mrs_mander_reads
Written on Nov 30, 2020
“Heartwarming, endearing, and sure to leave you swooning… This story is as sweet as the cupcakes you’ll be craving by the end!” —Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Can a love triangle have only two people in it? Online, it can…but in the real world, its more complicated. In this debut novel that’s perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson, Marisa Kanter hilariously and poignantly explores what happens when internet friends turn into IRL crushes.
Is it still a love triangle if there are only two people in it?
There are a million things that Halle Levitt likes about her online best friend, Nash.
He’s an incredibly talented graphic novelist. He loves books almost as much as she does. And she never has to deal with the awkwardness of seeing him in real life. They can talk about anything…
Except who she really is.
Because online, Halle isn’t Halle—she’s Kels, the enigmatically cool creator of One True Pastry, a YA book blog that pairs epic custom cupcakes with covers and reviews. Kels has everything Halle doesn’t: friends, a growing platform, tons of confidence, and Nash.
That is, until Halle arrives to spend senior year in Gramps’s small town and finds herself face-to-face with real, human, not-behind-a-screen Nash. Nash, who is somehow everywhere she goes—in her classes, at the bakery, even at synagogue.
Nash who has no idea she’s actually Kels.
If Halle tells him who she is, it will ruin the non-awkward magic of their digital friendship. Not telling him though, means it can never be anything more. Because while she starts to fall for Nash as Halle…he’s in love with Kels.
- ISBN10 153444579X
- ISBN13 9781534445796
- Publish Date 7 April 2020
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher Simon & Schuster
- Imprint Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Format eBook (EPUB)
- Pages 416
- Language English
Reviews
Kat @ Novels & Waffles
Written on May 4, 2020
Sam@WLABB
Written on Apr 6, 2020
Halle, the daughter of renowned documentary film makers and the granddaughter of publishing royalty, was looking to make her own way in the YA world. Assuming the online identity of Kels, she created the uber successful YA book blog, One True Pastry. She was happy with her life online, but when she went to live with her grandfather, things got complicated. Now she had to deal with what happens with online life and real life collide.
I obviously wanted to read this book, because it was about a book blogger, and well, I love book bloggers. But, it was also about so many other things, and here are some things I really enjoyed.
Book Blogging
I was so awed by Halle's book blogging prowess. She was huge on multiple platforms, and Kantor didn't gloss over all the hard work she did to earn her following. The story touched upon many aspects of the blogger life, and I really appreciated that the good and bad parts were featured.
Exploration of Grief
Less than a year prior to the start of this story, Halle lost her grandmother to cancer. This was a profound loss for her. Her grandmother was the inspiration and supporter of many of Halle's dreams. She introduced her to NYU, the publishing world, reading, and book blogging. Therefore, when she came to live with her grandfather, and found merely a shell of who he once was, it was difficult for her. There were some painful and beautiful moments shared between Halle and her grandfather, and I really enjoyed this story arc.
Jewish Faith
I have read quite a few books featuring Jewish protagonists, but most aspects of their faith were somewhere off-page. Kantor put Halle's religion front and center. Halle attended services, and celebrated holidays on-page, which was wonderful. I also appreciated that she made a point to feature some characters, who were more secular, as well as more religious Jewish characters.
Friendship
I was fan of the group of friends Kantor gifted Halle with. They were fabulous bunch, and made up of very different personalities. The group had some athletes, artists, brainiacs, and obviously, readers. I loved seeing them embrace Halle, and welcome them to their group, and I loved seeing her bond with them. I think I really liked them, because they reminded me somewhat of the friends I kept in high school. They even spent Saturday nights bowling.
Cupcakes
Halle's OTP - one true pastry, was the cupcake. She started out featuring cupcakes on her blog, and it grew to be her signature. I loved all the baking and book reveals, and could almost taste those cakes. I sort of wish I had a cupcake right now.
Overall, I had a fun watching Halle trying to reconcile her online and IRL existences. The book celebrated family, friends, blazing your own path, and most importantly, books and cupcakes.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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