The Summer of Bitter and Sweet

In this emotionally charged debut novel by Jen Ferguson, a Métis girl named Lou navigates the complexities of her summer in a small Canadian prairie town while grappling with tumultuous relationships and a haunting family secret. Working in her family's ice-cream shack alongside her former best friend, King, and her newly ex-boyfriend, Lou faces both confusion and unexpected warmth. The story intensifies when she receives a letter from her biological father, a man she hoped to forget, forcing her to confront painful truths about her past and her identity. Awarded honors by the William C. Morris and Stonewall Awards, this narrative delves into themes of rage, resilience, and the myriad spectrums of personal experience.