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Leftovers #1
Sugarcoated
Sophie’s sweet plan is about to get complicated.
Bad things come in threes, right? Apparently not for Sophie. It seems like everything in her life is turning sour. Her family’s crumbling, her creative spark has fizzled, and school’s unbearable now that her ex-boyfriend and best friend are sweet on each other.
So when Sophie lands a summer job at Seaside Candy Co, she doesn’t mind swapping beach days for lollipops and jellybeans. She has a plan: earn enough for a plane ticket to her dad in New Zealand and reboot her sixteenth year somewhere new.
But the Sweetest Store on the Coast soon becomes a mixed bag of complications. Like Simon, the buttoned-up work rival she can’t seem to get out of her head. Like trying to figure out if her boss’s extra attention is professional or inappropriate. And what exactly does a co-worker know about Sophie’s family that might just upend everything?
Welcome to the Australian coastal town of Leftover Bay, where residents are navigating friendships and family, first love, and figuring out where they fit in the world.
Bad things come in threes, right? Apparently not for Sophie. It seems like everything in her life is turning sour. Her family’s crumbling, her creative spark has fizzled, and school’s unbearable now that her ex-boyfriend and best friend are sweet on each other.
So when Sophie lands a summer job at Seaside Candy Co, she doesn’t mind swapping beach days for lollipops and jellybeans. She has a plan: earn enough for a plane ticket to her dad in New Zealand and reboot her sixteenth year somewhere new.
But the Sweetest Store on the Coast soon becomes a mixed bag of complications. Like Simon, the buttoned-up work rival she can’t seem to get out of her head. Like trying to figure out if her boss’s extra attention is professional or inappropriate. And what exactly does a co-worker know about Sophie’s family that might just upend everything?
Welcome to the Australian coastal town of Leftover Bay, where residents are navigating friendships and family, first love, and figuring out where they fit in the world.
- GenresYoung AdultRomance
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2021
59 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Epstein
8 books141 followersSarah Epstein is an award-winning Australian author who resides in Melbourne with her family. Her young adult novels have been translated into multiple languages and have also been nominated for numerous literary awards. Sarah is the recipient of the Adelaide Festival Young Adult Fiction Award, the Davitt Award for Best YA Crime Novel, Honour Book from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and CBCA Notable Book. Sarah’s short fiction is featured in the Hometown Haunts anthology, and she also writes and illustrates picture books.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 18, 2021
From the first page, you can tell that our protagonist Sophie is going to be a wild ride. She is fun, witty and has zero filter when it comes to speaking her mind.
Sugarcoated has such a fantastically Australian feel, from the culture, to the euphemisms to the brutally to the point conversations and I absolutely adore it. There needs to be more of it in YA fiction, so seeing it here excites me to no end!
I love the authentic relationship that Sophie has with her family, I feel that there is something for every reader to relate to, Wether that be parental separation, strained relationship with mum or a close one with a sister. It is great to see family represented in such a real way.
This same sentiment goes for the complex characters that surround Sophie. From all walks of life, cultures and backgrounds. It is inclusive and exciting.
Mr Rooke... what a horrible man who isn't shy about abusing his power. Every scene where he is interacting with Sophie, sends shivers up my spine. As Sophie describes it, he is like an 'oil slick' both in the way he makes the protagonist and the reader feel, and in the way he seeps into every situation and implies something completely inappropriate.
Throughout this book, it is so easy to feel frustrated and confused for Sophie. So many people are lying, hiding truths and trying to manipulate her. Connecting the dots for her is so hard to do, but watching her connect them is completely devastating.
Epstein's first Contemporary YA novel is a refreshing, purely Australian read, filled with complex characters that you can't help but feel for. Sugar Coated is heartwarming and honest and tackles issues that so many readers have lived through.
As always, well written in Epstein's easy to read writing style, Sugar Coated is a fun read that is perfect for the Australian summer!
Sugarcoated has such a fantastically Australian feel, from the culture, to the euphemisms to the brutally to the point conversations and I absolutely adore it. There needs to be more of it in YA fiction, so seeing it here excites me to no end!
I love the authentic relationship that Sophie has with her family, I feel that there is something for every reader to relate to, Wether that be parental separation, strained relationship with mum or a close one with a sister. It is great to see family represented in such a real way.
This same sentiment goes for the complex characters that surround Sophie. From all walks of life, cultures and backgrounds. It is inclusive and exciting.
