_{One of the BBC and Zibby Mag’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024
An Apple Books Staff Pick / Best Books of the Month April 2024
One of Glamour UK’s Best New Books of April 2024}

Pumkin Patterson lives in a tiny two-room house in Kingston, Jamaica, with her feisty grandmother (who wants to improve the family’s social standing), her beloved Aunt Sophie (who dreams of a new life in Paris), and her mother Paulette (who doesn’t remember that Pumkin exists). Pumkin’s escape is baking, where she can block out the chaos at home and dream of an exciting future.

When Sophie seizes the opportunity to move to France for work, she 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.

Will Pumkin’s friends, her neighbors, and her sweet potato pudding, coconut drops, and chocolate cakes help her escape? And will leaving home help her find the freedom she so craves? SWEETNESS IN THE SKIN beautifully immerses the reader in Pumpkin’s psychological and physical journey while probing what it means to be true to oneself.

Pre-order your copy now from the links below or your favourite local bookshop!

Amazon :: Waterstones :: Bookshop.org

Amazon :: Barnes & Noble :: Books-A-Million

Amazon :: Indigo :: A Different Booklist

Amazon :: Dussmann :: Thalia :: Love Story of Berlin

_{Praise for Sweetness in the Skin}

— Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

“Poignant and emotional, with touches of both humor and sorrow.“

— Julia Quinn, bestselling author of Bridgerton

“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, author of The Girl with the Louding Voice

“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 colorism 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

“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*

“A celebration of Jamaica that also examines its legacy of colonialism and classism”

—BBC

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

—Lucy Diamond, The Sunday Times bestelling author of The Promise and Something to Tell You

“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, award-winning 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 (2020) 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 Richard and Judy book club pick 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, New York Times Bestselling author of The Cactus

A “…vivacious debut….This perceptive coming-of-age novel marks Robinson as a writer to watch.”

— Publisher’s Weekly

“Sympathetic storytelling leavened with humor.“

— Kirkus Reviews

“Robinson’s debut novel is an inspiring story about discovering who you are and who you were meant to be.“

— Apple Books

“This is a dazzling coming-of-age-novel…with an unforgettable heroine.“

— Sarra Manning, RED Magazine

“Don’t read this book while hungry – 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 UK

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

— Glamour UK