The main theme in Tanita Davis’s A la Carte is Lainey’s cooking, but my favorite part of the book is the theme of Lainey’s relationship with her ex-friend Sim. Lainey has a secret crush on him, but at the end of the story she says no to him. Going cooking and stop thinking about Sim, Lainey becomes a better cook. Unlike many romantic stories, this book introduces another unique possibility.

Lainey and Sim used to be best friends in childhood, but as they grow up, their interests diverge and do not stay together anymore. Sim doesn’t come to Lainey unless he needs her help with homework, while Lainey gradually finds out that she likes him. When Sim runs away from home, Lainey even withdraws a great amount of money from her mom’s account to help him.

Here is a quote of Lainey’s mom’s response:

“It’s never a waste to be a friend to someone, and I’ve never objected to you being a friend to Simeon. What I’ve objected is you pretzeling yourself around what he wants to the point that you are cutting me off and changing who you are.”

This is exactly what I want to say. From this moment, Lainey starts to reconsider her relationship with Sim. It is indeed unfair that they are not at all equal.

I am so glad to see that Lainey finally says no to Sim. Another thought-provoking quote is Lainey’s words when she refuses Sim: “I’m not a girl who’s meant to be a side dish. I won’t stand around and wait for some boy while he chooses me. I can choose me too.” The metaphor of a “side dish” is playful and matches the main theme of cooking. Moreover, this is what everyone ought to be aware of: “I can choose me too”. It is not worthy if you stay around and spend huge effort on somebody who don’t like you or even does not care at all.