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Frida's Cook: A Novel
This colorful, emotive historical debut whisks us to the home of Frida Kahlo, where food, art, and love weave together an unforgettable story of friendship and loyalty, with a bright Coyoacán as a vivid background.
A hidden painting. A buried past. A legacy waiting to be uncovered.
Mexico City, 1939: Young and determined Nayeli Cruz flees from her Oaxaca home to arrive in Mexico City with neither friends nor prospects. Alone and armed only with her sharp wit and extraordinary talent in the kitchen, she finds herself in front of La Caza Azul, the home of Frida Kahlo. As she begins work as the artist’s cook, Nayeli is pulled into Frida’s world of pain, passion, and defiance. But it isn’t long before amid the vibrant tapestry of flavors, scents, and colors, the two women form a deep bond—one that will shape the course of Nayeli’s life and leave behind a secret buried in art.
Buenos Aires, Present Paloma, Nayeli’s granddaughter, stumbles upon a mysterious painting depicting her grandmother as a young woman. The artist’s identity is unknown, but the artwork’s existence threatens to unravel long-held family secrets. As Paloma delves into her grandmother’s past, she uncovers a tale of passion, betrayal, and resilience that challenges everything she thought she knew about the one woman who raised her.
A lyrical and timeless portrait of the human side of one of the world’s most famous painters, Frida’s Cook celebrates the power of female friendship, art, and love.
A hidden painting. A buried past. A legacy waiting to be uncovered.
Mexico City, 1939: Young and determined Nayeli Cruz flees from her Oaxaca home to arrive in Mexico City with neither friends nor prospects. Alone and armed only with her sharp wit and extraordinary talent in the kitchen, she finds herself in front of La Caza Azul, the home of Frida Kahlo. As she begins work as the artist’s cook, Nayeli is pulled into Frida’s world of pain, passion, and defiance. But it isn’t long before amid the vibrant tapestry of flavors, scents, and colors, the two women form a deep bond—one that will shape the course of Nayeli’s life and leave behind a secret buried in art.
Buenos Aires, Present Paloma, Nayeli’s granddaughter, stumbles upon a mysterious painting depicting her grandmother as a young woman. The artist’s identity is unknown, but the artwork’s existence threatens to unravel long-held family secrets. As Paloma delves into her grandmother’s past, she uncovers a tale of passion, betrayal, and resilience that challenges everything she thought she knew about the one woman who raised her.
A lyrical and timeless portrait of the human side of one of the world’s most famous painters, Frida’s Cook celebrates the power of female friendship, art, and love.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2026
143 people are currently reading
16618 people want to read
About the author
Florencia Etcheves
21 books205 followersEscritora y periodista, Florencia Etcheves ha trabajado como especialista policial de los informativos de El Trece, siendo ganadora de premios como el de Mejor Labor Periodística Femenina en los Premios Martín Fierro. Hizo sus estudios secundarios en el Instituto de Lenguas Vivas y egresó en el año 1989. Al siguiente año ingresó a TEA para estudiar periodismo y se recibió en el año 1993.
En 2012, la editorial Planeta publicó la primera novela policial de Florencia Etcheves, titulada La virgen en tus ojos. A partir del éxito comercial y de crítica de su primera ficción, en 2014 se publicó su segunda novela La hija del campeón.
En 2012, la editorial Planeta publicó la primera novela policial de Florencia Etcheves, titulada La virgen en tus ojos. A partir del éxito comercial y de crítica de su primera ficción, en 2014 se publicó su segunda novela La hija del campeón.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
December 9, 2025
This historical novel explores the character of Frida Kahlo and her fascination with Tehuanas – indigenous women from Oaxaca, renowned for their strong matriarchal society and vibrant traditional attire – famously adapted by Frida.
Nayeli Cruz is a fictional character who represents Tehuanas.
In 1939, young Nayeli Cruz arrives in Mexico City, after fleeing from her Oaxaca home per her older sister’s insistence, who took on the burden of getting married, but wanted a different life for her younger sister. Nayeli’s fate leads her to La Caza Azul, the home of Frida Kahlo. Frida finds a constant connection with the lost girl standing in her garden and takes her under her patronage. Nayeli becomes Frida’s cook, through Nayeli’s cooking and Frida’s artistry; both women form a deep bond.
In present time, Buenos Aires, Paloma - Nayeli’s granddaughter – explores a mystery. After the death of her grandmother, Paloma is given a key which leads her to a painting depicting her grandmother as a young woman. This leads Paloma to uncover her grandmother’s past. The past of a woman she thought she knew as she raised her but it turns out she didn’t know the most passionate tale of her grandmother’s.
Personally, I prefer past story without any modern twist, and I felt a stronger connection with the past story.
This historical fiction reflects well Frida’s passion, resilience and her independence. The senses of smell and taste awaken with Nayeli’s cooking. The descriptions of places give strong sense of surroundings. The customs and beliefs are rich part of the storytelling. Overall, it is a fascinating story and beautifully presented.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nayeli Cruz is a fictional character who represents Tehuanas.
In 1939, young Nayeli Cruz arrives in Mexico City, after fleeing from her Oaxaca home per her older sister’s insistence, who took on the burden of getting married, but wanted a different life for her younger sister. Nayeli’s fate leads her to La Caza Azul, the home of Frida Kahlo. Frida finds a constant connection with the lost girl standing in her garden and takes her under her patronage. Nayeli becomes Frida’s cook, through Nayeli’s cooking and Frida’s artistry; both women form a deep bond.
In present time, Buenos Aires, Paloma - Nayeli’s granddaughter – explores a mystery. After the death of her grandmother, Paloma is given a key which leads her to a painting depicting her grandmother as a young woman. This leads Paloma to uncover her grandmother’s past. The past of a woman she thought she knew as she raised her but it turns out she didn’t know the most passionate tale of her grandmother’s.
Personally, I prefer past story without any modern twist, and I felt a stronger connection with the past story.
This historical fiction reflects well Frida’s passion, resilience and her independence. The senses of smell and taste awaken with Nayeli’s cooking. The descriptions of places give strong sense of surroundings. The customs and beliefs are rich part of the storytelling. Overall, it is a fascinating story and beautifully presented.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2026
Fridas Cook" is a delightful novel that intertwines the rich tapestry of art with the life of Frida Kahlo. The story explores her story along with the main character and how it parallels her emotional journey, offering readers a unique perspective on the iconic artist's life.
April 2, 2026
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway. I was excited to read it, but it ended up just being ok. Part of the issue could be in the English translation, but the writing was very uneven. The story bounced between two timelines and multiple characters, but instead of flowing through the story, it felt forced. Particularly in the present-day timeline, the characters seemed flat and a lot of their connections and actions felt contrived. As I was reading I thought so much more could have been done by focusing on just one aspect of the story, especially as the author's notes make clear just how much time and research went into her writing.
March 26, 2026
Told in dual timelines and multiple POVs, this is a story about a young runaway Nayeli who ends up in Frida Kahlo’s orbit. Hired on to live in her household as a cook, caregiver and confidante, Nayeli is witness to Kahlo’s art, her tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera, and her crippling illness. In the present Nayeli has passed away and her granddaughter Paloma inherits her belongings including a painting that becomes much-desired by art connoisseurs and thieves.
The story was intriguing and I was hoping to get more insight into Kahlo’s life through Nayeli who is a fictional character, by the way. I felt that everything was presented on the surface level and didn’t go as deep as I’d hoped. The present timeline confused me quite a bit with keeping up with the POVs and everyone vying for the painting. I think I’d’ve preferred there being fewer POVs in order to focus more on fleshing out the main characters especially Paloma who came off a bit flat. Her choices rather surprised me. For as close as she was to Nayeli, she seemed uninterested in exploring her past. I felt like that was the missing bridge between the two timelines for me.
I love that the story painted a beautiful and exuberant picture of Mexico and its traditions from festivals to food to the attire. I could sense the author’s absolute pride in its history and I’m so glad she shared that with the reader.
I think this novel is a good starting point to learn of Mexico’s rich history, a couple of its greatest icons in Kahlo and Rivera, and its vibrant culture.
Thanks to @atriabooks for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story was intriguing and I was hoping to get more insight into Kahlo’s life through Nayeli who is a fictional character, by the way. I felt that everything was presented on the surface level and didn’t go as deep as I’d hoped. The present timeline confused me quite a bit with keeping up with the POVs and everyone vying for the painting. I think I’d’ve preferred there being fewer POVs in order to focus more on fleshing out the main characters especially Paloma who came off a bit flat. Her choices rather surprised me. For as close as she was to Nayeli, she seemed uninterested in exploring her past. I felt like that was the missing bridge between the two timelines for me.
