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The Secret Recipe for Moving On
When Ellie is dumped by her boyfriend, she's forced to make new friends (while watching her ex swoon over his new girlfriend) in The Secret Recipe for Moving On, a smart and funny YA debut from Karen Bischer.
Ellie Agresti's not sure anything could be worse than being dumped by her boyfriend, Hunter, the first day of senior year.
But sharing a "life skills" class with him and his new girlfriend, Brynn? AND getting partnered with a "family" of misfits (A.J., the loudmouth; Isaiah, the horse-racing obsessive; and Luke, the tattooed stunt-biker)?
It's a recipe for certain disaster...until an in-class competition allows Ellie to channel her angst into beating Hunter and Brynn's team, and she unexpectedly bonds with her own group–especially Luke–in the process.
But as Ellie soon discovers, it will take more than classroom triumphs to heal her broken heart–and find herself again.
Ellie Agresti's not sure anything could be worse than being dumped by her boyfriend, Hunter, the first day of senior year.
But sharing a "life skills" class with him and his new girlfriend, Brynn? AND getting partnered with a "family" of misfits (A.J., the loudmouth; Isaiah, the horse-racing obsessive; and Luke, the tattooed stunt-biker)?
It's a recipe for certain disaster...until an in-class competition allows Ellie to channel her angst into beating Hunter and Brynn's team, and she unexpectedly bonds with her own group–especially Luke–in the process.
But as Ellie soon discovers, it will take more than classroom triumphs to heal her broken heart–and find herself again.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 23, 2021
41 people are currently reading
4968 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
March 22, 2021
omg this was so cute 🥺🥺
wholesome + all the feels 🥺
rtc.
wholesome + all the feels 🥺
rtc.
May 23, 2023
this book is so dramatic, it kept assuming it came out in 2017 or something because of the way it reads but no it literally came out 2 years ago. i also feel like the book had WAY too many characters at first but after a while it was pretty decent, it made it a bit more fun actually. other than that i think this book was super fun! it read like a netflix or hulu book adaptation. it brought me back to when i used to read contemporaries in high school and they were just fun. ok and this book had an only girl in a group of guys trope which i love so it really made the book that much better for me
March 11, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a great contemporary book and a sweet surprise!
I really liked the ways in which Ellie changed for the better throughout the duration of the novel. She ended up becoming a protagonist that I really admire! Also, her romance with Luke was super adorable and had a lot of chemistry.
Something that I wish the book explored more of was AJ's romance. OMG, every time it was hinted at, I wanted to see more of it! I am hoping that the author writes another book about that :)
Overall, this was a cute book that I think many would love. I think that it brings both traditional and new/refreshing concepts to the contemporary genre.
This was a great contemporary book and a sweet surprise!
I really liked the ways in which Ellie changed for the better throughout the duration of the novel. She ended up becoming a protagonist that I really admire! Also, her romance with Luke was super adorable and had a lot of chemistry.
Something that I wish the book explored more of was AJ's romance. OMG, every time it was hinted at, I wanted to see more of it! I am hoping that the author writes another book about that :)
Overall, this was a cute book that I think many would love. I think that it brings both traditional and new/refreshing concepts to the contemporary genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Karen Bischer's upcoming book, The Secret Recipe for Moving On , is a cute YA rom-com about overcoming heartache and finding your place.
Having to switch high schools junior year was hard for Ellie, but after she quickly met and started dating Hunter, a handsome classmate, she quickly became part of his circle of friends and started doing things they wanted to do. But things between them seem strained just before senior year starts, although Hunter tells her everything is fine.
On the first day of school, Hunter dumps Ellie unexpectedly, and it’s not long before she finds out he’s already hooked up with his longtime friend, Brynn. (Perhaps even before he and Ellie broke up.) To make matters worse, she has to share a life skills class with both of them and watch everyone ship the adorable couple, saying how great it was that they finally got together.
When Ellie gets teamed up with a group of misfits for a year-long competition in class, at first she feels like an outsider. But when her competitive spirit is awakened, and the team focuses on beating Hunter and Brynn’s team, Ellie allows herself to have fun with her new friends, especially Luke, a tattooed stunt-biker who is much more complex than she imagined.
But is Ellie willing to trust someone again after Hunter’s lies? The more she focuses on competition the more she ignores the needs of those around her. She’ll need to figure out what she really wants—and whom she wants to be with.
The Secret Recipe for Moving On was a really cute high school-based rom-com. There’s nothing quite like teenage drama!
I was grateful to be part of the blog tour for this book. Storygram Tours, Fierce Reads, Swoon Reads, and NetGalley provided me with an advance complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!
The Secret Recipe for Moving On publishes 3/23/2021!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Karen Bischer's upcoming book, The Secret Recipe for Moving On , is a cute YA rom-com about overcoming heartache and finding your place.
Having to switch high schools junior year was hard for Ellie, but after she quickly met and started dating Hunter, a handsome classmate, she quickly became part of his circle of friends and started doing things they wanted to do. But things between them seem strained just before senior year starts, although Hunter tells her everything is fine.
On the first day of school, Hunter dumps Ellie unexpectedly, and it’s not long before she finds out he’s already hooked up with his longtime friend, Brynn. (Perhaps even before he and Ellie broke up.) To make matters worse, she has to share a life skills class with both of them and watch everyone ship the adorable couple, saying how great it was that they finally got together.
