You know an author is great when you finish one of their books and immediately want to start another. That's exactly what happened with Elizabeth Acevedo.

After finishing Clap When You Land, With The Fire on High moved to the top of my TBR list. They're quite different stories but are both delightful reads.

With The Fire on High is Elizabeth Acevedo's first novel written in prose, rather than her usual verse. It tells the tale of Emoni in her final year of high school. Emoni has a special gift when it comes to food. She knows exactly what spices work together, she loves experimenting with dishes, and her food is as nourishing to the soul as it is to the body. She wants to be a chef but thinks it's out of her reach - she can't afford culinary school and she's also got a 2 year old daughter to raise.

It's a YA book that is more than just a coming of age story. It's full of family bonds, friendship and explores what it's like to make hard choices. 

The friendship between Emoni and her bestie is delightful. The weaving of food throughout the novel left me hungry. And I really liked how food and cooking were more than just a hobby - it was a way that Emoni could connect with her mother's Southern roots and her father's Puerto Rican culture.

I enjoyed With The Fire on High. I was craving a book that was a feel-good, easy to read story. And this certainly hit the spot.