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A review by andra_mihaela_s
Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is my first small town romance and I can definitely say I will be reading more Sarina Bowen!
Griffin Shiply and Audrey Kidder are great main characters with a steamy but serene/calm love story.Perfect if you want a break from other genres or you're just tired with the drama normally found in this category.
Both of them are full grown adults with dreams AND realistic expectations about themselves and others around them. I really liked the way Bowen created these people who should not work togheter as well as they do!
Griff is a accidental farmer and cider maker. Audrey is an aspiring chef with a middleman job that pays terribly. Their common history only adds to the narrative and gives the reader a sense of understanding in regards to their approach to relationships. Insecurities, confusion, a bit of misscomnication that is 100% normal to exist, and some issues are well balanced with the confidence they have in their affair.
I consider all of this a sign of a great author! ^^
I have very few negative points to share, so I will start with them:
- sometimes the calm atmosphere of the book can create a loss of interest if you don't specifically search for a slow, takes-it's-time book or if you aren't in the mood to read it.
-Audrey's mom gets a lot of bad rep without fully presenting the picture to the reader..it felt like her choices in life are all wrong, instead of just different. This I don't understand, given the fact Bowen makes it clear that Audrey's decisions and passion are just as valid and important as someone's else desire to rule a company instead of working in a kitchen. I think Karen Kidder should have gotten at least a chapter in order to explain why she is that way, and WHY she behaved that way at the end of the book.
-I'd wished for Audrey a better job in the end...what Bowen decided to give her did not fully fit the story unless she added some more uncertainty in Audrey's mind...which she didn't.
Positive aspects:
+atmosphere is 10+ (small town during harvest season)
+good chemistry between the MCs
+great scenes between the protagonists (both steamy AND cuddly ones ^_^ rare to find from my experience!)
+mature protagonists, no drama and real expectations in a relationship
+no bow-tided ending
+side characters got enough screentime in order to hook the reader for a future story, but still preserve the focus on the 2 MCs; also they felt alive and complex, not just cardboard people standing around
+satisfying amount of info on the main ocupations of the protagonists..feels like the author knows a little about what their writing (just the impression I got after reading, no actual knowledge about farming or cooking to backup my statement)
+good ending(realistic, open and bright, stable for the couple with no over-the-top grand gestures)
+female friendship (pretty much friendship in general), familly love and support
+realistic approach to solving problems
+positive view on people recovering from substance abuse
+cleverly used time jumps
So, these are the main things I wanted to say about "Bittersweet". Definitely a great book for summer and fall ,with a beautifull atmosphere and feel to it.Perfect for readers wanting a change of pace!I highly recommend this one!
Enjoy
Griffin Shiply and Audrey Kidder are great main characters with a steamy but serene/calm love story.Perfect if you want a break from other genres or you're just tired with the drama normally found in this category.
Both of them are full grown adults with dreams AND realistic expectations about themselves and others around them. I really liked the way Bowen created these people who should not work togheter as well as they do!
Griff is a accidental farmer and cider maker. Audrey is an aspiring chef with a middleman job that pays terribly. Their common history only adds to the narrative and gives the reader a sense of understanding in regards to their approach to relationships. Insecurities, confusion, a bit of misscomnication that is 100% normal to exist, and some issues are well balanced with the confidence they have in their affair.
I consider all of this a sign of a great author! ^^
I have very few negative points to share, so I will start with them:
- sometimes the calm atmosphere of the book can create a loss of interest if you don't specifically search for a slow, takes-it's-time book or if you aren't in the mood to read it.
-Audrey's mom gets a lot of bad rep without fully presenting the picture to the reader..it felt like her choices in life are all wrong, instead of just different. This I don't understand, given the fact Bowen makes it clear that Audrey's decisions and passion are just as valid and important as someone's else desire to rule a company instead of working in a kitchen. I think Karen Kidder should have gotten at least a chapter in order to explain why she is that way, and WHY she behaved that way at the end of the book.
-I'd wished for Audrey a better job in the end...what Bowen decided to give her did not fully fit the story unless she added some more uncertainty in Audrey's mind...which she didn't.
Positive aspects:
+atmosphere is 10+ (small town during harvest season)
+good chemistry between the MCs
+great scenes between the protagonists (both steamy AND cuddly ones ^_^ rare to find from my experience!)
+mature protagonists, no drama and real expectations in a relationship
+no bow-tided ending
+side characters got enough screentime in order to hook the reader for a future story, but still preserve the focus on the 2 MCs; also they felt alive and complex, not just cardboard people standing around
+satisfying amount of info on the main ocupations of the protagonists..feels like the author knows a little about what their writing (just the impression I got after reading, no actual knowledge about farming or cooking to backup my statement)
+good ending(realistic, open and bright, stable for the couple with no over-the-top grand gestures)
+female friendship (pretty much friendship in general), familly love and support
+realistic approach to solving problems
+positive view on people recovering from substance abuse
+cleverly used time jumps
So, these are the main things I wanted to say about "Bittersweet". Definitely a great book for summer and fall ,with a beautifull atmosphere and feel to it.Perfect for readers wanting a change of pace!I highly recommend this one!
Enjoy