Guava and Grudges

by Alexis Castellanos

Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of becoming a world-famous pastry chef, but dreams have a cost. Her family can barely keep the family business running, let alone pay for culinary school. Ana Maria helps out at the family bakery, Café Y Mas, whenever she can, but they are struggling while the rival Cuban bakery across the street, Morales Bakery, is doing better than ever with their Instagram famous desserts. Ana Maria's only hope is winning a recipe competition, which has a grand prize big enough to pay for culinary school. But then the ultimate distraction shows up in her small town: Miguel, a boy she spent one magical day with six months ago, and who she never thought she'd see again. Ana Maria thinks maybe fate has brought them together again for a reason-- until she learns the horrible truth that Miguel is a Morales.

A Ybarra cannot be associated with a Morales-let alone fall for one. But when Miguel offers to help Ana Maria with the competition, she is so desperate to win she can't turn him down. All she needs to do is keep Miguel at arm's length and keep their deal a secret from their families. After all, teaming up with Miguel is just business, nothing more…right?

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Audiobook, Contemporary, Latinx, Fiction, Young Adult Romance

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2024

About the author

Alexis Castellanos was born and raised in Florida where she enjoyed sunny days, dramatic thunderstorms, and delicious Cuban food. After graduating from college, she moved to New York City and worked as a scenic artist, bringing theatrical sets to life with a little bit of paint and a whole lot of ingenuity. She currently works as a graphic designer by day and spends her nights dreaming up stories. She lives on the West Coast with her partner and her cat. Isla to Island is her first graphic novel.

Reviews

[jo ୨୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75✨

Pretty sure a cookbook had more action than this book! I actually would read a cookbook because to be fair I was hungry everytime I opened this up. But I also was ready to take a nap because of how boring this was.

Food coma then??

Either way, if you want to read about food and "drama" that's not dramaing, pick up this book!

[emelie 𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ (exams!!) · Rating 2 out of 5]

↠2.50
i needed a severe pallet cleanser after the masterpiece that was saving 6 and it delivered. it was nothing spectacular but not bad either.

it’s kind of a forbidden love trope but extremely watered down. the reason they can’t be together (rival families) is just so stupid in my opinion).

i didn’t really feel any connections with the characters but the writing was solid.

i wasn’t expecting much, just a read to get me out of the reading hangover saving 6 gave me and it worked.

[Eliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delectable treat of a book – both figuratively and literally. Alexis Castellanos' debut novel was so fun to read! Ana Maria and Miguel's relationship is so sweet (unintentional pun, sorry) and Miguel is the epitome of "if he wanted to, he would." Never to hate on lovely FMC Ana Maria, but after all she put him through, a lot of men wouldn't have continued to come back (I chose "Afterglow" for a reason). And yet, Miguel sets the bar above the roof over and over again. I love how at first they're like "let's just be friends so Ana Maria can win her competition," then figure out "oh, we can't do this without getting involved because our respective crushes are too big" so they decide to switch to rivals to lovers halfway through. As an emphatic supporter of both team friends-to-lovers and team enemies-to-lovers, it was a delightful mix.

However, as cute as their romance is, my favorite part of this book was the mouthwatering descriptions of food, especially desserts. Ana Maria's recipes were so creative and sound delicious – speaking of which, thank you Alexis for including the recipe for her guava thumbprint cookies. I will most definitely be trying them. It's like the equivalent of Tashie Bhuiyan putting a (fire) playlist in Stay With My Heart, her latest contemporary novel centered around a band and music – God bless the authors that go the extra mile to make their story "interactive." I especially appreciated Ana Maria's flair for creating fusion dessert recipes that bring together American cuisine with her own culture, because I do the exact same thing with Italian sweets (tiramisù cookies, mocha espresso cupcakes, and cannoli cream cake are just a few examples)! Seeing yourself represented in books, even in such a small way as this, is such a heartwarming experience.

