Emoni Santiago is a single teenage mother who is trying to balance life as a mother, Highschool, a job, relationships and her passion for cooking.
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I really love Acevedos stories. The characters are flawed and relatable. The writing style is so beautiful and the topics are heavy but dealt with in this simple “this is life, how are we going to deal with it” kind of way. Emoni has been thrust onto that grow up now precipice earlier than many teenagers when she has “babygirl” (Emma). She is trying to finish highschool, looking at college, working to provide and contribute to the household and being a badass fierce momma. It helps that she has a bestie like Laura and an Abuela who is supportive and encouraging.
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She has a complicated relationship with her father who left her and her Abuela and moved back to Puerto Rico shortly after her mother died. She has a complicated relationship with her daughters father, and is trying to create and keep this civil environment for her. One of the central themes is the parent/child relationship and how it can affect the kids.
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As this is a book for potentially younger readers just be aware there is some talk of drugs, alcohol, some colourful language and sex.
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I once again HIGHLY recommend this one! You like the culinary arts? You like to travel? You like learning about other cultures and situations? You like strong, badass women? You like beautiful prose? This is for you.