What do you think?
Rate this book
Sweetness in the Skin
A Jamaican girl is 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. 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.
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. 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.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2024
181 people are currently reading
17288 people want to read
About the author
Ishi Robinson
1 book138 followersIshi Robinson was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. A Canadian citizen, she has lived in Bern, Toronto, Rome, London and now lives in Berlin with her Czech husband. Her first published work was a short story in Jamaica’s national newspaper when she was eleven years old. At seventeen, she sent a letter to her father from Switzerland that he thought was so funny he sent it to the other national newspaper, which snagged her a weekly column on teenage life in Kingston. She also previously wrote a weekly column on life as an expat in Rome for a now defunct online magazine. She got back into fiction writing in Berlin, from where she has published short stories in several online publications and one anthology. SWEETNESS IN THE SKIN is her first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 497 reviews
November 4, 2024
5/5 ⭐️ I really didn’t have any expectations before starting this book but I ended up loving it so much! It is a coming of age story about a young girl from Jamaica. It was heartbreaking but also hopeful and sometimes a bit funny. I adored the relationship between Pumpkin and her aunt Sophie! I really admired how determined Pumpkin was to achieve her goals of passing the academic test in order to go live with her aunt Sophie in France. Pumpkin stole my heart from the very start! I couldn’t stop rooting for her. This was just such an amazing story and I’ll be thinking about all of these characters for a long time ❤️🥹
March 29, 2025
For fans of The Girl With the Louding Voice or Dew Angels, a coming of age that will leave you cheering to the end
In Sweetness in the Skin we meet thirteen year old Pumpkin Patterson who lives in a tiny home in the ghetto with her Grandmother, Mother and Aunty. Her Grandmother is a dressmaker whose main goal is to get them as far away from the ghetto as possible. Her Aunty Sophie works at the French embassy and takes very good care of her, they made a pack to leave for France as soon as Pumpkin passes her French exams. Pumpkin’s mother Paulette is hardly home, she is seen as the Black Sheep of the family, darker than Aunty Sophie and lives in her shadow. It is clear the grandmother treats each daughter differently and that’s been a sore point in their relationships.
Aside from her mother lashing out at her, Pumpkin is well taken care of, she attends a great high school, loves baking and taking French lessons. Her Aunty Sophie acts as her guardian and is generally the one who would show up for her. When her Aunty Sophie gets offered a job in France, Pumpkin is left alone, added to that, her grandmother suddenly passes away and she is left alone with her mother who she feels does not love her and doesn’t care about her well being.
Pumpkin must now figure out a way to get to her aunty in France without her mother knowing. Life changes so fast for Pumpkin and she is left with little resources and people in her corner. We see how she navigates all these changes even in the face of opposition.
If you loved THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE you will enjoy this book. They are all coming of age story with a protagonist you can’t help but cheer for.
While I did enjoy some parts of the book, I felt the plot was a bit amateurish, that themes were glossed over, and felt very one-dimensional or left unaddressed. There was little exploration of colorism in the family, classism and the mother-daughter relatationship. I felt the author rushed the ending and I was just peeved at she wrapped up Aunty Sophie’s character in 3 lines- little awareness was given there. Overall I felt the book lacked nuance, it felt like a book I’ve read before and was somewhat unoriginal in some parts.
If you like coming of age, maybe pick this one up.
In Sweetness in the Skin we meet thirteen year old Pumpkin Patterson who lives in a tiny home in the ghetto with her Grandmother, Mother and Aunty. Her Grandmother is a dressmaker whose main goal is to get them as far away from the ghetto as possible. Her Aunty Sophie works at the French embassy and takes very good care of her, they made a pack to leave for France as soon as Pumpkin passes her French exams. Pumpkin’s mother Paulette is hardly home, she is seen as the Black Sheep of the family, darker than Aunty Sophie and lives in her shadow. It is clear the grandmother treats each daughter differently and that’s been a sore point in their relationships.
Aside from her mother lashing out at her, Pumpkin is well taken care of, she attends a great high school, loves baking and taking French lessons. Her Aunty Sophie acts as her guardian and is generally the one who would show up for her. When her Aunty Sophie gets offered a job in France, Pumpkin is left alone, added to that, her grandmother suddenly passes away and she is left alone with her mother who she feels does not love her and doesn’t care about her well being.
Pumpkin must now figure out a way to get to her aunty in France without her mother knowing. Life changes so fast for Pumpkin and she is left with little resources and people in her corner. We see how she navigates all these changes even in the face of opposition.
If you loved THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE you will enjoy this book. They are all coming of age story with a protagonist you can’t help but cheer for.
While I did enjoy some parts of the book, I felt the plot was a bit amateurish, that themes were glossed over, and felt very one-dimensional or left unaddressed. There was little exploration of colorism in the family, classism and the mother-daughter relatationship. I felt the author rushed the ending and I was just peeved at she wrapped up Aunty Sophie’s character in 3 lines- little awareness was given there. Overall I felt the book lacked nuance, it felt like a book I’ve read before and was somewhat unoriginal in some parts.
