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The Summer of Bitter and Sweet
In this complex and emotionally resonant novel, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person—and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth.
Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She’ll be working in her family’s ice cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend—whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort—and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word.
But when she gets a letter from her biological father—a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life—Lou immediately knows that she cannot meet him, no matter how much he insists.
While King’s friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family’s business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can’t ignore her father forever.
Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She’ll be working in her family’s ice cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend—whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort—and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word.
But when she gets a letter from her biological father—a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life—Lou immediately knows that she cannot meet him, no matter how much he insists.
While King’s friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family’s business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can’t ignore her father forever.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2022
About the author
Jen Ferguson
4 books121 followersJen Ferguson (she/her/hers) Métis (on her father's side) and Canadian settler (on her mother's side) is an activist, a feminist, an auntie, and an accomplice armed with a PhD. She believes writing, teaching and beading are political acts. She is represented by Patricia Nelson at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Her debut young adult novel, THE SUMMER OF BITTER AND SWEET, is forthcoming from Heartdrum / Harper Collins in the summer of 2022. Her first book for adults, Border Markers, a collection of interrelated flash fiction stories, is out now with NeWest Press.
She lives and works in Los Angeles.
--
Visit her website to subscribe to News from the Michif Creamery, an occasional (seasonally or less) newsletter, for a chance to win The Summer of Bitter and Sweet themed prizes!
Open international, prizes will be drawn from among all subscribers when we reach 200, 300, 400, and 500 subscribers respectively. Grand prize is a Scream Pretty dinosaur-themed necklace or set of earrings in gold or silver (winner’s choice). Other prizes will support BIPOC, queer, trans, and otherly marginalized creators. Sign up for News from the Michif Creamery today for a chance to win (and get very occasional news from Jen)!
Her debut young adult novel, THE SUMMER OF BITTER AND SWEET, is forthcoming from Heartdrum / Harper Collins in the summer of 2022. Her first book for adults, Border Markers, a collection of interrelated flash fiction stories, is out now with NeWest Press.
She lives and works in Los Angeles.
--
Visit her website to subscribe to News from the Michif Creamery, an occasional (seasonally or less) newsletter, for a chance to win The Summer of Bitter and Sweet themed prizes!
Open international, prizes will be drawn from among all subscribers when we reach 200, 300, 400, and 500 subscribers respectively. Grand prize is a Scream Pretty dinosaur-themed necklace or set of earrings in gold or silver (winner’s choice). Other prizes will support BIPOC, queer, trans, and otherly marginalized creators. Sign up for News from the Michif Creamery today for a chance to win (and get very occasional news from Jen)!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
June 21, 2022
So grateful to Harper 360 YA for this ARC!
TWs: mentions of sexual harassment and violence, racism, self harm and discussions of mental health. Please do check out other reviews here for more comprehensive CWs as this book handles some very heavy topics.
Being a teenage girl is hard enough, and in this book we are firmly in the mind of one carrying far too much. Louisa is on the cusp of great change. Her world as she knows it is shifting around her as she spends the last summer before university scooping ice cream at her family’s shop. This is a time of discovery, and she has to face it independently while her mother is away on a much needed journey of her own. Friends resurface and open old wounds, family secrets come to light and the father she wanted to stay behind bars forever is now out. And he’s everywhere she goes.
What this book does very well is maintain that prevailing sense of threat throughout. There was always the feeling of needing to look over your shoulder. This is a small town where everyone knows everything, and you knew danger was on the periphery even in the happier moments. Not just the danger her father represents, but that the environment she’s in poses to her family and friends. Louisa’s maternal family are Métis, and the book draws attention to the struggles Indigenous people - and women in particular - face in their town in the Canadian prairies. She and other BIPOC in her community are subject to microaggressions, sexual harassment and outright - sometimes physically violent - racism throughout the novel. There is one scene in particular when they encounter a drunk boy at a party and the aggression and violence detailed is harrowing. The fear was palpable then, and this only increased when they had an encounter with the police following it. These are heavy subjects to read about, but they are sadly all too pertinent. While this book drew on the social issues and inequalities they faced, Ferguson also incorporated some details about Louisa’s family life that I enjoyed so much: their connection to the land, the animals they took care of, the way they kept their language alive in the home, and the beadwork Louisa’s mother made and sold, to name a few. I have never read a book with an Indigenous protagonist before, let alone one who is a teenage girl, and so I really appreciated getting to read this!
Throughout, there were a lot of allusions to fire: the warming and comforting kind, and the kind that destroys. Louisa had a clear narrative voice and we heard her think about far more than she ever said aloud, how she picked what to say to family and friends, how she was confused and afraid and mad. How she lied. And how there was a fire inside of her too. A fire whose smoke shrouded secrets. A fire made of rage. Anger at a world that let her mother get hurt and other people suffer, at the person she used to be. At knowing how she hurt people in protecting herself. This is a fire stoked by injustice, by expectations and by lies. One of my favourite parts of this book was the mystery surrounding it and slowly finding out where that image first came from for her, why people left after that and how everyone was connected.
Louisa begins the book by ending an incredibly toxic relationship with someone whose coercive sexual advances she fundamentally did not want. This harassment is difficult to read about, and I wish I could say that was the worst of this character. But he instead just perpetuates this behaviour, does other awful things, and yet still gets a moment of “redemption” at the very end that I wasn’t expecting. I likewise wish that Louisa didn’t dismiss the concern of others by suggesting any physical involvement with him was remotely consensual after stressing how unwanted it always was. Throughout the novel, she develops a romantic relationship with an old friend, King. Though she never wanted anything physical with her ex, Louisa actually enjoys dating and kissing King. She is unsure if she will ever want sex, but his support provides her safe opportunities to explore physical intimacy and boundaries. As another review said, I was somewhat surprised that Louisa did not consider that she may be ace or demi until the labels were brought up by someone else towards the very end, and instead just referred to this aspect of her identity often throughout as something trauma-induced and non-functional. I understand that this stems from both her own experiences and the trauma passed down within the family, and the insecurity and doubt they created in her on this journey of self discovery cannot be dismissed. But I just felt the resolution could have been a bigger moment as I can imagine that reading those thoughts right up till the last 50 or so pages might be difficult. I really appreciated King as a character and the space and comfort he provided for Lou, which made the insensitive way he referred to a self-harming behaviour of Louisa’s as her “favourite little self harm” all the more upsetting for me.
We are told Florence is Louisa’s best friend, but I was disappointed in how an aspect of their relationship played out. Florence is described for most of the summer to be in something of a “manic” episode. From Louisa’s perspective, her behaviour is erratic and unreliable, she is known to be drinking heavily alone at home, and can flake on responsibilities and plans. It is revealed that the last time this happened, her mother was able to help get her back on track. Despite everybody around her seeing her suffering in this period, no one intervenes, even though we know Louisa at least thinks to say something. Lou reasons that she didn’t want to point out that something might be wrong as she’d pushed away friends before and thought Florence would be mad at her. I don’t for a moment think that Louisa had the capacity to handle another teen’s mental health in addition to all of her own worries, but I do find it very difficult to accept her reasoning if they are meant to be best friends. I spent most of the novel hoping somebody would reach out, tell her parents or encourage her somehow, especially when she tells her friends that she had gone off of her medication when she thought she was better, had realised she was wrong, and had been lying about it since. But no one said anything until very late in the novel and even then I felt it was too little too late and not the easy fix it was made out to be. I really struggled to read this storyline.
Beyond this, Florence was revealed to be “very” bisexual and in a long-distance relationship with a girl back home in Ireland. On this same page however, she talks about how attractive King is and a rift forms between the friends on this topic for a while, as Louisa suspects Florence’s friendship with him might be something more. It is later revealed - in a moment discussing Florence’s morals - that on different occasions she’s kissed other people at parties and told her girlfriend about it. King also uses Florence as a reference for his own bisexuality, stating that he’s not the “50-50” or “anything goes” kind of bi that Florence is. Whether or not it was meant to, this representation just really felt at times like it was playing into the ‘bisexual = promiscuous’ idea and I really did not enjoy that.
I would say not to go into this expecting all the answers, because our protagonist doesn’t have them. She is learning, and beyond this book I’m sure she would get there. I feel like a lot needed to be resolved in those last 50 pages or so and although I appreciated the hopeful ending, some of the resolutions just unfortunately felt shallow to me. I would never expect these teenagers or their families to act perfectly. I liked how they had made mistakes and were moving on. I enjoyed the sense of mystery and danger, the family dynamic, sweet moments on dates, all of the ice cream, and this summer being a turning point, providing the space to discover things. I just thought that there were some very sensitive elements of this story that were not handled well enough for me.
