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Sugar, Georgia #2
Sugar on Top
Small-town scandals lead a single dad and free-spirited woman to heartwarming love in the second book in Marina Adair's Sugar, Georgia series.
The last thing Glory Mann wants is to become chairman of the Miss Peach Pageant in Sugar, Georgia. Spending months hearing nothing but the clinking of pearls and judgment? No thank you! But when Glory is forced to take the rap for a scandal she didn't commit, the judge sentences her to head the committee. Even worse, her co-chairman is rugged, ripped . . . and barely knows she's alive.
Single dad Cal McGraw can't take any more drama in his life. After a difficult divorce, his little girl became a boy-crazy teenager and his hands are full. The last thing he needs is to spend his down time with the town bad girl. Glory is pure trouble—tempting and tantalizing trouble. But he can't deny the strong chemistry between them—or how her touch turns him inside out. Now as squabbles threaten to blow up the contest and the town of Sugar itself, Cal must risk everything on the sexy wild card to get a second chance at love . .
(previously published as Sugar on Top).
The last thing Glory Mann wants is to become chairman of the Miss Peach Pageant in Sugar, Georgia. Spending months hearing nothing but the clinking of pearls and judgment? No thank you! But when Glory is forced to take the rap for a scandal she didn't commit, the judge sentences her to head the committee. Even worse, her co-chairman is rugged, ripped . . . and barely knows she's alive.
Single dad Cal McGraw can't take any more drama in his life. After a difficult divorce, his little girl became a boy-crazy teenager and his hands are full. The last thing he needs is to spend his down time with the town bad girl. Glory is pure trouble—tempting and tantalizing trouble. But he can't deny the strong chemistry between them—or how her touch turns him inside out. Now as squabbles threaten to blow up the contest and the town of Sugar itself, Cal must risk everything on the sexy wild card to get a second chance at love . .
(previously published as Sugar on Top).
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 28, 2015
95 people are currently reading
947 people want to read
About the author
Marina Adair
39 books1,940 followersMarina Adair is a New York Times author whose fun, flirty contemporary romances have sold over a million copies. She has hit #1 overall in Amazon Kindle Paid and her St. Helena Vineyard series was optioned and made into the original Hallmark Channel Vineyard movies: Autumn in the Vineyard, Summer in the Vineyard, and Valentines in the Vineyard. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a MFA from San Jose University and currently lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter, and two neurotic cats. Please visit her online at MarinaAdair.com and sign up for her newsletter at www.MarinaAdair.com/newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
April 28, 2015
Half-way through this book, I had this thought: I don’t think I have ever rooted for a heroine as badly as I did Glory. I mean, I had my shares of heroines whom I loved, whom I wanted to have their happy ending. However, with Glory, I didn’t just love her, I deeply wanted her to win, both professionally and personally, against the obstacles that she was facing, on a level that I almost never experienced before. All the rating stars I have for this book are for Glory.
Glory has been an ‘outsider’ in Sugar, Georgia, almost all of her life. She grows up with her grandmother, ever since her own mother abandons her, and the man she knows as her father is not her real father (and of course, he leaves her as well). She doesn’t come from Sugar royalty. At the age of seventeen, she was involved in a scandal which drove one of the town’s royal sons to leave town. She was pulled out of school to be homeschooled which left her rather isolated and lonely.
Therefore, Glory is used to keeping her head down while trying to do her best in between taking care of her grandmother, working as junior aide nurse, and developing her proposal for a teen-volunteer program at the hospital. Until one ‘good intention’ of returning a stolen tractor brings her trouble with the sheriff and in front of a judge, who later sentences her to head the Harvest Fest, with co-chairman Cal McGraw, the man whom Glory has crushed over for a long time.
Cal McGraw has enough of people leaving his life – his parents, his wife, and now he feels like he loses control over his own teenage daughter, Payton. He surely doesn’t have time for a new relationship, even if he finds himself being pulled into Glory’s gravity.
I thought Cal was a great guy – he might be overprotective, but I guess it is not easy being a single father of a fourteen year old, who starts wanting to get the attention of a slightly older boy. It doesn’t help that Cal’s ex-wife is manipulative and often he has to be the ‘bad guy’ and let Payton down. This situation cemented my adoration towards Glory. Glory deals with Payton in a mature way, and Payton trusts her to help when the teenager is making a mess out of herself. Glory is also able to make Cal sees that his way can be overwhelming towards his daughter. It breaks my heart when Glory’s best friend doesn’t think of her as a candidate when she tries to set Cal up on blind dates. Because Glory is solid and she is so good for both father and daughter.
I do have several wishes though – I wish Cal and Glory would spend more time together. In between dealing as co-chairman for the harvest fest and handling the feud between the elderly women, working on the community outreach program (for her), dealing with a teenager daughter (for him), I felt that Cal and Glory didn’t have enough time together to connect. In fact, while they have their first kiss 12% into the story, they don’t kiss again until around 72%. I also felt rather cheated because their first sexual scene happens off page. I know, I am moaning about the lack of sex scene… gasp! I am not a reader who demands them; in fact, I’m fine with fade-to-black or off-page sex scenes. However, I felt that I had been waiting for a significant amount of time for these two to get together, that I wanted my reward.
Other than this, in similar fashion to the first book, I found myself being frustrated and on the edge of hating the secondary characters, most especially the elderly characters, or the Pit Crew Mafia (as they call themselves). They act like a bunch of whiny children! I also disliked how one of the patrons, Miss Kitty, goes the whole nine yards to make Charlotte’s life difficult by reminding people about the mistake Glory made when she was seventeen. Heck, a mistake that was shared by Kitty’s own grandson!
Then there is Kitty’s other grandson, Jackson, whom I thought was abusing his power as sheriff to make Charlotte ‘pay’ for her mistake. He has a vendetta against Charlotte because she ‘drove’ his brother away from town. Simply put, Jackson was acting like a jackass. Jackson improves a little bit in the end, and I thought he had an amusing relationship with the town’s female mechanic, which made me intrigued with their own story. Still, I was tempted to bodily harm him, his grandmother, and the rest of the Pit Crew Mafia.
My fuss aside, like I said in the beginning, all the stars rating went to Glory. Glory stands out simply by being herself, being loyal, being kind, being a good listener, and most of all being someone with a huge heart. She is amazing, and I hope that Cal, Payton, and the rest of the town will now be able to show their support and love to make her the happiest woman in Sugar.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Glory has been an ‘outsider’ in Sugar, Georgia, almost all of her life. She grows up with her grandmother, ever since her own mother abandons her, and the man she knows as her father is not her real father (and of course, he leaves her as well). She doesn’t come from Sugar royalty. At the age of seventeen, she was involved in a scandal which drove one of the town’s royal sons to leave town. She was pulled out of school to be homeschooled which left her rather isolated and lonely.
Therefore, Glory is used to keeping her head down while trying to do her best in between taking care of her grandmother, working as junior aide nurse, and developing her proposal for a teen-volunteer program at the hospital. Until one ‘good intention’ of returning a stolen tractor brings her trouble with the sheriff and in front of a judge, who later sentences her to head the Harvest Fest, with co-chairman Cal McGraw, the man whom Glory has crushed over for a long time.
Cal McGraw has enough of people leaving his life – his parents, his wife, and now he feels like he loses control over his own teenage daughter, Payton. He surely doesn’t have time for a new relationship, even if he finds himself being pulled into Glory’s gravity.
I thought Cal was a great guy – he might be overprotective, but I guess it is not easy being a single father of a fourteen year old, who starts wanting to get the attention of a slightly older boy. It doesn’t help that Cal’s ex-wife is manipulative and often he has to be the ‘bad guy’ and let Payton down. This situation cemented my adoration towards Glory. Glory deals with Payton in a mature way, and Payton trusts her to help when the teenager is making a mess out of herself. Glory is also able to make Cal sees that his way can be overwhelming towards his daughter. It breaks my heart when Glory’s best friend doesn’t think of her as a candidate when she tries to set Cal up on blind dates. Because Glory is solid and she is so good for both father and daughter.
I do have several wishes though – I wish Cal and Glory would spend more time together. In between dealing as co-chairman for the harvest fest and handling the feud between the elderly women, working on the community outreach program (for her), dealing with a teenager daughter (for him), I felt that Cal and Glory didn’t have enough time together to connect. In fact, while they have their first kiss 12% into the story, they don’t kiss again until around 72%. I also felt rather cheated because their first sexual scene happens off page. I know, I am moaning about the lack of sex scene… gasp! I am not a reader who demands them; in fact, I’m fine with fade-to-black or off-page sex scenes. However, I felt that I had been waiting for a significant amount of time for these two to get together, that I wanted my reward.
Other than this, in similar fashion to the first book, I found myself being frustrated and on the edge of hating the secondary characters, most especially the elderly characters, or the Pit Crew Mafia (as they call themselves). They act like a bunch of whiny children! I also disliked how one of the patrons, Miss Kitty, goes the whole nine yards to make Charlotte’s life difficult by reminding people about the mistake Glory made when she was seventeen. Heck, a mistake that was shared by Kitty’s own grandson!
Then there is Kitty’s other grandson, Jackson, whom I thought was abusing his power as sheriff to make Charlotte ‘pay’ for her mistake. He has a vendetta against Charlotte because she ‘drove’ his brother away from town. Simply put, Jackson was acting like a jackass. Jackson improves a little bit in the end, and I thought he had an amusing relationship with the town’s female mechanic, which made me intrigued with their own story. Still, I was tempted to bodily harm him, his grandmother, and the rest of the Pit Crew Mafia.
My fuss aside, like I said in the beginning, all the stars rating went to Glory. Glory stands out simply by being herself, being loyal, being kind, being a good listener, and most of all being someone with a huge heart. She is amazing, and I hope that Cal, Payton, and the rest of the town will now be able to show their support and love to make her the happiest woman in Sugar.
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
dnf
April 13, 2015DNF @10%
I don't like romance books set in judgmental little towns - these people should be ashamed of themselves - and the sheriff's abusing his authority for a personal vendetta was very unsettling (specially since I get the feeling he will be a future hero.)
I will probably try something else by this author but this is not for me.
Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.
I don't like romance books set in judgmental little towns - these people should be ashamed of themselves - and the sheriff's abusing his authority for a personal vendetta was very unsettling (specially since I get the feeling he will be a future hero.)
I will probably try something else by this author but this is not for me.
Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.