If you like coming of age, maybe pick this one up.
August 21, 2024
This was exactly the type of read I needed right now. A heartbreaking but more importantly a heartwarming story. It had the effect of recharging my mental batteries and giving me that boost of confidence that I can handle anything that comes my way. Sometimes characters and stories have a knack for finding their way into your life at the perfect time.
Pumkin is a Jamaican teenager who lives with her mother, aunt, and grandmother. Money is tight and her Aunt Sophie and grandmother want a better future for Pumkin. Her mother on the other hand barely pays any attention to her unless she is being cruel. Aunt Sophie is given a job opportunity in France and wants Pumkin to come live with her. It will require passing a costly French entrance exam. She might be able to earn some money selling baked goods but she’s going to have a lot of obstacles in her way.
A beautiful coming of age story. The first chapter really sets the tone and I felt invested in Pumkin from the get go. Family dynamics, colorism, and classism are just a few of the subjects explored in this novel. Some great takeaway messages. Just an incredible debut novel that captured my heart.
I won a free copy in a Goodreads giveaway.. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
Pumkin is a Jamaican teenager who lives with her mother, aunt, and grandmother. Money is tight and her Aunt Sophie and grandmother want a better future for Pumkin. Her mother on the other hand barely pays any attention to her unless she is being cruel. Aunt Sophie is given a job opportunity in France and wants Pumkin to come live with her. It will require passing a costly French entrance exam. She might be able to earn some money selling baked goods but she’s going to have a lot of obstacles in her way.
A beautiful coming of age story. The first chapter really sets the tone and I felt invested in Pumkin from the get go. Family dynamics, colorism, and classism are just a few of the subjects explored in this novel. Some great takeaway messages. Just an incredible debut novel that captured my heart.
I won a free copy in a Goodreads giveaway.. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
June 22, 2024
LOVED!
I adored this book! Sweetness in the Skin was a beautiful story of resilience and triumph. Pumpkin has a rough life that became harder once her aunt moved from Jamaica and her grandmother unexpectedly passed. She was left in the care of her absent mother and had to fend for herself. Pumpkin’s strength is evident throughout the story. She wanted better and felt pressured to be better than her mother and peers. I think I empathized with Pumpkin so much because, in a way, her story was similar to my own - the “wanting to make it out of my living environment” mentality. When the odds are against us, but you get a taste of “better pastures,” it makes you grind harder. And in a way, that’s what Pumpkin’s aunt did for her; she showed her what it was like to make it out of a bad situation. The author did such a great job detailing the situation surrounding Pumpkin. I appreciated the language, description of life in Jamaica, culture, and expectations placed on Pumpkin. I could feel all the raw emotions. I did a combination of reading the ebook while listening to the audiobook, which made a great reading experience. I loved the “aha moments” for Pumpkin and the hardships she had to overcome. I kept thinking, “Why should I feel bad about how I grew up or what I’ve been through?” I love books that heal parts of my inner child. I 100% recommend this story.
I adored this book! Sweetness in the Skin was a beautiful story of resilience and triumph. Pumpkin has a rough life that became harder once her aunt moved from Jamaica and her grandmother unexpectedly passed. She was left in the care of her absent mother and had to fend for herself. Pumpkin’s strength is evident throughout the story. She wanted better and felt pressured to be better than her mother and peers. I think I empathized with Pumpkin so much because, in a way, her story was similar to my own - the “wanting to make it out of my living environment” mentality. When the odds are against us, but you get a taste of “better pastures,” it makes you grind harder. And in a way, that’s what Pumpkin’s aunt did for her; she showed her what it was like to make it out of a bad situation. The author did such a great job detailing the situation surrounding Pumpkin. I appreciated the language, description of life in Jamaica, culture, and expectations placed on Pumpkin. I could feel all the raw emotions. I did a combination of reading the ebook while listening to the audiobook, which made a great reading experience. I loved the “aha moments” for Pumpkin and the hardships she had to overcome. I kept thinking, “Why should I feel bad about how I grew up or what I’ve been through?” I love books that heal parts of my inner child. I 100% recommend this story.
July 13, 2024
Sweetness in the skin reminds me of many other coming of age stories I’ve read set in Jamaica. Typically following someone who is trying to escape the tiny island to seek better opportunities for themselves and there is usually a lot of emphasis on colourism on the island. The familiar topic was not an issue for me, but its execution was, as I found it to be a bit dull.
At the start of the novel, we are introduced to four women living under the same roof, their palpable tension immediately piqued my interest.
We have two sisters Paulette and Sophie who are constantly at odds, their mother who gave Sophie most of her love and attention because Sophie's complexion meant greater opportunities, and Pumpkin, Paulette’s daughter. Pumpkin, is unwanted by her mother, cared for by Sophie, but Paulette refuses to give her up to deny Sophie the satisfaction of getting one more thing she wants in life. When Sophie leaves for France, hoping to bring Pumpkin over once settled if Pumpkin can pass a French exam, and their grandmother dies, Pumpkin is left with her abusive and neglectful mother.
