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Sugar
After realizing her coworkers at L’Ombre, a high-profile restaurant in NYC, will never appreciate or respect her, Charlie Garrett allows her ex-boyfriend, Avery Michaels, to convince her to work for him as executive pastry chef at his new Seattle hotspot, Thrill. She’ll have her own kitchen, her own staff—everything she ever wanted professionally.
When she arrives at Thrill, however, she realizes that Avery wanted more than a pastry chef for his restaurant—he wanted a costar for the reality show they’re filming about the restaurant and its staff. Charlie is uncomfortable with the idea at first, but she soon realizes that this is her chance to show the world what women in the kitchen are capable of. She sets some ground rules with the film crew, signs a non-disclosure agreement, and promptly meets the man of her dreams, Kai, off-camera.
The show, and her demanding work schedule as head of the pastry kitchen, makes it nearly impossible for Charlie and Kai to spend time together. Drama on and off the set soon take a toll on Charlie’s well-being, forcing her to choose if life in front of the camera is worth sacrificing life behind the scenes.
Sugar is a contemporary romance, set in the high-pressure commercial kitchens of New York and Seattle. A funny and clever story of how a female chef learns to thrive in the ruthless world of premier restaurants.
When she arrives at Thrill, however, she realizes that Avery wanted more than a pastry chef for his restaurant—he wanted a costar for the reality show they’re filming about the restaurant and its staff. Charlie is uncomfortable with the idea at first, but she soon realizes that this is her chance to show the world what women in the kitchen are capable of. She sets some ground rules with the film crew, signs a non-disclosure agreement, and promptly meets the man of her dreams, Kai, off-camera.
The show, and her demanding work schedule as head of the pastry kitchen, makes it nearly impossible for Charlie and Kai to spend time together. Drama on and off the set soon take a toll on Charlie’s well-being, forcing her to choose if life in front of the camera is worth sacrificing life behind the scenes.
Sugar is a contemporary romance, set in the high-pressure commercial kitchens of New York and Seattle. A funny and clever story of how a female chef learns to thrive in the ruthless world of premier restaurants.
248 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2017
156 people are currently reading
2527 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Stuart
12 books219 followersKimberly Stuart wants you to know that authors write their own bios and are hardly reliable sources. Nevertheless, there are a few facts that stand out:
1. Stuart loves a good story, both written and lived.
2. Stuart loves imported chocolate and her children, though the order of her affections sometimes gets muddled.
3. Stuart writes both non-fiction and fiction, always with an infusion of faith. However, she seems to make Christians nervous. Read at your own risk, then, and e-mail her publisher if you must.
1. Stuart loves a good story, both written and lived.
2. Stuart loves imported chocolate and her children, though the order of her affections sometimes gets muddled.
3. Stuart writes both non-fiction and fiction, always with an infusion of faith. However, she seems to make Christians nervous. Read at your own risk, then, and e-mail her publisher if you must.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
March 1, 2017
I won a copy of Sugar by Kimberly Stuart in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Sugar is a short, sweet romance and, after reading some rather grim books lately, it’s a breath of fresh air. Stuart’s easy writing style is lovely, everything flows naturally. She has created a well-written and fleshed out group of relatable characters. And, there’s lots of food!
After years of hard work and determination, Charlie Garret has made it to assistant pastry chef at an upscale restaurant in New York City. She loves her work but things could be better. The executive pasty chef, Felix, is a nightmare. Charlie has been promised the executive chef position once Felix retires but, after six years, he doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. When her ex-boyfriend, Avery, approaches her with an offer to be the executive pastry chef at a hot, new Seattle restaurant called Thrill, she turns him down because she’s happy in NYC and still hopes for that promotion. The next day, however, Felix, being a complete tyrant, goes too far, and when their boss does not come to her defense, Charlie quits and takes Avery up on his offer.
Once the story moves to Seattle, everything is lighter and brighter. Charlie’s best friend, Manda, lives in Seattle with her husband and children. Avery has set Charlie up in a very nice apartment building complete with a concierge. Everyone is nice and warm. The restaurant is great and has a beautiful kitchen. Everything seems perfect until Charlie finds out there is a catch: the restaurant and its staff are to be the subjects of a new reality television series called Thrill Me. And, Charlie is to be Avery’s co-star. Charlie is angry for being lied to and is prepared to turn Avery down again but, after weighing the pros - she loves Seattle, Manda is there, the restaurant is amazing and she has her own staff, and after also considering what this could do for her future, she finally agrees to take part.
