Bittersweet
by Sarah Ockler
Simon Pulse
January 3, 2012
Source: library
Mature Content: none
I was so excited to try a Sarah Ockler book and even happier when I picked this one up. Like the perfect cupcake, this winning YA contemporary offers just the right balance of ingredients: humor and romance, heartbreak and triumph.
My summary: Hudson Avery's dreams of skating stardom shatter like thin ice when she flubs an important competition upon learning of her parents impending breakup. Three years later, she's waitressing at her mom's diner, whipping up batches of creative cupcakes for extra cash. One day, she receives a letter that offers her the chance of winning her way back into the skating world. As she's mulling this over, the attractive co-captains of her high school hockey team ask her for some skating pointers. As her plate gets full to overflowing with complications, Hudson will have to decide what she wants in life and in love.
My take: This book is completely charming. It's one part Waitress (as in the movie, Hudson designs cupcakes that mirror her personal dilemmas) one part Mystic Pizza (kitchen camaraderie and the impending visit of a food critic) and one part magic. You can't help but root for Hudson as she tries to juggle baking, skating, friendship, her quirky little brother, and her love life. I can't wait to read more Sarah Ockler books. If you haven't had the chance to pick this one up, I think it's a perfect Valentine's week read.
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I am really looking forward to reading this one!! I am actually staring at it right now, but I have other books on my list first. Great review!!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love it! Nothing more fun than a good contemporary. And no cliffhangers :)
DeleteI hope I can get to it soon. :)
DeleteOkay...another one to add to my TBR! Sounds great! :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry! But I think you'll like it!
DeleteBITTERSWEET does look like a lovely read.
ReplyDeleteIt is!!!
DeleteI see this as one part Stick It, the gynatistic movie where the main girl walks out on a huge competition when she learned her mom was hooking up with her coach. Very interesting and funny movie. Anyways lol, Bittersweet sounds like a great book, another add to my huge TBR list. I love the cover it totally makes sense to me now.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen that movie, but yes!
DeleteI wish the cover had a cupcake on it. Actually, I think in the ARC version the book had a different title (Language of Impossible Dreams) and a different cover, with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee spilling.
Take a look here:
http://escapingthroughbooks.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-my-mailbox-15.html
I haven't read any Sarah Ockler yet either, and I have been hearing such good things about her books lately! This looks like a good place to start. Plus you had me at Mystic Pizza:) Great review!
ReplyDeleteI watched the movie over the summer after we ate at Mystic Pizza. It was great! (The pizza and the movie)
DeleteGAH!!!I LOVE cupcakes! Thank goodness I already have this book or I'd have to run out to the store to get it right NOW! haha Sounds amazing and I can't wait to read it. I've heard nothing but amazing things about it!
ReplyDeleteOoh, can't wait to hear what you think. I'm sure you'll love it :)
DeleteGreat review! I'm going to try to find time to read this book.
ReplyDeleteYou won't regret it!!
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