Frankly, I felt arms length away from the characters. I was looking forward to experience the navigating of the family’s contentious intricate dynamic, but most of the story follows Pumpkin as she sells her homemade baked goods to afford a French exam to join Sophie in France which made the book feel incredibly slow and there was much to be desired characterization wise.
Though I will say, around the 80% mark, the book picks up and I started to feel some of the dread and anxiety I was waiting to feel the entire book as we got to see a darker side of Paulette & Pumpkin’s relationship. I also loved how we started to see Pumpkin form new relationships and how she finds a home in these people and have that found family element.
This obviously wasn’t what the book was about but, I would have preferred a book focused on Paulette. A focus on Paulette's internal struggles could have made for a more compelling story. Though Paulette's actions make her seem like a villain, her treatment of Pumpkin stems from not knowing what to do with the pain she feels. And although it is not right, we know that hurt people hurt people. This drives Paulette to keep Pumpkin feeling as low as she does.
For me, the monotony in the storytelling detracts from its potential impact. Despite a strong setup, the narrative ultimately fell flat for me. I expected more of an emotional pull from this story. That said, I would still recommend others to read it and would be interested in reading another book by this author. This one just didn’t resonate with me as much as I hoped.
At the start of the novel, we are introduced to four women living under the same roof, their palpable tension immediately piqued my interest.
We have two sisters Paulette and Sophie who are constantly at odds, their mother who gave Sophie most of her love and attention because Sophie's complexion meant greater opportunities, and Pumpkin, Paulette’s daughter. Pumpkin, is unwanted by her mother, cared for by Sophie, but Paulette refuses to give her up to deny Sophie the satisfaction of getting one more thing she wants in life. When Sophie leaves for France, hoping to bring Pumpkin over once settled if Pumpkin can pass a French exam, and their grandmother dies, Pumpkin is left with her abusive and neglectful mother.
Frankly, I felt arms length away from the characters. I was looking forward to experience the navigating of the family’s contentious intricate dynamic, but most of the story follows Pumpkin as she sells her homemade baked goods to afford a French exam to join Sophie in France which made the book feel incredibly slow and there was much to be desired characterization wise.
Though I will say, around the 80% mark, the book picks up and I started to feel some of the dread and anxiety I was waiting to feel the entire book as we got to see a darker side of Paulette & Pumpkin’s relationship. I also loved how we started to see Pumpkin form new relationships and how she finds a home in these people and have that found family element.
This obviously wasn’t what the book was about but, I would have preferred a book focused on Paulette. A focus on Paulette's internal struggles could have made for a more compelling story. Though Paulette's actions make her seem like a villain, her treatment of Pumpkin stems from not knowing what to do with the pain she feels. And although it is not right, we know that hurt people hurt people. This drives Paulette to keep Pumpkin feeling as low as she does.
For me, the monotony in the storytelling detracts from its potential impact. Despite a strong setup, the narrative ultimately fell flat for me. I expected more of an emotional pull from this story. That said, I would still recommend others to read it and would be interested in reading another book by this author. This one just didn’t resonate with me as much as I hoped.
April 15, 2024
‘Pumkin, don’t make people tell you what you can and cannot achieve… If you’re determined to do something, Pumkin, then find a way’. Pumkin takes her Aunt Sophie’s advice to heart and embarks on a mission to earn enough money to take a French language test that will allow her to join her aunt in France and continue her schooling there. There are plenty of obstacles in her path and it’s her determination to overcome them and her resourcefulness in doing so that makes the book so engaging.
The odds seem to be against her from the start. Money is tight, the house they live in is rundown, she gets little if no help from her mother, the man her mother claims is Pumkin’s father is a threatening presence and she has to fend for herself – shopping, cleaning, cooking – most of the time. However, Pumkin is fortunate to encounter a few people who help her on her journey, in particular the wonderful Boots, an employee at the French Embassy where her Aunt Sophie works. A local cafe owner spots Pumkin’s talent for baking and provides her with ingredients in return for tasty treats and her friend Tamara lends use of her family’s kitchen. Desperate for money to fulfil her ambitions, Pumkin even starts an illicit trade in her cakes and biscuits at school. So delicious are they that it wins over even the snootiest of her classmates.
It’s not all sweetness however as the story also tackles social stigma, absent parenting and poverty. Pumkin is conscious she lives in a very different, poorer area of Kingston than her classmates. When invited to sleepovers at other girls’ houses, she knows she won’t be able to reciprocate. ‘There’s no way I can tell them I live on Potters Lane: nobody in this circle lives on a Lane. They all live on Drives, and Roads and Closes, and Circles. So now they’ll know I don’t belong here at all.’ Hiding her background necessitates engaging in subterfuge which at times is quite heart-breaking to witness and she often cuts a lonely figure.
