Fudge My Life

by Agay Llanera

Kimberly Diaz, Malumanay High School’s baking wiz, has simple wishes: win this year’s Bake-Off championship, ace the entrance exams, save up for college, rinse, repeat. No one has ever dared to shake her perfectly sifted plans . . . or so she thinks.

Because when Tyler Nuñez, a member of their school's dance club, charms his way into Kim’s life with crutches and crooked smiles, things start to get messy. And just when she thinks she has the recipe for control, someone from her past returns—someone who once made her world crumble like an overbaked cupcake.

Will Kimberly stick to her own recipe? Or will she take a chance on a messier mix that could change everything?

316 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

Agay is a freelance writer for TV and print. In her spare time, she enjoys writing Romance, New Adult, and Young Adult novellas.

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

love how foods’ comfort making its way to the book’s heartwarming story

[Eliza Janiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My pick for Buwan ng Wika. 🫶🏼

I started reading this book expecting mouth-drooling descriptions of Filipino food that makes you crave for it, and I was not disappointed. What I didn’t expect was for this book to tackle a difficult topic, which is alcoholism and its effects to the family, not just the alcoholic. Books like this that puts sensitive topics like these in a book, puts them into the character’s lives which makes it easier to empathize with people who struggle with them, I appreciate these books so much. 🥹

But I think my favorite part is the realism, or maybe the simple mention of mundane things that I crave from slice of life books. I like reading about how Kim saves up for college, how she would bring her own water tumbler, pack her own lunches (tinola, canned pork and beans). It’s such a sweet representation for normal people’s lives. It’s like the written version of Studio Ghibli’s amazing food/cooking shots.

Overall, I wish the author releases another book with a cover very much like this one, showing our unique food! I’d love to read about Kim’s college life. 🫶🏼

[Cam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this so much! It's so heartwarming and kilig. Everyone's interesting and lovable that I find myself wishing that there are also other stories (aside from Choco Chip Hips) within the same universe. I wouldn't mind reading few more books focused on Kim's parents, Lala, or Rose.

And of course, I'll grab my copy of Choco Chip Hips!

[Joalan Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars!
Light hearted read that’s easy to finish!
Loved how Alcoholism was part of the book and showed how the relatives deal with this reality.
Slightly annoyed with Kim’s behavior but it’s the adult me talking, I’m pretty sure that if I was at Kim’s age I’d feel the same way.
Brought back a bit of my HS feels thru this book ☺️

[Gabriela Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Llanera’s story, then, becomes a touching story on the power of forgiveness and redemption, and gives a nuanced description of a societal problem that plagues almost every home, while offering an action plan forward for those afflicted."

Read the rest of the review at our website:
https://exlibrisphilippines.com/2026/...

[seas__dday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book so much! Super cute and kilig from start to finish!

Wish the cupcakes Kim made were real bc they sounded soooo yum. The younger me was for sure the one reading this :D

I’d love to read Choco Chip Hips, too!

[yelleui · Rating 3 out of 5]

cutie nung book! so good for teens, first ever book i’ve read again :,)

[joy evangelista · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[April Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this book!

[Cielo Austria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not read on an empty stomach 😂😂😂😂

[Katrine Madayag · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Some people were naturally hopeful, and I envied them. But maybe hope could be practiced, and maybe by moving forward, I could learn it.”

Fudge My Life by Ms. @agayllanera, is a young adult novel about Kim, who has her priorities mapped out until graduation, then along came Tyler. A member of the Hoofer dance group, known for his charm.

I dived into this novel expecting a cute teenage romance, but wasn’t prepared for the depth of Kim’s emotional trauma, and the journey toward forgiveness.

The Good Riddance recipe resonated with me the most. It captured the feeling of those who’ve been (or currently in) in Kim’s situation.

Glad that I picked it up last year, and had my copy signed during the Philippine Book Festival. ❤️

[Rinoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lighthearted and heartwarming story about a life of a teenager that is slowly entering the life of young adulthood. The emotions and situations that are portrayed in this book is certainly accurate of the seasons you go through—expectations, promises, romance, crisis, and imperfections—how you overcome them and what you realize after everything.

As a Filipino, some of them definitely hit home for me. I wish to read more books like this.