When Ellie gets teamed up with a group of misfits for a year-long competition in class, at first she feels like an outsider. But when her competitive spirit is awakened, and the team focuses on beating Hunter and Brynn’s team, Ellie allows herself to have fun with her new friends, especially Luke, a tattooed stunt-biker who is much more complex than she imagined.
But is Ellie willing to trust someone again after Hunter’s lies? The more she focuses on competition the more she ignores the needs of those around her. She’ll need to figure out what she really wants—and whom she wants to be with.
The Secret Recipe for Moving On was a really cute high school-based rom-com. There’s nothing quite like teenage drama!
I was grateful to be part of the blog tour for this book. Storygram Tours, Fierce Reads, Swoon Reads, and NetGalley provided me with an advance complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!
The Secret Recipe for Moving On publishes 3/23/2021!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
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March 25, 2021This one was so sweet and adorable
January 19, 2023
If you're looking for a sweet adorable read with beautiful found family, THIS is definitively for you!
March 23, 2021
***4.5/5 Stars***
The Secret Recipe for Moving On was an adorable, feel good story! This book had so much heart and would be the perfect beach side read! The pages were filled with finding yourself, trusting others, learning to stumble and rise above it and so much more. If you love YA Romance and a group of misfits pulling together, then this is your book! Bischer is an author to watch and I'll definitely be looking forward to whatever books she releases in the future!
Ellie had to change schools in the middle of her Junior year and she knew no one there. Thankfully Hunter took an interest in her and they started dating shortly after. The fact that his friends became hers seemed like an added bonus. The story started eight months into them dating annnnnnddd I was not a fan of Hunter or his catty friends. He showed his colors when Hunter dumped Ellie on the first day of school so he could date one of his friends. I felt so bad for Ellie! Especially since she was stuck for the whole next year watching them flirt, they all shared a life skills class together. And to top it all off, she got partnered with a group of misfits that had to work together as a "family". Ack.
I was actually of unsure of Ellie to begin with. I didn't exactly see eye to eye with her in regards to dating Hunter and tolerating his friends. When they broke up, I was happy yet I felt bad for her *covers face*. She had been in such a cloud of darkness with Hunter's group and I was ready to watch her shine! As the story unfolded I loved watching Ellie grow up and I liked her so much! Every time she did something on her own, that made her happy, I was beyond proud of her. Like how she was passionate about becoming a meteorologist, I love the path that led her down. She was beyond brave! But she was still dealing with having to see Hunter and Brynn every single day in class. And deal with her "family" too.
In Ellie's group, there was A.J. who was beyond guarded and always acted like he was ready to fight and take on the world. Isaiah who seemed to be obsessed with horse racing. And Luke who was a tattooed stunt biker. They had kind of a rough start but you guys!! I LOVED watching them slowly come together as a team! They did not have an easy path. Every time they succeeded in class, it felt like a huge step. I laughed and smiled as they worked together. And the fact that it turned into sooo much more, my heart was extremely happy. Race day, house party and group texts were the best!
My favorite in her group was Luke Burke. He offered an olive branch in the beginning, so to speak, and I was captivated. Luke was sweet, kind, and I loved how thoughtful he could be. When they were together they made me smile. But he had a girlfriend right?! I don't want to say more other then I loved how their story ended and that I was completely enchanted by Luke. He was swoon worthy and anytime he was on the pages my heart was happy. So yes, I loved learning more about Luke. I loved that we got to see A.J. work towards something. And I also loved where Isaiah's interests led him. They were my favorite group of misfits ever and the fact that we got a love story in there was such a huge added bonus, yay!
The Secret Recipe for Moving On had so much heart and was a delightful romance! I loved how flawed and relatable Ellie, Luke, Isaiah and even A.J. were. And I enjoyed how much fun this story was. This book ended with a HFN and I would love for a novella or epilogue showing where all the characters ended up on their last day of school. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to them, I got attached to every single one! They are memorable, heartwarming and I definitely recommend you meeting them!
PS The spatula awwwwwwwwww!!!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
The Secret Recipe for Moving On was an adorable, feel good story! This book had so much heart and would be the perfect beach side read! The pages were filled with finding yourself, trusting others, learning to stumble and rise above it and so much more. If you love YA Romance and a group of misfits pulling together, then this is your book! Bischer is an author to watch and I'll definitely be looking forward to whatever books she releases in the future!
I stride into the pantry as the tears spill over. I can’t do this. No matter how much I think I’m over this....
Ellie had to change schools in the middle of her Junior year and she knew no one there. Thankfully Hunter took an interest in her and they started dating shortly after. The fact that his friends became hers seemed like an added bonus. The story started eight months into them dating annnnnnddd I was not a fan of Hunter or his catty friends. He showed his colors when Hunter dumped Ellie on the first day of school so he could date one of his friends. I felt so bad for Ellie! Especially since she was stuck for the whole next year watching them flirt, they all shared a life skills class together. And to top it all off, she got partnered with a group of misfits that had to work together as a "family". Ack.
“Hey,” A.J. mouths, wiggling his eyebrows at me. I quickly turn my attention back to Mrs. Sanchez.
What have I done? Oh god, what have I done?