I love that the story painted a beautiful and exuberant picture of Mexico and its traditions from festivals to food to the attire. I could sense the author’s absolute pride in its history and I’m so glad she shared that with the reader.
I think this novel is a good starting point to learn of Mexico’s rich history, a couple of its greatest icons in Kahlo and Rivera, and its vibrant culture.
Thanks to @atriabooks for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ graciously rounded up. There are so many people with so many POV’s in the current timeline. I needed to make notes to help myself keep them straight. The overall plot lines of both timelines are good. I enjoyed connecting the dots between the current and past timelines.
The low spot for me is Paloma. She is beyond annoying. She’s childish and immature and completely unlikeable. The book doesn’t give her exact age but based on the dates we do have, she has to be at least 30. She’s gone to college, she’s a teacher, a professional. Yet you see none of that in her character. What you get instead is someone who gets mad about being treated like a silly, little girl yet then turns around and acts exactly like a silly, little girl. On top of Paloma being irritating, the ending of the book is weird. It just abruptly ends and there are about 10 plotlines that are left hanging. But honestly, that’s still less annoying than Paloma.
Thank you to the publisher Atria for the ARC of this book.
The low spot for me is Paloma. She is beyond annoying. She’s childish and immature and completely unlikeable. The book doesn’t give her exact age but based on the dates we do have, she has to be at least 30. She’s gone to college, she’s a teacher, a professional. Yet you see none of that in her character. What you get instead is someone who gets mad about being treated like a silly, little girl yet then turns around and acts exactly like a silly, little girl. On top of Paloma being irritating, the ending of the book is weird. It just abruptly ends and there are about 10 plotlines that are left hanging. But honestly, that’s still less annoying than Paloma.
Thank you to the publisher Atria for the ARC of this book.
March 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I do love a historical fiction that’s loosely based on real events - especially when it examines a flawed genius like Frida - but between the 5 different narrators and the lack of character development, this story didn’t grab me like I expected.
April 14, 2026
3.5
Frida's Cook by Florencia Etcheves is a lush, melodramatic, and often compelling work of historical fiction that uses the orbit of Frida Kahlo to illuminate a quieter, fictional life. It’s a novel that thrives on atmosphere, food, and feeling—though not always on narrative restraint.
At its core, the book follows two timelines. In 1939 Mexico City, teenage Nayeli Cruz flees an arranged marriage and finds herself at the Blue House, where she becomes Kahlo’s cook. There, she is drawn into the volatile, intoxicating world of Kahlo and Diego Rivera—a space defined by art, politics, alcohol, and emotional extremes. In the present-day Buenos Aires timeline, Nayeli’s granddaughter Paloma inherits a mysterious painting that may connect back to Kahlo, setting off a chain of revelations involving family secrets, art forgery, and danger.
Let’s be honest: if you tend not to like dual timelines, this structure may test your patience. The historical sections are vivid and immersive, while the modern storyline veers into thriller territory—complete with criminals, betrayals, and twists that can feel convoluted. The tonal gap between the two timelines is noticeable, and you may find yourself wishing the novel had committed fully to Nayeli’s past rather than splitting its attention.
That said, the characters are where Etcheves shines. Nayeli is the emotional anchor—resourceful, observant, and deeply human. Through her, we see the intimate rhythms of domestic life: cooking, caretaking, and witnessing greatness from the margins. Paloma, in contrast, functions more as a narrative engine than a fully realized character, though her investigation provides momentum.
And then there is Frida Kahlo. Even as a side character, she dominates the page. Frida Kahlo will never not be interesting, and every scene she enters here absolutely sizzles. Etcheves leans into her contradictions—charismatic yet cruel, vulnerable yet performative, brilliant yet self-destructive. Some readers may find this portrayal bordering on caricature, but it’s undeniably vivid.
Historically, Kahlo herself hardly needs embellishment. She survived a devastating bus accident at 18 that left her in lifelong pain, something that profoundly shaped her art. Her work—often categorized within Surrealism, though she rejected the label—drew heavily on Mexican identity, indigenous culture, and her own physical and emotional suffering. Paintings like The Two Fridas and Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird remain iconic for their raw symbolism and autobiographical intensity. Her tumultuous relationship with Rivera, marked by infidelity on both sides, is the stuff of legend. Today, Kahlo’s legacy extends far beyond the art world: she is a feminist icon, a symbol of resilience, and one of the most recognizable artists of the 20th century.
Etcheves uses these real elements effectively, even when dramatizing or fictionalizing them. The novel’s most compelling idea is that someone like Nayeli—unseen by history—could have influenced or sustained a figure like Kahlo. It’s a meditation on invisible labor and the lives that exist just outside the frame.
Stylistically, the book is sensory and indulgent. Food is described with painterly attention—mole, chocolate, spices—mirroring Kahlo’s own use of color and texture. This is where the novel feels most original, grounding its emotional stakes in acts of nourishment and care.
Ultimately, Frida’s Cook is uneven but engaging. If the dual timeline doesn’t entirely work, the historical sections—and especially the presence of Kahlo—make it worthwhile. It’s less a subtle literary novel and more a passionate tribute, one that occasionally overreaches but never lacks flavor.
Frida's Cook by Florencia Etcheves is a lush, melodramatic, and often compelling work of historical fiction that uses the orbit of Frida Kahlo to illuminate a quieter, fictional life. It’s a novel that thrives on atmosphere, food, and feeling—though not always on narrative restraint.
At its core, the book follows two timelines. In 1939 Mexico City, teenage Nayeli Cruz flees an arranged marriage and finds herself at the Blue House, where she becomes Kahlo’s cook. There, she is drawn into the volatile, intoxicating world of Kahlo and Diego Rivera—a space defined by art, politics, alcohol, and emotional extremes. In the present-day Buenos Aires timeline, Nayeli’s granddaughter Paloma inherits a mysterious painting that may connect back to Kahlo, setting off a chain of revelations involving family secrets, art forgery, and danger.
Let’s be honest: if you tend not to like dual timelines, this structure may test your patience. The historical sections are vivid and immersive, while the modern storyline veers into thriller territory—complete with criminals, betrayals, and twists that can feel convoluted. The tonal gap between the two timelines is noticeable, and you may find yourself wishing the novel had committed fully to Nayeli’s past rather than splitting its attention.
That said, the characters are where Etcheves shines. Nayeli is the emotional anchor—resourceful, observant, and deeply human. Through her, we see the intimate rhythms of domestic life: cooking, caretaking, and witnessing greatness from the margins. Paloma, in contrast, functions more as a narrative engine than a fully realized character, though her investigation provides momentum.
And then there is Frida Kahlo. Even as a side character, she dominates the page. Frida Kahlo will never not be interesting, and every scene she enters here absolutely sizzles. Etcheves leans into her contradictions—charismatic yet cruel, vulnerable yet performative, brilliant yet self-destructive. Some readers may find this portrayal bordering on caricature, but it’s undeniably vivid.
Historically, Kahlo herself hardly needs embellishment. She survived a devastating bus accident at 18 that left her in lifelong pain, something that profoundly shaped her art. Her work—often categorized within Surrealism, though she rejected the label—drew heavily on Mexican identity, indigenous culture, and her own physical and emotional suffering. Paintings like The Two Fridas and Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird remain iconic for their raw symbolism and autobiographical intensity. Her tumultuous relationship with Rivera, marked by infidelity on both sides, is the stuff of legend. Today, Kahlo’s legacy extends far beyond the art world: she is a feminist icon, a symbol of resilience, and one of the most recognizable artists of the 20th century.
Etcheves uses these real elements effectively, even when dramatizing or fictionalizing them. The novel’s most compelling idea is that someone like Nayeli—unseen by history—could have influenced or sustained a figure like Kahlo. It’s a meditation on invisible labor and the lives that exist just outside the frame.
Stylistically, the book is sensory and indulgent. Food is described with painterly attention—mole, chocolate, spices—mirroring Kahlo’s own use of color and texture. This is where the novel feels most original, grounding its emotional stakes in acts of nourishment and care.
Ultimately, Frida’s Cook is uneven but engaging. If the dual timeline doesn’t entirely work, the historical sections—and especially the presence of Kahlo—make it worthwhile. It’s less a subtle literary novel and more a passionate tribute, one that occasionally overreaches but never lacks flavor.
March 26, 2026
I truly had no idea what I expected going into this, but I’m so happy with what it ended up being! The dual timelines were so captivating in their own ways and seeing the puzzle pieces start to connect was so satisfying!! The descriptions and details were so beautiful and the story was so unique. I also loved the complexity of the characters bc it made the story that much richer.
Thank you Primero Sueño Press for the ARC!!