Much of the dialogue in the book is rendered in Jamaican patois which for non-speakers takes a little bit of time to get used to but is well worth the effort. I thought it just added to the vibrancy and authenticity of the story. If I have one reservation it’s that things are wrapped up pretty quickly at the end of the book and not necessarily in the way you might imagine given everything that’s gone before.
Sweetness in the Skin is a lovely coming-of-age story that is just as delightful as its vibrant cover.
The odds seem to be against her from the start. Money is tight, the house they live in is rundown, she gets little if no help from her mother, the man her mother claims is Pumkin’s father is a threatening presence and she has to fend for herself – shopping, cleaning, cooking – most of the time. However, Pumkin is fortunate to encounter a few people who help her on her journey, in particular the wonderful Boots, an employee at the French Embassy where her Aunt Sophie works. A local cafe owner spots Pumkin’s talent for baking and provides her with ingredients in return for tasty treats and her friend Tamara lends use of her family’s kitchen. Desperate for money to fulfil her ambitions, Pumkin even starts an illicit trade in her cakes and biscuits at school. So delicious are they that it wins over even the snootiest of her classmates.
It’s not all sweetness however as the story also tackles social stigma, absent parenting and poverty. Pumkin is conscious she lives in a very different, poorer area of Kingston than her classmates. When invited to sleepovers at other girls’ houses, she knows she won’t be able to reciprocate. ‘There’s no way I can tell them I live on Potters Lane: nobody in this circle lives on a Lane. They all live on Drives, and Roads and Closes, and Circles. So now they’ll know I don’t belong here at all.’ Hiding her background necessitates engaging in subterfuge which at times is quite heart-breaking to witness and she often cuts a lonely figure.
Much of the dialogue in the book is rendered in Jamaican patois which for non-speakers takes a little bit of time to get used to but is well worth the effort. I thought it just added to the vibrancy and authenticity of the story. If I have one reservation it’s that things are wrapped up pretty quickly at the end of the book and not necessarily in the way you might imagine given everything that’s gone before.
Sweetness in the Skin is a lovely coming-of-age story that is just as delightful as its vibrant cover.
August 2, 2024
Any time an author can make me want to beat up some characters, it's a good book.
Pumkin is in an abusive home with all odds against her, but she is determined to fight and find a sense of belonging. Through this book, Pumkin has obstacles, yet she prevails; she's young and determined to make a way out of no way. Even when it seems like the light in the tunnel dims, Pumkin finds a way because of her community, perseverance, baking skills, and love for the people who love her back.
This book is filled with generational trauma and is a true depiction of how it trickles down the family lineage and causes immense harm. Colorism and classism are also themes that appear in the book, which I find are very common themes when books are set in the Caribbean. This is very realistic and consistent in this way. And although Pumkin was majorly affected by these themes, she has a dream to fulfill, and she is determined to break the "generational curse."
This is a book I'd recommend, for sure.
Pumkin is in an abusive home with all odds against her, but she is determined to fight and find a sense of belonging. Through this book, Pumkin has obstacles, yet she prevails; she's young and determined to make a way out of no way. Even when it seems like the light in the tunnel dims, Pumkin finds a way because of her community, perseverance, baking skills, and love for the people who love her back.
This book is filled with generational trauma and is a true depiction of how it trickles down the family lineage and causes immense harm. Colorism and classism are also themes that appear in the book, which I find are very common themes when books are set in the Caribbean. This is very realistic and consistent in this way. And although Pumkin was majorly affected by these themes, she has a dream to fulfill, and she is determined to break the "generational curse."
This is a book I'd recommend, for sure.
August 28, 2025
I'm looking at all the 4 and 5 star reviews wondering what book I read then. But I do feel like it ended how it should've.
June 7, 2024
It's been a long-ass while since a book really satisfied me. Plots fizzle out or are non-existent, or there is a sense that something is off, that no one really talks like the characters, or the ending is a cop-out, or navel-gazing is stretched ad taedium.
Not here. Nah-uh.
This here is real. Real characters that you know, know. And they know how to be themselves. The narrator knows how to be a 12-year-old girl living in Jamaica in the 90s. Her friend knows how to be jealous when her friend is spending time with richer friends. Her mother knows what it's like to be so forgotten that she chooses violence and neglect. Her aunt knows how to act chosen and want to be the girl's saviour. And they all know how to eat, literally.
This here is authentic. And I don't just mean the different types of patois that certain characters speak, although this is heaps of fun, I mean - what they say is the truth of the story.
This here is propelling. It is a proper beginning-middle-end deal that gives satisfying guesses and answers.
It is compelling as a child seeking justice in the world. If you don't at least pretend to have something stuck in your eye by the end, I'm sorry but I am not talking to you until you wise up.
And this sticks the landing, with one of the most delicious endings... of all time? It's a fairly tale, and oh how I missed those.
Not here. Nah-uh.
This here is real. Real characters that you know, know. And they know how to be themselves. The narrator knows how to be a 12-year-old girl living in Jamaica in the 90s. Her friend knows how to be jealous when her friend is spending time with richer friends. Her mother knows what it's like to be so forgotten that she chooses violence and neglect. Her aunt knows how to act chosen and want to be the girl's saviour. And they all know how to eat, literally.