I was actually of unsure of Ellie to begin with. I didn't exactly see eye to eye with her in regards to dating Hunter and tolerating his friends. When they broke up, I was happy yet I felt bad for her *covers face*. She had been in such a cloud of darkness with Hunter's group and I was ready to watch her shine! As the story unfolded I loved watching Ellie grow up and I liked her so much! Every time she did something on her own, that made her happy, I was beyond proud of her. Like how she was passionate about becoming a meteorologist, I love the path that led her down. She was beyond brave! But she was still dealing with having to see Hunter and Brynn every single day in class. And deal with her "family" too.
I think back to Luke telling me they’re not worth it last week, and now Isaiah. They don’t owe me anything and yet they’re seeing this from my point of view.
I give him a wobbly smile. “Thank you.”
In Ellie's group, there was A.J. who was beyond guarded and always acted like he was ready to fight and take on the world. Isaiah who seemed to be obsessed with horse racing. And Luke who was a tattooed stunt biker. They had kind of a rough start but you guys!! I LOVED watching them slowly come together as a team! They did not have an easy path. Every time they succeeded in class, it felt like a huge step. I laughed and smiled as they worked together. And the fact that it turned into sooo much more, my heart was extremely happy. Race day, house party and group texts were the best!
“Agresti,” Luke says, stepping closer and surprising me by tilting up my chin with his finger. “If you didn’t hit him, I would have.”
I look at Luke through the snowflakes. The way he’s staring at me right now is so intense, it makes my heart rate speed up and I have to catch my breath.
My favorite in her group was Luke Burke. He offered an olive branch in the beginning, so to speak, and I was captivated. Luke was sweet, kind, and I loved how thoughtful he could be. When they were together they made me smile. But he had a girlfriend right?! I don't want to say more other then I loved how their story ended and that I was completely enchanted by Luke. He was swoon worthy and anytime he was on the pages my heart was happy. So yes, I loved learning more about Luke. I loved that we got to see A.J. work towards something. And I also loved where Isaiah's interests led him. They were my favorite group of misfits ever and the fact that we got a love story in there was such a huge added bonus, yay!
They say if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
I’m glad I stayed.
The Secret Recipe for Moving On had so much heart and was a delightful romance! I loved how flawed and relatable Ellie, Luke, Isaiah and even A.J. were. And I enjoyed how much fun this story was. This book ended with a HFN and I would love for a novella or epilogue showing where all the characters ended up on their last day of school. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to them, I got attached to every single one! They are memorable, heartwarming and I definitely recommend you meeting them!
PS The spatula awwwwwwwwww!!!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
March 23, 2021
After Ellie's parents ran into some financial issues, her family was forced to move, and she had to start over at a new school. Before she even settled in, she met her boyfriend and was immediately absorbed into his life. His friends were her friends. His interests were her interest. When he breaks up with Ellie out of nowhere, she is forced to start over from scratch. She thought the breakup was one of the worst things to happen to her, but it just might have been one of the best.
If I was forced to be brief while describing this book, I could sum it up as super cute. There were just so many things in this story that brought a smile to my face.
First and foremost, I was the #1 fan of Ellie's life skills "family". Ellie thought being in a group with these boys would be utter torture. She had some preconceptions about a few of them, but the more they worked together, the more they learned about each other, and they bonded. The combination of diverse personalities was a winning one, and they all won a place in my heart. I especially adored seeing them move from being "family" to being family.
Joining this group was one of Ellie's first steps outside her comfort zone, and it didn't stop there. Ellie continued to stretch her wings throughout this story. She attended events her ex Hunter never liked, and you know what? She had a good time. She joined clubs Hunter didn't approve of, and there she discovered talents she never knew she had. The more independent decisions she made, the more she discovered about herself. Her confidence grew, her circle of friends grew, and Ellie grew.
When I said this book was super cute, I was also talking about the romance. I will admit, my first meeting with Luke was less than stellar, but gosh darn it! He was a gem. The boy had layers, and underneath those layers were lots of surprises. However, it was more than just him for me. It was the combination of him and Ellie that was all sorts of adorable. You could feel the excitement and electricity flowing between them. I just loved it!
I was definitely here for the romance, but the focus on friendship and Ellie finding her own path made it an even better experience for me. I think a lot of people will relate to Ellie's heartbreak and cheer for her as she attempts to find the secret recipe for moving on.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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If I was forced to be brief while describing this book, I could sum it up as super cute. There were just so many things in this story that brought a smile to my face.
First and foremost, I was the #1 fan of Ellie's life skills "family". Ellie thought being in a group with these boys would be utter torture. She had some preconceptions about a few of them, but the more they worked together, the more they learned about each other, and they bonded. The combination of diverse personalities was a winning one, and they all won a place in my heart. I especially adored seeing them move from being "family" to being family.
Joining this group was one of Ellie's first steps outside her comfort zone, and it didn't stop there. Ellie continued to stretch her wings throughout this story. She attended events her ex Hunter never liked, and you know what? She had a good time. She joined clubs Hunter didn't approve of, and there she discovered talents she never knew she had. The more independent decisions she made, the more she discovered about herself. Her confidence grew, her circle of friends grew, and Ellie grew.
When I said this book was super cute, I was also talking about the romance. I will admit, my first meeting with Luke was less than stellar, but gosh darn it! He was a gem. The boy had layers, and underneath those layers were lots of surprises. However, it was more than just him for me. It was the combination of him and Ellie that was all sorts of adorable. You could feel the excitement and electricity flowing between them. I just loved it!
