Sugar Baby Mine

by Kayla Riane

Somehow, my cousin convinced me to be a sugar baby. I didn’t have to go through any websites or filter through any creepy messages, just show up and meet Benjamin Reed—a whole twenty-one years between us. That one meeting was all it took for me to question everything I’ve ever thought about myself. I don't just need this, I want this—I want him.

But one thing that Cora stressed was don't get attached. Don't fall in love.

Simple enough.

Except I was never good at following directions.

Genres: Romance, BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Smut, Contemporary

Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2024

About the author

Hiiii. I'm Kayla. I write spice with a side of feelings, which has always been my specialty. You'll find the door very wide open in these romances of mine.

Starting out with contemporary romance with plans to branch out into more dark/paranormal romance and some fantasy romance as well!

Reviews

[Meg ✨]

dnf @ 44%
i don’t care how hot that old man is i can’t make it any further

[Mara Miniaci · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, when I opened “Sugar Baby Mine” on my e-reader, I was completely shocked! 598 pages? 🤯 The first thought creeping into my head was “This better be good!” I wanted to give a full & honest review, so I already knew I’d be reading the whole thing — whether I’d like it or not.

Fortunately, I felt completely at ease from the very beginning because of Kayla Riane’s amazing writing style — easy-going, direct, & engaging. Her straightforwardness made it a smooth read & the pacing is fluid, but not too fast, perfectly complementing the story.

I loved how Kayla Riane did a role reversal in this story. In a lot of romance novels these days, it’s usually the man who carries the emotional baggage, but here, Benjamin Reed seems to have everything together — except for the romance part, that is. Emme, on the other hand, is the one struggling to get ahead in life because of a variety of reasons. The contrast between their personalities couldn’t be more significant, but this adds depth & authenticity to their relationship. Benjamin, acting as the stabilizing force in her life, helps Emme to gradually build her confidence, showing her exactly how she deserves to be treated - by a real man, not a boy.

Initially, the age gap made me raise my eyebrows a little - 21 years is a big difference, no matter how you look at it. But hey, with a title like “Sugar Baby Mine”, this didn’t surprise me in the slightest. 😅 Despite the age difference, their chemistry felt real & intense from their very first meeting - I felt sparks flying! Although their arrangement was supposed to be strictly physical, there was so much more between them, simmering right beneath the surface. Their interactions were natural & believable, which made it even more enjoyable to see them grow & learn from each other side by side.

Emme’s backstory added some deeper, emotional layers to the story. Being pressured to be the “perfect” one by her family, alongside her past, toxic relationships have left her with practically no self-worth. On top of that, she’s flooded with student loan debt, forcing her to co-house with her cousin, Cora. Despite all these bumps in the road, Benjamin remains a constant factor in her life, communicating openly & helping her to let her guard down gradually. Their relationship progresses naturally & Emme opens up slowly, but surely, making their bond come off even more genuine.

The pacing was spot-on & kept moving along steadily, making the story relevant & engaging. I was constantly wondering what would happen next, finding myself on the edge of my seat throughout.

My only problem was the epilogue. Saying goodbye to Emme & Ben was hard, so I wanted as much closure as possible. However, the ending felt somewhat open, making me crave a more detailed update on their lives.

Overall, this has been a delightful read. I finished it in no time, finding it hard to put down — I even postponed some of my meals! 🫣 I’d highly recommend this to any romance or “spice” reader looking for a fresh take, particularly with the unique sugar daddy/baby dynamic. 🫶🏻✨

[Tarynrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

4✨️

Don't let this cute cover fool you! This book was spicyyy.🌶

This was such a fun and easy read! I'm honestly shocked this is a debut novel because kaylas writing was so easy to read.

The chemistry between these two! You could feel it straight away. I honestly loved how they both just knew. Ben knew exactly how to get Emmeline out of her head or when her ADHD was in overdrive. Emmeline knew when Ben was getting uncomfortable straight away, even though he was good at hiding it.

