
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the fallout of a first breakup, questioning their gender identity, or seeking a sense of belonging within a community. It is an ideal choice for teens who express themselves through creative hobbies like baking but struggle with the messy, unpredictable nature of human emotions and relationships. The story follows Syd, a baker who accidentally infuses their heartbreak into a batch of magical brownies, causing a chain reaction of breakups throughout their local queer community. As Syd works to fix the damage, the book explores themes of accountability, self-acceptance, and the importance of queer spaces. This is a joyful, inclusive contemporary fantasy for ages 14 and up that normalizes nonbinary identities and celebrates the diverse spectrum of the LGBTQ+ experience. Parents will appreciate the way it models healthy communication and the understanding that while we cannot control other people's feelings, we can take responsibility for our own actions.
Includes kissing and discussions of romantic attraction and dating.
Focuses on the pain and emotional aftermath of breakups.
None.
A 15-year-old who feels "too much," perhaps a creative soul who uses art or cooking to process their feelings, and who is looking for a world where their nonbinary or gender-fluid identity is met with immediate acceptance and community support rather than conflict.
This book can be read cold. It is a celebratory, low-stress read. Parents may want to familiarize themselves with the concept of using no pronouns if that is a new linguistic concept for them, as it is handled naturally and without explanation in the text. A parent might notice their teen withdrawing after a friendship or romantic breakup, or perhaps they hear their child expressing frustration that they can't seem to find a place where they truly fit in or feel understood.
Younger teens (13-14) will focus on the whimsical magical realism and the "will-they-won't-they" romance. Older teens (16-18) will likely connect more deeply with the nuances of community responsibility and the sophisticated exploration of gender as a spectrum rather than a binary.
Unlike many YA stories that center the struggle or trauma of coming out, this book exists in a vibrant, established queer ecosystem. It is unique for its use of "magical baking" as a literal metaphor for how our internal emotions impact those around us, and for its effortless inclusion of a protagonist who uses no pronouns.
After a painful breakup, teenager Syd (who uses no pronouns) bakes a batch of magical brownies that accidentally cause every couple who eats them to split up. This includes the owners of the local queer bakery, the Proud Muffin, which serves as a vital community hub. Syd must team up with Harley, a cute bike delivery person, to bake restorative treats and repair the emotional damage done to Austin's queer community while navigating their own evolving identity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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