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Sugaring Off
A dazzling and evocative novel about love and loss—with a dash of thrilling mystery—for fans of Mindy McGinnis and Courtney Summers.
Left partially deaf by an early childhood tragedy that ended in her father’s incarceration, seventeen-year-old Owl is now a tracker, an explorer, a wildlife enthusiast, and always her freest self while hiking the steep forested acres surrounding her aunt and uncle’s maple sugar farm, now her home. Owl and her aunt and uncle never speak of the brutal attack that brought her to them. On the day she confronts a stranger trespassing among the maples, Owl’s sheltered existence is blown wide open by Cody—the magnetic, dangerous young man hired to help with the sugaring off. Cody seems to see her, the real her, in a way no one else does. Together, they challenge each other, learn to question their preconceptions, and risk a romance their families are desperate to stop.
But when Owl learns that some part of Cody is compelled toward self-destruction, she must make a difficult decision about their relationship at the same time she’s grappling with her father’s recent release from prison. And when a seemingly motiveless local murder draws attention to Cody, Owl realizes that Cody is in far more serious trouble than anyone knows—and it’s followed him to her mountain.
Left partially deaf by an early childhood tragedy that ended in her father’s incarceration, seventeen-year-old Owl is now a tracker, an explorer, a wildlife enthusiast, and always her freest self while hiking the steep forested acres surrounding her aunt and uncle’s maple sugar farm, now her home. Owl and her aunt and uncle never speak of the brutal attack that brought her to them. On the day she confronts a stranger trespassing among the maples, Owl’s sheltered existence is blown wide open by Cody—the magnetic, dangerous young man hired to help with the sugaring off. Cody seems to see her, the real her, in a way no one else does. Together, they challenge each other, learn to question their preconceptions, and risk a romance their families are desperate to stop.
But when Owl learns that some part of Cody is compelled toward self-destruction, she must make a difficult decision about their relationship at the same time she’s grappling with her father’s recent release from prison. And when a seemingly motiveless local murder draws attention to Cody, Owl realizes that Cody is in far more serious trouble than anyone knows—and it’s followed him to her mountain.
Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2022
27 people are currently reading
8132 people want to read
About the author
Gillian French
12 books522 followersGillian French is the author of five novels for teens: GRIT, THE DOOR TO JANUARY, THE LIES THEY TELL, THE MISSING SEASON, and SUGARING OFF. Her debut adult mystery, SHAW CONNOLLY LIVES TO TELL, is slated for release from Minotaur Books in May 2025. Her short fiction has placed in many competitions, including Writer's Digest and Zoetrope: All Story contests, and has been published in such magazines are Weirdbook. She holds a BA in English from the University of Maine, and lives in her native state of Maine with her husband and four sons, where she's perpetually at work on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
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September 9, 2022Stopped reading on page 120.
This book stopped me in its track with its stunning cover. I was busy at work, checking my email, and I instantly spotted this one. Very eye-catching and it definitely made me want to read it. Added it to my wishlist and played the waiting game. Then one fine glorious morning it was sitting there in my queue waiting for it to be read. The anticipation had me on the edge of my non-existent seat and shaking with excitement. My excitement didn't last very long and it took me days and days to make it to page 120. With tears in my eyes, I threw in the towel.
I feel as if I can’t accurately rate and judge this book. My taste in ya has changed drastically within the past couple of months and I really can’t get into most of those reads lately. I'm not sure what it is but my heart belongs to horror, thriller, and anything with bizarre twists. Sadly, it wasn't this one. This seems as if it’s going to be good but I just can’t sink into it. Felt myself sliding into a slump and I can’t have that right now.
This has the most beautiful cover and this rep is something we don't usually see in books and I love it. Within those pages, a lot didn't happen and I needed more action or dirty secrets revealed. Younger me would have loved every page of this. Older me couldn't get into it right now. It might be one I revisit to see if my tastes change back to where they were previously.
This book stopped me in its track with its stunning cover. I was busy at work, checking my email, and I instantly spotted this one. Very eye-catching and it definitely made me want to read it. Added it to my wishlist and played the waiting game. Then one fine glorious morning it was sitting there in my queue waiting for it to be read. The anticipation had me on the edge of my non-existent seat and shaking with excitement. My excitement didn't last very long and it took me days and days to make it to page 120. With tears in my eyes, I threw in the towel.
I feel as if I can’t accurately rate and judge this book. My taste in ya has changed drastically within the past couple of months and I really can’t get into most of those reads lately. I'm not sure what it is but my heart belongs to horror, thriller, and anything with bizarre twists. Sadly, it wasn't this one. This seems as if it’s going to be good but I just can’t sink into it. Felt myself sliding into a slump and I can’t have that right now.