During this time, Charlie has also met Kai, the head cook and owner of quaint diner. They have a quick, easy rapport and, with some help from Manda’s meddling, they grow closer. Unfortunately, though, her intense work schedule starts to interfere with their budding romance not to mention Avery’s constant presence in her life - Kai is not exactly jumping for joy knowing Charlie and her ex are spending so much time together. Can they find time to spend together or will hectic schedules and jealousies end things before they really begin?
Sugar is very lively with quite a bit of humor. The characters are great, especially Charlie with her semi-OCD personality and Kai with his charm and good nature. The supporting players are mostly entertaining: meddling Manda and her husband and kids; Tova, Charlie’s assistant at Thrill; and Kai’s overprotective sisters. Avery is the low point for me. He lies to Charlie from the start and he’s just plain annoying throughout the book.
It’s an enjoyable, quick and clean read that I could easily see being a Hallmark movie, which is not a bad thing. It’s cute with good characters, a fun storyline and just a small hint of drama.
Sugar is a short, sweet romance and, after reading some rather grim books lately, it’s a breath of fresh air. Stuart’s easy writing style is lovely, everything flows naturally. She has created a well-written and fleshed out group of relatable characters. And, there’s lots of food!
After years of hard work and determination, Charlie Garret has made it to assistant pastry chef at an upscale restaurant in New York City. She loves her work but things could be better. The executive pasty chef, Felix, is a nightmare. Charlie has been promised the executive chef position once Felix retires but, after six years, he doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. When her ex-boyfriend, Avery, approaches her with an offer to be the executive pastry chef at a hot, new Seattle restaurant called Thrill, she turns him down because she’s happy in NYC and still hopes for that promotion. The next day, however, Felix, being a complete tyrant, goes too far, and when their boss does not come to her defense, Charlie quits and takes Avery up on his offer.
Once the story moves to Seattle, everything is lighter and brighter. Charlie’s best friend, Manda, lives in Seattle with her husband and children. Avery has set Charlie up in a very nice apartment building complete with a concierge. Everyone is nice and warm. The restaurant is great and has a beautiful kitchen. Everything seems perfect until Charlie finds out there is a catch: the restaurant and its staff are to be the subjects of a new reality television series called Thrill Me. And, Charlie is to be Avery’s co-star. Charlie is angry for being lied to and is prepared to turn Avery down again but, after weighing the pros - she loves Seattle, Manda is there, the restaurant is amazing and she has her own staff, and after also considering what this could do for her future, she finally agrees to take part.
During this time, Charlie has also met Kai, the head cook and owner of quaint diner. They have a quick, easy rapport and, with some help from Manda’s meddling, they grow closer. Unfortunately, though, her intense work schedule starts to interfere with their budding romance not to mention Avery’s constant presence in her life - Kai is not exactly jumping for joy knowing Charlie and her ex are spending so much time together. Can they find time to spend together or will hectic schedules and jealousies end things before they really begin?
Sugar is very lively with quite a bit of humor. The characters are great, especially Charlie with her semi-OCD personality and Kai with his charm and good nature. The supporting players are mostly entertaining: meddling Manda and her husband and kids; Tova, Charlie’s assistant at Thrill; and Kai’s overprotective sisters. Avery is the low point for me. He lies to Charlie from the start and he’s just plain annoying throughout the book.
It’s an enjoyable, quick and clean read that I could easily see being a Hallmark movie, which is not a bad thing. It’s cute with good characters, a fun storyline and just a small hint of drama.
March 3, 2017
Sugar is a charming book about, hard work, determination, friendship, budding romance and a sprinkle of humour to sweeten it up. Not to mention all the scrumptious food.
Charlie is a creative and innovative pastry chef, who is stuck in rutt waiting for her dream promotion.
Eventually she has had enough and quits her job.
Unbeknown to her the next exciting opportunity is right around the corner, in fact with Avery her ex-boyfriend.
She agrees to become he's executive pastry chef.
Unbeknown to Charlie, Avery is about to turn her world upside down by making her the co star of a new tv reality show called Thrill Me.
The gruelling work schedule doesn't leave Charlie much time for love but she soon builds a connection up with the yummy Kai.
Can their relationship truly blossom? Or is Avery set to ruin everything?
Sugar is a really enjoyable read. It's easy to read and has something for everyone.
Food and romance with humour what more could you need!
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
Charlie is a creative and innovative pastry chef, who is stuck in rutt waiting for her dream promotion.
Eventually she has had enough and quits her job.
Unbeknown to her the next exciting opportunity is right around the corner, in fact with Avery her ex-boyfriend.
She agrees to become he's executive pastry chef.
Unbeknown to Charlie, Avery is about to turn her world upside down by making her the co star of a new tv reality show called Thrill Me.
The gruelling work schedule doesn't leave Charlie much time for love but she soon builds a connection up with the yummy Kai.
