Review: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Title: Bittersweet

Author: Sarah Ockler

Published: January 3, 2012

Pages: 386

Source: purchased

Good to know: you'll get a major cupcake-crave

Amazon Summary: Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances, a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been. So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life—and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done. It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last…

**REVIEW**

I sort of fell in love with ‘Bittersweet’. It was exactly the kind of super-cozy novel I’d been looking for. I started reading it at night and the first thing I did in the morning was make myself a tall cup of hot chocolate which was the closest thing to hot chocolate and cupcakes that I could come. But, man, the cupcakes!

‘Bittersweet’ gave me the impression of a light and fluffy storyline but it contained the perfect amount of relatable conflicts; there were so many elements to the story - being let down and letting people down, pleasing family, being a good friend, following your dreams, and falling in love. It mainly focuses on telling the story of a girl carrying so much weight on her shoulders, trying to juggle more than she’s capable of, and learning what’s really important to her.

The storyline as well as the plot was well-developed and believable. From the first chapter, starting with the moment Hudson realizes her family has fallen apart, it was so simple for me to put myself in her shoes (or skates) and feel her pain and understand where she was coming from throughout.

I loved the skating, the diner, the cupcakes, just about every supporting character - they all had a personality or a trait of their own.Hudson is the kind of protagonist I’ve been looking to read about, she instantly shot up the list of my favorite heroines. Ockler has impressed me beyond by creating an extremely memorable character with such a poetic, fun, and lifelike voice. Her writing is detailed, clever, and entertaining. Hudson impressed me or made me giggle.

There is a love triangle in the book, but far from any typical one. This was very.. nice. Harmless. Respectful. I liked both Will and Josh very much, I might even say I rooted just the tiniest bit more on Will. They were both cute and charming. I love when both guys can be good and there isn’t one that necessarily has to be the “bad” one.

I was a little disappointed in how the skating turned out, and that even to the end Hudson’s mom still didn’t seem to have more of an understanding to Hudson. But overall, this was such an awesome read that I’d want a sequel to just so I can read more about Hudson and Josh and Will.. And the cupcakes. Can’t forget the cupcakes.

 (4.5/5)