Salty, Bitter, Sweet
A slow-burn romance in a cutthroat kitchen! There's more to becoming a top chef for 17-year-old Isabella Fields than just not getting chopped ... especially when the chances of things heating up with an intriguing boy and becoming a food star in the kitchen are both on the line.
Isa's family life has fallen apart after the death of her Cuban abuela and the divorce of her parents. And after moving in with her dad and her new stepmom, Margo, in Lyon, France, Isa feels like an outsider in her father's new life. She balances her time between avoiding the awkward "why-did-you-cheat-on-Mom" conversation and her diligent aspiration to become a premiere chef.
Despite Isa's world being turned upside-down, her father's house is located only 30 minutes away from the restaurant of world-famous Chef Pascal Grattard, who runs a prestigiously competitive international kitchen apprenticeship. The prize job at Chef Grattard's renowned restaurant also represents a transformative opportunity for Isa who is desperate to get her life back in order--and desperate to prove she has what it takes to work in an haute kitchen. But Isa's stress and repressed grief begin to unravel further when the enigmatic Diego shows up at the house unannounced.
How can Isa expect to hold it together when she's at the bottom of her class at the apprenticeship, her new stepmom is pregnant, she misses her abuela dearly, and things with Diego reach a boiling point?
Mixing up only the best ingredients, Salty, Bitter, Sweet:
- Is a clean and wholesome rival-to-lovers trope set in a cutthroat kitchen environment
- Is a perfect book for foodies ages 13 and up, and features a Latina main character who is trilingual
- Explores complicated family dynamics and relatable themes of friendship, acceptance, grief, and learning to care for yourself
- Perfect for TV fans of Top Chef, Chopped, and The Great British Bake-off, as well as YA titles such as With the Fire on High or A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow
- Has authentic representation of Mayra Cuevas' background
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'Cuevas effectively touches on the complexities of female ambition in a male-dominated field and multiracial identity, making this an engaging, multilayered read for aspiring chefs.'--Publisher's Weekly
'Full of culture, love, and loss, every page is a feast for the senses in a story that never shies away from exploring complicated family dynamics. Cuevas's writing is pure magic.' - Nina Moreno, author of Don't Date Rosa Santos--Nina Moreno, author of Don't Date Rosa Santos
'Salty, Bitter, Sweet sparkles with wit, humor, and heart. I devoured this charming novel in one sitting and can't wait for more from this talented author.' - Gilly Segal, author of I'm Not Dying with You Tonight--Gilly Segal, author of I'm Not Dying with You Tonight
'I'm not kidding when I say that Salty, Bitter, Sweet will make your mouth water from the very first page... Salty, Bitter, Sweet is a wonderful contemporary YA novel full of heart, hope, and, of course, mouth-wateringly delicious descriptions of food. It'll inspire you to grab an apron, get in the kitchen, and start whipping up something tasty for your loved ones. It's a balm for the soul and an inspiration for the cook inside you!'--Hypable
'Jam-packed with all the food-related goodness that foodies will love, Mayra takes you to the beautiful country of France (where the novel takes place) with her vivid and imaginative writing as we journey alongside Isa.'--Hola!
Isabella Field's life just fell apart. Her parents got a divorce, her grandmother passed away, and she had to move in with her dad and his new, pregnant wife. At least the move happens to be to France, where Isa gets the opportunity to participate in a cutthroat restaurant apprenticeship. What follows is a slow burn romance with a boy named Diego and the start of her emotional healing.--BuzzFeed
'A heartwarming testament to the power of female friendships, the drive for success on one's own terms, and accepting one's family, even if they turn out differently than originally thought.'--School Library Journal (Margaret A. Robbins, University of Georgia, Athens)
'An impressively and deftly crafted novel by an author with a genuine flair for narrative driven storytelling.'--Midwest Book Review--Midwest Book Review
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