The Winning Ingredient

Cute, fast-paced YA novel. In the author’s debut novel, Mia, freshman class president and star student, hopes her baking skills and secretive baking sessions, will result in new recipes that will help save her family’s fledgling bakery. Enter transfer student Bryce, star football quarterback, who she is asked to tutor to help improve his grades. As the sparks, baked goods, and an occasional football, fly between them, they discover that by being open, vulnerable, and willing to take advice from each other, they can discover the winning ingredients to successfully meet their dreams.

I am not been an avid reader especially juvenile romantic books but after picking up this book I could not put it down. Well written with a great story line and a conclusion that satisfied all of my questions about building and understanding relationships that grow in to long term friendships and doing for others that is so important in this days selfish world. And it will bring joyful tears to your eyes. Congrat to Kelly Swan Taylor. Now I have a reason to read again in my retirement years.

I so enjoyed this spunky story of Mia, Bryce and the rest of the crew at GW. Likeable characters (Bryce is adorable!!), giggle-worthy lines and endless Italian baked goodies. A beautiful story of friendship, family and community. Recommended for all….with coffee.

This is a super cute, fun read with writing that stands on its own merit rather than relying on shock-value. It's real. The characters are loveable, and the Italian heritage element makes it a rich and engrossing story. Oh, and it definitely made me hungry for cookies, cannoli, biscotti, and all the rest!

As a secondary teacher, I give this book a double thumbs-up. It isn't often you find a book with such spirited and dynamic characters. The author, Kelly Swan Taylor, did a wonderful job of creating a storyline that is interesting, fun, and impactful. Mia DeSalvo and Bryce Fitzgerald make the perfect team. Friendship, teamwork, and the mention of incredible food make you want to devour every bite of this book.

When I first read the synopsis of this book I thought this has all the makings of a teenage Hallmark story! While there's some Hallmark vibes this story is has its own uniqueness. The author brings two unlikely people together who while discovering each other's struggles also find an unexpected friendship that encompasses their community. The ending was perfect!

Young adult novel. Bought for my granddaughter. Clean, well written story.

Kelly Swan Taylor kicks off fall right with a story of championing old and new friendships in THE WINNING INGREDIENT. Bryce Fitzgerald and Mia DeSalvo show that sometimes a fresh perspective and a new beginning are exactly what it takes to come out on top. Working together and sticking up for each other, Mia and Bryce find a way to make the challenges of life, football, and a great-great-grandmother’s recipes work. Their new friendship blossoms as they tackle aversion with dedication, pride, and allegiance. Combining friendship and passion, high school football and a family’s Italian bakery is a touchdown. My only warning is: don’t read on an empty stomach!