Preview
  • Sweetness in the Skin

  • A Novel
  • By: Ishi Robinson
  • Narrated by: Deja Bowens
  • Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (27 ratings)

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Sweetness in the Skin

By: Ishi Robinson
Narrated by: Deja Bowens
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Publisher's summary

“A delightful coming-of-age story set in Jamaica, amid heartbreak, hopefulness, and mirth.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

“Poignant and emotional, with touches of both humor and sorrow. . . . This book makes you think about what it means to be a mother, and what it means to be a good mother.” —Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bridgerton, on Today.com

A winning debut novel about a Jamaican girl determined to bake her way out of her dysfunctional family and into the opportunity of a lifetime.

Pumkin Patterson is a thirteen-year-old girl living in a tiny two-room house in Kingston, Jamaica, with her grandmother (who wants to improve the family’s social standing), her Aunt Sophie (who dreams of a new life in Paris for her and Pumkin), and her mother Paulette (who’s rarely home).

When Sophie is offered the chance to move to France for work, she seizes the opportunity, and promises to send for her niece in one year’s time. All Pumkin has to do is pass her French entrance exam so she can attend school there. But when Pumkin’s grandmother dies, she’s left alone with her volatile mother, and as soon as her estranged father turns up—as lazy and conniving as ever—the household’s fortunes take a turn for the worse.

Pumkin must somehow find a way to raise the money for her French exam, so she can free herself from her household and reunite with her beloved aunt in France. In a moment of ingenuity, she turns her passion for baking into a true business. Making batches of sweet potato pudding, coconut drops and chocolate cakes, Pumkin develops a booming trade—but when her school and her mother find out what she’s up to, everything she’s worked so hard for may slip through her fingers. . . .

Sweetness in the Skin is a funny and heartbreaking story about a young girl figuring out who she is, what she is capable of—and where she truly belongs.

©2024 Ishi Robinson (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
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What listeners say about Sweetness in the Skin

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A determined child

This read is a feel-good read. Ishi highlighted the mother and daughter relationships that many never speak of. It's set in Jamaica. Pumkin is a teenage girl whom her aunt and grandmother adore. They raise her, instill in her values, and for her to reach her highest potential. Pumkin's Sophie is more of a mother than her own (Paulette). Pumkin doesn't even call her mother, mom, but by her first name. She doesn't respect her but fears her. Paulette envys her sister Sophie because she is educated and wants more out of life because pumkin wants to be like her, and her mother revers her so much. Sophie dreams of leaving Jamaica and living in Paris. When she leaves Jamaica and goes to Paris, Pumkin is devastated. They always planned to live there together, but Paulette won't let that happen. And to make matters worse, Pumkin comes home from school to hear from her heartless mother that her grandmother has died. Now her world is turned upside down, she is left with her mother, who cares nothing about her. Pumkin is left to fend for herself. She starts baking and selling her baked goods in order to pay bills, eat, and pay for her French exam so she can join her aunt in France. Pumkin is introduced to many trials during this time and stumbles upon her father, who has the same sentiments as Paulette. Even with the many hurdles, Pumkin has some great adults and friends who help her along her path. In the end, she makes it to France with her aunt, but is that what she really wants? Is it her dream, too, or is it just a process to find out what she is capable of and where she truly belongs. #Book11of2024 #Bookworm #Whatsnext

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Enjoyable

This was a wonderful story. I loved the writing and the reading was very well done. If you're looking for a book that draws you in, this is a great pick.

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Authentic Jamaican life

loved beg to end. The story was so touching. I want to know what happens next...

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loved it!!!

this was a beautiful book. I couldn't put it down. I loved the storyline and the themes that emerged. It was funny, sad and exciting all at the same time. I love how the author captures the Jamaican context of life and her characters. if you are looking for a feel good book with a Caribbean flair check this out.

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A true depiction

I really enjoyed this book and how it depicted life in the Caribbean in certain situations. It was a quick and good read

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Scrumptious Book to Curl into

Loved the book & Audible Jamaican narration it made it an absolute page turner about a four teen year old struggling to survive life’s goals in school without proper parental help. The baking to help hustle funds made the read even more exciting. Didn’ hav to worry nothin’ bout drugs, vulgar langu’ (except one word on one page). One page spoke about a shocking sexual encounter but nothing that endangered the teens except heart thumping, get away self conscience excitement. It was a good read. I would recommend this to anyone and if they were underage I would simple black out the sexual sentience, to avoid wide eye surprise. A child doesn’t need to walk by and see such things but it gets the message across how awful her life was with a Mother who only focused on fake male love then the fact of being loved and loving innocent life that needs tender love too. Whom she finds it through friends and good samaritains. Very good read! And Loves the Artist who designed the cover of the book, the cover grasped my attention before the subject.

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Loved it.

This was a story of resilience, perseverance, love and so much more. Read it now!!!!

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“I want to know that she loves me”

What a great read/listen. Pumpkin made it regardless of all the obstacles life through. The love her Aunt Sophie had for her is the love she wanted her mom to have for her, but how could her mom when she was dealing with her own demons of wanting to be loved by her mother and a man that could give two you know what’s about her. Will definitely be reading or listening to this book.

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Absolutely perfect

I started listening to this book from a tiktok recommendation 1 chapter in and I heard names and places from my childhood that made me smile. I mentioned the book to my mother, growing up in Jamaica and not leaving until she was almost 30 we have listened to the book together and developed a n bond . This book was more than a read for me it was connection and a memory shared with my mom. We laughed and cried. Thank you to the author for such a brilliant body of work.

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Just beautiful

I loved this so much. Just wow. I love getting a glimpse into other cultures. This book ending made me cry. Just beautiful.

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