I definitely recommend this one if you're looking for a fun time!🩷


Tropes:
-Age gap
-Sugar baby/Sugar daddy
-BDSM elements
-Fast burn
-Mental health rep

Release date: 14.11.24

Thank you so much, Kayla Riane, and Love notes PR for sending me an ARC❤️

[Rin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 So this book was actually really good, and it had my attention until I finished it it was just a few things that feel short for me I wasn’t really sure what the plot was and I LOVE SOME SPICE but the spice in this book was just to much like a detailed play by play every character was just unnecessary in my opinion, it made it feel like the main character only had sex in common. Also opening the story line of her having family issues and barely touching on those family issues kinda rubbed me the wrong way. The epilogue wasn’t really worth in my opinion ass well granted I did enjoy Ben’s POV but after a few pages it just turned into a spicy seen and we always had so many of those within the book. I fill like it could have been used to focus on something else. Overall I would recommend the book for someone that looking for a fun quick time that enjoys A LOT OF SPICE

[⋅˚₊‧ ୨bree୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ · Rating 4 out of 5]

eARC Review
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I loved this book! I'm giving it a 4.5 stars!

I've never read a sugar baby story and I absolutely ATE this book up. I really liked both characters and it was so addicting that I read it all in one sitting.

I liked how fiery Emme was and she was truly an icon in this book her character was just so relatable and I loved her so much. She deserves all the love in the world!! and Ben OH MY GOD- what a man!! I loved the chemistry between Ben and Emme immediately and knew they were just going to work out perfectly. Their banter was off the charts and I will eat up a book with some good banter and this book did that so well.

This story is spicy and fast burn so just expect that in the plot. The main story is from Emme's POV but you do get an epilogue with Ben's POV. I didn't mind the one POV at all.

Tropes:
✨ BDSM elements
✨ Sugar Baby
✨ Age Gap
✨ Fast Burn
✨ SPICY

Thank you so much to Love Notes PR and Kayla for allowing me to receive an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Emilie Hendren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Kayla Riane, for gifting me an ARC of this book!

Prepare to be sick of me because I will not be shutting up about this one for a WHILE! Wow! The dirty talk in this book as unmatched! I loooove any type of romance that is taboo, forbidden, or unusual. This is quite literally my new standard for how a sugar daddy/baby relationship should be written! Consumed this book in less than 24 hours & am still itching for more! HIGHLY recommend reading!!

[Annabelle (annabelles.shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

This debut book pleasantly surprised me. The arrangement between Ben and Emme are set up by Emme's cousin Cora. Who is also in a sugar daddy arrangement and tells Emme that she should just do it. I somehow flew through this book and loved every single second of it. The banter they had was literally immaculate. The way Ben treated Emme, was one of my favourite things. The way he just spoiled her with everything possible. Where can I get myself a Ben?! Asking for a friend and as a joke

[Nivigris Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Sugar Baby Mine by Kayla Riane

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Let me tell you, Sugar Baby Mine by Kayla Riane was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, spice, and heart!. If you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers, age-gap dynamics, or even just sizzling chemistry, this book delivers it all in spades.

Emme, our fiery FMC, is such a relatable and complex character. I absolutely adored her sass, her struggles with ADHD and anxiety, and her journey of self-discovery. What I loved most was how Kayla portrayed Emme's vulnerabilities and how Benjamin-our gorgeous, patient sugar daddy-was there for her in the most tender, yet fiery, way. And Ben? Oh my god. What a man. He's got that perfect mix of strength, dominance, and tenderness, and I couldn't get enough of him.

The chemistry between Ben and Emme was electric from the very first page. Even though their arrangement was supposed to be purely physical at first, it quickly became clear that there was so much more simmering beneath the surface. The way they balanced each other out-her fiery unpredictability and his steady presence-was beautiful to watch. And, the spice? Let's just say this book has some seriously steamy moments that will leave you fanning yourself.