Thank you Primero Sueño Press for the ARC!!
April 22, 2026
3.5 stars. I so wanted to love this book so much more than I did! I struggled to get fully immersed in the family complexities/history… but it didn’t hook me as I expected. I DID loved what I was able to learn about Frida and her quirky artistic self!
March 18, 2026
Frida's Cook is a dual timeline historical fiction novel that tells the story of the fierce Cruz women: Nayeli, a teenage runaway in 1939 who finds herself in Mexico City on the doorstep of Frida Kahlo, and her granddaughter Paloma, who, decades later, discovers a mysterious hidden painting belonging to her late grandmother. Nayeli, after escaping an arranged marriage, develops a close relationship with Frida when she becomes her cook at Casa Azul. Whereas Paloma, after uncovering in 2018 that the painting depicts her dear grandmother and was a secret Diego/Frida collaboration, gets embroiled in the crime world of art forgery. I'm a big fan of Frida Kahlo and have read a few non-fiction books on her life and art, so I was aware of the painful narrative of her life post-accident and the loneliness and despair she experienced after her divorce from Diego. Frida's life was filled with unimaginable pain and suffering, but also with passion and resilience, and I feel the author did a really nice job of bringing her personality to the page. Etcheves writes with vivid descriptions that appeal to your senses; lush depictions of sights, sounds, food, colours, clothing and customs draw you into the atmospheric setting of Frida's home. The pacing was fine, although I did find myself skimming a bit halfway through. I also did get a little confused in the 2018 timeline with multiple narrators and an abrupt ending that I wanted more from. If you're a Frida fan who likes historical fiction stories based loosely on true events, pick this one up! Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2026
Audiobook/Book Review 📖🎧
thank you so much to the publisher and simon audio for the gifted arc + audiobook
Frida's Cook
by Florencia Etcheves
Narrated by Cynthia Farrell, Aida Reluzco, André Santana
I experienced this one through audiobook, and the narrators truly delivered. They brought both timelines to life in a way that made the story feel rich and immersive. I especially enjoyed the dual timeline, moving between Nayeli’s time with Frida Kahlo and Paloma’s present day discoveries. There was something really beautiful about watching the past slowly unfold and connect to the present. The story itself felt soft and reflective, with a focus on art, identity, and the bonds between women. While the pacing felt a bit slower and more steady throughout, it worked for the kind of story being told.
Happy reading 📖 🎧
thank you so much to the publisher and simon audio for the gifted arc + audiobook
Frida's Cook
by Florencia Etcheves
Narrated by Cynthia Farrell, Aida Reluzco, André Santana
I experienced this one through audiobook, and the narrators truly delivered. They brought both timelines to life in a way that made the story feel rich and immersive. I especially enjoyed the dual timeline, moving between Nayeli’s time with Frida Kahlo and Paloma’s present day discoveries. There was something really beautiful about watching the past slowly unfold and connect to the present. The story itself felt soft and reflective, with a focus on art, identity, and the bonds between women. While the pacing felt a bit slower and more steady throughout, it worked for the kind of story being told.
Happy reading 📖 🎧
May 6, 2026
3.5-3.75 stars. The parts with Frida were great - I only wish the book had focused on that story and ditched the other POVs in the present timeline. This has made me want to learn more about Frida. The other stuff was just unnecessary clutter. And the foodie in me also wished for way more cooking given the title!
May 1, 2026
3.5⭐️
March 19, 2026
4.75 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Did I read a different book than all the other early reviewers of Frida’s Cook? I’m thoroughly confused by what Florencia Etcheves was trying to accomplish in this book, and I’m really confused that everyone else seemed to think it was really good.
My point of contention isn’t about whether or not I like the protagonists of the story, which can, fair or not, skew a rating higher or lower. There wasn’t any depth to any of the characters, and half the time I was trying to sort out what POV I was even reading from, since I think it was told by at least eight different people.
This was another book where the premise sounded great to me; the opportunity to see a new perspective on a historical female figure, about strong, independent women, rounded out by a storyline about food and cooking.
I don’t think Frida Kahlo has ever had the reputation of being a calm, sensible artist. This book not only does nothing to dispel her reputation for being mercurial, it fully leans into the idea that she was not just that, but impetuous, melancholic, and more than a little bit mentally unstable. Portions of the book that focus on her and her art and relationships with others are enough to give the reader whiplash.
I saw absolutely no evidence of strong women in this book, just women without men. In the Paloma storyline, she’s focused on what a strong woman her grandmother Neyali was, raising her because her mother Felipa was cold and uninterested (and also crazy), but in the earlier Neyali timeline, she doesn’t come off as a strong woman at all. She runs away from home because her sister Rosa tells her to, then ends up in Kahlo’s home more as a nursemaid than a cook, cheerfully and unquestionably doing whatever Frida asks of her. Despite being a country girl in the big city with no connections and no money, she faces no real adversity, she just gets welcomed into the home of a famous artist.
The cooking and food part might have been what I was looking forward to the most. I’ve found that good stories about food or cooking also invoke the senses of taste and smell, bringing a story to life through more than just character development or good scene setting. But this was the biggest disappointment from what I thought I was going to get, because it was such a small part of the story and did so little to make me feel like I was experiencing the joy of the food. I don’t think there was more than three or four brief scenes of Neyali cooking something for Frida or Diego Rivera.
The earlier timeline seems to consist of Neyali mindlessly and cheerfully going along with whatever the whims of Frida are at any given moment.
The more contemporary timeline is split between Paloma, Nayeli’s granddaughter, and the four people who are trying to steal a painting of Nayeli away from her. There’s no depth to Paloma’s character; she is either getting together with her grandmother’s friends or hooking up with a man named Rama, even after he betrays her.
The reader never gets to see Nayeli truly deal with adversity. They never get to see her passion for cooking and food. The reason behind her picture existing is underwhelming and says little about her relationship to the artists she knew.
Paloma is even less impressive. She isn’t really interested in her grandmother’s secrets after seeing the painting, even after it gets stolen from her twice. She barely does anything to learn more about Nayeli’s relationship with the prickly Eva, and she has regular interactions with her mother that leave the reader completely befuddled. There is no explanation or backstory for why Felipa is the way she is, she’s just there as an unexplained crazy person Paloma has to deal with.
I don’t think the story got lost in translation, though that is probably a factor. I just think this was not a well plotted book, that does not have good character development either.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My point of contention isn’t about whether or not I like the protagonists of the story, which can, fair or not, skew a rating higher or lower. There wasn’t any depth to any of the characters, and half the time I was trying to sort out what POV I was even reading from, since I think it was told by at least eight different people.
This was another book where the premise sounded great to me; the opportunity to see a new perspective on a historical female figure, about strong, independent women, rounded out by a storyline about food and cooking.
I don’t think Frida Kahlo has ever had the reputation of being a calm, sensible artist. This book not only does nothing to dispel her reputation for being mercurial, it fully leans into the idea that she was not just that, but impetuous, melancholic, and more than a little bit mentally unstable. Portions of the book that focus on her and her art and relationships with others are enough to give the reader whiplash.
I saw absolutely no evidence of strong women in this book, just women without men. In the Paloma storyline, she’s focused on what a strong woman her grandmother Neyali was, raising her because her mother Felipa was cold and uninterested (and also crazy), but in the earlier Neyali timeline, she doesn’t come off as a strong woman at all. She runs away from home because her sister Rosa tells her to, then ends up in Kahlo’s home more as a nursemaid than a cook, cheerfully and unquestionably doing whatever Frida asks of her. Despite being a country girl in the big city with no connections and no money, she faces no real adversity, she just gets welcomed into the home of a famous artist.
The cooking and food part might have been what I was looking forward to the most. I’ve found that good stories about food or cooking also invoke the senses of taste and smell, bringing a story to life through more than just character development or good scene setting. But this was the biggest disappointment from what I thought I was going to get, because it was such a small part of the story and did so little to make me feel like I was experiencing the joy of the food. I don’t think there was more than three or four brief scenes of Neyali cooking something for Frida or Diego Rivera.
The earlier timeline seems to consist of Neyali mindlessly and cheerfully going along with whatever the whims of Frida are at any given moment.
The more contemporary timeline is split between Paloma, Nayeli’s granddaughter, and the four people who are trying to steal a painting of Nayeli away from her. There’s no depth to Paloma’s character; she is either getting together with her grandmother’s friends or hooking up with a man named Rama, even after he betrays her.
The reader never gets to see Nayeli truly deal with adversity. They never get to see her passion for cooking and food. The reason behind her picture existing is underwhelming and says little about her relationship to the artists she knew.
