Sweetness in the Skin

Delightful. This tender, humorous, coming-of-age tale celebrates the flavours and language of Jamaica

Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

Sweetness in the Skin is a tender exploration of familial love, both the family you’re born to, and the one you find along the way. Robinson has written a treatise on the effects of colourism and class divisions that is heartbreaking and raw, yet joyful. This vivid story transported me to Pumkin’s world through an excursion of the senses, the sights, the sounds, and especially the tastes of Jamaica, taking me back to the one journey I took to my fatherland and leaving me yearning to return.

Charlene Carr, author of Hold My Girl

Vibrant, affecting and joyfully uplifting. I felt completely transported, and was cheering Pumkin along every step of the way!

Lucy Diamond, author of Anything Could Happen

Pumkin is a resilient protagonist who handles the discovery of her own identity, while dealing with issues of race, wealth, and social status, with more grace than is expected of a teenager. Her "never give up" spirit will endear her to readers from the first page. This triumphant and emotional debut from Robinson is recommended for readers who enjoyed Charmaine Wilkerson’s Black Cake or Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing.

Library Journal, starred review

Sweetness in the Skin is a celebration of the Caribbean – our food, our language, and our people. I read this book with my heart in my mouth, hoping all of Pumkin’s dreams would come true.

Breanne Mc Ivor, author of The God of Good Looks

Robinson’s debut explores a variety of themes, including colorism, generational trauma, class, and ambition, through the eyes of plucky Pumkin, who is wise beyond her years. Her struggles are authentic, as are the friendships she develops with the people who help her along the way. Readers who were moved by Abi Daré’s The Girl with the Louding Voice will be inspired by Pumkin’s journey.

Booklist, starred review

Emotionally transportive. A story so rich and resonant I never wanted it to end. Pumkin Patterson has my heart as one of the most authentic and original voices I've ever met in the pages of a book. I loved her.

Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman

Sweetness in the Skin is a mouth-watering delight of a novel, richly seasoned with the flavours, dialect and culture of Jamaica. Ishi Robinson's sumptuous writing is an utter joy, and the characters she's created are vivid and engaging. The twists and turns of Pumkin's quest to escape her predicament and realise her dream set my heart pounding as I raced to the satisfying conclusion. It's rare to find a book that's so thought-provoking, exciting and humorous in equal parts. A treat from start to finish!

Sarah Haywood, author of The Cactus

A total triumph of a debut. Immersive and assured, with a central character you’ll root for the whole way through and a fantastic sense of place. I loved it

Niamh Hargan, author of Twelve Days in May

A dazzling coming-of-age novel set in the 1990s, with an unforgettable heroine

Sarra Manning, Red

I cherished every moment spent with Pumkin in this mesmerizing and poignant exploration of familial love and self-discovery. Robinson's narrative is infused with passion, delicately balancing stunning flavors and humor to create a feast for the senses. This captivating tale will linger in your heart long after the final page. An absolute must-read

Abi Daré, bestselling author of The Girl With the Louding Voice

Robinson is a tender and vivid writer, teasing out themes of identity, love, and the search for belonging. Sweetness in the Skin is a ode to the families we create for ourselves. Pumkin is a wonderful main character you are willing to succeed

Glamour

‘Ishi Robinson’s debut serves up a taste of Jamaica that will have you craving coconut drops, gizzada and sweet potato pudding . . . this engaging coming-of-age tale shows a challenging side of Jamaican life through the eyes of an appealing protagonist’

The Times

A story of uplifting love and joyful Jamaican-recipes

Stylist

A beautiful celebration of the Jamaican culture and people, as well as an uplifting coming-of-age tale about a brave, resilient and resourceful young girl who refuses to let anything hold her back

CultureFly

Poignant and emotional, with touches of both humour and sorrow

Julia Quinn, bestselling author of Bridgerton

The word-of-mouth sensation that's making waves . . . A searing coming-of-age novel set in 90s Jamaica that tells the story of irrepressible Pumkin Patterson . . . This luminous tale with its infectious heroine is perfect summer reading

Irenosen Okojie, Stylist

This story by Ishi Robinson is a contemporary novel about family struggles, learning French, and, my favourite: baking. If those concepts don't hook you, I don't know what will. Sweetness in the Skin is perfect for anyone looking for a good ol' coming-of-age story, as it follows a young, lovable main character.

