I received a copy of this arc from NetGalley for an honest review. I have tried to read this several times but just haven't been able to get into it.

I was approved for an arc of Cub, but missed the download date. I still plan on reading it and will review then. The blurb looks great, I am bummed I never downloaded it.

This was a quick, but enjoyable read. Great for any fans of cooking shows and really great at showing what it's like to get what you think you want, only for it to turn sour.

I'm a fat person, and I don't like reading books about fat people who really dislike themselves (insecurities are totally fine, but actively disliking/hating their body is a no-go for me). It just makes me feel bad. My rule of thumb is that if there is major body shaming in the first paragraph of the book, I put it down, and so, since this book has that, I put it down.

I really enjoyed reading Cub. Not only is it an entertaining story, it also addresses a number of very common issues young gay men experience. As YA fiction with the potential to influence young readers, I had only wished it would have taken an extra step to have Theo actually come to some important realizations-- not just experience them.

The plot of the book is fueled by two things I hate that occur frequently in the LGBTQ community: 'bitchy, judging queens' and narcissistic predatory behavior. Both are well illustrated here. The other issue addressed that I really appreciated was that of weight and self-image. All are issues that we can't discuss enough.

Theo's friend Di could have used a little more development. What could have been a fascinating character, ended up being more of a plot device.

The competition story was a great idea and fit perfectly with the issues being discussed.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am on the fence about the rating for this book. Parts of it were really good, but other's not so much.

I know that these series of books are primarily aimed at YA and social issues, but what worked best in this story were the parts dealing with Theo and his love of cooking/baking. Having him compete in a "Chopped" type of environment was a great idea and I loved reading all the excellent food ideas he had.

The author was great at not dwelling on too many details, especially when it came to the cooking, but rather gave us just enough information to a) follow the story and b) make your mouth water.

What did not work? the sexual harassment. Yes, it is certainly an important topic, but it felt gratuitous in this story and not completely believable. As I mentioned before, I would have enjoyed this book so much more if the story had focused solely on Theo and his desire to win the cooking competition.

His friend Di was interesting, but we did not get enough of her backstory.

Overall, a good book that could have been better.

Thanks to Netgalley and Orca for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun story. It's more along the lines of a novella at around 150 pages or so. The main characters receive some relatively good development in such a short page count, but the plot felt a little unfinished. I feel like another chapter or two to answer some lingering questions and tie up some bits left dangling would have helped. I loved Theo and his bestie Di and Mama Bear too. I did have some issues with the much older adults making advances on the youngin'...

Overall, it was a good story and I appreciate what Orca is trying to do - get more stories out there that involve LGBT+ youth, in all shapes and sizes and colors and creeds, so people feel represented. And I'm totally on board with that.

Writing/plot/story - 3 stars
Overall loving what Orca's got going on - 5 stars
So I'll settle in the middle on 4. :)

Cute quick read. Theo is a pudgy high school student who loves to cook. His best friend enters him in a cooking contest at a restaurant run by a local star chef. Theo finds himself in several situations that he is not prepared for but also steps up and takes a stand for himself. He is enticed by the famous chef and the glitz of a super nice restaurant job along with the possibility of winning the contest. Nice coming of age story about an adorable gay teen. Short and sweet! Quick read. Thanks to NG for the ARC!