April 27, 2015
Review also posted at My Book Snack
Marina Adair continues to warm my heart with her lovely stories. Sugar on Top tickled me pink with a story that surrounds two people who absolutely deserve happiness in their lives.
We are back in Sugar, Georgia for book 2 in the series. This time eldest McGraw brother, Cal, gets a second chance at finding love. Cal is a single father who has sacrificed so many things in his life for his family. His daughter has and always been his top priority. He really has no time for love, especially since he already has so much on his plate with work and a teenager to take care of and understand. Cal gets paired with Glory Mann to co-chair the Miss Peach Pageant, and he soon finds out that working with Glory might just push him over the edge into the very place where he had stopped letting his heart go.
I ended up loving Sugar on Top more than the first book, which I quite enjoyed as well. I think I found the main characters in this one more relatable. Both Cal’s and Glory’s background story tugged at my heart. So many of the townspeople have judged Glory for many years. Just once she wants something to go her way. Cal’s divorce was so painful for him that he doesn’t want to take any more chances. Ms. Adair made me fall for her characters again! How does she keep doing that? The way Cal and Glory flirt made me giggle and swoon. One of the things I thought was special in this story is the father-daughter relationship. Cal’s sanity is pretty much tested when his little girl wants to grow up too quickly. Boy, does he have his hands full in that department. Also, the town of Sugar is so quirky, unique, and competitive when it comes to annual events. I love how Adair writes all her small town stories that way.
If you like fun small town romances, give this one a try. Yes, Sugar on Top can be read as a standalone. Jace’s story is next in A Taste of Sugar. The youngest McGraw brother seems like such a bad boy, so I can’t wait to find out what he’s all about in the next book.
Marina Adair continues to warm my heart with her lovely stories. Sugar on Top tickled me pink with a story that surrounds two people who absolutely deserve happiness in their lives.
We are back in Sugar, Georgia for book 2 in the series. This time eldest McGraw brother, Cal, gets a second chance at finding love. Cal is a single father who has sacrificed so many things in his life for his family. His daughter has and always been his top priority. He really has no time for love, especially since he already has so much on his plate with work and a teenager to take care of and understand. Cal gets paired with Glory Mann to co-chair the Miss Peach Pageant, and he soon finds out that working with Glory might just push him over the edge into the very place where he had stopped letting his heart go.
I ended up loving Sugar on Top more than the first book, which I quite enjoyed as well. I think I found the main characters in this one more relatable. Both Cal’s and Glory’s background story tugged at my heart. So many of the townspeople have judged Glory for many years. Just once she wants something to go her way. Cal’s divorce was so painful for him that he doesn’t want to take any more chances. Ms. Adair made me fall for her characters again! How does she keep doing that? The way Cal and Glory flirt made me giggle and swoon. One of the things I thought was special in this story is the father-daughter relationship. Cal’s sanity is pretty much tested when his little girl wants to grow up too quickly. Boy, does he have his hands full in that department. Also, the town of Sugar is so quirky, unique, and competitive when it comes to annual events. I love how Adair writes all her small town stories that way.
If you like fun small town romances, give this one a try. Yes, Sugar on Top can be read as a standalone. Jace’s story is next in A Taste of Sugar. The youngest McGraw brother seems like such a bad boy, so I can’t wait to find out what he’s all about in the next book.
December 17, 2017
4. 5 star
If you ask the people of Sugar, Georgia, to talk to you about Glory Gloria Mann, they'ld probably tell you not so nice things and talk to you about her inappropriated relation with the football coach years ago. But that's so far from the truth. Glory have a heart of gold and the thing between her and the coach was only a kiss. But it still destroyed her reputation and made her a pariah in town. Trying to fix her grandma's blunder get Glory in trouble with the law and the last thing Glory wished was to be assigned community work as the Commissioner at the Sugar's Harvest Fest. On the menu ; the Miss Peach pageant and a tractors race and having to team-up with her secret crush from high school and brother of her friend.
It's also as a favor (for his brother) that Cal end up as co-chair to the Harvest council. Single dad to a teenage daughter is enough work for him. A bit too severe but a good dad because no matter what, his daughter always comes first. Not indifferent to Glory's charm, he always kept his distance. And ever since the big mistake he did in giving his heart to Payton's mother, he doesn't trust his judgment when it comes to women.
Kind heros always makes me feel for them, but loving dads always make me melt. Cal is the epitome of the good dad. He often made mistake and didn't always know the right things to say, but everything he did, he did it with love. And despite being a serious man, he was never too serious that he didn't know how to have fun. Glory was also an amazing heroine. That she choose to stay, despite the popular opinion and that she didn't let the townfolk extinguish her light makes her a strong woman and a special person. She's not bitter and doesn't have anything to prove to anybody.
It's probably not the first time I say it, but I love Marina Adair's writing style. This series especially remind me of Jill Shalvis's fun and sweet romance mix with the feuding and crazy old ladies you can find in a Carolyn Brown's cowboy novel. And if like me you enjoy seeing animals in your stories, Road Kill the adorable but unusual animal for a pet will make you smile :)
If you ask the people of Sugar, Georgia, to talk to you about Glory Gloria Mann, they'ld probably tell you not so nice things and talk to you about her inappropriated relation with the football coach years ago. But that's so far from the truth. Glory have a heart of gold and the thing between her and the coach was only a kiss. But it still destroyed her reputation and made her a pariah in town. Trying to fix her grandma's blunder get Glory in trouble with the law and the last thing Glory wished was to be assigned community work as the Commissioner at the Sugar's Harvest Fest. On the menu ; the Miss Peach pageant and a tractors race and having to team-up with her secret crush from high school and brother of her friend.
It's also as a favor (for his brother) that Cal end up as co-chair to the Harvest council. Single dad to a teenage daughter is enough work for him. A bit too severe but a good dad because no matter what, his daughter always comes first. Not indifferent to Glory's charm, he always kept his distance. And ever since the big mistake he did in giving his heart to Payton's mother, he doesn't trust his judgment when it comes to women.
Kind heros always makes me feel for them, but loving dads always make me melt. Cal is the epitome of the good dad. He often made mistake and didn't always know the right things to say, but everything he did, he did it with love. And despite being a serious man, he was never too serious that he didn't know how to have fun. Glory was also an amazing heroine. That she choose to stay, despite the popular opinion and that she didn't let the townfolk extinguish her light makes her a strong woman and a special person. She's not bitter and doesn't have anything to prove to anybody.
It's probably not the first time I say it, but I love Marina Adair's writing style. This series especially remind me of Jill Shalvis's fun and sweet romance mix with the feuding and crazy old ladies you can find in a Carolyn Brown's cowboy novel. And if like me you enjoy seeing animals in your stories, Road Kill the adorable but unusual animal for a pet will make you smile :)
April 27, 2015
I am in love with this small town of Sugar! I want to go there and meet swoon-worthy, sexy McGraw men who will turn my world upside down!
Sugar on Top focused on Glory and Cal. We saw both of them in Sugar’s Twice as Sweet and it was so good to find out their stories.
Glory had a really rough childhood, but she didn’t give up and had the biggest heart. Cal has taken care of everyone else for the last twenty years and never takes anything for himself. Thrown together through some silly circumstances, and the chemistry just flies. The sexual tension between them was intense.
“Have you been in a room with my dad?” No, but she’d been in his truck and what she’d learned about him, she’d liked. A lot. But she didn’t think that was what Payton meant…
And when they finally give into their attraction it is sexy!!
This story was funny.
“Glory’s final attempt at finding true love had been with a guy who suffered from penile ADHD.”
I had a smile on my face at least 75% of the time I was reading. It was sweet, romantic, had its fill of drama, and I couldn’t put it down. I love all the quirkiness of small town life and all the secondary characters. Ms. Adair’s ability to weave a story that is both sexy and sweet is fantastic! I absolutely cannot wait to read Charlotte and Jace’s story next! ~ Tiffany, 4.5 stars
Sugar on Top focused on Glory and Cal. We saw both of them in Sugar’s Twice as Sweet and it was so good to find out their stories.
Glory had a really rough childhood, but she didn’t give up and had the biggest heart. Cal has taken care of everyone else for the last twenty years and never takes anything for himself. Thrown together through some silly circumstances, and the chemistry just flies. The sexual tension between them was intense.
“Have you been in a room with my dad?” No, but she’d been in his truck and what she’d learned about him, she’d liked. A lot. But she didn’t think that was what Payton meant…
And when they finally give into their attraction it is sexy!!
This story was funny.
“Glory’s final attempt at finding true love had been with a guy who suffered from penile ADHD.”
I had a smile on my face at least 75% of the time I was reading. It was sweet, romantic, had its fill of drama, and I couldn’t put it down. I love all the quirkiness of small town life and all the secondary characters. Ms. Adair’s ability to weave a story that is both sexy and sweet is fantastic! I absolutely cannot wait to read Charlotte and Jace’s story next! ~ Tiffany, 4.5 stars
April 7, 2015
Review by Trinette Dungee
Book Review – Sugar on Top (5 Stars)
In the small town of Sugar everyone knows everyone and everyone knows everything. Glory Mann is all too familiar with this; after all, as a teenager she was the center of one of the town’s biggest scandals. So now all Glory wants to do is keep her head down, pass her finals to get her nursing degree and become the manager of the Youth Outreach Center in the town’s hospital and prove that she is better than her past mistakes. But when your grandmother happens to be a part of the a part of a bunch of old ladies always getting into trouble, the sheriff has declared you public enemy number one and the town’s head social-lite has made it her mission in life to never let you live down your past…well, keeping a low profile and moving forward with your life is kind of hard. Especially now that she’s taking the blame for a crime she didn’t commit to protect her grandma. Her punishment: serve as chairman for the Miss Peach Pageant. Not so bad right? Wrong. Oh so wrong. Said pageant is a part of that scandal she’d like to live down and what’s worse…she’s being forced to co-chair the pageant with none other than Cal McGraw, the man she’s secretly crushed on since she was a teenager and who happens to not even know she exists.
Cal McGraw is always there to save the day. He dropped out of college when his parents expectantly passed away to help his grandmother raise his two younger brothers, he played PR man for his playboy pro-golfer brother Brett, he’s constantly getting his grandma out of trouble, he’s always on the lookout should his younger brother Jace need him and oh yeah he’s raising his fourteen year old daughter who just happens to be a little boy crazy. Now that Cal abandoned his playboy lifestyle and is married with a baby on the way, and Jace and his grandma seem to be relatively quite he can focus on his daughter. Right? Wrong. Somehow he’s found himself in superhero mode again, this time helping out sexy as sin Glory Mann. Glory just happens to be Brett’s best friend, so when Brett puts in a call asking Cal to help out Glory things in his life get way more complicated. He’s reward for helping? He’s forced into co-chairing the pageant with her.
