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The Sugar Rose
"THIS IS THE OUTSIDE OF ENOUGH TO BE MAKING MISS SINCLAIR AN OFFER WITH ME SITTING HERE!"
Even Everard Ramsey's outrage could not dampen the delight that Aurelia Sinclair felt at the prearranged proposal of her childhood sweetheart, Justin, Lord Spencer. If Justin was less than ardent, well...what could such a dowdy, plump girl as herself expect from one of the handsomest bucks in the ton?
His sympathy thoroughly engaged, the fastidious Mr. Ramsey was already forming a most famous plan. If he could but help Aurelia with her wardrobe and sweet tooth, surely his friend Justin would sit up and take notice.
But when a breathtaking Aurelia emerged from her cocoon, slender and radiant, Everard began to wish Justin far away--the better to have his creation all to himself!
Even Everard Ramsey's outrage could not dampen the delight that Aurelia Sinclair felt at the prearranged proposal of her childhood sweetheart, Justin, Lord Spencer. If Justin was less than ardent, well...what could such a dowdy, plump girl as herself expect from one of the handsomest bucks in the ton?
His sympathy thoroughly engaged, the fastidious Mr. Ramsey was already forming a most famous plan. If he could but help Aurelia with her wardrobe and sweet tooth, surely his friend Justin would sit up and take notice.
But when a breathtaking Aurelia emerged from her cocoon, slender and radiant, Everard began to wish Justin far away--the better to have his creation all to himself!
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
16 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Susan Carroll
65 books379 followersBorn Susan Carol Cute in 1952, Susan Coppula obtained a Degree in English with complementary studies in History in the University of Indiana. Since 1986, Susan has published books under three different pseudonyms: Susan Carroll, Susan Coppula, and Serena Richards
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 11, 2013
Theme: you have no value unless you're thin and fit into society's mold. That really bothered me. If she wanted to loose weight, then fine whatever. What really bothered me was the character's reactions to this.
"OH she sooo beautiful NOW."
She could have been beautiful before. Thinness doesn't validate a person's existence or their privilege to have love, dammit.
"OH she sooo beautiful NOW."
She could have been beautiful before. Thinness doesn't validate a person's existence or their privilege to have love, dammit.
November 12, 2013
Miss Aurelia Sinclair has been waiting her entire 23 years for her neighbor and best friend Lord Justin Spencer to finally propose. The arrangement has been of long standing between their families and Justin feels so comfortable around Aurelia that he completely forgets to employ any romantic charms when proposing. His friend Everard Ramsey, a noted London dandy is horrified. How could his friend be so gauche? Sure Miss Sinclair is a bit plain and plump but she is intriguing just the same. When Justin dashes off to London to play the bachelor for awhile, Everard wages that he can turn Aurelia into a belle who will charm Justin. Aurelia then begins a diet and exercise regime to help her lose weight and Everard helps her learn to carry herself with grace. Soon though Everard begins to think Aurelia is too good for Justin. He promised to be there whenever Aurelia needed him but he begins to wonder if he was wrong to become involved with his friend's fiance. When Aurelia finally is reunited with Justin, his response is everything she could have hoped for, but she wonders why it doesn't feel the way she hoped it would. Aurelia must decide if she should stay with the comfortable life she's always known. She may not have a choice though, for another lady is out to claim Justin as her own while one of Aurelia's rejected suitors (Mr. Snape!) is bent on revenge.
This story is a different sort of plot from the tried and true (and sometimes hackneyed) plots of most Regencies. It's a take on Pygmalion and I quite enjoyed the unique plot. There's more depth to the plot than it seems at first glance. The hero has quite an interesting backstory that I would have liked to see developed more. Aurelia also has a backstory but hers is a bit more common. Their stories help the reader understand why they behave as they do. The relationships develop nicely. There's a solid friendship between the hero and heroine before romance blossoms, which I really appreciated. I think many people will be able to relate to Aurelia. She's an emotional eater and as he begins to feel better about herself, she learns self-control. However, the writing is merely average. The author tries to hard to mimic the style of writing at the time with lots of " 'Tis" and " 'Twas" which is a little irritating. I really like light, fluffy romances with well-developed characters and relationships so this one fit the bill despite the average writing. I would definitely recommend it to fans of "sweet" Regencies (kisses only).
