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mirandyli's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book is an adorable story about two boys trying to save their families' cafes. It also emotionally wrecked me in the best way, and I was not expecting that. If you grew up with strict homophobic immigrant parents, be prepared to cry in the club.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, Outing, and Cultural appropriation
mood_reading_maya's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Rivals to love interest? Young adult romance with m/m interracial leads? And with this beautiful cover? Yes, I was absolutely intrigued and excited to listen to this when my library hold came in. Sadly, I was so disappointed with this story! Cafe Con Lychee follows Gabi Moreno and Theo Mori through their Junior year as high school rivals. These two could not be more opposite. Gabi is a people pleaser, secretly drawn to ballet, generous, kind, and rather awkward... he's also closeted. Theo is grumpy, bossy, athletically talented, brash, and out. These two begin the story as rivals due to their competing family businesses. The framing of the rivalry and competition between the Morenos and the Moris felt contrived (they're the ENEMY!) and unrealistic. As a character, Theo is so incredibly mean and angry. Throughout the course of the story, Theo is shown continually taking out his frustrations (with family, school, the Moris business, and his soccer team) out on Gabi through brash, rude, belittling dialogue and actions. Even after Theo and Gabi team up on their tea and snack delivery service, the setup and logistics for which Gabi did the work, Theo's attitude towards Gabi barely changes. And for his part, Gabi is shown as a passive character. He takes the abuse over and over. That level of meanness made it nearly impossible to believe that these young men should be together! I wanted to hold Gabi close and send Theo on his merry fcking way straight to therapy. The manner in which their interactions are portrayed in the text did not feel like a model for either a healthy or positive romantic relationship. Y'ALL. They are going to homecoming and Theo doesn't hesitate to call Gabi an a-hole. That dialogue isn't banter and doesn't come across as "joking" or "playful." That's not modeling caring and empathetic relationship dynamics between teens. And isn't that what YA (especially YA romance) should be modeling given its target demographic!?
I would also note that there is a lot of internalized homophobia and very thinly veiled homophobic language in the text. It all relates to Gabi's home environment, which is why he remains closeted until the very end of the story. I had high hopes...but alas.
I would also note that there is a lot of internalized homophobia and very thinly veiled homophobic language in the text. It all relates to Gabi's home environment, which is why he remains closeted until the very end of the story. I had high hopes...but alas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Injury/Injury detail
citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
1.5
1.5 stars, which is a rating that I’ve only given once(hi, revised AROGB rating). Gabi was Theo’s punching bag for most of the book(seriously. Theo was so unnecessarily mean to him, hating him for petty reasons like being emotional or not good at soccer??), the “character development” felt like random decisions made to progress the plot and wasn’t the slightest bit subtle, the “rivalry” was really just bullying and I wasn’t sold on the chemistry, and I didn’t like either MC’s friend group.
There’s some plot holes in Theo and Gabi’s delivery venture, too, but those feel like nitpicks in comparison to everything else so I’ll just mention that there were a couple things I found a little too convenient. (How did they even get the website up *and* link it to messaging, first of all??)
And the overuses of “the enemy” and “I rolled my eyes”. Goodness.
.5 stars added for the fact that it had a surprisingly realistic approach to coming out, and healthily processing some of the reactions that aren’t on the extreme hate or unconditional support side of the spectrum. (It would feel a lot better though if the character supporting Gabi hadn’t bullied him for nearly half of the book!!)
I feel bad rating this lower because there’s a lot of rep important to put in a queer book, but this was a truly awful reading experience lol
There’s some plot holes in Theo and Gabi’s delivery venture, too, but those feel like nitpicks in comparison to everything else so I’ll just mention that there were a couple things I found a little too convenient. (How did they even get the website up *and* link it to messaging, first of all??)
And the overuses of “the enemy” and “I rolled my eyes”. Goodness.
.5 stars added for the fact that it had a surprisingly realistic approach to coming out, and healthily processing some of the reactions that aren’t on the extreme hate or unconditional support side of the spectrum. (It would feel a lot better though if the character supporting Gabi hadn’t bullied him for nearly half of the book!!)