One thing that stood out to me was the depth of their emotional connection. Despite the age gap, Benjamin and Emme's relationship felt authentic, genuine, and full of growth. I loved how Ben was there for Emme as she navigated her complicated life and struggled with feelings of self-worth. His patient, non-judgmental support was just everything. The book really nails the balance between romance, emotional depth, and spice.

This book was an addictive, fast-burn romance that kept me turning pages late into the night. If you're looking for a read that's equal parts spicy, heartwarming, and emotionally charged, Sugar Baby Mine is absolutely worth the read. I'm already dying to see what Kayla Riane writes next. And if you're like me, you'll probably be re-reading this one because once you finish, you won't be able to let go of Emme and Ben.

[Amber D’Ambrosio · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️

This was a fun read and definitely a great debut novel for Kayla Riane! I was super intrigued when I saw the tropes and thought it would be fun to give it a go. There were some things I loved about the book and some things that I thought were unnecessary but for this being a first book, I feel like those things will evolve and grow in time as each new book is written.

Starting off with the positives:
- The banter. Oh my gosh the banter. I love me some good banter in a book and this one definitely had it in spades. The way Emme and Ben (our main characters) could spar with each other was fantastic and created some great chemistry between them that was outside of the bedroom.
- Emme and Cora. I'm literally obsessed with these two and their relationship. Thee end.
- Pebbles. IYKYK.

Now for the negatives:
- While I love me some spice in a book...this one felt like there was spice just for the sake of having spice. When its in nearly every chapter it gets to the point that it's almost repetitive and it's not adding to the story. And when there's more spice than plot, it's like what am I reading?
- BECAUSE the book was so spice heavy - it felt very instalovey. There was no tension with Emme and Ben. No will they or won't they. And it felt like their relationship really didn't have anything to it outside of the bedroom.

All that being said - it was still a fun read and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in a Sugar Baby trope with some BDSM elements!

Thank you to Kayla Riane and Love Notes PR for an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Clare]

DNF at 30%

I received an eARC from Love Notes PR. Thank you for the opportunity to read & review this book.

I was excited for a fun sugar baby romance, as someone who has experience in tangential types of sex work, especially with BDSM elements. Unfortunately, this one was not for me.

I have no issue with content that is written with sex as its major focus. I spent years as a smutty fanfic author, and I find a lot of value in the porn without plot and porn with very little plot genres. The smut in this book is certainly written well. But the rest...left a lot to be desired. There were many details ignored to service fast-forwarding to the smut that made it hard for me to stay focused on the narrative & scenery. The dialogue often made me cringe, including the dirty talk, and there were times when I began to skim rather than fully read, which is usually the sign for me to DN because I hate to skim; what is the point of reading a book at all, at that point? I hate to use the word "vapid" but that is how I would describe all of these characters.

Sadly, I didn't make it past the first major smut scene, despite those being the ones the author clearly put the most care into writing. There were some BDSM-specific things that I did not like, including a character saying they were comfortable with using a "stoplight system" rather than a safeword but not negotiating what "yellow" should mean (it can have different meanings!!!)
Boundaries were discussed almost entirely off-page which makes me worried for the BDSM portrayed because as a reader, I want to know what they are for the characters. I know this is fiction, but I have seen and experienced first-hand how irresponsible BDSM can be extremely harmful, and as a reader, it gave me extreme ick. Maybe the dialogue happens later on in the story...l wasn't willing to find out.

Also, a negative STI test comes back and the character describes themself as "clean". The negative stigma around STIs and people with them being "dirty" is so disheartening and immature, and it really needs to stop. That was the first time I thought, "Oh, I don't think I can read this author's work," and it was followed up quickly by a confirmation that I was, in fact, finished. But, of course, this is not to discourage people from supporting a new author. These are just my honest thoughts & we all have different experiences.

[Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sugar Baby Mine by Kayla Riane was such a fun and spicy debut—way more than I expected! This book is steamy, playful, and packed with chemistry that sizzles. We’re talking a sugar baby and sugar daddy with a 21-year age gap, and yes, it totally works. Emme and Ben had me hooked from the very first page.