READ IF YOU LIKE: A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey, immigrant family trauma, small town romances, sweet moments (again – figurative and literal), Tweet Cute by Emma Lord, supportive besties, Romeo and Juliet but food, A Pho Love Story by Loan Le, family hijinks including a hilarious and realistic sister relationship, doughnuts, and teaming up with your sworn mortal enemy against a common bigger threat.

[Florence Migga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a delight! The friends felt so authentic and Miguel was a true book boyfriend! I liked how the ending was done, too. The audiobook was fun to listen to, and I love the color scheme of the book cover!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely, fun story about rival families, Guava and Grudges hits all the right note. Ana Maria loves to bake, but dreams for more than working at her father's Cuban bakery. She has a plan to enter a competition that could net her $10,000. First, she needs a new bake idea, and then she's got to beef up her social media because right now? It's just sad. Enter Miguel: he's in town for the summer and he's excellent at videography and photography. He's also the guy she spent a fantastic few hours with when she was supposed to be touring UCLA. But there's a problem: he's part of the Morales family, her family's sworn enemy. But she's going to need him if she has a shot at this competition.

This was a fun story and the writing was good, but I've gotta be honest. I feel like I've read this exact plot at least ten times recently. Can't someone use a new idea? Anyone?

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tagged as a perfect blend of A Cuban girl's guide to tea and tomorrow mixed with Tweet Cute (and I cannot disagree), this new YA forbidden summer romance between two high school seniors from feuding families was full of heart, delicious Cuban American food and a sweet romance.

I really enjoyed the main character, Ana Maria Ybarra (aka 'Amy') who is simultaneously trying to win an online baking scholarship competition and help save her family's Cuban Bakery. While she has the food part down, her online food-influencer presence could use some help. Enter, Miguel, the boy she meet one magical day in LA six months ago and hasn't been able to stop thinking about since.

Miguel is a great photographer and knows how to make videos go viral. His huge online presence alone helps boost Ana's follower count and the two can't resist their chemistry even though their families hate each other.

This was a quick, fun read that sees Ana both standing up for her dreams of being a pastry chef and attending school in France as well as following her heart. Great on audio narrated by Marissa Blake and recommended for fans of authors like Laura Taylor Namey or Emma Lord. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

(Includes recipes at the back of the book).

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the sweetest books. I picked it up because I love food, and that aspect didn't disappoint either. Ana Maria and Miguel like one another despite their families being rivals for years and years, and eventhough they shouldn't be together, they can't seem to stay away.
Miguel was the cutest and I loved how dedicated he was. These are the types of YA books I am here for.

[Dani (_heyitsdanii) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect summer read. A story about rival families, secret romance, tradition and mouth watering cuban recipes in the good old fashioned Romeo & Juliet kind of way.

I loved Ana Maria and Miguel’s romance, which was more of friendship with one sided pinning, he just kept getting the bar higher; at first my rebellious self couldn’t understand what was the deal with the whole family rivalry but after the second act I was so in the rivalry, I wanted retribution.

I loved Ana and Rose’s friendship, the showcase of Cuban culture throughout the book, and the family dynamics; there was one conversation towards the end of the book that had me in tears, it was really relatable specially coming from a Latin-American family.

There is a strong emphasis on character, self-discovery, owning your choices and going after your dreams. This book is perfect for you if you love A Girl’s Guide To Tea and Tomorrow, Romeo and Juliet & The Dos and Donuts of Love.

Thanks to @coloredpagesbt and @bloomsburybooksus for gifting me an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book about following your heart (and your stomach) to love and destiny!

[Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute ,little romance! With a delicious plot!

[Emily Maag · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Tomes And Textiles]

Did you say YA Cuban enemies-to-lovers bakers?

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun book! I don’t normally read YA but picked up an ARC at ALA. Ana Maria is an aspiring chef who learns a lot about herself and her family as she attempts to win a pastry competition. The glimpses of Cuban culture and the fabulous pastry descriptions add extra layers to the story. And then there is Miguel, who against all odds, is a keeper. Again, fun read and I’m glad that I picked up the book.

