Sugarsnap

Babylove #2

by I.S. Belle

Secret girlfriends Ivy and Frankie just want to get through high school and escape their dying town.
But Bulldeen's dark magic isn't done with them yet - animals die mysteriously, ex-boyfriends loom, and secrets strain to be revealed.
And in the midst of Homecoming. Will the girls be able to steal a dance, or will darkness bury them before they make it underneath the disco ball?
The BABYLOVE series is a companion series to the ZOMBABE trilogy. SUGARSNAP takes place in between ZOMBABE #1 and #2.

Genres: Lesbian, Horror, Queer, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, LGBT

122 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2023

Reviews

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book of the series a lot, but Sugarsnap took it to a whole new level! I literally couldn’t put this down. It starts with this element of mystery and suspense - you know something has happened/is happening, but you don’t know what exactly and you have to read between the lines. In Bulldeen, nothing is ever quite as it seems and dark things lurk around every corner. The town is dying, people are leaving, and everything has changed. Bulldeen is basically a ghost town, holding on for dear life…for new life…for resurrection.

Sugarsnap takes us on more dark and terrifying adventures with Frankie and Ivy and is filled with countless wholesome and adorable moments of young sweet sapphic love! Frankie and Ivy don’t hide their unlikely friendship in town or at school, but the real nature of their relationship remains a secret for only them.

But their relationship isn’t the only secret…. Ivy has a secret she’s never told Frankie and Frankie’s dead-ish sister wants Frankie to know. Frankie did something…something she should not have done. And now bad things are happening. Again. And everyone is about to get a Homecoming Dance they will never forget.

I loved Kate and KJ so much and their roles in this story. More queer rep and just amazing wholesome people who I would definitely want on my side during a zombie apocalypse!

This is a story about grief and love and hope. It’s about the decisions we make and the consequences we have to face. It’s a story about friendship and relationships and identity, about being queer in a small town in the early 2000s. It has dark magic, resurrection, zombies, and jealous ex boyfriends who get what they deserve.

Sugarsnap takes place after Zombabe, and I feel like it would have been beneficial to read that first, but enough is explained that I didn’t feel lost or confused. And oh my god! There was so much happening and this story got super intense at times. I swear my stomach was in knots for pretty much the whole second half of the novel. I felt like I was there with them, watching it all happen.

Such a great book and great series! I highly recommend them!

[✩ maggs ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 but rounded up.

i really like this don't get me wrong. but because i took like a 2-ish week break in between reading sessions it was hard to give it more than a 3.5 star rating. it just didn't pull me in like i would have wanted it to.

definitely going to read number 3, definitely going to read the rest of i s belle's blacklist and DEFINITELY going to recommend any of these books to anyone who loves queer horror!!

[court of stories · Rating 4 out of 5]

꧁SUGARSNAP꧂
babylove #2
R E V I E W


Tropes:
– opposites attract
– secret relationship
– cheerleader x goth girl
– sapphic
– dark magic
– YA


And another novel in the Babylove series I inhaled in one day. These books are not just pretty short, but also so addictive. Though I think I have to read Zombabe too – because it seems I‘m missing a part, and that one is in there. However, the second novel is even better than the first. This time Frankie is emotionally involved, and it took me some time to connect the dots…but wow! And I love that her and Ivy are finally a couple. A secret couple. These two have amazing chemistry, I just love every scene with them. The creepy vibes of the town are the cherry on top.
And I said I wanted more of Frankie and her sister, and this book takes that to heart, but differently than I expected.

4.5/5⭐️




TW: death of a family member

[Chloe Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book's predecessor, Babylove, and as soon as I finished it, I was wondering what was going to happen with Frankie and Ivy's story. I was delighted to see that this sequel expands upon the lore included in both Babylove and Zombabe, but I think that this is written accessibly, and you don't need to read the predecessors to necessarily understand what's going on in this one. (But just read them all anyways; you won't regret it.)

Many complex, difficult themes are explored within this book, such as grief/loss, poverty (this expands on the decline of the town of Bulldeen), and most critically, navigating a homophobic world as a young queer person. Set in 2004, it was definitely unsettling to see Ivy and Frankie's concerns about their relationship parallel to issues we see today, but I think that's what makes this a particularly excellent, timeless read.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll scream in horror and ask the heavens why--Sugarsnap is an excellent sequel that gave me everything I was asking for. Sapphic longing (and loving!), bloody violence, and a lot of funny jokes.