After a disastrous marriage Cal has sworn himself off relationships, at least until he’s done raising his daughter, Payton. Cal’s has had enough trouble when it comes to women and Glory Mann has trouble written all over her with Capital T’s. Not to mention she’s his brother’s best friend and the enemy of his best friend who happens to be the town sheriff, so she’s definitely off limits. But Cal can’t deny his attraction to Glory and it doesn’t take long to for him to give into temptation.
Glory doesn’t have time for a relationship and Cal doesn’t want a relationship but somehow the two find themselves spending time together and the more time they spend together the more their hearts become involved.
Sugar on Top is the second book in Marina’s Sugar Georgia series. We were first introduced to Glory and Cal in book one Sugar’s Twice as Sweet, Brett and Josephina’s story. I was very anxious to read Cal’s story…there’s just something about a storyline with a single dad…sigh. Cal comes off has tough and rough around the edges in the first book, but we learn in this book that he’s anything but. I was kind of surprised at how forward he was when it came to pursuing Glory. I expected that he would come across as I’m-interested-but-I’m-not-going-to-tell-you but he made his intentions quite clear. In the same book Glory came across as sassy-sexy and confident. While she is definitely sassy and sexy, confident isn’t something I would have used to describe her. I loved the way the characters developed throughout the story. Following Cal as he struggles with being a single dad and a hot man and finally a man who’s willing to give his heart to following Glory through her abandonment issues, her loyalty to her grandmother, fighting through the shame of her past to having her community stand by her side was pure joy for me.
In case you couldn’t tell, I am a HUGE Marina Adair fan. If you love Kristen Proby, Sawyer Bennett and Juliana Stone then you will definitely love Marina Adair. I loved Tucker’s Crossing Sweet Plains series and I can’t wait for the next book in that series (hint, hint Marina). I fell in love with her St. Helena Vineyard Series as well as the spinoff Heroes of St. Helena series and I now have a new favorite series. I love a book where supporting characters are just as important as the main characters and Marina never fails with that. There are always these peripheral characters that you hope will surface with their own books. In this case there’s Jace, Charlotte, Jackson and Spencer. Jace and Charlotte’s story is next and I’m hoping Jackson and Spencer have a story too. If for no other reason, read this series just to get to know the Grandma-mafia a.k.a the pit-crew mafia, these old ladies are hysterical! Marina’s books are always full of family, sadness, heartbreak and laughter. Very enjoyable reads.
d
Book Review – Sugar on Top (5 Stars)
In the small town of Sugar everyone knows everyone and everyone knows everything. Glory Mann is all too familiar with this; after all, as a teenager she was the center of one of the town’s biggest scandals. So now all Glory wants to do is keep her head down, pass her finals to get her nursing degree and become the manager of the Youth Outreach Center in the town’s hospital and prove that she is better than her past mistakes. But when your grandmother happens to be a part of the a part of a bunch of old ladies always getting into trouble, the sheriff has declared you public enemy number one and the town’s head social-lite has made it her mission in life to never let you live down your past…well, keeping a low profile and moving forward with your life is kind of hard. Especially now that she’s taking the blame for a crime she didn’t commit to protect her grandma. Her punishment: serve as chairman for the Miss Peach Pageant. Not so bad right? Wrong. Oh so wrong. Said pageant is a part of that scandal she’d like to live down and what’s worse…she’s being forced to co-chair the pageant with none other than Cal McGraw, the man she’s secretly crushed on since she was a teenager and who happens to not even know she exists.
Cal McGraw is always there to save the day. He dropped out of college when his parents expectantly passed away to help his grandmother raise his two younger brothers, he played PR man for his playboy pro-golfer brother Brett, he’s constantly getting his grandma out of trouble, he’s always on the lookout should his younger brother Jace need him and oh yeah he’s raising his fourteen year old daughter who just happens to be a little boy crazy. Now that Cal abandoned his playboy lifestyle and is married with a baby on the way, and Jace and his grandma seem to be relatively quite he can focus on his daughter. Right? Wrong. Somehow he’s found himself in superhero mode again, this time helping out sexy as sin Glory Mann. Glory just happens to be Brett’s best friend, so when Brett puts in a call asking Cal to help out Glory things in his life get way more complicated. He’s reward for helping? He’s forced into co-chairing the pageant with her.
After a disastrous marriage Cal has sworn himself off relationships, at least until he’s done raising his daughter, Payton. Cal’s has had enough trouble when it comes to women and Glory Mann has trouble written all over her with Capital T’s. Not to mention she’s his brother’s best friend and the enemy of his best friend who happens to be the town sheriff, so she’s definitely off limits. But Cal can’t deny his attraction to Glory and it doesn’t take long to for him to give into temptation.
Glory doesn’t have time for a relationship and Cal doesn’t want a relationship but somehow the two find themselves spending time together and the more time they spend together the more their hearts become involved.
Sugar on Top is the second book in Marina’s Sugar Georgia series. We were first introduced to Glory and Cal in book one Sugar’s Twice as Sweet, Brett and Josephina’s story. I was very anxious to read Cal’s story…there’s just something about a storyline with a single dad…sigh. Cal comes off has tough and rough around the edges in the first book, but we learn in this book that he’s anything but. I was kind of surprised at how forward he was when it came to pursuing Glory. I expected that he would come across as I’m-interested-but-I’m-not-going-to-tell-you but he made his intentions quite clear. In the same book Glory came across as sassy-sexy and confident. While she is definitely sassy and sexy, confident isn’t something I would have used to describe her. I loved the way the characters developed throughout the story. Following Cal as he struggles with being a single dad and a hot man and finally a man who’s willing to give his heart to following Glory through her abandonment issues, her loyalty to her grandmother, fighting through the shame of her past to having her community stand by her side was pure joy for me.
In case you couldn’t tell, I am a HUGE Marina Adair fan. If you love Kristen Proby, Sawyer Bennett and Juliana Stone then you will definitely love Marina Adair. I loved Tucker’s Crossing Sweet Plains series and I can’t wait for the next book in that series (hint, hint Marina). I fell in love with her St. Helena Vineyard Series as well as the spinoff Heroes of St. Helena series and I now have a new favorite series. I love a book where supporting characters are just as important as the main characters and Marina never fails with that. There are always these peripheral characters that you hope will surface with their own books. In this case there’s Jace, Charlotte, Jackson and Spencer. Jace and Charlotte’s story is next and I’m hoping Jackson and Spencer have a story too. If for no other reason, read this series just to get to know the Grandma-mafia a.k.a the pit-crew mafia, these old ladies are hysterical! Marina’s books are always full of family, sadness, heartbreak and laughter. Very enjoyable reads.
d
May 21, 2015
3.5 звезды
В семнадцать лет Глори Манн совершила ошибку. Брошенная родителями и всю жизнь сражавшаяся за любовь, Глори поддалась обаянию молодого и красивого тренера футбольной команды. Один крошечный поцелуй разрушил все. Слухи о "позорной неподобающей связи" поползли, тренер сбежал из города, а Глори осталась расхлебывать кашу.
И расхлебывает до сих пор. Ее по-прежнему винят в "изгнании" любимчика-тренера, и не дают покоя повзрослевшие футболисты, из-за которых когда-то даже пришлось перейти на домашнее обучение. Один из этих футболистов, к тому же младший брат того самого тренера, а ныне - шериф, ловит Глори во время не самой приятной поездки на тракторе. Дело в том, что трактор угнала бабуля Глори со своими подружками, дабы разоблачить нечистую на руку врагиню, которая явно использует запрещенное топливо, а значит недостойна победы на празднике урожая. Глори нашла похищенный транспорт и попыталась вернуть его хозяйке, за чем ее и застукал шериф. Старая ненависть - и вот Глори уже за решеткой, карьера в больнице, ради которой она столько трудилась, на волоске, да еще и у бабушки наверняка будут проблемы...
Кэла МакГроу волнует только его дочь. А в последнее время особенно сильно, так как девочке стукнуло четырнадцать, и внимание к ней парней растет не по дням, а по часам. Кэл слишком хорошо помнит себя в возрасте этих парней, и не понаслышке знает, чего они хотят от Пейтон.
К сожалению, угрозы действуют не на всех, да еще и могут превратить Кэла в злейшего врага дочери. Надо искать выход.
И вот в это не самое легкое время звонит его братец Бретт, укативший в свадебное путешествие, и просит выручить его лучшую подругу - Глори.
Кэл знает, что той всю жизнь достается от местных, и понимает, что за обвинениями шерифа стоят лишь обида и ненависть.
Но Глори... слишком сильно притягивает Кэла, чтобы к ней приближаться. Она слишком яркая, слишком проблемная и требует слишком много сил.
Кто ж знал, что внесенный залог приведет к тому, что Глори и Кэл вместе должны будут организовать очередной праздник урожая и сопутствующий ему конкурс "Мисс Персик"? Именно во время такого конкурса Глори когда-то оступилась и связалась с тренером. Именно в этом конкурсе жаждет участвовать малолетняя дочь Кэла.
Кажется, ничего хорошего из этого не выйдет...
**********************************
Все тот же сладкий город, все те же сумасшедшие бабульки (правда тут больше фоном, но приятным)))), все те же знакомые лица.
Но этот роман понравился чуть меньше предыдущего, и на то две причины.
1. Шериф. Джексон. Блин, идиот, твой брат был взрослым мужиком, который поцеловал школьницу на конкурсе красоты. И нифига не сделал, чтобы остановить слухи о сексуальной связи - просто свалил. Типа его изгнали, ага.
Я все понимаю, Джексон сам тогда был подростком, но, блин... Включи мозг!
Когда я читала, как они в школе всей футбольной командой доводили Глори, зажимали ее и предлагали деньги за интим - хотелось всех убить. Не единожды. Теперь Джексон вырос и продолжает издевки, используя служебное положение. Всем понятно, что угнанный трактор - дело рук бабок, это не первый случай. И будь на месте Глори кто-то другой, шериф бы только посмеялся... Но нет! Конечно, ничего страшного он вроде не сделал... ну продержал ночь в камере, хотя судья приказал отпустить. Ну пропустила она из-за него самый важный тест в жизни. Ну напугал заведенным делом, из-за чего она ввязалась в разборки и заработала исправительные работы в качестве куратора праздника урожая. Фигня все, правда же?