[melodie | readingwithmelodie · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf @18%

firstly, there’s FAR too much swearing for a YA book (look i can appreciate a swear with *style* or a couple here & at emotional points, but 5 f bombs in one paragraph is absolutely not okay for YA, idk what you say about kids swearing but it shouldn’t be in books for potentially 12-14yo’s)

& the mc is so pessimistic (and sort of trying to be *not like other girls*) it’s frustrating to read

i don’t know if it’s the tone of the narrator, but our mc does sound condescending so often?? like when she’s talking about not going to uni? idk

also this seems like a rinse & repeat of rubi ramos so far & idk what i feel about that

thank you libro fm for the e-arc!

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ana Maria “Amy” Ybarra wants to become a pastry chef. Her family is Cuban and she loves developing and making new treats in her family’s bakery. Her dad will not change the menu that her grandfather created years ago. There is a bakery across the street, Morales Bakery; that is doing so well.

Amy wants to change her dad’s mind and win a social media recipe competition, but Miguel shows up. Miguel is a boy she spent one day with months ago and never saw or spoke to him again. Amy soon finds out that Miguel is a Morales; which is the family rival who she is forbidden to stay away from. Miguel is behind the success for the Morales Bakery and she needs him to help her with her competition. Will she be able to keep the secret from her family while following her dreams?

This book was super cute and the characters were all pretty lovable. The author did a great job as far as character development. I love how Amy’s mom and dad trusted her and her sister so much; until they didn’t! Most parents are super strict when it comes to teenagers! The banter between Amy and Miguel was cute. I kinda wish it was some spice in the book; there was barely any at all. I feel like this book is for anyone would feels like they can’t follow their dreams because they feel as if their parents are holding them back. Amy’s mom and dad wanted her to go to college and she wanted to go to pastry school. Many times in the book, I wanted to knock Amy upside the head and have her just spit it out already. I was not expecting the reaction her parents gave her.

The book started off quick and then once I got midway, it was super slow and felt like it was a lot of filler. The ending was good! I liked how the book wasn’t super predictable. I would put this book under “frenenemies” to lovers.

[Courtney sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of Emma Lord, Romeo & Juliet and yummy food comes a new favourite YA story about having to choose between your happiness and your family’s.

Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of becoming a pastry chef. She loves developing new and exciting Cuban-fusion treats in her family's bakery, but her dad refuses to change the menu created by her abuelo decades ago-meanwhile, the rival bakery across the street, Morales Bakery, is thriving with their Instagram-famous desserts.
Ana Maria's only hope to change her dad's mind and save up for culinary school is winning a recipe competition with a social media angle. But then the ultimate distraction shows up in her small town: Miguel, a boy she spent one magical day with six months ago, and who she never thought she'd see again. Ana Maria thinks maybe fate has brought them together again-until she learns the horrible truth. Miguel is a Morales.

This one strongly reminded me of Tweet Cute by Emma Lord and but with a mix of Cuban culture and delicious recipes. The plot started strong from page and kept going right until the last page. Sure the story is predictable but it’s also real, raw and thoroughly entertaining. The banter between the two main characters was at times down right hilarious and I absolutely loved the best friend Rose. While the main concept of the book is familial pressures tied in with a love story; I really appreciated the spotlight on the girls friendships and that ride or die feeling.

My only complaint? This cover!!!! I strongly feel like people won’t pick this up and instead will miss out on this adorable story because of the cover. the girl looks way too old and overall it could have been done so much better.

Overall I highly recommend

[Lenni Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up because it sounded comforting and perfect for me as a half-Puerto Rican girly who was raised on jugo de guayaba and other various pastries featuring the fruit. But unfortunately, I think I've overdone it with the amount of contemporary romances I've been reading back-to-back. I needed something comforting to read after reading my first (and last) slasher horror, and I think I'm ready to explore more fantasy. So I wasn't overly invested in this book. It was fine, but it's not something I'll even remember in a few months. Miguel and Anna-Maria were cute enough, and I liked the plot of preparing for the competition, but at the end of the day the part that stuck with me most is how hungry I am now for some good pastelillos de guayaba y queso.

I liked that there were sometimes longer sentences spoken by characters entirely in Spanish that the author didn't feel the need to translate for her readers. I liked it even more that I understood them all, which means my Spanish practice has been working :D It's good that they got a narrator who actually speaks Spanish, although I thought the narrator sounded a little too old for a high school romance. Not to insult her or call her old, but she just didn't sound like she could be in high school. She sounded like an adult. But I suppose if I had to choose between a Latina or a younger-sounding narrator for this book, I would 100% go for the one who actually speaks Spanish.

Not too overly exciting, but still somewhat entertaining, "Guava and Grudges" gets a 3-star rating from me. Happy reading!

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! I just love when romances are combined with food, really good combo👌🏻
In this story Ana Maria is entering herself in a recipe competition where the winner gets 10,000 dollars she would use toward culinary school in Paris.
The rivalry between the two Cuban restaurants in town and their history is funny, and it’s hilarious how Miguel is related to one side and Ana Maria is related to the other side!
Miguel helps shoot photos of her food for her social media which helps her out! Even though the parents find out that Miguel and Ana Maria really like each other they eventually let them date even though the families are rivals.
Ana Maria gets runner up in the recipe competition with her Cuban donuts and her parents surprisingly approve of her going to culinary school in Paris which I thought was great!
I was happy with how supportive the parents were throughout, and even though it’s sad at the end when their Cuban bakery gets shut down due to most people going to the Morales’s Cuban bakery, it still feels like a sweet ending because the mom is going to finally use her college degree and there can be less stress!
Overall, I even got tricked in the part where Ana Maria thinks Miguel leaked the Cuban donut recipe when really it was Adrian, so I thought that was well written.
I was so happy when Miguel and Ana Maria got together in the end!! Overall great romance💕💕

[mik · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

✨Thanks so much to Netgalley & Bloombury for the ARC of Guava & Grudges ✨

This was such an adorable read and a great way to start wrapping up my summer reads! I’m always a sucker for the modern romeo and juliet style romances (minus the death of course) and this was no surprise a great example. I have to admit i didn’t love how back and forth Ana Maria was with Miguel’s feelings, I don’t think that was fair to him but I also understood why she did it and glad that she understood what she was doing wasn’t okay. I did really enjoy all the authentic recipes and Cuban culture added I thought that was a really great way to make the characters more authentic. Overall a great, light read!

Check out Guava and Grudges by Alexis Castellanos on September 3rd!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ana Maria Ybarra wants to become a pastry chef and go to culinary school in Paris after she finishes high school. Unfortunately her parents have very different ideas for her future.

Her father wants Ana Maria to take over the struggling family bakery--and the family feud that goes with it. Café Y Mas and Morales Bakery have been bitter rivals for decades, ever since the Morales family refused to credit Ana Maria's grandfather for recipes he developed at Morales Bakery before starting his own business. Thanks to their abomination the dessert burrito the Morales Bakery is thriving while Café Y Mas struggles to keep their delivery truck from literally catching fire.

Meanwhile, her mother wants Ana Maria to go to college for a more secure career--even arranging a visit to UCLA over the summer. But Ana's only takeaway from the visit is that she didn't miss much by skipping the tour to explore the city with a cute guy. Also in retrospect maybe she should have exchanged contact information with Miguel, even if it would have ruined the magic of their perfect day together.

None of which is going to interfere with Ana Maria's plan to win a recipe competition to help fund her culinary school dreams.

Ana Maria is still trying to figure out her scholarship application--including how to make her food photos more exciting and less brown--when, against all odds, Miguel shows up in her small town. It feels like the best kind of magic until Ana Maria learns the horrible truth: Miguel is a Morales cousin.

Everyone in Port Murphy knows that Ybarras and Moraleses do not associate. They certainly don't fall for each other. But Miguel's family doesn't change anything about the chemistry Ana Maria feels with him. Or his tantalizing offer to help Ana Maria up her social media game for her application.

Working together in secret,  Miguel helps Ana Maria create new footage and photos while she develops what she hopes will be a winning recipe. But keeping Miguel at a distance is hard when his cute face is right there and she finds herself liking him even more as they get to know each other.