Mr Rooke... what a horrible man who isn't shy about abusing his power. Every scene where he is interacting with Sophie, sends shivers up my spine. As Sophie describes it, he is like an 'oil slick' both in the way he makes the protagonist and the reader feel, and in the way he seeps into every situation and implies something completely inappropriate.
Throughout this book, it is so easy to feel frustrated and confused for Sophie. So many people are lying, hiding truths and trying to manipulate her. Connecting the dots for her is so hard to do, but watching her connect them is completely devastating.
Epstein's first Contemporary YA novel is a refreshing, purely Australian read, filled with complex characters that you can't help but feel for. Sugar Coated is heartwarming and honest and tackles issues that so many readers have lived through.
As always, well written in Epstein's easy to read writing style, Sugar Coated is a fun read that is perfect for the Australian summer!
December 14, 2021
Thank you so much to the author for a complimentary ARC for review! ♡
After reading this wholesome indie YA romance, I can say with absolute certainty that I could never be let down by Sarah Epstein. I am so thrilled that Sarah's seemingy effortless style and skill have transferred without a hitch into a new genre. I expected nothing less and I have not been disappointed. There's so much I want to say about this book but for now I'll be brief.
Sophie is totally lovable and I was instantly connected with her. It's difficult not to love her terrible quips just for the sake of sarcasm. Her voice and relationships with others feel very natural and real for teens this age. I especially loved Sophie's relationship with her sister Eloise. Sarah has so effectively conveyed the ride or die relationship they have. Beautiful.
While Sugarcoated is a very sweet read, it does deal with some very real themes in a very gentle way that I appreciated. I really felt the discomfort of Sophie's interactions with her boss, the betrayals and family dramas, the adorable competitive tension between Sophie and Simon.
I cannot wait for the next Leftovers book! I loved Sophie's story and I'm looking forward to learning more about the characters from Piece of Cake !
Extended review and others like it up on my blog! ♡
After reading this wholesome indie YA romance, I can say with absolute certainty that I could never be let down by Sarah Epstein. I am so thrilled that Sarah's seemingy effortless style and skill have transferred without a hitch into a new genre. I expected nothing less and I have not been disappointed. There's so much I want to say about this book but for now I'll be brief.
Sophie is totally lovable and I was instantly connected with her. It's difficult not to love her terrible quips just for the sake of sarcasm. Her voice and relationships with others feel very natural and real for teens this age. I especially loved Sophie's relationship with her sister Eloise. Sarah has so effectively conveyed the ride or die relationship they have. Beautiful.
While Sugarcoated is a very sweet read, it does deal with some very real themes in a very gentle way that I appreciated. I really felt the discomfort of Sophie's interactions with her boss, the betrayals and family dramas, the adorable competitive tension between Sophie and Simon.
I cannot wait for the next Leftovers book! I loved Sophie's story and I'm looking forward to learning more about the characters from Piece of Cake !
Extended review and others like it up on my blog! ♡
December 5, 2021
Thankyou so much to the author for the gifted copy for an honest review. I adored this book and it was so wonderful to see Sarah taking on a new genre (and as a hybrid author too!)
Sugarcoated is the first book in the Leftover Bay series. It follows Sophie who is working in a new candy store over the school holidays. It was so nice reading a YA contemporary again. This book has loads of depth to it and is written so well. Sophie is trying to cope with her ex best friend and ex boyfriend getting together, her parents relationship breakdown, a new job where the boss has become inappropriate towards her, and a new crush.
I loved the atmosphere of the coastal Australian town. I loved Sophie as a protagonist and I felt for her trying to navigate her life situations. Her feelings of unease about her boss were relatable - I feel like most teenage girls have experienced this in some form by another male and it absolutely sucks that this is such a familiar feeling. I enjoyed the slowburn romance between Sophie and Simon. This is just an all round, well written, enjoyable read and I highly recommend.
Sugarcoated is the first book in the Leftover Bay series. It follows Sophie who is working in a new candy store over the school holidays. It was so nice reading a YA contemporary again. This book has loads of depth to it and is written so well. Sophie is trying to cope with her ex best friend and ex boyfriend getting together, her parents relationship breakdown, a new job where the boss has become inappropriate towards her, and a new crush.
