Pizza My Heart: A Wish Novel

by Rhiannon Richardson

A slice-of-life rom-com about pizza and first crushes that readers will gobble up!

Maya Reynolds has practically grown up in her family's Brooklyn pizza shop, Soul Slice, and is a true city girl. When her family moves to a small town in Pennsylvania to open another pizza place, everything changes.

Being the new girl is hard enough. At Soul Slice 2.0, Maya is assigned delivery duty. And her first delivery is a disaster. Can you make a worse impression than tripping... and falling face-first into a rude boy's pizza order?

When that same rude -- and, okay, cute -- boy shows up at her school, Maya's convinced nothing can go right. But she may be in for some surprises. Could good friends, secret crushes, and creative pizza toppings turn Maya's new home into her own slice of heaven?

Genres: Middle Grade, Romance, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Food

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2022

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a Scholastic Wish novel and I think that I'd be willing to check out a few more. They are typically written for readers who are in between 8-12 and focus on stories centered on friendship, family, and first crushes (sometimes). They are considered to be great stepping stones into YA. This particular installment in the series does a good job reiterating those themes.

Pizza My Heart focuses on Maya and her parents who own a really unique pizza restaurant called Soul Slice (think a cross between soul food and pizza). When they make the decision to expand their business, the family moves from Brooklyn to a small town in Pennsylvania. Maya is unhappy with the move and believes that her parents are completely unaware of how this will impact her life. She's hesitant about the idea of having to start a new school and making new friends. Once they arrive in Pennsylvania, Maya faces a series of mishaps and successes as she makes new friends, struggles to understand her parents' priorities, and continues to fall in love with art. This is definitely a book that I would have appreciated as a middle school student. Richardson does a great job capturing the voice of someone in that age group. There were moments when, even as an adult reader, I felt connected to Maya and her experiences. They often reminded me of things that I dealt with when I was in middle school. Both the writing and the pacing were great. Although it was written for a tween audience, I think that it will end up being a book that's accessible to a wide variety of audiences.

Two of my favorite aspects of this book were the friendships as well as the incorporation of art. Although Maya moves to a different state, she still maintains a close relationship with her best friend from Brooklyn through FaceTime. At the same time she goes outside of her comfort zone and is able to make new friends at her school. For me, this was a beautiful balance of the "old and new." It is through one of her new Friends that Maya is introduced to the art club at school. I loved that Richardson took the time to detail different art forms and techniques. Because it's such a huge part of the narrative and of Maya's character development, it meant a lot to see it explored in a broad way and not just on the surface.

Overall, I think that this was a great installment in the Wish series that showcases all of the ups and downs that come with being a tween in middle school. This is definitely worth checking out.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pizza My Heart is a cute, relatable middle grade book about moving to a new city, nurturing a love for art, being creative in the kitchen, and finding new friends and community. It features a middle-class Black family and warm familial dynamics. Although Maya isn’t a willing participant, she does help out with pizza deliveries, which is enjoyable to read. Finally, this one might be best for older tween readers since it does feature a crush that (spoiler!) leads to a first kiss and a tween relationship.

Read my full review on my blog.

Many thanks to Scholastic for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[D.T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The frustration of being unheard as a child and uprooted to a new city with no input was immaculate. I felt for Maya’s struggles, and this is probably very relatable to kids whose parents own restaurants. But Maya’s parents were leaning too hard on her—everything else I unfortunately found very lackluster and boring.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving is bad enough, but Maya has to help out at her parents' pizza place everyday after school until the grand opening when there will be enough staff hired. It doesn't start out great when her first delivery is to a mean guy her age and tripping face-first into his pizza. Things get better when Maya makes a friend right away who is also passionate about art. Eventually, it becomes a juggling act between school, work, the art contest her parents don't know about, and working with the mean guy, whose dad is designing the new restaurant. This is my first Wish novel, and I'll be reading more because it's a great realistic series of books for upper elementary and middle school students. This one was also fast-paced with great characters.

[Ari (Books. Libraries. Also, cats.)]

A cute, quick, engaging middle grade read that follows a biracial Black girl as she moves to a new neighborhood, tries to balance familial expectations with her own passions, makes new friends, and maybe even finds a new crush! This has a dose of hating-to-dating and is perfect for middle school readers looking for a romance novel but not quite ready for YA.

