I love a coming of age story and I love it even more when it is set around a baking competition. I related a lot to Rubi and her struggle with balance and the pressure of parents who want you to be better than they were and who don't always think about the impact that has on their kid. First generation to go to college and the pressure was a lot but I turned out alright. I loved Rubi's friends and while I don't think the romance part was really needed, it didn't take away from the rest of the story. Can't wait to see what comes next from this author. Many thanks to Wednesday Books for a gifted ecopy.

I thought this was an adorable YA Novel! I loved how much this book discussed Cuban Culture! I think Rubi was such a fun & relatable character. The little pinch of romance was perfect. I think the cooking show brought a high stakes energy to the book that I really enjoyed. Overall was a great YA & will definitely be recommending it!

4 stars

Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success is the story of finding a balance between commemorating your parents’ sacrifices while pursuing your own dreams and aspirations. The core of this story is Rubi differentiating between her parent’s dreams for her and her own personal dreams. Rubi’s parents want her to pursue a more practical career as a lawyer, but she wants to become a baker inspired by her parents’ bakery. Parra does a brilliant job of encapsulating the struggles of familial expectations and aspirations, tying it to a delightfully fun baking metaphor.

Rubi’s perseverance and determination shine through this story as she fights to keep pursuing her passion for baking regardless of the baking ban her parents enforced. Her relationship with her parents is well written because it’s clear that Rubi’s parents want the best for her and do not struggle like they did when living in Cuba. All they want is the best for her, which is what Rubi strives for, but she wants to sacrifice her passions and relationships in the process.

The romance between Rubi and Ryan captured the fun nature of their first relationship but took an in-depth exploration of their developing relationship and their individual struggles. The secondary characters were wonderful additions that supported Rubi along her journey.

Baking is an outlook for Rubi to connect with her Cuban roots showing how each treat relates to both Rubi’s past and present. The descriptions of all the baked treats sounded absolutely delicious that made me wish I could have a bite. The bake-off is full of creative and intense challenges that will keep readers on their toes on what Rubi will bake.

Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success delves deeply into Cuban culture, parental expectations, and what it means to be a child of immigrants who only want the best for you. I really appreciated the journey that Rubi went on through this book and honestly, I loved that she was able to have her cake and eat it, too.

My favourite part of the story was near the end, when her parents began to accept their own dreams for themselves. As a parent myself, I know how much of yourself you lose as you guide your kids through life, and seeing Rubi help them to self-realization was really great. I hope her mom gets into Alma and her dad does Bake Off next year!!

The romance could have been further developed for me, but I don’t fault the author for not focusing on Rubi and Ryan’s relationship - Rubi had a lot going on and the focus on her journey was just right.

Jessica Parra’s debut novel stood out as a top of the line cookie in the midst of a lot of coming of age books, exploring the line between being a dutiful daughter and exploring one’s passion. Full of life lessons and great characters and just a little bit of romance, I enjoyed reading this lighthearted and heartwarming story as this one rose to the top, in a sense.

Rubi Ramos hasn’t been allowed to bake anything for the past four years, all in the pursuit of making sure she was the perfect candidate prestigious (and fictional) Alma University. Being a first generational American born from Cuban parents, her family’s sure this will forward her path to become a lawyer and make life better for her family. When she’s waitlisted by Alma and a chance to show her baking skills comes to pass, she’s jumping on it, juggling Trig homework, her hot new surfer tutor, debate team, and keeping baking a secret from her folks.

Rubi was super relatable, she’s a bit geeky and passionate about baking despite not being allowed to, and determined to get into her dream school at almost any price. She learns a lot through her many mistakes, and discovers a lot about herself, her family and heritage, and what’s important to her. I loved the great character depth of the entire cast; all but two characters had a good side, and there’s a hint that one of them might be able to turn it around given more time. Rubi’s family is well meaning, yet not perfect, with her Dad being her partner in crime and her Mama being the more serious of the two. Her school friends were all great, and everyone in the baking world was rather interesting. Part of me is glad that the romance between Rubi and her tutor turned boyfriend Ryan isn’t super big, and takes a backseat for a big chunk of the story as Rubi has other things to worry about, but there is resolution. There are a few cute moments and boyftu is now a thing.

