Book #2: Bloom by Kevin Panetta

I would love to have something like that... To be on a team with someone... and to be better together than you ever could be alone. - Hector 
This graphic novel was just plain adorable. A quick feel-good read that has all the elements I love to give you warm feelings by the end of the story. Here is a quick run down of the book.


Things that I loved:

1. Hector and his enthusiasm for baking. He had me looking up Greek and Samoan pastry recipes and pinning them to my Pinterest baking boards fasted than a microwave mug cake!
2. The beach-side family bakery. Reminded me of all those summers spent in Bethany Beach with my family.
3. Jake and Hanna - Ari's adorable friends! They were so full of life - passionate about the things they loved and unapologetic for their enthusiasm. I just loved them!


Things I found annoying in this book:

1. Ari was a little immature during the book. Focused mainly on himself, his phone and his issues. It made him seem very egocentric. I understand he is struggling throughout the book with finding himself but it got very annoying very quickly.
2. Lauren and Cameron weren't immature but were so self-centered and quick to blame others for everything. Ugh, they were the worst.
3. As much as I loved Hector, he seemed to be a little too perfect. He never does anything wrong, makes all the right choices, makes all the sacrifices or has the perfect reasonable explanation for why things are the way they are. He needed at least one character flaw to make him seem more realistic.


Overall Rating: ★★★★ 

Good storyline, relatable topics and a good balance of likable and unlikable characters. Enjoyable read that I would recommend to older teens.