More of my bookish thoughts here: Instagram | My Blog | Twitter

[nabiwabisabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please, why is this the first time I've seen a black x black thing in a book- ANYWAY yuh that was cute as wish books usually are.
I don't really have complaints- well actually, the mc was very very persistent on grudges and it got super annoying ;-; but other than that, no complaints. They just feel...very much like 12 year olds and thats fine- but I think this will be my last wish book for a while because its a little awkward now for some reason 😭 imagining baby-faced 12 year olds act like they're in love is kind of funny.

[Laurie Hnatiuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Maya's parents announce they're moving to a small community in Pennsylvania to create a second Soul Slice pizza shop, Maya feels her parents are oblivious to how moving and opening a second shop affects her life. They also insist that she be the new pizza delivery girl, which ends in a disaster when she gets into an argument with a boy who turns out to be the popular boy named Justin in her new school. Maya finds out Justin's father is in charge of interior decorating Soul Slice, forcing the two to spend even more time together. After their initial meeting, Justin and Maya find common ground, bonding about cooking, interior decorating, and their struggles to be open with their parents about their feelings. Maya also has made a new friend, Devin, who also shares her passion for art, and tells her about the art club and the contest that Maya secretly enters with the help of Maya, and surprisingly, Justin. The sneaking around going to the art club and entering the competition comes to the forefront when the grand opening of Soul Slice is the same day as the art competition announcement. Maya has to figure out with the aid of Devin and Justin how she can be in two places at once.

Readers will connect to the feelings of Maya as she is transitioning into her new school and feeling her parents have no clue how hard it is to start over and not have any say in what happens. I also thought it was brilliant how Devin was Maya's school support buddy based upon their interests. Readers will connect to that feeling of relief having a friend in a new setting and having similar passions. Rhiannon Richardson shows how moving and fitting in can be a positive experience while still staying connected to her best friend in Brooklyn. Ms. Richardson clearly is familiar with this age group as the dialogue, pacing, and activities reflect how this age group talks, feels and reacts. Many will relate to Maya and Justin having the same feeling of being alone and frustrated with the lack of power within their changing family dynamics but can see how communicating with their parents is key to changing their situations. I appreciated her friends coming to her aid and Justin nudging her to talk to her parents after first dealing with his situation with his father. Middle-school, trying to fit in, parents who do not understand, first crushes and kisses on top of unique pizza slices will make this book a favourite order by readers.

[Britt’Da Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I would like to say that the age rating of this book and others are 8-12 and I personally would say that 12-14 is a better age rating. I don’t think kids an eight year old would understand this book, like AT ALL, so in case you are an eight year old or a parent looking for a fun read, this is not your to-go read. So better stick with Judy Moody or Geronimo Stilton. This book is literally a middle school rom-com, so younger readers might be confused with some of the themes on here.

Now for some book talk! 🤭🩷
I HONESTLY FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK 💕. I had been wanting this book for a long time, and when I got some birthday money the first thing I did was buy books, which obviously included this one. The cover just looked so cute and cool at the same time I JUST KNEW I had to buy it. I even bought it on Kindle because I didn’t have the patience to wait for the order lol 😅.

When I started reading it I just couldn’t get enough, I finished reading it in a whole night and I just LOVED IT SO MUCH YOU CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE 😭❤️!

These are some things I loved about this book:

1. 🍕The pizza theme🍕
I got so hungry for pizza reading this lol 😂 Each time the author started describing a pizza my mouth watered 🤤.

2. ❤️❤️😍😍😍JUSTIN 😍😍😍❤️❤️
If I wasn’t such a fan of pizza Justin would DEFINITELY be my favorite thing about this book. I just fell for this character so deeply, he felt so real to me 🥹. He is like the best 🥰. Each time he appeared I stared kicking my feet and giggling so much, my brother thought I was crazy 🤣🤣🤣. So if you want to add another book boyfriend to that endless list of yours go for Justin 💗.

3. The change of settings 💕
At the beginning of the book you are transported to New York a big city with lots of fun things to do and super cool features. THEN you are sent to a small town with big houses and fresh air. The change of scenery is really cool in my opinion. Which is also a huge bonus 👌.

