Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler *spoiler alert*

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 378 pgs
Series: not a series

Summary
Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.
So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.
It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last. (quoted from goodreads)

Review
Bittersweet is not the kind of book I usually read, but since it is on the BFYA reading list, and since it seems to have mostly good reviews I decided to give it a try. I am glad that I read this novel for not only is it interesting, it also gave readers a chance to see into the very realistic life of Hudson Avery and learn a life lesson of our own. Something that I have noticed about contemporary novels is that they never turn out the way one thinks they will.
I am very envious of Hudson because she is such a perfect daughter, an awesome older sister and the way she somehow miraculously seems to be keeping everything together with everthing that she is going through is just plain amazing, but she is also a tad too wimpy for my taste. My favorite character is Hudson's little brother, Bug he is just sooo adorable, and I love that he is such a little geek! Of the two boys interested in Hudson-Will and Josh, Will is my favorite because he genuinely seems to understand Hudson and wants the best for her, like when he figures out that Hudson has feelings for Josh he doesn't get angry, he just accepts the fact and tells her that she should tell him. there is nothing wrong with Josh he is actually pretty dreamy and really nice, but I just can't bring my self to like him better than Will, its probably because the "bad" boy always appeals to me more.
My favorite thing about this novel is that all the chapters are named after cupcakes. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a light read and thinks that being there for your family is important.

Favorite Quotes

• No powdery residue. But definitely suspicious. Smell." He slides a makeup catalog from beneath a microscope made out of a plate, a toilet paper roll, and an intricate arrangement of pipe cleaners. "Any ideas?"I take a scientific whiff. "Gardenia. Looks like those Mary Kay terrorists are at it again.” 
• “Everyone says that the internet is so awesome because you can connect with people from all over the world, but I think it’s the opposite. The internet doesn’t make it easier to connect with anyone—it just makes it so you don’t really have to.” 
• “He turned the entire living room into an airport, complete with a four-foot-high LEGO traffic control tower and a fleet of paper planes, plastic army pilots taped safely into their cockpits. From deep beneath the couch, a large utility flashlight illuminates some sort of...landing strip? I crouch down for a better look.Oh. My. God.Stuck to the carpet in parallel, unbroken paths from one wall to the other are two lanes of brand-new maxi pads. Plastic dinosaurs stand guard at every fourth pad–triceratops and T rexes on one side, brontosauruses and pterodactyls on the other–protecting the airport from enemy aircraft and/or heavy flow.”