I was definitely here for the romance, but the focus on friendship and Ellie finding her own path made it an even better experience for me. I think a lot of people will relate to Ellie's heartbreak and cheer for her as she attempts to find the secret recipe for moving on.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
March 24, 2021
I think I heard about this a year before it was published? I remember looking it up on Goodreads and being devastated that it was being published in 2021 instead of 2020... and now the long wait is over! And this book did not disappoint. The premise instantly captured me, and the voice and hilarious shenanigans and characters kept me going through this book at breakneck speed.
When you've made a boy your whole life, what happens when he breaks up with you? This is one of the main questions this book asks. After Ellie moved, unwillingly, to a new neighborhood and school, she meets a cute boy who introduces Ellie to all of his friends, and she feels like she's found her place among the high school hierarchy. Until he breaks up with her. And suddenly she finds herself with no boyfriend, no friends in general, and basically no identity. I loved that this book wasn't just a romance; it was also about how Ellie goes about finding herself in all the messy breakup aftermath. I loved seeing her break out of her shell and her comfort zone as she finds her own people and her own motivation to do the things she loves.
The people she meets along the way are the best--mainly the boys she meets in her home ec class. I loved the competition aspect of this book. It was hilarious and fun, and I was cheering for the team the whole way through. Both A.J. and Isaiah had surprising depth that made them so lovable. And the love interest, Luke, is SO SWOONY. Oh my gosh. He was just so much fun, and I loved his interactions with Ellie and the other boys. I said earlier that I wasn't happy it wasn't JUST a romance, but this book is definitely a romance! And it's a fantastic one! It has so many swoony scenes, and an incredibly satisfying HEA.
Overall Thoughts
This is one of those books I know I'll be rereading over and over because of how heartwarming and funny it is. I loved it so, so much, and I'd definitely recommend it for fans of romcoms!
When you've made a boy your whole life, what happens when he breaks up with you? This is one of the main questions this book asks. After Ellie moved, unwillingly, to a new neighborhood and school, she meets a cute boy who introduces Ellie to all of his friends, and she feels like she's found her place among the high school hierarchy. Until he breaks up with her. And suddenly she finds herself with no boyfriend, no friends in general, and basically no identity. I loved that this book wasn't just a romance; it was also about how Ellie goes about finding herself in all the messy breakup aftermath. I loved seeing her break out of her shell and her comfort zone as she finds her own people and her own motivation to do the things she loves.
The people she meets along the way are the best--mainly the boys she meets in her home ec class. I loved the competition aspect of this book. It was hilarious and fun, and I was cheering for the team the whole way through. Both A.J. and Isaiah had surprising depth that made them so lovable. And the love interest, Luke, is SO SWOONY. Oh my gosh. He was just so much fun, and I loved his interactions with Ellie and the other boys. I said earlier that I wasn't happy it wasn't JUST a romance, but this book is definitely a romance! And it's a fantastic one! It has so many swoony scenes, and an incredibly satisfying HEA.
Overall Thoughts
This is one of those books I know I'll be rereading over and over because of how heartwarming and funny it is. I loved it so, so much, and I'd definitely recommend it for fans of romcoms!
March 22, 2021
I adored this book! And I have a feeling I’ll be buying a physical copy of this one for my school library, but also for my personal bookshelves as I love the cover so much! But this story had so much fun and romance and emotion and really teen angst that it was perfect! There were a lot of interesting characters, and not only the ones that were Ellie’s friends. The villains or people causing problems in the story had really interesting characteristics and stood out just as much.
The romance was sweet and it made sense for a high school age relationship. I loved how Ellie even felt like at one point that what happened with her ex-boyfriend and his best friend sounded like something you’d normally be rooting for them in a romance, but this was her story and so it you weren’t rooting for them. It had good family scenes in the story as well. I really liked how the teacher was even realistic in how she dealt with a lot of the class problems and even complaints from students. She wasn’t the perfect storybook teacher, but she was real, and still a good teacher. There was a lot in this story I just really enjoyed, and I hope to share it with my high school students soon!
Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
The romance was sweet and it made sense for a high school age relationship. I loved how Ellie even felt like at one point that what happened with her ex-boyfriend and his best friend sounded like something you’d normally be rooting for them in a romance, but this was her story and so it you weren’t rooting for them. It had good family scenes in the story as well. I really liked how the teacher was even realistic in how she dealt with a lot of the class problems and even complaints from students. She wasn’t the perfect storybook teacher, but she was real, and still a good teacher. There was a lot in this story I just really enjoyed, and I hope to share it with my high school students soon!
Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
September 1, 2021
4.5 stars
I read this because one of my friends gave it a great review and I'm so happy I did! I love stories about a group of friends that don't seem to fit together, yet they work together well and become a strong unit. Ellie was dumped by her boyfriend and his friends and finds herself put into a new home-ec group with social outcasts. As she works with them, she starts to enjoy herself and makes new friends.
Ellie and the guys were definitely the best part, they supported and defended each other from bullies and really bonded over the course of the semester. I wish all books had a fun friend group like this and it made the story so much fun.
I also liked Ellie's character development. She started out relying on Hunter for friends and social activities and after they broke up, she became her own person. Ellie discovered what she liked and wanted to do without pressures from others. Her romance with Luke is also super cute and it goes at a nice pace to make it believable.