So if you’re interested in rom-coms, mouth-watering pizza and city girl-to-small town style, you should definitely read this book. I would describe this book as: stunning, amazing and heartwarming 💘🍕.

Thank you so much for reading this review 🩷

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't stand this book. I did not like Maya at all. She just whined and ranted and raged the entire book. And she absolutely had every reason to be upset because her parents (who I also didn't like) were awful and manipulative (buying her a phone and bike for her birthday, only to find out the purpose of both were so she could deliver pizzas for them). But still, she had no redeeming qualities. Justin was a jerk (didn't like him either), then suddenly super nice, then a total jerk again blackmailing her so he could have an excuse to go to a party instead of just telling her what it was he wanted to do. There was so much lying with no consequences or lesson learned. And the parents got mad when Maya didn't answer her phone because they were worried that something had happened to her when they were all living in a strange new town and not really knowing anybody and who is safe or not. Well then WHY IN THE WORLD DO YOU HAVE HER DELIVERING PIZZAS AROUND TOWN ALL BY HERSELF? Absolutely ridiculous. Oh and the derogatory comments about white people didn't help either.

Try Pizza My Heart By Mika Song instead; it will give you much happier vibes.

[Kai (CuriousCompass)]

So people will just write books about literally anything, huh?

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the cover and thought the title was a fun pun. I also liked the middle grade premise: middle schooler is moving from everything she's ever known in NY to some place in Pennsylvania with her parents to open a new pizza shop. After being recruited/drafted into doing deliveries, her first one is an utter disaster. The rude customer demands a refund, demands to speak to the manager AND watches poor Maya trip over herself. What else could go wrong? When said young customer also shows up at her school. Yikes.

I just needed something a little different to read and I loved that this was a relatively "low stakes" book. Not meant to be derogatory in any way, but it was just what I needed: no end of the world apocalypse, no centering of a romance, etc. There's already a lot to deal with already that is relatable to other kids Maya's age: a big movie, being the "new kid", having to help out with one's parents, etc. So I liked that it felt overall fairly appropriate for the target audience, although I'm sure there might be those who have some problem with it, because that's always a thing.

I think there were a couple of side plots I wasn't interested in with other students and whatnot, but overall the story itself was cute and light. And depending on how you care for it, you may or may not like that the romance between Maya and Justin is an enemies to crush (lovers isn't appropriate here), etc. I personally didn't mind it, thought it was relatively well-done compared to even adult versions of the trope but not everyone is for that.

It is a middle grade book but it was accessible for adults without being too cutesy or annoying. Would make for a good addition for a school library and it would probably be a "safe" book to have at home or to give as a gift. I suppose if there was anything I'd add maybe some recipes might have been fun but this also wasn't that kind of a book. Also appreciated with this type of book it isn't something that gets drawn out in a series or trilogy but is fine as a one-off story that may or may not have a sequel (as far as I am aware) and can be read as is.

Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going through my Kindle looking for something to read, I clicked the title "Pizza my Heart" and went into the book blind. This book was a fun tween/YA read and a very clean read and perfect for girls aged 10+. Pizza My Heart by Rhiannon Richardson, introduces us to Maya whose parents have just told her the biggest news which will disrupt her life as she knows it. They are moving away as their Pizza Place is expanding to a new town, she now is about to leave her best friend, her school, and everything she has ever known. Maya is not happy about this at all, but of course, has no choice. She arrives in the small town and learns she has to also help her parents which gives her no free time her first pizza delivery was to a rich boy named Justin who was rude and arrogant and treated her horribly. Justin brings out the worst in Maya and she is not making it easy for him to make a new first impression. What happens though when the pair are forced to work together when Justin's dad turns out to be the new interior designer for her parent's pizza shop - Soul Food 2.0. This book was the perfect read for any tween/teenager who has up to move due to their parents and uproot life as they knew it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya is upset when her parents announce they are moving the family from her beloved Brooklyn to a suburb in Pennsylvania. They own a successful pizza restaurant which features Southern soul food toppings (fried chicken and biscuits and gravy pizzas – yum!) and are moving to open a second restaurant. Maya is tasked with helping as a bicycle pizza deliverer. Her first delivery goes terribly wrong – the customer yells at her for being late and bringing a pizza with the wrong toppings. When she gets upset and flees, she trips down the customer’s front steps and lands on the pizza. The next day is the first day of school and Maya discovers that the angry customer is none other than a classmate! She and Justin have to figure out how to start over and Maya has to figure out how to explain to her parents that she can’t spend all her time delivering pizza. A fun, breezy rom-com!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable middle grade read. I was looking for a family/friendship story with little to no drama or trauma, and this delivered. I felt frustrated with Maya‘s parents right alongside her, and was very glad with their behavior at the end of the book. Maya often read older than her age (seventh grader) because of her maturity and independence - not to mention her job!