Потом он типа одумывается. Нет, Глори ему по-прежнему не нравится, но Джексон вдруг (внезапно) осознает, что брат как бы был сам виноват... И вроде даже помогает Кэлу осознать свою любовь и сделать шаг навстречу, аминь.
И все же я его не простила. Судя по всему, автор планирует роман про него и местного механика - Лаванду Спенсер.
И хоть Спенсер - просто чудо, но шериф... короче, не уверена, что хочу о нем читать. Здесь он мне малину знатно попортил. В смысле, понятно, что без него и романа бы не было, так что персонжа важный, пусть и раздражающий. Однако не уверена, что желаю видеть его в качестве героя отдельной истории.
2. На мой вкус было многовато "хочушных" мыслей. Пусть и оправданно. Просто Глори и Кэл давно друг на друга заглядываются, но ей мешает прошлое, ему - дочь и бывшая жена, растоптавшая его гордость. Оба ждут друг от друга только проблем, но приходится общаться, а еще никаких связей у обоих давно не было... Вот и получается, что большую часть эфирного времени занимают мысли и страдания по "губам/ногам/попе/груди".
Ладно, тут не совсем перебор, но, повторюсь, на мой вкус многовато. Чуть подчистить - и объем уменьшится, и читать станет приятней))
В остальном... атмосфера, юмор, герои - все на уровне первого романа.
Следующая часть про последнего из братьев МакГроу и местную докторшу Шарлотту. Вот эта парочка мне очень нравится)) Ждем-с.
В семнадцать лет Глори Манн совершила ошибку. Брошенная родителями и всю жизнь сражавшаяся за любовь, Глори поддалась обаянию молодого и красивого тренера футбольной команды. Один крошечный поцелуй разрушил все. Слухи о "позорной неподобающей связи" поползли, тренер сбежал из города, а Глори осталась расхлебывать кашу.
И расхлебывает до сих пор. Ее по-прежнему винят в "изгнании" любимчика-тренера, и не дают покоя повзрослевшие футболисты, из-за которых когда-то даже пришлось перейти на домашнее обучение. Один из этих футболистов, к тому же младший брат того самого тренера, а ныне - шериф, ловит Глори во время не самой приятной поездки на тракторе. Дело в том, что трактор угнала бабуля Глори со своими подружками, дабы разоблачить нечистую на руку врагиню, которая явно использует запрещенное топливо, а значит недостойна победы на празднике урожая. Глори нашла похищенный транспорт и попыталась вернуть его хозяйке, за чем ее и застукал шериф. Старая ненависть - и вот Глори уже за решеткой, карьера в больнице, ради которой она столько трудилась, на волоске, да еще и у бабушки наверняка будут проблемы...
Кэла МакГроу волнует только его дочь. А в последнее время особенно сильно, так как девочке стукнуло четырнадцать, и внимание к ней парней растет не по дням, а по часам. Кэл слишком хорошо помнит себя в возрасте этих парней, и не понаслышке знает, чего они хотят от Пейтон.
К сожалению, угрозы действуют не на всех, да еще и могут превратить Кэла в злейшего врага дочери. Надо искать выход.
И вот в это не самое легкое время звонит его братец Бретт, укативший в свадебное путешествие, и просит выручить его лучшую подругу - Глори.
Кэл знает, что той всю жизнь достается от местных, и понимает, что за обвинениями шерифа стоят лишь обида и ненависть.
Но Глори... слишком сильно притягивает Кэла, чтобы к ней приближаться. Она слишком яркая, слишком проблемная и требует слишком много сил.
Кто ж знал, что внесенный залог приведет к тому, что Глори и Кэл вместе должны будут организовать очередной праздник урожая и сопутствующий ему конкурс "Мисс Персик"? Именно во время такого конкурса Глори когда-то оступилась и связалась с тренером. Именно в этом конкурсе жаждет участвовать малолетняя дочь Кэла.
Кажется, ничего хорошего из этого не выйдет...
**********************************
Все тот же сладкий город, все те же сумасшедшие бабульки (правда тут больше фоном, но приятным)))), все те же знакомые лица.
Но этот роман понравился чуть меньше предыдущего, и на то две причины.
1. Шериф. Джексон. Блин, идиот, твой брат был взрослым мужиком, который поцеловал школьницу на конкурсе красоты. И нифига не сделал, чтобы остановить слухи о сексуальной связи - просто свалил. Типа его изгнали, ага.
Я все понимаю, Джексон сам тогда был подростком, но, блин... Включи мозг!
Когда я читала, как они в школе всей футбольной командой доводили Глори, зажимали ее и предлагали деньги за интим - хотелось всех убить. Не единожды. Теперь Джексон вырос и продолжает издевки, используя служебное положение. Всем понятно, что угнанный трактор - дело рук бабок, это не первый случай. И будь на месте Глори кто-то другой, шериф бы только посмеялся... Но нет! Конечно, ничего страшного он вроде не сделал... ну продержал ночь в камере, хотя судья приказал отпустить. Ну пропустила она из-за него самый важный тест в жизни. Ну напугал заведенным делом, из-за чего она ввязалась в разборки и заработала исправительные работы в качестве куратора праздника урожая. Фигня все, правда же?
Потом он типа одумывается. Нет, Глори ему по-прежнему не нравится, но Джексон вдруг (внезапно) осознает, что брат как бы был сам виноват... И вроде даже помогает Кэлу осознать свою любовь и сделать шаг навстречу, аминь.
И все же я его не простила. Судя по всему, автор планирует роман про него и местного механика - Лаванду Спенсер.
И хоть Спенсер - просто чудо, но шериф... короче, не уверена, что хочу о нем читать. Здесь он мне малину знатно попортил. В смысле, понятно, что без него и романа бы не было, так что персонжа важный, пусть и раздражающий. Однако не уверена, что желаю видеть его в качестве героя отдельной истории.
2. На мой вкус было многовато "хочушных" мыслей. Пусть и оправданно. Просто Глори и Кэл давно друг на друга заглядываются, но ей мешает прошлое, ему - дочь и бывшая жена, растоптавшая его гордость. Оба ждут друг от друга только проблем, но приходится общаться, а еще никаких связей у обоих давно не было... Вот и получается, что большую часть эфирного времени занимают мысли и страдания по "губам/ногам/попе/груди".
Ладно, тут не совсем перебор, но, повторюсь, на мой вкус многовато. Чуть подчистить - и объем уменьшится, и читать станет приятней))
В остальном... атмосфера, юмор, герои - все на уровне первого романа.
Следующая часть про последнего из братьев МакГроу и местную докторшу Шарлотту. Вот эта парочка мне очень нравится)) Ждем-с.
May 10, 2015
4.5 Stars
Sugar On Top was everything sweet with a bit of spice. It was funny, heartwarming, and I couldn’t help but shed a tear at the end of the book.
The story takes off with an exciting altercation with Glory Mann and the deputy. Caught red handed and accused of theft, she is sentenced to community service. She was appointed the chairman of the Miss Peach Pageant in Sugar, Georgia to plan for this year’s event. She was in the worst predicament. She hated the town of Sugar. She hated pageants, and she hated that she had to work with Cal, his best friends big brother. The guy she’s always had an eye for.
Cal is the oldest of the McGraw brothers. A divorcee with a teenage daughter who takes pride in his family. He strives to be the protector and the savior. That’s why when his brother asked him to bail Glory out of jail, he could not resist. Perhaps it was fate or a spur of the moment decision but that act of kindness pushed him to take a chance of falling in love again.
Glory was amazing at winning everyone’s heart. I love that she was the bigger person to think clear without pride and resentment. She was kind despite the town’s treatment of her before. The good part is she was rewarded with their trust and respect making her fully part of the community. They are very lucky to have her.
Cal, on the other hand, is due for his HEA but because of his situation, he is reluctant to accept any happiness. Not that he’s not happy, just that everyone else takes precedence before taking anything for himself. I suppose I can’t blame him. Juggling work, a teenage daughter and starting a love life is no easy task. At one point, I didn’t think he deserved to be with Glory because he was too caught up with his responsibilities to see what is in front of him. Taking a leap for that second chance is not always easy but I assure you, it will be a happy ending.
There is a teaser in the back of this book that showcases another McGraw brother, Jace. Sometimes, these teasers are such a pain because they tease you into reading a good story but cuts off leaving you hungry for more. So not fair. I’m predicting Jace will stir things up when he comes back to Sugar. I believe that will be out in the fall.
Sugar on Top was a fun read. I can safely say that Marina Adair is one of the authors I would highly recommend for small-town romance novels. She never fails in delivering a heart warming read.
Sugar On Top was everything sweet with a bit of spice. It was funny, heartwarming, and I couldn’t help but shed a tear at the end of the book.
The story takes off with an exciting altercation with Glory Mann and the deputy. Caught red handed and accused of theft, she is sentenced to community service. She was appointed the chairman of the Miss Peach Pageant in Sugar, Georgia to plan for this year’s event. She was in the worst predicament. She hated the town of Sugar. She hated pageants, and she hated that she had to work with Cal, his best friends big brother. The guy she’s always had an eye for.
Cal is the oldest of the McGraw brothers. A divorcee with a teenage daughter who takes pride in his family. He strives to be the protector and the savior. That’s why when his brother asked him to bail Glory out of jail, he could not resist. Perhaps it was fate or a spur of the moment decision but that act of kindness pushed him to take a chance of falling in love again.
Glory was amazing at winning everyone’s heart. I love that she was the bigger person to think clear without pride and resentment. She was kind despite the town’s treatment of her before. The good part is she was rewarded with their trust and respect making her fully part of the community. They are very lucky to have her.
Cal, on the other hand, is due for his HEA but because of his situation, he is reluctant to accept any happiness. Not that he’s not happy, just that everyone else takes precedence before taking anything for himself. I suppose I can’t blame him. Juggling work, a teenage daughter and starting a love life is no easy task. At one point, I didn’t think he deserved to be with Glory because he was too caught up with his responsibilities to see what is in front of him. Taking a leap for that second chance is not always easy but I assure you, it will be a happy ending.