I loved the atmosphere of the coastal Australian town. I loved Sophie as a protagonist and I felt for her trying to navigate her life situations. Her feelings of unease about her boss were relatable - I feel like most teenage girls have experienced this in some form by another male and it absolutely sucks that this is such a familiar feeling. I enjoyed the slowburn romance between Sophie and Simon. This is just an all round, well written, enjoyable read and I highly recommend.
December 7, 2021
Such a fun book! I love the character of Sophie so much, she's so messy and honest and with such depth and sweetness underneath. The preditory boss storyline was so well handled and the book didn't shy away from the complicated family dramas of the Sophie and Simon. And yet it was also sweet and swoony and such a delight! Can't wait for the next Left Over Bay novel.
December 18, 2021
Sophie's life is on a roller-coast, a series of bad things are happening to her, first her father leaves home, then her boyfriend and best friend are becoming an item and even her artist gift it's nowhere to be found. She decides to take a break of her regular relations and apply to a job during summer vacations in the recent open Seaside Candy Co sweet shop. There, she finds a great group of friends, an obnoxious boss and Simon, the most adorable boy of Leftover Bay.
This is a fun, enemies to lovers young adult romance. I found it cute and romantic, but also addresses some serious issues, like harassment or betrayal, which added some more depth in it.
This first book of Leftovers Series was a light and relaxing read and I can't wait to read the next books of this series set in an Australian coastal town.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a fun, enemies to lovers young adult romance. I found it cute and romantic, but also addresses some serious issues, like harassment or betrayal, which added some more depth in it.
This first book of Leftovers Series was a light and relaxing read and I can't wait to read the next books of this series set in an Australian coastal town.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 9, 2021
"Sugarcoated" is a beautiful and fun sweet young adult enemies-to-lovers romance set in a small coastal town in Australia.
Seventeen-year-old Sophie is in the middle of a life crisis. Her parents are splitting, her father moving to another country, and her ex-boyfriend is in a relationship with her ex-best friend. So she makes a plan: she will take a summer job and save up the money so she can move and live with her father. She finds a job at a newly opened candy store, but that's not all she finds there…
The writing flows smoothly from the first page to the last one and the plot is very well thought out: I couldn't find any holes in it even if I tried.
I must say that I loved Sophie, she is so snarky, cynical and direct, which is even more obvious since it is a single-point-of-view novel.
In spite of being a young adult romance, "Sugarcoated" tackles some more serious problems: dealing with parental divorce and employee abuse, and handles them perfectly. The author doesn't make light of them or trivialize them, but also doesn't delve so deep to make it an uncomfortable read.
I loved the supporting cast - Sophie's family and co-workers, especially her sister Eloise and co-workers Gia and Arj. Since "Sugarcoated" is the first installment of a series, I hope they will get their books, too.
In conclusion - I think I have found a new favorite author, and I'll be impatiently waiting for the sequels.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Seventeen-year-old Sophie is in the middle of a life crisis. Her parents are splitting, her father moving to another country, and her ex-boyfriend is in a relationship with her ex-best friend. So she makes a plan: she will take a summer job and save up the money so she can move and live with her father. She finds a job at a newly opened candy store, but that's not all she finds there…
The writing flows smoothly from the first page to the last one and the plot is very well thought out: I couldn't find any holes in it even if I tried.
I must say that I loved Sophie, she is so snarky, cynical and direct, which is even more obvious since it is a single-point-of-view novel.
In spite of being a young adult romance, "Sugarcoated" tackles some more serious problems: dealing with parental divorce and employee abuse, and handles them perfectly. The author doesn't make light of them or trivialize them, but also doesn't delve so deep to make it an uncomfortable read.
I loved the supporting cast - Sophie's family and co-workers, especially her sister Eloise and co-workers Gia and Arj. Since "Sugarcoated" is the first installment of a series, I hope they will get their books, too.
In conclusion - I think I have found a new favorite author, and I'll be impatiently waiting for the sequels.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 21, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary Aussie YA - it rolls along at a good pace with a cast of believable, diverse and well-rounded characters and a bit of a mystery played out as to exactly what Sophie's dad has been up to. It's also very much a romance but with enough enjoyable snark and other things happening to entertain non-romancey readers like myself :)
But the best part for me was the all-too-believable workplace problems of a boss who may or may not be a sleazebag. The author perfectly captures how a 16 year old can feel when faced by something she knows is not quite right, but the instigator is extremely good at covering his tracks and making her feel like she's imagining it, or that she's 'over-reacting' because she's 'just a naïve teen'. I love that reading about these scenarios might help a reader realise they're in the same situation IRL and even give them the strength and tools to remove themselves from it.
