Really cute, sweet, and fun modern YA retelling of Pride & Prejudice set in a family baking competition. My only real critique of the book is it felt more like a new adult or adult romance novel than YA, but still such a fun read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. A truly unique take on the classic Pride and Prejudice, the altered relationships and characters who follow the main stories in p&p make for a suspenseful read despite knowing exactly what’s coming. I also enjoyed the family dynamics. It’s heartwarming to see books depict family dynamics as complex yet loving. Gestures can be grating but they always come from love (in healthy families) and this was expertly shows in this book. I loved the budding relationships and Lisa’s boisterous and headstrong personality. James was brooding yet soft in the cutest way ever. Loved this book!!

Yass!! Give me all the asian character setting stories with boba runs, yummy dim sum and pastries. Honestly if anyone never had asian pastries, they are missing out! I love how publishers are willing to release more asian authors - especially Taiwanese one. The author Jennifer Yen has an authentic voice with her narratives throughout the novel. I totally can relate as an Taiwanese American reader! This novel takes inspiration of classic novel Pride and Prejudice with its own fun and fresh take. I especially liked the voices of all the characters- especially the parents. This should be a must read in middle/high schoolers to learn about asian culture and food.
Thank you Penguin Teen and Netgalley in exchange for my own honest review.

I know this book came out in February and I had been looking forward to reading it and am so glad I was able to.
So so cute! A great look into family cultures and how they can try to dictate who a teenage girl dates and have high expectations one way or another. I really loved our characters, Liza and Grace, and their friendship and how they relate to each other. I loved all the food references, it had my mouth watering!

Thank you for this ARC!

Thank you to the publisher and Jennifer Yen for giving me access to this title via NetGalley.

A YA contemporary that's cute, charming, and brings together asian rep + a cooking competition and you have my dream life! I mean... you have A Taste for Love!! I seriously enjoyed this book and it reminded me so much of myself, not only because of the rep but because of my love for baking. Though the experience differs slightly from mine as my mom was not as strict as most immigrant Asian parents (my dad is white which has a huge influence on how I was raised and culture within the home) this is something that does resonate with me anyway. The food porn is just *chefs kiss* and the romance, sisterhood, and coming of age just made this book all the better. I think it had a nice balance between plot, character, and overall story. Definitely read this one if you're looking for a quick book to figuratively devour!

This one took me by surprise! A light, cute, a fun story for anyone looking for a quick read. I loved the characters and was fully engaged in the story. I recommend this to any YA romance lover!

I was SO ready for a cute romcom about cooking, family, and love. And A Taste for Love delivers. I loved the core of family within this story - parents with the best of intentions, even though we hate it. Or siblings who don't understand the pressure. A Taste for Love is mouthwatering! I need to go on a food tour immediately. Yen infuses this Pride and Prejudice inspired story with plenty of charm, mentions of "Doctor Who", and conversations about racist microaggressions.

While I totally didn't catch on until 2/3 of the book through that this takes inspiration from Pride and Prejudice, you definitely don't need to read the original at all. In fact I think it will go past a lot of readers as well because I really had no clue until then. I enjoyed how A Taste for Love is so committed to delivering endearing characters. The pressure from her mother, the knowing glances from her father, and the shared moments with her sister. It's one of those feel good romcoms which would make a perfect beach read.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a mother in possession of great wisdom must be in want- nay, in need- of a daughter who will listen.”

Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes included in this review are from an unfinished copy of the book.

4/5 stars. This book was pitched as a rom-com for fans of Jenny Han, The Great British Baking Show, and Pride and Prejudice, and I knew pretty early on that I would adore this book. A Taste for Love is about a Taiwanese-American girl who is allowed to take part in her mother’s annual baking competition, only to find out it was a matchmaking scheme. This book was a light retelling of Pride and Prejudice and the perfect mixture of chemistry, laugh out loud, food, and drama.

“Baking isn’t a job. It’s my passion.” This book made me incredibly hungry! Liza’s dream is to be a baker and go to culinary school, but her mother has different plans for her. All her mother wants is for Liza to 1) date a nice Asian boy and 2) choose a reliable degree in college. Liza and her mother’s relationship arc was well-developed, and was my favorite part of the book.

“Next time, try dating someone who’s less of an asshole.” “That rules you out.” While the romance in this book was enjoyable, the characters were the most rewarding part of the story, and I appreciated that every single one had a purpose. The character arcs were engaging, especially Liza’s, and I loved seeing her growth.