There is a teaser in the back of this book that showcases another McGraw brother, Jace. Sometimes, these teasers are such a pain because they tease you into reading a good story but cuts off leaving you hungry for more. So not fair. I’m predicting Jace will stir things up when he comes back to Sugar. I believe that will be out in the fall.
Sugar on Top was a fun read. I can safely say that Marina Adair is one of the authors I would highly recommend for small-town romance novels. She never fails in delivering a heart warming read.
April 5, 2015
One thing I can always count on with Marina's books is the wonderful chemistry between the two main characters. She just has a way with writing her characters, that you're rooting for them right from the beginning. Cal & Glory were so meant to be together, but they both have things to work through to get to their happy ending. Glory has things from her past that have followed her for years and the judgment of the residents of Sugar. Cal is a single dad just trying to raise his teenage daughter the best he can, even if it means having to make hard choices to protect her. When some "events" happen that force Glory to be the commissioner of the town's Miss Peach Pageant and Cal to be the co-chairman, they must work together and try and fight that sizzling chemistry between them. Cal's not looking for a relationship after getting burned by his ex-wife and Glory isn't looking for anything other than the real deal. I always love the journey the characters must take to get their HEA in Marina's books. I loved how protective Cal was of Glory and was there for her through the difficult times and stood up for her. I loved that Glory was strong and fought the best she could for what she wanted and deserved. Another fun, sexy, heartfelt read from Marina.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
April 13, 2015
Marina Adair is a master at creating characters that you can't help but fall in love with. In Sugar On Top, Glory has lived her life guarding herself closely, doing everything she can for her Grandma and working hard to achieve her dreams of becoming a nurse. Cal has spent his entire adult life taking care of his family, his brothers, his Grandmother and his teenaged daughter, while fencing off his heart so he can't be hurt again.
The chemistry between Cal and Glory is so palpable in Sugar on Top that you can’t help but root for them. They have both been hurt in the past and are afraid of being hurt again, and the reader can feel how right they are for each other. I loved reading their journey, and can't to see what will happen next in the colorful little town of Sugar, Georgia.
The chemistry between Cal and Glory is so palpable in Sugar on Top that you can’t help but root for them. They have both been hurt in the past and are afraid of being hurt again, and the reader can feel how right they are for each other. I loved reading their journey, and can't to see what will happen next in the colorful little town of Sugar, Georgia.
May 3, 2015
"It's so easy to fall in love with Adair's characters!"
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
March 28, 2015
*3.5 stars*
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing*
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing*
February 14, 2019
FOREVER IS ALWAYS SWEETER IN SUGAR
Two people brought together under unusual circumstances. She doesn't want to be over a pageant, but it ordered by the courts to do so. He is dealing with personal issues following his divorce and a boy-crazy teenaged daughter. Now Glory and Cal are co-chairing the committee for Miss Peach Pageant. There is great chemistry between them--along with angst!
I won an autographed copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.
Two people brought together under unusual circumstances. She doesn't want to be over a pageant, but it ordered by the courts to do so. He is dealing with personal issues following his divorce and a boy-crazy teenaged daughter. Now Glory and Cal are co-chairing the committee for Miss Peach Pageant. There is great chemistry between them--along with angst!
I won an autographed copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.
March 23, 2015
ARC. won in goodreads giveaway.
Release date: April 28, 2015
I liked this book a lot more than I did the first in the series. I think that the story was better and I felt a connection between the characters a lot faster in this on than I did with the character of Sugar's Twice as Sweet. Even with that being said, I don't think I can give it a full four stars.. But it's better than a three. So I think I'm going with an indecisive 3.75 Stars.
Let's start off with talking about her name, shall we?
Glory Gloria Mann. That poor girl... I think my main question is directed at the author, where in the world did you come up with that one?!
While on her name, let's bring up how much I like Cal's nickname for Glo... Boots. I just think it's cute. I'm not sure if he calls her that because in the first scene of the book, she's stuck in a cell in her jammies and rubber ducky rain boots or because when you find her around town, she's usually sporting her Atlanta Falcon red cowgirl boots. Either way, I think it's adorable. Points for Cal.
Now, let's discuss the sheriff. We met him in book one because he's friends with the McGraw boys but in this book, we see a different side to him. Sheriff Jackson Duncan pretty much hates Glory and blames her for running his brother out of town when she was in high school. Damon Duncan was a teacher and judge for the Miss Peach pageant while Glo was a lost senior in high school and a contestant up for Miss Peach. She was just lost and lonely and looking for someone to make her feel like her belonged somewhere. You can pretty tell where this is going but the fact that everyone blamed Glory for this really pissed me off. Just because she was from the "wrong side of the tracks", she was blamed. But Cal... that man has more brains than anyone in town.
This is why I love Cal. You make sense. You have brains... well, some brains.
I really enjoyed poppa Cal talking with Mason. He was funny (not to Mason, obviously) and it was cute to see him all protective.
I have a couple other things I want to say but I kind of felt like I babbled through this...
So, quick recap. Cal: single dad. sexy as hell. gotta get me one of him. Glory: determined. the town outsider. wears boots (of all kinds) quite a bit. Payton: daughter of an overprotective daddy and a pretty disappointing mother. Jackson: sheriff. kind of a dick. he's okay by the end though. (question: Jackson and Spenser, getting their own book? or finally getting together in the next book?) Tawny: Cal's ex-wife. what a witch. that's all I've got to say about her. Charlotte: I'm ready to find out all about her and Jace in the next book, A Taste of Sugar.
Good story. Good characters. Everything was good, just not great.
Sugar, Georgia Review
Release date: April 28, 2015
I liked this book a lot more than I did the first in the series. I think that the story was better and I felt a connection between the characters a lot faster in this on than I did with the character of Sugar's Twice as Sweet. Even with that being said, I don't think I can give it a full four stars.. But it's better than a three. So I think I'm going with an indecisive 3.75 Stars.
Let's start off with talking about her name, shall we?
Glory Gloria Mann. That poor girl... I think my main question is directed at the author, where in the world did you come up with that one?!
While on her name, let's bring up how much I like Cal's nickname for Glo... Boots. I just think it's cute. I'm not sure if he calls her that because in the first scene of the book, she's stuck in a cell in her jammies and rubber ducky rain boots or because when you find her around town, she's usually sporting her Atlanta Falcon red cowgirl boots. Either way, I think it's adorable. Points for Cal.
Now, let's discuss the sheriff. We met him in book one because he's friends with the McGraw boys but in this book, we see a different side to him. Sheriff Jackson Duncan pretty much hates Glory and blames her for running his brother out of town when she was in high school. Damon Duncan was a teacher and judge for the Miss Peach pageant while Glo was a lost senior in high school and a contestant up for Miss Peach. She was just lost and lonely and looking for someone to make her feel like her belonged somewhere. You can pretty tell where this is going but the fact that everyone blamed Glory for this really pissed me off. Just because she was from the "wrong side of the tracks", she was blamed. But Cal... that man has more brains than anyone in town.
"Damon was a grown-ass man who should've known better than to mess with a student."
This is why I love Cal. You make sense. You have brains... well, some brains.
I really enjoyed poppa Cal talking with Mason. He was funny (not to Mason, obviously) and it was cute to see him all protective.
"You okay, son?" Cal said apologetically while gripping the kid's bony shoulders and righting him. "Didn't see you there."
Mason just nodded, took off his cap to wipe his forehead, put it back on, and nodded again.
"Ah, hell." Cal patted his pocket, looking for his wallet. "I forgot to pay you again, didn't I?" He knew how hard the kid worked and how most of his money went to help out his mom.
"Yes, well...no, sir." The kid quickly pulled off his ball cap and cupped the bill. "I mean, yes sir, you owe me for two weeks, but I'm not here on business."
Cal had to bite back a smile. He liked this kid. Always on time, a hard worker, respectful. A real standup guy. And it looked like he was ambling for a raise. One that he more than deserved.
Cal folded his arms and leaned casually against the doorjamb, giving Mason time to state his price. "All right. What are you here for then?"
"Well, sir, I'm here for Payton."
"No," Cal said and, smile gone, slammed the door. Only to reopen it, right as Mason was getting ready to knock again. "And you're fired. Worst lawn boy I ever had."
I have a couple other things I want to say but I kind of felt like I babbled through this...
So, quick recap. Cal: single dad. sexy as hell. gotta get me one of him. Glory: determined. the town outsider. wears boots (of all kinds) quite a bit. Payton: daughter of an overprotective daddy and a pretty disappointing mother. Jackson: sheriff. kind of a dick. he's okay by the end though. (question: Jackson and Spenser, getting their own book? or finally getting together in the next book?) Tawny: Cal's ex-wife. what a witch. that's all I've got to say about her. Charlotte: I'm ready to find out all about her and Jace in the next book, A Taste of Sugar.
Good story. Good characters. Everything was good, just not great.
Sugar, Georgia Review
April 30, 2015
This is an engaging addition to the series filled with small town antics, quirky residents and a “friends to lovers” romance that brings it all together. Ms. Adair always writes interesting small town stories; she brings heartache, characters with flaws and deep feelings together to keep the reader involved until the very end.
Glory Mann is a nursing student who has lived in Sugar, Georgia all her life. She tries to live life under the radar these days having experienced one of the most notorious scandals the town has ever seen when she was in high school. Unfortunately the Duncan’s of Sugar have not forgiven Glory and Sheriff Jackson is ready to throw her in jail for “stealing” a tractor.
Cal McGraw is a friend who has known Glory for years, his brother has always been a champion of Glory’s but is away on his honeymoon so asks Cal to help. Cal is tired of cleaning up after others, something he has done all his life, so reluctantly agrees. But he knows that getting too close to Glory will set off alarms because he has always had a secret thing for her.
I have read several books by Ms. Adair and I find them usually a lot of fun. There have been several that I have laughed my way through, yet this one seemed a bit darker, mainly because the citizens of Sugar are so divided over the Miss Peach pageant and ensuing events and it seems more intense, not as fun. There are enough old wounds that have never healed, judgmental individuals and the pointing of fingers to last throughout the book.
I like Glory; she is trying her best to live in a community where she once was the center of a huge scandal and many have not forgotten or forgiven her. She stays in the area because of her grandmother and has had to weather the hurt and pain for years. I like her attitude about life and how she ignores most of the idiots and has risen above it all. She is about to graduate from college with a nursing degree and ready start her career. Unfortunately something always seems to get in her way and she is thrust back into the scandal spotlight yet again.
