The Sweetest Thing

March 21, 2011
Debut author Mandelski follows a pretty basic recipe in this coming-of-age novel that offers an abundance of familial and romantic drama. Fifteen-year-old Sheridan Wells, aka "Cake Girl," is happy with her smalltown life in western Michigan, creating amazing cakes in her grandmother's bakery. Her father, who runs the hottest restaurant in town, is distant, but Sheridan truly longs for her mother, who abandoned the family years ago. When her father is offered a cooking show in New York City, Sheridan refuses to consider leaving the town she loves, holding out hope for her mother's return; her mother says she'll do just that in birthday cards Sheridan receives each year, though readers should see through these promises quickly, draining that story line of genuine tension. After Sheridan's contact with her mother proves a disappointment, she is finally able to move on. Sheridan is believably self-absorbed and melodramatic when faced with unwanted changes in her life, but her bratty attitude and emotional naïveté don't diminish until late into the novel, which flattens the story's arc and isn't likely to endear her to many readers. Ages 12âup.

July 1, 2011

Gr 7 Up-Sheridan Wells, aka "Cake Girl," would rather spend Friday nights decorating her tasty creations at her grandmother's bakery than going to parties. Content behind the counter, the Michigan teen's junior year is turned upside down when her chef and restaurateur dad lands his own cooking show on ExtremeCuisine TV. Now she's expected to move to New York City and maybe even spend time in front of the camera herself. More importantly, however, that means she won't be in her hometown if and when her long-absent mother finally decides to return. Self-absorbed and melodramatic, Sheridan is believable, but only mildly likable. Her romantic interests are less realistic and behave more like 40-year-old men than teenage boys. Nonetheless, there is plenty of family and relationship drama, and the goings-on might appeal to nondiscriminating teens.-Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY

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