TWs: mentions of sexual harassment and violence, racism, self harm and discussions of mental health. Please do check out other reviews here for more comprehensive CWs as this book handles some very heavy topics.
Being a teenage girl is hard enough, and in this book we are firmly in the mind of one carrying far too much. Louisa is on the cusp of great change. Her world as she knows it is shifting around her as she spends the last summer before university scooping ice cream at her family’s shop. This is a time of discovery, and she has to face it independently while her mother is away on a much needed journey of her own. Friends resurface and open old wounds, family secrets come to light and the father she wanted to stay behind bars forever is now out. And he’s everywhere she goes.
What this book does very well is maintain that prevailing sense of threat throughout. There was always the feeling of needing to look over your shoulder. This is a small town where everyone knows everything, and you knew danger was on the periphery even in the happier moments. Not just the danger her father represents, but that the environment she’s in poses to her family and friends. Louisa’s maternal family are Métis, and the book draws attention to the struggles Indigenous people - and women in particular - face in their town in the Canadian prairies. She and other BIPOC in her community are subject to microaggressions, sexual harassment and outright - sometimes physically violent - racism throughout the novel. There is one scene in particular when they encounter a drunk boy at a party and the aggression and violence detailed is harrowing. The fear was palpable then, and this only increased when they had an encounter with the police following it. These are heavy subjects to read about, but they are sadly all too pertinent. While this book drew on the social issues and inequalities they faced, Ferguson also incorporated some details about Louisa’s family life that I enjoyed so much: their connection to the land, the animals they took care of, the way they kept their language alive in the home, and the beadwork Louisa’s mother made and sold, to name a few. I have never read a book with an Indigenous protagonist before, let alone one who is a teenage girl, and so I really appreciated getting to read this!
Throughout, there were a lot of allusions to fire: the warming and comforting kind, and the kind that destroys. Louisa had a clear narrative voice and we heard her think about far more than she ever said aloud, how she picked what to say to family and friends, how she was confused and afraid and mad. How she lied. And how there was a fire inside of her too. A fire whose smoke shrouded secrets. A fire made of rage. Anger at a world that let her mother get hurt and other people suffer, at the person she used to be. At knowing how she hurt people in protecting herself. This is a fire stoked by injustice, by expectations and by lies. One of my favourite parts of this book was the mystery surrounding it and slowly finding out where that image first came from for her, why people left after that and how everyone was connected.
Louisa begins the book by ending an incredibly toxic relationship with someone whose coercive sexual advances she fundamentally did not want. This harassment is difficult to read about, and I wish I could say that was the worst of this character. But he instead just perpetuates this behaviour, does other awful things, and yet still gets a moment of “redemption” at the very end that I wasn’t expecting. I likewise wish that Louisa didn’t dismiss the concern of others by suggesting any physical involvement with him was remotely consensual after stressing how unwanted it always was. Throughout the novel, she develops a romantic relationship with an old friend, King. Though she never wanted anything physical with her ex, Louisa actually enjoys dating and kissing King. She is unsure if she will ever want sex, but his support provides her safe opportunities to explore physical intimacy and boundaries. As another review said, I was somewhat surprised that Louisa did not consider that she may be ace or demi until the labels were brought up by someone else towards the very end, and instead just referred to this aspect of her identity often throughout as something trauma-induced and non-functional. I understand that this stems from both her own experiences and the trauma passed down within the family, and the insecurity and doubt they created in her on this journey of self discovery cannot be dismissed. But I just felt the resolution could have been a bigger moment as I can imagine that reading those thoughts right up till the last 50 or so pages might be difficult. I really appreciated King as a character and the space and comfort he provided for Lou, which made the insensitive way he referred to a self-harming behaviour of Louisa’s as her “favourite little self harm” all the more upsetting for me.
We are told Florence is Louisa’s best friend, but I was disappointed in how an aspect of their relationship played out. Florence is described for most of the summer to be in something of a “manic” episode. From Louisa’s perspective, her behaviour is erratic and unreliable, she is known to be drinking heavily alone at home, and can flake on responsibilities and plans. It is revealed that the last time this happened, her mother was able to help get her back on track. Despite everybody around her seeing her suffering in this period, no one intervenes, even though we know Louisa at least thinks to say something. Lou reasons that she didn’t want to point out that something might be wrong as she’d pushed away friends before and thought Florence would be mad at her. I don’t for a moment think that Louisa had the capacity to handle another teen’s mental health in addition to all of her own worries, but I do find it very difficult to accept her reasoning if they are meant to be best friends. I spent most of the novel hoping somebody would reach out, tell her parents or encourage her somehow, especially when she tells her friends that she had gone off of her medication when she thought she was better, had realised she was wrong, and had been lying about it since. But no one said anything until very late in the novel and even then I felt it was too little too late and not the easy fix it was made out to be. I really struggled to read this storyline.
Beyond this, Florence was revealed to be “very” bisexual and in a long-distance relationship with a girl back home in Ireland. On this same page however, she talks about how attractive King is and a rift forms between the friends on this topic for a while, as Louisa suspects Florence’s friendship with him might be something more. It is later revealed - in a moment discussing Florence’s morals - that on different occasions she’s kissed other people at parties and told her girlfriend about it. King also uses Florence as a reference for his own bisexuality, stating that he’s not the “50-50” or “anything goes” kind of bi that Florence is. Whether or not it was meant to, this representation just really felt at times like it was playing into the ‘bisexual = promiscuous’ idea and I really did not enjoy that.
I would say not to go into this expecting all the answers, because our protagonist doesn’t have them. She is learning, and beyond this book I’m sure she would get there. I feel like a lot needed to be resolved in those last 50 pages or so and although I appreciated the hopeful ending, some of the resolutions just unfortunately felt shallow to me. I would never expect these teenagers or their families to act perfectly. I liked how they had made mistakes and were moving on. I enjoyed the sense of mystery and danger, the family dynamic, sweet moments on dates, all of the ice cream, and this summer being a turning point, providing the space to discover things. I just thought that there were some very sensitive elements of this story that were not handled well enough for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2022
4.5 stars
Jennifer Ferguson’s complex, detailed and powerfully evocative debut is a deeply moving and poignant story that explores the topics of inter-generational suffering, colonialism, racism, sexism, and physical violence that BIPOC and indigenous people face daily basis.
It’s a magnificently eye-opening (and honest) story full of rage, secrets and the bitter sting of injustice. But, it’s also full self acceptance, of exploring friendship dynamics (the good and bad) and embracing your community, there’s sweetness too,in the love, hope and support that sufffuses Lou’s journey every step of the way.
In the summer before she sets of for University, Lou spends her days working in her family’s ice cream shack with her ex boyfriend (who she never felt any desire for) and her former best friend, King, who has returned to their Canadian prairie town three years after leaving without a word. Despite the awkwardness of this situation, it’s the letter from her biological father—the man who has spent the entirety of her life behind bars—that sends her reeling and she knows she cannot meet him no matter how much he insists.
King’s friendship makes her feel safer and warmer than she’s ever felt before (more than she though possible) but when her biological father puts her family’s home and business under threat she knows she cannot ignore him forever…
Though it deals with some hard hitting topics such as rape, institutional racism, sexism and violence I think this is an absolutely perfect summer read, that I know will resonate with readers just as much as it has resonated with me.
Lou was an absolutely compelling and multi-faceted character whose struggles with her identity (both in terms of her heritage and her sexual identity) were well crafted and really brought her to life.
I was soo emotionally invested in Lou, and found myself hearbroken and angry on her behalf soo many times, her mother’s horrific ordeal and the experiences of so many indigenous characters really brought to light just how threatening life can be for native women. Ferguson does an incredible job highlighting the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis currently being faced across Canada and the United States, and seeing soo many characters discussing it and taking action to protect one another was incredibly empowering to behold.
I loved almost all of the characters (except for Wyatt, Doyle & Lou’s Bio father who I absolutely despised) and felt they were all really compelling and full of dimension, but I definitely had a soft spot for Tyler and Cami. King was also a really interesting character and I enjoyed just how patient and understanding he was with Lou—I also loved to see a healthier, positive friendship relationship to counter the toxicity surrounding Lou’s ex, Wyatt.
I also loved the sheer breadth of diversity with Indigenous, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ / Ace and mental health rep that I felt was really sensitively and respectfully handled, I will definitely be reading more of her books in future.
Overall, this is a powerfully resonant, relevant and utterly compelling novel that lovers of Contemporary YA should definitely check out!
Also, a huge thank you to Harper360YA for this gorgeous proof.