Paloma is even less impressive. She isn’t really interested in her grandmother’s secrets after seeing the painting, even after it gets stolen from her twice. She barely does anything to learn more about Nayeli’s relationship with the prickly Eva, and she has regular interactions with her mother that leave the reader completely befuddled. There is no explanation or backstory for why Felipa is the way she is, she’s just there as an unexplained crazy person Paloma has to deal with.
I don’t think the story got lost in translation, though that is probably a factor. I just think this was not a well plotted book, that does not have good character development either.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Florencia Etcheves's book, which I eagerly anticipated. The author writes with a lyrical style with lush, vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses. Descriptions of sights, sounds, colours, food, clothing, and customs draw one into the atmospheric setting of Frida Kahlo's home in Mexico City from 1939 until her death. The story is told through the eyes and impressions of a fictional character, Nayeli Cruz, who worked as Freda's cook and who developed a close friendship with Frida throughout Frida's lifetime.
I am a big fan of Frida Kahlo and have a couple of non-fiction books on her art and life, which were filled with her horrendous pain and suffering, but also with passion and resilience. Another non-fiction book details her relationship with Diego Rivera. I was fortunate to visit her home (now a museum). I also have a coffee table-sized book of her paintings.
The scene frequently switches to a more recent time in Buenos Aires. Nayeli's granddaughter has found a painting that belonged to her grandmother, who raised her. It shows a young, nude Nayeli posing in water with a red splotch in a lower corner. This leads her to explore her grandmother's unknown past. Since people are trying to acquire the painting, so it seems valuable. What was its origin, who painted it, and why did the red paint mar its surface? This timeline leads into the world of art fraud, through the copying of artwork and selling the copies as genuine. I would have preferred only the time spent with Frida Kahlo in Mexico City.
Her marriage to Diego Rivera, a renowned mural painter, caused Frida much distress and emotional turmoil due to his many infidelities. She called him a derogatory name due to his large size and his unattractive appearance. He appealed to many women with whom he had affairs, but he and Kahlo remained lifelong friends after divorcing. Although Diego Rivera acknowledged that he caused pain in his relationships with women, his infidelities continued. Frida believed they had been brought together by fate or destiny, and they continued to love one another in an unusual relationship. She was constantly in need of his advice or approval, and he remained a largely positive force in her life despite adding to her worries.
The book mentions her suffering due to a spinal and leg injury resulting from an accident, and her many hospitalizations. Her painting helped distract her from the most severe pain, taking her mind away from her trauma. Nayeli and Diego were supporters who both admired her paintings.
The book touches on Rivera's affairs. One I found particularly interesting was his affair with Paulette Goddard. She was a major movie star during the Golden Age of Movies (1940s), and in the last historical fiction book I read, she was Charlie Chaplin's wife. Now living in Mexico City, Rivera became enthralled by her. The movie star sure got around! Rivera featured Paulette in one of his murals alongside Frida, and she was a frequent subject of his paintings. During this time, the exiled Trotsky was murdered, and Paulette helped Rivera flee to the USA, as he feared he might be a suspect.
This was an entertaining, atmospheric, and informative book. I frequently found myself Googling facts and illustrations of the artwork. The movie about Frida is presently available on Netflix. I recommend this book to everyone interested in the art of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Publication is scheduled for March 10/2026.
I am a big fan of Frida Kahlo and have a couple of non-fiction books on her art and life, which were filled with her horrendous pain and suffering, but also with passion and resilience. Another non-fiction book details her relationship with Diego Rivera. I was fortunate to visit her home (now a museum). I also have a coffee table-sized book of her paintings.
The scene frequently switches to a more recent time in Buenos Aires. Nayeli's granddaughter has found a painting that belonged to her grandmother, who raised her. It shows a young, nude Nayeli posing in water with a red splotch in a lower corner. This leads her to explore her grandmother's unknown past. Since people are trying to acquire the painting, so it seems valuable. What was its origin, who painted it, and why did the red paint mar its surface? This timeline leads into the world of art fraud, through the copying of artwork and selling the copies as genuine. I would have preferred only the time spent with Frida Kahlo in Mexico City.
Her marriage to Diego Rivera, a renowned mural painter, caused Frida much distress and emotional turmoil due to his many infidelities. She called him a derogatory name due to his large size and his unattractive appearance. He appealed to many women with whom he had affairs, but he and Kahlo remained lifelong friends after divorcing. Although Diego Rivera acknowledged that he caused pain in his relationships with women, his infidelities continued. Frida believed they had been brought together by fate or destiny, and they continued to love one another in an unusual relationship. She was constantly in need of his advice or approval, and he remained a largely positive force in her life despite adding to her worries.
The book mentions her suffering due to a spinal and leg injury resulting from an accident, and her many hospitalizations. Her painting helped distract her from the most severe pain, taking her mind away from her trauma. Nayeli and Diego were supporters who both admired her paintings.
The book touches on Rivera's affairs. One I found particularly interesting was his affair with Paulette Goddard. She was a major movie star during the Golden Age of Movies (1940s), and in the last historical fiction book I read, she was Charlie Chaplin's wife. Now living in Mexico City, Rivera became enthralled by her. The movie star sure got around! Rivera featured Paulette in one of his murals alongside Frida, and she was a frequent subject of his paintings. During this time, the exiled Trotsky was murdered, and Paulette helped Rivera flee to the USA, as he feared he might be a suspect.
This was an entertaining, atmospheric, and informative book. I frequently found myself Googling facts and illustrations of the artwork. The movie about Frida is presently available on Netflix. I recommend this book to everyone interested in the art of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Publication is scheduled for March 10/2026.
March 11, 2026
Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of
Frida's Cook by Florencia Etcheves
*Frida's Cook* is one of the most quietly devastating, achingly beautiful novels I have read in years, and I finished it the way you finish a meal you wish had never ended: slowly, reluctantly, savoring every last page.
✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
The premise alone is an act of radical imagination. We know Frida Kahlo. We know her unibrow and her flowers, her pain and her Diego, her canvases that bleed and howl. But Etcheves asks: who fed her? Who scrubbed the pots after the parties? Who moved silently through La Casa Azul while the artists argued and the intellectuals drank and history was made by people with famous names? The answer is Eulalia — the cook — and in giving her a voice, Etcheves does something profound: she reminds us that every grand life is held up, invisibly, by other lives.
Eulalia is one of the great fictional creations of recent Argentine literature. She is not a saint, not a martyr, not a symbol. She is a *woman* — pragmatic and tender, funny and furious, full of longing she can barely name. Her observations of Frida are rendered with extraordinary care: admiring but unsentimental, intimate but never presumptuous. Through Eulalia's eyes, Kahlo becomes not a monument but a person — fragile, magnetic, difficult, and achingly real.
Etcheves writes food the way a painter works with color: as emotion, as memory, as the very texture of being alive. The mole she prepares, the tamales, the hot chocolate thick with cinnamon — these are not background details. They are the novel's heartbeat. To cook for someone, Etcheves seems to say, is to love them in the most honest way possible. It requires no audience, no recognition. It is love enacted quietly, day after day, in steam and smoke and the careful turning of a spoon.
The prose — beautifully translated — moves with the rhythm of someone who knows how to tell a story without waste. Each sentence earns its place. The pacing is assured, the atmosphere intoxicating. Coyoacán comes alive in these pages: its colors, its smells, its noise, its heat. You feel the cobblestones underfoot. You hear the courtyard fountain. You smell the chiles toasting on the comal.
But it is the novel's moral intelligence that lingers longest. *Frida's Cook* is a meditation on who history chooses to remember — and on the quiet dignity of those it forgets. Eulalia will never have a museum named after her. No one will paint her portrait. And yet she nourished genius, sustained beauty, kept a household of extraordinary people alive and fed and loved. Is that not its own kind of art?
Florencia Etcheves has written a novel that is, at its core, an act of justice. Read it with time to spare. Read it slowly. And when you finish, go cook something for someone you love.
Frida's Cook by Florencia Etcheves
*Frida's Cook* is one of the most quietly devastating, achingly beautiful novels I have read in years, and I finished it the way you finish a meal you wish had never ended: slowly, reluctantly, savoring every last page.
✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
The premise alone is an act of radical imagination. We know Frida Kahlo. We know her unibrow and her flowers, her pain and her Diego, her canvases that bleed and howl. But Etcheves asks: who fed her? Who scrubbed the pots after the parties? Who moved silently through La Casa Azul while the artists argued and the intellectuals drank and history was made by people with famous names? The answer is Eulalia — the cook — and in giving her a voice, Etcheves does something profound: she reminds us that every grand life is held up, invisibly, by other lives.