I ENJOYED…
☂️
- If you’re looking for a beautiful, heartwarming romcom, look no further than that: A Taste for Love was made for you. This story has an adorable romance, great characters and baking to make your mouth water. I loved it all.
- In a gist, this story’s about Liza. She’s dreaming of culinary school, but her parents, owners of a restaurant and bakery, wants bigger for her. Her mother’s also set on setting her up with the kind of boy she deems acceptable. She schemes a lot about it, to the point of turning her annual baking show into a Bachelorette event for her daughter. I mean, don’t you want to read this??
- This story is carried by a fierce, incredible main character and I immediately rooted for her. Her own dreams and ambitions are faced with her parents’ expectations and I really liked seeing her fighting for what she wants.
- With a title like that, you expect a lot of romance and, while you do get some, it’s wonderful to say that it’s surrounded by A LOT of other things. Friendship, family, siblings, baking…It packs a lot of things, but does it masterfully.
- The family was absolutely wonderful and I loved seeing Liza’s relationship with her mother. She can’t help meddling into her daughter’s life and wanting the best for her and I really liked seeing their relationship grow. I just wanted them to hug already, to be honest.
- Even if it’s small, Liza’s older sister makes an appearance and has a minor part in the story, as well. You know me, I’m all for good siblings relationships in stories and I just loved how close they were and I liked seeing her sister grow and fight for what she wanted, too.
- I fell for the friendship between Liza and Grace as well. A girls’ friendship with no drama or backstabbing, just understanding and care and a lot of boba tea, I loved them!
- The romance was so soft and heartwarming, it made my heart so happy. It’s a bit of a hate-to-love kind of story, with a lot of feels growing slowly and I really enjoyed it.
- If you’re a fan of baking competition shows, you should love this. Also, don’t read while hungry. It will make you hungry even if you’re full, anyway.

I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…
☂️
- I unfortunately found A Taste for Love to be a bit slow to start? I was eager to get into the heart of the story, filled with baking and romance and it was a little slow to pick up, at first.

OVERALL
☂️
Romance, baking, family and friendships: A Taste for Love has it all in this lovely, heartwarming contemporary I’m definitely recommending. It made my heart happy and that’s all we need, right?

I adored this spin on Pride and Prejudice with all its references to popular media, literature (I see you alongside Jane Austen, Marie Lu and Sabaa Tahir!!), and the Great British Bake-Off, which is a phenomenon of its own. Liza is such an easy character to vibe with, and her friendship with Grace was lovely to see through these pages. I personally really appreciated how Grace's bisexuality was considered and how the author touched upon some of the stereotypes people have about bisexual people and how "easy" or "loose" they are.

Overall the romance is palpable, the descriptions of all the bakes and foods they eat are incredible, and the Yang family dynamics are lovely to see in different lights throughout the book. A humorous, romantic debut about family, young love, being true to oneself and one's passions - definitely going to keep my eye out for what Jennifer Yen writes next. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a cute summer read, a contemporary fiction that will have you longing for the best pastries the world can offer, or a romance that will give you a sugar rush all on its own!

this book will make you very hungry! I have been craving buns from the asian bakery and this book made me want to drive the 30 min just to get some pineapple buns/egg tarts! This own voices Taiwanese-American YA romance novel is a pride & prejudice retelling featuring a baking competition very similar to the Great British Baking Show. It's super adorable with delicious Asian food references and a diverse cast of characters (different races, bi-sexual). The relationship between Liza and her mom is frustrating at times but I think it's a good insight into the pressure Asian teens often feel in their households.

Ingredients:
1 tense mother-daughter relationship
1 baking competition
1 cute boy
Lots of Boba and shenanigans

Directions: Mix everything together, and enjoy the perfect summer YA romcom.

Set in Houston, Texas, A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen follows Liza Yang, a high school senior facing tension between her own dreams and the expectations of her family, particularly her mother. Baking, however, is the one thing that brings them together. When helping her mother with an annual baking competition turns into a not-so-secret attempt from her mom to find her a boyfriend, Liza is more than frustrated, but cute boys, secrets, and potential sabotage ensure that things are never dull. Throw in some mouthwatering food, and you have a recipe for a fantastic read.