Jennifer Ferguson’s complex, detailed and powerfully evocative debut is a deeply moving and poignant story that explores the topics of inter-generational suffering, colonialism, racism, sexism, and physical violence that BIPOC and indigenous people face daily basis.
It’s a magnificently eye-opening (and honest) story full of rage, secrets and the bitter sting of injustice. But, it’s also full self acceptance, of exploring friendship dynamics (the good and bad) and embracing your community, there’s sweetness too,in the love, hope and support that sufffuses Lou’s journey every step of the way.
In the summer before she sets of for University, Lou spends her days working in her family’s ice cream shack with her ex boyfriend (who she never felt any desire for) and her former best friend, King, who has returned to their Canadian prairie town three years after leaving without a word. Despite the awkwardness of this situation, it’s the letter from her biological father—the man who has spent the entirety of her life behind bars—that sends her reeling and she knows she cannot meet him no matter how much he insists.
King’s friendship makes her feel safer and warmer than she’s ever felt before (more than she though possible) but when her biological father puts her family’s home and business under threat she knows she cannot ignore him forever…
Though it deals with some hard hitting topics such as rape, institutional racism, sexism and violence I think this is an absolutely perfect summer read, that I know will resonate with readers just as much as it has resonated with me.
Lou was an absolutely compelling and multi-faceted character whose struggles with her identity (both in terms of her heritage and her sexual identity) were well crafted and really brought her to life.
I was soo emotionally invested in Lou, and found myself hearbroken and angry on her behalf soo many times, her mother’s horrific ordeal and the experiences of so many indigenous characters really brought to light just how threatening life can be for native women. Ferguson does an incredible job highlighting the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis currently being faced across Canada and the United States, and seeing soo many characters discussing it and taking action to protect one another was incredibly empowering to behold.
I loved almost all of the characters (except for Wyatt, Doyle & Lou’s Bio father who I absolutely despised) and felt they were all really compelling and full of dimension, but I definitely had a soft spot for Tyler and Cami. King was also a really interesting character and I enjoyed just how patient and understanding he was with Lou—I also loved to see a healthier, positive friendship relationship to counter the toxicity surrounding Lou’s ex, Wyatt.
I also loved the sheer breadth of diversity with Indigenous, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ / Ace and mental health rep that I felt was really sensitively and respectfully handled, I will definitely be reading more of her books in future.
Overall, this is a powerfully resonant, relevant and utterly compelling novel that lovers of Contemporary YA should definitely check out!
Also, a huge thank you to Harper360YA for this gorgeous proof.
May 7, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. I specifically loved the little bits of information about ice cream and sorbets in the beginning of each chapter!
In general, this story is definitely on the heavier side, there's frequent references to violence, sexual assault and more, so please have a look at the content warnings below.
This book is described as a "summer ace-rep romance" - it surely is! If you're looking for ace/demi rep, this is a great read.
The writing style is lovely and easy to understand, there's an Indigenous main character, there are intriguing side characters and I really enjoyed the focus on the family-owned business, their problems and their relationships with each other.
Personally, I had a bit of a problem with the bi rep though. I don't think we need any more cheating bi characters at the moment 😬 One of the bi characters is described as having cheated on her girlfriend twice. The main character is also constantly thinking that the bi character might hook up with the main character's crush. On top of that, she comes off as quite unlikeable and unreliable.
The other bi character says (he) "prefer(s) women and people who lean femme. But (he) find(s) some cis guys attractive".
That makes me question - does he not find trans guys attractive? Because they're trans? Why have the focus specifically on only finding CIS guys attractive? It had some transphobic undertones to me EVEN THOUGH I don't think it was intended. In general, the author tries to be trans-inclusive throughout the text, but this sentence made me a bit uncomfortable, nevertheless.
Still, I think this book's worth a read if you're a fan of romantic contemporary novels which also discuss heavy issues!
content warnings: references to a violent sexual assault, an instance of intimate partner abuse, instances of racism and physical assault towards Indigenous and Black teens, discussions of drug use, underage alcohol use
I received an advanced review copy by Harper360YA in exchange for an honest opinion.
initial thoughts: this was good but.. i have thoughts about the bi rep :/
i post about queer books here: instagram / tiktok /twitter
In general, this story is definitely on the heavier side, there's frequent references to violence, sexual assault and more, so please have a look at the content warnings below.
This book is described as a "summer ace-rep romance" - it surely is! If you're looking for ace/demi rep, this is a great read.
The writing style is lovely and easy to understand, there's an Indigenous main character, there are intriguing side characters and I really enjoyed the focus on the family-owned business, their problems and their relationships with each other.
Personally, I had a bit of a problem with the bi rep though. I don't think we need any more cheating bi characters at the moment 😬 One of the bi characters is described as having cheated on her girlfriend twice. The main character is also constantly thinking that the bi character might hook up with the main character's crush. On top of that, she comes off as quite unlikeable and unreliable.
The other bi character says (he) "prefer(s) women and people who lean femme. But (he) find(s) some cis guys attractive".
That makes me question - does he not find trans guys attractive? Because they're trans? Why have the focus specifically on only finding CIS guys attractive? It had some transphobic undertones to me EVEN THOUGH I don't think it was intended. In general, the author tries to be trans-inclusive throughout the text, but this sentence made me a bit uncomfortable, nevertheless.
Still, I think this book's worth a read if you're a fan of romantic contemporary novels which also discuss heavy issues!
content warnings: references to a violent sexual assault, an instance of intimate partner abuse, instances of racism and physical assault towards Indigenous and Black teens, discussions of drug use, underage alcohol use
I received an advanced review copy by Harper360YA in exchange for an honest opinion.
initial thoughts: this was good but.. i have thoughts about the bi rep :/
i post about queer books here: instagram / tiktok /twitter
April 30, 2022
Thank you so much to Harper 360 YA for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I really loved the setting of the Canadian prairies in this book, first of all; I've never read a book in this setting before, and it was so evocative, I felt like I was right there alongside the characters. Our main character Lou, has a fantastic journey of growth and self-discovery which was so great to read about over the course of the story. I felt on edge throughout the whole time reading this book, which is definitely the point - Lou is constantly looking over her shoulder, feeling eyes on her, feeling threatened, and we as the reader experience this sense of danger completely. I struggled a bit with the writing style, as it was a little confusing, but I did really love it at the same time; all of the allusions to fire and smoke were consistent throughout the novel and while I got confused about that at some points, it made for a really interesting narrative. There were quite a few parts of the book that I didn't agree with though. Lou ends a very toxic, manipualtive relationship at the start of the book, and then he gets a bit of a redemption, then it gets worse, and then he gets another moment of redemption at the end, even though he was really, truly awful to her and to other girls - I don't think the redemption was really necessary, honestly. I was also disappointed in how the mental health of Lou's best friend Florence was treated. We are told throughout the novel that Florence is in a 'manic episode', that she is erratic, and has come off her medication. But nobody intervenes, not even Lou, Florence's best friend. This kind of thing is not the easy fix that the ending makes it out to be, and I just think that if you're going to include bipolar disorder in a novel, you can't just treat it as dismissively as I felt this book did. There was also some pretty questionable bi rep in Florence and King; I can't speak for this myself as I am not bisexual, but from reading other reviews and even just from my own knowledge, I know that playing into the bi=slutty idea is not cool. I would say that if you like it when characters are imperfect, when they make mistakes, then you will definitely enjoy this - I liked how the characters messed up, it made them feel very real. There's a great family dynamic between Lou and her mother and her uncles, and the little notes at the start of each chapter on the ice cream flavours were a really fun addition. I just wish that certain elements of the story which can be quite personal and sensitive for a lot of people, were handled with more care.
I really loved the setting of the Canadian prairies in this book, first of all; I've never read a book in this setting before, and it was so evocative, I felt like I was right there alongside the characters. Our main character Lou, has a fantastic journey of growth and self-discovery which was so great to read about over the course of the story. I felt on edge throughout the whole time reading this book, which is definitely the point - Lou is constantly looking over her shoulder, feeling eyes on her, feeling threatened, and we as the reader experience this sense of danger completely. I struggled a bit with the writing style, as it was a little confusing, but I did really love it at the same time; all of the allusions to fire and smoke were consistent throughout the novel and while I got confused about that at some points, it made for a really interesting narrative. There were quite a few parts of the book that I didn't agree with though. Lou ends a very toxic, manipualtive relationship at the start of the book, and then he gets a bit of a redemption, then it gets worse, and then he gets another moment of redemption at the end, even though he was really, truly awful to her and to other girls - I don't think the redemption was really necessary, honestly. I was also disappointed in how the mental health of Lou's best friend Florence was treated. We are told throughout the novel that Florence is in a 'manic episode', that she is erratic, and has come off her medication. But nobody intervenes, not even Lou, Florence's best friend. This kind of thing is not the easy fix that the ending makes it out to be, and I just think that if you're going to include bipolar disorder in a novel, you can't just treat it as dismissively as I felt this book did. There was also some pretty questionable bi rep in Florence and King; I can't speak for this myself as I am not bisexual, but from reading other reviews and even just from my own knowledge, I know that playing into the bi=slutty idea is not cool. I would say that if you like it when characters are imperfect, when they make mistakes, then you will definitely enjoy this - I liked how the characters messed up, it made them feel very real. There's a great family dynamic between Lou and her mother and her uncles, and the little notes at the start of each chapter on the ice cream flavours were a really fun addition. I just wish that certain elements of the story which can be quite personal and sensitive for a lot of people, were handled with more care.
November 23, 2022
(CW: SA, sexual coercion, racism, hate-crimes, micro-aggressions, strong police presence).
I LOVED this book so much!!! The title promises you exactly what you'll be experiencing when you read this book. There is a perfect balance of utterly disdainful shit in here, and heart-warming moments to get you through the rest of the way.
I have read some critiques of this book, specifically about Lou's asexuality, & I wanted to go into a bit of spoiler territory for this next bit, so read the rest with caution.
Equating sexual trauma to asexuality is absolutely problematic in any sense, one does not result in the other (it CAN, but the overall public representation of Asexuality should not be that it stems from sexual trauma, as it is its own valid identity free of any sort of requirements of trauma).
That being said, is there a line we draw when it comes to authors being able to portray fictional characters as having trauma AND sexual identities that can overlap with each other? And, if so, where do we draw it?
I saw a few people took a deep issue with Lou grappling with the way she was concieved being directly tied to her lack of sexual attraction. While I agree that it can be harmful to portray asexuality, or any sexuality in this form, I think that it is also an important conversation to include people who may involve their trauma with their experience of their sexuality. I think the purpose of this plot-narrative was to bring represemtation towards folks who have experienced trauma, and who have equated that with other areas in their lives, such as sexuality. The character of King was, for the purpose of the plot, there to make Lou realize that her lack of attraction was not a direct result of her mothers' SA, & she wasn't inherently broken because of it, and that asexuality is a real & valid thing to experience, for loads of people with & without trauma. I think the way in which we talk about certain subjects can make or break how our points are perceived to the public, however I think that the language in & around this book is subjected towards healing, embracing, self-identity, & I think by the end it very much achieved a sense of overall self-acceptance. So the point made regarding harm towards the asexual community because of this book; I can see where the argument was made & where it comes from, however I think that it is equally important to save space for depictions of trauma, & in turn the complexities of relationships between our trauma & our sense of self, as they do very much coincide for the vast majority of us. Of course this includes sexuality as a soul-searching questioning concept as well. I feel that this book had a very important conversation to start, & I look forward to reading more complex-natured stores such as this one!
I also fucking hated that her scummy loser ex got a kind-of sort-of semi redemption at the end when he absolutely DOES NOT deserve one, by way of admitting he actually did coerce Lou into actions she didn’t want to partake in, & that’s it, the bar is this low that men can just admit they sucked & somehow we’re all like “alrighty then!” She treats him way better than he deserves for the sake of her own emotional peace, when it doesn’t even add to her peace of mind anyway, there was just no reason not to write this character out completely near the end as a complete asshole we all don’t speak to anymore. But nope, guess he’s just gonna hang around cuz he’s a loveable doofus now! Aw shucks! (He literally went from insufferable subtlety-racist jackass to (trying too hard to be) lovable oblivious goofball who can’t comprehend the way his actions effect others. I just, the way we use incompetence to excuse men time & time again in media is honestly exhausting. It’s such a good thing he didn’t appear as much as he definitely could have in regards to the plot. Phew!
I LOVED this book so much!!! The title promises you exactly what you'll be experiencing when you read this book. There is a perfect balance of utterly disdainful shit in here, and heart-warming moments to get you through the rest of the way.
I have read some critiques of this book, specifically about Lou's asexuality, & I wanted to go into a bit of spoiler territory for this next bit, so read the rest with caution.
Equating sexual trauma to asexuality is absolutely problematic in any sense, one does not result in the other (it CAN, but the overall public representation of Asexuality should not be that it stems from sexual trauma, as it is its own valid identity free of any sort of requirements of trauma).
That being said, is there a line we draw when it comes to authors being able to portray fictional characters as having trauma AND sexual identities that can overlap with each other? And, if so, where do we draw it?
I saw a few people took a deep issue with Lou grappling with the way she was concieved being directly tied to her lack of sexual attraction. While I agree that it can be harmful to portray asexuality, or any sexuality in this form, I think that it is also an important conversation to include people who may involve their trauma with their experience of their sexuality. I think the purpose of this plot-narrative was to bring represemtation towards folks who have experienced trauma, and who have equated that with other areas in their lives, such as sexuality. The character of King was, for the purpose of the plot, there to make Lou realize that her lack of attraction was not a direct result of her mothers' SA, & she wasn't inherently broken because of it, and that asexuality is a real & valid thing to experience, for loads of people with & without trauma. I think the way in which we talk about certain subjects can make or break how our points are perceived to the public, however I think that the language in & around this book is subjected towards healing, embracing, self-identity, & I think by the end it very much achieved a sense of overall self-acceptance. So the point made regarding harm towards the asexual community because of this book; I can see where the argument was made & where it comes from, however I think that it is equally important to save space for depictions of trauma, & in turn the complexities of relationships between our trauma & our sense of self, as they do very much coincide for the vast majority of us. Of course this includes sexuality as a soul-searching questioning concept as well. I feel that this book had a very important conversation to start, & I look forward to reading more complex-natured stores such as this one!
I also fucking hated that her scummy loser ex got a kind-of sort-of semi redemption at the end when he absolutely DOES NOT deserve one, by way of admitting he actually did coerce Lou into actions she didn’t want to partake in, & that’s it, the bar is this low that men can just admit they sucked & somehow we’re all like “alrighty then!” She treats him way better than he deserves for the sake of her own emotional peace, when it doesn’t even add to her peace of mind anyway, there was just no reason not to write this character out completely near the end as a complete asshole we all don’t speak to anymore. But nope, guess he’s just gonna hang around cuz he’s a loveable doofus now! Aw shucks! (He literally went from insufferable subtlety-racist jackass to (trying too hard to be) lovable oblivious goofball who can’t comprehend the way his actions effect others. I just, the way we use incompetence to excuse men time & time again in media is honestly exhausting. It’s such a good thing he didn’t appear as much as he definitely could have in regards to the plot. Phew!
May 12, 2023
4.5 stars
wow books with a biracial demi/ace mc actually exist!!!
wow books with a biracial demi/ace mc actually exist!!!
June 4, 2021
I got to read an earlier draft of this book, and I still think about it regularly. It is so good. I can't wait until it's published so I can read it again!
May 4, 2022
In her debut book, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, Jen Ferguson takes a stand to tell a story about a Metís girl, Lou.
Lou is starting to have a complicated summer. First of all, she will be working in an ice cream shop with her ex- boyfriend. She never felt comfortable kissing him and she doesn’t know why. On top of that, her former best friend King will also be working in the ice cream shop as well.
But her summer is turned into further mess when she hears from her biological father- a man she never hoped to meet and hoped he’d stay behind bars forever.
This is Lou’s story about how she managed complicated friendships and relationships, and how she started questioning her sexuality in order to find out who she is and what she wants.
This book is PERFECT for summer! Reason? Ice cream shop.
Not only just the ice cream shop, the vibe of this book screams summer. Hanging out with friends, being on a farm, descriptions of Canadian prairies, everything will remind you summer.
The author’s note was heart-touching when she said she has never read a Metís woman, so she wrote one. And honestly, she nailed it.
This is not your typical feel-good light YA book. This book is quite heavy. It deals with a lot and I think it dealt with everything well. I felt how vulnerable Lou felt inside but she tried so hard to be strong. At times, she was terrified but she faced everything with a brave face making her one of the most commendable protagonists I’ve ever read about.
Overall, this is a very strong debut book. Also an important one. Can’t recommend this book enough.
Lou is starting to have a complicated summer. First of all, she will be working in an ice cream shop with her ex- boyfriend. She never felt comfortable kissing him and she doesn’t know why. On top of that, her former best friend King will also be working in the ice cream shop as well.
But her summer is turned into further mess when she hears from her biological father- a man she never hoped to meet and hoped he’d stay behind bars forever.
This is Lou’s story about how she managed complicated friendships and relationships, and how she started questioning her sexuality in order to find out who she is and what she wants.
This book is PERFECT for summer! Reason? Ice cream shop.
Not only just the ice cream shop, the vibe of this book screams summer. Hanging out with friends, being on a farm, descriptions of Canadian prairies, everything will remind you summer.
The author’s note was heart-touching when she said she has never read a Metís woman, so she wrote one. And honestly, she nailed it.
This is not your typical feel-good light YA book. This book is quite heavy. It deals with a lot and I think it dealt with everything well. I felt how vulnerable Lou felt inside but she tried so hard to be strong. At times, she was terrified but she faced everything with a brave face making her one of the most commendable protagonists I’ve ever read about.
Overall, this is a very strong debut book. Also an important one. Can’t recommend this book enough.
October 1, 2022
The author's and editor's note at the end made me soft and I cried.
May 8, 2022
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada Frenzy for sending me this advanced reader copy!
This was a really good read. It was tough at times, full of both sadness and joy, hardships and happy moments, and a plot that had me hooked instantly.
CW: references and discussions surrounding rape, assault, racism, colonization, hate crime, alcohol consumption, arson, drug use, discussions surrounding mental health and medication, physical abuse, toxic relationship, bullying, cursing, racial slurs, sexual assault, sexual violence, grief, stalking, fire/Fire injury, gaslighting, abandonment
This book has a good introduction that speaks to the tough subjects, trying to make sure that the readers stay safe.
Lou was an interesting character, she's been through a lot and goes through a lot in this book. Lou learns a lot about her sexuality throughout this book, and throughout she realizes she's asexual. This book really hinges on Lou and the relationships she has with the other characters. She felt very real, struggling with money, coming out of a toxic relationship, missing her mother, the issues she's dealing with just felt so grounded. She experiences a lot of racism, as do other Indigenous characters within.
King was a very interesting character, I loved him a lot. Smaller Canadian towns can be dangerous to young Black men, racism is very alive and rampant within Canada, I liked that he moved to Toronto and got to be around other Black teens. Toronto may have its faults, but in this case I'm just so happy that King had that experience. I liked the relationship he had with Lou, I really enjoyed their conversation on sexuality.
Florence was a tricky character, I struggle with the absent/bad friend trope within YA, I really dislike it tbh.
Both Florence and King are bisexual, and I struggled with the rep within, as at times it felt that Flo was leaning into the promiscuous bisexual trope, which is a tough one. But I will look to 2SLGBTQIAP+ reviewers for their thoughts on the bisexuality representation.
I liked the family dynamics portrayed here, I think they were interesting. Lou's mother and uncles all had their own lives, and they were interesting through and through.
The plot was really well done, very intricate and interconnected, which can be tough to execute. But everything flowed together well, and I really enjoyed it. Lou's father was terrifying in all honesty, and the plot surrounding him was tough to read at times but very well done. I loved the ice cream shop and the happy and bright plots surrounding that.
The writing was exceptional, I was hooked instantly and couldn't put it down. The world within was so familiar, and I loved it. Ferguson is definitely an author I want to keep my eye on, this was a phenomenal debut.
Overall I really enjoyed this, it's tough at times but very well done, with an interesting story within. Please check the content warnings within, as it's tough at times.
This was a really good read. It was tough at times, full of both sadness and joy, hardships and happy moments, and a plot that had me hooked instantly.
CW: references and discussions surrounding rape, assault, racism, colonization, hate crime, alcohol consumption, arson, drug use, discussions surrounding mental health and medication, physical abuse, toxic relationship, bullying, cursing, racial slurs, sexual assault, sexual violence, grief, stalking, fire/Fire injury, gaslighting, abandonment
This book has a good introduction that speaks to the tough subjects, trying to make sure that the readers stay safe.
Lou was an interesting character, she's been through a lot and goes through a lot in this book. Lou learns a lot about her sexuality throughout this book, and throughout she realizes she's asexual. This book really hinges on Lou and the relationships she has with the other characters. She felt very real, struggling with money, coming out of a toxic relationship, missing her mother, the issues she's dealing with just felt so grounded. She experiences a lot of racism, as do other Indigenous characters within.
King was a very interesting character, I loved him a lot. Smaller Canadian towns can be dangerous to young Black men, racism is very alive and rampant within Canada, I liked that he moved to Toronto and got to be around other Black teens. Toronto may have its faults, but in this case I'm just so happy that King had that experience. I liked the relationship he had with Lou, I really enjoyed their conversation on sexuality.
Florence was a tricky character, I struggle with the absent/bad friend trope within YA, I really dislike it tbh.
Both Florence and King are bisexual, and I struggled with the rep within, as at times it felt that Flo was leaning into the promiscuous bisexual trope, which is a tough one. But I will look to 2SLGBTQIAP+ reviewers for their thoughts on the bisexuality representation.
I liked the family dynamics portrayed here, I think they were interesting. Lou's mother and uncles all had their own lives, and they were interesting through and through.
The plot was really well done, very intricate and interconnected, which can be tough to execute. But everything flowed together well, and I really enjoyed it. Lou's father was terrifying in all honesty, and the plot surrounding him was tough to read at times but very well done. I loved the ice cream shop and the happy and bright plots surrounding that.
The writing was exceptional, I was hooked instantly and couldn't put it down. The world within was so familiar, and I loved it. Ferguson is definitely an author I want to keep my eye on, this was a phenomenal debut.
Overall I really enjoyed this, it's tough at times but very well done, with an interesting story within. Please check the content warnings within, as it's tough at times.
June 22, 2022
I received a copy via the publisher for an interview with the author. This did not affect my rating in any way!
Ferguson hits us with a few emotional punches in this book, so I suggest you go ahead and read the trigger warnings she includes at the very beginning of her book!
I really enjoyed this one, even though I was constantly hoping for the MC, Lou, to do the right thing every time she faced a new situation. One of my favourite things that Ferguson mentioned in her interview was how every person who asked her about Lou's choices and experiences at the age of eighteen was an adult. I would love to be able to ask a younger reader who's read this book what takeaways they might have gotten from reading about Lou's tumultuous and traumatizing summer.
I absolutely loved how diverse this book was regarding sexuality and race, despite the stifling atmosphere that the story is set in. I loved seeing that as a bit of hope in such a corrupt and racist place. I especially thought it was important to see that this is set in a Canadian small town.
Lou's journey to finding her identity was one that I think many will relate to. My favourite moment of her self-discovery is when she finally thinks that there isn't anything wrong with her. That was an especially powerful moment.
I loved that ice cream was the sweetness of this book, alongside first love and self-discovery. I also appreciated the exploration of being a mixed teenager living in a world that could potentially treat you differently based on the race you choose to identify as. It resonated with me because it took me years to face my internalized racism.
If you want more Indigenous and LGBTQ+ stories for the YA audience (and older--there is no age limit!), then I highly recommend you check this one out. I will repeat my warning from the beginning of this review and highly recommend that you check out the Trigger Warnings!
Happy reading!
Ferguson hits us with a few emotional punches in this book, so I suggest you go ahead and read the trigger warnings she includes at the very beginning of her book!
I really enjoyed this one, even though I was constantly hoping for the MC, Lou, to do the right thing every time she faced a new situation. One of my favourite things that Ferguson mentioned in her interview was how every person who asked her about Lou's choices and experiences at the age of eighteen was an adult. I would love to be able to ask a younger reader who's read this book what takeaways they might have gotten from reading about Lou's tumultuous and traumatizing summer.
I absolutely loved how diverse this book was regarding sexuality and race, despite the stifling atmosphere that the story is set in. I loved seeing that as a bit of hope in such a corrupt and racist place. I especially thought it was important to see that this is set in a Canadian small town.
Lou's journey to finding her identity was one that I think many will relate to. My favourite moment of her self-discovery is when she finally thinks that there isn't anything wrong with her. That was an especially powerful moment.
I loved that ice cream was the sweetness of this book, alongside first love and self-discovery. I also appreciated the exploration of being a mixed teenager living in a world that could potentially treat you differently based on the race you choose to identify as. It resonated with me because it took me years to face my internalized racism.
If you want more Indigenous and LGBTQ+ stories for the YA audience (and older--there is no age limit!), then I highly recommend you check this one out. I will repeat my warning from the beginning of this review and highly recommend that you check out the Trigger Warnings!
Happy reading!
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 16, 2023dnf at 12%
May 7, 2022
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: mentioned violent sexual assault, mentioned domestic abuse, violent hate crime, arson, mentioned addiction, sexual coercion, internalized racism & intentional white-passing, themes of racism and colonization
3.8
This is Lou's last summer serving ice cream, the last span of time before she leaves her family and her town, and has to discover life outside it. But it's a summer of change even before it's time to leave- because this summer she finally says no once and for all to the boyfriend she never even wanted to kiss, this summer and old friend and maybe love finds his way home, and, this summer she gets news that fills her with dread. Her biological father, her mother's rapist, is out of jail- and finding ways to sneak her messages and threats. With her m0ther gone for the summer and her uncles hiding things, Lou has never felt closer to falling apart.
I think this book is a powerful one, and one that will mean a lot to people whose experiences are reflected here. This is a book filled with Indigenous life and prejudice against them, it's a book about shame and guilt, for what's within your control and what isn't. And for anyone this book begins to resonate with, I think they'll find a real experience here.
I appreciate the rare representation here, as well as the heavy and important topics. There still aren't many books with Indigenous main characters, or main characters who identify on the a-spectrum. Seeing a demi girl grapple with her identity and figure out what it is and learn to accept and embrace herself is a new experience, and one I'm sure many people will see themselves in, and I can see helping other aspec people along in their journey.
There's also good tension in this book. The looming threat of Peter England colors the page, as does the racial tensions and the never quite forgotten attitude of the new ex, but there's also good tension. The dynamic between Lou and King is nicely done. They feel like former friends but they also work almost immediately in a romantic situation, and Lou's actions always make sense, even if they don't play into what we as the reader want.
But I had issues getting into this book. It was hard to connect, personally, and because this book wound up being a lot heavier than expected I wasn't prepared and in the right headspace that might have let me be closer to really enjoying this book. Instead I had to push myself through this.
I also wish the characters had more dimension. Everyone but Lou felt painted with a very broad brush, and never quite turned into a fully fleshed person.
TW: mentioned violent sexual assault, mentioned domestic abuse, violent hate crime, arson, mentioned addiction, sexual coercion, internalized racism & intentional white-passing, themes of racism and colonization
3.8
This is Lou's last summer serving ice cream, the last span of time before she leaves her family and her town, and has to discover life outside it. But it's a summer of change even before it's time to leave- because this summer she finally says no once and for all to the boyfriend she never even wanted to kiss, this summer and old friend and maybe love finds his way home, and, this summer she gets news that fills her with dread. Her biological father, her mother's rapist, is out of jail- and finding ways to sneak her messages and threats. With her m0ther gone for the summer and her uncles hiding things, Lou has never felt closer to falling apart.
I think this book is a powerful one, and one that will mean a lot to people whose experiences are reflected here. This is a book filled with Indigenous life and prejudice against them, it's a book about shame and guilt, for what's within your control and what isn't. And for anyone this book begins to resonate with, I think they'll find a real experience here.
I appreciate the rare representation here, as well as the heavy and important topics. There still aren't many books with Indigenous main characters, or main characters who identify on the a-spectrum. Seeing a demi girl grapple with her identity and figure out what it is and learn to accept and embrace herself is a new experience, and one I'm sure many people will see themselves in, and I can see helping other aspec people along in their journey.
There's also good tension in this book. The looming threat of Peter England colors the page, as does the racial tensions and the never quite forgotten attitude of the new ex, but there's also good tension. The dynamic between Lou and King is nicely done. They feel like former friends but they also work almost immediately in a romantic situation, and Lou's actions always make sense, even if they don't play into what we as the reader want.
But I had issues getting into this book. It was hard to connect, personally, and because this book wound up being a lot heavier than expected I wasn't prepared and in the right headspace that might have let me be closer to really enjoying this book. Instead I had to push myself through this.
I also wish the characters had more dimension. Everyone but Lou felt painted with a very broad brush, and never quite turned into a fully fleshed person.
January 17, 2023
TRIGGER WARNING: rape, hate crimes, racism, crimes against indigenous peoples, violence towards indigenous women, stalking
Oh my goodness, where to begin? This book was in equal parts phenomenal and heavy. The audience joins Lou, a Métis girl living in Canada, on that vital last summer before college. She's working with her best friend, Florence, her childhood friend who vanished 3 years ago, King, and her recent ex, Wyatt, at her uncle's ice cream shop when she is contacted by her recently released from prison birth father. From there the summer dissolves into secrets and anxiety, only to be salvaged when everyone is honest and open about what is going on. Stunning writing, but would recommend having a fluffy read lined up to decompress after.
Oh my goodness, where to begin? This book was in equal parts phenomenal and heavy. The audience joins Lou, a Métis girl living in Canada, on that vital last summer before college. She's working with her best friend, Florence, her childhood friend who vanished 3 years ago, King, and her recent ex, Wyatt, at her uncle's ice cream shop when she is contacted by her recently released from prison birth father. From there the summer dissolves into secrets and anxiety, only to be salvaged when everyone is honest and open about what is going on. Stunning writing, but would recommend having a fluffy read lined up to decompress after.
April 24, 2022
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for an advanced e-arc in exchange for my honest opinions.
NOTE: I cannot speak to the representation in this book. Please read reviews from Indigenous and/or Indigenous reviewers in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
I have been trying to put my thoughts together since finishing this novel. I had thought the premise sounded so interesting, and when I heard that it was an Indigenous LGBTQIA+ novel set in Canada, I was sold. I absolutely loved getting to hear Jen Ferguson speak at an HCC Frenzy event as well.
There were a few things I really liked about the book:
The exploration of friendship, and how different friendships can look or function differently. Some are easy to continue or go back to, while others take a lot of work. And just the dynamics of friend groups, one-to-one friendships, and how they change over time. I like that the friendships were just as important as family in the novel.
The family relationships. They aren't perfect, they are more realistic than most novels make them seem. Families argue, struggle, but stay close and important.
The depictions of racism, especially anti-Indigenous racism, was dealt with well in the novel. There were the difficult pieces, the difficult conversations, people coming together to support, falling apart because of it, and the persistence of it in a small community. So many people think that racism isn't something that happens in Canada, but it is. And to see it in a novel is a reminder that it is as big of an issue here as it is in other places.
I absolutely loved all of the Canadian references, terms, places. Mentions of Timmies, bunnyhugs, the Royal Tyrrell Museum - all of it! There are so rarely books set in Canada, and I am always so excited when I find ones that talk about places I know, things I recognize immediately. Ordering a double double and vanilla dip at Timmies? Hells yes. My Canadian heart is happy haha.
The two pieces that I struggled with, though, were very large and integral parts to the story - I think that's why I couldn't rate this any higher. It made my enjoyment dampen a bit.
There is so much lying, deceit, anger, secrets. While teenagers have secrets, and I could never speak to the issues and difficulties that Lou has faced, I really struggled with the lies and secrets. They were so prevalent and big, they overtook the story in a way. I understand that part of it was the fallout of keeping secrets, but it seemed like that was thrown out multiple times in the story before things started to get better. And the biggest fallout about secrets happened before this book even takes place, something we are only given hints to.
The bigger one that I struggled with though was the acephobia. It was really hard to read, since it was both internalized and external. I understand that is common and acephobia is so prevalent in today's world, but it was really hard to read it. It's not even discussed in more detail until the very very end of the novel. I wish it had been discussed sooner because it felt almost like a "convenient" wrap-up - and I hate saying that, but things were kind of quickly discussed and worked through VERY quickly at the end, after being a major issue through the whole book.
I think I was just definitely not the audience for this book. And that's okay. I did take a lot away from reading it, but there are others who this book might be better for.
TW: acephobia, racism, abandonment, alcohol, blood, bullying, classism, cursing, gaslighting, injury, fire, medical content, mental illness, physical abuse, rape (off page), murder (MMIGW) (off page), emotional abuse, abortion, sexual assault, sexual violence, toxic relationship
NOTE: I cannot speak to the representation in this book. Please read reviews from Indigenous and/or Indigenous reviewers in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
I have been trying to put my thoughts together since finishing this novel. I had thought the premise sounded so interesting, and when I heard that it was an Indigenous LGBTQIA+ novel set in Canada, I was sold. I absolutely loved getting to hear Jen Ferguson speak at an HCC Frenzy event as well.
There were a few things I really liked about the book:
The exploration of friendship, and how different friendships can look or function differently. Some are easy to continue or go back to, while others take a lot of work. And just the dynamics of friend groups, one-to-one friendships, and how they change over time. I like that the friendships were just as important as family in the novel.
The family relationships. They aren't perfect, they are more realistic than most novels make them seem. Families argue, struggle, but stay close and important.
The depictions of racism, especially anti-Indigenous racism, was dealt with well in the novel. There were the difficult pieces, the difficult conversations, people coming together to support, falling apart because of it, and the persistence of it in a small community. So many people think that racism isn't something that happens in Canada, but it is. And to see it in a novel is a reminder that it is as big of an issue here as it is in other places.
