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ClareR (6037 KP) rated Sweetness in the Skin in Books

Mar 18, 2025  
Sweetness in the Skin
Sweetness in the Skin
Ishi Robinson | 2024 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sweetness in the Skin by Ishi Robinson is a heartbreaking AND a heartwarming story. It’s about Pumkin Patterson, a 13 year old girl living with her grandmother, Aunt Sophie and her mother. They live together in a tiny 2 bedroom house on the wrong street in Kingston, Jamaica.

Pumkin has a dream to follow her aunt to live in Paris and open a Patisserie. She just has to get the grades at the school paid for by her aunt. But things conspire against Pumkin, and she has to work harder to get what she wants. She works hard at school, and on top of that, she has to make money by baking and selling her frankly delicious sounding cakes.

I couldn’t help but cheer Pumkin along and hope that she would achieve what she wanted. She’s such a strong character, with some of that fiery teenage attitude (particularly towards her French teacher!).

I listened to this and read it in parts, too, which I’m glad I had the opportunity to do. The spoken Jamaican English was much easier to understand when I listened to it, spoken by Deja Bowens (the narrator). I think it’s important, when possible, to hear the rhythm and cadence of a language and/ or dialect to really understand it.

This was a really strong story with some serious themes - if it’s a YA book, I would be inclined to keep it to older teenagers. Pumkin does suffer some physical abuse at the hands of her mother.
I loved reading about Pumkin’s determination to leave a difficult life behind her - she’s an admirable, courageous character.
  
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Merissa (13489 KP) rated The Trouble with Timekeepers (The Thirteenth Hour #1) in Books

Oct 14, 2021 (Updated Jul 12, 2023)  
The Trouble with Timekeepers (The Thirteenth Hour #1)
The Trouble with Timekeepers (The Thirteenth Hour #1)
Cheree Alsop | 2021 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE TROUBLE WITH TIMEKEEPERS is the first book in a new series by Cheree Alsop, so absolutely I've had to read it!

Cada is an Innate. That means she is able to manipulate time without using a nifty little device like the rest of them. Who are the rest of them? Well, the Timekeepers, of course. The only trouble is, Cada has no idea she's a Timekeeper or what it actually entails. So she is brought into a world with its own rules and regulations, able to change time, but having no idea what she should or shouldn't do. That also brings a fresh perspective to that world, as well as to Cadence herself.

The story is an intricate twist of time and sorrow, heartache and hope. Cada learns that nothing is black and white but can she make a difference? I was completely engrossed in this story and read it in one sitting. The characters are all relatable, even Eternyl - who has a sad story but becomes insane!

One word about the cover itself - GORGEOUS!!! I think it is completely stunning and would look fantastic as a piece of wall art.

I would have loved a bit more at the end, as it felt like some parts were glossed over slightly. Saying that; I did love the ending between Cada and Destyn. I really hope they feature in future books as I thought they were brilliant. I loved entering their world and can't wait to return. Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 14, 2021
  
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Merissa (13489 KP) rated His Lordship's Secret (His Lordship’s Mysteries #1) in Books

Apr 11, 2022 (Updated Jun 26, 2023)  
His Lordship's Secret (His Lordship’s Mysteries #1)
His Lordship's Secret (His Lordship’s Mysteries #1)
Samantha SoRelle | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Mystery, Romance
8
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
HIS LORDSHIP'S SECRET is the first book in the His Lordship's Mysteries and we start off with a bang - quite literally! Alfie is shot and rushes home where his doctor attends him to sew him up. Alfie thinks back to the previous weeks and concludes someone is trying to kill him. But who and why?

What unfolds is a sweet story, full of love and caring amongst the harshness of London's streets in those times. You get a full and rounded description of workhouse conditions, plus what it was like for those not of the upper crust. Along with the bad, you also get the good. The compassion of their peers, the free pie "but don't tell anyone"... It's all here and helps to make this a brilliant, intriguing mystery romance.

The saddest point of all for me was how they had to hide their love due to the consequences if anyone found out. Unfortunately, it's not that far back in the past, and some places still hold the same views. I can't wait for the day when someone reads a story like this and cannot comprehend what it must have been like, simply because it is so widely accepted and normal.

This is the first book by this author I have read and it definitely won't be the last. I love her cadence as she draws you into the story, the lifelike characters, and the situations. Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 8, 2022