Such an absolutely lovely story! The art here is just plain gorgeous. So many pages had me gasping audibly and lingering on them for ages just so I could take in every awesome detail. And the story itself is so cozy and nice, despite the Porta Bella Magiculinary Academy not being devoid of problems at all. I love how it comments on serious issues, like academic pressure and burnout and class disparity in an elite institution, while staying largely whimsical and life-affirming. That's a difficult balance to strike for sure, and the author did so well! 

Basil and Arabella are a delightful couple to follow. Their relationship is the perfect blend of contrasting to tropes: friends to lovers + academic rivals to lovers, instant crush + slow burn. I loved seeing how they lifted each other up and helped each other be the best they can be, and the growth of trust between them. Also, all the scenes with the Tomato puppy! And whenever they cooked together, especially late in the story! I also really liked Basil's friend group and how easily and warmly they took Arabella in.

A couple more things I'd be remiss not to notice: 1) how the story treats everyone with compassion, even the mean characters, without justifying the bad things they do; 2) how beautifully, wonderfully diverse the setting is. Both of those really warmed my heart.

The one thing that was a tiny bit of letdown was the ending. On one hand, again, super cozy and heart-warming! On the other hand, I feel like the changes in Arabella's Mom's outlook and the Academy were kind of too rapid/spur-of-the-moment and they didn't feel truly genuine because of that. Especially the latter. I would have enjoyed it more if the earlier chapters included some tiny mentions of reflection on the state of things from the people in charge, as a lead to the otherwise very welcome change.