Can their relationship truly blossom? Or is Avery set to ruin everything?
Sugar is a really enjoyable read. It's easy to read and has something for everyone.
Food and romance with humour what more could you need!
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
February 7, 2017
Charlie is an assistant pastry chef at a restaurant in New York. For ten years does patience and endure the particularities of pastry chef at least until he retired ... something he never does.
By the time an old-ex boyfriend proposed position of pastry chef at his restaurant. In Seattle. Determined not to let the work which has struggled for a decade decides to refuse his offer.
But the behavior of the Chef of Restaurant that works day to day escapes and is forced to give up after seeing that this position will never be hers and accepted the position of proposed in Seattle.
In Seattle Charlie managed to have a super wow apartment for herself, her best friend in the same town, her dream job and probably a dreamed boyfriend...
The question was whether She would manage to hold all of them ..
Well this book was full of sugar.... and chocolate and mousse and fruits and pastry and indeed was yummy !!!!
But I would enjoyed more if it had less of all this and it would focused more in the relationships of the characters.
For example the time was past and the relationships had changed without understand it becaused we're focused how to make it creme brulee or handmade ice cream.
3 and half stars.....
P.S. 1 Read it with a jar of merenda or nutella or what ever chocolate you've got...
P.S. 2 The book was sent by the puplisher of netgalley.com for an honest review
By the time an old-ex boyfriend proposed position of pastry chef at his restaurant. In Seattle. Determined not to let the work which has struggled for a decade decides to refuse his offer.
But the behavior of the Chef of Restaurant that works day to day escapes and is forced to give up after seeing that this position will never be hers and accepted the position of proposed in Seattle.
In Seattle Charlie managed to have a super wow apartment for herself, her best friend in the same town, her dream job and probably a dreamed boyfriend...
The question was whether She would manage to hold all of them ..
Well this book was full of sugar.... and chocolate and mousse and fruits and pastry and indeed was yummy !!!!
But I would enjoyed more if it had less of all this and it would focused more in the relationships of the characters.
For example the time was past and the relationships had changed without understand it becaused we're focused how to make it creme brulee or handmade ice cream.
3 and half stars.....
P.S. 1 Read it with a jar of merenda or nutella or what ever chocolate you've got...
P.S. 2 The book was sent by the puplisher of netgalley.com for an honest review
December 16, 2016
3.5 stars
If you have an appetite for a sweet romance that involves delectable dessert descriptions (no recipes, though, at least not in the advance copy), an appealing Seattle setting, and two engaging characters (although at first the main character was a little irritating), this should take care of your craving.
Another reviewer mentioned this would appeal to readers of Louise Miller's CITY BAKER'S GUIDE TO COUNTRY LIVING, and I agree, and would also include Elin Hilderbrand's THE BLUE BISTRO, although SUGAR is a bit frothier.
Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing for allowing access to the digital review copy.
If you have an appetite for a sweet romance that involves delectable dessert descriptions (no recipes, though, at least not in the advance copy), an appealing Seattle setting, and two engaging characters (although at first the main character was a little irritating), this should take care of your craving.
Another reviewer mentioned this would appeal to readers of Louise Miller's CITY BAKER'S GUIDE TO COUNTRY LIVING, and I agree, and would also include Elin Hilderbrand's THE BLUE BISTRO, although SUGAR is a bit frothier.
Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing for allowing access to the digital review copy.
March 3, 2017
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Charlie Garett dreams of running her own kitchen as a pastry chef but is stuck under the control of a crazy top chef in a high class New York restaurant. When her ex-boyfriend offers her her dream job, Charlie quits New York for Seattle but soon discovers there's a catch - Avery wants her to star in a reality TV show with him, showing the behind the scenes work of a top kitchen. As Charlie's new glamorous life is underway she begins to wonder what it is she really wants and what she's willing to give up to get it.
This book would probably be great for foodies or those who love watching shows like Masterchef, Chef's Table or GBBO. It gives a great behind the scenes look at how kitchen work and just how intense and crazy the life can get - not to mention the exhausting hours the people in the kitchen work to create some amazing food.
However, despite the great kitchen scenes, I just could not get into this book. I just really did not connect with the main character Charlie Garrett. She is played off as being a bit of a clean and organisational freak but obviously insanely talented with sugar and, of course, beautiful but I found her to be pretty obnoxious most of the time and really, really stuck up. I did not like her..at all from start to finish. She made some weird comments throughout the book that I found annoying and unnecessary that also made me raise my eyebrows a bit from needing to describe every bot of her exercise routine at the start of the book (did we really need to know she completed 100 sit ups?) to commenting on how her friend's body was back to almost normal after being "distorted" by three pregnancies. There's also a lot of commentry around her friend and her kids - the kids are always dirty and screaming and there's definitely disdain there in Charlie's voice. Not to mention this friend never appears in the story without her kids which was a bit annoying as well. It's like she didn't serve a purpose than being the messy mom/shoulder to cry on while also holding an infant. The kids were also written in all the ways I hate kids being written - whiny, too cutesy and not talking properly. Gah.
