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sleeson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I didn’t really understand it. Graphic sexual content but not in very romantic way. More so, working in a restaurant hookup kind of way. Lots of swearing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, and Sexual content
evelynashworth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship
milliebrierley's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Drug use
maartabarrales's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I hate that this is quickly becoming my to go criticism, but I think this book was in desperate need of some ruthless editing.
While the premise sounds fine to me, “Devil wears Prada of the restaurant industry” it is not enough to carry an entire book, especially not a three hundred paged one.
I would have been pleased to just spend a year in the life of this girl, without any major conflicts, just watching her learn and grow. I’m trash for that most of the time. But with books of that sort you’re usually allowed some color beyond the gimmick, you get to see different aspects of the protagonist’s life or become invested in the people that surround them. In Sweetbitter though, the entire book is comprised of stumbling at the job, drinking and snorting at the closest dive bar and pining over a guy that is exactly the kind to complain about hipsters and girls who wear makeup.
I was simultaneously exhilarated and puzzled at the main character’s shock when her relationship goes sour, her refusal to see this guy as the dick he is was amusingly frustrating.
Tess’ relationship with Simone was definitely more interesting, never to the point where either of them become more than mere sketches of people, but you gotta work with what you have.
It felt clear to me from the beginning that Tess wanted, in a way, to become Simone. She wanted her knowledge and poise and envied her relationship with Jake (the crush) I found it funny that what undoes her in the end is the knowledge that Simone and Jake are going on vacation without her. That neither of them considered it important to inform her, much less invite her.
Some accusations of grooming and sexual assault are thrown at Simone in the last stretch, but nothing is ever confirmed and it all felt like a last minute attempt to make her into a villain on the author’s part.
Despite this, I still feel like the book has potential, perhaps as a short story, or free of a few hundred pages it would have felt more solid. I wouldn’t recommend it as it is, it has a common enough concept that there are a few better alternatives out there.
Kudos on the cover though, it’s gorgeous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
siebensommer's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
once, when we were wild, sugar intoxicated us. the first narcotic we craved and languished in. we’ve tamed, refined it. but the juice from a peach still runs like a flash flood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Drug abuse
orireading's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content
littlemoonlibrarian's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
mmatti300's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Vomit
annamariemapes's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
poppyseedbagel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, Misogyny, and Sexism