This story is a different sort of plot from the tried and true (and sometimes hackneyed) plots of most Regencies. It's a take on Pygmalion and I quite enjoyed the unique plot. There's more depth to the plot than it seems at first glance. The hero has quite an interesting backstory that I would have liked to see developed more. Aurelia also has a backstory but hers is a bit more common. Their stories help the reader understand why they behave as they do. The relationships develop nicely. There's a solid friendship between the hero and heroine before romance blossoms, which I really appreciated. I think many people will be able to relate to Aurelia. She's an emotional eater and as he begins to feel better about herself, she learns self-control. However, the writing is merely average. The author tries to hard to mimic the style of writing at the time with lots of " 'Tis" and " 'Twas" which is a little irritating. I really like light, fluffy romances with well-developed characters and relationships so this one fit the bill despite the average writing. I would definitely recommend it to fans of "sweet" Regencies (kisses only).
February 19, 2018
4.5 stars. Charming, clever dialogue, all the great things about a traditional Regency romance. Aurelia "Reely" is to marry Justin, Lord Spencer, just as their families had planned. Aurelia thinks she loves him and has high hopes that things will become more romantic. Enter his best friend, Everard Ramsey. A seemingly stiff dandy, he sees the negligent way Justin treats her. In a wager with his aunt, Everard helps Aurelia lose weight and choose more attractive clothes. They become great friends and finally fall in love, but what about her engagement to Justin?
There are lots of antics including some hanky-panky at Vauxhall Gardens and a near duel. It's all fun with a deeper message of acceptance and self-worth. Very good!
There are lots of antics including some hanky-panky at Vauxhall Gardens and a near duel. It's all fun with a deeper message of acceptance and self-worth. Very good!
October 3, 2019
Please fire whoever transcribed this to the online library version. As another reviewer pointed out the word "many" was used instead of "marry". More amusingly, the word "arms" was twice changed in Chapter 6 to both "anus" & "antis". Admittedly, I laughed really hard trying to imagine dandies who "find a convenient pillar to lean upon, cross their ANUS, and look insufferably bored".
Otherwise, this was a cute tale of growing love through friendship - except for the fixation on starving her into being thin! There's a difference between getting her to 'stop eating her feelings" and making her drink vinegar-water & only eat rice! That was too much!
Otherwise, this was a cute tale of growing love through friendship - except for the fixation on starving her into being thin! There's a difference between getting her to 'stop eating her feelings" and making her drink vinegar-water & only eat rice! That was too much!
October 28, 2022
3.5 stars
February 27, 2015
With a little help from your friends
Wonderful romance now available for kindle. Aurelia has been in love with her childhood friend, Lord Justin and they are expected to marry. Justin views her like a sister and pretty much ignores her while he chases after every Lady who crosses his path. This horrifies his best friend, Everett who is determined to help Aurelia win the love of Justin. Very well written with intense emotional currents coursing beneath the witty dialogue.
Although understanding the source of her very low self-esteem, and enjoying her transformation, I find Aurelia rather passive for my taste. Aurelia is at this point the source of her mental self battering. The change that she is undergoing is coming from a outer source, Everett, not from her own personal desires. She constantly retreats to her fallback position when ever she is confronted. How she manages a HEA is worth reading, but it is due to her friends.
Wonderful romance now available for kindle. Aurelia has been in love with her childhood friend, Lord Justin and they are expected to marry. Justin views her like a sister and pretty much ignores her while he chases after every Lady who crosses his path. This horrifies his best friend, Everett who is determined to help Aurelia win the love of Justin. Very well written with intense emotional currents coursing beneath the witty dialogue.