This here is authentic. And I don't just mean the different types of patois that certain characters speak, although this is heaps of fun, I mean - what they say is the truth of the story.
This here is propelling. It is a proper beginning-middle-end deal that gives satisfying guesses and answers.
It is compelling as a child seeking justice in the world. If you don't at least pretend to have something stuck in your eye by the end, I'm sorry but I am not talking to you until you wise up.
And this sticks the landing, with one of the most delicious endings... of all time? It's a fairly tale, and oh how I missed those.
March 4, 2025
I was on an emotional rollercoaster. One moment I was chuckling and the next moment I was enraged. There were a number of important themes explored in this book, including, but not necessarily limited to, generational trauma, caste, colorism, love, sacrifice and abuse. I was totally immersed in the story and challenges faced by the characters. However, at a certain point, things started to feel rushed and the story began to unravel in a way that felt amateurish; almost elementary if you will. The end was disappointing for me and all things considered, I was left feeling empty and unsatisfied.
Read
November 7, 2023Sweetness in the Skin is a tender exploration of familial love, both the family you’re born to, and the one you find along the way. Robinson has written a treatise on the effects of colourism and class divisions that is heartbreaking and raw, yet joyful. This vivid story transported me to Pumkin’s world through an excursion of the senses, the sights, the sounds, and especially the tastes of Jamaica, taking me back to the one journey I took to my fatherland and leaving me yearning to return.
June 11, 2025
This book caught me completely off guard! I picked it up with little expectation then devoured it in 24 hours.
The main character, Pumkin, and her Aunt Sophie live in a poor suburb of Jamaica but have big dreams of moving to Paris. They live with Pumkin’s grandmother and mother, who makes her life incredibly difficult.
Hard topics such as race, class and prejudice are explored; however the author strikes just the right balance and keeps an uplifting undercurrent. 4.5*
The main character, Pumkin, and her Aunt Sophie live in a poor suburb of Jamaica but have big dreams of moving to Paris. They live with Pumkin’s grandmother and mother, who makes her life incredibly difficult.
Hard topics such as race, class and prejudice are explored; however the author strikes just the right balance and keeps an uplifting undercurrent. 4.5*
August 12, 2024
SWEETNESS IN THE SKIN by Ishi Robinson
Deja Bowens voice brings depth to the characters and her performance is spot on. Adding her to my favorite narrator list.
A coming-of-age debut about a thirteen-year-old girl, Pumkin Patterson, living on the wrong side of the tracks in Kingston, Jamaica, with her neglectful and selfish mother, Paulette, her beloved Aunt Sophie, and their matriarch, Grandma Cecille, in a tiny rundown two-room house. Pumkin and her Aunt Sophie are very close and when Aunt Sophie moves to France for her job, she promises to send for Pumkin. Pumkin is left alone with her volatile mother after her grandmother passes away and is basically raising herself. Pumkin needs to raise money for her French exam, so she can be free of her mother and living conditions, and join Aunt Sophie in France. She turns her passion for baking into a business and starts to sell her baked goods at school and in the neighborhood. Her mother stands in the way of every opportunity that Pumkin has. You will find yourself rooting for this resilient and persistent teen girl as she navigates through her broken and challenging life to pursue her hopes and dreams.
Exploring themes of class rivalry, racism, abuse, heartbreak, survival, family, hopes and dreams, and self-belief.
Hard to believe this is a debut. Can’t wait to see what Ishi Robinson does next. In the vein of The Girl with the Louding Voice.
Deja Bowens voice brings depth to the characters and her performance is spot on. Adding her to my favorite narrator list.
A coming-of-age debut about a thirteen-year-old girl, Pumkin Patterson, living on the wrong side of the tracks in Kingston, Jamaica, with her neglectful and selfish mother, Paulette, her beloved Aunt Sophie, and their matriarch, Grandma Cecille, in a tiny rundown two-room house. Pumkin and her Aunt Sophie are very close and when Aunt Sophie moves to France for her job, she promises to send for Pumkin. Pumkin is left alone with her volatile mother after her grandmother passes away and is basically raising herself. Pumkin needs to raise money for her French exam, so she can be free of her mother and living conditions, and join Aunt Sophie in France. She turns her passion for baking into a business and starts to sell her baked goods at school and in the neighborhood. Her mother stands in the way of every opportunity that Pumkin has. You will find yourself rooting for this resilient and persistent teen girl as she navigates through her broken and challenging life to pursue her hopes and dreams.
Exploring themes of class rivalry, racism, abuse, heartbreak, survival, family, hopes and dreams, and self-belief.
Hard to believe this is a debut. Can’t wait to see what Ishi Robinson does next. In the vein of The Girl with the Louding Voice.
October 4, 2023
I got an early copy of this from work and it was really great. I think it’s maybe the first book I’ve ever read that’s set in Jamaica. The descriptions of the desserts were amazing; I think I googled all of them. I’m hoping this one will catch on when it pubs in the spring. A writer to watch for sure (even if I’m in a love-hate relationship with the ending).
