Guava and Grudges – by Alexis Castellanos
Bloomsbury, 2024
Sometimes it seems that there are an infinite number of possible homages to The Shop Around the Corner and You’ve Got Mail, specifically in young adult fiction. Guava and Grudges, by Alexis Castellanos, more than justifies a new entry in this category, with strong characters, great description and dialogue, and affectionately accurate allusions to Cuban American culture. The protagonists spar, but can’t deny their attachment to one another from their first encounter. Family opposition is tough, if not on the Romeo and Juliet level. Food obsession is far from essential to liking this novel, but dedication to one’s craft, in this case cuisine, is certainly central to the plot.
Ana María Ybarra and Miguel Fuentes are both Cuban American high school students whose families own popular bakeries in Seattle. They meet in L.A. at a college tour, although Ana María has serious doubts about her future as a U.C.L.A. student. Her dream is to become a pastry chef, unconstrained by the traditional expectations of her father, who has always been wary of innovations at Café y Más, their establishment. (Ana María’s original ideas have been kept “a dark secret” from her family.) Miguel’s last name is Fuentes, but he is a member of the Morales family through his mother. As Ana María painfully admits, “hating the Morales family was something I was born into and that I had accepted as a family tradition.” In case you needed a reminder that some family traditions can be ugly, here it is.
The plot contains elements of miscommunication, but the core of Ana María and Miguel’s affection is never seriously in doubt. The looming specter of college applications only forces Ana María to a different commitment, and to hope that her entry in a culinary contest run by her favorite publication will lead to a scholarship. The outcome of the competition is handled well in the novel, as Castellanos carefully avoids pandering to the reader’s expectations. Social media is also part of the story, because expertly produced food without a visual media presence is worthless, as everyone knows. The author’s verbal flourishes create images that are just as powerful. Mishandled groceries lead to damaged goods: “‘Stupid milks,’ I mutter, dropping down to the floor with the desiccated croissants in my hands. They look so shriveled and sad. Is there a market for croissant raisins?”
The support of Ana María’s mother helps to offset her father’s often-oppressive parenting. A great best friend and a sister whose personality serves as a foil also enrich the cast. Miguel isn’t perfect, but nor is he a self-centered male who must be redeemed by a girl’s love. Guava and Grudges is rich is more ways than one, and includes a recipe for guava cream cheese thumbprint cookies.
Imaginary Elevators 