Let’s talk about Emme—she’s chaotic, adorable, and completely relatable (hello, ADHD rep!). She’s the kind of heroine you want to root for, especially when she’s calling out exactly what she wants and getting it. And Ben? Swoon. He's got that perfect balance of dominant energy and sweet, caring vibes that had my heart skipping beats. He’s exactly the book boyfriend you didn’t know you needed.

The banter between these two? Golden. I was giggling, blushing, and definitely kicking my feet in excitement at some of the moments between them. The spice? Oh, it’s HOT. Kayla Riane knows what she’s doing with the steaminess—proper BDSM vibes, a little safe word action, and just the right amount of aftercare to make it feel real and respectful. The chemistry between Ben and Emme is electric, and I couldn’t get enough of their playful back-and-forth.

While the plot isn’t super heavy (it’s more about the feels), I loved how it kept me entertained and emotionally invested. There’s enough sweetness to balance out the heat, and the ending? I didn’t see it coming, but it was just perfect.

If you’re in the mood for a quick, steamy, and totally fun read, Sugar Baby Mine is definitely worth it. I’m excited to see what Kayla Riane does next—this debut made me a fan!

[Shyanne Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fucking debut book🤭

Let me start off by saying the only thing that could’ve made this book even better… dual pov. I was missing Ben’s pov throughout the whole story and I would’ve liked some chapters from his pov, besides the epilogue

Now let’s move onto the frickin fun that was this story. From the get go, this book was addicting. The banter??? Top fucking tier. I was hooked on Ben and Emme’s relationship from the first time they met

Also this book did not slack on the smut. Whole chapters dedicated to that shit. And it was some good fucking smut y’all🥵 here to let y’all know in advance to be prepared to sweat🫠😮‍💨

I found myself relating to Emme in a lot of ways, which made me connect with her and be drawn into the story so quickly.

But overall it was such a good time. The way they both didn’t know they needed healing but helped each other heal. The way he allowed her to experience new things, whether that was sexually or just in the world and with traveling. And the soft and slow way they fell in love.

[zailaslittlenook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
Age Gap
Stern Brunch Daddy
Dom/Sub
BDSM Elements
Mental Health Rep
Fast Burn
Pet Names

Review:
ARC Review:

YUM. This book was a fckn treat! This book served when it came to smutty goodness. It was definitely giving Smut > Plot, but I’m here for it! Thank you Kayla Raine and Love Notes PR with gifting me the eARC. I had such a great time with Ben & Emme’s story 🩷

Emme is our little lost sheep who is in dire need of a confidence boost, and a way to make some money so that she’s not just living off of gummy worms, or her cousin/bestie Cora who is currently a sugar baby. After a cringeworthy Tinder date, she decides to TRY being a sugar baby for Cora’s sugar daddy’s business partner/bestie, Ben.

CHIIILE. When I tell you I was OBSESSED with Ben… yeah, his filthy mouth had me drooling. Ben’s confidence in and out of the bedroom was something you can’t help but admire. It’s literally no wonder Emme really came out of her shell with him. He had a way of allowing you to be you and never be ashamed of the parts that scared you most. The way he was so in tune with Emme and ensuring that she was “green” throughout… UGH. Absolutely loved this man. And Emme, my baby Emme… Absolutely loved her personal growth and how she really learned how to trust not only Ben, but herself.

If you’re in the mood for a book that’s more smut with some plot, THIS IS FOR YOU LOVE. I will be thinking about this book for a while. 🫠

[Karen Gibbons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Love Notes PR and Kayla Riane for the opportunity to read this ARC.

When I read the synopsis of this book I thought it might be like a modern day retelling of pretty women…damn was I wrong 😅

I loved this story, which for someone who doesn’t do the instant love trope says a lot 😂 the banter between Emme and Ben was epic and had me laughing a good portion of the time.