This has the most beautiful cover and this rep is something we don't usually see in books and I love it. Within those pages, a lot didn't happen and I needed more action or dirty secrets revealed. Younger me would have loved every page of this. Older me couldn't get into it right now. It might be one I revisit to see if my tastes change back to where they were previously.
November 4, 2022
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I thought that this was very good. I admit that the cover of this book is what first captured my attention but once I realized that the main character was hearing impaired, I knew that I needed to read this book. This is a slower story that touches on Owl’s day-to-day life and some pretty big events that may have an impact on her life for a very long time.
Owl lives with her aunt and uncle since her father is in prison. They live in a very small rural town and run a maple syrup farm. They have always run the farm on their own so Owl is unhappy to learn that her uncle has hired a boy just a bit older than her to help out this year. They soon warm up to each other and develop a bond. The question is whether he is good for her. In addition to the romance, Owl is trying to decide if she wants to respond to her father’s attempts to communicate and learn how to best utilize the help from her ASL teacher at school.
This book deals with a lot of different things but that is usually the way that life works. I liked that Owl is a character with a disability but that it is just one aspect of who she is and doesn’t take over the whole story. I liked the connection that Owl made with Cody but I can’t say that I was a fan of the romance between them. The pace of the book does pick up at the end and there is a bit of a mystery to solve.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Caitlin Davies did a fantastic job with the narration. I think that the slower pace of this story worked well on audio for me. I found the narrator's voice to be very pleasant and had no problem listening to the book for hours at a time.
I would recommend this book to others. I loved being in Owl’s head as she dealt with all of the things going on in her life. I thought that the book did an excellent job of illustrating how someone with partial deafness might feel excluded in some situations. I would not hesitate to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Algonquin Young Readers and I purchased a copy of the audiobook.
I thought that this was very good. I admit that the cover of this book is what first captured my attention but once I realized that the main character was hearing impaired, I knew that I needed to read this book. This is a slower story that touches on Owl’s day-to-day life and some pretty big events that may have an impact on her life for a very long time.
Owl lives with her aunt and uncle since her father is in prison. They live in a very small rural town and run a maple syrup farm. They have always run the farm on their own so Owl is unhappy to learn that her uncle has hired a boy just a bit older than her to help out this year. They soon warm up to each other and develop a bond. The question is whether he is good for her. In addition to the romance, Owl is trying to decide if she wants to respond to her father’s attempts to communicate and learn how to best utilize the help from her ASL teacher at school.
This book deals with a lot of different things but that is usually the way that life works. I liked that Owl is a character with a disability but that it is just one aspect of who she is and doesn’t take over the whole story. I liked the connection that Owl made with Cody but I can’t say that I was a fan of the romance between them. The pace of the book does pick up at the end and there is a bit of a mystery to solve.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Caitlin Davies did a fantastic job with the narration. I think that the slower pace of this story worked well on audio for me. I found the narrator's voice to be very pleasant and had no problem listening to the book for hours at a time.
I would recommend this book to others. I loved being in Owl’s head as she dealt with all of the things going on in her life. I thought that the book did an excellent job of illustrating how someone with partial deafness might feel excluded in some situations. I would not hesitate to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Algonquin Young Readers and I purchased a copy of the audiobook.
August 25, 2023
The writing was pretty good but there wasn't much to the story. Nothing exciting happened until the end, but I guess that's what it's like to be a teenager.
July 22, 2023
SUGARING OFF
Gillian French
OK! So I really liked this one. I really enjoyed the rather unique elements of the book, the deafness, the wilderness, the talent of the characters, and so on. In particular, I loved the cover, I mean what a cover, right? I wasn't sure what "sugaring off" was, but Ms. French did and so now I do.
This was one of the best YA books I have ever read, and I assume that I could have gone with 5 stars, but there did seem to be something that keeps me from going there. I loved Owl, she was really very strong in many ways. Uncle Seth was also a favorite character and I loved the relationship between him and Owl. I think that the one issue was that it was a bit predictable. Once I knew that Owl's father was in prison I was sure the book would track the path it did.
I do recommend this book.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Gillian French
OK! So I really liked this one. I really enjoyed the rather unique elements of the book, the deafness, the wilderness, the talent of the characters, and so on. In particular, I loved the cover, I mean what a cover, right? I wasn't sure what "sugaring off" was, but Ms. French did and so now I do.
