Reviews with content warning for Vomit - Sweetbitter

I started reading this because I needed a follow up to season one of The Bear and this was the only novel I knew of set in a restaurant.

It’s almost a Sad Girl Book but the main character is too…naive to be a sad girl. I do like the all vibes no plot feel of the story but at the same time a lot of moments seem to happen just so the characters can wax poetic, or so Tess can practice her new, refined way of thinking.

I wanted more scenes in the restaurant but I understand that’s my bias, since I’m searching for restaurant books.

The Jake, Simone, Tess triangle was interesting but even in the end there were no real answers. There are vibes but they’re always obscured, abstracted, etc.

There are no lessons learned.

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mollywill's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

mmatti300's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m giving this a 5 because a 4.75 feels petty and 4.5 feels like not enough. Sweetbitter sucked me in. I fell in love with the absurd, irrational, unlikeable characters in a heartbeat. I found myself wanting more, insatiably drawn to Danler’s writing and the emotions that she evoked. The only reason this is on the cusp of a 5 is because I’m not sure I would want to reread it, and I’m not certain that I will remember most aspects of the novel in even a week. However, the complex relationship between Simone, Tess, and Jake is one that I devoured more than Tess devoured oysters at the Oyster bar. Danler’s decision to not reveal Tess’ name until the halfway point, when Jake finally notices her and she is fully ingratiated into the restaurant’s dynamics was a stunning choice that really resonated with me. I also think the way that we slowly learn about Simone and Jake’s history with Tess was a stunning decision, especially the fact that we never get a full grasp of what their true relationship is. Anyway, a solid read for lovers of 20-something coming of age’s, dark academia-esque plots (though there’s no school or murder), or slightly gay contemporaries.

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