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titalindaslibrary 's review for:
The Summer of Bitter and Sweet
by Jen Ferguson
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:
Complicated
Vibes: Indigenous/biracial identity crisis, ice cream, and a coming-of-age story for the baby aces 🖤🩶🤍💜
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Lou plans on having a lowkey summer working at her family’s ice cream shack in their Canadian prairie town, but fate has other plans. With her mom gone on vacation, her newly ex-boyfriend working alongside her, and an estranged best friend reappearing after a three year disappearance, Lou’s summer just got a lot more complicated.
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Like many YA books, miscommunication is at the heart of this book’s conflict. However it’s done so masterfully, bringing us into the heart of Lou’s internal struggles and fears. So while frustrating, it’s understandable. How many teenagers are that great at communicating? Lou is a Métis teen navigating her sexuality and her relationship with those around her, all while trying to quietly deal with intimidation from her white biological father (a rapist recently released from prison). So if it takes her a while to figure out who she can trust with her burdens, I can understand why.
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I’ve also never felt so seen by a book featuring an ace main character. Lou’s slow, fumbling journey to discovering asexuality and the spectrum that includes is pretty damn close to my own life experiences. I should’ve known to trust the process, but the build up to Lou realizing she might be ace are preluded by a lot of self-hatred and feelings of being broken. I just wanted to reach through the pages and reassure her so bad - perhaps because I recognized glimpses of a younger Linda.
The author’s note was excellent, and reminds me why diverse books are so necessary. Please review TWs for this (it includes heavy topics), but I highly recommend The Summer of Bitter and Sweet! It’s one of those books that makes me grateful it exists.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Lou plans on having a lowkey summer working at her family’s ice cream shack in their Canadian prairie town, but fate has other plans. With her mom gone on vacation, her newly ex-boyfriend working alongside her, and an estranged best friend reappearing after a three year disappearance, Lou’s summer just got a lot more complicated.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Like many YA books, miscommunication is at the heart of this book’s conflict. However it’s done so masterfully, bringing us into the heart of Lou’s internal struggles and fears. So while frustrating, it’s understandable. How many teenagers are that great at communicating? Lou is a Métis teen navigating her sexuality and her relationship with those around her, all while trying to quietly deal with intimidation from her white biological father (a rapist recently released from prison). So if it takes her a while to figure out who she can trust with her burdens, I can understand why.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I’ve also never felt so seen by a book featuring an ace main character. Lou’s slow, fumbling journey to discovering asexuality and the spectrum that includes is pretty damn close to my own life experiences. I should’ve known to trust the process, but the build up to Lou realizing she might be ace are preluded by a lot of self-hatred and feelings of being broken. I just wanted to reach through the pages and reassure her so bad - perhaps because I recognized glimpses of a younger Linda.
The author’s note was excellent, and reminds me why diverse books are so necessary. Please review TWs for this (it includes heavy topics), but I highly recommend The Summer of Bitter and Sweet! It’s one of those books that makes me grateful it exists.