Although understanding the source of her very low self-esteem, and enjoying her transformation, I find Aurelia rather passive for my taste. Aurelia is at this point the source of her mental self battering. The change that she is undergoing is coming from a outer source, Everett, not from her own personal desires. She constantly retreats to her fallback position when ever she is confronted. How she manages a HEA is worth reading, but it is due to her friends.
March 19, 2015
I've only read one other book by Susan Carroll and I absolutely loved it. It was "Brighton Road" - I actually re-read it today and couldn't wait to read another book by this author, so immediately ordered this one. The foundation for the storyline was awesome. Chubby and dowdy Aurelia, waiting for years for her lifelong friend and intended, Justin, to offer for her finally gets her proposal, albeit under less than thrilling circumstances. His good friend, Everard Ramsey, was along for the ride and was stunned and not one iota pleased that Justin would dishonor Aurelia by offering for her with another man in the room. Of course, this serves to give the reader the true measure of Justin who is a very selfish man and we know right away he's never going to be good enough for our girl.
Straightaway, Justin departs for a lengthy period of time sowing more wild oats and doesn't even have the grace to attend his own betrothal party, so Everard decides to take matters in hand. He persuades Aurelia to let him do the Pygmalion thing and turn her from a sow's ear into a silk purse (my words not Everard's). It takes a few months and eventually Aurelia is finally ready to take on London Society where the absentee Justin will see her in a totally different light. Of course we know Everard will be successful - after all he's a Beau Brummell type and he knows what he's doing.
Along the way, as Everard was recreating Aurelia, stuff happened and an attraction grew between Aurelia and Everard, however, they're unaware of one another's feelings. But... I had difficulties enjoying this story even though it had all the "right stuff" going for it in so many ways. Problem was, just as I thought we would have some nice relaxing sweetness, everything turned angsty and I could never get that cozy warm feeling inside. Attraction was there, but it seemed I was never able to enjoy and savor the sweetness. Something would always come up - an argument between Aurelia and Everard or a small misunderstanding, or guilt over the way Everard felt about his best friend's fiancee.
Even after Aurelia arrived in London and she was a huge hit, surrounded by gents who wanted to dance with her at her first ball, we weren't allowed to fully enjoy the victory. For example, Aurelia's first dance with Justin was a disaster because she stepped all over his feet - that type of thing. She tries to find Everard and when she does find him, he refuses to dance with her. No relaxing sweetness - not even for a brief moment in time - something uncomfortable would always happen to unsettle the moment. About halfway into the book, I suspected it wasn't going to change and it didn't. Of course we know these books are always going to give us our HEA or we wouldn't read them, but I could have used more savoring along the way. We had a lovely girl paired with a stunning, smart, sensitive, sophisticated and honorable man in Everard. He was the type of gent who could come across as being socially arrogant if he chose and yet he deigned to come down from his lofty heights and help our little lady. He was truly heroic in many ways.
What can I say? I felt somewhat thwarted and a bit cheated emotionally. But, I will continue to read this author's books. They're clean reads and the characters are full of vitality. I even laughed out loud once or twice.
One last thing: I do a lot of editing so you might think that would make me critical about mistakes in these books. No, just the opposite, because I know how easy it is to miss one or two things. But in this book, on two important occasions when the word "marry" should have been used, the word "many" was used. Someone might want to take a look at those two instances - they stuck out like a sore thumb.
Straightaway, Justin departs for a lengthy period of time sowing more wild oats and doesn't even have the grace to attend his own betrothal party, so Everard decides to take matters in hand. He persuades Aurelia to let him do the Pygmalion thing and turn her from a sow's ear into a silk purse (my words not Everard's). It takes a few months and eventually Aurelia is finally ready to take on London Society where the absentee Justin will see her in a totally different light. Of course we know Everard will be successful - after all he's a Beau Brummell type and he knows what he's doing.