I also didn't like the relationship.I found it weird and too fast considering they never saw each other. After one date, they were doing double dates and after two dates, they were going on road trips to meet his entire family on which she was questioned about her plans on marriage and kids (like who does that?). There was also a 'cute old man' they met that her boyfriend Kai knew who made a comment about all the women he normally meets are "tomboys" who don't shave or wash properly and it was nice to see a city girl who knew what a shower was show up. Yeah, I didn't know how to take that comment. I hated Kai's weird possessiveness over Charlie, especially considering they were hardly daring or seeing each other. He went into the relationship knowing what she was and her dreams yet he punished her for staying late in her job and made a big deal out of everything. Back. Off. Man.
Most of this book just had me rolling my eyes and i just kept hoping for it to get better and it didn't. I feel like Charlie completely folded and gave up on her dreams by the end and I just didn't really care for the happy ever after at the farmer's market she seemed content with. Okay then.
Charlie Garett dreams of running her own kitchen as a pastry chef but is stuck under the control of a crazy top chef in a high class New York restaurant. When her ex-boyfriend offers her her dream job, Charlie quits New York for Seattle but soon discovers there's a catch - Avery wants her to star in a reality TV show with him, showing the behind the scenes work of a top kitchen. As Charlie's new glamorous life is underway she begins to wonder what it is she really wants and what she's willing to give up to get it.
This book would probably be great for foodies or those who love watching shows like Masterchef, Chef's Table or GBBO. It gives a great behind the scenes look at how kitchen work and just how intense and crazy the life can get - not to mention the exhausting hours the people in the kitchen work to create some amazing food.
However, despite the great kitchen scenes, I just could not get into this book. I just really did not connect with the main character Charlie Garrett. She is played off as being a bit of a clean and organisational freak but obviously insanely talented with sugar and, of course, beautiful but I found her to be pretty obnoxious most of the time and really, really stuck up. I did not like her..at all from start to finish. She made some weird comments throughout the book that I found annoying and unnecessary that also made me raise my eyebrows a bit from needing to describe every bot of her exercise routine at the start of the book (did we really need to know she completed 100 sit ups?) to commenting on how her friend's body was back to almost normal after being "distorted" by three pregnancies. There's also a lot of commentry around her friend and her kids - the kids are always dirty and screaming and there's definitely disdain there in Charlie's voice. Not to mention this friend never appears in the story without her kids which was a bit annoying as well. It's like she didn't serve a purpose than being the messy mom/shoulder to cry on while also holding an infant. The kids were also written in all the ways I hate kids being written - whiny, too cutesy and not talking properly. Gah.
I also didn't like the relationship.I found it weird and too fast considering they never saw each other. After one date, they were doing double dates and after two dates, they were going on road trips to meet his entire family on which she was questioned about her plans on marriage and kids (like who does that?). There was also a 'cute old man' they met that her boyfriend Kai knew who made a comment about all the women he normally meets are "tomboys" who don't shave or wash properly and it was nice to see a city girl who knew what a shower was show up. Yeah, I didn't know how to take that comment. I hated Kai's weird possessiveness over Charlie, especially considering they were hardly daring or seeing each other. He went into the relationship knowing what she was and her dreams yet he punished her for staying late in her job and made a big deal out of everything. Back. Off. Man.
Most of this book just had me rolling my eyes and i just kept hoping for it to get better and it didn't. I feel like Charlie completely folded and gave up on her dreams by the end and I just didn't really care for the happy ever after at the farmer's market she seemed content with. Okay then.
January 28, 2017
*did not finish*
I made it 20% through before I stopped reading.
The cover and storyline first drew me to this novel, along with knowing Kimberly Stuart has written in the Christian fiction genre. Sugar, however, is secular fiction with proof in chapter 1 with an expletive and some innuendo. The plot and characters were likable and moving along. I could have handled the few mild profanities (think PG13 if this were a movie), but I was uncomfortable with the unnecessary crude remarks/narrative thoughts and decided to spend my reading time differently.
I made it 20% through before I stopped reading.
The cover and storyline first drew me to this novel, along with knowing Kimberly Stuart has written in the Christian fiction genre. Sugar, however, is secular fiction with proof in chapter 1 with an expletive and some innuendo. The plot and characters were likable and moving along. I could have handled the few mild profanities (think PG13 if this were a movie), but I was uncomfortable with the unnecessary crude remarks/narrative thoughts and decided to spend my reading time differently.
March 16, 2017
4.5 Stars!
Sugar initially drew my interest because of the delicious looking dessert on the cover and ended up being a charming story about a woman who questions what she wants in life and sets about getting it.
Charlie Garrett works as an assistant pastry chef at a high-profile restaurant in New York. After realizing the people she works for will never appreciate her, she moves across the country to Seattle to become head pastry chef at her ex-boyfriend's restaurant. After she starts though, she finds out she's been roped into being part of a reality TV show at the restaurant. And soon after her arrival in Seattle, she meets Kai Malloy who is everything she's ever wanted in life outside of her job. Sugar follows Charlie getting everything she's always thought she wanted and having to decide if reality lives up to her dreams.
The story in Sugar drew me in right away. I loved all of the high energy scenes in the restaurant. The author did an amazing job showing how frenzied and and stressful life in a restaurant kitchen could be. I also like how she showed just how much it can impact a person's life outside of the kitchen. Plus, all of the dessert descriptions were divine and left me seriously craving something sweet.
Charlie was a great character and I liked her right from the start. She's incredibly dedicated to her profession and knows what her worth is and what kind of job she deserves. She's fine with taking risks to achieve her dreams and does everything she can to get there. Her love of what she did came across so well and I loved how focused she was on the fine-tuning of her recipes. I myself am a baker, so I understand the feeling you get when you get something just right and the entire dish comes together. Her excitement about what she did came across so clearly whenever she talked to anyone about what she did.
Kai was incredibly sweet and I loved him right away. The banter between these two at the start is excellent and I enjoyed them together immediately. The romance was a bit fast-paced due to the lack of time Charlie and Kai were able to spend together, but when they were actually able to see each other it was wonderful. I liked that the problems they faced did actually impact their relationship and they had to actually work through them. The epilogue was incredibly sweet and I really enjoyed getting one last look into how things worked out.
Overall, I think Sugar was an excellent contemporary romance and recommend it to fans of the genre.
** I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Sugar initially drew my interest because of the delicious looking dessert on the cover and ended up being a charming story about a woman who questions what she wants in life and sets about getting it.
Charlie Garrett works as an assistant pastry chef at a high-profile restaurant in New York. After realizing the people she works for will never appreciate her, she moves across the country to Seattle to become head pastry chef at her ex-boyfriend's restaurant. After she starts though, she finds out she's been roped into being part of a reality TV show at the restaurant. And soon after her arrival in Seattle, she meets Kai Malloy who is everything she's ever wanted in life outside of her job. Sugar follows Charlie getting everything she's always thought she wanted and having to decide if reality lives up to her dreams.
The story in Sugar drew me in right away. I loved all of the high energy scenes in the restaurant. The author did an amazing job showing how frenzied and and stressful life in a restaurant kitchen could be. I also like how she showed just how much it can impact a person's life outside of the kitchen. Plus, all of the dessert descriptions were divine and left me seriously craving something sweet.
Charlie was a great character and I liked her right from the start. She's incredibly dedicated to her profession and knows what her worth is and what kind of job she deserves. She's fine with taking risks to achieve her dreams and does everything she can to get there. Her love of what she did came across so well and I loved how focused she was on the fine-tuning of her recipes. I myself am a baker, so I understand the feeling you get when you get something just right and the entire dish comes together. Her excitement about what she did came across so clearly whenever she talked to anyone about what she did.
Kai was incredibly sweet and I loved him right away. The banter between these two at the start is excellent and I enjoyed them together immediately. The romance was a bit fast-paced due to the lack of time Charlie and Kai were able to spend together, but when they were actually able to see each other it was wonderful. I liked that the problems they faced did actually impact their relationship and they had to actually work through them. The epilogue was incredibly sweet and I really enjoyed getting one last look into how things worked out.
Overall, I think Sugar was an excellent contemporary romance and recommend it to fans of the genre.
** I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
December 27, 2016
I loved this book! Curl up with your favorite dessert and indulge in this novel filled with bittersweet twists and turns life has to offer.
February 4, 2017
There is not much better in life than a book that revolves around food and romance and this book had those two things in spades so you can bet that I devoured every page, pun intended.
Charlie was so much fun to read about. I loved her dilemmas in the kitchen and out. And of course I loved all of the descriptions of the food she was creating. After reading about life in a restaurant kitchen over the years, I realize I could never hack that pace and pressure but it sure was fun to read about Charlie's life there.
The reality tv show was a hoot to read about and I loved the surprises Charlie kept encountering within this world. Her ex boyfriend Avery was a fun character and I love that he got her to Seattle which led to her being back in the lives of those who loved her. And of course in a place to find love, which was the best part of the book, well besides the food naturally.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good foodie romance. This one does the genre proud.
Charlie was so much fun to read about. I loved her dilemmas in the kitchen and out. And of course I loved all of the descriptions of the food she was creating. After reading about life in a restaurant kitchen over the years, I realize I could never hack that pace and pressure but it sure was fun to read about Charlie's life there.
The reality tv show was a hoot to read about and I loved the surprises Charlie kept encountering within this world. Her ex boyfriend Avery was a fun character and I love that he got her to Seattle which led to her being back in the lives of those who loved her. And of course in a place to find love, which was the best part of the book, well besides the food naturally.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good foodie romance. This one does the genre proud.
February 13, 2018
Going to go with four stars since I did enjoy a lot about this book. I just wish the author had surprised us with an ending that had the main character (Charlie) realize that if she is going to date someone, that they had to not only trust her, but understand her job. I had some dissatisfaction with that plot-line as well as the whole t.v. thing. It was weirdly done at the end and I don't know how to feel about it.
"Sugar" focuses on Charlie Garrett, a chef at one of the hottest restaurants in New York, L'Ombre. Charlie puts up with the daily put-downs of the head chef (baker) at the restaurant who makes her and other co-workers days/nights a nightmare. Charlie puts up with it though since she is promised eventually she is going to get promoted. But when Charlie is given an offer to move to Seattle and work alongside her ex-boyfriend Avery, she leaps at the chance after one put-down/shitty move too many. There's a catch though for Charlie, working with Avery means she agrees to being filmed for a reality tv series and she can't talk about it with others. With her long days/nights put in at Avery's restaurant she doesn't have a lot of time with a budding relationship with a man she meets named Kai.
I have to say, Charlie was awesome in so many ways. She's smart, driven, a neat-nik, and loves to bake. She has dreams and knows that working with Avery in Seattle may be enough to get her to where she should be at in her life. But she feels forced to choose due to actions/conversations with her best friend and with Kai. I hate that there is this whole idea that women can have it all. Having it all means/looks like a lot of different things to people, and most of us cannot have it all. Most of us are going to work long hours and give up on tucking our kids into bed, that does not makes us a failure. There was some interesting commentary here and there that I think had Stuart wading in a bit to feminist waters. But that's all thrown out the door based on what Charlie ultimately does when faced with a decision.
Have to say it, I didn't like Kai much and thought Avery was a dork (not bad or anything, just dorky). Kai gets frustrated/upset because Charlie has a lot going on and then gets shirty when her boss (Avery) is at her place when he comes by. There was too many red flags for me in that whole thing. I also kind of hated Kai's family. Way too into his business and Charlie's and I didn't find it charming.
Charlie's best friend bugged a bit too since she was also judging Charlie's life and seeming to think that without a man her becoming a head chef (baker) at a restaurant wasn't a big deal. I don't know, I loved Charlie a lot, but the previous two characters I met bugged me.
The setting changes from New York to Seattle and I really enjoyed how Stuart describes both places. You can even feel the difference between both spaces since New York sounds cramped, dark, and smelly and Seattle sounds like heaven on Earth with green spaces, farmer's market, and apartments with a lot of light and views of the water.
The ending as I said above didn't do a lot for me. Though we do get a silver lining of sorts with Charlie getting her own version (I guess) of a HEA with an out of nowhere offer.
"Sugar" focuses on Charlie Garrett, a chef at one of the hottest restaurants in New York, L'Ombre. Charlie puts up with the daily put-downs of the head chef (baker) at the restaurant who makes her and other co-workers days/nights a nightmare. Charlie puts up with it though since she is promised eventually she is going to get promoted. But when Charlie is given an offer to move to Seattle and work alongside her ex-boyfriend Avery, she leaps at the chance after one put-down/shitty move too many. There's a catch though for Charlie, working with Avery means she agrees to being filmed for a reality tv series and she can't talk about it with others. With her long days/nights put in at Avery's restaurant she doesn't have a lot of time with a budding relationship with a man she meets named Kai.
I have to say, Charlie was awesome in so many ways. She's smart, driven, a neat-nik, and loves to bake. She has dreams and knows that working with Avery in Seattle may be enough to get her to where she should be at in her life. But she feels forced to choose due to actions/conversations with her best friend and with Kai. I hate that there is this whole idea that women can have it all. Having it all means/looks like a lot of different things to people, and most of us cannot have it all. Most of us are going to work long hours and give up on tucking our kids into bed, that does not makes us a failure. There was some interesting commentary here and there that I think had Stuart wading in a bit to feminist waters. But that's all thrown out the door based on what Charlie ultimately does when faced with a decision.