With her dreams and her heart on the line, Ana Maria has to figure out how to let go of family expectations to choose her own path in Guava and Grudges (2024) by Alexis Castellanos.

Guava and Grudges is Castellanos' novel debut following her wordless graphic novel Isla to Island. The audiobook features a breezy narration by Marisa Blake. Ana Maria and Miguel are Cuban American--an identity that heavily informs Ana Maria's backstory especially when it comes to navigating the mostly white town of Port Newport where Ana Maria has spent most of her life going by Amy (pulled from her initials) rather than having her non-Spanish-speaking classmates butcher the pronunciation of her name.

Ana Maria's first person narration is snappy and filled with fun details about all of her delectable creations as she bakes her way toward the final competition. A supporting cast including Ana Maria's younger sister Sofia and best friend Rose add dimension to the story and make the world Castellanos has created here feel lived in with characters that feel like old friends. With plenty of banter and the excellent bakery setting, Guava and Grudges is a as delectable as Ana Maria's culinary creations (even if readers might suspect early on that Ana Maria and Miguel will overcome their differences). Check the back of the book for a recipe from Castellanos inspired by the book and be sure to have some baked goods on hand while reading.

Guava and Grudges is a sweet story about big dreams and big risks where Cuban culture and heritage take center stage. Highly recommended.

Possible Pairings: When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao, That's Debatable by Jen Doll, Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan, The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo, The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar, A Pho Love Story by Loan Le, Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee, Tweet Cute by Emma Lord, Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno, With Love, Echo Park by Laura Taylor Namey, What's Eating Jackie Oh? by Patricia Park, The Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park, Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad

*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher and through Libro.fm for review consideration*

[Ganna Kolaib ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book so much; it gave me charming vibes. I love the dedication and the writing, and I love the main character herself, It reminded me of Cuba a lot. There is a lot of Spanish in the book (for the people who speak Spanish). It was so cute, but at the same time, it was intense because the characters were arguing a lot. I loved the plot and how the author pictures the setting of the bakery it was very stunning. I loved the chemistry between both characters. I highly recommend this book if you love Cooking and would love to learn about the Cuban Heritage and culture! 💗

[Donna Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute forbidden romance book. I really liked how realistic the characters felt, especially with their own unique personality. The intensity of the rival family bakeries was so tense you could feel unease each time they confronted each other. Ana Maria and Miguel were so adorable and funny as they tried to hide their relationship. The descriptions of the food were delectable, especially with the variety of pastries. The ending was great as well and wrapped up the story perfectly.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute star-crossed lovers a la Romeo and Juliette story with high schoolers Ana Maria and Miguel. The food described in the novel were described so well that they made my mouth water but other than that, the story left like several other YA stories I’ve read. The feud between the families felt a little over-the-top but I did enjoy getting to know Amy and follow her quest to make enough money for culinary school. The pacing was a little off as the middle dragged and felt like the same thing over and over. Otherwise, it was a good distraction for a rainy day.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Sallya · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was fun and anyone who enjoys baking / baking competitions in books will probably like this. I thought the ending was fitting and overall a pretty quick read. My biggest issue tbhhhhhh is that early in the book the characters go eat Persian food but then the food listed is all Arab food 😭

[♡Shar♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man I love Latino books (and men :3).
It's your normal run of the mill misunderstanding and "clever-mouthed" female protag but I was still hooked nonetheless. Very cute, listening to audiobooks of people who actually speak the language in the books too is always fun to listen to.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you libro.fm!!! this was so cute!!! i love the little romeo and juliet aspect. it was super fun and really heartfelt! definitely recommend!

[Kara Cecchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this up.

[maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

not nearly as insufferable and cringe as i thought it was gonna be...it was actually kinda funny and the arguing in spanish made me crack up i cant even lie

MI GENTE CUBANA 🙏🏼

[julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Allison Horrocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is heartwarming and sweet. It’s a nicely paced novel with a great cast of characters. I’m excited to read more from this author!