This was one of the best YA books I have ever read, and I assume that I could have gone with 5 stars, but there did seem to be something that keeps me from going there. I loved Owl, she was really very strong in many ways. Uncle Seth was also a favorite character and I loved the relationship between him and Owl. I think that the one issue was that it was a bit predictable. Once I knew that Owl's father was in prison I was sure the book would track the path it did.
I do recommend this book.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
June 11, 2023
2023 reads: 178/350
content warnings (please note i may have missed some): past child abuse, incarcerated parent
after the tragedy that landed her father in prison and owl with her aunt and uncle, she now is a wildlife enthusiast living on her aunt and uncle’s maple sugar farm. when a boy named cody comes to help with the sugaring off, she finds herself drawn to him. soon enough, though, owl finds herself dealing with cody’s destructive tendencies and her father’s release from prison at the same time.
before this book, i knew nothing about the maple sugar farm life. however, i was still drawn to this book because of the premise, and i’m glad i decided to pick it up.
one thing i liked about this book was that owl’s deafness wasn’t just there to make her different, but was actually talked about many times. for example, she works with a teacher for the deaf to learn sign language. this also led to owl advocating for herself. it was so nice seeing this because i feel like many other books with deaf protagonists i’ve read start the book with the mc already knowing sign language, so i felt like this was a unique element.
content warnings (please note i may have missed some): past child abuse, incarcerated parent
after the tragedy that landed her father in prison and owl with her aunt and uncle, she now is a wildlife enthusiast living on her aunt and uncle’s maple sugar farm. when a boy named cody comes to help with the sugaring off, she finds herself drawn to him. soon enough, though, owl finds herself dealing with cody’s destructive tendencies and her father’s release from prison at the same time.
before this book, i knew nothing about the maple sugar farm life. however, i was still drawn to this book because of the premise, and i’m glad i decided to pick it up.
one thing i liked about this book was that owl’s deafness wasn’t just there to make her different, but was actually talked about many times. for example, she works with a teacher for the deaf to learn sign language. this also led to owl advocating for herself. it was so nice seeing this because i feel like many other books with deaf protagonists i’ve read start the book with the mc already knowing sign language, so i felt like this was a unique element.
November 20, 2022
2.5 Getting a hardback when I can because this cover is so pretty Wyatt
Read
June 27, 2023dnf
August 23, 2023
This book was not what I was expecting and was very pleasantly surprised. Turns out there was a dark, edgy, mystery with a little romance and NH wilderness thrown it. It was a pretty unique spin on a story that worked for me. And The Cover! It’s just gorgeous!
abandoned
October 30, 2022DNF @ 50%
TW: theme of physical abuse, ableism, mentioned sexual harassment of a child
There's nothing wrong with this book, it's just one the felt impossible to get into. It has a beautiful cover, I was excited to see deaf representation, foster care & adoption representation, and Indigenous representation all in one story, and I can see some people really enjoying the writing itself. But there's something about the slow, unbreakable steady way this unfolds that made it feel like I was pushing up against a brick wall while also trying to push through a sponge. I also really disliked every single thing Cody did or said, and it seemed like the romance was going to take center stage. Their lack of chemistry and my undying dislike of Cody and disinterest over all meant that that would have made thing go even further down hill.
This will be the right book for someone, and I'd be excited to find the readers who need this book and put it in their hands, but I am not that reader
TW: theme of physical abuse, ableism, mentioned sexual harassment of a child
There's nothing wrong with this book, it's just one the felt impossible to get into. It has a beautiful cover, I was excited to see deaf representation, foster care & adoption representation, and Indigenous representation all in one story, and I can see some people really enjoying the writing itself. But there's something about the slow, unbreakable steady way this unfolds that made it feel like I was pushing up against a brick wall while also trying to push through a sponge. I also really disliked every single thing Cody did or said, and it seemed like the romance was going to take center stage. Their lack of chemistry and my undying dislike of Cody and disinterest over all meant that that would have made thing go even further down hill.
This will be the right book for someone, and I'd be excited to find the readers who need this book and put it in their hands, but I am not that reader
February 11, 2023
*spoilers*
I feel like most of what was advertised in the synopsis didn't really happen in the book.
Apparently, Cody is able to see the "real" Owl for who she is, not shadowed by her disability. But given how their relationship was in the book it never felt like anything more than a forbidden, one-sided teenage romance (one-sided because Cody didn't have any real feelings for her). Their interactions don't signify any deep understanding of each other besides the fact that they're both adopted and came from bad homes.