Eulalia is one of the great fictional creations of recent Argentine literature. She is not a saint, not a martyr, not a symbol. She is a *woman* — pragmatic and tender, funny and furious, full of longing she can barely name. Her observations of Frida are rendered with extraordinary care: admiring but unsentimental, intimate but never presumptuous. Through Eulalia's eyes, Kahlo becomes not a monument but a person — fragile, magnetic, difficult, and achingly real.
Etcheves writes food the way a painter works with color: as emotion, as memory, as the very texture of being alive. The mole she prepares, the tamales, the hot chocolate thick with cinnamon — these are not background details. They are the novel's heartbeat. To cook for someone, Etcheves seems to say, is to love them in the most honest way possible. It requires no audience, no recognition. It is love enacted quietly, day after day, in steam and smoke and the careful turning of a spoon.
The prose — beautifully translated — moves with the rhythm of someone who knows how to tell a story without waste. Each sentence earns its place. The pacing is assured, the atmosphere intoxicating. Coyoacán comes alive in these pages: its colors, its smells, its noise, its heat. You feel the cobblestones underfoot. You hear the courtyard fountain. You smell the chiles toasting on the comal.
But it is the novel's moral intelligence that lingers longest. *Frida's Cook* is a meditation on who history chooses to remember — and on the quiet dignity of those it forgets. Eulalia will never have a museum named after her. No one will paint her portrait. And yet she nourished genius, sustained beauty, kept a household of extraordinary people alive and fed and loved. Is that not its own kind of art?
Florencia Etcheves has written a novel that is, at its core, an act of justice. Read it with time to spare. Read it slowly. And when you finish, go cook something for someone you love.
April 9, 2026
The title of this novel is a bit misleading at the start… you keep reading, waiting for Frida to show up—even though this is her cook’s story as a young girl, from well before she became a cook—and before cooking is significantly mentioned. But it is simultaneously the story of her granddaughter discovering the secrets of her grandmother’s life after it is over. Which also becomes a police procedural, an art-heist mystery, and a sideways fictional biography of two of Mexico’s favourite artists. Essentially, the time we spend with Nayeli doing any cooking is the shortest portion of the entire text, which is a bit strange since that’s what you’re waiting on… the narrative barely mentions food until nearly 30% in… but don’t judge a book by its cover—or title.
We do get some recipes and some cooking scenes, full of all the smells and tastes, paired with the manic emotional episodes of Frida as she unravels. But the presence of cooking and food is minimal, and while essential to the well-being of Frida and the enjoyment of Diego Rivera (the other artist), they seem coincidental, periphery, non-essential bits to the story.
Overall, it’s a ping-ponging multiple-perspectives narrative unmasking the lives of a mess of characters and their oddly intertwined stories as they flip back and forth between mid-twentieth century Mexico and modern day Argentina.
Frida Kahlo makes her first appearance in the story quite well-in—and she is all her boisterous prima donna self, initially present in snippets of loud self-absorbed monologues, and if you didn’t know her already, you recognise her in these pages. Though the story is not directly about her, Frida becomes the central focus, as she often did with her own bigger-than-life presence in reality.
There are some lovely passages that paint things in their unique times, yet a tight wire of suspense is maintained throughout the last two thirds of the novel as relationships disintegrate and truths emerge from the dank dusty shadows of concealed past.
Translation wasn’t too bad, but I can imagine this is much more atmospheric in its original language.
Slight Gripe: I don’t mind the lack of information, but I was left dissatisfied by the unexplained void between Nayeli and her own daughter. We’re given a glimpse of a reason (a fairly lame one in my opinion), but no real understanding of why things went wrong between them nor any truly valid reason for the subsequent alienation between the mother-and-daughter in the next generation.
We do get some recipes and some cooking scenes, full of all the smells and tastes, paired with the manic emotional episodes of Frida as she unravels. But the presence of cooking and food is minimal, and while essential to the well-being of Frida and the enjoyment of Diego Rivera (the other artist), they seem coincidental, periphery, non-essential bits to the story.
Overall, it’s a ping-ponging multiple-perspectives narrative unmasking the lives of a mess of characters and their oddly intertwined stories as they flip back and forth between mid-twentieth century Mexico and modern day Argentina.
Frida Kahlo makes her first appearance in the story quite well-in—and she is all her boisterous prima donna self, initially present in snippets of loud self-absorbed monologues, and if you didn’t know her already, you recognise her in these pages. Though the story is not directly about her, Frida becomes the central focus, as she often did with her own bigger-than-life presence in reality.
There are some lovely passages that paint things in their unique times, yet a tight wire of suspense is maintained throughout the last two thirds of the novel as relationships disintegrate and truths emerge from the dank dusty shadows of concealed past.
Translation wasn’t too bad, but I can imagine this is much more atmospheric in its original language.
Slight Gripe: I don’t mind the lack of information, but I was left dissatisfied by the unexplained void between Nayeli and her own daughter. We’re given a glimpse of a reason (a fairly lame one in my opinion), but no real understanding of why things went wrong between them nor any truly valid reason for the subsequent alienation between the mother-and-daughter in the next generation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love all things Frida Kahlo, so requesting this on NetGalley was a no-brainer. I know the facts of Frida’s life – including her on-again/off-again relationship with Diego Rivera and her crippling accident – so I was looking for a little insight into her personality…and I was not disappointed. This is a dual time-line story, focusing first (1939) on a young girl named Nayeli who escapes her home in Oaxaca, Mexico for a better future in Mexico City, and second, on Nayeli’s granddaughter Paloma to whom the dying Nayeli leaves a mysterious painting.
In Mexico City, Frida notices the young Nayeli as the girl pauses outside her Casa Azul, Frida’s vibrant and alive home, famously painted a bright blue (check it out online if you don’t believe a house can be bright blue). After Nayeli shows skill in the kitchen, she is hired as Frida’s cook and the two women become close friends. Nayeli is gradually brought into Frida’s world of pain and passion, her daily battle with her broken spine and her on-again/off-again romance with famous muralist Diego Rivera. Like most women that meet him, Nayeli becomes fascinated with Diego and their close proximity leads to the making of an enigmatic painting that will become a mystery for Nayeli’s granddaughter Paloma.
I enjoyed this book. I feel like I understand Frida a little better having seen her from the lens of a close friend. I was slightly disappointed with the “mystery painting” for being not much more than a sketch when I looked it up online. But I liked how the painting served as a bridge between the two main characters, and how it brought into the story a nefarious underground art world. While not literature on the highest order, this is a well-written, fast-plotted book, one which should please fans of Frida’s at all levels. Recommended.
Much thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Primero Sueno Press for giving me access to this DARC in exchange for my honest opinions. Frida’s Cook publishes on March 10, 2026.
In Mexico City, Frida notices the young Nayeli as the girl pauses outside her Casa Azul, Frida’s vibrant and alive home, famously painted a bright blue (check it out online if you don’t believe a house can be bright blue). After Nayeli shows skill in the kitchen, she is hired as Frida’s cook and the two women become close friends. Nayeli is gradually brought into Frida’s world of pain and passion, her daily battle with her broken spine and her on-again/off-again romance with famous muralist Diego Rivera. Like most women that meet him, Nayeli becomes fascinated with Diego and their close proximity leads to the making of an enigmatic painting that will become a mystery for Nayeli’s granddaughter Paloma.
I enjoyed this book. I feel like I understand Frida a little better having seen her from the lens of a close friend. I was slightly disappointed with the “mystery painting” for being not much more than a sketch when I looked it up online. But I liked how the painting served as a bridge between the two main characters, and how it brought into the story a nefarious underground art world. While not literature on the highest order, this is a well-written, fast-plotted book, one which should please fans of Frida’s at all levels. Recommended.
Much thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Primero Sueno Press for giving me access to this DARC in exchange for my honest opinions. Frida’s Cook publishes on March 10, 2026.
March 25, 2026
Thank you Atria Books @atriabooks Netgalley @netgalley and Florencia Etcheves @floetcheves for this free book! PUBLISHED MARCH 10, 2026.
“Frida’s Cook” by Florencia Etcheves⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Historical Fiction.
Mexico City, 1939-1956: Nayeli Cruz, a young, determined Tehuana girl, flees from her Oaxaca home, ending up in Mexico City. By chance, she’s hired as cook at La Caza Azul, where she is pulled into Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s worlds of pain, passion, art, and defiance. Frida and Nayeli form a deep bond that shapes Nayeli’s life and leaves a secret buried in art.
Buenos Aires, 2018-2019: Paloma Cruz is grieving Nayeli, the grandmother who raised her. She finds a mysterious painting of Nayeli as a young woman. The artist’s identity is unknown, but the artwork’s existence hides long-held family secrets, and leads Paloma down a dangerous path. She uncovers a tale of passion, betrayal, and resilience that changes what she thought she knew about her grandmother.