An excellent sweet read with plenty of added ooomph, congrats Sarah!
But the best part for me was the all-too-believable workplace problems of a boss who may or may not be a sleazebag. The author perfectly captures how a 16 year old can feel when faced by something she knows is not quite right, but the instigator is extremely good at covering his tracks and making her feel like she's imagining it, or that she's 'over-reacting' because she's 'just a naïve teen'. I love that reading about these scenarios might help a reader realise they're in the same situation IRL and even give them the strength and tools to remove themselves from it.
An excellent sweet read with plenty of added ooomph, congrats Sarah!
April 15, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First, I'm saying this - I'm envious because I want to have an ocean view outside my window.
The story is set in Leftover Bay, Australia. This was the first time reading a book located in AU and it was a bit unusual to read about Christmas in summer :)
The story:
Sophie is an ordinary teenager, who attends school, likes to draw, and goes through some serious family and personal issues. For starters, she accidentally finds out that her boyfriend dumped her and started dating her now-former-best-friend behind her back. Her parents are getting divorced and when it seems that life can't get any worse – she starts working in Seaside Candy Co and meets Simon.
What I liked:
1. the characters are well-written and described in such a way, that they invoke emotions however different they may be. Sophie is the character I like so much - kind, thoughtful, determined, brave, and with a ready tongue (like so many teenagers speaks before she thinks, but has no problem apologizing if she was wrong). Simon is a great guy, who is not portrayed as perfect. Woody - is a great friend always ready to help. All of the characters feel real, like the people around us.
2. the writing. It is smooth, humorous in the right places, and just generally flows easily, which makes it a great pleasure to read and effortless to follow the story.
3. the dynamics. The book is fast-paced and does not get boring, because something interesting is always happening (and not necessarily something good, which makes it close to real life). We get to see what it is like to be a teenager, with all their thoughts, emotions, and worries.
4. serious topics being brought up and even a sort of plan given on how a teenager can deal with it. This is really important since not all teens feel comfortable talking about such things, and after reading this book, they might see that there is always someone ready to help in solving their problems.
All in all, I absolutely loved the story! It was amazing to follow Sophie on the journey to find her place in life and deal with the world around her.
First, I'm saying this - I'm envious because I want to have an ocean view outside my window.
The story is set in Leftover Bay, Australia. This was the first time reading a book located in AU and it was a bit unusual to read about Christmas in summer :)
The story:
Sophie is an ordinary teenager, who attends school, likes to draw, and goes through some serious family and personal issues. For starters, she accidentally finds out that her boyfriend dumped her and started dating her now-former-best-friend behind her back. Her parents are getting divorced and when it seems that life can't get any worse – she starts working in Seaside Candy Co and meets Simon.
What I liked:
1. the characters are well-written and described in such a way, that they invoke emotions however different they may be. Sophie is the character I like so much - kind, thoughtful, determined, brave, and with a ready tongue (like so many teenagers speaks before she thinks, but has no problem apologizing if she was wrong). Simon is a great guy, who is not portrayed as perfect. Woody - is a great friend always ready to help. All of the characters feel real, like the people around us.
2. the writing. It is smooth, humorous in the right places, and just generally flows easily, which makes it a great pleasure to read and effortless to follow the story.
3. the dynamics. The book is fast-paced and does not get boring, because something interesting is always happening (and not necessarily something good, which makes it close to real life). We get to see what it is like to be a teenager, with all their thoughts, emotions, and worries.
4. serious topics being brought up and even a sort of plan given on how a teenager can deal with it. This is really important since not all teens feel comfortable talking about such things, and after reading this book, they might see that there is always someone ready to help in solving their problems.
All in all, I absolutely loved the story! It was amazing to follow Sophie on the journey to find her place in life and deal with the world around her.
December 4, 2021
Sophie's life has crashed and burned. Her dad has left to live in New Zealand, her boyfriend has dumped her for her (now ex. best friend), and her creative spark has gone out.
To save money to more to New Zealand to live with her dad, she gets a job at Seaside Candy Co.
But there life begins to get more complicated than she every thought possible, as well as providing new friends, reconnecting with old friends, and long buried secrets about to surface.
If you have read any of Sarah Epstein's books, you know her to be an amazing author of Australian YA Thrillers. Small spaces, her debut novel, scared the #$*&^% out of me. That was followed up by Deep Water, another thriller set in a small Australian town.
Now, Sarah has started a new contemporary YA series, The Leftovers, with book 1 being Sugarcoated.
What? I hear you ask. Contemporary fiction? Sugary and sweet?
Whatever you do, don't let the change in genre stop you from reading this amazing, funny, sad and at times confronting book.
And I know the rest of the series will be just as good.
In fact, you can visit Sarah's webpage and download a free prequel novella, which I loved at least as much as this first novel.
The dedication to Piece of Cake, the prequel novella is...
"For anyone who has ever felt like a leftover on the 'dud' table. I want to sit with you."
I want to sit with you too Sarah!
Thanks to the author for the review copy of this book.
To save money to more to New Zealand to live with her dad, she gets a job at Seaside Candy Co.
But there life begins to get more complicated than she every thought possible, as well as providing new friends, reconnecting with old friends, and long buried secrets about to surface.
If you have read any of Sarah Epstein's books, you know her to be an amazing author of Australian YA Thrillers. Small spaces, her debut novel, scared the #$*&^% out of me. That was followed up by Deep Water, another thriller set in a small Australian town.
Now, Sarah has started a new contemporary YA series, The Leftovers, with book 1 being Sugarcoated.
What? I hear you ask. Contemporary fiction? Sugary and sweet?
Whatever you do, don't let the change in genre stop you from reading this amazing, funny, sad and at times confronting book.
And I know the rest of the series will be just as good.
In fact, you can visit Sarah's webpage and download a free prequel novella, which I loved at least as much as this first novel.
The dedication to Piece of Cake, the prequel novella is...
"For anyone who has ever felt like a leftover on the 'dud' table. I want to sit with you."
I want to sit with you too Sarah!
Thanks to the author for the review copy of this book.
December 23, 2021
*A Thank you to BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read this. This is my honest and unbiased review*
Hello Fellow Readers,
I was in the mood for a little contemporary young adult and Sugarcoated immediately caught my eye. Honestly, I wanted a quick little book to lighten my mood and bring me back from a reading slump I had. Well this book, while a quick read, dealt with harder topics than I thought it had and that is not a bad thing. Epstein has a way of writing a story that, even with heavy hitting topics, it draws you in but doesn't emotionally drain you.
I really liked Sophie, she's a typically teenager whose life isn't doing so well right now, so she takes the initiative (albeit in a somewhat drastic way) to change it for the best. I've mentioned before that I don't really like enemies to lovers, I didn't mind Simon and Sophie's interactions. Maybe because they are teenagers and act like it? There are times where I felt a bit frustrated, this mostly had to do with Sophie's family drama and her family basically keeping her in the dark. I did see where the plot was heading and I just knew things would go awful when Sophie found out. I do like the resolution, even though it is a bit open ended and it makes me curious for the second book in the series.
Overall, a pretty great YA novel.
Hello Fellow Readers,
I was in the mood for a little contemporary young adult and Sugarcoated immediately caught my eye. Honestly, I wanted a quick little book to lighten my mood and bring me back from a reading slump I had. Well this book, while a quick read, dealt with harder topics than I thought it had and that is not a bad thing. Epstein has a way of writing a story that, even with heavy hitting topics, it draws you in but doesn't emotionally drain you.
I really liked Sophie, she's a typically teenager whose life isn't doing so well right now, so she takes the initiative (albeit in a somewhat drastic way) to change it for the best. I've mentioned before that I don't really like enemies to lovers, I didn't mind Simon and Sophie's interactions. Maybe because they are teenagers and act like it? There are times where I felt a bit frustrated, this mostly had to do with Sophie's family drama and her family basically keeping her in the dark. I did see where the plot was heading and I just knew things would go awful when Sophie found out. I do like the resolution, even though it is a bit open ended and it makes me curious for the second book in the series.
Overall, a pretty great YA novel.
