With the Fire on High
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Check it Out: Goodreads
Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago’s life has been about making the tough decisions—doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela. The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.
Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free.
This didn’t live up to my expectations or the hype surrounding it. I haven’t been so disappointed with a book in quite a while. What didn’t work for me was the length and our main character Emoni.
“I feel like I’m being pulled in a hundred different directions and my feet are stuck in cement.”
I wanted to love her and cheer for her. Sadly, that was not the case here. So many of her actions and her thought process irked me so much. I know we are supposed to feel for her but most the time I didn’t find her relatable or likable. Honestly, I could see why Pretty Leslie (If she called her that one more time…) thought it was hard to like her. Hell, because it was! Everything did come easy for Emoni. There wasn’t really any conflict.
I also had an issue with the writing here. It was flat as hell. Either we were talking about the same things over and over, or it seemed as if the author was trying too hard to be cool.
I know you are probably wondering what did I like. Well, I LOVED the cover. How couldn’t I? It’s so damn stunning! I also liked the recipes in the book and also the way the author described the food. Honestly, is she a chef? Because the food Emoni was making sounded amazing!
All in all, this didn’t live up to the hype for me and I’m disappointed.
Yikes! I know you were really looking forward to this one. Sorry it wasn’t the bill you were hoping for.
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*book
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I was really looking forward to it! I just found the book being a chore to get through instead of something I was enjoying.
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I love that cover too! It’s gorgeous. So sorry that the material inside didn’t live up to your expectations. Hope your next read is more enjoyable!
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Thank you Bentley! I agree that the cover is gorgeous. I want to make it big and hang it on my wall!
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Aww, I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy this one. At least the recipes were interesting lol!
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Me too! The recipes all sound so good! I wish I was actually better at cooking so I could try them.
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Lol same!!
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Great honest review, Kayla! I’m sorry this didn’t work out for you! I’ve heard great things about this author’s works! It’s a bummer that you didn’t like the main character. I hope you’re enjoying your current read!
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I heard good things about her previous book as well. I might pick that up and give her another shot!
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Oh wow Kayla!!! Such an honest and refreshing review here!
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Thank you so much Sophie 🙂
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Ugh I’m sorry this didn’t live up to your expectations. I was curious since this has been everywhere!
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I can see why so many people like it, it just didn’t work out for me. Do you plan on reading it?
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I don’t do a lot of contemporary so it is lower on my list tbh. But it does sound good and I love a good chef story.
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Great review! I do understand now why you didnt like it! 😁
(Www.evelynreads.com)
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I wish I could have liked Emoni more.
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Awww I’ve been hearing good things about this, I’m so sorry that it was so disappointing Kayla. It really bums me out when I can’t relate to a character and yet so many others are. ❤️ Thanks for the great review.
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Thank you Dani!
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Aww, I’m sorry to hear you didn’t like this one! 😦 I loved The Poet X so I got an eARC of this one a while back but I’ve been really hesitant and keep putting it off because while I liked her first book, I think she’s probably better at writing poetry than a regular novel… sigh. Maybe someday soon lol!
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You’ll have to text me your thoughts if you pick this one up. I think I still might pick up Poet X, just so I can say I gave both her books a try.
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