Author Etcheves’ book celebrates female friendships, art, and love. Her descriptions of the Coyoacán neighborhood in Mexico City and of Frida’s home, Casa Azul, will pull you in. She gives you the smells, flavors, and colors of Mexico-and of Nayeli’s indigenous Tehuana culture and cuisine as Nayeli cooks to sooth Frida’s pain and temper. Etcheves creates strong, rebellious female characters who defy traditional expectations. Clearly this is historical fiction, not a biography, so dates and times may not be exact, and events have been created for the story. Nevertheless, I learned a lot about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera as I found myself stopping to look up the paintings and places described in the book. It’s food, art, passion, there’s suspense and mystery, and it’s 4⭐️s from me 📚👩🏼🦳 #fridakahlo #diegorivera #fridascook #netgalley
“Frida’s Cook” by Florencia Etcheves⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Historical Fiction.
Mexico City, 1939-1956: Nayeli Cruz, a young, determined Tehuana girl, flees from her Oaxaca home, ending up in Mexico City. By chance, she’s hired as cook at La Caza Azul, where she is pulled into Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s worlds of pain, passion, art, and defiance. Frida and Nayeli form a deep bond that shapes Nayeli’s life and leaves a secret buried in art.
Buenos Aires, 2018-2019: Paloma Cruz is grieving Nayeli, the grandmother who raised her. She finds a mysterious painting of Nayeli as a young woman. The artist’s identity is unknown, but the artwork’s existence hides long-held family secrets, and leads Paloma down a dangerous path. She uncovers a tale of passion, betrayal, and resilience that changes what she thought she knew about her grandmother.
Author Etcheves’ book celebrates female friendships, art, and love. Her descriptions of the Coyoacán neighborhood in Mexico City and of Frida’s home, Casa Azul, will pull you in. She gives you the smells, flavors, and colors of Mexico-and of Nayeli’s indigenous Tehuana culture and cuisine as Nayeli cooks to sooth Frida’s pain and temper. Etcheves creates strong, rebellious female characters who defy traditional expectations. Clearly this is historical fiction, not a biography, so dates and times may not be exact, and events have been created for the story. Nevertheless, I learned a lot about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera as I found myself stopping to look up the paintings and places described in the book. It’s food, art, passion, there’s suspense and mystery, and it’s 4⭐️s from me 📚👩🏼🦳 #fridakahlo #diegorivera #fridascook #netgalley
April 11, 2026
Some books take you to another place, 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢’𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘬 pulls you straight into vibrant, simmering Mexico, where art, love and secrets are inextricably intertwined.
The stunning cover immediately caught my eye and brought back memories of our trip to Mexico many years ago, where we admired Diego Rivera’s impressive murals in the National Palace.
In 1939, Nayeli flees the life her parents have planned for her and ends up in Mexico City. There her path crosses with Frida Kahlo, who takes her in. What begins as a random encounter grows into a close bond: Nayeli becomes her cook, confidante, and friend. Years later, her granddaughter Paloma comes across an intriguing, erotic portrait of her grandmother, a piece that soon proves to be of immense value. As Paloma tries to unravel the mystery behind the painting, she is pursued by dangerous art dealers determined to get their hands on it.
What makes this book so special is its seamless blend of historical facts and fiction. The shift between past and present keeps the story engaging and suspenseful: as Nayeli’s past is slowly revealed, the tension surrounding Paloma intensifies. Frida Kahlo is vividly portrayed; her independence, eccentricity, and strength are palpable on every page. It’s clear the author has done extensive research. The rich descriptions of Mexico and its delicious food complete the experience.
In the present-day storyline, some characters feel less developed. I found it hard to understand Paloma’s mother, and Paloma herself tends to trust too easily, especially someone who has betrayed her before. Still, this did not diminish my overall enjoyment.
𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢’𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘬 is an immersive, atmospheric novel that beautifully combines history and suspense. For me, its strength lies in the ambiance, the art, and the gradual unfolding of Nayeli’s story, a book you can truly lose yourself in.
The stunning cover immediately caught my eye and brought back memories of our trip to Mexico many years ago, where we admired Diego Rivera’s impressive murals in the National Palace.
In 1939, Nayeli flees the life her parents have planned for her and ends up in Mexico City. There her path crosses with Frida Kahlo, who takes her in. What begins as a random encounter grows into a close bond: Nayeli becomes her cook, confidante, and friend. Years later, her granddaughter Paloma comes across an intriguing, erotic portrait of her grandmother, a piece that soon proves to be of immense value. As Paloma tries to unravel the mystery behind the painting, she is pursued by dangerous art dealers determined to get their hands on it.
What makes this book so special is its seamless blend of historical facts and fiction. The shift between past and present keeps the story engaging and suspenseful: as Nayeli’s past is slowly revealed, the tension surrounding Paloma intensifies. Frida Kahlo is vividly portrayed; her independence, eccentricity, and strength are palpable on every page. It’s clear the author has done extensive research. The rich descriptions of Mexico and its delicious food complete the experience.
In the present-day storyline, some characters feel less developed. I found it hard to understand Paloma’s mother, and Paloma herself tends to trust too easily, especially someone who has betrayed her before. Still, this did not diminish my overall enjoyment.
𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢’𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘬 is an immersive, atmospheric novel that beautifully combines history and suspense. For me, its strength lies in the ambiance, the art, and the gradual unfolding of Nayeli’s story, a book you can truly lose yourself in.
March 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, I really wanted to love this one. Historical fiction about Frida Kahlo, with food and art and fierce women woven through it? That's basically written for me. Which is maybe why it stung a little that it didn't quite land.
My biggest stumbling block was the structure. Multiple timelines, narrators shifting in and out... I kept losing my footing, and when you're spending mental energy just tracking who's talking, it's hard to actually feel anything. Nayeli and Paloma both had real potential, but I never got close enough to either of them to care the way I wanted to.
And Nayeli's story especially! The bones are so good. A woman tangled up in Frida's orbit, all that history and heat, it should have wrecked me. Frida herself is vivid (of course she is), but the relationships and arcs around her stayed a little thin. I also kept waiting for the food to really show up. The title promises a cook, and there are flashes of something sensory and wonderful, but not enough to fully deliver on that promise.
The modern Paloma storyline had a nice mystery-ish pull to it, but for me it added to the fragmentation more than it helped. Every time I'd start to sink into Frida's world, I got pulled back out.
That said, the prose is genuinely lovely in places, and when the atmosphere clicks, it really clicks. If you're a Frida devotee or you love dual-timeline stories and can go with the flow on structure, there's still something here worth your time.
For me, it's a 3 stars. Not because it's a bad book, but because it kept gesturing at something extraordinary and then pulling back right before it got there.
Oh, I really wanted to love this one. Historical fiction about Frida Kahlo, with food and art and fierce women woven through it? That's basically written for me. Which is maybe why it stung a little that it didn't quite land.
My biggest stumbling block was the structure. Multiple timelines, narrators shifting in and out... I kept losing my footing, and when you're spending mental energy just tracking who's talking, it's hard to actually feel anything. Nayeli and Paloma both had real potential, but I never got close enough to either of them to care the way I wanted to.
And Nayeli's story especially! The bones are so good. A woman tangled up in Frida's orbit, all that history and heat, it should have wrecked me. Frida herself is vivid (of course she is), but the relationships and arcs around her stayed a little thin. I also kept waiting for the food to really show up. The title promises a cook, and there are flashes of something sensory and wonderful, but not enough to fully deliver on that promise.
The modern Paloma storyline had a nice mystery-ish pull to it, but for me it added to the fragmentation more than it helped. Every time I'd start to sink into Frida's world, I got pulled back out.
That said, the prose is genuinely lovely in places, and when the atmosphere clicks, it really clicks. If you're a Frida devotee or you love dual-timeline stories and can go with the flow on structure, there's still something here worth your time.
For me, it's a 3 stars. Not because it's a bad book, but because it kept gesturing at something extraordinary and then pulling back right before it got there.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Won this novel as part of a Goodreads giveaway. . .
This is a duel timeline historical fiction novel. The 1936 timeline is centered around the fictional character of Nayeli Cruz. Nayeli flees her hometown to escape an arranged marriage and ends up in Mexico City. With nothing other than her talents in the kitchen Nayeli finds herself working and living with famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
The present day timeline concerns itself with Nayeli’s granddaughter Paloma. After Nayeli’s death, Paloma finds herself questioning how well she really knew her grandmother. As she is putting her grandmother’s affairs in order she come across a painting that Paloma is almost certain is her grandmother, but not as she ever knew her. Paloma must try to unravel her grandmother’s story while not losing one of the most precious things left to her.