While there are a lot of things going on throughout the story and to some, it might feel like hopping back and forth, everything makes sense in that each element eventually comes together and bakes throughout the book to make a great and yummy treat. The prose was on point, easy to follow along. As a warning, do not read this book with an empty stomach, you will be hungry super fast with all the food descriptions. Also, there’s lots of food related puns and I giggled at a few of them. In addition, there were so many SoCal and Orange County references in this book (as it takes place in the OC), I did not expect the whole “LA Angels of Anaheim” bit to show up here. There are a few Spanish phrases, but it’s easy to understand due to the context. There was one nitpick I had about a contestant being allowed in the contest despite it being in progress, but this seems to be a common trope in these types of stories. And the consequences evened it out. The ending was heartwarming and satisfying in more ways than one.

If you’re looking for a tasty coming of age story with just a bit of romance, donut skip this one!

Rubi is from Cuban parents who own several bakeries in Southern California. She dreams of becoming a lawyer but also loves helping her parents bake in her free time. However, when she’s pushed into getting accepted into her number one choice of college and entering a brand new baking competition, she finally realizes that she might love baking more than she thought and that she might have to pick between her two worlds.

This book was okay. It didn’t keep me guessing or glued to the pages. It was more of a coming of age in an immigrant household type story than anything else. It definitely went in depth about having to uphold her parents expectations for her as well as figuring out what she truly wanted to do with her time.

Think Disney Channel Original Movie. This book is cute, has some good lessons, isn't too deep, has a romance side-plot, and centers a Cuban-American teen trying to follow her own dreams while also trying to live up to her parent's expectations. Classic.

As nice as the story was, it was also a little heavy-handed on the baking puns and general cliches, and some of the dialogue and internal thoughts felt a little unnatural. But overall, it's a sweet, short book, that I think would be good for YA readers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the e-ARC.

A wonderful coming of age type story about a first generation teenage girl trying to live up to her parents expectations and goals for her while also having a deep passion for baking that her parents disapprove off.

Rubi is a fantastic character and the book perfectly balances the pressure she feels from her parents while acknowledging why her parents push her so hard and not villainizing them for wanting a different life for her.

The book has a great pace, the story is easy to sink into and is definitely a great addition to the YA genre. There is romance but the book definitely isn’t a romance novel and it’s not a central part of the story. It is a little insta-lovey which isn’t particularly something I enjoy and it did feel like it was that way because the romance wasn’t a central part of the storyline.

Overall though, a great book and I enjoyed reading it.

If you know someone who loves YA Contemporary grab this one for them.
I love stories about cooking, baking and of course family & friends.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

A very cute read that I had a fun time reading. Rubi was a character I liked and the story had an easy flow that made it hard to put down. I’d definitely recommend checking this book out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc in return for an honest review!

Sometimes being on the waitlist is an opportunity to rise to the occasion! :)

I love a layered YA story that gives us the fluff, the teenage angst, the parental dilemma and the mean girls that push us to resilience at a young age! Rubi's story offered us all that in this delicious dilemma of taking a chance on one's self despite the odds. Despite the challenges that was presented both at home and at school Rubi was determined to embrace her why with a dose of unabashed passion. Rubi navigates the challenges of pleasing her parents, following her hidden dreams and standing up to those who feel threatened by her culture and presence. Rubi discovered that running from what’s within you is not an option. Even if those around you cannot see it. There is a connection and pull towards baking that Rubi cannot deny. Ideas come easy and she is always intent on bringing aspects of her culture into the recipes she creates.

Rubi reminds me of the rebellion of youth that can be purposeful in the face of following and finding one's path that also lead to the discovery of so much more. This story also engages our senses with some delicious recipes and baking lingo you will sure to remember. It was a win win ending I can get behind!

Happy reading!

THIS BOOK GAVE ME ALL THE FEELS!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.

This is a story about Rubi - a first generation Afro-Cuban American. Her parents have given her a list of ingredients that will lead her to a successful life:

Ingredient List:
Captain of the Debate Club.
Bring the team to Success (after three years of defeat)
Member of FLOC (Future Leaders of Orange County)
Get into Alma
Attend pre-law
then attend law school
become a lawyer.