Cal is a wonderful hero; he has spent his life taking care of others and never himself. He helped his brothers growing up and is very patient and usually in control, unless his daughter Payton is involved and she is ready to send him to an early grave. Glory and Cal are cute together; they tease each other and banter back and forth as they dance around their attraction. They do have some issues with trust that they go through yet their romance continues to build with a slow heated burn.
Secondary characters play key roles in this small town, everyone knows each other and all their dirty little secrets. I like Payton, a young girl who needs a mother who is not around, so she gains attention much to the dismay of her father. I also like Charlotte, Glory’s boss who is featured in the next book with Cal’s brother, and it looks good.
The pace of the story works well as we watch the relationship between Cal and Glory grow. The author keeps us interested until the end, there are the antics of the town’s people who are trying to one up each other during the festival, the scandal of the stolen tractor and of course the romance between Cal and Glory. I look forward to more.
Review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
Glory Mann is a nursing student who has lived in Sugar, Georgia all her life. She tries to live life under the radar these days having experienced one of the most notorious scandals the town has ever seen when she was in high school. Unfortunately the Duncan’s of Sugar have not forgiven Glory and Sheriff Jackson is ready to throw her in jail for “stealing” a tractor.
Cal McGraw is a friend who has known Glory for years, his brother has always been a champion of Glory’s but is away on his honeymoon so asks Cal to help. Cal is tired of cleaning up after others, something he has done all his life, so reluctantly agrees. But he knows that getting too close to Glory will set off alarms because he has always had a secret thing for her.
I have read several books by Ms. Adair and I find them usually a lot of fun. There have been several that I have laughed my way through, yet this one seemed a bit darker, mainly because the citizens of Sugar are so divided over the Miss Peach pageant and ensuing events and it seems more intense, not as fun. There are enough old wounds that have never healed, judgmental individuals and the pointing of fingers to last throughout the book.
I like Glory; she is trying her best to live in a community where she once was the center of a huge scandal and many have not forgotten or forgiven her. She stays in the area because of her grandmother and has had to weather the hurt and pain for years. I like her attitude about life and how she ignores most of the idiots and has risen above it all. She is about to graduate from college with a nursing degree and ready start her career. Unfortunately something always seems to get in her way and she is thrust back into the scandal spotlight yet again.
Cal is a wonderful hero; he has spent his life taking care of others and never himself. He helped his brothers growing up and is very patient and usually in control, unless his daughter Payton is involved and she is ready to send him to an early grave. Glory and Cal are cute together; they tease each other and banter back and forth as they dance around their attraction. They do have some issues with trust that they go through yet their romance continues to build with a slow heated burn.
Secondary characters play key roles in this small town, everyone knows each other and all their dirty little secrets. I like Payton, a young girl who needs a mother who is not around, so she gains attention much to the dismay of her father. I also like Charlotte, Glory’s boss who is featured in the next book with Cal’s brother, and it looks good.
The pace of the story works well as we watch the relationship between Cal and Glory grow. The author keeps us interested until the end, there are the antics of the town’s people who are trying to one up each other during the festival, the scandal of the stolen tractor and of course the romance between Cal and Glory. I look forward to more.
Review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
May 7, 2015
Sugar On Top was everything sweet with a bit of spice. It was funny, heartwarming, and I couldn't help but shed a tear at the end of the book.
The story takes off with an exciting altercation with Glory Mann and the deputy. Caught red handed and accused of theft, she is sentenced to community service. She was appointed the chairman of the Miss Peach Pageant in Sugar, Georgia to plan for this year's event. She was in the worst predicament. She hated the town of Sugar. She hated pageants, and she hated that she had to work with Cal, his best friends big brother. The guy she's always had an eye for.
Cal is the oldest of the McGraw brothers. A divorcee with a teenage daughter who takes pride in his family. He strives to be the protector and the savior. That's why when his brother asked him to bail Glory out of jail, he could not resist. Perhaps it was fate or a spur of the moment decision but that act of kindness pushed him to take a chance of falling in love again.
Glory was amazing at winning everyone's heart. I love that she was the bigger person to think clear without pride and resentment. She was kind despite the town’s treatment of her before. The good part is she was rewarded with their trust and respect making her fully part of the community. They are very lucky to have her.
Cal, on the other hand, is due for his HEA but because of his situation, he is reluctant to accept any happiness. Not that he's not happy, just that everyone else takes precedence before taking anything for himself. I suppose I can't blame him. Juggling work, a teenage daughter and starting a love life is no easy task. At one point, I didn't think he deserved to be with Glory because he was too caught up with his responsibilities to see what is in front of him. Taking a leap for that second chance is not always easy but I assure you, it will be a happy ending.
There is a teaser in the back of this book that showcases another McGraw brother, Jace. Sometimes, these teasers are such a pain because they tease you into reading a good story but cuts off leaving you hungry for more. So not fair. I’m predicting Jace will stir things up when he comes back to Sugar. I believe that will be out in the fall.
Sugar on Top was a fun read. I can safely say that Marina Adair is one of the authors I would highly recommend for small-town romance novels. She never fails in delivering a heart warming read.
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October 18, 2015
My Review:
Overall.... 4.25
Performance... 4.25
Story.... 4.25
Aww, I loved Glory. Wow...talk about a girl who's managed to get the short end of the stick in everything, but still perseveres! Now, this was a character I could cheer for and get behind. She is so strong to stay in this town where she's overwhelmingly judged and condemned...for a bit of nothing she did (a kiss and only a kiss) at the age of 17.
I really felt for Cal, too. He's stuck...with his hormonal 14 yo daughter, with the expectations from his friends, with the pressures from his ex-wife and from this (fairly backward) small town. (I really don't like this town as a whole...their small-minded views make me so angry in every one of these books. The Sugar Peaches should be completely dissolved!)
And in this book, the addition of 14 yo Peyton was great. I loved how Glory handled her...and felt so bad for how over-protective Cal is of her. Although I did have to laugh every time he got so over the top. This is definitely a guy who'd greet the dates with a shotgun...literally.
I liked this one better than the first and am definitely looking forward to more of the Sugar, Georgia novels. What is the history between Charlotte and Jase? And you can't tell me that there aren't serious vibes between Jackson and Spencer. My only real complaint about this book is that the true history of what happened between Glory and the high school teacher never came out. I wanted her to be able to rub Jackson's face in it after his treatment of her at the beginning. I don't think I've ever wanted to throttle a future hero in the series this much. Marina Adair has her work cut out for her for me to like him again.
This is a great narrator...my only issue is that she doesn't have enough range for different men's voices. They all tend to sound the same, but I love her southern drawls and just about everything else she does with this series.
This is definitely a book and series that I recommend. The audiobooks have been wonderful. I have a reviewer's ARC of book #3, but I have to admit to being a little bit sad that I'm going to read that one rather than get to enjoy another audiobook for this series. Maybe I'll do both...
Overall.... 4.25
Performance... 4.25
Story.... 4.25
Aww, I loved Glory. Wow...talk about a girl who's managed to get the short end of the stick in everything, but still perseveres! Now, this was a character I could cheer for and get behind. She is so strong to stay in this town where she's overwhelmingly judged and condemned...for a bit of nothing she did (a kiss and only a kiss) at the age of 17.
I really felt for Cal, too. He's stuck...with his hormonal 14 yo daughter, with the expectations from his friends, with the pressures from his ex-wife and from this (fairly backward) small town. (I really don't like this town as a whole...their small-minded views make me so angry in every one of these books. The Sugar Peaches should be completely dissolved!)
And in this book, the addition of 14 yo Peyton was great. I loved how Glory handled her...and felt so bad for how over-protective Cal is of her. Although I did have to laugh every time he got so over the top. This is definitely a guy who'd greet the dates with a shotgun...literally.
I liked this one better than the first and am definitely looking forward to more of the Sugar, Georgia novels. What is the history between Charlotte and Jase? And you can't tell me that there aren't serious vibes between Jackson and Spencer. My only real complaint about this book is that the true history of what happened between Glory and the high school teacher never came out. I wanted her to be able to rub Jackson's face in it after his treatment of her at the beginning. I don't think I've ever wanted to throttle a future hero in the series this much. Marina Adair has her work cut out for her for me to like him again.
This is a great narrator...my only issue is that she doesn't have enough range for different men's voices. They all tend to sound the same, but I love her southern drawls and just about everything else she does with this series.
This is definitely a book and series that I recommend. The audiobooks have been wonderful. I have a reviewer's ARC of book #3, but I have to admit to being a little bit sad that I'm going to read that one rather than get to enjoy another audiobook for this series. Maybe I'll do both...
May 1, 2015
SUGAR ON TOP by Marina Adair is another masterfully written piece of storytelling. #2 "A Sugar, Georgia Novel", but can be read as a stand alone.
This is Cal McGraw and Glory Mann's story. An interesting, unique tale of a small town, with endearing, quirkiy characters and a chance for second love. Cal and Glory has a chemistry between them, that could just prove to be scandalous. Oh, and of, course, there is the Miss Peach Pageant, which Glory has been sentenced to be the head of the committee by a judge. Glory was considered the bad girl. Cal a divorcee, with a teenage,rebellious, boy-crazy teenager, he doesn't need the tantalizing, troublesome Ms. Glory. NO, thank you! But as trouble brews within the pageant, sparks fly between Cal and Glory, love blossoms between the two.
A steady paced story. Will Cal risk everything for Glory, who is his wild card and his second chance on love? To find out, you MUST pick up "Sugar on Top", I don't think you will be disappointed. Fans of romance, Beauty Pageant trouble and a wonderful Contemporary Romance will enjoy this unique story of second chance love, finding true love and learning to love again. An enjoyable, endearing and satisfying read!
*Received for an honest review from the publisher*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction and More dot com**
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
This is Cal McGraw and Glory Mann's story. An interesting, unique tale of a small town, with endearing, quirkiy characters and a chance for second love. Cal and Glory has a chemistry between them, that could just prove to be scandalous. Oh, and of, course, there is the Miss Peach Pageant, which Glory has been sentenced to be the head of the committee by a judge. Glory was considered the bad girl. Cal a divorcee, with a teenage,rebellious, boy-crazy teenager, he doesn't need the tantalizing, troublesome Ms. Glory. NO, thank you! But as trouble brews within the pageant, sparks fly between Cal and Glory, love blossoms between the two.