I absolutely loved all of the Canadian references, terms, places. Mentions of Timmies, bunnyhugs, the Royal Tyrrell Museum - all of it! There are so rarely books set in Canada, and I am always so excited when I find ones that talk about places I know, things I recognize immediately. Ordering a double double and vanilla dip at Timmies? Hells yes. My Canadian heart is happy haha.
The two pieces that I struggled with, though, were very large and integral parts to the story - I think that's why I couldn't rate this any higher. It made my enjoyment dampen a bit.
There is so much lying, deceit, anger, secrets. While teenagers have secrets, and I could never speak to the issues and difficulties that Lou has faced, I really struggled with the lies and secrets. They were so prevalent and big, they overtook the story in a way. I understand that part of it was the fallout of keeping secrets, but it seemed like that was thrown out multiple times in the story before things started to get better. And the biggest fallout about secrets happened before this book even takes place, something we are only given hints to.
The bigger one that I struggled with though was the acephobia. It was really hard to read, since it was both internalized and external. I understand that is common and acephobia is so prevalent in today's world, but it was really hard to read it. It's not even discussed in more detail until the very very end of the novel. I wish it had been discussed sooner because it felt almost like a "convenient" wrap-up - and I hate saying that, but things were kind of quickly discussed and worked through VERY quickly at the end, after being a major issue through the whole book.
I think I was just definitely not the audience for this book. And that's okay. I did take a lot away from reading it, but there are others who this book might be better for.
TW: acephobia, racism, abandonment, alcohol, blood, bullying, classism, cursing, gaslighting, injury, fire, medical content, mental illness, physical abuse, rape (off page), murder (MMIGW) (off page), emotional abuse, abortion, sexual assault, sexual violence, toxic relationship
March 27, 2022
The Summer of Bitter and Sweet
by Jen Ferguson
HarperCollins Children's Books, Heartdrum
Pub date: May 10
That fabulous cover drew me to Jen Ferguson's debut novel, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, unlike any book I've read before. The MC Lou is a Métis Native who lives a harsh, difficult, and confusing existence on a Canadian prairie. She helps her family survive as they run a financially shaky ice cream shack. Her mother, a bead artist, quits her low-paying traumatic job to go on the road selling her wares. And Lou's best friend soon leaves to explore dreams elsewhere, while her ex-best friend unexpectedly returns.
As the title says, there are both bitter and sweetness in the gripping story, told through fully-fleshed emotionally real characters. An impressive debut!
CW: Rape and partner abuse.
This novel is released under HarperCollins' Heartdrum imprint -- which features intertribal voices, visions, and stories on Indian Country and the strength of young Native heroes -- in partnership with We Need Diverse Books.
Thanks to author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#TheSummerofBitterandSweet
#JenFerguson #Heartdrum #NetGalley #ownvoicesfiction #CanadianMetisNovel
#comingofagefiction #diversityinfiction
#bookstagramcommunity
by Jen Ferguson
HarperCollins Children's Books, Heartdrum
Pub date: May 10
That fabulous cover drew me to Jen Ferguson's debut novel, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, unlike any book I've read before. The MC Lou is a Métis Native who lives a harsh, difficult, and confusing existence on a Canadian prairie. She helps her family survive as they run a financially shaky ice cream shack. Her mother, a bead artist, quits her low-paying traumatic job to go on the road selling her wares. And Lou's best friend soon leaves to explore dreams elsewhere, while her ex-best friend unexpectedly returns.
As the title says, there are both bitter and sweetness in the gripping story, told through fully-fleshed emotionally real characters. An impressive debut!
CW: Rape and partner abuse.
This novel is released under HarperCollins' Heartdrum imprint -- which features intertribal voices, visions, and stories on Indian Country and the strength of young Native heroes -- in partnership with We Need Diverse Books.
Thanks to author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#TheSummerofBitterandSweet
#JenFerguson #Heartdrum #NetGalley #ownvoicesfiction #CanadianMetisNovel
#comingofagefiction #diversityinfiction
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June 17, 2022
A wonderful debut YA novel featuring Lou, a demi/asexual Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies. Ferguson masterfully balances the light with the dark as Lou struggles with generational trauma, family secrets and her sexuality over a summer working with her friends at the family creamery.
I really loved the care the author put into the content warning note at both the beginning and end of the book not to mention the AMAZING queer and BIPOC rep in the main characters. The story doesn't shy away from talking about violence against Indigenous women as well as sexual assault, rape and incidents of racism. Sprinkled throughout, however, are lighter notes at the beginning of each chapter about interesting ice cream flavors and color facts which I enjoyed so much and found helped break up the heavier tones of the story.
Great on audio narrated by Julie Lumsden and highly recommended for fans of The fire-keepers daughter by Angeline Boulley. I can't wait to see what's next by this author and am really excited for Heartdrum, the new HarperCollins imprint focused on Indigenous stories and authors.
I really loved the care the author put into the content warning note at both the beginning and end of the book not to mention the AMAZING queer and BIPOC rep in the main characters. The story doesn't shy away from talking about violence against Indigenous women as well as sexual assault, rape and incidents of racism. Sprinkled throughout, however, are lighter notes at the beginning of each chapter about interesting ice cream flavors and color facts which I enjoyed so much and found helped break up the heavier tones of the story.
Great on audio narrated by Julie Lumsden and highly recommended for fans of The fire-keepers daughter by Angeline Boulley. I can't wait to see what's next by this author and am really excited for Heartdrum, the new HarperCollins imprint focused on Indigenous stories and authors.
May 3, 2022
More of a 4.5, but it deserves the round up.
Thank you so much to Epic Reads and Harper Collins for the finished copy of The Summer of Bitter and Sweet!
This book deserves so much recognition. Jen's writing is phenomenal, the dialogue is perfect, and the characterization is some of the best. I think I would read anything Jen writes if its all like this.
The Summer of Bitter and Sweet isn't easy to read. The story hits hard. Jen doesn't shy away, but she also includes a very nice trigger warning list right before the story starts (I fell in love with Jen right there. She comes across as someone kind and so caring).
The world needs more Lous and Kings. Flawed humans who are working so hard to be the best versions of themselves for those they love.
Thank you so much to Epic Reads and Harper Collins for the finished copy of The Summer of Bitter and Sweet!
This book deserves so much recognition. Jen's writing is phenomenal, the dialogue is perfect, and the characterization is some of the best. I think I would read anything Jen writes if its all like this.
The Summer of Bitter and Sweet isn't easy to read. The story hits hard. Jen doesn't shy away, but she also includes a very nice trigger warning list right before the story starts (I fell in love with Jen right there. She comes across as someone kind and so caring).
The world needs more Lous and Kings. Flawed humans who are working so hard to be the best versions of themselves for those they love.
June 26, 2022
Can I rate this six stars? This book is what the world needs to read. I would say the best part is the author’s note, when everything is put together and with her perspective. The author wants to empower people, and I’m so happy I happened to pick up this book.
June 1, 2022
3.5/5
December 4, 2022
the little facts before each chapter were cool
May 21, 2022
A beautifully written coming of age story that's perfectly titled for its blend of sweet, bitter, and everything in between. Ferguson's prose is deeply lyrical with a distinct rhythm to its repeats and cycles, as she depicts a teen girl's pivotal summer before leaving the land, the family, and the friends she loves to start college. The story contains a lot of hardship, both external and internal, as Lou confronts racism, brutal abuse, threats from her newly-released-from-prison genetic father, generational trauma, and sexual coercion from her boyfriend. She also sells ice cream, builds deep friendships, talks to cows, reads paleontology websites, has a joyous date on the edge of a field of bison, and finds new ways of defining her relationship to love, her heritage, and her sense of truth. It's a lot, but Ferguson blends it all brilliantly, creating a realistic portrait of a girl who's only just beginning to figure it all out. She also weaves in thematic meditations on various spectra, from red to violet, from hard to soft, from past to future, from clear wanting to not-so-clear withdrawal.
Full of vivid imagery and memorable characters, I hope this one finds its way to lots of teen readers, especially those struggling to embrace the parts of themselves society doesn't always deem acceptable, the parts the world doesn't always have words for, and sometimes, the parts the world has too many words for. Those teens will find themselves in this book, told through words that never sugar coat or pander or condescend. Stick around for the note from the author at the end as well. You won't escape this one without a few Big Feels, and without learning a few things. Maybe about Canadian culture and history, particularly in relationship to Indigenous life on the prairies. Maybe about the stories we tell and how or why we tell them. Maybe about ice cream. One way or another, this book leaves its mark on the heart, and isn't that what we always hope a good book will do?