I was captivated by Emme and her life with ADHD and how Ben was attentive to this from the start and didn’t brush her feelings aside. The communication between these two *chefs kiss*

This was an easy enjoyable read, with more smut than plot, but sometimes that’s what ya need. For a debut novel, it’s pretty damn enjoyable ☺️

[Kay - kayreads_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Kayla Riane and Love Notes PR for this E- A R C! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Find more on my IG @kayreads_romance

⚠️ !! Please be sure to check any TWs before diving in !! ⚠️

What to expect:
* Age gap
* BDSM elements
* Pet names
* Fast burn
* Stern brunch daddy
* Mental health rep

Thoughts:
S O H O T omg????
This book was exactly what I needed! It was so cute and hot and I loved the way the characters fell in love 💕 I relate to Emme in so many ways and having Ben just meet her exactly where she is so beautiful!!!!!!

READ THIS IMMEDIATELY

[Smutty Bookbabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The saying “Never judge a book by its cover” has never been more fitting 👀 Do not be fooled by the cute cover… this book is spicy! The mouths on these two 🥵 This story has a perfect balance of true romance and spice. Although the sexual chemistry is definitely strong, the mental and emotional chemistry shows in everything the main characters do and say. Not to mention the mental health rep all throughout the book. The way Ben loves and accepts everything about Emme, while also teaching her to feel the same about herself 🥰 How Emme doesn’t force the conversation but lets Ben know he didn’t deserve the heartbreak he had to endure and shows him his heart is safe with her even though her heart is at risk too 🥹 I love how Emmeline and Ben literally complete each other. Everything they thought they wanted or didn’t want changed the moment they met.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating- 4 ⭐️ Spice-4

I adored this book, it was funny, sad, spicy, there truly was nothing to hate about it. I’ll eat up any sugar daddy story and this was no exception. The whole story is in emmes pov but the epilogue is in Ben and I love with authors do this, it’s always such a nice surprise.

I love Emme, she is so funny and so sassy and her home life is so sad but I really loved how she learned to kind of love life once she found Ben. Ben had just recently gotten out a relationship so this was new to both of them but they did amazing, rules were set and the chemistry was there immediately!!

The one thing that really made fall in love with this story was how Ben handled her ADHD, this man read a whole book about it. When he noticed that she was getting lost in her head, he knew exactly what to do to get her out of it. It really was the small things in this book, cooking together, braiding her hair, the beach. It was all amazing.

A big thank you to @lovenotes.pr and @krianeauthor for giving me the chance to read and review this ♥️

[Catherine M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Holy smutty hotness! This book was spicy from start to finish.

Sugar baby Emme was such a fiesty firecracker with a mouth that meets her match with Ben, her very attentive sugar daddy with a dominant side. The banter between them was so good! You could also feel their intense chemistry throughout the book.

If you are looking for a fast burn, single POV story that reads very well, this book is for you!

I would like to thank Kayla Riane and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read and review Sugar Baby Mine.

[Bonitas Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

4 ⭐️
3 🌶️

This book kinda makes me want to be a sugar baby, I’m not gonna lie. If I knew I’d end up with a sugar daddy like Ben?!
Sign. Me. Up. 🥵

Delicious! Loved the story and I loved both characters!
I just love how much Ben looks after Emmeline.
He is just so in control in every way and I lapped that shit up.


Sugar Baby Mine by @krianeauthor is now live on Amazon! Read now in Kindle Unlimited!


Tropes include:
💌 Age Gap
💌 Fastburn
💌 BDSM Elements
💌 Stern Brunch Daddy
💌 Mental Health Rep

[Karissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC

I love spice. What I don’t love is spice for the sake of spice that doesn’t help move the plot forward. This book was so long due to the fact that entire chapters were dedicated to spice and it was all so repetitive.

Not to mention there was literally no substance to the relationship to build on. How was it possible they went from a sugar type relationship to being in love when literally nothing happened.