I am a sucker for any book with fantastic food descriptions and baking, so Yen had me hooked from the beginning with the bakery and restaurant owned by Liza Yang’s parents. What kept me turning the page, however, were the relationships and growth between Liza and the other characters. In working with her mother, Liza learns to understand her views and actions, even if she doesn’t agree with them, and her mother, in turn, begins to more openly respect and encourage Liza’s talent in the kitchen. Liza’s relationship with her sister is put to the test, but both come out of the experience stronger than before as does Liza’s friendships. I really appreciated this kind of focus on female relationships and the emphasis on how important they are.

I also appreciated the nods to Pride and Prejudice throughout the piece, though I’ll admit I didn’t notice them until closer to the end. Once I realized this, I couldn’t believe how I had missed it! Yen cleverly crafts a modern day version of the Austen classic (with fan favorites like Elizabeth, Darcy, and Bingley included) and does so with very much her own style. Overall, I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to more from this author. I definitely recommend it for those who want a fun read!

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

Blurb: To her friends, high school senior Liza Yang is nearly perfect. Smart, kind, and pretty, she dreams big and never shies away from a challenge. But to her mom, Liza is anything but. Compared to her older sister Jeannie, Liza is stubborn, rebellious, and worst of all, determined to push back against all of Mrs. Yang’s traditional values, especially when it comes to dating.

The one thing mother and daughter do agree on is their love of baking. Mrs. Yang is the owner of Houston’s popular Yin & Yang Bakery. With college just around the corner, Liza agrees to help out at the bakery’s annual junior competition to prove to her mom that she’s more than her rebellious tendencies once and for all. But when Liza arrives on the first day of the bake-off, she realizes there’s a catch: all of the contestants are young Asian American men her mother has handpicked for Liza to date.

The bachelorette situation Liza has found herself in is made even worse when she happens to be grudgingly attracted to one of the contestants; the stoic, impenetrable, annoyingly hot James Wong. As she battles against her feelings for James, and for her mother’s approval, Liza begins to realize there’s no tried and true recipe for love.

Why I enjoyed reading "A taste for love"

I've read this book after long hours of working, my back thing, my head tired. But "A taste for love" made me forget my tiredness. Instead, I git some yearning for fresh bao buns and pandan chiffon cake. The last one is really hard to buy in Germany, especially now during the lockdown. Jennifer Yen describes Liza's passion for baking so intensely that I felt my mouth watering. Yummieh! I liked the idea of a modern bachelorette who did not know of her luck yet. Her mum plays the classical matchmaker and I believe a lot of Asian Americans have to struggle with their mom's good intentions. Of course, the end was quite predictable when you know the story of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". But for me, that's perfectly okay. I enjoyed reading the book and the described characters in the book are really cute. No violence, no mobbing- this is a real feel-good-book after a long and exhausting day of work. I think my younger self would have loved this book. It was interesting how Liza rebelled against her mother's will and how she feels about her older sister. Jennifer Yen described lovely characters, together with a feeling of a baking show.

It was into to get into the story and it was so nice to see how Liza cares for her friends.

My recommendation

"A taste for love" from Jennifer Yen is a sweet, feel-good book for readers who loved "To all the boys I loved before". I would recommend the book to readers from 14 years onwards. But attention: It could be that you will look everywhere for a fresh bao bun after reading!

A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen is an absolutely delightful modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice and checks all of my boxes for a fun YA contemporary. It has a decent plot and diverse cast, plenty of laugh out loud moments, nearly perfect chemistry between the characters, and no shortage of overall entertainment. I immensely enjoyed this book and will recommend to all YA contemporary readers.

A Tasted for Love is a sweet YA romance that I absolutely adored with my whole heart. It has everything one could ever want, rivals who definitely feel something more towards each other and delicious treats like bubble tea that make you want to run out to your local boba tea house and get some for yourself!

This sweet book definitely left a taste for more from this author for me, I definitely recommend it!

I really loved this read. It was such a fun read. I loved the bakery as a setting of this read mixed with competition but also a bachalorette elements that just made me smile. I really loved how this book was about the asisan american culture. I thought this book had a nice balance between sweet but also tackling harder topics. This book had so many side characters and so many romances that just made me smile. I really loved how this book also tackled the summer after high school or but also parent expectation vs child wants. I will def read more by this author in the future.