January 26, 2022
Thank you so much to the author and BookSirens for the complimentary ARC! This review contains my honest and unbiased thoughts and opinions. 🌸
This was such a fun, "sugar-sweet" read with some serious topics mixed in. Sophie is completely relatable! She's messy, has no filter and I love her sarcasm! She has that quirky, odd sense of humor that so many just don't get (although most in the story were just as sarcastic or at least could handle her sarcasm without missing a beat). At the beginning, Sophie seems to have lost her creativity yet finds it again as the story progresses (love her Christmas Chill Pills!!). Not only can life affect you emotionally, it can mentally as well and this is shown by Sophie's loss of creative spark and enthusiasm with her painting at the beginning of the story. The deeper topics of parents separation, strained relationships with parents, Sophie's dad moving away, the situation with her boss, were handled quite well and went with the story instead of taking away from the story.
Sugarcoated is book 1 in the Leftovers series based in an Australian coastal town and I can't wait to read the next book! I'm especially hoping we get different character stories, I would love to read one based around Gia!
This was such a fun, "sugar-sweet" read with some serious topics mixed in. Sophie is completely relatable! She's messy, has no filter and I love her sarcasm! She has that quirky, odd sense of humor that so many just don't get (although most in the story were just as sarcastic or at least could handle her sarcasm without missing a beat). At the beginning, Sophie seems to have lost her creativity yet finds it again as the story progresses (love her Christmas Chill Pills!!). Not only can life affect you emotionally, it can mentally as well and this is shown by Sophie's loss of creative spark and enthusiasm with her painting at the beginning of the story. The deeper topics of parents separation, strained relationships with parents, Sophie's dad moving away, the situation with her boss, were handled quite well and went with the story instead of taking away from the story.
Sugarcoated is book 1 in the Leftovers series based in an Australian coastal town and I can't wait to read the next book! I'm especially hoping we get different character stories, I would love to read one based around Gia!
December 24, 2021
This beautiful book was gifted to me by Sarah.
Your writing is truly spectacular with each book you write.
Thank you for sharing your talent with the universe
Wow this book is just truly amazing.
It has multiple sub-plots that were all concluded beautifully towards the end, teaching us something in the meantime.
Sophie is a wild and sassy 16 year old that has you truly invested in her story from the first chapter.
I honestly could not put this book down.
The events Sophie had to deal with throughout this story was more than a lot for a 16 year old. Sadly most teens deal with these on a daily basis.
I love how Sarah explains everything that you can picture, taste, and smell each of her scenes. I mean who wouldn’t want to do that with a beach and a lolly shop.
I believe I may, at one point, almost lick the book.
This book is an important one for all Young Adults and those alike. The real subjects, the lessons, the truths of life, all that will allow someone to feel less alone in this world.
Thank you Sarah for another beautiful read
Your first in YA Contemporary and your very own cover art too. Big congrats x
Your writing is truly spectacular with each book you write.
Thank you for sharing your talent with the universe
Wow this book is just truly amazing.
It has multiple sub-plots that were all concluded beautifully towards the end, teaching us something in the meantime.
Sophie is a wild and sassy 16 year old that has you truly invested in her story from the first chapter.
I honestly could not put this book down.
The events Sophie had to deal with throughout this story was more than a lot for a 16 year old. Sadly most teens deal with these on a daily basis.
I love how Sarah explains everything that you can picture, taste, and smell each of her scenes. I mean who wouldn’t want to do that with a beach and a lolly shop.
I believe I may, at one point, almost lick the book.
This book is an important one for all Young Adults and those alike. The real subjects, the lessons, the truths of life, all that will allow someone to feel less alone in this world.
Thank you Sarah for another beautiful read
Your first in YA Contemporary and your very own cover art too. Big congrats x
February 10, 2022
At first I wasn’t to sure about this book. It took a while to get going for me. It felt like everything was been dragged out.
I was unsure if I would even finish the book, however I continued to read.
I’m glad I did continue, the story got better and more interesting. The main character grew on me and you could see the changes in her and feel her pain. At times I thought she was selfish and had to be right all the time.
The author did a good job with the topic of harassment and how to deal with that.
I enjoyed the ending of the book and how each persons story had an ending.
The book did make me miss living in Australia and walking on the beach (as that was my go to place to think like Sophie)
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was unsure if I would even finish the book, however I continued to read.
I’m glad I did continue, the story got better and more interesting. The main character grew on me and you could see the changes in her and feel her pain. At times I thought she was selfish and had to be right all the time.
The author did a good job with the topic of harassment and how to deal with that.
I enjoyed the ending of the book and how each persons story had an ending.