Have to say it, I didn't like Kai much and thought Avery was a dork (not bad or anything, just dorky). Kai gets frustrated/upset because Charlie has a lot going on and then gets shirty when her boss (Avery) is at her place when he comes by. There was too many red flags for me in that whole thing. I also kind of hated Kai's family. Way too into his business and Charlie's and I didn't find it charming.
Charlie's best friend bugged a bit too since she was also judging Charlie's life and seeming to think that without a man her becoming a head chef (baker) at a restaurant wasn't a big deal. I don't know, I loved Charlie a lot, but the previous two characters I met bugged me.
The setting changes from New York to Seattle and I really enjoyed how Stuart describes both places. You can even feel the difference between both spaces since New York sounds cramped, dark, and smelly and Seattle sounds like heaven on Earth with green spaces, farmer's market, and apartments with a lot of light and views of the water.
The ending as I said above didn't do a lot for me. Though we do get a silver lining of sorts with Charlie getting her own version (I guess) of a HEA with an out of nowhere offer.
February 4, 2017
I always enjoy books where cooking is a part of passion or profession, and Sugar did not disappoint in that regard.
Charlie Garrett is an extremely organised, well put together and driven workaholic. She's been working very hard in a prestigious restaurant in New York on a promise that she will become the head pastry chef when her current boss retires. Instead, she is showered with constant psychological abuse while her boss takes credit for her work, puts her down and dangles the carrot of his possible retirement under her nose.
When her old flame, Avery, shows up out of the blue and invites her to become the head pastry chef in his new restaurant Thrill in Seattle, the temptation is too much to bear. She packs up and moves.
However, she soon discovers that living close to her best friend, having a gorgeous apartment and a big salary has been covering the fact that Thrill participates in a new reality TV show, and they want Charley as one of the stars.
While it'll propel Charlie to the heights of her career and she will get all that she dreamt of, the price is suddenly too steep. The loss of privacy, the lies, the pretence of a rehearsed drama of reality TV and a missed chance of a relationship with a gorgeous man she met only a few months earlier push her out of her comfort zone and make her dig deep to discover what she really wants from life.
This is a great story of self-discovery with scrumptious desserts in between. The romance is sweet and very realistic, which I appreciated.
Kai, the hero Charlie falls in love with is a decent, sweet and funny guy who owns a small diner and can cook a storm. There is great chemistry between him and Charlie, and he gives her many chances as the pressures mount up, but ultimately he can not deal with her being in public eye and loss of normal, private life, so things fall apart.
Actually, all the characters in the book are very engaging and easy to sympathise with, and overall, it's a feel-good story, well-researched on a matter of chefs' lives and the world of reality TV shows. I totally enjoyed it and won't hesitate yo read Kimberly Stuart in the future. Recommended.
* * *
Я всегда с большим удовольствием читаю книги, в которых кулинарные способности - часть любимого хобби или профессии, и в этом отношении Сахар не разочаровывает.
Чарли Гарретт-чрезвычайно организованный, болезненно систематичный и сумасшедший трудоголик. Она работает в престижном ресторане Нью-Йорка шеф-пекарем, где ей обещано место главного пекаря как только её босс уйдёт на пенсию.
Только вот этот день никак не приходит, а вместо этого на неё постоянно сыпятся оскорбления и унизительные оценки её творчества с тихого одобрения дирекции, пока после 8 лет ожидания ей становится невмоготу и она принимает предложение работы от своего бывшего бойфренда и становится его главным шеф-пекарем в ресторане в Сиэттле.
Переехав, она обнаруживает, что за привлекательной квартирой и высокой зарплатой скрывается дополнительное требование: ресторан участвует в шоу реалити ТВ, и продюсеры хотят Чарли быть одной из его звёзд.
С одной стороны, участие в проекте запустит её карьеру в стратосферу. С другой стороны, стоит ли того потеря личного пространства и постоянное наблюдение за ней зрителей. Добавьте к этому, медленно развивающийся роман с Каем - обворожительным владельцем дайнера и талантливым поваром, который разваливается из-за ТВ шоу, и Чарли приходится решать очень быстро чего она на самом деле хочет от своей жизни.
Милая история, живая и реалистичная. Чарли, Кай, Авери, лучшая подруга Чарли - занимательные характеры, которым невольно симпатизируешь вовсю между описаниями вкуснейих дессертов. Рекомендую, и буду без колебаний читать этого автора опять.
