Bittersweet is the first book in Sarina Bowen’s new Vermont foodie series True North. I loved most of her Ivy Years series so when I had a credit from Amazon I decided to give this one a go. It was free, what did I have to lose?
Griff Shipley is an ex-attempted pro football player, organic apple farmer in Vermont. I know, that’s a hell of a bio. Audrey Kidder was a 2 night stand in college, and now a trained chef trying to work her way up the corporate ladder of a big Boston restaurant conglomerate. When they send Audrey out on the road to secure fresh farm-to-table goodies from Vermont we get our second meet cute 5 years later. Sparks obviously fly, and the story unfolds from there.
It was… okay? Things I enjoyed: Bowen’s writing is pretty light and fun, a relatively low amount of melodrama (especially compared to some of her others), but these characters are in their 20’s so there’s less angst overall. Also, it was pretty steamy. Griff and Audrey are both adults who are very attracted to each other, and they act on it. Good for them! Especially because they don’t turn into pod people after the fact being all non-communicative about mixing up sex and feelings. It was nice that way. Also Griff’s Star Wars obsession was pretty cute. Thank you for that one Ms. Bowen.
The less enjoyable? I didn’t need to be preached to repeatedly about everyone who isn’t organic farmers “poisoning the world”. But that is a rant that I do not want to get into today. As well there’s this whole backstory with Audrey and her mom being the wicked witch of the west that got wrapped up in a cute little bow that felt unnecessary. Also, I assumed, I don’t know why, but I did, that with Bittersweet being the title this would be about a chocolatier. Instead it’s about apples and hard cider. Still delicious, but subconsciously a letdown as Ms. Florand of the Amour and Chocolat series has ruined me for anything chocolate related as a title.
Anywho, a decent enough entry in Ms. Bowen’s library. I don’t know if I’ll read the second in the series (it’s going to be a recovering drug addict and the guy he accidentally killed sister: too much drum und strang I think), but the third one should be fun enough when it comes.
Man, you keep beating me to the review punch. I need to get my tush in gear.
I have to write my review within 48 hours of finishing or it ain’t gonna happen. I’ve learned that the hard way. I often now wish to go back and edit reviews after giving them more time to percolate, but I’m lazy so it’s pretty much first impressions all the way.
I know that I am becoming more and more harshly picky when something like “I didn’t need to be preached to repeatedly about everyone who isn’t organic farmers “poisoning the world”” is enough to keep a book off TBR. I loved The Ivy Years, but I’ll never run out of stuff to read and I’m getting tired of getting randomly irritated by my (supposed-to-be) pleasure reads.