I couldn't get enough of this and now I'll be checking into other works by Bischer!
I read this because one of my friends gave it a great review and I'm so happy I did! I love stories about a group of friends that don't seem to fit together, yet they work together well and become a strong unit. Ellie was dumped by her boyfriend and his friends and finds herself put into a new home-ec group with social outcasts. As she works with them, she starts to enjoy herself and makes new friends.
Ellie and the guys were definitely the best part, they supported and defended each other from bullies and really bonded over the course of the semester. I wish all books had a fun friend group like this and it made the story so much fun.
I also liked Ellie's character development. She started out relying on Hunter for friends and social activities and after they broke up, she became her own person. Ellie discovered what she liked and wanted to do without pressures from others. Her romance with Luke is also super cute and it goes at a nice pace to make it believable.
I couldn't get enough of this and now I'll be checking into other works by Bischer!
Want to read
December 3, 2020
August 19, 2024
This started out as really cute, but I started to lose interest as the book went on. RTC
March 28, 2021
Full Review on The Candid Cover
The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer is the kind of book that will make you smile. Following a class competition, this one is full of cooking and conflict. The main character is relatable, and the group of misfits she is paired with bring even more entertainment to the story. I would definitely recommend this one to those looking for a book about navigating high school with a unique twist.
❀ REALISTIC DESCRIPTIONS
When Ellie’s boyfriend dumps her on the first day of school and then ends up in her life skills class, Ellie is less than thrilled. However, when she is placed in a rival “family” competing against him for an in-class competition, things start looking up. Any book about cooking is a win for me, and I loved the descriptions of the life skills class, from grocery shopping as a team to preparing a Thanksgiving feast. These classroom scenes might honestly be the most realistic I’ve read in a long time, and I really enjoyed following the group through their highs and lows.
❀ DYNAMIC MAIN CHARACTER
Ellie is an easy character to relate to, and I was rooting for her as she regained her confidence after the breakup. Times are tough for her since she is starting at a new school, and she was banking on her ex’s friend group for support, but she slowly starts to leave her comfort zone and learn to trust again, while discovering some new interests. Even though Ellie is struggling, I really liked how she stands up for herself. These moments, while a bit dramatic at times, make her a more dynamic character.
❀ QUIRKY SIDE CHARACTERS
Another one of my favourite elements in YA is a group of unlikely friends. This book really delivers with its quirky side characters who are thrown together for the competition. Each of the boys in Ellie’s group has their own mini arc, and I loved watching them start to bond. Other groups in the class make fun of their family, but the team’s support for each other carries them through. This made for a really wholesome read, inviting the reader to celebrate each of the group’s successes along with them.
❀ A FUN YA CONTEMPORARY
The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer is a story all about newfound friendship and finding your true self. I loved the descriptions of the life skills class and the main character’s growth. The group of misfits Ellie meets in class is another highlight. Those looking for a fun contemporary with a bit of competition will enjoy this one.
The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer is the kind of book that will make you smile. Following a class competition, this one is full of cooking and conflict. The main character is relatable, and the group of misfits she is paired with bring even more entertainment to the story. I would definitely recommend this one to those looking for a book about navigating high school with a unique twist.
❀ REALISTIC DESCRIPTIONS
When Ellie’s boyfriend dumps her on the first day of school and then ends up in her life skills class, Ellie is less than thrilled. However, when she is placed in a rival “family” competing against him for an in-class competition, things start looking up. Any book about cooking is a win for me, and I loved the descriptions of the life skills class, from grocery shopping as a team to preparing a Thanksgiving feast. These classroom scenes might honestly be the most realistic I’ve read in a long time, and I really enjoyed following the group through their highs and lows.
❀ DYNAMIC MAIN CHARACTER
Ellie is an easy character to relate to, and I was rooting for her as she regained her confidence after the breakup. Times are tough for her since she is starting at a new school, and she was banking on her ex’s friend group for support, but she slowly starts to leave her comfort zone and learn to trust again, while discovering some new interests. Even though Ellie is struggling, I really liked how she stands up for herself. These moments, while a bit dramatic at times, make her a more dynamic character.
❀ QUIRKY SIDE CHARACTERS
Another one of my favourite elements in YA is a group of unlikely friends. This book really delivers with its quirky side characters who are thrown together for the competition. Each of the boys in Ellie’s group has their own mini arc, and I loved watching them start to bond. Other groups in the class make fun of their family, but the team’s support for each other carries them through. This made for a really wholesome read, inviting the reader to celebrate each of the group’s successes along with them.
❀ A FUN YA CONTEMPORARY
The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer is a story all about newfound friendship and finding your true self. I loved the descriptions of the life skills class and the main character’s growth. The group of misfits Ellie meets in class is another highlight. Those looking for a fun contemporary with a bit of competition will enjoy this one.
May 3, 2020
The Secret for Moving On
INGREDIENTS:
1 dumped girlfriend named Ellie
1 rotten ex boyfriend named Hunter
1 snotty new girlfriend named Brynn
2 fair-weather friends named Steve and Hannah
3 delinquents named: Luke, A.J., and Isaiah
Step 1: Put all ingredients into one high school home economics class.
Step 2: Separate into family groups of four.
Step 3: Compete for the most class points.
Step 4: Turn up the heat.
Notes: Ellie is a likable heroine who you can’t help but cheer for as she navigates high school, love life, school broadcasting, friendships, and family.