April 30, 2025
SITS was a lovely, vibrant read following a young girl, Pumkin, who will win your heart.
Pumpkin lives in Jamaica with her mother, beloved aunt Sophie and grandmother. She doesn't have a close bond with her mother and is often subjected to her abuse. When Aunt Sophie leaves Jamaica for a fresh start in France, and grandma dies suddenly, Pumkin is left alone to fend for herself. She comes up with a plan to make money so that she can accomplish her dreams of passing her French exam and escaping her daily struggles.
I really loved this coming of age/teen fiction. It reminded me somewhat of The Girl With The Louding Voice. Pumkin is a girl you just want to embrace, erase all of her pain and ease her concerns. Even though she endured a lot, she developed a winner's spirit to make things work on her behalf. She never gave up and I admire her confidence and zeal.
I also loved the explosive descriptions of dessert. The bread pudding, coconut, and other Jamaican delicacies were enough to make me yearn for a taste. I feel like I gained 5 lbs just from reading about the yummy goodness.
The story explored mother-daughter dynamics, family life and classism in Jamaica. The author touched on themes of colorism, but I would've loved to have read more in-depth about it.
I was able to listen to the audiobook and the narrator gave an excellent performance. I loved her Jamaican patois that made the story feel so authentic. Perfection!!
Pub Date: April 22, 2025
Pumpkin lives in Jamaica with her mother, beloved aunt Sophie and grandmother. She doesn't have a close bond with her mother and is often subjected to her abuse. When Aunt Sophie leaves Jamaica for a fresh start in France, and grandma dies suddenly, Pumkin is left alone to fend for herself. She comes up with a plan to make money so that she can accomplish her dreams of passing her French exam and escaping her daily struggles.
I really loved this coming of age/teen fiction. It reminded me somewhat of The Girl With The Louding Voice. Pumkin is a girl you just want to embrace, erase all of her pain and ease her concerns. Even though she endured a lot, she developed a winner's spirit to make things work on her behalf. She never gave up and I admire her confidence and zeal.
I also loved the explosive descriptions of dessert. The bread pudding, coconut, and other Jamaican delicacies were enough to make me yearn for a taste. I feel like I gained 5 lbs just from reading about the yummy goodness.
The story explored mother-daughter dynamics, family life and classism in Jamaica. The author touched on themes of colorism, but I would've loved to have read more in-depth about it.
I was able to listen to the audiobook and the narrator gave an excellent performance. I loved her Jamaican patois that made the story feel so authentic. Perfection!!
Pub Date: April 22, 2025
January 12, 2025
#SweetnessInMySkin
#AudioBookReview
Ten stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏🏽❤️
An absolutely beautiful story!
This audiobook evoked every emotion in me. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me angry and sad. It’s wonderful. I’m in love with this story.
Sweetness in My Skin has already made my list of favorites for 2025.
It’s a MUST LISTEN or READ!
#AudioBookReview
Ten stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏🏽❤️
An absolutely beautiful story!
This audiobook evoked every emotion in me. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me angry and sad. It’s wonderful. I’m in love with this story.
Sweetness in My Skin has already made my list of favorites for 2025.
It’s a MUST LISTEN or READ!
March 29, 2025
Wooowwww I loved this. Such a deep and relatable coming of age story, this author is so talented at capturing adolescence. The ending was also spectacular, I would LOVE to see this as a movie!
November 11, 2025
Loved it. I ate this up,like one of Pumpkin’s delicious cakes. Besides making me hungry and wanting to taste the desserts described,I enjoyed hearing about her world. I listened to the audio,which I definitely recommend. You get all the nuances of the Jamaican accents and the attitude to go with it. I could hear them “kissing the teeth”. This is a main character to root for throughout all the joy and pain. I really wanted her to win. Well done
May 12, 2024
The narration for this audiobook was excellent and we listened for hours as we crafted. I am curious to try Jamaican pastries now! I had a feeling about the ending and was right. The only negative comment I have is that I felt Pumpkin didn’t stay true to her character near the end. But it was a great story overall.
April 20, 2024
Sweetness in the Skin by Ishi Robinson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pumkin is a thirteen year old girl in Kingston, Jamaica. Her and her Aunt Sophie dream of a life in Paris. When Sophie is offered a job in France, she leaves, promising to send for Pumkin. But events occur that make that difficult and Pumkin must care for herself and raise money to move to France.
Combining two of my favorite tropes, coming of age and an adolescent struggling to grow up independently, this was one of my favorite recent reads. You get such a great feel for the Jamaican culture (I really need some authentic jerk chicken now!) and so many good food descriptions. A lot of the story has to do with identify and finding where you fit, and who you are as you grow. Pumkin goes through a lot of adversity but in the end, finds who she is and that she has a lot more in life than she thought.
“Maybe I was a fish out of water in my hometown but it was water I knew, water warm and deep and blue, containing multitudes within it, flowing every which way.”
