Confession time, I didn’t read one YA book last year! Looking back over the titles I read and reviewed in 2022, I saw I’d shared lots of self-help, how-to’s  and gardening books instead. Don’t get me wrong, I adore those genres and will continue to share them, but I also want to add some other genres to the mix, including fun YA titles. Today. I’m reviewing my first YA book of 2023, Sugaring Off, by Gillian French. This is my first book of hers I’ve read as well, but hopefully, I’ll be sharing more of her work this year. 



First Book Review of 2023! 





Sugaring Off by Gillian French


As a Workman Publishing Book Ambassador, I received a complimentary hardcover copy of Sugaring Off for review purposes. All opinions are my own.




About Sugaring Off by Gillian French:


Genre: Teens &  YA 14-18, Published 11/23/22 by Algonquin Readers/Workman Publishing 




As a book ambassador for Workman Publishing, I receive an email invitation to review books on a monthly basis. Sugaring Off was one of their December selections and the book jacket design (by Aurora Parlagreco) and synopsis drew me in.




Sugaring Off book jacket design
Courtesy:Workman Publishing 




The email book synopsis read: 


 In this stunning young adult read, an incident with eight-year-old Owl’s father left her partially deaf and her father sentenced to ten years in prison. What followed was a change in custody, a new chosen name, and a move to rural New Hampshire. Years later, Owl finds an unexpected confidant in Cody, and what begins as begrudging tolerance soon thaws into understanding before growing into an unexpected attraction and trust. But Cody has come to the mountain to hide from something, and it’s only a matter of time before it puts them both in danger.” 



I was instantly intrigued for many reasons. The girl's name is very unique. I wanted to know how she came to be called Owl. I’ve always wanted to visit New Hampshire, especially during the fall so I can gaze upon the beauty of the changing leaves and the last reason was my need to find out just what sugaring off entailed. 




Sugaring Off Definition:


According to Webster’s Dictionary it means 1. the act or process of converting maple syrup into sugar and 2. a party held at the time of sugaring off 


Both of these meanings are vividly brought to life in this well written and engrossing story. 





My Thoughts:


I truly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Owl’s character is so well written, I could see her interacting with her family, her friends at school, and then, Cody; the boy her Uncle hired to help with their sugar bush farm. Much to Owl’s dismay, Cody shows up on their property and walks out to tap the Maples like he’s done it a thousand times. That bristles Owl to no end, as does the fact that this clearly “city boy” doesn’t make any mistakes and treats Owl like she’s invisible. You can imagine how well this goes over with a 17 year old girl! 



Once the ice is broken between Owl and Cody, and the pace of the operation starts ramping up, Owl starts gleaning more details about Cody’s past and why he’s at their farm. He learns that she’s deaf in one ear and why. When you shae private matters like these two did, a bond naturally forms. 


Unfortunately, trouble in the form of a very bad man has followed Cody into town and nobody is safe until this man finds Cody and gets what's his! This puts the teens and their families in serious danger.  Owl and Cody literally have to run for their lives in a blizzard! 





The Takeaway:


I enjoyed learning about the art of harvesting and producing Maple syrup. I also enjoyed learning about the indigenous tribes of the area, the Passamaquoddy and the Maliseet. Each character is so vividly written that I could see them. Each winter scene was so detailed, I could feel the cold as I turned the pages on this wonderful page turner of a book. The ending was fanciful, with Owl and Cody surviving every tough obstacle that came their way. 





Sugaring Off Book
Courtesy:Workman Publishing 





I highly recommend this book! You can learn more about Sugaring Off and the author, Gillian French on Workman Publishing here.  




I’m on Goodreads:


I’m hopeful that this year I’ll do better at cataloging books I’ve read and books I’d love to read, so please feel free to follow me on Goodreads so I can see what you’ve read. I’ve set my yearly challenge at 20 books there too! Have you set your yearly reading challenge number yet?




Happy Reading!




Please share in comments: What’s the first book you’ve read this year?



SHARE 2 comments

Add your comment

© My WAHM Plan · THEME BY WATDESIGNEXPRESS