I did enjoy the content of this book. I learned so much about Frida and her husband Diego Rivera. The pacing of the novel was nice and the chapters were for the most part on the shorter side. There were times that this worked really well and there were other times that this was not to the storyline’s benefit. I would just find myself getting lost in Nayeli’s stories with Frida and the chapter would end and we would be jumping to present day.
I also felt that the ending was kind of abrupt and left me wanting more from both storylines. It felt like the author was being told to wrap it up and they did, but when you spend 300 pages with the characters they deserve a fully fleshed out ending.
This is a duel timeline historical fiction novel. The 1936 timeline is centered around the fictional character of Nayeli Cruz. Nayeli flees her hometown to escape an arranged marriage and ends up in Mexico City. With nothing other than her talents in the kitchen Nayeli finds herself working and living with famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
The present day timeline concerns itself with Nayeli’s granddaughter Paloma. After Nayeli’s death, Paloma finds herself questioning how well she really knew her grandmother. As she is putting her grandmother’s affairs in order she come across a painting that Paloma is almost certain is her grandmother, but not as she ever knew her. Paloma must try to unravel her grandmother’s story while not losing one of the most precious things left to her.
I did enjoy the content of this book. I learned so much about Frida and her husband Diego Rivera. The pacing of the novel was nice and the chapters were for the most part on the shorter side. There were times that this worked really well and there were other times that this was not to the storyline’s benefit. I would just find myself getting lost in Nayeli’s stories with Frida and the chapter would end and we would be jumping to present day.
I also felt that the ending was kind of abrupt and left me wanting more from both storylines. It felt like the author was being told to wrap it up and they did, but when you spend 300 pages with the characters they deserve a fully fleshed out ending.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars. Although fictional so much of the story gives great insight into Frida Kahlo’s richly-textured history (and now has me wanting to learn everything there is to know about her). The books past shows truths into Kahlo’s life.. her pain, anger, whims, and her relationship with Rivera.
Mexico City 1939. Teenager Nayeli Cruz (from Oaxaca) flees her village to avoid a forced marriage, her destination Mexico City. By chance she is dropped off in front of La Kaza Azul, which happens to be Frida Kahlo’s doorstep. Frida immediately takes Nayeli under her wing becoming her cook. The two form a strong bond of friendship. Nayeli being alone with no family. And Frida living in seclusion, haunted by the pain and infidelities of her husband Diego Rivera.
80 years later, Nayeli's granddaughter Paloma empties her grandmother's house following her death and is given a key that unlocks a box. She finds inside two paintings that both intrigues and causes turmoil for her.
I was completely captivated by Etcheves writing and just loved all the suspense behind Paloma’s search of where the paintings of her grandmother came from. Most intriguing is the hidden history Paloma finds of her grandmothers past.
I much preferred Nayeli’s era and character.. of how she brought such a strong intensity to the story because of her relationship with Frida. I also love that era in the way the author made it feel so vibrant. It was colorful in art and in its country’s traditions and customs. Etcheves book is a tale of love, courage, freedom and a tribute to art. The sights, sounds, colors, food, customs and people is so beautifully detailed that it fully immerses you inside Mexico’s world. I’ve never been but this felt as if I were there in person. What a great story. Do recommend. Pub. 3/10/26
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Mexico City 1939. Teenager Nayeli Cruz (from Oaxaca) flees her village to avoid a forced marriage, her destination Mexico City. By chance she is dropped off in front of La Kaza Azul, which happens to be Frida Kahlo’s doorstep. Frida immediately takes Nayeli under her wing becoming her cook. The two form a strong bond of friendship. Nayeli being alone with no family. And Frida living in seclusion, haunted by the pain and infidelities of her husband Diego Rivera.
80 years later, Nayeli's granddaughter Paloma empties her grandmother's house following her death and is given a key that unlocks a box. She finds inside two paintings that both intrigues and causes turmoil for her.
I was completely captivated by Etcheves writing and just loved all the suspense behind Paloma’s search of where the paintings of her grandmother came from. Most intriguing is the hidden history Paloma finds of her grandmothers past.
I much preferred Nayeli’s era and character.. of how she brought such a strong intensity to the story because of her relationship with Frida. I also love that era in the way the author made it feel so vibrant. It was colorful in art and in its country’s traditions and customs. Etcheves book is a tale of love, courage, freedom and a tribute to art. The sights, sounds, colors, food, customs and people is so beautifully detailed that it fully immerses you inside Mexico’s world. I’ve never been but this felt as if I were there in person. What a great story. Do recommend. Pub. 3/10/26
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 8, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for an ARC of this book.
Historical fiction is such a hit or miss genre for me but I love art and Frida Kahlo so I was interested in this upcoming novel.
Nayeli’s story had me hooked from the first page even before she crossed paths with Frida Kahlo. I loved her as a character and thought she fit in well with Frida and Diego’s lives.
Paloma’s story in the 2018/2019 time was intriguing from the mystery aspect of her grandmother and the painting. We as the reader know more than Paloma which is why I judged some of her actions a bit harshly. Her timeline introduced quite a few people at the beginning that I wasn’t sure about but they make sense the more the story progresses.
I made a few guesses about what happened with Nayeli, Frida, and Diego and I was both right and wrong. Glad ai ended up wrong in one regard but sad that outcome impacted my favorite characters the way it did. Intentionally vague but don’t want to spoil it for anyone!
The way Nayeli’s story in her youth wrapped up made a lot of sense but raised more questions for the present timeline especially about Nayeli’s and Eva’s relationship and why Paloma was in the dark. Paloma’s mother felt like a random character thrown into the mix to ensure the plot goes a specific way and to explain why Paloma was involved with the painting. I still had questions about the outcome of the present timeline but it didn’t take away from the overall experience. Recommend reading this book for the family history, Friday Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and the art world.
Historical fiction is such a hit or miss genre for me but I love art and Frida Kahlo so I was interested in this upcoming novel.
Nayeli’s story had me hooked from the first page even before she crossed paths with Frida Kahlo. I loved her as a character and thought she fit in well with Frida and Diego’s lives.
Paloma’s story in the 2018/2019 time was intriguing from the mystery aspect of her grandmother and the painting. We as the reader know more than Paloma which is why I judged some of her actions a bit harshly. Her timeline introduced quite a few people at the beginning that I wasn’t sure about but they make sense the more the story progresses.
I made a few guesses about what happened with Nayeli, Frida, and Diego and I was both right and wrong. Glad ai ended up wrong in one regard but sad that outcome impacted my favorite characters the way it did. Intentionally vague but don’t want to spoil it for anyone!
The way Nayeli’s story in her youth wrapped up made a lot of sense but raised more questions for the present timeline especially about Nayeli’s and Eva’s relationship and why Paloma was in the dark. Paloma’s mother felt like a random character thrown into the mix to ensure the plot goes a specific way and to explain why Paloma was involved with the painting. I still had questions about the outcome of the present timeline but it didn’t take away from the overall experience. Recommend reading this book for the family history, Friday Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and the art world.
March 15, 2026
Frida's Cook (thank you #gifted @primerosuenopress @atriabooks @simon.audio ) is a mix of characters, some which I enjoyed and some which left me confused.
This dual timeline novel follows Nayeli, a young woman who flees her home and ends up working as Frida Kahlo's cook in Mexico City. In present day Buenos Aires, Nayeli's granddaughter Paloma inherits a painting, leading her to question how much she really knew her grandmother.
The scenes with Nayeli and Frida shine with life. Frida is eccentric, impetuous, and full of life, though also aware of her own self-importance (just like her ex-husband, Diego Rivera). I loved the scenes with them, at least until the very end, even as Frida's body was breaking down and surgeries weren't helping.
Paloma is persistent in finding the truth. She unwittingly becomes part of a world of thieves and art forger, which certainly heightened the tension. But I didn't understand the motivations, which often seemed to change on a whim. Secrets were revealed without getting into the consequences, and it was an area where I wanted more.
The audiobook is a treat with three narrators: Cynthia Farrell, Aida Reluzco, and André Santana. They create an immersive experience, bringing this world of color and creativity to life. Though there was a chapter or two that I listened to and then reread in print to make sure I understood how all the characters were connected.
This dual timeline novel follows Nayeli, a young woman who flees her home and ends up working as Frida Kahlo's cook in Mexico City. In present day Buenos Aires, Nayeli's granddaughter Paloma inherits a painting, leading her to question how much she really knew her grandmother.
