Bittersweet: The Diary of Brandy Morgan

by Leslie Lee Sanders

Being an African American senior in high school and a victim of racism for most of her life, Brandy turns to her beloved journal to express her thoughts.When Brandy develops a crush on Ian, the most attractive boy in school, she decides to befriend him. She then realizes that being friends with Ian isn't as easy as it once seemed. In Ian's eyes, being privileged is being well known, handsome, and white, all of which he is. He fears that being friends with Brandy will destroy his reputation.A math quiz starts the beginning of a series of tutoring sessions that brings the two together, but it also starts a series of assaults on Brandy and Ian that are fueled by hate. Brandy's left to wonder if her written thoughts can help heal her pain, and if fate would allow two teens to fall in love against the odds.

186 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2007

About the author

Leslie Lee Sanders resides in Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a wild beast she calls her imagination.

She launched her writing career in 2005, publishing over thirty books across multiple genres. Writing as L.L. Sanders, she crafts psychological thrillers and horror, while her works under Leslie Lee Sanders explore diverse romance and dystopian fiction, often blending genres in unexpected ways.

In 2025, Leslie published a first in nonfiction, a deeply personal spiritual self-help memoir she hopes will inspire others to find their power and manifest the life they desire, titled 'Ready to Listen?'

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

Ms. Sanders pulls no punches with this honest and gripping story of racial tension and hate at Prescott High.

This is the story of Brandy Morgan. She is a typical teenager, wanting to fit in and have friends. But she's black and poor. Not the qualities needed to be cool at Prescott High. Cool would be Ian Fuller and his buddies.

Brandy gets the feeling that Ian isn't like his friends. He's not outwardly cruel to Brandy. He just ignores her when his friends are around. But Brandy is persistent and keeps trying to befriend Ian. Finally, Ian takes up Brandy's offer to help tutor him in math. From there, their friendship blossoms.

But not without problems. The high school students will not tolerate the mixing of the two races. Brandy is harassed and assaulted in various ways. No one should be subjected to the humiliations that Brandy must endure. As Ian's feeling for Brandy change, he is drawn into her everyday troubles.

The reader gets a glimpse inside Brandy's mind with excerpts from her diary. It gives insight to her unwavering spirit, but also her struggles not to hate those that seem to hate her.

This is not an easy book to read. It brings forward feelings of racial tension and distrust of someone that is different from yourself. It's hard to imagine that such reactions are still present in modern society, but current events make it all too clear that it's still prevalent in our generation.

Ms. Sanders closes out the book with examples of recent hate crimes that were in the media. Fans of the A&E program American Justice will be familiar with two of the cases listed: Teena Brandon and Matthew Shepard.

I suggest this book as recommended reading to everyone. If nothing else, it would provide a heated discussion on where our society is headed.

[Christinelobsinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a awesome story I really enjoyed it so much you should read this book. Loved it !!!