January Release: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

So, time for a January Release post! These will be a bit like Waiting on Wednesday, only published much closer to their release date.

A simple but sweet cover

My Pick: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler 

Release date: January 3rd

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…

I'm not usually one for pure romances, like this one first appeared to be. But on further inspection you can see that it's about more than teenage love; it's about rediscovery, about all sorts of emotions, about the past and about the future, and most of all it's about how life throws things your way that you're never going to be prepared for. 

The characters are well-rounded and believable; there's Hudson, who used to be an ice-skater, but after her parents' divorce she gave it up and now only secretly skates on Lake Erie, when she's not making cupcakes or helping her mom and brother at the diner they run. Then there's Josh; a hockey player who could seem stereotypical, but from other reviews I've read he seems to be a very likeable character who doesn't have it all, but has a lot to gain. Their story isn't just cute, it's believable, and I'm sure this will be a good read for anyone looking for a fun, but not overly simple or boring story.

The summary makes it seem  like a less remarkable story than I hope it will be, but we'll just have to wait and see. Perhaps it will be a good first venture into this very romantic setting - being so used to dystopian and adventure, I know I might take a while to adjust to this kind of plot, but I'm willing to give it a try!

Allie