I feel bad rating this lower because there’s a lot of rep important to put in a queer book, but this was a truly awful reading experience lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexism and Cultural appropriation
adrianas65's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Outing
arturo_luzen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Cursing, Outing, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying
bookishchef's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I certainly enjoyed it. Even if I thought some plot points felt a little contrived.
It was a really cute story and I related to Theo a lot. His friendship with Justin felt real and his relationship with his brother was so interesting to me (as someone who, in many ways, is more like Thomas instead of Theo).
Gabi's friends didn't get the same treatment though. Vivi didn't have much personality at all. And Mel was just being a bitch throughout the entire book. She was such a shit friend to Gabi? She just kept expecting more, kept expecting him to give up all of his time to help her with her homecoming stuff that he didn't even want to be involved with. She didn't ask him how he was doing once. Even though she knew his parents were homophobic and their shop was closing (this is literally in the blurb, so don't @ me about spoilers)
So yeah, a bit annoyed with Gabi's lack of nice friends.
And with the way the narrators pronounced "lychee".
And some other stuff that I'll talk about below the spoiler line.
Also let's not get it twisted: cafe con lychee sounds super gross. And I say that as a massive coffee and lychee lover.
☕☕☕
Bit disappointed that we don't find out what Theo is going to do after high school. He says it's likely he won't get into college. So, now what?
Also felt like many of the subplots came out of nowhere and went nowhere.
Vivi falling for Gabi, I can maybe understand. Since Gabi is our POV character and he just didn't notice it, so neither did the reader.
But Lady getting a new job? Gabi not being able to do ballet? That shit gets dropped halfway through. And although his parents are combating their homophobia now, does that mean they'll suddenly let him do ballet?
It was a really cute story and I related to Theo a lot. His friendship with Justin felt real and his relationship with his brother was so interesting to me (as someone who, in many ways, is more like Thomas instead of Theo).
Gabi's friends didn't get the same treatment though. Vivi didn't have much personality at all. And Mel was just being a bitch throughout the entire book. She was such a shit friend to Gabi? She just kept expecting more, kept expecting him to give up all of his time to help her with her homecoming stuff that he didn't even want to be involved with. She didn't ask him how he was doing once. Even though she knew his parents were homophobic and their shop was closing (this is literally in the blurb, so don't @ me about spoilers)
So yeah, a bit annoyed with Gabi's lack of nice friends.
And with the way the narrators pronounced "lychee".
And some other stuff that I'll talk about below the spoiler line.
Also let's not get it twisted: cafe con lychee sounds super gross. And I say that as a massive coffee and lychee lover.
☕☕☕
Bit disappointed that we don't find out what Theo is going to do after high school. He says it's likely he won't get into college. So, now what?
Also felt like many of the subplots came out of nowhere and went nowhere.
Vivi falling for Gabi, I can maybe understand. Since Gabi is our POV character and he just didn't notice it, so neither did the reader.
But Lady getting a new job? Gabi not being able to do ballet? That shit gets dropped halfway through. And although his parents are combating their homophobia now, does that mean they'll suddenly let him do ballet?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Medical content, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying, Racism, and Outing
The racism is not geared towards the main characters. Instead, it's geared towards the father of one of the main characters. It is only mentioned in passing, but it is there.anytownbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A cute Romeo and Juliet style read (without them dying at the end of course!) that really centers on character growth and the themes of being who you are, finding your place, and learning how to love yourself for who you are. Enjoyable and a fast read, I liked the highs and lows we get to see from not just our main characters, but also the interesting side characters. Overall, a good read, especially as a palette cleanser!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying
Strong language throughout!!a_sleepy_berry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
gellyreads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I like that this book is so open about its characters’ flaws, although it made me unsure of the longevity of the relationship for a decent chunk of the book. I struggled to see the character development, but on reflection it is there. This is a really good execution of a complex romance that is enemies to friends to lovers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Medical content
paigem4rrie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Outing, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying and Medical content