Buzzfeed

Delightful. This tender, humorous, coming-of-age tale celebrates the flavours and language of Jamaica

Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

Sweetness in the Skin is a tender exploration of familial love, both the family you’re born to, and the one you find along the way. Robinson has written a treatise on the effects of colourism and class divisions that is heartbreaking and raw, yet joyful. This vivid story transported me to Pumkin’s world through an excursion of the senses, the sights, the sounds, and especially the tastes of Jamaica, taking me back to the one journey I took to my fatherland and leaving me yearning to return.

Charlene Carr, author of Hold My Girl

Vibrant, affecting and joyfully uplifting. I felt completely transported, and was cheering Pumkin along every step of the way!

Lucy Diamond, author of Anything Could Happen

Pumkin is a resilient protagonist who handles the discovery of her own identity, while dealing with issues of race, wealth, and social status, with more grace than is expected of a teenager. Her "never give up" spirit will endear her to readers from the first page. This triumphant and emotional debut from Robinson is recommended for readers who enjoyed Charmaine Wilkerson’s Black Cake or Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing.

Library Journal, starred review

Sweetness in the Skin is a celebration of the Caribbean – our food, our language, and our people. I read this book with my heart in my mouth, hoping all of Pumkin’s dreams would come true.

Breanne Mc Ivor, author of The God of Good Looks

Robinson’s debut explores a variety of themes, including colorism, generational trauma, class, and ambition, through the eyes of plucky Pumkin, who is wise beyond her years. Her struggles are authentic, as are the friendships she develops with the people who help her along the way. Readers who were moved by Abi Daré’s The Girl with the Louding Voice will be inspired by Pumkin’s journey.

Booklist, starred review

Emotionally transportive. A story so rich and resonant I never wanted it to end. Pumkin Patterson has my heart as one of the most authentic and original voices I've ever met in the pages of a book. I loved her.

Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman

Sweetness in the Skin is a mouth-watering delight of a novel, richly seasoned with the flavours, dialect and culture of Jamaica. Ishi Robinson's sumptuous writing is an utter joy, and the characters she's created are vivid and engaging. The twists and turns of Pumkin's quest to escape her predicament and realise her dream set my heart pounding as I raced to the satisfying conclusion. It's rare to find a book that's so thought-provoking, exciting and humorous in equal parts. A treat from start to finish!

Sarah Haywood, author of The Cactus

A total triumph of a debut. Immersive and assured, with a central character you’ll root for the whole way through and a fantastic sense of place. I loved it

Niamh Hargan, author of Twelve Days in May

A dazzling coming-of-age novel set in the 1990s, with an unforgettable heroine

Sarra Manning, Red

I cherished every moment spent with Pumkin in this mesmerizing and poignant exploration of familial love and self-discovery. Robinson's narrative is infused with passion, delicately balancing stunning flavors and humor to create a feast for the senses. This captivating tale will linger in your heart long after the final page. An absolute must-read

Abi Daré, bestselling author of The Girl With the Louding Voice

Robinson is a tender and vivid writer, teasing out themes of identity, love, and the search for belonging. Sweetness in the Skin is a ode to the families we create for ourselves. Pumkin is a wonderful main character you are willing to succeed

Glamour

‘Ishi Robinson’s debut serves up a taste of Jamaica that will have you craving coconut drops, gizzada and sweet potato pudding . . . this engaging coming-of-age tale shows a challenging side of Jamaican life through the eyes of an appealing protagonist’

The Times

A story of uplifting love and joyful Jamaican-recipes

Stylist

A beautiful celebration of the Jamaican culture and people, as well as an uplifting coming-of-age tale about a brave, resilient and resourceful young girl who refuses to let anything hold her back

CultureFly

Poignant and emotional, with touches of both humour and sorrow

Julia Quinn, bestselling author of Bridgerton

The word-of-mouth sensation that's making waves . . . A searing coming-of-age novel set in 90s Jamaica that tells the story of irrepressible Pumkin Patterson . . . This luminous tale with its infectious heroine is perfect summer reading

Irenosen Okojie, Stylist

This story by Ishi Robinson is a contemporary novel about family struggles, learning French, and, my favourite: baking. If those concepts don't hook you, I don't know what will. Sweetness in the Skin is perfect for anyone looking for a good ol' coming-of-age story, as it follows a young, lovable main character.

Buzzfeed