Anna Meriano

Leo thinks her family is up to something. Her suspicion leads her to skip school and sneak into the family's bakery to spy on her mother and sisters. She discovers them talking to ghosts and casting spells. Turns out they are brujas. Leo will become a bruja too when she turns 15. But Leo doesn't want to wait until she's older. She gets her hands on a magical cookbook and shenanigans ensue.

This is a good read-alike for [b:Just Add Magic|7775823|Just Add Magic|Cindy Callaghan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347769248l/7775823._SX50_.jpg|10682658]. I don't actually like the JAM books very much, but my family is very into the TV series (on Amazon Prime video). My daughter is only interested in magic cooking right now, so the audiobook hit the spot. I thought it was on the predictable side, but enjoyable.… (meer)

1.5 Stars rounded up to 2 because Quidditch y'all.

CW: homophobia (well challenged), misogyny

Well I am sorry to say this was not an enjoyable experience for me.

It was written in first person which, for the record, I have enjoyed before. However, the writing was so simple that this is what it felt like:

I thought about what I wanted to eat. I went to the fridge and opened the door. I looked through the shelves trying to find something I wanted to eat. I sighed when I saw none of it was vegan friendly. I closed the fridge door. I opened up the pantry door....

That was not a direct quote but gives you an idea of the style of writing. Also, nothing much happens. There is just a lot of thinking about what everyone else is thinking. Here is another example of what I mean but again this is not a direct quote:

I wonder if I should be kissing him. I don't even like him. I wonder if he likes me. I hope he likes me. What will people think of me kissing a guy I don't even like? Will my Quidditch team be mad?

I thought the author did an excellent job of portraying how big changes, like going to college, can make once solid friendships feel loose and fragile. Ellen and her friends were each trying to make sense of what their connection to each other would look like when they were in different colleges.

So the only positives for me were the Quidditch competitions, the excellent rep, and the portrayal of friendships.






… (meer)