If you're anything like you me, you love a book that centers around food (although they do always have the annoying tendency to make me hungry...). So I jumped at the chance to review A Taste For Love by Jennifer Yen! I knew right from the adorable cover and food-infused synopsis that I was going to love it, and I wasn't disappointed! Before I dive into this review, I'd like to first thank Penguin Teen for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, let's talk about the food in this book (I'm hungry right now, okay?). The food descriptions in this book were excellent, mouthwatering, and made me crave some cake. The baking contest was so much fun to read about. I enjoyed reading the judges' thoughts and comments on the taste and texture of each contestant's baked good. It was entertaining to read about the contestants baking, and it was always amusing to see whose creation would be absolutely mind-blowing perfect and whose would be the sad, under-baked glob of grossness. Needless to say, if I had a James Wong to bake for me, I would be ecstatically happy.

The romance. At first, I wasn't very into it. Like, it was okay, but as we all know okay isn't anywhere close to a glowing review. But then it started getting cuter...and cuter...and soon enough, I was hardcore shipping the romantic interests. And then that park scene happened, with the hand-holding, and ugh. Too cute. And things only got better from there. That scene at the end had me alternately laughing and swooning because it was just that good.

As for the characters, I really liked all of them. Liza was sweet and really passionate about baking, and it was inspirational to see her learn to stand up for her opinions and choices. At first, I wasn't a fan of James; he seemed like a bit of a jerk to me at first, but he definitely grew on me over time. I eventually figured out that he's just super-duper protective of the people he loves, which can make him seem a bit rude sometimes. ​​Still, James, you need to stop shutting people out when you think they're doing something fishy, especially if they're your friends! There is such a thing as communication and asking someone why they acted a certain way. I also loved Liza's friend, Grace. She was really supportive and kind, and I really enjoyed reading all the scenes she was in. She and Liza had such a wonderful friendship! It was interesting to read about Liza's relationship with her mom and watch it evolve throughout the book. It was also fun getting to know the baking contestants; they all had unique personalities and were very entertaining to read about. Some were certainly quite...interesting. Who knew a baking contest would have so much drama...

That's all for my review of A Taste For Love! I'd recommend this book for fans of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, American Panda, and A Pho Love Story. I really enjoyed this book and gave it Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

3.5 stars
A TASTE FOR LOVE is a sweet (pun intended), light-hearted PRIDE AND PREJUDICE retelling and it is so much fun! I loved the Great British Baking Show-esque baking challenge element; it moved the story along and all of the recipes sounded incredibly mouth-watering. The retelling element was more subtle but still followed the main themes, and I liked that they were separate but had the same baselines because it made this more unique. Liza was a relatable main character and I really enjoyed her narration. While this was primarily a rom-com, I also really enjoyed seeing Liza interact with her family, specifically her mother who is trying to set her up with the perfect Asian boyfriend. Seeing their relationship progress over the course of the story was really beneficial to their characters and made them more three-dimensional. I did think many of the side characters weren’t as developed as they could have been—they weren’t completely unrealistic but they didn’t really jump off the page either, which is something I like to see and was a little disappointed by. Overall though, if you’re looking for a P&P rom-com retelling with a baking competition (and who isn’t?) this is the book for you!

Overall: While it can be a bit lost towards the middle, this still is stellar baking romantic comedy.

Pros:
Retelling aspects. This is nails being both a retelling and an individual story.
Baking. Listen, it was a book about baking and you know I am going to question if the food was going to make my mouth-water (it did).
The romance. At the end of the day, this is a romantic-comedy and I really enjoyed how it played out.

Cons:
The middle section. There is a point where the rising action feels a bit stilted, but it is quickly recovered.

Jennifer Yen's debut, A Taste for Love, is the fluffy YA romance you think it is. It reads like a season of The Great British Baking Show with Pride & Prejudice vibes and some complicated Chinese-American inter-generational dynamics.

While I would have liked a little more emphasis on the romantic arc, Liza's passion for baking was just what I needed in the cold, overwhelming landscape of January 2021. James is, as the blurb says, "annoyingly hot." That's one of the best tropes - "I don't want to be attracted to you but I am and I kind of resent you for it."

A Taste for Love is told entirely through Liza's POV and while she definitely makes some Lizzie Bennett-style assumptions, I never found her annoying or immature. (Can you tell I don't love P&P?) Liza's relationship with her mother is strained, but not quite for the reasons she thinks. Liza wants to pursue baking after high school, but her parents are pushing her to go to college for something "practical" and to date a nice Asian boy. A big part of Liza's arc is the reclamation of her love for baking and through it, her bond with her mother, who runs a baking contest every year. Her sister also plays a big part in the story and I'd love a follow-up book focusing on her.

Overall, this was a fun read with an unexpected baking-sabotage mystery and a sweet romance.

I regret not having any custard buns nearby, however.