Valentine’s Day: Five YA Picks that Make Sweet Treats
Valentine’s Day: Five YA Picks that Make Sweet Treats
Valentine’s Day can be a really hit-or-miss day for people. If you have someone to share it with, it can be fun and exciting. If you don’t, then not so much. Working at a high school, I see teens with all kinds of feelings about this day. Some that range from classic cartoon-like heart eyes all the way to existential dread. One thing that makes working with teenagers so interesting, and one of the reasons why I love young adult fiction so much, is that they really feel their feelings. Those emotions are on full throttle all the time, especially when it comes to romance.
And Valentine’s Day also makes us think of the stereotypical flowers and chocolates, or sometimes a fancy dinner date. The books below not only tell stories of young adults looking for their place in this crazy life, but they’re also navigating all that with food thrown in the mix. Whether they’re baking at a prestigious school abroad or in close quarters in a food truck, the recipes aren’t the only place you’ll find some chemistry.
1. Love à la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm (304 pages)
Image from Goodreads
Optimism is definitely one of Rosie Radeke’s strong suits, but even she’s surprised when she gets into celebrity chef Denis Laurent’s school in Paris, something she’d only dreamed of. And when she gets there, she’s pleasantly surprised by her classmates, especially by Henry. Henry Yi is a third-generation Korean-American who grew up running around in the kitchen of his dad’s restaurant in Chicago. When the competition gets tight, the kitchen isn’t the only place these two are feeling the heat.
Why You Should Read It
This book is so much fun. It’s like a teen version of Chopped set in Paris with a great meet-cute. There’s not much else to look for in a YA romance. While the premise might seem a little artificially sweet, the characters are well-developed and the chemistry is believable. I flew through this one and it was a perfect pick if you’re looking for something to raise your spirits.
Sweet Factor
4/5 Brookie Stars
2. The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo (336 pages)
Image from Goodreads
After Clara Shin’s most daring prank disrupts her prom, causing both a brawl and a fire, her dad punishes her by forcing her to work for him in the family’s food truck, KoBra, for the summer. To make matters worse, Clara is forced to work with the girl she attacked after her prank, Rose. But when the girls learn of a food truck competition with a $100,000 prize, they must work together if they hope to win. As the girls learn to work together, and even to like each other, we also learn more about Clara’s relationship with her father and her budding romance with a boy named Hamlet who lives with his Chinese grandparents. Trying to balance her new work schedule with getting to know Hamlet is difficult at times, but the sparks fly between the two nonetheless. As Clara comes to better understand Rose, her father, and Hamlet, she also grows into her authentic self.
Why You Should Read It
Watching these characters learn and grow, both together and as individuals, is heartwarming and emblematic of what being young is supposed to be about. This story really hooked me in and had me excited to see where it would go and what choices our characters would make. Also, keep a snack handy; the descriptions of the food will definitely make you hungry!
You can also read my full review of The Way You Make Me Feel here!
Sweet Factor
4/5 Brookie Stars
3. A Pho Love Story by Loan Le (416 pages)
Image from Goodreads
Bao Nguyen considers himself to be just plain average; nothing about his life is particularly remarkable. Which is in complete opposition to the way Linh Mai sees herself. Linh thinks she’s a rockstar and dreams of a career in art. What do these two have in common? They both work at their parents’ pho restaurants.
And these pho restaurants have always been in competition with each other, leading Bao and Linh to avoid each other for most of their lives not wanting to add fuel to the fire between their families. But when an unavoidable encounter happens, the two are surprised by the sparks that fly between them. What will their families think?
Why You Should Read It
This is a great read for this time of year. While it starts off in the fall, we go on a journey with Clara all through the year and end right back in summer. For those of us looking to savour the last bit of the summer season, you’ll end on that note. If you’re like me and are already ready for fall, you’ll be pleased with the crisp feeling at the beginning of the book. The more natural take on witches will make you feel more connected to nature, so you’ll definitely want to read this one outside.
Sweet Factor
4/5 Brookie Stars
4. It’s Kind of a Cheesy Love Story by Lauren Morrill (352 pages)
Image from Goodreads
Beck Brix was born to work at Hot ‘n Crusty, the local pizza shop. No, literally: her mom gave birth to her in the bathroom. So Beck was given free pizza for life, some local fame, and a guaranteed job, a job she really can’t afford to turn down. As Beck gets used to her new job, and her new position in the wider social circles of her town, we watch her find herself as she begins to find her place among her friends and even within a love triangle (I’m sure there’s a joke about a pizza slice in there somewhere).
Why You Should Read It
What this book really has going for it is the way it explores the dynamics among its characters. We learn so much about Beck based on the way she interacts with those around her and consequently learn about those people too. Beck has a lot on her plate (another pizza joke?) trying to manage her public image but we get to watch her pretty gracefully and honestly manage all of that while bringing some pretty fun people along for the ride.
Sweet Factor
5/5 Brookie Stars
5. The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg (338 pages)
Image from Goodreads
When Jordan and his mom dig out his late dad’s food truck, they’re desperate: desperate for the truck to work and desperate for the money it’ll hopefully bring in. The problem? Neither of them really know anything about running a food truck. But when Max shows up to order, and notices Jordan’s mom at her wits’ end, he volunteers to help. Jordan, however, is not interested in spending time with Max who is seemingly his opposite: cool, confident, and attractive. The more time they spend together trapped in that tiny space, the more they find they have in common, and that they have more to offer each other than they previously thought.
Why You Should Read It
Max and Jordan are incredibly believable, authentic, and layered. I enjoyed watching them peel back each other’s layers and found their reactions to each other to be so honest. Max and Jordan had real struggles that weren’t convoluted or exaggerated, and they felt them the way teenagers feel things. If you want a feel-good story that’s also got some depth, this is a great pick.
Sweet Factor
4/5 Brookie Stars
So whether you’re spending this Valentine’s Day with your partner, a new flame, or treating yourself to your favourite takeout, these are five reads that will keep you company this month. Each one offers something different, but they all have interesting characters with their own motivations. Given how important food is in most of our lives, it’s not surprising to find food at the center of so many young adult stories too.
Check out one of our venue partners to order your favourite takeout this Valentine’s Day!
Rachel Gomes is a 30-something high school English teacher who lives with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband and their son. Rachel is a voracious reader who loves to learn and has her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. She’s happiest listening to podcasts and talking to friends about the latest news in nerd culture.
Favourite book: Don’t make me choose between A Song of Ice and Fire and Harry Potter
Favourite brunch spot: The Farmer’s Table
