Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - The Summer of Bitter and Sweet

Lou knows that her birth is from a horrible event in her mother's past. She's kept secrets herself, and now she's carrying a big one--her birth father is out of jail and trying to contact her. He shows up different places, leaves her letters. Additionally, her friend King is back in town, and that brings up a lot of confusing feelings. What do they mean to each other? This story deals with the heartbreaking way Native people have been treated, and although this story takes place on the Canadian plains, it's definitely relevant to the United States as well.

Content Warnings

paperbackparker's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective 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? It's complicated

3.0

Content Warnings

spinesinaline's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful medium-paced

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

4.25

This was a really enjoyable read, a bit of a coming-of-age novel with the MC both figuring out her next steps after high school grad and in coming to terms with her sexuality, with tons of beautiful friends and family moments thrown in. That said, there’s a lot of trauma both directly in this story and referred to from the past so do take care when reading. The author has included an introductory letter that lays out content warnings so you can have a heads up before starting the book.

Content Warnings

avabudavari's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.0

The Summer Of Bitter And Sweet is the kind of book that hits on such a deep level. It is hard to come up with the right words to describe everything that this story means. Louisa undergoes so much trauma and challenges that so many indigenous women and girls are forced to face, trauma that spans generations, and it is written about in such an insightful and thought-provoking way. But she also is surrounded by the people that she loves and gets to experience the joys and triumphs of that. I will be thinking about the story for a long time, and you will too.

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karis_rogerson's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

4.75

Really, really loved this debut from Jen Ferguson! The character development was rich and so satisfying, and I was a big fan of Lou's journey of self-discovery regarding her sexuality, as well.

There were parts of this book that left me breathless with rage and heartbreak - Jen Ferguson did not shy away from depicting racism and anti-Indigenous sentiment. I appreciated the way she sat with the ugliness and then showed how family & community can be tools against them.

I was disgusted by Lou's father and really happy with the outcome of that storyline. Honestly, really loved this book!

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