Bittersweet: Review

Title: Bittersweet

Author: Sarah Ockler

Release Date: January 2012

Published By: Simon Pulse

Pages: 384

Goodreads Rating: 4.18 stars

Review: Hudson once knew what her future was going to be, what with her extraordinary ice skating skills, but all her dreams shattered after a shocking betrayal. Now she stays under the radar, baking cupcakes for her mom's diner and obsessing over what could have been. But all of a sudden, things are looking up and she just might have a second shot. That is, if she's willing to sacrifice everything for her last chance...

From Sarah Ockler comes yet again another phenomenal novel, BITTERSWEET. I loved her earlier books, and this one is no exception. Hudson struggles so hard to reach her dreams, even when she's plagued by self-doubt and incredible obstacles, and this story drew so many emotions from me. It's funny, sad, sweet, and did I mention the cupcakes? Because there are a lot of cupcakes. And boys. Did I mention boys?

But even apart from the cupcakes and boys, I love that this book contradicts so many clichés in young adult fiction. I can't count how many books I've read where all the protagonist wants is to escape her tiny town and go to the city and be rich and famous and have everything she could have ever desired. And I mean, there's nothing wrong with this plot device, and I've seen it work really well, but I appreciated that the author didn't choose to go in this direction. Instead, Hudson came to realize that, well, her 'tiny town' isn't so bad and she doesn't have to run away to be happy.

The whole infamous love triangle device was also contradicted here as well. There certainly was a triangle, what with Will and Josh, but it didn't grate on my nerves as love triangles tend to do. It actually felt like a natural conundrum here, without any despicable cheating or anything going on. The only issue is that I absolutely disagree with who she ended up with, though that's more personal preference than anything.

More than just a great plot, BITTERSWEET also has a fantastic cast of characters. Hudson is smart, strong, and hard-working, and I love her family. Her mom is somewhat tired and over-worked, but she plays a big role in the story and you can tell she really cares about Hudson. My favorite character, though, would have to be Bug, Hudson's super-adorable, wise-beyond-his-years little brother.

All in all, BITTERSWEET is a story that combines both serious struggles with light-hearted fun, and it's one that makes me anticipate more novels from the author. From the lovely characters to the emotional plot to the different spin on typical YA clichés, this is a book I would recommend to any fan of contemporary fiction.

I received a free copy of this book for review. This in no way affected my review.
 

Fixing Delilah: Review

Title: Fixing Delilah
Author: Sarah Ockler
Release Date: December 1st, 2010
Published By: Little, Brown
Genre: Contemporary
Pages: 320 pages
Goodreads Rating: 4.03 stars
Review: Delilah Hannaford's life is far from perfect. Her workaholic mom can't stay away from her phone long enough to have a decent conversation, her boyfriend doesn't care about her, and there are family secrets no one will talk about. But when her grandmother passes away, Delilah and her mom reunite with the rest of her family at the lake house to plan the funeral. She hasn't been there since she was young because of a huge family fight, but now that she's back, things have changed, especially her childhood best friend, Patrick. This will prove to be the summer that changes everything – even Delilah.

Delilah is a complex character that readers will be able to relate to. She struggles with the same issues and insecurities experienced by many teenagers but remains a strong female protagonist. With her distinct personality and human flaws, it feels as if she's ready to walk straight off the page. Her relationship with Patrick is just as realistic, developing at a reasonable pace and full of moments that are sweet without being cloying or cliché.

Although the romance is a large component of the novel, it's not the main focus. A good part of the book is devoted to the interactions between the Hannaford women and their complicated web of lies and betrayals, a relief to those tired of the romance-saturated market. Readers will find themselves flipping pages, as anxious to uncover the secrets as the characters.

Fixing Delilah is, at first sight, a traditional summer novel, from its idyllic setting in Red Falls to the budding relationship between Delilah and Patrick. However, it deals with themes of family, trust, and loss as well, showing it to be something deeper. Although some may find the ending to be too perfectly packaged, this is ultimately a novel that fans of Sarah Dessen and the contemporary genre in general will enjoy.