I also feel like Owl's relationship with her biological father could have been explored so much more. Throughout the book she insists that she wants nothing to do with him, yells at Holly and Seth when they try to talk to her about their relationship, yet at the end, she starts writing a letter to him basically saying "Hey Joel, let's not talk about all the things that happened in the past, let's just get to know each other; my name is no longer Rochelle, it's Owl." Because that's what you say to your biological dad who spent 10 years in prison after he threw you down a staircase and caused you to get a 4 inch fracture in your skull and partial hearing loss.
The synopsis also talked about a murder that "shocked" the small town. You mean the murder that happened in the last, like, 50 pages of the book? That didn't really cause any major upset in the town's population? The murder of guy that was such an obscure character that I had to flip back in the book to remember? That murder? There wasn't really any mystery plot in this book, despite all the foreshadowing of one. And the supposed thriller that happened in the last 20 pages was confusing and a little underwhelming.
I feel like most of what was advertised in the synopsis didn't really happen in the book.
Apparently, Cody is able to see the "real" Owl for who she is, not shadowed by her disability. But given how their relationship was in the book it never felt like anything more than a forbidden, one-sided teenage romance (one-sided because Cody didn't have any real feelings for her). Their interactions don't signify any deep understanding of each other besides the fact that they're both adopted and came from bad homes.
I also feel like Owl's relationship with her biological father could have been explored so much more. Throughout the book she insists that she wants nothing to do with him, yells at Holly and Seth when they try to talk to her about their relationship, yet at the end, she starts writing a letter to him basically saying "Hey Joel, let's not talk about all the things that happened in the past, let's just get to know each other; my name is no longer Rochelle, it's Owl." Because that's what you say to your biological dad who spent 10 years in prison after he threw you down a staircase and caused you to get a 4 inch fracture in your skull and partial hearing loss.
The synopsis also talked about a murder that "shocked" the small town. You mean the murder that happened in the last, like, 50 pages of the book? That didn't really cause any major upset in the town's population? The murder of guy that was such an obscure character that I had to flip back in the book to remember? That murder? There wasn't really any mystery plot in this book, despite all the foreshadowing of one. And the supposed thriller that happened in the last 20 pages was confusing and a little underwhelming.
November 30, 2024
3.75★
Sugaring off is much slower paced and just generally outside the type of books I normally reach for but- as many others have said- the cover is arresting and drew me right in which goes to show that cover art and design DOES matter.
I think this story has a lot to offer. It’s likely that if you decide to pick this book up and read it that you will learn things you didn’t know prior to the reading of it and that’s a check in the plus column for any book in my opinion. The art of maple syruping among them. I knew the basics of how maple syrup is made but this book goes into great detail and I really enjoyed that.
The main character is partially deaf and the story deals with that heavier topic, especially how she got to be that way, with such care. I am not a deaf person so I can only speak to my own experience with reading about it but I’d go out on a limb and say that the representation was well done. It emphasizes how a deaf person is not limited to feeling different only among people who are not deaf but also how being partially deaf can make you feel alienated among the deaf community as well- as in you aren’t deaf enough. I think this portrayal was very powerfully rendered. But of course a review by someone hearing impaired would be a much more insightful take on it than someone who can’t relate.
This novel also speaks on child abuse, friendships, family dynamics, and first romantic relationships. It goes into the sport of bouldering which I did not even know existed prior to reading this story. The forest and wild animals are also a huge focus as well as addiction and growing up in broken homes and foster families. There is a TON to unpack here.
I definitely recommend this- it’s an interesting look into life’s diversities and how the things that you go through in childhood can shape your life in a myriad of ways. I will say I found the writing style a bit weird, the author tends to start sentences abruptly by skipping words like “the”. It’s a bit hard to explain but it’s quite noticeable and a little distracting. It’s also got a bit of a pacing issue as you meander along for the majority of the book and then the last quarter is like a race to the finish with the story taking a violent turn. That in itself is easily looked past but I found the events a bit far-fetched. Either way I think this story is a valuable one, especially for the targeted age group, and I still think it’s worth picking up if it sounds at all interesting to you.
Sugaring off is much slower paced and just generally outside the type of books I normally reach for but- as many others have said- the cover is arresting and drew me right in which goes to show that cover art and design DOES matter.
I think this story has a lot to offer. It’s likely that if you decide to pick this book up and read it that you will learn things you didn’t know prior to the reading of it and that’s a check in the plus column for any book in my opinion. The art of maple syruping among them. I knew the basics of how maple syrup is made but this book goes into great detail and I really enjoyed that.
