Another theme of the story was about the hero's mother's relationship. And I was able to accept it just fine. Another small theme was Lach , one was Flor and they were just fine as well.
Overall I enjoyed the story, never knew about a tapir before either,so it was enlightening in many ways. It is a one seating read and thrilling in the later part, not too much of romance but little doses of it throughout the story and few big doses towards the end.
I liked it, have never read something like this before, completely appreciate the uniqueness of the story.

Thank you Netgalley, the authors and publishers for providing this eArc to me. All opinions are my own.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. I didn’t like all the swearing that takes place, and it kept jolting me out of the story.

I did like learning more about diabetes, as I didn’t know much about it before. I also liked the unique setting of the book!

I requested this book because some other reviewers said the romance was sweet, and usually that means that it is clean. So I was surprised to find that this book has a fade-to-black sex scene.

In the end, though I don’t think this book was for me, the writing was decent and the characters were well-written, so I’m sure other people will enjoy it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars

DIABETES.

I appreciate (DIABETES) what the authors were (DIABETES) attempting here but (DIABETES) the overall integration of Dacre's diabetes felt forced (DIABETES) totally unnatural, and (DIABETES) heavy handed. Did I mention diabetes? Unfortunately this made the book, like this review, difficult to read. Otherwise this was a charming teen romance set in Mexico. It wasn't overly sweet or rife with stereotypes or cliches, and as such it felt very authentic and mostly realistic, although there were a few parts that made the 90s kid in me laugh/cringe from nostalgia (looking at you quicksand). Honestly growing up in the 90s had me CONVINCED that quicksand would be a much more prevalent part of day to day life. But I digress. There were parts of this book that I really liked, particularly the carnival scene. I also really enjoyed Sal, because she was well rounded in a way that teen girls are rarely written - passionate, knowledgeable, intelligent, driven, hard working etc. as well as a bit quirky. Dacre was more of a typical teenage boy, though I really appreciatedthe relationships he shared with his brothers. I think a lot of teens will enjoy this quick little read but for me it was just slightly underdeveloped and overly DIABETES-ish.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review, all opinions are my own.

Well if this wasn't the cutest romance involving avocados, then I don't know what is.

The story follows two main characters, Sal and Dacre, with alternating points of view between each character. Sal is such a lovable, type-A YA protagonist, and all she really cares about is her family and their avocado farm. Dacre is such a sweetheart, and is such a great older brother to his two younger siblings, and he also happens to have Type 1 diabetes. The story is set in Mexico, and has a lot of diverse representation which is rare to see in a lot of YA romances.

The story that develops is such a fun road-trip friends-to-lovers romance, and has so many fun bits. Sloths! Jungles! Mopeds! Avocados! A circus!

Truly, this story is so sweet and such a fun journey. I highly recommend!

I was provided a eArc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a cute book! I read this so fast, it's such an easy story to fly through. I liked that there was type 1 diabetes rep, I've not read about a diabetic character before.
I liked the avocado farm a lot, that was a lot of fun, definitely something different!
The characters were enjoyable, especially the protagonists Sal and Dacre, and I thought it was refreshing to read a book set in Mexico :)

I really loved this sweet teen romance!! Set in Mexico, AVOCADO BLISS tells the story of Dacre, a seventeen year old with Type I Diabetes, and Sal, the daughter of an avocado plantation owner. When Dacre and his younger brothers arrive back in Mexico after spending a few weeks with their father in the states, they discover their mother has moved her MUCH younger boyfriend into their new home. Dacre, struggling with the ups and downs of a teenage diabetic, spontaneously takes a job offer at a local organic avocado plantation. Sal, Dacre’s new boss, is struggling with the death of her favorite aunt and her dad saying she’s a robot at heart. Dacre and Sal eventually discover a surprise friendship surrounded by avocados and danger.

As I said before, I loved this story. Dacre’s and Sal’s “real life” struggles felt very real. I felt Dacre’s experiences with Type I Diabetes were very well portrayed. At first I didn’t understand why he wanted to keep it a secret from Sal, but the more I got to know Dacre, it made a lot more sense. Still, it is always important to have some kind of “life line” in place when you have such a life threatening disease if it is poorly managed.

I loved how Dacre liked how “perfectly odd” Sal was and the teasing banter between them always made me smile. I also, loved the slow burn romance between them!

I haven’t read many books set in Mexica, so I really enjoyed the change of scenery…from the plantation to the jungle to the ruins. Plus, the cultural representations.

I feel like a need to take a star off because I really wanted more explored between Dacre and his parents, and Sal and her friend Flor. I was also a tiny bit annoyed with how irresponsible they both were with what led to the big life risking sequence near the end of the book. Plus, I kinda felt like the ending was a bit rushed.

I will definately be exploring the backlist of these authors soon.

A cute story about two teenagers becoming friends.

I enjoyed the fact that the story was set in Mexico, I’d never read a book based there. I felt like the diabetes respresentation was fairly accurate.

Opinions: I can't remember the last time I read a book as rich and stimulating as Avocado Bliss! Each page was more exciting than the last and a range of emotions were drawn forward by the complex and realistic protagonists. Rage, anticipation, sympathy, fear, excitement, and utter bliss just begin the list of things I felt during this rollercoaster of emotion! As a reader, I enjoyed multiple things about the book. Setting aside the entertainment aspects (because those are a given with anything written by Robinson or Delgadillo) I was most impressed with the themes taught in this YA contemporary! I learned a lot about getting over stupid mistakes, accepting yourself and each other for your differences, and taking baby steps until you're comfortable in a relationship. Avocado Bliss lays everything out on a table and normalises it for teens! This is also a very engaging feature, as young adult readers will feel more at home with the characters. Guess what, parents? Teens ponder, worry about, and even imagine sex, and so do these characters! Everything about the characters, relationships, setting, and conflicts in Avocado Bliss is entertaining, representative, thematic, and heartfelt. This book will definitely be added to my all-time favourites list!

Is This Book For Me? Sometimes, it's difficult to make up our minds on whether to read a book or not. Here are a few notes regarding whether you should or shouldn't read Avocado Bliss!
Should: If you the type of reader who laughs, cries, screams, and throws books across the room out of emotion!
Shouldn't: If you're here to learn about avocado recipes.
Should: If you could do with learning a bit about self respect, the effects of nostalgia, and first love!
Shouldn't: If you're looking for intense, steamy, full-on romance.
Should: If you've read and loved anything else by either author! Find their other books here: Candace Robinson and Gerardo Delgadillo

Recommended For and Similar Reads: Avocado Bliss is a down-to-Earth, emotionally stimulating, meaningful story that will melt your heart. Every character, every location, and every moment has meaning. You can't pass it up! I strongly recommend this book to anybody who has read and enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, or Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon.