Review: Love and other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo

Love and Other Perishable Items
by Laura Buzo

Published by: Alfred A. Knopf Books For Young Readers
Released on: December 11, 2023 
Hardcover
256 Pages
Rating: 4/5


*Please note, this review was based from an ARC*





   This is not your typical, average love story. This is not two people magically bonding where it all just works good together. This is a story of a love that never gets to take hold. A love that never gets to spread it's wings and fly. 

   Laura Buzo is amazing at showing us a full circle of her characters. We see the ups, downs, and all arounds. We don't just get to see the perfect moments, but every moment that the character has. The same emotions you might have. We meet Amelia, who is fifteen and is about to embark on more than just her first job at the local grocery store. We also meet Chris who is the one who gets to train Amelia. Right away, Amelia has a growing attachment to Chris that will continue to grow over time. She's ok with the fact that he's in his twenties. That doesn't bother her one bit.

  All the employees tend to hang out and party on a regular basis and right away we get to see that Amelia is very reserved and isn't used to this lifestyle, yet she easily adapts. Chris catches attention from many of the girls and in fact, we even get to read from his point of view and private journal at times. It is in fact, a tad harsher than the average boy, but keep in mind, these seem to be more 'real' emotions that other books. Not to mention that he is in his twenties. 

  Over time, I am quite surprised to find that Chris' teasing and flirting may mean something more. He does flirt with nearly all the girls, but is there a special place for Amelia? He knows that the relationship can't work, yet the feeling is there. The conversations between them are real and fabulous. I myself, very much enjoyed them. (Being a working mother, I could totally feel for Amelia and her mother.) But what's to come of their future and the feelings that have grown between them? 


Received for review purposes from the publisher.