The Heartbreak Bakery

Seventeen-year-old agender Syd loves baking, but when her brownies set off a string of breakups-including her own-she comes up with a plan to get people back together such as baking delicious treats like the Very Sorry Cake. Through this all, Syd finds that maybe the magic isn't really in the pastries, but within one's self.

What worked: I totally enjoyed this fun YA rom com contemporary fantasy with strong GLBTQIA characters. Syd is a determined, talented baker whose edible delights in the bakery lead to real magic. Or does it?

I loved the idea of The Proud Muffin, a safe place for the GLBTQIA community. The recipes interwoven through this magical tale sound delicious and have hints of humor throughout. Such recipes include Today's Gender, Shiny New Scones, and Honest pie. Each one of these pastries can cause intense emotional reactions. Readers will have fun watching this happen and also see how some results don't go exactly as Syd had planned.

I especially feel that this book is perfect for GLBTQIA teens, who will see a strong agender protagonist they can relate to. There's also a couple of trans individuals and all throughout this book have different gender identies.

I also liked how this story doesn't flinch on pronouns and how it's not okay to assume someone is one way or another. Even when Syd tries to get former couples back together again, she finds that maybe things don't always go the way you planned.

Empowering themes throughout, including a very likable, relatable heroine who finds there is magic not only in the kitchen but within one's own heart. Highly recommend.