A steady paced story. Will Cal risk everything for Glory, who is his wild card and his second chance on love? To find out, you MUST pick up "Sugar on Top", I don't think you will be disappointed. Fans of romance, Beauty Pageant trouble and a wonderful Contemporary Romance will enjoy this unique story of second chance love, finding true love and learning to love again. An enjoyable, endearing and satisfying read!
*Received for an honest review from the publisher*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction and More dot com**
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
June 14, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Here we go again with the small towns. They are such a lovely place to be, especially when it's a sweet contemporary romance novel. Sugar On Top is a guaranteed sweet thing. The title isn't just a play for the series title. It is also how the book generally feels.
I don't really encounter lots of books where I equally like the hero and the heroine. Most of the time, I always like one character better than his or her counterpart. With this book, though, it is impossible not to like both of them because they are two great people who you will wish were real people.
The heroine may be the town and girl, but she is definitely a good person. I liked this character because she wasn't the usual small town girl who was simple and and naturally kind. She was a strong personality. The hero, well, what's there to say about him other than the fact that he is one of the best guys out there, if her we're actually real.
This series started off with a great story in Sugar's Twice As Sweet. It was followed up by this book, which is also a very entertaining romantic story. Marina Adair succeeds in capturing the hearts of romance readers with her characters in this Sugar, Georgia series. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves to read romance and wants to end up having a great time and finish the boom with a big smile on their face.
Here we go again with the small towns. They are such a lovely place to be, especially when it's a sweet contemporary romance novel. Sugar On Top is a guaranteed sweet thing. The title isn't just a play for the series title. It is also how the book generally feels.
I don't really encounter lots of books where I equally like the hero and the heroine. Most of the time, I always like one character better than his or her counterpart. With this book, though, it is impossible not to like both of them because they are two great people who you will wish were real people.
The heroine may be the town and girl, but she is definitely a good person. I liked this character because she wasn't the usual small town girl who was simple and and naturally kind. She was a strong personality. The hero, well, what's there to say about him other than the fact that he is one of the best guys out there, if her we're actually real.
This series started off with a great story in Sugar's Twice As Sweet. It was followed up by this book, which is also a very entertaining romantic story. Marina Adair succeeds in capturing the hearts of romance readers with her characters in this Sugar, Georgia series. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves to read romance and wants to end up having a great time and finish the boom with a big smile on their face.
May 22, 2015
Marina brings us back to Sugar, Georgia. Marina doesn't let her readers down with the electric sizzle between the two main characters. Glory is one of the stronger heroine characters that I have read in a long time. Gloria is living each day -living down a repetition that has no merit. As a young high school student she looked to the wrong person to make her feel special. My heart goes out to her, she has put up with a lot of sh** from her hometown, but she stuck it out, she stayed there and didn't let the meddlesome gossipers drive her from her town.
The hero, Cal, wow, can we just swoon. He may not know how to be a daddy, but boy does he know how to melt a person's heart. He becomes Glory's knight in shining armor. It is a wonderful book, Mariana doesn't let her fans down.
I will say I didn't care for Sheriff Jackson, in this book he comes across as a pompous rich kid. Totally different from the character that we met in the earlier book. Hopefully he can redeem himself in the next book. :)
I loved to know what is going on with Cal's brother, Jace, and Charlotte.. their story is yet to be told. There was a lot of hints that were scattered about in this book, it appears to be a good one.
Thanks Marina for a wonderful trip to Sugar, Georgia. Just the right touch to start the hot, sizzling, summer season.
The hero, Cal, wow, can we just swoon. He may not know how to be a daddy, but boy does he know how to melt a person's heart. He becomes Glory's knight in shining armor. It is a wonderful book, Mariana doesn't let her fans down.
I will say I didn't care for Sheriff Jackson, in this book he comes across as a pompous rich kid. Totally different from the character that we met in the earlier book. Hopefully he can redeem himself in the next book. :)
I loved to know what is going on with Cal's brother, Jace, and Charlotte.. their story is yet to be told. There was a lot of hints that were scattered about in this book, it appears to be a good one.
Thanks Marina for a wonderful trip to Sugar, Georgia. Just the right touch to start the hot, sizzling, summer season.
July 20, 2015
3.5 stars
Cal has spent his life since the death of his parents taking care of everyone: his brothers, his grandmother, his wife (now ex-wife), their child. When Glory, with what can only be described as her perpetual bad luck, practically falls into his lap, he sees another person he can help, despite willing himself to stay far, far away from her.
Glory is not a popular woman in Sugar, though she's determined to turn her life around for the better regardless of what the townspeople think. She's thankful for Cal's help -- and his interest -- but she's quite capable of handling her own problems, thank you very much.
With Sugar on Top, we revisit Sugar, Georgia, the small town introduced in Ms. Adair's book, Sugar's Twice as Sweet. While things tend to be a little over-the-top in small-town romances, I thought Glory and Cal were a delight as a couple. I believed in their chemistry a little more than Josie's and Brett's, and I may have liked their pairing a little more. They did have a MISUNDERSTANDING regarding Cal's daughter, Payton, though they were able to get to the bottom of the matter and straighten it out quickly.
I'm glad to see Charlotte will be featured in Book 3, A Taste of Sugar, and I do hope Sheriff Jackson Duncan and Lavender Spencer will progress their mutual attraction past trading jabs and barbs at each other.
Cal has spent his life since the death of his parents taking care of everyone: his brothers, his grandmother, his wife (now ex-wife), their child. When Glory, with what can only be described as her perpetual bad luck, practically falls into his lap, he sees another person he can help, despite willing himself to stay far, far away from her.
Glory is not a popular woman in Sugar, though she's determined to turn her life around for the better regardless of what the townspeople think. She's thankful for Cal's help -- and his interest -- but she's quite capable of handling her own problems, thank you very much.
With Sugar on Top, we revisit Sugar, Georgia, the small town introduced in Ms. Adair's book, Sugar's Twice as Sweet. While things tend to be a little over-the-top in small-town romances, I thought Glory and Cal were a delight as a couple. I believed in their chemistry a little more than Josie's and Brett's, and I may have liked their pairing a little more. They did have a MISUNDERSTANDING regarding Cal's daughter, Payton, though they were able to get to the bottom of the matter and straighten it out quickly.
I'm glad to see Charlotte will be featured in Book 3, A Taste of Sugar, and I do hope Sheriff Jackson Duncan and Lavender Spencer will progress their mutual attraction past trading jabs and barbs at each other.
May 11, 2015
Now this was a very sweet story! Glory is just a wonderful character. She's just a woman trying to make something of herself. Trying to move on past peoples idea of her being a "bad girl" and finish nursing school. She so loyal to her grandmother that she takes the blame for a scandal that she did not have anything to do with. That end up with her having to become chairman with the last person she wants to be stuck with, Cal McGraw.
Cal has his own problems to deal with, mainly a teenage daughter. He finds himself becoming more and more drawn to Glory. But Cal doesn't want to become involved in a relationship. After one kiss, its just too hard to fight those feelings. What will it take to see that Glory is so good for him?
This was such a sweet story. The southern charm just added to it. I would definitely recommend this book. It's book 2 in the series, but I think you could read as a standalone.
Cal has his own problems to deal with, mainly a teenage daughter. He finds himself becoming more and more drawn to Glory. But Cal doesn't want to become involved in a relationship. After one kiss, its just too hard to fight those feelings. What will it take to see that Glory is so good for him?
This was such a sweet story. The southern charm just added to it. I would definitely recommend this book. It's book 2 in the series, but I think you could read as a standalone.
April 28, 2015
Love this series! I don't know why, but I love small town books.
Glory tries to move on from her past mistakes and all she wants is to get her nursing degree and be something. But keeping her head dawn isn't exactly in plans for her, especially when she takes the blame for the crime she didn't commit, just to save her grandmother.
Cal (*swoon*) tries to live his life calm, raising his daughter but life doesn't always go as planned. Especially, if you have a grandmather, who always needs a help to save her from troubles.
Somehow Glory and Cal's path crosses and they spend more and more time together. And they can't deny the mutual attraction.
I absolutely loved this book. I laughed, I swooned and I hugged it at the end. The book is so romantic, so sexy with a little bit of humor. And I really recommend this book to everyone who love good contemporary books.
Glory tries to move on from her past mistakes and all she wants is to get her nursing degree and be something. But keeping her head dawn isn't exactly in plans for her, especially when she takes the blame for the crime she didn't commit, just to save her grandmother.
Cal (*swoon*) tries to live his life calm, raising his daughter but life doesn't always go as planned. Especially, if you have a grandmather, who always needs a help to save her from troubles.
Somehow Glory and Cal's path crosses and they spend more and more time together. And they can't deny the mutual attraction.
I absolutely loved this book. I laughed, I swooned and I hugged it at the end. The book is so romantic, so sexy with a little bit of humor. And I really recommend this book to everyone who love good contemporary books.
April 22, 2015
Marina Adair always manages to write stories that allow the reader to put themselves in the characters shoes. The circumstances in Sugar on Top could happen to anyone. Glory keeps getting the short end of the stick despite trying to do the right thing. Cal is also trying to find his way after a contentious divorce while raising his teen daughter. This book was a feel good read. It reminds that even though life may get you down, don't stay down. Keep on moving and blessings can happen when you least expect them to. Sugar on Top by Marina Adair is a must read. Was given this book for an honest review.
June 2, 2015
Karia’s happy little review…
The angst in this one is a years old opinion that Cal has about Glory. Glory is an amazing person who loves her grandma and takes care of her, despite the fact that her life would be easier elsewhere.
Glory works hard trying to become a nurse while Cal is working on being a dad and a business owner. I loved how these two managed to set aside what appeared to be differences and work as a team. Sadly, their “breaking” point was at a time when they needed to be the strongest…a crisis with Cal’s daughter.
This one is sweet…sugar sweet. I was humming the Maroon5 song Sugar while reading this too! A great summer beach read…Enjoy!
The angst in this one is a years old opinion that Cal has about Glory. Glory is an amazing person who loves her grandma and takes care of her, despite the fact that her life would be easier elsewhere.
Glory works hard trying to become a nurse while Cal is working on being a dad and a business owner. I loved how these two managed to set aside what appeared to be differences and work as a team. Sadly, their “breaking” point was at a time when they needed to be the strongest…a crisis with Cal’s daughter.
This one is sweet…sugar sweet. I was humming the Maroon5 song Sugar while reading this too! A great summer beach read…Enjoy!
March 27, 2016
Another enjoyable read.
What is not to love about a heroine in ducky galoshes? Glory Gloria Mann has spent her life trying be better than people have decided she is, and she has been secretly in love with Cal McGraw, her best friends brother. A misunderstanding lands her in jail and Cal bails her out. Through the whole story they keep bumping into each other and they end up planning the Harvest Fest together. Cal doesn't want to start a relationship since he is trying to raise his daughter and forget his ex-wife. Add in the grandmothers and you have a recipe for laughs.
What is not to love about a heroine in ducky galoshes? Glory Gloria Mann has spent her life trying be better than people have decided she is, and she has been secretly in love with Cal McGraw, her best friends brother. A misunderstanding lands her in jail and Cal bails her out. Through the whole story they keep bumping into each other and they end up planning the Harvest Fest together. Cal doesn't want to start a relationship since he is trying to raise his daughter and forget his ex-wife. Add in the grandmothers and you have a recipe for laughs.
April 22, 2015
Adored this book! I loved how cal liked her and wanted her but tried to stay away from Gloria. Their relationship wasn't rushed and was perfectly drawn out. The way Gloria bonded with his daughter was so touching. You could tell off the bat they were going to make a wonderful family. I am excited to read more of this series! This book is a must read!
May 19, 2015
Truly wonderful book!
Perfect combination of romance, friendship and humor.This book is an amazing read.
I can't describe how much I love this series!
And like always when you read Marina Adair books big smile is on your face :)
Perfect combination of romance, friendship and humor.This book is an amazing read.
I can't describe how much I love this series!
And like always when you read Marina Adair books big smile is on your face :)
January 22, 2018
I'm going to start this review by saying I absolutely love this series. I loved this book. This series has been my first introduction to Marina Adair and she makes heroines the man, the husband, the father in me just wants to protect and make everything all right for. You can't read about Glory and the cruel hand life had dealt her and how she fights to overcome it without wanting to cheer for her. And I loved the fact that unlike so many heroines in romance novels she wasn't willing to settle for a friends with benefits relationship. Despite her physical attraction to Cal McGraw she wasn't going to jump into bed with him unless he offered the possibility that their relationship could lead to something more than sexual. And as she firmly said, she wasn't going to be anybody's secret again.
Okay so what I didn't like in this story right off the bat was where was Glory's champion or champions when Grady arrested her, threw her soaking wet into a cold jail cell and left her not only locked up but handcuffed all night. Oh Cal was shocked and expressed some quickly subsided anger that his good buddy had done that to her but in my book that didn't go nearly far enough. Everybody Cal, Brett and entire town may not have approved but they sure didn't make much of a stink about it. And Grady his family and many of the fine citizens of Sugar held Glory accountable for being the victim of a sexual predator in a position of authority Grady's brother), as if it was her fault that he took advantage of a lonely seventeen year olds need for male approval and affection. We're led to believe that Grady had used his position of authority to harass Glory whenever possible since his brother the former popular high school football coach was forced to leave town under a cloud of shame. Hell, he should have been arrested and tried for sexual abuse. Brett McGraw is Glory's BFF and the most influential person in Sugar. Why didn't he publicly defend her and set the town straight? Why didn't he call out his buddy Grady for his assholish behavior towards Glory? And Glory is forced to carry the stigma of being a wild child for over a decade after that for being the victim of a sexual predator. Doesn't matter that she never gets into trouble, takes care of her disabled grandmother works a hard job, volunteers in what little free time she has and goes to college part time to try and better herself. And Kitty is allowed to publicly disparage her and nobody sticks up for her or calls Kitty on her shit. Honestly I was feeling a lot less love for the lovable, quirky people of Sugar Georgia reading this book.
The other thing in this book that bothered me was Cal's meltdown and rejection of Glory. I understand he was emotional at that point in the story. I was a single father who raised 5 teenage daughters and lived to talk about it so I get it. And okay, I know something like this had to happen because the rules of romance writing says some dramatic obstacle has to come in the way of true love before the lovers find their happily ever after. And since romance novels are written almost exclusively by women (John Sparks being the only exception that I can think of) for women it's of course the men who most of the time end up being the screw ups in the relationship that need to make amends for being such big fools. But it just ripped my heart out to see Glory hurt again by Cal after she'd given her heart to him and truly hadn't done anything wrong.
So obviously you can tell this story was so well written that I became emotionally invested in its outcome and our heroine Glory getting her H.E.A. I liked the fact that although she was a secondary player in this book we still got to see what was going on in Joie and Brett's life. I think if the author hadn't somehow still painted Grady as a good guy who supposedly redeems himself at the end of the story I would have given this one 5 stars. Seems to me Grady forgiving Glory for something he should never have blamed her for after she goes out of her way to show undeserved kindness to someone important to him hardly makes him a good guy. Oh well I'm pretty sure that karma will be a bitch because even though the next book focuses on Charlotte and Jace McGrath, since it's the final book in the series I suspect Spencer will finally get her man (Grady) and her H.E.A. and she's the kind of kick ass redneck woman who will definitely put Grady through his paces.
Okay so what I didn't like in this story right off the bat was where was Glory's champion or champions when Grady arrested her, threw her soaking wet into a cold jail cell and left her not only locked up but handcuffed all night. Oh Cal was shocked and expressed some quickly subsided anger that his good buddy had done that to her but in my book that didn't go nearly far enough. Everybody Cal, Brett and entire town may not have approved but they sure didn't make much of a stink about it. And Grady his family and many of the fine citizens of Sugar held Glory accountable for being the victim of a sexual predator in a position of authority Grady's brother), as if it was her fault that he took advantage of a lonely seventeen year olds need for male approval and affection. We're led to believe that Grady had used his position of authority to harass Glory whenever possible since his brother the former popular high school football coach was forced to leave town under a cloud of shame. Hell, he should have been arrested and tried for sexual abuse. Brett McGraw is Glory's BFF and the most influential person in Sugar. Why didn't he publicly defend her and set the town straight? Why didn't he call out his buddy Grady for his assholish behavior towards Glory? And Glory is forced to carry the stigma of being a wild child for over a decade after that for being the victim of a sexual predator. Doesn't matter that she never gets into trouble, takes care of her disabled grandmother works a hard job, volunteers in what little free time she has and goes to college part time to try and better herself. And Kitty is allowed to publicly disparage her and nobody sticks up for her or calls Kitty on her shit. Honestly I was feeling a lot less love for the lovable, quirky people of Sugar Georgia reading this book.
The other thing in this book that bothered me was Cal's meltdown and rejection of Glory. I understand he was emotional at that point in the story. I was a single father who raised 5 teenage daughters and lived to talk about it so I get it. And okay, I know something like this had to happen because the rules of romance writing says some dramatic obstacle has to come in the way of true love before the lovers find their happily ever after. And since romance novels are written almost exclusively by women (John Sparks being the only exception that I can think of) for women it's of course the men who most of the time end up being the screw ups in the relationship that need to make amends for being such big fools. But it just ripped my heart out to see Glory hurt again by Cal after she'd given her heart to him and truly hadn't done anything wrong.
So obviously you can tell this story was so well written that I became emotionally invested in its outcome and our heroine Glory getting her H.E.A. I liked the fact that although she was a secondary player in this book we still got to see what was going on in Joie and Brett's life. I think if the author hadn't somehow still painted Grady as a good guy who supposedly redeems himself at the end of the story I would have given this one 5 stars. Seems to me Grady forgiving Glory for something he should never have blamed her for after she goes out of her way to show undeserved kindness to someone important to him hardly makes him a good guy. Oh well I'm pretty sure that karma will be a bitch because even though the next book focuses on Charlotte and Jace McGrath, since it's the final book in the series I suspect Spencer will finally get her man (Grady) and her H.E.A. and she's the kind of kick ass redneck woman who will definitely put Grady through his paces.
December 7, 2018
I am beyond relieved that the mean grannies of Sugar, Georgia are a bit more subdued this go around. I am not, however, happy with Jackson. My goodness, I wanted to strangle that man for the first half of this story.
Cal and Glory shouldn’t work, but they do. Once you get past the exterior layers, you see that they’re actually meant to be together. They are both just so stubborn. Glory, with her need to act as if the town’s actions toward her through the years haven’t bothered her. Cal, with the way he is so determined to “protect” his daughter, Payton.
The way Glory and Cal keep getting thrown together is great. It really helps their chemistry to build until you think they may combust. Which, spoiler, they kind of do…and it’s HOT! I absolutely love the scene when the pair finally come together. It’s just so them.
Cal is such a good dad, even if he is overprotective. There are so many times he could throw his ex-wife under the bus as she does to him constantly, but he always takes the high road. At least when he’s face to face with Payton. The ex is truly a piece of work and it’s touching to see Cal do so much to make sure his daughter never feels unwanted or unloved.
This story kept me turning the pages and gave me all sorts of warm-fuzzies. Although I’m really looking forward to the next story in this series, I’m disappointed to see that there are no books after that book three. I’m sure there will be characters I feel weren’t given their HEA since it’s been so long since these were published, and I doubt there will be more in the series. But, to think on the positive side, I’m going to enjoy the stories that are out there.
This review can also be found at All In Good Time
Cal and Glory shouldn’t work, but they do. Once you get past the exterior layers, you see that they’re actually meant to be together. They are both just so stubborn. Glory, with her need to act as if the town’s actions toward her through the years haven’t bothered her. Cal, with the way he is so determined to “protect” his daughter, Payton.
The way Glory and Cal keep getting thrown together is great. It really helps their chemistry to build until you think they may combust. Which, spoiler, they kind of do…and it’s HOT! I absolutely love the scene when the pair finally come together. It’s just so them.
Cal is such a good dad, even if he is overprotective. There are so many times he could throw his ex-wife under the bus as she does to him constantly, but he always takes the high road. At least when he’s face to face with Payton. The ex is truly a piece of work and it’s touching to see Cal do so much to make sure his daughter never feels unwanted or unloved.
This story kept me turning the pages and gave me all sorts of warm-fuzzies. Although I’m really looking forward to the next story in this series, I’m disappointed to see that there are no books after that book three. I’m sure there will be characters I feel weren’t given their HEA since it’s been so long since these were published, and I doubt there will be more in the series. But, to think on the positive side, I’m going to enjoy the stories that are out there.
This review can also be found at All In Good Time
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