The main character is partially deaf and the story deals with that heavier topic, especially how she got to be that way, with such care. I am not a deaf person so I can only speak to my own experience with reading about it but I’d go out on a limb and say that the representation was well done. It emphasizes how a deaf person is not limited to feeling different only among people who are not deaf but also how being partially deaf can make you feel alienated among the deaf community as well- as in you aren’t deaf enough. I think this portrayal was very powerfully rendered. But of course a review by someone hearing impaired would be a much more insightful take on it than someone who can’t relate.
This novel also speaks on child abuse, friendships, family dynamics, and first romantic relationships. It goes into the sport of bouldering which I did not even know existed prior to reading this story. The forest and wild animals are also a huge focus as well as addiction and growing up in broken homes and foster families. There is a TON to unpack here.
I definitely recommend this- it’s an interesting look into life’s diversities and how the things that you go through in childhood can shape your life in a myriad of ways. I will say I found the writing style a bit weird, the author tends to start sentences abruptly by skipping words like “the”. It’s a bit hard to explain but it’s quite noticeable and a little distracting. It’s also got a bit of a pacing issue as you meander along for the majority of the book and then the last quarter is like a race to the finish with the story taking a violent turn. That in itself is easily looked past but I found the events a bit far-fetched. Either way I think this story is a valuable one, especially for the targeted age group, and I still think it’s worth picking up if it sounds at all interesting to you.
January 5, 2023
After a tragic childhood incident landed her father in prison, Owl finds her world steeped in deafening silence. She seeks solitude on her aunt and uncle’s sugar farm until alluring and emotionally unavailable Cody is hired to help finish the sugaring season. Misery loves company, but is the pair ill-fated to fall into more loss before they fall in love? Read on to see this coming-of-age novel unfold.
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
November 5, 2022
This is a beautiful book, one about how tragedy can effect someone for years afterwards and how sometimes the simple things do make people whole again. There are some content warnings such as child abuse, missing parents, parent in prison—things along those lines.
Sugaring Off follows a girl named Owl, who is living in a remote part of New Hampshire with her aunt and uncle. Left partially deaf because of an abusive father, she enjoys being free in the outdoors. When she meets a boy named Cody, her whole world (and world view) changes, making Owl more willing to open up. However, tragedies from her past and her present are wanting to overtake her.
Sugaring Off follows a girl named Owl, who is living in a remote part of New Hampshire with her aunt and uncle. Left partially deaf because of an abusive father, she enjoys being free in the outdoors. When she meets a boy named Cody, her whole world (and world view) changes, making Owl more willing to open up. However, tragedies from her past and her present are wanting to overtake her.
February 10, 2023
The cover is what first caught my attention, along with the fact that the novel is set in New Hampshire. I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up loving this 🍁 The characters were nuanced, the description of everything from the natural surroundings/wildlife to the process of running a maple farm were so stunning, and the overall themes and messages were handled with such care. Highly recommend and can’t wait to add this beauty to my shelf.
Read
October 18, 2022DNF at 100 pages
just not for me
just not for me
November 28, 2025
I read it a while ago and I can't remember much of it. And to me that means i did not like it much since i am not actively trying to recall it.
January 15, 2023
That is one of the best book covers I've ever seen!
March 30, 2024
Deaf reader reviewing books with deaf characters. This book is listed on my ranked list of books with deaf characters.
There's no mention of the author being deaf or of having sensitivity readers. But either Owl’s deafness is based off herself or someone the author knows or she really did her research. Color me impressed.
Owl uses a bed shaker alarm and the family has a landline CapTel, two pieces of technology that are almost always missing from literature featuring deaf characters.
She speaks and speechreads, and uses some ASL (not fluently). She is mildly deaf in left ear and severe/profound in the right. She has no selective hearing when there’s too much noise (multiple conversations and radio, etc.).
Owl has an itinerant teacher of the deaf who comes twice a week. They sometimes sign, sometimes speak. One thing that initially threw me off was that Ms Z asks Owl if she has considered cochlear implants, which would “eliminate the need to sign completely.” I guess it’s possible that some teachers of the deaf are ignorant about CIs, but it does strike me as incredibly strange for her to say, especially considering how well done the rest of the deafness-related content is. She left Owl speechless, which maybe was the point? Come to find out she had said it out of frustration with Owl’s lack of signing skills/improvement and holding her tutor at arm’s length instead of communicating/confiding.