Ingredients off-limits:
Baking
Entering a baking competition
Going to Cuba

This is the story about a high school senior who needs to decide if her parents recipe for success is HER recipe for success. Rubi is not only navigating life as a teen, but her life feels like its in a pressure cooker. By following her heart, she knows she going to disappoint her parents. But by ignoring a part of herself, she hurts herself.

This is a LOVELY story - well written (Jessica Parra - you did good!), full of angst and loads of baking puns. The baking puns are reminiscent of old school British Bake Off (hosts Mel and Sue). It also reminded me a little of Rachel Lynn Solomon's "Today Tonight Tomorrow" and Talia Hibbert's "Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute."

This book is about more than just baking - it really highlights the pressures first generation kids feel to be successful because of all the sacrifices made for them by their parents. It doesn't shy away from racism and microaggressive comments, or classist comments.

I enjoyed this read and would totally recommend it.

Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra dives into the Cuban culture, parental expectations, and what it means to be a child of immigrants who only want the best for you. This was a great young adult read and understand the pressures for a child of an immigrant to succeed in school and go to college. It's eye opening and a good read for all ages.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

Not going to lie, I got about 1/4 in and thought about DNFing it because Rubi's internal monologue is almost TOO teenage girl like, especially when she's around Ryan (crush...tutor....more?). BUT then I decided to keep reading, and I fell in love with Rubi's story and the impact baking has on her.

It's definitely a first-gen story where Rubi is tasked with accomplishing the dreams of her Cuban parents at the cost of her own dreams. Her parents own bakeries, but Rubi's passion of baking gets pushed aside to conquer her parents' dreams - and the stress that follows with her not wanting to waste their sacrifices. After a slight fib causes chaos and Rubi enters a baking competition -- after basically being banned from baking by her mom -- Rubi discovers more about herself and what it means to represent her family's dreams.

There are some beautiful cooking puns in the book, but there's also beautiful language about Rubi wishing for her homeland she's never experienced -- and how she finds it through baking.

This was a fun YA book about Rubi and her senior years and it is perfect for the young adult that is from an immigrant family and is feeling overwhelmed by the desires their family has for them. The story felt fairly authentic for a teenager without being overburdened by pop culture references. For me, it blends the elements of a YA contemporary with a dash of romance and some other plot points well, creating a wonderful story. The best part of this book in my opinion was Rubi herself, both her character and her story. She felt well developed without coming off as too old, or like she was above being a real human character. While the romance certainly wasn’t the biggest aspect of the book, I overall thought it was pretty cute and straddled the line of young relationships just being what they are supposed to be. This book was definitely well worth the read!

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the arc in exchange for review.

This was such a cute fun read perfect for summer, i loved Rubi and related to her alot.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Rubi Ramos's Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra is a heartfelt love letter to Cuban culture and a fun romcom about a Cuban American teenager who is the daughter of bakers, personally loves to bake, and has a sure-fire plan/recipe to get into the college of her dreams.

My Reading Experience:
Wow! Just wow! When I picked up this book, I only expected it would be a fun story about a girl who experiences her first love, fights to get into the college of her dreams, and enters a baking contest. Sounds like the recipe for a light and fluffy fun read, doesn't it?

Oh, but it delivers so much more, as the tears of joy I cried at the end will attest to (and I rarely cry happy tears). The story of a Cuban couple and their first-generation daughter fighting to live the American dream was so authentic that it touched my heart in all the right places. And the love shown to the Cuban culture, particularly the baked goods, was the perfect love letter to those who share that heritage and those who want to know it better.

I loved everything about this story. It is so fun and so entertaining on the surface that it's easy to immerse yourself in and enjoy doing it. But underneath the fun lies the heart of the story – what it's like for immigrants and their children in this country:
The subtle and not-so-subtle bias and discrimination.
The pressures on the kids to be more.
The need to feel connected to one's roots.
It's all in there and then some.

I loved the Bake-Off angle, also. I'm a big fan of cooking competitions, especially The Great British Bake-Off, and this local bake-off had all the fun comparisons to that show right down to the judges and hosts. It added that relatable component I could grab onto and expand from.