I was a bit off-put by her being employed by her parents’ pizza shop and running deliveries at age 13 – I actually checked Pennsylvania’s work permit laws and legally she could not have done what she did at that age. Just a minor blip that took me a little bit out of the story.

I enjoyed Maya as a character, her art, her friends, and the very light romantic thread that ran through the end of the story.

[Ciara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed Pizza My Heart, but I do have a few complaints. Before I get to those though, I want to talk about the numerous positives.

First of all, the setting. Amazing. I also loved the characters, especially Maya, and I loved the dvelopment that took place.

As much as I normally enjoy enemies to lovers, this time it felt a bit too drawn out. If Maya and Justin had been able to understand each other just a little bit sooner, I think it would've worked a little better.

But if you know a middle schooler who is looking for a romance and loves pizza (or art), Pizza My Heart is the perfect book to give them.

[Steph L · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book

This book was so good. Maya is a strong character, and she and her friends got along really well. A pizza shop and finding yourself are great plot points for a story, and pizza my heart doesn’t disappoint. Rhiannon Richardson writes this story with lots of passion, and heart, and it shows. The romance and friendships combine to make this a fun and heartwarming story. I recommend this book for fans of Middle-Grade novels, and pizza lovers.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very disappointed that this book wasn't titled, "Soul Slice". I get the "Pizza My Heart" pun, but it makes the book seem cutesier and fluffier than it is. And while I hate the enemy-turned-romantic-love-interest trope, I can forgive it in middle schoolers.

Loved the pizza making (that pizza sounds DELICIOUS) and interior design details paired with real-life struggles like the pressures of working for your parent's small business and the loneliness of moving to a new city.

[Lyris · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was not really good. Every character that was mean (Justin, mom, dad) were not sufficiently punished. Like r u joking. U won’t let ur 12 ur old kid join a club for their biggest dream cus ur making her work a whole Job. No. Justin was incredibly rude and then wouldn’t leave her alone and I’m expected to feel bad for him bc …… his parents got divorced? I don’t think so. Anyway it was fine. I kinda wanted to taste the pizzas.

[Hailey Taylor]

My book was about how Maya's parents have a pizza shop, and they are making her move to Detroit. To open a new shop. She is forced to work at their new shop. She wants to do art instead. But along the way she meets a boy that she is not sure if she likes him or not. I would recommend if you like romance.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

My middle school self would have gone crazy for Pizza My Heart! A story of new beginnings, friendship, and creativity - plus the most mouthwatering pizza toppings you can imagine! One Biscuits & Gravy slice for delivery, please!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! There were some conflicts with parents and new classmates but everything worked out in the end. A sweet little romance perfect for middle grade readers. Also enjoyed that Maya and her family moved right outside Philadelphia so it adds a local flare. A gentle read with low stakes.

[Sariah Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a cute enemies to best friends kind of romance. I kind of wanted to slap some of the characters at points, though. I recommend it if you want a cute, sweet book with, of course, pizza.

[Eloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theme of this book is to work hard on the things you love and it will pay off

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute tween romance/finding your voice story. Plus it's full of descriptions of amazing pizzas. Perfect for 4th grade and up.

[The Teaching Distillery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very engaging story about friendship, family, and first crushes along with some great life lessons. A great addition to the middle school library.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuttieee

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would do 4.5 got me into reading but was abt to cry out of anger at the boy 😑

[ari xx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m definitely one for enemies to lovers, so I thought this was cute! I liked the sass the both of them had and how he was colder on the outside but sweet on the inside. Overall, great book!

[Minessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good story but chapter 4 wouldn't open as well as the rest but I love it

[Aliyah Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is intriguing and holds an amazing love story I definitely recommend!