The scenes with Nayeli and Frida shine with life. Frida is eccentric, impetuous, and full of life, though also aware of her own self-importance (just like her ex-husband, Diego Rivera). I loved the scenes with them, at least until the very end, even as Frida's body was breaking down and surgeries weren't helping.
Paloma is persistent in finding the truth. She unwittingly becomes part of a world of thieves and art forger, which certainly heightened the tension. But I didn't understand the motivations, which often seemed to change on a whim. Secrets were revealed without getting into the consequences, and it was an area where I wanted more.
The audiobook is a treat with three narrators: Cynthia Farrell, Aida Reluzco, and André Santana. They create an immersive experience, bringing this world of color and creativity to life. Though there was a chapter or two that I listened to and then reread in print to make sure I understood how all the characters were connected.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Disclosure: Frida’s Cook by Florencia Etcheves was provided to me by NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for my honest review.
Why I picked this up:
I was drawn to this book because it’s historical fiction centered around Frida Kahlo and strong women. The premise of uncovering family secrets through art also really intrigued me.
What I liked:
• The writing is very accessible and easy to read, which I always appreciate.
• Once the mystery element kicked in, it became much more engaging.
• I loved imagining myself in Frida Kahlo’s world — the vivid setting, the colors of Coyoacán, and the blend of art, and female friendship.
What I didn’t like:
• The beginning felt slow, and it took a while for the story to truly pull me in.
• While the story was interesting, it didn’t emotionally move me as much as I hoped.
Overall thoughts:
Frida’s Cook is a lyrical and enjoyable historical novel that offers a fascinating glimpse into Frida Kahlo’s world through the eyes of a fictional character. While I appreciated the themes and atmosphere, it ultimately didn’t leave a lasting emotional impression on me, which is why I settled on a solid 3-star rating.
Would I recommend it?
Maybe — especially if you enjoy historical fiction about strong women, Frida Kahlo, and slower-paced stories focused on atmosphere rather than deep emotional impact.
Why I picked this up:
I was drawn to this book because it’s historical fiction centered around Frida Kahlo and strong women. The premise of uncovering family secrets through art also really intrigued me.
What I liked:
• The writing is very accessible and easy to read, which I always appreciate.
• Once the mystery element kicked in, it became much more engaging.
• I loved imagining myself in Frida Kahlo’s world — the vivid setting, the colors of Coyoacán, and the blend of art, and female friendship.
What I didn’t like:
• The beginning felt slow, and it took a while for the story to truly pull me in.
• While the story was interesting, it didn’t emotionally move me as much as I hoped.
Overall thoughts:
Frida’s Cook is a lyrical and enjoyable historical novel that offers a fascinating glimpse into Frida Kahlo’s world through the eyes of a fictional character. While I appreciated the themes and atmosphere, it ultimately didn’t leave a lasting emotional impression on me, which is why I settled on a solid 3-star rating.
Would I recommend it?
Maybe — especially if you enjoy historical fiction about strong women, Frida Kahlo, and slower-paced stories focused on atmosphere rather than deep emotional impact.
April 18, 2026
I will start by saying that though it took me a month to finish, it is no relation to how beautiful and submersed I was into this book.
Every time I picked it up, I was lost in the paradise of Caza Azul.
“ I don’t want anyone to see what’s inside me when my body breaks. I want to return to the blue paradise. That’s all I want.” N.C
My soul cries for Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderon,
Diego was her drug of choice. A man whose appetite, whose hunger could only feast on the one and only Frida Kahlo in its ENTIRETY.
A truly painful, soul wrenching love story.
Nayeli was a woman I was not prepared to know and who I long to meet.
My being cries for the women who are nothing short of beauty, purity and perfection to only to suffer at the feet of man who did not love them for what they are.
The longing to be accepted and loved by the woman who brings you into this world is a devastating heart breaking feeling. A mother’s love is truly a treasure when it is given.
May we all find some peace and connection to the woman who gives us LIFE.
This book was a perfect trip to Mexico , Buenos Aires and Caza Azul.
I am a little sad that I do now own this book but after reading it, I will be.
Thank you 📖
Every time I picked it up, I was lost in the paradise of Caza Azul.
“ I don’t want anyone to see what’s inside me when my body breaks. I want to return to the blue paradise. That’s all I want.” N.C
My soul cries for Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderon,
Diego was her drug of choice. A man whose appetite, whose hunger could only feast on the one and only Frida Kahlo in its ENTIRETY.
A truly painful, soul wrenching love story.
Nayeli was a woman I was not prepared to know and who I long to meet.
My being cries for the women who are nothing short of beauty, purity and perfection to only to suffer at the feet of man who did not love them for what they are.
The longing to be accepted and loved by the woman who brings you into this world is a devastating heart breaking feeling. A mother’s love is truly a treasure when it is given.
May we all find some peace and connection to the woman who gives us LIFE.
This book was a perfect trip to Mexico , Buenos Aires and Caza Azul.
I am a little sad that I do now own this book but after reading it, I will be.
Thank you 📖
March 24, 2026
Oh, this was such a beautiful book! Two different timelines, two different countries, two different generations.
We follow Nayeli, who ends up in Frida Kahlo’s home, La Casa Azul. She starts working as Frida’s cook but shortly after becomes a close friend to her. We also meet Paloma, Nayeli’s granddaughter, who is living in Argentina. Nayeli passes away, and Paloma inherits a few possessions, including a painting that unravels her family's hidden history.
🦋I loved how we got a view into Frida Kahlo’s life, which was full of her love for Diego Rivera, her passion for art and self-portraits, as well as unfortunate pain and suffering.
🐚“To me, conch shells signify deep love - there’s nothing deeper than the ocean.”
💚 The story was full of vivid descriptions of Mexico’s traditional clothing, savory flavors, and detailed paintings. We get multiple POV, family drama, and a mystery. I enjoyed following both stories, although I was a bit more curious about the outcome of Nayeli’s story.
A slow-paced yet intriguing, multigenerational story of resilient, strong women.
Muchas gracias @primerosuenopress for the gifted ARC! 🫶
We follow Nayeli, who ends up in Frida Kahlo’s home, La Casa Azul. She starts working as Frida’s cook but shortly after becomes a close friend to her. We also meet Paloma, Nayeli’s granddaughter, who is living in Argentina. Nayeli passes away, and Paloma inherits a few possessions, including a painting that unravels her family's hidden history.
🦋I loved how we got a view into Frida Kahlo’s life, which was full of her love for Diego Rivera, her passion for art and self-portraits, as well as unfortunate pain and suffering.
🐚“To me, conch shells signify deep love - there’s nothing deeper than the ocean.”
💚 The story was full of vivid descriptions of Mexico’s traditional clothing, savory flavors, and detailed paintings. We get multiple POV, family drama, and a mystery. I enjoyed following both stories, although I was a bit more curious about the outcome of Nayeli’s story.
A slow-paced yet intriguing, multigenerational story of resilient, strong women.
Muchas gracias @primerosuenopress for the gifted ARC! 🫶
March 30, 2026
Frida's Cook is an interesting story that captures the vibrance of Frida Kahlo and the Tehuanas women of Oaxaca.
The book is a dual timeline story with multiple point of views but set in 1939 and in the present day.
In 1939, Nayeli Cruz is fleeing from her life in Oaxaca in search of a better future. She becomes the cook of the famous artist, Frida Kahlo. In Casa Azul is where Frida takes her under her wing and develops a deep bond with Nayeli.
In the present timeline, Nayeli's granddaughter Paloma discovers a secret painting belonging to her late grandmother, leading to many questions surrounding the history of a woman she thought she knew.
There were many things that I did enjoy about this book. I loved the rich artistry and the food, but what I did not enjoy was the structure. There were so many timelines that would jarringly transition in and out of time. Paloma's storyline caused more confusion, and I found myself not interested in her character or her storyline. I wanted to like this book so much more than I did, but there were so many plot holes and an abrupt ending.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc. This review is voluntary.
The book is a dual timeline story with multiple point of views but set in 1939 and in the present day.
In 1939, Nayeli Cruz is fleeing from her life in Oaxaca in search of a better future. She becomes the cook of the famous artist, Frida Kahlo. In Casa Azul is where Frida takes her under her wing and develops a deep bond with Nayeli.
In the present timeline, Nayeli's granddaughter Paloma discovers a secret painting belonging to her late grandmother, leading to many questions surrounding the history of a woman she thought she knew.
There were many things that I did enjoy about this book. I loved the rich artistry and the food, but what I did not enjoy was the structure. There were so many timelines that would jarringly transition in and out of time. Paloma's storyline caused more confusion, and I found myself not interested in her character or her storyline. I wanted to like this book so much more than I did, but there were so many plot holes and an abrupt ending.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc. This review is voluntary.
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