INGREDIENTS:
1 dumped girlfriend named Ellie
1 rotten ex boyfriend named Hunter
1 snotty new girlfriend named Brynn
2 fair-weather friends named Steve and Hannah
3 delinquents named: Luke, A.J., and Isaiah
Step 1: Put all ingredients into one high school home economics class.
Step 2: Separate into family groups of four.
Step 3: Compete for the most class points.
Step 4: Turn up the heat.
Notes: Ellie is a likable heroine who you can’t help but cheer for as she navigates high school, love life, school broadcasting, friendships, and family.
September 21, 2021
Personally I think it's more of a 2.5 but since I didn't like the childish writing and it's for teens I don't wanna take too much credit away from it lol. See, I know that there are good, strongly written, important books out there for kids with good representation and nuanced takes on social issues, which makes me feel off the bat that this book isn't good because it's just fluffy. But I have to remind myself that some teens just WANT to read a fluffy book sometimes and don't want to be reminded of how tough the world is all the time.
This book is about Ellie, who when the book opens is dating Hunter. She tells him she's finally ready to have sex with him... and he dumps her the next week for a girl named Brynn who he may have potentially even hooked up with while he was dating Ellie. She ends up in the same home ec class as the happy couple, and changes groups to be with the "delinquent" group - Luke, Isaiah, and AJ. She naturally learns that the bad boys aren't all that bad, Luke is cute and sweet, and that she has a life outside of Hunter. She joins the school news team, spends time with her class group outside of school, and just does some stuff because she wants to and not because she's trying to impress Hunter or his friends.
There's some hints of serious topics - Ellie's parents are poor all of a sudden because her dad had a restaurant, hired a manager, it was mismanaged by that person, and all the money is gone now. AJ is also poor and lives with his grandma and does a lot of the household duties. Luke's dad died of cancer when he was 13. Isaiah's mom is really strict on him. All of it just sort of exists as backstory, but I appreciate the diversity in peoples' home lives.
It was a cute story and all, it was just written very childishly and none of the characters were deep enough for me to fully care about them. The boys in her group were sweet but it was almost corny the way none of them were actually bad lol. Luke did BMX stunts in his spare time, Isaiah wanted to be a horse handler, and AJ wanted to be a baker. Like I wanted at least one of them to not have a hobby to humanize them and for them to still be worthy of being liked without having something to soften them up to the masses lmao. I also do not like a lot of how the relationship stuff was handled - Hunter was awful to Ellie. Brynn was also. Ellie's stuff about sex only came up at the beginning when she agreed to have sex with Hunter and then later when she was bullied for being a virgin and even Hunter made a jab at her for being a virgin later. I think sex should have fully been left out of this book just because of the very light and childlike tone of the rest of it. I mean, it could easily be realistic to a teen's life, so I don't wanna discount it, but it just didn't vibe well with the rest of the tone of the novel. Luke had a girlfriend when he liked Ellie but he didn't act on it until they'd broken up and then Ellie had insecurities tied to that because of what Hunter and Brynn did to her. So then Ellie treated Luke poorly and it was all just a big mess. So to be a romance book, it was quite non-romantic.
Despite all that, it was cute. I think it would make a cute TV show just because there's a pretty big cast of characters and there were definitely hijinks involved.
This book is about Ellie, who when the book opens is dating Hunter. She tells him she's finally ready to have sex with him... and he dumps her the next week for a girl named Brynn who he may have potentially even hooked up with while he was dating Ellie. She ends up in the same home ec class as the happy couple, and changes groups to be with the "delinquent" group - Luke, Isaiah, and AJ. She naturally learns that the bad boys aren't all that bad, Luke is cute and sweet, and that she has a life outside of Hunter. She joins the school news team, spends time with her class group outside of school, and just does some stuff because she wants to and not because she's trying to impress Hunter or his friends.
There's some hints of serious topics - Ellie's parents are poor all of a sudden because her dad had a restaurant, hired a manager, it was mismanaged by that person, and all the money is gone now. AJ is also poor and lives with his grandma and does a lot of the household duties. Luke's dad died of cancer when he was 13. Isaiah's mom is really strict on him. All of it just sort of exists as backstory, but I appreciate the diversity in peoples' home lives.
It was a cute story and all, it was just written very childishly and none of the characters were deep enough for me to fully care about them. The boys in her group were sweet but it was almost corny the way none of them were actually bad lol. Luke did BMX stunts in his spare time, Isaiah wanted to be a horse handler, and AJ wanted to be a baker. Like I wanted at least one of them to not have a hobby to humanize them and for them to still be worthy of being liked without having something to soften them up to the masses lmao. I also do not like a lot of how the relationship stuff was handled - Hunter was awful to Ellie. Brynn was also. Ellie's stuff about sex only came up at the beginning when she agreed to have sex with Hunter and then later when she was bullied for being a virgin and even Hunter made a jab at her for being a virgin later. I think sex should have fully been left out of this book just because of the very light and childlike tone of the rest of it. I mean, it could easily be realistic to a teen's life, so I don't wanna discount it, but it just didn't vibe well with the rest of the tone of the novel. Luke had a girlfriend when he liked Ellie but he didn't act on it until they'd broken up and then Ellie had insecurities tied to that because of what Hunter and Brynn did to her. So then Ellie treated Luke poorly and it was all just a big mess. So to be a romance book, it was quite non-romantic.