Characters:
Rubi Ramos is smart and determined, and I love that she must see things through to the end, always. She is not a flighty or angsty teen at all; as a matter of fact, she is the opposite of those types. If you don't fall in love with Rubi by the end of the book, I would be surprised. She is a character I found easy to get behind and root for.
The romance is cute and innocent, and I always love a more innocent romance in a YA story. The chemistry between Ryan and Rubi is fun, lively, and supportive. As are Rubi's friendships. It's a cast full of characters to love for their unique qualities and their passion for their dreams.

Narration & Pacing:
The book is told in first-person narration, and I don't believe it could be told effectively any other way. This narration style made the story flow and kept a fast pace that I enjoyed. It is such a deceptively easy read with so much in it to enjoy.

Setting:
The setting is my ideal setting. The Ramos family lives in Pelican Point, California, a coastal town where you can see Catalina Island in the distance. The location is critical to the story, but you don't realize the importance until further into the tale. I think a setting should be chosen for a reason, and this one was.

Read if you like:
Fun heartwarming romcoms
Romcoms with meat
Relevant and important stories that will expand your cultural awareness

Rubi Ramos is the perfect daughter. She's got the grades, the extra-curriculars, and the passion to be the best. As long as she follows her parents 'recipe for success' she'll achieve everything she's ever dreamed of. That is until Alma waitlists her. With pressure coming from every direction and parental expectations weighing her down, the one white light she can still see is the amateur baking competition she has managed to enter herself in. Now she's keeping secrets from her parents, friends, and even the cute, surfer boy she's been talking to. With all of the lies she's been telling, Rubi begins to get lost and forget who she truly is, and what truly matters to her.

Rubi Ramos's Recipe for Success is a YA coming-of-age story with a splash of romance tossed in. Rubi has lived her whole life trying to meet her immigrant parents expectations of her They want everything they never had for her; opportunities, education, stability, but Rubi is not so sure that the things her parents want, match what she truly desires. There is a lot of heart to this story. Rubi goes through many changes from receiving her rejection letter until the end of the story. She grows a lot, learns a lot about herself and her loved ones, and figures out what it means to truly follow her own dreams, not the expectations of others. A great read for fans of YA and baking/food competitions!

Rubi Ramos is the child of immigrants, Cubans who left their country with nothing and have worked very hard to give her the life they couldn't have. They have 2 bakeries that take up their whole life and Rubi loves nothing more than to be in the kitchen baking with her dad. Still, her mom has forbidden her from baking out of fear that it will ruin her chances of being accepted into the prestigious Alma University. So it's an onslaught of pressure when the acceptance letter doesn't arrive just as Rubi has the chance to participate in an amateur bake-off that promises to let her live a dream she had never acknowledged she has.
Rubi has great friends, supportive mentors, a very confusing rival, and a cute redheaded tutor to help her navigate the hard choices she needs to make. Will she take the road to make her parents proud by ignoring all her dreams and passions to follow the 'recipe' for success her mom has? Or will she follow her heart and show everyone just how great her baking can be?
I had to really think about how to rate this one. On the one hand, it's a solid story of a child of immigrants trying to live up to their expectations over what she really wants, but on the other hand, I'm burned out on stories like this. Even the baking angle has been done to death. So I confess to not really getting into it at first, but Parra does an excellent job of making this overdone, basic plot her own and writing a story full of heart and perseverance that will no doubt give a younger reader a much-needed dose of hope and inspiration.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the early read!

Rubi is in her senior year at an all-girls private school. She is nearly top of her class and captain of the debate team but what she really wants is to be at her parent’s bakery concocting her latest culinary delight. Except her immigrant parents instituted what Rubi refers to as the “ban” and would prefer to see her far away from the bakery and the culinary world. Things get messy when Rubi enters a baking competition while being waitlisted for university.

Rubi’s sole personality trait is that she wants to bake but her parents want a better life for her and they want her to go to university… Is she kind? Is she funny? You get small glimpses but nothing concrete.

I needed more depth from the characters. Her BFF coming out to her on the phone in a quick phone call felt performative because the only interactions they ever had was when Rubi was calling her in crisis about baking/university until the BFF tried to help her save the day.

I needed more complexities in order to feel something. I didn’t relate to Rubi’s experiences and I hate miscommunication which could have solved the biggest problem that seemed to serve as a catalyst for all other problems. . I also thought the ending wasn’t all that satisfying. Was Rubi really happy? I’m not so sure.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.