Sweetener is a weird, emotional, and totally unique read about two ex-wives—both named Rebecca—who end up dating the same woman. The writing is poetic and fragmented, which some readers loved and others found confusing. It dives deep into themes like motherhood, trauma, queer love, and messy relationships.

It’s not an easy or light read—some parts are surreal or unsettling—but if you’re into raw, experimental fiction about complicated queer women, this might be your thing.

Content warnings: includes sexual content, addiction, child abuse, and more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Catapult for this ARC!
3.5 stars

Out August 19th, 2025
Oh, Sweetener by Marissa Higgins? More like Bittersweetener. This book tries to be a poignant exploration of grief, identity, and queer love, but ends up feeling like it’s trying too hard to be profound while forgetting to be readable. The prose is so syrupy it could give you a toothache, and the pacing? Like watching paint dry while someone reads you their diary in slow motion. The characters are earnest, sure, but they’re also so introspective and tortured that you start wishing someone would just crack a joke or, I don’t know, go outside.

That said, if you enjoy books that feel like emotional excavation with a side of poetic angst, this might be your jam. Higgins clearly has something to say, and she says it with conviction—even if it occasionally feels like she’s shouting into a void made of metaphors. It’s the kind of book that wants to be hugged and analyzed, preferably while you’re wrapped in a weighted blanket and sipping herbal tea. Just don’t expect levity or narrative momentum. This one’s for the readers who like their fiction heavy, heartfelt, and just a little bit exhausting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Catapult for this ARC!