Reviews

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

stepharina's review

3.0

This book gave me all the Sarah Dessen feels just slightly more juvenile and set not at the beach and I was completely fine with that! I genuinely enjoyed this read and I think it could very relatable for teens who feel their parents are pushing what they think their kids will/should want on them. I enjoyed the story, it was cute and was also a quick read. Parts of it could be petty and caddy but they are teenagers so that was to be expected. All in all a cute read.

amiascah's review

emotional inspiring relaxing 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

3.0

This was a really good cute youth novel. 'Bittersweet' by Sarah Ocular follows Hudson, a once figure skater and daughter of a diner owner as she figures out who she is, who she wants to be and what really makes her happy. Some of the things that I really liked about this book as with any contemporary book set in high school, for teenage girls a lot of the drama includes boys, but this book wasn't centred about boys, yes they feature, yes its a theme, she makes mistakes, she figures things out she fumbles again. The book stayed true to Hudson and her struggling with her family falling apart and her incorrect belief that she played a part in it. I also very much enjoyed that she has a sports history, is apparently very good at it but the pinnacle and everything doesn't come down to her winning and being the best, just her learning to be her. 

heathercottledillon's review

4.0

I didn't like this one quite as much as Ockler's amazing "Twenty Boy Summer," but that really doesn't say much. "Bittersweet" has the same depth and lovable, believable characters that Ockler is so skilled at bringing to life. Even though I know nothing about figure skating or baking, I found plenty to relate to in Hudson. Most of us have been confused about who we are and what we want to do with our lives at some point, so we feel for Hudson as she deals with all of these issues. I really loved the ending, too. Part of it is totally predictable, but I didn't care because it's what I wanted to happen. A different part of the conclusion completely surprised me, so there is some variety there. Also, I was glad that it ended on a happy note but everything wasn't completely fixed and wrapped up with a bow--it would seem fake if it had a fairy tale ending. I'll definitely be recommending this one to Ockler fans and anyone who wants a story that will not only entertain but also make them think.

illusie's review against another edition

4.0

I thought this story was cute. It's about finding out what you really want and (first) love. I give this book 3,5 stars.

deepower7's review against another edition

5.0

MY FAVE.

thrscldrn's review

5.0

Bittersweet (n.)
Pleasure alloyed with pain

How perfect the title is for the story! Our dream today may not be our dream tomorrow. But what if your dream would be your only way out? Just like Hudson's cupcakes, this story is a great mix of ingredients that go perfectly together. Dreams, family, love, choices, secrets, friends, and icing.

ir0l's review

3.0

3.5 stars.
Cute book but I begin to be too old for this. Especially when I hate the secondary characters. But the heroine is cute and the love interest is just a perfect/cute/beta guy.

kayteaface's review

5.0

I absolutely adored this book. It was so true to life, so relatable, and very enjoyable. It was ridiculously cute and I didn't want it to end!

I really connected to Hudson as a character. She's a teenage girl who wants to get out of her no-opportunities hometown and she has her fair share of friend, boy and family troubles. On top of that, she feels like she's really blown her chance of pursuing her dream of becoming a figure-skating star. She escapes her problems and worries by immersing herself in all that is cupcake-baking goodness by coming up with newfangled, wacky flavours and ideas that have given her single mother's diner some publicity. When she realises she wants to put her dreams back on track and win a grant through a local competition, she helps out with her school's hockey team's training, putting up with their banter and jibes, in exchange for some practice time on the ice. At that point, I found her to be very strong-willed. I think she may just be my new favourite female character!
Also, her bond with her little brother, Bug, is just the cutest thing ever. Bug's shenanigans have to be one of the highlights of Bittersweet for me :')

What I really, really liked about this book was that there's no instalove! You may know I'm an avid anti-instalove kinda gal, so this was the book for me. I really liked how it took a whole book for an actual friendship to grow and withstand some troubles before anything really happened relationship-wise with Hudson's main crush .. who, by the way, I wouldn't mind literally bumping into on a frozen-over lake in real life, either ;)

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes cute, girly reads.

I'd kill for a sequel.

halynah's review

5.0

Wonderful, brilliant book! I liked the plot, pacing, style of writing, characters. I felt sorry for Hudson, because it's very difficult for a girl her age to endure such a pressure - both physical and emotional- and be torn between school, work, family, friend, figure-skating, boys, cupcakes, duties...I loved Hudson's relationships with her little brother, I liked the romantic line of the book, I enjoyed Hudson's training exprience. To put it briefly - amazing, warm, interesting read!

eghimire_'s review

3.0

Yummy, I know right? Well on every chapter you get these amazing descriptions and your mouth just waters. I mean, who wouldn't want that amazing cupcake right now?

Bittersweet was definitely a bittersweet read. I mean the book took a turn I didn't expect in the romance department and it irritated me. cough* love-triangle *cough. But overall it was a good read.

Hudson is a hilarious main character and she's very likable but during the the last 2/3 of the book, she started annoying me with how she was treating her best friend Dani. I got tired of her brushing off everything for the ice skating competition