Reviews

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson

erins_library's review against another edition

4.5

#Gifted @FierceReads #HeartDrum

I had almost no expectations going into this book, and ended up really enjoying it! The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson is a the story of a Métis teen navigating her sexuality and her relationship with those around her, all while grappling with confrontations with her white father who raped her mother. She’s dealing with things that are too big for her to handle on her own, although she tries, and learns the importance of community and relying on them to help you. The story was engaging, and the character development really drove the story for me. It opened up discussions about race and the proximity to whiteness. And showed us what healthy relationships can look like.

In her author’s note, Ferguson talks about not having literature growing up that reflected her as an Indigenous or asexual person and wishing she had that. I think she achieved something great with this book in giving future generations of Native and queer youth a book that might resonate with them. I mourn what I didn’t have growing up, but I celebrate the future for our kids. It gives me hope.

elyse12's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kng_writes's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

neighborhoodbeanreads's review against another edition

dark hopeful inspiring reflective

5.0

book_immersion's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jilly_bean_reads's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

beccccam's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

brooklynsbooks's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

caseyaboutthroughout's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Racism, and Stalking

Minor: Colonisation and Kidnapping

meeg_han28's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0