As a child Owl tried hearing aids, which didn’t help her. Perfect description: “unable to stand the squealing feedback, the unnatural fit, the way they managed to amplify without actually clarifying anything, merely creating a louder, equally confusing maelstrom.”
I have to detract points for the Echo effect. She can speechread 100% of a group conversation at a distance. Multiple times throughout book. The author's intent is to show that Owl isn’t incapable of understanding conversations she can’t hear, but the unfortunate effect is that she gives Owl an unrealistic superpower. It would have been much better if the author had shown how difficult and exhausting this work to understand is, how Owl is piecing together clues and memories in order to figure out what’s being said. As it is, it comes with preternatural ease.
Overall, this is definitely one of the better representations of deaf characters I've read, and I enjoyed the story, too.
There's no mention of the author being deaf or of having sensitivity readers. But either Owl’s deafness is based off herself or someone the author knows or she really did her research. Color me impressed.
Owl uses a bed shaker alarm and the family has a landline CapTel, two pieces of technology that are almost always missing from literature featuring deaf characters.
She speaks and speechreads, and uses some ASL (not fluently). She is mildly deaf in left ear and severe/profound in the right. She has no selective hearing when there’s too much noise (multiple conversations and radio, etc.).
Owl has an itinerant teacher of the deaf who comes twice a week. They sometimes sign, sometimes speak. One thing that initially threw me off was that Ms Z asks Owl if she has considered cochlear implants, which would “eliminate the need to sign completely.” I guess it’s possible that some teachers of the deaf are ignorant about CIs, but it does strike me as incredibly strange for her to say, especially considering how well done the rest of the deafness-related content is. She left Owl speechless, which maybe was the point? Come to find out she had said it out of frustration with Owl’s lack of signing skills/improvement and holding her tutor at arm’s length instead of communicating/confiding.
As a child Owl tried hearing aids, which didn’t help her. Perfect description: “unable to stand the squealing feedback, the unnatural fit, the way they managed to amplify without actually clarifying anything, merely creating a louder, equally confusing maelstrom.”
I have to detract points for the Echo effect. She can speechread 100% of a group conversation at a distance. Multiple times throughout book. The author's intent is to show that Owl isn’t incapable of understanding conversations she can’t hear, but the unfortunate effect is that she gives Owl an unrealistic superpower. It would have been much better if the author had shown how difficult and exhausting this work to understand is, how Owl is piecing together clues and memories in order to figure out what’s being said. As it is, it comes with preternatural ease.
Overall, this is definitely one of the better representations of deaf characters I've read, and I enjoyed the story, too.
November 9, 2022
I wanted to DNF this but pushed through because I thought the plot had potential and let's be real, I love the cover...
Ironically, the cover is the ONLY thing I liked.
The deaf representation was not explored enough.
The "romance" was nonexistent and lame.
The writing was terrible.
The ending was depressing, weird and confusing AF!
The characters were flat/annoying, and I didn't like any of them.
Don't ask me specifics. I've already started to forget everything, and I don't care.
I'm begging you not to read this.
Characters - 0
Atmosphere/Setting - 0
Writing Style - 0
Plot - 3
Intrigue - 1
Lo/Relationships - 0
Enjoyment - 0
Total: 4
Divided by 7 = 1.0 (1 stars)
1.1-2.2 *
2.3-4.5 **
4.6-6.9 ***
7.0-8.9 ****
9.0-10 *****
Ironically, the cover is the ONLY thing I liked.
The deaf representation was not explored enough.
The "romance" was nonexistent and lame.
The writing was terrible.
The ending was depressing, weird and confusing AF!
The characters were flat/annoying, and I didn't like any of them.
Don't ask me specifics. I've already started to forget everything, and I don't care.
I'm begging you not to read this.
Characters - 0
Atmosphere/Setting - 0
Writing Style - 0
Plot - 3
Intrigue - 1
Lo/Relationships - 0
Enjoyment - 0
Total: 4
Divided by 7 = 1.0 (1 stars)
1.1-2.2 *
2.3-4.5 **
4.6-6.9 ***
7.0-8.9 ****
9.0-10 *****
November 12, 2022
Check triggers**
Read this book if you like: Deaf representation, come back from trauma stories, small towns
Owl was left partially deaf by an early childhood tragedy that ended in her father’s incarceration. She is now 17 years old and has been living with her aunt and uncle. She is a tracker, an explorer, a wildlife enthusiast, who loves to hike the steep forested acres surrounding her aunt and uncle’s maple sugar farm.
