The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer

Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: March 23, 2021
Genres: Young Adult Romance
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Book Review

Ellie Agresti is ready for an amazing senior year. That is until her boyfriend Hunter unceremoniously dumps her the first day. Now she’s forced to sit next to him in the life skills class that they signed up for together. When asked to split into groups to work together for the entirety of the year, Hunter’s group of friends shun her, forcing Ellie to join a group of “misfits”. There’s AJ, the loudmouth, class clown who is prone to frequent outbursts, Isaiah, the quiet loner who dreams of becoming a jockey, and Luke, the tattooed stunt biker who has a particular fondness for Ellie. The teams are pitted against each other for points which translate to grades. At first, Ellie thinks she and her team are doomed, but as their group starts to bond, they start to pull ahead in the points ranking. As Ellie starts to excel on her own, she becomes increasingly drawn to Luke. But is he the guy she thinks he is?

The Secret Recipe to Moving On is such a delightful read. It’s a total underdog story and tale of friendship. It is told in the first person from Ellie’s perspective. Ellie is a great character! She cares deeply about her friends and family. I loved Ellie’s entire group, referred to by the teacher as a “family.” Their dynamic is so supportive.

This is a very light story. There are not particularly heavy topics discussed and no major triggers that I come to mind. Overall it is a very PG book, suitable for younger viewers. I highly recommend The Secret Recipe for Moving On to fans of Morgan Matson or Jenny Han.

Thank you Xpresso Tours, Netgalley, and Swoon Reads for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

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Synopsis from Goodreads

Ellie Agresti’s not sure anything could be worse than being dumped by her boyfriend, Hunter, the first day of senior year.

But sharing a “life skills” class with him and his new girlfriend, Brynn? AND getting partnered with a “family” of misfits (A.J., the loudmouth; Isaiah, the horse-racing obsessive; and Luke, the tattooed stunt-biker)?

It’s a recipe for certain disaster…until an in-class competition allows Ellie to channel her angst into beating Hunter and Brynn’s team, and she unexpectedly bonds with her own group–especially Luke–in the process.

But as Ellie soon discovers, it will take more than classroom triumphs to heal her broken heart–and find herself again.

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About the Author