Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
Published by Simon & Schuster on January 3, 2012
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 378
Format: Hardcover
Source: ALA, Publisher
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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...

Sarah Ockler is quickly becoming a big name in YA contemporary and Bittersweet may be her best book yet.  Bittersweet is the perfect mix of fun, fresh, romantic, and angsty.  It definitely has a little something for every reader.

Hudson is not a perfect main character.  In fact, she is very flawed.  She is selfish, rude, and sometimes mean.  However, these are some of the main reasons why I loved her.  She is a typical teenager yet she is forced to grow up early in life.  She pays bills, she watches her little brother, she works, and she goes to school.  She is very responsible, loving, caring, and sometimes sweet.  She is a multi-faceted character who you can’t help but root for.

Hudson’s brother, Bug, was my favorite.  He was so odd and cute!  I dare you not to fall in love with him.  Hudson’s mom and dad aren’t as easy to love.  Her dad left them when he divorced their mom and he very rarely gets in touch. Their mom is always working and always forcing Hudson to miss out on things so she can watch Bug or work at the diner.  Hudson’s best friend, Dani, is fun and quirky but she has her bad moments.  Admittedly, Hudson probably deserved those moments.  As for the boys, I loved them all.  Each hockey boy was unique in his own way and totally hilarious.  Then there were Will and Josh.  Will was a lot more vulnerable than he let on and he was a good guy.  Josh, though, stole my heart.  He was sweet, caring, funny, nice, and a little mysterious.  He was one-of-a-kind.  He and Hudson has some pretty funny interactions throughout the book that cracked me up.

The story doesn’t immediately grab your attention but it really does take very little time for you to get into the book.  The first 30 or 40 pages set up the backstory and from then on the book is very gripping.  There wasn’t a ton of stuff going on but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a 100% awesome story that will keep you reading late into the night.

Overall, Bittersweet has earned a place on my favorites shelf.  This super cute contemporary is one that you will want to read over and over again.