Owl, her aunt, and uncle never speak of the brutal attack that brought her to them. On the day she confronts a stranger trespassing among the maples, Owl’s sheltered existence is blown wide open by Cody. He's a magnetic, dangerous young man hired to help with the sugaring off. Cody seems to see her, the real her, in a way no one else does. Together, they challenge each other, learn to question their preconceptions, and risk a romance their families are desperate to stop.
Firstly, what a gorgeous cover. I was immediately drawn into it. The story is good. It's very focused on dealing with your past traumas and growing from them. Owl is still learning how to navigate the world, partially deaf. Cody and Owl seem to trauma bond in a way. I enjoyed the story but I was left wanting a little more. I think it was the ending for me that needed it. The atmosphere of the book is fascinating. I do recommend this!
@AlgonquinYR @GillianFrenchWriter
Thank you to the author and Hachette for the gifted book. ❤️
Read this book if you like: Deaf representation, come back from trauma stories, small towns
Owl was left partially deaf by an early childhood tragedy that ended in her father’s incarceration. She is now 17 years old and has been living with her aunt and uncle. She is a tracker, an explorer, a wildlife enthusiast, who loves to hike the steep forested acres surrounding her aunt and uncle’s maple sugar farm.
Owl, her aunt, and uncle never speak of the brutal attack that brought her to them. On the day she confronts a stranger trespassing among the maples, Owl’s sheltered existence is blown wide open by Cody. He's a magnetic, dangerous young man hired to help with the sugaring off. Cody seems to see her, the real her, in a way no one else does. Together, they challenge each other, learn to question their preconceptions, and risk a romance their families are desperate to stop.
Firstly, what a gorgeous cover. I was immediately drawn into it. The story is good. It's very focused on dealing with your past traumas and growing from them. Owl is still learning how to navigate the world, partially deaf. Cody and Owl seem to trauma bond in a way. I enjoyed the story but I was left wanting a little more. I think it was the ending for me that needed it. The atmosphere of the book is fascinating. I do recommend this!
@AlgonquinYR @GillianFrenchWriter
Thank you to the author and Hachette for the gifted book. ❤️
November 4, 2022
Owl lives with her uncle on a maple farm in a remote village. She is an expert on sugaring season and balances her farm responsibilities with school. With people her age she always feels a little out of place due to her partial deafness caused by a traumatic past with her father. During sugaring season, her uncle must hire help and that comes in the form of a handsome teen stranger. The two bond over their traumatic pasts and help each other grow as they learn more about one another's emotional baggage.
This is a book about recovering from trauma, discovering your self worth and using your voice. Owl is the perfect mix of vulnerable and strong willed. Her confidence in her role in the natural world was a good balance to her uncertainty and social awkwardness with other people. We get to see her coming of age and learning in the most visceral way about the nature of people and that no one is all good or all bad. She knows she must face her past traumas and her life as a differently abled person. I liked the heart of this one although I wanted a little more from the ending. I also really loved learning about the maple syrup business, that was one of the more interesting parts of this book for me.
Thanks to Algonquin Books for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.
This is a book about recovering from trauma, discovering your self worth and using your voice. Owl is the perfect mix of vulnerable and strong willed. Her confidence in her role in the natural world was a good balance to her uncertainty and social awkwardness with other people. We get to see her coming of age and learning in the most visceral way about the nature of people and that no one is all good or all bad. She knows she must face her past traumas and her life as a differently abled person. I liked the heart of this one although I wanted a little more from the ending. I also really loved learning about the maple syrup business, that was one of the more interesting parts of this book for me.
Thanks to Algonquin Books for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.
November 16, 2022
Thank you to the publisher for my copy, all opinions are my own.
I don't as a rule, read a lot of YA books, but I will say that I very much enjoyed this one. This book is BEAUTIFULLY written, and builds such an incredible sense of atmosphere. I also totally loved the addition of maple syrup production as the backbone to the story, which is so unique and super interesting to learn about.
The tone to this book is bang on for the characters - its the right amount of romance/scandal/drama that keeps it fully believable and has you rooting for Owl as she navigates her world. I liked the dynamic between her and her aunt/uncle, between her and Cody and between her and her friends. And I love a book that never lets the main character off the hook for some real life issues that come up and aren't easily resolved.
Overall, a very easy, well paced and entertaining read for lovers of a good character drama/mystery with a little dash of romance thrown in.
I don't as a rule, read a lot of YA books, but I will say that I very much enjoyed this one. This book is BEAUTIFULLY written, and builds such an incredible sense of atmosphere. I also totally loved the addition of maple syrup production as the backbone to the story, which is so unique and super interesting to learn about.
The tone to this book is bang on for the characters - its the right amount of romance/scandal/drama that keeps it fully believable and has you rooting for Owl as she navigates her world. I liked the dynamic between her and her aunt/uncle, between her and Cody and between her and her friends. And I love a book that never lets the main character off the hook for some real life issues that come up and aren't easily resolved.
Overall, a very easy, well paced and entertaining read for lovers of a good character drama/mystery with a little dash of romance thrown in.
November 20, 2022
2.5 ⭐️ My favorite thing about reading this was the setting. The author gave so many beautiful, vivid depictions of nature and it felt like I was right there. SUGARING OFF is about life on a maple syrup farm, but you get SO much more than just that. The main character, Owl, was left deaf in one ear after a childhood tragedy. Being that she lives in a rural mountain community, she doesn’t have anyone to relate to. There is also indigenous representation, and a touch of romance and mystery.
I struggled a bit with the pacing. With this being YA, and I wanted more backstory on some of the characters. However, this was probably the most moody, atmospheric young adult story I’ve read — and I’m not mad about it! There are so many elements of SUGARING OFF that make it evocative and thought-provoking. I sure learned a lot about the process of making maple syrup 🍁
I struggled a bit with the pacing. With this being YA, and I wanted more backstory on some of the characters. However, this was probably the most moody, atmospheric young adult story I’ve read — and I’m not mad about it! There are so many elements of SUGARING OFF that make it evocative and thought-provoking. I sure learned a lot about the process of making maple syrup 🍁
February 28, 2023
Wow, this book surprised me! The first sixty pages were a bit slow, but after several false starts this book really grabbed me.
Gillian French’s writing is strong and confident, weaving details and imagery throughout the book in a delicate way that connects everything without feeling heavy handed or over-plotted. The book unfolds in an organic way but every piece feels intentional. The ending is satisfying without being cliché or sappy. I don’t know how else to say it, except that this book has breadth. These aren’t characters but real people. I can feel this story.
We need more books like this in YA fiction.
Four stars instead of five because of the difficult start. I’m glad I stuck it out though!
Gillian French’s writing is strong and confident, weaving details and imagery throughout the book in a delicate way that connects everything without feeling heavy handed or over-plotted. The book unfolds in an organic way but every piece feels intentional. The ending is satisfying without being cliché or sappy. I don’t know how else to say it, except that this book has breadth. These aren’t characters but real people. I can feel this story.
We need more books like this in YA fiction.
Four stars instead of five because of the difficult start. I’m glad I stuck it out though!
November 1, 2022
With Sugaring Off, Gillian French has created a work of great beauty. Part mystery, part a story of love and loss, it’s all heart. The setting in a New Hampshire sugarbush is authentic and atmospheric, and Owl’s struggles to make sense of the harshest realities are heartbreakingly real. Both gorgeous and suspenseful, I wanted to keep turning the pages at the same time that I didn’t want it to end.
December 14, 2022
I don't know what I expected from this book, but I was left feeling a little unsatisfied. I wasn't happy with the character development or the romance, and the way the story was resolved also wasn't what I was expecting. I think I wanted there to be more resolution or at least a more satisfying ending. It wasn't bad, and I liked learning about how real maple syrup is made, but it also isn't very high on my list.
November 12, 2022
3.5 🌟
This book offers so much from the beautiful natural setting on a maple syrup farm to folklore, deaf representation and an atmospheric drama. The narrative seemed a bit literary for YA and there were aspects I had hoped would be fleshed out more. But if you love a moody, earthy coming-of-age story, grab this one!
Thank you @algonquinyr for this gifted copy.
This book offers so much from the beautiful natural setting on a maple syrup farm to folklore, deaf representation and an atmospheric drama. The narrative seemed a bit literary for YA and there were aspects I had hoped would be fleshed out more. But if you love a moody, earthy coming-of-age story, grab this one!
Thank you @algonquinyr for this gifted copy.
November 17, 2022
There was quite a bit of language that I wasn't a fan of, but I did like hearing a story about a partially deaf girl! You don't see them that often.
I also like learning a little bit about the maple syrup-making process.
Also, the cover is absolutely stunning
Definitely a winter read ❄️
I also like learning a little bit about the maple syrup-making process.
Also, the cover is absolutely stunning
Definitely a winter read ❄️
June 11, 2023
This is a stunning YA book in so many regards: compelling story and characters, unique setting, exploration of tough issues, representations of different levels of deafness, and pretty writing. Coupled with the cover, it's just a pretty book. I'm going to be thinking about this one for awhile.
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