Despite all that, it was cute. I think it would make a cute TV show just because there's a pretty big cast of characters and there were definitely hijinks involved.
April 15, 2021
Ellie Agresti is ready for an amazing senior year. That is until her boyfriend Hunter unceremoniously dumps her the first day. Now she’s forced to sit next to him in the life skills class that they signed up for together. When asked to split into groups to work together for the entirety of the year, Hunter’s group of friends shun her, forcing Ellie to join a group of “misfits”. There’s AJ, the loudmouth, class clown who is prone to frequent outbursts, Isaiah, the quiet loner who dreams of becoming a jockey, and Luke, the tattooed stunt biker who has a particular fondness for Ellie. The teams are pitted against each other for points which translate to grades. At first, Ellie thinks she and her team are doomed, but as their group starts to bond, they start to pull ahead in the points ranking. As Ellie starts to excel on her own, she becomes increasingly drawn to Luke. But is he the guy she thinks he is?
The Secret Recipe to Moving On is such a delightful read. It’s a total underdog story and tale of friendship. It is told in the first person from Ellie’s perspective. Ellie is a great character! She cares deeply about her friends and family. I loved Ellie’s entire group, referred to by the teacher as a “family.” Their dynamic is so supportive.
This is a very light story. There are not particularly heavy topics discussed and no major triggers that I come to mind. Overall it is a very PG book, suitable for younger viewers. I highly recommend The Secret Recipe for Moving On to fans of Morgan Matson or Jenny Han.
Thank you Xpresso Tours, Netgalley, and Swoon Reads for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
The Secret Recipe to Moving On is such a delightful read. It’s a total underdog story and tale of friendship. It is told in the first person from Ellie’s perspective. Ellie is a great character! She cares deeply about her friends and family. I loved Ellie’s entire group, referred to by the teacher as a “family.” Their dynamic is so supportive.
This is a very light story. There are not particularly heavy topics discussed and no major triggers that I come to mind. Overall it is a very PG book, suitable for younger viewers. I highly recommend The Secret Recipe for Moving On to fans of Morgan Matson or Jenny Han.
Thank you Xpresso Tours, Netgalley, and Swoon Reads for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
May 8, 2021
I haven't been reading a lot of YA romance lately, but The Secret Recipe for Moving On has such a cute premise and that cover art is to die for, so I just couldn't resist!
First thing, Bischer's writing is fantastic! I was super surprised that it looks like this is the author's first novel? It feels like the writing of a seasoned pro. I loved the dialogue and genuinely giggled at several points in the book.
What impressed me the most was how the teenagers were written. They felt realistic, without being overly mature or too childish. Basically, they acted like teenagers without making me want to cringe or roll my eyes. There was a great balance of having a grounded story with characters who were experiencing relatable real-life issues mixed with the characters also experiencing the superfluous drama of being teenagers. The Secret Recipe for Moving On has all the regular trappings of a coming of age novel, but it is framed in such a way that it feels fresh because the characters don't feel overdrawn. They react to situations in ways that are understandable and, even when they are in the wrong, you know why they made those choices.
The romance in this was also just sweet. You can see why the characters like each other, and they have great chemistry. You can see they like each other in the moments they are together without the characters having to explicitly point it out. I also appreciated how you really get to understand why Ellie dated her ex for so long despite him being an obvious dick. It made for a more interesting story and explained why Ellie would date him.
Overall, this was a very sweet story and I would definitely recommend it for a light fluffy read.
First thing, Bischer's writing is fantastic! I was super surprised that it looks like this is the author's first novel? It feels like the writing of a seasoned pro. I loved the dialogue and genuinely giggled at several points in the book.
What impressed me the most was how the teenagers were written. They felt realistic, without being overly mature or too childish. Basically, they acted like teenagers without making me want to cringe or roll my eyes. There was a great balance of having a grounded story with characters who were experiencing relatable real-life issues mixed with the characters also experiencing the superfluous drama of being teenagers. The Secret Recipe for Moving On has all the regular trappings of a coming of age novel, but it is framed in such a way that it feels fresh because the characters don't feel overdrawn. They react to situations in ways that are understandable and, even when they are in the wrong, you know why they made those choices.
The romance in this was also just sweet. You can see why the characters like each other, and they have great chemistry. You can see they like each other in the moments they are together without the characters having to explicitly point it out. I also appreciated how you really get to understand why Ellie dated her ex for so long despite him being an obvious dick. It made for a more interesting story and explained why Ellie would date him.
Overall, this was a very sweet story and I would definitely recommend it for a light fluffy read.
January 15, 2024
⭐️ 3.5 stars!
"my friends. i'd never thought of them as that and yet... it's true. i like being in class with them. i like hanging out with them. we give each other advice. we laugh a lot. sure, i'm not going to invite them over for a sleepover or go prom-dress shopping, but they're kind of like my school... family."
this book was so cute and SO wholesome!! i think it accurately replicated the process of healing and thriving after a tough change or a damaging breakup.
the bond between isaiah, AJ, luke, and ellie was so heartwarming. each character had their own issues and trials and to see them all come together was amazing!
the romance wasn't a major point of interest for me. it was cute enough, but i found myself more invested in the other plot points occurring in the story.
overall, a really cute read :)
"good thing he's not graded on his conversation skills," richard says. "he's not exactly chatty, is he?"