On that note, please be mindful of the content warnings! When Sugarsnap gets gory, it gets GORY! (Delightful!)

*** ARC was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Serena ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss girl’s sister died off page between book 1 and 2 and to my knowledge Frankie just didn’t really… care. Apparently two years had passed… maybe that had something to do w it. Girly tried to resurrect her too even after the whole dead grandfather fiasco. Smh.

A lot happened… yet not a lot happened. It is what it is.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story from I.S. Belle. I think I loved this one even more than Babylove, because I already knew the characters and got to spend more time with them. The book got me pretty choked up a couple of times at the end too!

[lucy - iwishihadmoretimetoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - now I really need to read Zombabe!

[Cez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

[The Wild Weary Cow Reads Sapphic · Rating 4 out of 5]

NEXT!!!! ➡️➡️➡️➡️➡️➡️➡️

[everybookadoorway · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think i loved the first one more, but this was still a lot of fun

[khadeja · Rating 4 out of 5]

frankie and ivy are so cute

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

damn! i'm tearing through these books fast and i don't mind it cause this author is my version of reality TV

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very surprised with the way this story played out. I was skeptical at first, but it ended up working for me. I really enjoyed the MC relationship development. They are just so good to and for each other. I am definitely interested in seeing where the third book is going to go.

[Rae, shutupandbookup · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars!


First and foremost! This is book two of the "BABYLOVE" series, so potential spoilers ahead! "SUGARSNAP" takes place after book one of the companion series, "ZOMBABE".


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"Why am I proposing? Where's my proposal?" - Frankie

"Do something to deserve one." - Ivy


A lot has happened between Ivy and Frankie since they confessed their feelings to one another and had a passionate first kiss! Not only have the two grown closer but the creepy town of Bulldeen has gone through some major changes as well. But keeping with good ole tradition, Ivy and Frankie ignore the weirdness.


Until some unnatural things begin to center around Frankie! Frankie thought her biggest concern was getting into Homecoming and sneaking a few dances with Ivy. She was gravely mistaken. . . Is it too much to ask to have one night of peace with your secret girlfriend?! And did anyone see Marvin sneaking about?


"That should be the Homecoming theme: Bulldeen is dying, let's shoot confetti cannons for the funeral." - Madeline


I was very excited to know that there was another book in the "BABYLOVE" series! I read the first book and really enjoyed the YA horror not to mention the sapphic romance! Belle even had artwork commissioned for the books and it's so stunning!


Frankie's tired of high school and the small-town life the only plus is Ivy. Only it's 2004 and the girls have to keep their relationship behind closed doors. . . Both wanting nothing more than to ditch the eerie town and be somewhere where they can walk out in public hand in hand. They just need to survive the rest of high school first.


Things seem to be going smoothly until Bulldeen and its dark magic strikes again. Frankie wants to ignore it, but things are only getting worse or maybe the town has finally driven her to insanity?! Ivy and Frankie may have to team up again against the odd powers of the town. Never mind having to keep an eye on Marvin who seems to still be obsessed with Ivy. . .


I love the relationship between the girls and their playful banter! Both influencing the other in little ways and it's just the cutest. They unfortunately have to be careful with what they do in public and how it may be perceived. But the two find ways to be together and even get in a couple of kisses! This is a YA so the most that happens is kissing and knocking of knees together.


I enjoyed the story and I love the horror of the book. This novella does contain language, violence, and bloodshed. Be mindful of the TWs. One of the MCs suffers from vivid hallucinations and battles nightmares. We do have teenagers being teenagers and drinking/smoking underage. A scene of a car swerving and almost getting into a wreck. There's gore in this series along with some dark matters. Single POV from Frankie's perspective in third person.


I was shocked that I teared up with one of the scenes in this book. I admired how a short YA read had me getting emotional! I have not been able to read "ZOMBABE" yet and there is mention of some of the things that take place in that book. Possible spoilers but we are just getting secondhand recounts/rumors of the story surrounding "The Dead Freaks". For a more enjoyable reading experience and understanding of everything read "ZOMBABE" first.


