Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet, Laekan Zea Kemp
Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet, Laekan Zea Kemp
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Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet

Author: Laekan Zea Kemp

Narrator: Andy Aragón, Arami Malaise´

Unabridged: 8 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/06/2021


Synopsis

I'm Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter meets Emergency Contact in this stunning story of first love, familial expectations, the power of food, and finding where you belong.

Penelope Prado has always dreamed of opening her own pastelería next to her father's restaurant, Nacho's Tacos. But her mom and dad have different plans—leaving Pen to choose between disappointing her traditional Mexican American parents or following her own path. When she confesses a secret she's been keeping, her world is sent into a tailspin. But then she meets a cute new hire at Nacho's who sees through her hard exterior and asks the questions she's been too afraid to ask herself.

Xander Amaro has been searching for home since he was a little boy. For him, a job at Nacho's is an opportunity for just that—a chance at a normal life, to settle in at his abuelo's, and to find the father who left him behind. But when both the restaurant and Xander's immigrant status are threatened, he will do whatever it takes to protect his newfound family and himself.

Together, Pen and Xander must navigate first love and discovering where they belong in order to save the place they all call home.

This stunning and poignant novel from debut author Laekan Zea Kemp explores identity, found families and the power of food, all nestled within a courageous and intensely loyal Chicanx community.

About Laekan Zea Kemp

Laekan Zea Kemp is the author of Pura Belpré Honor book Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet and Heartbreak Symphony. She has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her work celebrates Chicane grit, resilience, creativity, and joy while exploring themes of identity and mental health. She lives in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit LaekanZeaKemp.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Katie on March 01, 2021

3.5 stars I'm not quite sure how to classify this YA read because it falls into more than one category. There's some romance but it's also a coming of age story. Regardless of how you want to label it, I enjoyed this book and was impressed with the different real world subjects the author was able to......more

Goodreads review by Elena on December 27, 2020

[4.5/5 stars] SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BITTER AND SWEET follows Pen, a young Latina who works at her father's Mexican restaurant Nacho's Tacos and has a dream of opening her own pastelería. However, her Mexican-American parents have different plans for her. When she meets a new hire at Nacho's, Xander, they......more

Goodreads review by Laekan on November 04, 2020

**INSTRUMENTAL SOUNDTRACK COMING SOON** [URL not allowed] PRE-ORDER: [URL not allowed] Enter the PRE-ORDER Campaign: [URL not allowed] This story is a little piece of my heart & soul & a kaleidoscope view of so many important people & moments in my life. Pen's me......more

Goodreads review by Laura on August 11, 2020

I am so excited for the release of this novel! I have several teenagers in my life that would benefit deeply from the discussions of passion, identity, and mental health. Penelope and Xander come across as incredibly relatable. Their struggle to deal with their emotional lives is taken with great ca......more

Goodreads review by Sam on July 26, 2020

LOVED THIS. A marvelously well-written YA contemporary about family and becoming an adult and finding your place in the world. The food descriptions are phenomenal and the characters are well-developed and will carry you through their dreams. I was sucked right into the story from the start. Yet ano......more


Quotes

"Wonderfully realized characters, a vibrant setting, and so much more. I loved this."—Melina Marchetta, award-winning author of Jellicoe Road

"Pen and Xander will steal your heart. One to savor."—Laura Taylor Namey, author of A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

"A bold new voice to watch in children's fiction."—Eric Smith, author of Don't Read the Comments

"An affecting, timely debut....Add it to your 2021 TBR list immediately."—Liz Lawson, author of The Lucky Ones

"Like the delicious food and decadent desserts described within its pages, Kemp's debut explores the often bitter and sweet complexity of family, new love, and what it means to find home. "—Mia García, author of The Resolutions

"Pen and Xander's unforgettable love story refuses to sugarcoat difficult topics, but instead deftly explores them with a thoughtful hand. A cathartic read and new favorite author."— Nina Moreno, author of Don't Date Rosa Santos