If you like reading about 1830s England or books about food, I recommend checking this book out. Overall, I enjoyed this historical YA retelling of My Fair Lady. Since this is a retelling, the story is a little predictable and straightforward. You will get hungry! Luckily there is a recipe at the end for the empanadas mentioned in the book. I particularly liked seeing Helena’s character arc unfold and how her actions affected her friendships with Penelope and Elijah.įood is a big part of the story so do not read this book on an empty stomach. The three main characters were all well developed.

The book explored the prejudices that both of them faced. I also loved that Penelope was half Filipino and Elijah was Jewish and that their backgrounds were a central and integral part of the story. I loved that it was a gender swapped retelling. If you’re a fan of the movie I’m sure you would appreciate those references. This was a really cute My Fair Lady retelling! I have seen My Fair Lady, but it was a while ago so I didn’t pick up on any of the references to it. I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Harper Teen) for promotional purposes. When Penelope and Helena meet Elijah, a golden opportunity arises: to pull off a project never seen before, and turn Elijah from a street vendor to a gentleman chef.īut Elijah’s transformation will have a greater impact on this trio than they originally realize-and mayhem, unseemly faux pas, and a little romance will all be a part of the delicious recipe. London merchants won’t allow a Jewish boy to own a shop, so he hawks his pasties for a shilling a piece to passersby-but he knows with training he can break into the highest echelon of society.

Her contemporaries may scorn her Filipina heritage and her dishes, but with her flawless social graces and culinary talents, Penelope is set to prove them wrong.Įlijah Little has nothing to his name but a truly excellent instinct for flavors. Penelope Pickering is going to prove the value of non-European cuisine to all of England. Helena Higgins, top of her class at the Royal Academy, has a sharp demeanor and an even sharper palate-and knows stardom awaits her if she can produce greatness in her final year. It’s 1830s England, and Culinarians-doyens who consult with society’s elite to create gorgeous food and confections-are the crème de la crème of high society. Culinary delights abound, romance lingers in the air, and plans go terribly, wonderfully astray in this historical tale.

My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen