Book Review: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publishing Date: January 3, 2012

ISBN: 978-1442430358

Genre:  YA Contemporary, Romance

Author Page:  http://sarahockler.com/

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:  Cupcakes, Figure-skating, and Hockey.  What a combination - but it works!!!!  The format of the book - with cupcakes as chapter headings - how ingenious!  The names and descriptions of the cupcake "titles" definitely matched the story-line of each chapter.  

Bittersweet is such a sweet story - literally - pun intended.  You get drawn into each character. Hudson - our protagonist has so much going on in her life - the diner, figure-skating, her family, her friends, the boys - where does she start, and where does she end.  She struggles so much to make the right decisions, for herself and for those she cares about.  The hockey boys - what a refreshing look.  I usually hate athletic boys in stories - so cocky and full of themselves.  While there was a little of this, the author showed us a side of them that made me actually like each one.  

I just loved how so much was wrapped up into this story.  It was a quick and easy read, but kept me wanting for more.  I could not put it down once I started.  I was wrapped up in Hudson's life, that I still feel myself drawn back in and thinking about it.