The book did end with a cliffhanger, and I am curious to see how this will all play out for our girls! Enjoy the LGBTQ+ novella with horror and secret kisses! Don't forget to give the author some stars!


shutupandbookup.com

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slightly longer and more involved sequel to Babylove, I really enjoyed it. One of my only criticisms of Babylove was that I felt I couldn't quite connect enough with the characters, mostly due to the short length of the story. This felt a lot more satisfying. Whether because we already had the foundation set, because they were slightly older or because the story was longer, I'm not sure. But it definitely worked better for me.

I was a little disappointed there was such a time skip from BL to this one because I would have loved to see more of them navigating their way through this new relationship but I also think we got enough information interspersed through the narrative to satisfy. It would have bogged the plot down too much to do it the other way. And the plot for this one is great. More primal, more personal and more haunting than the first. Grizzly and tense as you try and piece together exactly what Frankie has done before we pick up with her. I love the way Frankie and April's relationship is portrayed, the complexity of it. It made everything all the more heartbreaking. I also really liked the addition of KJ as a supporting character. I think one of the main reasons I love Zombabe so much is for the found family of the Dead Freaks, along with Kate and Milly. And whilst I love Frankie and Ivy, it is very much them against the world. Which is an interesting dynamic in itself but it was nice to get some fresh blood in there (as it were) and some solidarity. Also with Kate's involvement. A kind of "hey, you're not as alone as you think", it was a nice touch.

Looking forward to seeing what Sweethearts brings!

[Urna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sugarsnap is the darkly delicious sequel to I.S. Belle's sapphic horror romance novella Babylove: a Dark Sapphic Romance Novella. The book ominously begins: "The summer of 2004 was infused with the strange, inexplicable feeling that something terrible was going to happen."

The story continues Goth girl Frankie and cheerleader Ivy's clandestine relationship as they wait to grow old enough to graduate high school and leave their crumbling, creepy, conservative small town behind. However, as the bodies start dropping, the evil they thought their town was rid of seems to be raising its grotesque head yet again. Frankie and Ivy can no longer avoid going head-to-head with their old nemesis as well as secrets that threaten to destroy the very foundations of their love.

Sugarsnap picks up a few months after the end of Zombabe, and it would definitely help readers to read Zombabe and the prequel novella Babylove to get a sense of the story, the characters and the setting of the plot. It opens on a tragic note as Frankie struggles to come to terms with a terrible loss that was featured at the conclusion of the events of Zombabe. In the current novella, Frankie struggle with her grief and uncertainties about her future with Ivy. The stakes are even higher in this for Frankie and Ivy and their budding romance, as well as their one chance to be rid of their town and its sordid history.

The author does a tremendous job of delivering a thrilling, fast-paced and gut-wrenching horror romance story. The sequel beautifully builds on the romance between Frankie and Ivy that we saw begin at the end of Babylove by highlighting both the growing tenderness and comfort between them as well as the cracks and uncertainties that their past, present and future threaten to aggravate. The novella ends on an ultimately hopeful note for the characters and their future, echoing a hope for an optimistic future for queer teenagers everywhere.

[Stonky Pawro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unlikely Sapphic romance is Mean Girls meets The Craft meets your favourite Zombie horror in recent times. It works.
Bulldeen returns, but only just so.
What SUGARSNAP gives us is a resolution, one that the gang in ZOMBABE was unable to work out. When Frankie and Ivy team up with (is she lesbian) Chief Higgins, we finally solve the Bulldeen horror. And realise it's a woman's job after all!
Death, while a catalyst for the conflicts, does not lead to the plot this time. The strange man is back, BABYLOVE remains unressurected, but April Tanner - sister, friend and a kind girl- is missed. It is grief and the process of coming to terms with grief that takes centre stage.
The ability and strength to process loss, while unable to admit one's truth is crushing, especially when you're teenage girls in a small town that refuses to accept non-conformity.
SUGARSNAP decides to stop caring, to stop making it about your self and to take the long and hard route to leaving it a better place. And just like that, Bulldeen loses its ability to evoke fear.
Belle has matured as a story teller here. They are more confidently leaning into the tropes that work for them, and moving away from the imitation of their favourite writers. And once again, they centre the found family as the better response to the tragedy that is being a teenager.
.
PS: can't wait to read the next one!!

