Stay Sweet

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What to expect

From the author of The Last Boy and Girl in the World and The List comes a bold and sweet summer read about first love, feminism, and ice cream.

Summer in Sand Lake isn’t complete without a trip to Meade Creamery—the local ice cream stand founded in 1944 by Molly Meade, who started making ice cream to cheer up her lovesick girlfriends while all the boys were away at war. Since then, the stand has been owned and managed exclusively by local girls, who inevitably become the best of friends.

Seventeen-year-old Amelia and her best friend Cate have worked at the stand every summer for the past three years, and Amelia is “Head Girl” at the stand this summer. When Molly passes away before Amelia even has her first day in charge, Amelia isn’t sure that the stand can go on. That is, until Molly’s grandnephew Grady arrives and asks Amelia to stay on to help continue the business … but Grady’s got some changes in mind.

Critics Review

  • Stay Sweet will inspire ambition—and ice-cream cravings.”

    Seventeen magazine
  • “Vivian serves a delectable mixture of ice cream and romance…While evoking the warmth of rural life and employee comradeship, Vivian writes an empowering novel for young women with big dreams.”

    Publishers Weekly (starred review)
  • “The even pacing, adept characterization, and relatable protagonists make this a delightful choice. With a strong message about female empowerment and hard work, this YA book will be a great read for spring break or summer vacation.”

    School Library Journal
  • “Both a bittersweet paean to the passage of time and a satisfying examination of a girl used to being in the background, who comes into her own. Summer reading at its finest.”

    Booklist
  • “Amelia possesses the qualities she needs to achieve her goals but, like many girls, lacks confidence in using them; watching her evolve is empowering.”

    Kirkus Reviews

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