Along the way, as Everard was recreating Aurelia, stuff happened and an attraction grew between Aurelia and Everard, however, they're unaware of one another's feelings. But... I had difficulties enjoying this story even though it had all the "right stuff" going for it in so many ways. Problem was, just as I thought we would have some nice relaxing sweetness, everything turned angsty and I could never get that cozy warm feeling inside. Attraction was there, but it seemed I was never able to enjoy and savor the sweetness. Something would always come up - an argument between Aurelia and Everard or a small misunderstanding, or guilt over the way Everard felt about his best friend's fiancee.
Even after Aurelia arrived in London and she was a huge hit, surrounded by gents who wanted to dance with her at her first ball, we weren't allowed to fully enjoy the victory. For example, Aurelia's first dance with Justin was a disaster because she stepped all over his feet - that type of thing. She tries to find Everard and when she does find him, he refuses to dance with her. No relaxing sweetness - not even for a brief moment in time - something uncomfortable would always happen to unsettle the moment. About halfway into the book, I suspected it wasn't going to change and it didn't. Of course we know these books are always going to give us our HEA or we wouldn't read them, but I could have used more savoring along the way. We had a lovely girl paired with a stunning, smart, sensitive, sophisticated and honorable man in Everard. He was the type of gent who could come across as being socially arrogant if he chose and yet he deigned to come down from his lofty heights and help our little lady. He was truly heroic in many ways.
What can I say? I felt somewhat thwarted and a bit cheated emotionally. But, I will continue to read this author's books. They're clean reads and the characters are full of vitality. I even laughed out loud once or twice.
One last thing: I do a lot of editing so you might think that would make me critical about mistakes in these books. No, just the opposite, because I know how easy it is to miss one or two things. But in this book, on two important occasions when the word "marry" should have been used, the word "many" was used. Someone might want to take a look at those two instances - they stuck out like a sore thumb.
June 3, 2021
Book with a lot of potential that fell very flat and sends a horrible message about what it means to be "beautiful" and "loved".
There are three tropes romance authors use to handle a plump heroine in Regency romances:
1. Heroine is confident in her body and hero totally digs the curves (Amy's personal fave)
2. Heroine must undergo some kind of slimming regiment (Boo!)
3. Plump girl is a side character, friend, or fellow wallflower undeserving of her own story
But this book hits a new low, even for the trope of needing to lose weight to be considered beautiful . . . Rice and vinegar diet? Seriously? Was that the Regency period equivalent of the rice cakes and Diet Rite craze of the 1980's?
Snarky sisters warning to young, impressionable girls reading these stories:
1. Do not change yourself for another person
2. Do not starve yourself to meet someone else's definition of perfection
3. Embrace who you are and what you look like, you are beatiful just the way you are!
4. Do not follow crazy, fad diets! Rice and vinegar is NOT healthy and no one should follow that diet. Ever.
5. And again, because it needs to be said twice, you are beautiful just the way you are!
For an in-depth review of this book, check out our podcast episode where we dive deep into the plot and characters: https://anchor.fm/questionablehistory...
There are three tropes romance authors use to handle a plump heroine in Regency romances:
1. Heroine is confident in her body and hero totally digs the curves (Amy's personal fave)
2. Heroine must undergo some kind of slimming regiment (Boo!)
3. Plump girl is a side character, friend, or fellow wallflower undeserving of her own story
But this book hits a new low, even for the trope of needing to lose weight to be considered beautiful . . . Rice and vinegar diet? Seriously? Was that the Regency period equivalent of the rice cakes and Diet Rite craze of the 1980's?
Snarky sisters warning to young, impressionable girls reading these stories:
1. Do not change yourself for another person
2. Do not starve yourself to meet someone else's definition of perfection
3. Embrace who you are and what you look like, you are beatiful just the way you are!
4. Do not follow crazy, fad diets! Rice and vinegar is NOT healthy and no one should follow that diet. Ever.
5. And again, because it needs to be said twice, you are beautiful just the way you are!
For an in-depth review of this book, check out our podcast episode where we dive deep into the plot and characters: https://anchor.fm/questionablehistory...