[Jessica Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🖤❤️🧟‍♀️🔥👩🏻‍🤝‍👩🏼

Sugarsnap is the second novella that follows on from Babylove. It is in the same universe as Zombabe and follows on from that, but you can read the Babylove Novellas on their own because everything is explained.

I got Ivy's sexuality wrong in my first review. She is a lesbian, who happened to have a boyfriend before being with Frankie because she had to pretend. Pretend to be straight, and pretend to be happy about it, because of the fact that it's set in 2004 and she lives in a town where there is homophobia. I loved how happy she was with Frankie, in their own little world together.

Sugarsnap is about grieving, the consequences of the decisions made because of that grieving, spooky dark magic and zombies. It is a quick read being a Novella (again, I wish it was longer so I can stay in that world with Frankie and Ivy lol) but the plot was so good you just want to read number 3 like now.

Thank you to I.S Belle for a copy of the eArc. This review is left voluntarily.

[Issy Waldrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the novella series, Sugarsnap takes place after Zombabe. Fortunately, enough detail is given in this book that reading Zombabe is not required.

It is year later, and Frankie and Ivy's relationship has progressed somewhat, though to those outside see it as an unusual friendship. However, the events of zombabe have left a mark with April dead, and the town might still be lurking at the edges, not ready yet to leave them alone.

It's a cute story, as much as of growth as dealing with trauma. They have each other, but coming to that place of full trust takes time, and with outside forces at play, even more difficult. This one is darker than its predecessor, and gorier too. When things happen, they really happen. Of course there are plenty of sweet moments too, and really, I just want the best for them.

I really enjoyed the second entry to the series. It's a nice balance of spooky and supernatural with a touch of mystery and suspense woven into it as well, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens to them in the third.

[Hazel Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sugarsnap is interesting, drew me in, and overall was great. Throughout the book I couldn't help but want to know more and more about the characters Kj is this super cool gay dude that doesn't mind helping out a fellow lesbian get into hoco with her equally gay gf, Frankie is a awesome intimating goth who everyone is scared of but in private she is just a big ol' sweetheart, Ivy is Frankie's amazing cheerleader gf who has abandoned her asshole friends to hang out with Frankie, April is Frankie's dead sister who has haunted Frankie after she had tried to bring her back. When hoco comes along Ivy, her ex boyfriend, girlfriend, and Kj go only to be face to face with a monster, dead April. After a blood shedding fight with only one killed and one re-killed Kj, Frankie, and Ivy and their cop friend come out alive. They still need to figure things out but they are just teenagers trying to figure their life out and having a dash of murder and romance was not what they need on their shoulder but here we are.

[Jordie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy release day! I received a free advanced copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Firstly, I just love the universe I. S. Belle has built! Obviously this is the second novella, but it really creates such rich and foreboding world-building. The vibes of this are really something else, a mix 30/70 of R. L. Stine and Jennifer’s Body but also something 100% it’s own league. The unease I felt was so subtle but pervasive, and even in sweet moments there was the knowledge of something sinister looming ahead - the uncanny, unnamed and unnormal horror of living in a small town. About 3/4 of this is a slower speed, more set up and building up to the action, but when the action hit I could barely blink! Besides a few punctuation misses and one minor continuity error, I was totally immersed and read this in one sitting. Definitely recommend this series and consuming everything about this weird old town’s lore that you can get your hands on.

[Maren court_of_stories back-up account · Rating 4 out of 5]

꧁SUGARSNAP꧂
babylove #2
R E V I E W


Tropes:
– opposites attract
– secret relationship
– cheerleader x goth girl
– sapphic
– dark magic
– YA


And another novel in the Babylove series I inhaled in one day. These books are not just pretty short, but also so addictive. Though I think I have to read Zombabe too – because it seems I‘m missing a part, and that one is in there. However, the second novel is even better than the first. This time Frankie is emotionally involved, and it took me some time to connect the dots…but wow! And I love that her and Ivy are finally a couple. A secret couple. These two have amazing chemistry, I just love every scene with them. The creepy vibes of the town are the cherry on top.
And I said I wanted more of Frankie and her sister, and this book takes that to heart, but differently than I expected.