"no," i say, watching the bus pull away. "but he's family."
"my friends. i'd never thought of them as that and yet... it's true. i like being in class with them. i like hanging out with them. we give each other advice. we laugh a lot. sure, i'm not going to invite them over for a sleepover or go prom-dress shopping, but they're kind of like my school... family."
this book was so cute and SO wholesome!! i think it accurately replicated the process of healing and thriving after a tough change or a damaging breakup.
the bond between isaiah, AJ, luke, and ellie was so heartwarming. each character had their own issues and trials and to see them all come together was amazing!
the romance wasn't a major point of interest for me. it was cute enough, but i found myself more invested in the other plot points occurring in the story.
overall, a really cute read :)
"good thing he's not graded on his conversation skills," richard says. "he's not exactly chatty, is he?"
"no," i say, watching the bus pull away. "but he's family."
October 9, 2020
This is a cute and fun YA romance/coming-of-age story about Ellie, a high school girl who suffers a humiliating public break up. On top of that she realizes that all of her "friends" were through her ex and she feels completely alone. Worst of all, she is stuck with all of them in a home-ec class, giving her a front-row seat to her ex and his new girlfriend all over each other everyday! Cast out from her "friend" group, Ellie is forced to team up with a group of misfit guys for the class's team competition. At first she's miserable but she soon realizes there is so much more to her teammates than she thought. I could feel some Breakfast Club and One Of us is Lying (minus the murder mystery) vibes and I enjoyed reading this.
For any concerned parents wondering if this is appropriate for younger teens: There is some underage drinking and peer pressure issues, but I'd say that most of the characters make good choices and it stays mostly PG-13.
For any concerned parents wondering if this is appropriate for younger teens: There is some underage drinking and peer pressure issues, but I'd say that most of the characters make good choices and it stays mostly PG-13.
December 25, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5 stars. I absolutely loved the meteorology rep so thank you Bischer for making this meteorologist happy. The cast of characters were a hilarious and beautiful combination. My favorite was A.J. due to his comical personality, and even Ellie had some great one-liners every now and then. This wasn't quite a four star rating because the angst and problems would have been solved much quicker if the characters had only talked with one another which I would have preferred. Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC.
August 17, 2021
it was so amazing to see the JAILE family come together. they are so cute and i laughed out loud so many times with their banter and antics. ellie and luke have a fantastic chemistry both as friends and as a couple, and it was so brilliant to see their relationship grow. also, extra points for having such uncommon interests for the mcs like meteorology, bmx and horse racing —a really refreshing take.
July 10, 2023
2.5
cute, very emma mills-esque
cute, very emma mills-esque
March 18, 2021
3 Stars
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This book has good energy and even better momentum. Once you start, it is easy to read through it all at once. The voice feels very young--especially for a supposed senior--and so it was at times a discordant read. It almost read like a Middle Grade book, though the plot itself strayed out of that safe middle grade territory. Overall, some mixed feelings on execution here. Not my favorite, but a solid enough read for contemporary YA.
My full review on what worked and what felt just a little bit off in this debut will be published in May 2021. LINK: https://gatewaybookreviews.blogspot.c...
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This book has good energy and even better momentum. Once you start, it is easy to read through it all at once. The voice feels very young--especially for a supposed senior--and so it was at times a discordant read. It almost read like a Middle Grade book, though the plot itself strayed out of that safe middle grade territory. Overall, some mixed feelings on execution here. Not my favorite, but a solid enough read for contemporary YA.
My full review on what worked and what felt just a little bit off in this debut will be published in May 2021. LINK: https://gatewaybookreviews.blogspot.c...
April 1, 2021
It was always good to read something sweet after an intense book. The book was a YA romantic comedy and it kept me laughing.
Ellie was the kind of girl who ran away when she faced any problems. When she broke up with Hunter she wanted to drop out of home economics class. But she couldn't so she was forced to watch Hunter with his new girlfriend there.
The book was well paced with many amazing characters. The new friends Ellie made helped her alot and she learnt how to defend herself and not to run away.
Ellie was the kind of girl who ran away when she faced any problems. When she broke up with Hunter she wanted to drop out of home economics class. But she couldn't so she was forced to watch Hunter with his new girlfriend there.
The book was well paced with many amazing characters. The new friends Ellie made helped her alot and she learnt how to defend herself and not to run away.
October 29, 2021
This was an okay read. Full of teenage drama and angst and lack of communication, but there's drama and angst and lack of communication in literally every book.
I did appreciate the Found Family aspect in the book. It always warms my heart. Especially since they were all so different to begin with.
I did appreciate the Found Family aspect in the book. It always warms my heart. Especially since they were all so different to begin with.
March 28, 2021
i wasn't expecting to finish this in a day but i guess my body needed the cuteness 🥺 and the cover is so simple but so beautiful at the same time
May 8, 2021
*4.5
What makes a YA novel good you might ask? Well, a ragtag team of 5 exploring home ec while dealing with their own angsty teen conundrums might just do it. One might even say it is the secret recipe *pun intended* for a wholesome YA novel.
What makes a YA novel good you might ask? Well, a ragtag team of 5 exploring home ec while dealing with their own angsty teen conundrums might just do it. One might even say it is the secret recipe *pun intended* for a wholesome YA novel.
January 1, 2022
first book of 2022 & it was a good one 😌
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