Full of vivid imagery and memorable characters, I hope this one finds its way to lots of teen readers, especially those struggling to embrace the parts of themselves society doesn't always deem acceptable, the parts the world doesn't always have words for, and sometimes, the parts the world has too many words for. Those teens will find themselves in this book, told through words that never sugar coat or pander or condescend. Stick around for the note from the author at the end as well. You won't escape this one without a few Big Feels, and without learning a few things. Maybe about Canadian culture and history, particularly in relationship to Indigenous life on the prairies. Maybe about the stories we tell and how or why we tell them. Maybe about ice cream. One way or another, this book leaves its mark on the heart, and isn't that what we always hope a good book will do?
June 12, 2022
This was the first time I read alongside the audiobook and I highly recommend that because as I was crying and my vision got blurry I still had the audio to listen to. This book was intense. There were a lot of heavy topics being discussed but also a lot of sweet moments which balanced out some of the bitter ones.
Please check the content and trigger warnings before reading this book. Some include racism, discussions around rape, toxic relationships, assault and hate crime, gaslighting and sexual violence.
I really enjoyed getting to know Lou’s family and the found family aspects within this story made me happy. We get to see Lou and her coming to self discovery with herself and her identities. This book is raw and intense but also has softer moments within to create the sweetness in the title. Lou’s friends were supportive yet each had their own issues to get through and I wish more spotlight was on them only to flush them out more and get to know them better. I absolutely loved King.
I definitely recommend checking Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ reviewers for the representation being discussed.
Thank you Harper Collins Canada Frenzy for the ARC and for hosting this lovely read-along.
Please check the content and trigger warnings before reading this book. Some include racism, discussions around rape, toxic relationships, assault and hate crime, gaslighting and sexual violence.
I really enjoyed getting to know Lou’s family and the found family aspects within this story made me happy. We get to see Lou and her coming to self discovery with herself and her identities. This book is raw and intense but also has softer moments within to create the sweetness in the title. Lou’s friends were supportive yet each had their own issues to get through and I wish more spotlight was on them only to flush them out more and get to know them better. I absolutely loved King.
I definitely recommend checking Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ reviewers for the representation being discussed.
Thank you Harper Collins Canada Frenzy for the ARC and for hosting this lovely read-along.
December 5, 2023
#Gifted @FierceReads #HeartDrum
I had almost no expectations going into this book, and ended up really enjoying it! The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson is a the story of a Métis teen navigating her sexuality and her relationship with those around her, all while grappling with confrontations with her white father who raped her mother. She’s dealing with things that are too big for her to handle on her own, although she tries, and learns the importance of community and relying on them to help you. The story was engaging, and the character development really drove the story for me. It opened up discussions about race and the proximity to whiteness. And showed us what healthy relationships can look like.
In her author’s note, Ferguson talks about not having literature growing up that reflected her as an Indigenous or asexual person and wishing she had that. I think she achieved something great with this book in giving future generations of Native and queer youth a book that might resonate with them. I mourn what I didn’t have growing up, but I celebrate the future for our kids. It gives me hope.
I had almost no expectations going into this book, and ended up really enjoying it! The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson is a the story of a Métis teen navigating her sexuality and her relationship with those around her, all while grappling with confrontations with her white father who raped her mother. She’s dealing with things that are too big for her to handle on her own, although she tries, and learns the importance of community and relying on them to help you. The story was engaging, and the character development really drove the story for me. It opened up discussions about race and the proximity to whiteness. And showed us what healthy relationships can look like.
In her author’s note, Ferguson talks about not having literature growing up that reflected her as an Indigenous or asexual person and wishing she had that. I think she achieved something great with this book in giving future generations of Native and queer youth a book that might resonate with them. I mourn what I didn’t have growing up, but I celebrate the future for our kids. It gives me hope.
April 26, 2022
Thank you so much to HCC frenzy for an arc of this book!!
I loved reading a book set in the prairies, I'm from the East Coast but the setting felt so real and evocative. It did take me a few chapters to get into the writing style but I was hooked after that and read the book in one sitting!
I did feel that some of the side characters could have been more fleshed out, and the 'villain' felt quite cartoonish. However, Lou made it for it with her strong character growth and believable journey.
So much important representation in here as well! Really glad I read this
I loved reading a book set in the prairies, I'm from the East Coast but the setting felt so real and evocative. It did take me a few chapters to get into the writing style but I was hooked after that and read the book in one sitting!
I did feel that some of the side characters could have been more fleshed out, and the 'villain' felt quite cartoonish. However, Lou made it for it with her strong character growth and believable journey.
So much important representation in here as well! Really glad I read this
Read
June 22, 2022Graded By: Amanda B.
Cover Story: Beading Is Medicine
BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Poetic and Real
Bonus Factors: Alberta Landmarks Abound!, Tasty Business
Anti-Bonus Factor: A Little on the Nose
Relationship Status: One and Done
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Beading Is Medicine
BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Poetic and Real
Bonus Factors: Alberta Landmarks Abound!, Tasty Business
Anti-Bonus Factor: A Little on the Nose
Relationship Status: One and Done
Read the full book report here.
April 9, 2023
I wish I could read this book for the first time again
April 20, 2024
sobbing and crying i love family centered books sm
omg i loved this book oml
omg i loved this book oml
July 2, 2023
This book is truly so phenomenal, and I want to say that I’m shocked I haven’t seen it around bookstagram more, but sadly… it doesn’t really surprise me? Queer booksta is super whitewashed, and I almost never see Indigenous stories highlighted, especially not those that really delve into such serious topics as The Summer of Bitter and Sweet does. This book is definitely one that deserves the spotlight.
While it is a ya coming of age story, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet absolutely does not shy away from the harsh realities of being Indigenous on the Canadian prairie. This book deals heavily with anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism, both outwardly from white peers and authority figures as well as internalized racism and intergenerational trauma. It is not a light read, but it tells a story that so often gets swept under the rug.
I found the exploration of intergenerational trauma to be very powerful, especially as it is intertwined with sexual assault and the wounds we pass down from generation to generation. Lou spends the book questioning why she never wanted to have sex with her boyfriend, and theorizes that it is because of her family’s history with assault— that history has made her “frigid”. While this mindset is not questioned in the book itself, the author’s note at the end challenges this stereotype of asexuality. People are not asexual because they have been assaulted; these two truths can coexist but do not influence the other.
I picked this book up because of the asexual rep, and while it was much quieter than I expected, I still really enjoyed and appreciated Lou’s story. It isn’t until the end of the book that Lou realizes that she might be asexual, that that is the reason for her apathy toward sex, but the conversation between her and King was treated with such care and emotion. When the book ends, Lou still doesn’t have all the answers about herself or her sexuality, and that’s okay! It is okay to still be questioning, to not have everything figured out.
There is so much more to this story that I could talk about— the sweet estranged-best-friends-to-lovers romance, King and the absolute sweetheart he is, the stunning prose, the amazing side characters, and even the author’s note. The Summer of Bitter and Sweet is indeed a very bittersweet story, one of trauma and self discovery and resistance. It is a story that not only needs to be told, but needs to be listened to and talked about.
While it is a ya coming of age story, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet absolutely does not shy away from the harsh realities of being Indigenous on the Canadian prairie. This book deals heavily with anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism, both outwardly from white peers and authority figures as well as internalized racism and intergenerational trauma. It is not a light read, but it tells a story that so often gets swept under the rug.
I found the exploration of intergenerational trauma to be very powerful, especially as it is intertwined with sexual assault and the wounds we pass down from generation to generation. Lou spends the book questioning why she never wanted to have sex with her boyfriend, and theorizes that it is because of her family’s history with assault— that history has made her “frigid”. While this mindset is not questioned in the book itself, the author’s note at the end challenges this stereotype of asexuality. People are not asexual because they have been assaulted; these two truths can coexist but do not influence the other.
I picked this book up because of the asexual rep, and while it was much quieter than I expected, I still really enjoyed and appreciated Lou’s story. It isn’t until the end of the book that Lou realizes that she might be asexual, that that is the reason for her apathy toward sex, but the conversation between her and King was treated with such care and emotion. When the book ends, Lou still doesn’t have all the answers about herself or her sexuality, and that’s okay! It is okay to still be questioning, to not have everything figured out.
There is so much more to this story that I could talk about— the sweet estranged-best-friends-to-lovers romance, King and the absolute sweetheart he is, the stunning prose, the amazing side characters, and even the author’s note. The Summer of Bitter and Sweet is indeed a very bittersweet story, one of trauma and self discovery and resistance. It is a story that not only needs to be told, but needs to be listened to and talked about.
June 19, 2022
This is a beautiful, complex, and heartfelt story, and it was such a treat to get to know these characters. My thoughts on this book are in this wrap up video.
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