Sweetness in the Skin: A Novel

“A delightful coming-of-age story set in Jamaica, amid heartbreak, hopefulness, and mirth.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

“Poignant and emotional, with touches of both humor and sorrow. . . . This book makes you think about what it means to be a mother, and what it means to be a good mother.” Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bridgerton, on Today.com

A winning debut novel about a Jamaican girl 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, so she can free herself from her household and reunite with her beloved aunt in France. 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. . . .

Sweetness in the Skin is a funny and heartbreaking story about a young girl figuring out who she is, what she is capable of—and where she truly belongs.

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Published Apr 23, 2024

368 pages

Average rating: 8.18

38 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

@sweettea_and_a_book
Apr 30, 2025
8/10 stars
#gifted @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial  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

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