Sweetness in Skin comes out 4/23.
Pumkin is a thirteen year old girl in Kingston, Jamaica. Her and her Aunt Sophie dream of a life in Paris. When Sophie is offered a job in France, she leaves, promising to send for Pumkin. But events occur that make that difficult and Pumkin must care for herself and raise money to move to France.
Combining two of my favorite tropes, coming of age and an adolescent struggling to grow up independently, this was one of my favorite recent reads. You get such a great feel for the Jamaican culture (I really need some authentic jerk chicken now!) and so many good food descriptions. A lot of the story has to do with identify and finding where you fit, and who you are as you grow. Pumkin goes through a lot of adversity but in the end, finds who she is and that she has a lot more in life than she thought.
“Maybe I was a fish out of water in my hometown but it was water I knew, water warm and deep and blue, containing multitudes within it, flowing every which way.”
Sweetness in Skin comes out 4/23.
March 11, 2025
Rating: 4.5
There aren’t many books that can pull at my heart and stay in my head rent free. Sweetness In The Skin falls into this category. This is a Read Caribbean debut novel that you have to read. The story is set in Jamaica and it’s about Pumkin - no it’s not spelt incorrectly. Pumkin lives with her mother, aunt and grandmother. She’s a young girl (teenager) who loves to bake but must fight to survive as she experiences neglect, poverty, love, and betrayal. Pumkin is between two worlds - a world of poverty and a world of opportunity and higher standing. Life is bearable though until Pumkin experiences loss in more than one form and has to fight for her survival…she has to Try as is sung by Pink.
This book was well written and so descriptive that I pictured each scene. With each page turn, I was filled with emotions such as shock, fear, happiness, hatred and anger - unforgettable characters. Sweetness in the Skin is powerful! It brings out the impact of poverty on young children, the importance of parenting, the strength of women, resilience, community love - “it takes a village”, fighting against the odds, racism, classism, and much more. This is a book for the Caribbean and one that can trigger conversations not only at Bookclubs but in homes with our children and in schools to the students because it allows for conversations that to this day need to happen. Guidance counsellors, get this book in the schools!
When I started reading Sweetness In The Skin, I did not want to stop and as it neared the end….I didn’t want it to end.
In this review, I will share a question I asked at bookclub - Who is your fav character and least favourite character? I got answers I didn’t expect and it only goes to show how our outlook/experiences in life can impact how we feel about characters and what they have been through. Look, I want another bookclub to talk some more.
Thank you Ishi
There aren’t many books that can pull at my heart and stay in my head rent free. Sweetness In The Skin falls into this category. This is a Read Caribbean debut novel that you have to read. The story is set in Jamaica and it’s about Pumkin - no it’s not spelt incorrectly. Pumkin lives with her mother, aunt and grandmother. She’s a young girl (teenager) who loves to bake but must fight to survive as she experiences neglect, poverty, love, and betrayal. Pumkin is between two worlds - a world of poverty and a world of opportunity and higher standing. Life is bearable though until Pumkin experiences loss in more than one form and has to fight for her survival…she has to Try as is sung by Pink.
This book was well written and so descriptive that I pictured each scene. With each page turn, I was filled with emotions such as shock, fear, happiness, hatred and anger - unforgettable characters. Sweetness in the Skin is powerful! It brings out the impact of poverty on young children, the importance of parenting, the strength of women, resilience, community love - “it takes a village”, fighting against the odds, racism, classism, and much more. This is a book for the Caribbean and one that can trigger conversations not only at Bookclubs but in homes with our children and in schools to the students because it allows for conversations that to this day need to happen. Guidance counsellors, get this book in the schools!
When I started reading Sweetness In The Skin, I did not want to stop and as it neared the end….I didn’t want it to end.
In this review, I will share a question I asked at bookclub - Who is your fav character and least favourite character? I got answers I didn’t expect and it only goes to show how our outlook/experiences in life can impact how we feel about characters and what they have been through. Look, I want another bookclub to talk some more.
Thank you Ishi
September 6, 2024
The book tells the story of Akisha, "Pumpkin", Patterson, and how life delivers her some hard trials, yet she makes the best of her circumstances and grows emotionally, mentally, and physically. Pumpkin lives with her mother, grandmother, and Aunt Sophie in a poor neighborhood in Jamaica. After her Aunt Sophie's dream comes true and she moves to France, Pumpkin is left with her mother; a person she doesn't have a great relationship with due to her not being around and jealousy in the family unit. Their relationship was tough for me only because I didn't like how cold and cruel she was to such an excellent young lady.
I thought this book would be considered YA more than adult. There were times were you could tell that this was a freshman book due to the structure of the writing, but it never lost it's purpose.
I thought this book would be considered YA more than adult. There were times were you could tell that this was a freshman book due to the structure of the writing, but it never lost it's purpose.