July 18, 2022
The book had its moments - the banter between the MC in the beginning, and some quips (sparsely scattered though) by the heroine throughout were really amusing. However, on the whole, it was predictable and problematic, and the underlying theme is more like a modern movie than a RR.
The first problem is The Ugly Duckling transformation - in the regency era, it is unbelievable that a man who is not a relative takes charge of the lady's transformation - diet (which in itself was an unhealthy extreme), clothes and appearance. The trouble here is the emphasis that one needs to be thin and very well groomed to be appreciated/loved.
The other problem is the heroine's attitude towards his original fiance, Justin, who is terribly selfish and insensitive. But the heroine never seems to realize this - despite the fact that he fails to turn up for his own engagement party, abandons her for months, does not even recognize her upon her Transformation, and only takes pride in showing her off once her appearance becomes dazzling. She should have ditched him with or without Everard, in no uncertain terms. She should have trusted her godmother rather than believing the evil scheming Suzy. But no, heroines have to be beautiful fools.
The first problem is The Ugly Duckling transformation - in the regency era, it is unbelievable that a man who is not a relative takes charge of the lady's transformation - diet (which in itself was an unhealthy extreme), clothes and appearance. The trouble here is the emphasis that one needs to be thin and very well groomed to be appreciated/loved.
The other problem is the heroine's attitude towards his original fiance, Justin, who is terribly selfish and insensitive. But the heroine never seems to realize this - despite the fact that he fails to turn up for his own engagement party, abandons her for months, does not even recognize her upon her Transformation, and only takes pride in showing her off once her appearance becomes dazzling. She should have ditched him with or without Everard, in no uncertain terms. She should have trusted her godmother rather than believing the evil scheming Suzy. But no, heroines have to be beautiful fools.
October 9, 2014
Just what I was looking for. A light, enjoyable read with excellent dialogue.
August 10, 2023
Sweet historical romance with an overweight heroine who is helped by the hero to reduce her weight (mainly) and improve her social graces (to a lesser extent). The hero wanted her to see, how beautiful and wonderful she is, thus boosting her self-confidence.
Throughout the story there continued to be ups and downs for the heroine‘s self-confidence. I found it very annoying, how the slightest problem made the heroine waver from her new found confidence in her own abilities. Most of the time she pitied herself and did not believe she was lovable. This low self-esteem made her indifferent to the indiscretions of her fiancé.
Her fiancé was a really superficial person, only interested in his next female conquest. He was so un-interested in the heroine that he irritated me so much I nearly stopped reading this book.
The hero, too, irritated me because of his stupid reticence and aloofness. He seemed very dull and boring, despite of the few enjoyable dialogues with the heroine or his best friend (the heroine’s fiancé).
Throughout the story there continued to be ups and downs for the heroine‘s self-confidence. I found it very annoying, how the slightest problem made the heroine waver from her new found confidence in her own abilities. Most of the time she pitied herself and did not believe she was lovable. This low self-esteem made her indifferent to the indiscretions of her fiancé.
Her fiancé was a really superficial person, only interested in his next female conquest. He was so un-interested in the heroine that he irritated me so much I nearly stopped reading this book.
The hero, too, irritated me because of his stupid reticence and aloofness. He seemed very dull and boring, despite of the few enjoyable dialogues with the heroine or his best friend (the heroine’s fiancé).
September 2, 2017
Rating: 2.5
Not as good as some of the author's other books, it's nonetheless pleasant going with witty banter and likable characters till the ending where it veers off to become an average read. It's reminiscent of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady (the movie) which was the reason I selected it. Not bad, but not that great either, though it's a quick, light hearted, nicely written read.
