Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian is a book has everything you could possibly want: summer vibes, ice cream, feminism, and friendship. I loved the ice cream parlour setting, and the main character is a strong leader. This book is cute and has an empowering message, and I would definitely recommend it.
Title: Stay SweetAuthor: Siobhan Vivian
Also by this author: The Last Boy and Girl in the World
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: April 24, 2018
Rating:
Summer in Sand Lake isn’t complete without a trip to Meade Creamery—the local ice cream stand founded in 1944 by Molly Meade who started making ice cream to cheer up her lovesick girlfriends while all the boys were away at war. Since then, the stand has been owned and managed exclusively by local girls, who inevitably become the best of friends. Seventeen-year-old Amelia and her best friend Cate have worked at the stand every summer for the past three years, and Amelia is “Head Girl” at the stand this summer. When Molly passes away before Amelia even has her first day in charge, Amelia isn’t sure that the stand can go on. That is, until Molly’s grandnephew Grady arrives and asks Amelia to stay on to help continue the business…but Grady’s got some changes in mind…
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian
This book is just the summery read that I’ve been waiting for. It tells the story of a summer spent working at an ice cream parlour founded in 1944. When the original owner, the only one who knows how to make the ice cream, passes away and the business is taken over by a boy, it is up to Amelia, the current Head Girl, to try and save the business. I loved the diary entries from 1944 that explain how the shop is founded. It is almost as though the book is two stories in one. I also enjoyed reading about the rituals the girls partake in each summer, since the little things are what make the story so wholesome. The romance is a bit unnecessary in my opinion, but it doesn’t take away too much from the plot.
❀ Perfect Setting
The setting of Stay Sweet is absolutely perfect. It takes place in an ice cream parlour run entirely by girls. I loved their teamwork and the strong bond between each of them. Since the history of the creamery is so rich, it makes the setting that much more intriguing and even creates some suspense. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with this setting before, and I definitely enjoyed the summery vibes it brings.
❀ Likeable Main Character
Amelia is a likeable main character and an excellent leader. She is so hard-working and determined to preserve the creamery. I enjoyed how she is respectful and uses her power as Head Girl for the best. I did find her to be a bit too submissive at times, however, and she just does whatever Grady says, even if it means abandoning the girls. I would have liked to see her stick up for herself a little more and defy Grady, especially since the book is meant to emphasize the power of women.
❀ Cute and Summery
Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian is a cute summery book about managing an ice cream parlour without the original owner. I loved the setting and the journal entries from 1944. The main character is likeable, and she is the perfect person to manage the shop. Overall, this book is the perfect read to get you ready for summer.
About Siobhan Vivian
Siobhan Vivian is the author of THE LAST BOY AND GIRL IN THE WORLD (April 2016), as well as THE LIST, NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL, SAME DIFFERENCE, and A LITTLE FRIENDLY ADVICE. She also co-wrote BURN FOR BURN series with her best friend JENNY HAN. She currently lives in Pittsburgh.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
Okay. I’m sold! Putting this on my list for the summer. Great review!
I hope that you love it! 🙂
Oh such a lovely review! I’ve been seeing this one around a little bit and it sounds just like my kind of read, sweet and with a great main character 😀 I’ll have to add it to my TBR 😀 Thank you for sharing! 🙂
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It is a wonderful read for a summer tbr. 🙂
Great review! I have this on my TBR and I’m so glad you loved it! It really sounds like a perfect summer read! 🙂
It really is! I hope that you enjoy it, too. 🙂
This looks adorable and I really like that cover. I’m adding this to my TBR. Great review!
Stephanie’s Book Reviews recently posted…Review: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
This sounds cute, cute, cute! I definitely would love to read this one, sitting by a pool or lake!
This book literally sounds the cutest! I’m hoping to read my copy of it it this week since everyone has been raving about it and that just makes me even more hyped to pick it up! Lovely review 🙂
Wonderful review! I like the points you’ve mentioned, they’re quite helpful for anyone looking to purchase the book, which is exactly what a review is supposed to do, haha😄
Phantom Paper recently posted…Starlings by Jo Walton (Book Review)
Definitively a sweet read. I think the review is nice!!
Sounds like a cute book, and love the cover; thanks for the review!