September 29, 2025
3.75. (I need Goodreads to have half stars.) Not quite a 4 but it’s definitely not a 3. I thought it was a really good story. I got into it more towards the middle-end. I don’t know how to review a book without worrying if imma give spoilers. But I will say her Mama got on my everlasting nerves!!! Anyway I would recommend if you just like good stories, good reading, without the nail biting or edge of your seat stuff. I kept picking this up just to finish and see how the story ends but it never left me begging for more or rushing through my “daily to do’s” to get back to it.
September 23, 2024
So many thoughts!
Full review below
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
Full review below
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....
September 24, 2024
Libro molto bello, scritto bene con personaggi solidi sia positivi che negativi. Uno sguardo sulla vita in jamaica che espone problematiche comuni a tanti, troppi, altri paesi.
November 21, 2023
It is easy to like 13 year old Pumkin Patterson, an intellingent, spunky girl living in relative poverty in Kingston with a hostile, uncaring mother who is absent from the house most of the time. Her struggles to pass the French qualifying exams to join her aunt in Marseille, France, is something the reader cheers and roots for her. The obstacles she faces with her mother and her father, who are not married, seems insurmountable.
I loved reading about the Jamaican snacks, sweets, puddings, and cakes that Pumkin can bake, a skill she learned from her deceased grandmother. That she fights to find a way to bake and sell to pay for French lessons and for the hefty fee for the French exam is remarkable. Finding allies at school, in her neighborhood, and at the French school is something she hopes for. This aspect of her drive and personality keeps the reader on edge and firmly on her side.
The authenticity of the setting and characters is brought home by the Jamaican style dialect/patois that most of the characters speak on occasion.
I thought of this book, its writing, plot, and characters as a little Jamaican masterpiece.
I loved reading about the Jamaican snacks, sweets, puddings, and cakes that Pumkin can bake, a skill she learned from her deceased grandmother. That she fights to find a way to bake and sell to pay for French lessons and for the hefty fee for the French exam is remarkable. Finding allies at school, in her neighborhood, and at the French school is something she hopes for. This aspect of her drive and personality keeps the reader on edge and firmly on her side.
The authenticity of the setting and characters is brought home by the Jamaican style dialect/patois that most of the characters speak on occasion.
I thought of this book, its writing, plot, and characters as a little Jamaican masterpiece.
April 24, 2024
I could not read this book fast enough. I loved the story, the characters, the writing, and the on-edge feeling I had while reading the book. Sweetness in the Skin is a story about a young Jamaican girl living with her auntie and grandmother and trying to navigate life without her parents. Pumkin feels loved and cared for and wishes her Auntie could adopt her but her absentee mother won’t have it.
Everything in Pumkin’s life changes when her grandmother passes and her auntie moves away. She’s left with a mother who’s never home, abuses her, and doesn’t seem to love her. If she can do well in school and pass her exams she can go live with Aunt Sarah in Paris but life with throw Pumkin every road block possible. At such a young age Pumkin will have to take care of herself and learn how to support herself. No one can rescue her so she must rescue herself. Along the way Pumkin will discover who her friends are, that family doesn’t have to be blood, and that she is stronger than she ever thought possible.
Such a heartwarming story that will pull at your heartstrings.
Everything in Pumkin’s life changes when her grandmother passes and her auntie moves away. She’s left with a mother who’s never home, abuses her, and doesn’t seem to love her. If she can do well in school and pass her exams she can go live with Aunt Sarah in Paris but life with throw Pumkin every road block possible. At such a young age Pumkin will have to take care of herself and learn how to support herself. No one can rescue her so she must rescue herself. Along the way Pumkin will discover who her friends are, that family doesn’t have to be blood, and that she is stronger than she ever thought possible.
Such a heartwarming story that will pull at your heartstrings.
August 5, 2024
Super cute story about identity and finding your people!
May 3, 2024
A profound story, and a delightful read. I was cheering for, crying with, laughing with Pumkin the whole way (and really want to know more about Coconut Drops!) There is a little Pumkin in all of us- balancing where we come from and who we want to become, examining what others want for us vs. we want for ourselves, finding family and belonging where we least expect it.
Trigger warning for those who’ve experienced difficult parent relationships/generational trauma/physical and emotional abuse.
Deeply touched by Pumkin’s words:
“I hesitate, still looking at Paulette. What I want is for her to fight for me. I want her to want me. I want to be enough for her. I want her to love me. Or, at least, I want not to care that she doesn’t.”
Trigger warning for those who’ve experienced difficult parent relationships/generational trauma/physical and emotional abuse.
Deeply touched by Pumkin’s words:
“I hesitate, still looking at Paulette. What I want is for her to fight for me. I want her to want me. I want to be enough for her. I want her to love me. Or, at least, I want not to care that she doesn’t.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2024
This was a heartbreaking debut coming of age story about a young Jamaican girl, Pumpkin and the way she struggles to survive parental abandonment, using her love of baking as a way to earn extra money. While I didn't love this one as much as I hoped to, I would still recommend it for fans of books like The girl with the louding voice and Butter honey pig bread. Good on audio with a beautiful cover too and I look forward to reading what this new Canadian author writes next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 497 reviews