Not as good as some of the author's other books, it's nonetheless pleasant going with witty banter and likable characters till the ending where it veers off to become an average read. It's reminiscent of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady (the movie) which was the reason I selected it. Not bad, but not that great either, though it's a quick, light hearted, nicely written read.
November 6, 2015
Average. 1.5 stars.
I was tempted to rate this just one star. But if I have to be honest, I liked the first part, the bickering between Aurelia and Everard. It has a promising start. Very disappointing, because I liked Susan Carroll's book BRIGHTON ROAD a lot.
For about 20% of the story all was good. Until they fall in love, and all the cheesy thoughts start to happen. It was all:
"And why was her heart beating so fast?"
"Why did he think her eyes were the most exquisite thing in the world?"
"Why did this kiss feel different from all the other kisses?"
And so on. So corny. And predictable. I can't stand when there is a wager, and then the obvious misunderstanding. Aurelia behaved like a silly girl for about half of the book, and Everard -who is supposed to be a gentleman- punching Justin was so OoC. Or frowning ALL the time because of his "impossible love". I did not think it was possible, but I've read most of the book with my eyes rolling.
I was tempted to rate this just one star. But if I have to be honest, I liked the first part, the bickering between Aurelia and Everard. It has a promising start. Very disappointing, because I liked Susan Carroll's book BRIGHTON ROAD a lot.
For about 20% of the story all was good. Until they fall in love, and all the cheesy thoughts start to happen. It was all:
"And why was her heart beating so fast?"
"Why did he think her eyes were the most exquisite thing in the world?"
"Why did this kiss feel different from all the other kisses?"
And so on. So corny. And predictable. I can't stand when there is a wager, and then the obvious misunderstanding. Aurelia behaved like a silly girl for about half of the book, and Everard -who is supposed to be a gentleman- punching Justin was so OoC. Or frowning ALL the time because of his "impossible love". I did not think it was possible, but I've read most of the book with my eyes rolling.
May 18, 2018
3.45 stars - pg13 (typical “clean” secular regency – possible mild cursing/profanity & mention of mistresses)
This book had great potential - and it was, in part, quite good - but it was just not as good as her other book, Brighton Road. This Hero was great, and parts of the story were very funny, including the Hero’s aunt. Unfortunately, the author, temporarily and conveniently to suit the plot, changes the heroine into an obstinate, stupid, melodramatic, twitzoid !!
This book had great potential - and it was, in part, quite good - but it was just not as good as her other book, Brighton Road. This Hero was great, and parts of the story were very funny, including the Hero’s aunt. Unfortunately, the author, temporarily and conveniently to suit the plot, changes the heroine into an obstinate, stupid, melodramatic, twitzoid !!
May 20, 2015
So So
This book needed better editing! There were several grammatical errors and one especially jarring proofreading error when Everard says to Aurelia that he just needed to lean against a pillar and fold ones arms, instead it said "fold ones anus". Oops that's one the proofreaders should have caught.
This book was pretty fluffy. You don't really care too much about the characters.
This book needed better editing! There were several grammatical errors and one especially jarring proofreading error when Everard says to Aurelia that he just needed to lean against a pillar and fold ones arms, instead it said "fold ones anus". Oops that's one the proofreaders should have caught.
This book was pretty fluffy. You don't really care too much about the characters.
April 5, 2011
I loved this plump heroine!!!
November 2, 2015
I get a kick out of the heroine in this book. Some parts of the plot are outdated, but I look right on by to enjoy this old favorite of mine.
August 1, 2013
3.5 stars
June 5, 2015
Loved the banter between Heroine and hero. Pleased to read of a Heroine that is a little chubby, too. :)
Clean.
Clean.
October 1, 2015
I ate it up. What more can I say?
September 11, 2015
A cute Regency with likable protagonists.
September 22, 2017
This was very cute and funny Regency Romance! The hero was so nice!! I get tired of arrogant rakes. This isn't really amazing, I guess, but the plot is not overdone, which in itself is huge!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews