Bittersweet 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….

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Reviews

“Ockler concocts an appetizing blend of personalities, drama, and passion in a story of bitter disappointments and sweet successes… [Hudson’s] love of the sport is deeply felt, and her regrets about the past and her fears about the future are heart-wrenchingly real.”
— Publishers Weekly

“An entertaining read with an engaging, relatable protagonist. Hudson’s lively first-person narrative is both wry and sympathetic, and it incorporates issues ranging from self-discovery to family and relationship complexities, along with identifying and following your dreams.”
— Booklist

“Bittersweet is a book worth recommending.”
— School Library Journal

“Hudson’s conflicting emotions are richly realized… an engaging and sometimes emotionally challenging read…”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Any reader who has ever wondered or worried about their place in the world will easily connect to this charming, funny novel.”
— Teenreads.com

“If this doesn’t make you want to eat a cupcake, cuddled up under a warm blanket on a cold winters night with a mug of hot chocolate than I don’t know what will. This book is so well crafted from the sweet winter romance, to the icy back drop from the winter season in the small town of Watonka, NY to the ice skating and ice hockey subplots and the deliciously described cupcakes. I adored everything about this well-written story.”
— Mundie Moms