4.5/5⭐️




TW: death of a family member

[Kristine Lenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, the combination of a sapphic romance and a sketchy, secretive town really had me engaged in the first book. It juggled both so well and managed to do so with plenty of room for laughter. The second book of the series Sugarsnap, really just takes what was established in Babylove and runs with it.

The characters are fun, the plot is well thought out, and while I've yet to read the companion series in the same universe, Zombabe, I had a great time reading this sequel and getting to the bottom of all that goes bump in the night in the town of Bulldeen.
Add to it every cute interaction between Franky and Ivy, and you've got a really good read with some much-needed representation of what it can be like to be growing up as a woman who loves women.

[J A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ebook for free as an ARC reader in preparation for “SWEETHEARTS” I loved to so much I bought a paperback off Amazon because I loved the story and I wanted to support the author.

I gave the prior book a 4 out of 5 because the supernatural stuff took a backseat to Ivy x Frankie relationships development. Now that they have settled into a relationship more spooky stuff can take place. The last book the climax was essentially telling the dark sprit to f-off. I was expecting more than that. This book has a very stratifying final battle. And if you pay attention you will notice the lose thread that will be at the center of “Sweethearts”

If you liked “Babylove” you will love this book.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

while its not NECESSARY, i would definitely read zombabe before sugarsnap! i started this and immediately got confused, but was able to piece things together. it’s definitely a companion book, and i enjoyed it much more after reading zombabe!

this installment of babylove is vastly different from the first novella. it’s much more romance with some horror than horror with hints of romance, and it’s done pretty well! i like the characterization quite a lot and really appreciate the weaving in of other characters and the solidarity they find together in being closeted in a tiny town.

the horror elements were very much a backburner, and only really make sense if you read zombabe, so be aware!

overall definitely enjoyed this and i’m looking forward to the next.

[Isa Ottoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful and creepy book in the Zombabe universe!

All Frankie and Ivy want is to be able to go to the dance together. But it's a small town in America in 2004, so our girls have to find fake dates to attend. Oh, and also, Bulldeen’s not over with them yet, and the evil which seemed to have gone away since our gang's departure (Babe, Dude, Jules, and Ana), is BACK!

I love Frankie and I love Ivy, and getting to know KJ properly this time was wonderful too. Always glad to see Kate again.

With creepy vibes and sweet sapphic romance, Sugarsnap is a quick, fun read, and I can´t wait for the final book in this trilogy!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Much better than book one. This was awesome! Had some heavy moments, especially towards the end but it was also a really fun read. Ivy and Frankie have grown on me and I really like their relationship. It encompasses a first love really well and I find them to be really cute together. Both characters are likable and feel like real teenagers. The plot really picked up in this one for me as in book one I wasn’t all that into it. I loved the school dance scene and again the big moment at the end had me hooked. I’m glad that there’s going to be another book following Ivy and Frankie in 2024 because now I’m on board and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

just finished this!!

first of all, tysm to the author for sending me the arc and sorry for taking this long to actually read it.

i liked sugarsnap waaay better than babylove, i don't really know if it was just for the fact that i actually got to know more of the characters or for the fact that it left me with so many questions that i HAVE to read zombabe asap.

the writing style flows very well and it's never boring and the plot is the right amount of spooky even a chicken hearted person like me could enjoy.

i can't wait to read more of this author i had the luck to stumble upon ♡♡

[Andie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far better than the first book. Very much enjoyed how well thought the ending was, I just wish the rest of the book was equally dynamic & exciting. At times I felt as though the author had a good idea of what they wanted the book to transmit to the reader, but forgot that they'd have to write the idea out so that the reader would know that too. I know as a writer one might lose track of what the reader knows or whether they know a certain aspect or detail, so I'm just encouring the author to push forward and be more detail oriented.

[Brenna.readss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in the babylove novella series which takes place in the same universe timeframe as “zombabe”. I haven’t read zombabe yet (it’s on my tbr) and I wish I would’ve read it before this one so I wasn’t confused at some parts. I LOVE these books! They are so fun and so easy to read. I usually finish them in one sitting because I just eat these up 😂 I did like this one more than the first one but both are so fun!
Ahhhh I just love Frankie and Ivy so much 😭😭 they are so cute.
I can’t wait to add the physical copies to my library 🖤