The book did make me miss living in Australia and walking on the beach (as that was my go to place to think like Sophie)
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 7, 2022
I read and LOVED this sweet coming-of-age YA novel at the very end of 2021, and it was a wonderful summer read. It was just such a fun, thoughtful and moving read! I adored it ❤️
The main character, Sophie, is such a relatable heroine and I absolutely loved reading about her story and the bay where she lived. This book was charming and gorgeous, and a must-read for anyone who loves a good YA contemporary. It's got a very sweet romance, and also a lot of considered and emotional family and work elements as well (urg! Sophie's boss is so yuck! Blurg!), and I loved following Sophie as she learned more about herself and her family, her friends, and as she learned to stand up for herself at work.
This was such a gorgeous read! I honestly gobbled it up!! Highly recommend 😻😻
The main character, Sophie, is such a relatable heroine and I absolutely loved reading about her story and the bay where she lived. This book was charming and gorgeous, and a must-read for anyone who loves a good YA contemporary. It's got a very sweet romance, and also a lot of considered and emotional family and work elements as well (urg! Sophie's boss is so yuck! Blurg!), and I loved following Sophie as she learned more about herself and her family, her friends, and as she learned to stand up for herself at work.
This was such a gorgeous read! I honestly gobbled it up!! Highly recommend 😻😻
January 24, 2022
This is book 1 in Epsteins new young adult series Leftovers and can be read as a stand alone. What a beautifully sweet read. Our main character Sophie decides to take a break from her normal, as her normal seems to be imploding around her. She takes a job at Seaside Candy Co and meets new group of friends and more… A great read, incredibly well written young adult romance, sweet and wholesome and yet still touches on some deeper topics. Definitely looking forward to more in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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April 24, 2022It’s emotional and a little angsty, has so much family drama and secrets going on, not to mention trouble at work, and did I forget to mention the betrayal by her now ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend! Poor Sophie she certainly has had a tough time but sometimes the bad things leads us where we need to be for the good stuff to find us, like new friends, reconnecting with lost friends and maybe new love. Brilliantly written, engaging and a great YA read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 9, 2022
I absolutely love Sarah Epstein's previous novels, so I was super keen to give this one a go!
This book may be a different genre, but the top notch writing is still there.
I really liked the Australian setting, and the characters were fantastic. The protagonist was likeable and relatable, which made for an enjoyable story.
If you're a fan of contemporary YA, I definitely recommend giving this book a go!
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of this book to review.
This book may be a different genre, but the top notch writing is still there.
I really liked the Australian setting, and the characters were fantastic. The protagonist was likeable and relatable, which made for an enjoyable story.
If you're a fan of contemporary YA, I definitely recommend giving this book a go!
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of this book to review.
December 3, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this!
The story was very enticing and I read most of it in one sitting. There were some names that I had forgotten from the Piece of Cake novella, but they were only mentioned so it didn’t affect the story’s flow. The pacing was really good.
I loved that ending for Sophie! The boy of her dreams became her boyfriend, the creep got his karma and she sorted things out with her family and friends.
Overall this book was great, I can’t wait to read more of this series.
The story was very enticing and I read most of it in one sitting. There were some names that I had forgotten from the Piece of Cake novella, but they were only mentioned so it didn’t affect the story’s flow. The pacing was really good.
I loved that ending for Sophie! The boy of her dreams became her boyfriend, the creep got his karma and she sorted things out with her family and friends.
Overall this book was great, I can’t wait to read more of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2022
I received a free advanced copy of this book, and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the plot and the emotional depth that really pulled the story along. I liked how the sexually harassing boss plot line was taken care of, and I enjoyed how Sophie made friends, both old and new, through the story.
Really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the plot and the emotional depth that really pulled the story along. I liked how the sexually harassing boss plot line was taken care of, and I enjoyed how Sophie made friends, both old and new, through the story.
February 14, 2022
The plot was stunning and the characters were amazing!! the book cover is super pretty and I would gladly read it again. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 20, 2021
Absolutely loved it! Cannot wait to visit Leftover Bay again soon🍭
January 7, 2022
Sarah perfectly transported me back to my teenage years in a small town, and my murky grasp on my emotions and the struggles of dealing with family drama and conflicting priorities. Loved it!
December 5, 2021
RTC over at @chemicalbookdragon x
July 12, 2025
love interest was annoying i think
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