I found myself skimming most of this book to find an actual plot past the spice.

[Desiree Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

eARC Review!!
I received this arc by Kayla Riane from Love Notes PR.
This was such a good steamy read! I enjoyed every little bit. I took my time reading this because I didn’t want it to end! I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this book but I’m so glad I read it! I now have to purchase the physical copy of it!! Thank you so so much ahhhhhh

Tropes include:
💌 Age Gap
💌 Fastburn
💌 BDSM Elements
💌 Stern Brunch Daddy
💌 Mental Health Rep

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sugar baby mine
-

Adored this, very open door romance between Emme and sugar daddy Benjamin. Starts of with a fast burn, which I LOVED! ❤️‍🔥

I loved Emme's character, such a firecracker (or a brat 🤣). The chemistry was really enjoyable the whole way through and Benjamin was so adorable I hoped the whole way that they would end up together and the POV at the end was *chefs kiss*.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

YESYESYES!! Add this to your TBR right now! Sugar baby mine is a debut novel by Kayla Risne filled with hot chemistry, banter to the gods, feel good romance for all romance readers! We’ve got an ADHD rep and a brunch daddy ;) yall it was so good! The writing flows so well you forget you are reading until you find your self done with the whole book! #sugarbabymine #lovenotespr

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book in like 6 hours?! All while on the plane back home from London.

Sugar Baby Mine is very entertaining. It’s well written and what I appreciate is that its not cringey, especially in the spice.

I love that it focuses equally on the emotions and spicy moments between our 2 characters Emmeline and Ben.

Overall, I found this very good and entertaining.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review for Sugar Baby Mine by Kayla Riane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌸 Available November 14 2024 🌸

I have been so excited and waiting patiently for this one since posting the cover reveal in August. Sugar Baby Mine is Kayla’s debut novel gosh I loved it!

Initially the tropes dragged me right in as soon as I saw them. I’d also never read anything with a Sugar Baby so I was very intrigued. I was hooked right from the first chapter and it didn’t take me long to finish, I couldn’t put it down.
This book had everything the characters were so sweet and relatable haha Emme was so sassy and Ben was so patient and caring towards her. I really loved watching their connection and the progress of their relationship. It had some funny moments and also sad lots of great banter between the MC’s and the most delicious spice oh my god so much spice!! 🥵😍🔥

I related so much with how Emme was especially her struggles and got so emotional during certain parts where Ben would support her with those.The epilogue was so incredible I LOVED having Ben’s POV.

I’m also so obsessed with Cora and Fred!! Haha would love to know more about them.

TROPES:
🌸 Age Gap
🌸 BDSM elements
🌸 Nicknames
🌸 Fastburn
🌸 Sturn Brunch Daddy
🌸Mental Health Rep

[BAMF_Book_Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Sugar Baby Mine was a book I refused to put down until I entirely finished it. This was the first time I’ve ever read a book by Kayla Riane and one with a sugar baby trope, but I absolutely loved the characters/plot of Emmeline Cahill and Benjamin Reed aka Emme and Ben.

[Paige Holliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed sugar baby mine so much !! When I found out I was accepted to read it early I was so excited. The characters and the book itself had me hooked! The theme of the book was right up my alley and it did not disappoint.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

!!!!!!!

This book surprised me!! Lots of spice but enough plot to keep me interested. Where can I find myself a Ben?? I’d like to get paid $600 just to eat pasta with a man 🤷‍♀️. Didn’t love the love confessions, but everything else was pretty perfect!

Thank you to the publishers for the ARC!

[Likebeyondbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans self!

For this book, being the author's first book, I have to say she did great! The characters are very relatable, as are their journeys life has them on. Now the spice in this book is chef's kiss; it starts and does not stop. Read it! 

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal!!! It’s hard to believe it was a debut novel. If you’re looking for a fun spicy read this is the book for you. Make sure you check your triggers.
One thing I loved about this book is the chemistry the main characters Emme & Ben had throughout the book.