Charlie Garrett is an extremely organised, well put together and driven workaholic. She's been working very hard in a prestigious restaurant in New York on a promise that she will become the head pastry chef when her current boss retires. Instead, she is showered with constant psychological abuse while her boss takes credit for her work, puts her down and dangles the carrot of his possible retirement under her nose.
When her old flame, Avery, shows up out of the blue and invites her to become the head pastry chef in his new restaurant Thrill in Seattle, the temptation is too much to bear. She packs up and moves.
However, she soon discovers that living close to her best friend, having a gorgeous apartment and a big salary has been covering the fact that Thrill participates in a new reality TV show, and they want Charley as one of the stars.
While it'll propel Charlie to the heights of her career and she will get all that she dreamt of, the price is suddenly too steep. The loss of privacy, the lies, the pretence of a rehearsed drama of reality TV and a missed chance of a relationship with a gorgeous man she met only a few months earlier push her out of her comfort zone and make her dig deep to discover what she really wants from life.
This is a great story of self-discovery with scrumptious desserts in between. The romance is sweet and very realistic, which I appreciated.
Kai, the hero Charlie falls in love with is a decent, sweet and funny guy who owns a small diner and can cook a storm. There is great chemistry between him and Charlie, and he gives her many chances as the pressures mount up, but ultimately he can not deal with her being in public eye and loss of normal, private life, so things fall apart.
Actually, all the characters in the book are very engaging and easy to sympathise with, and overall, it's a feel-good story, well-researched on a matter of chefs' lives and the world of reality TV shows. I totally enjoyed it and won't hesitate yo read Kimberly Stuart in the future. Recommended.
* * *
Я всегда с большим удовольствием читаю книги, в которых кулинарные способности - часть любимого хобби или профессии, и в этом отношении Сахар не разочаровывает.
Чарли Гарретт-чрезвычайно организованный, болезненно систематичный и сумасшедший трудоголик. Она работает в престижном ресторане Нью-Йорка шеф-пекарем, где ей обещано место главного пекаря как только её босс уйдёт на пенсию.
Только вот этот день никак не приходит, а вместо этого на неё постоянно сыпятся оскорбления и унизительные оценки её творчества с тихого одобрения дирекции, пока после 8 лет ожидания ей становится невмоготу и она принимает предложение работы от своего бывшего бойфренда и становится его главным шеф-пекарем в ресторане в Сиэттле.
Переехав, она обнаруживает, что за привлекательной квартирой и высокой зарплатой скрывается дополнительное требование: ресторан участвует в шоу реалити ТВ, и продюсеры хотят Чарли быть одной из его звёзд.
С одной стороны, участие в проекте запустит её карьеру в стратосферу. С другой стороны, стоит ли того потеря личного пространства и постоянное наблюдение за ней зрителей. Добавьте к этому, медленно развивающийся роман с Каем - обворожительным владельцем дайнера и талантливым поваром, который разваливается из-за ТВ шоу, и Чарли приходится решать очень быстро чего она на самом деле хочет от своей жизни.
Милая история, живая и реалистичная. Чарли, Кай, Авери, лучшая подруга Чарли - занимательные характеры, которым невольно симпатизируешь вовсю между описаниями вкуснейих дессертов. Рекомендую, и буду без колебаний читать этого автора опять.
February 16, 2017
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
I am so glad I've finished reading this book. I've just wanted to sit and eat sweet stuff and drink coffee for the 3 days it's taken me to read. That's what this book does to you with all the mouthwatering descriptions of food.
It is a lovely story about an extremely talented pastry chef with high ambitions of running her own kitchen. There is romance but it doesn't take over the story and it is refreshing in that it isn't constantly about sex as so many books aimed at women seem to be these days, leaving little room for actual story.
Sugar is a delicious, 'sweet' read (pun intended).
I am so glad I've finished reading this book. I've just wanted to sit and eat sweet stuff and drink coffee for the 3 days it's taken me to read. That's what this book does to you with all the mouthwatering descriptions of food.
It is a lovely story about an extremely talented pastry chef with high ambitions of running her own kitchen. There is romance but it doesn't take over the story and it is refreshing in that it isn't constantly about sex as so many books aimed at women seem to be these days, leaving little room for actual story.
Sugar is a delicious, 'sweet' read (pun intended).
September 14, 2017
Life is too short to keep reading this book. It is not horrible, it is just not good. It is bland, predictable, and the premise is not well integrated. I don't particularly like the characters. Wait, that's not fair, I don't know enough about the characters to not like them, because they lack any kind of depth. Then, when the author attempts to give them depth it is too late and too abrupt.
I would almost give it two stars based solely on the fact that I can see other people enjoying it, but it has sat on my nightstand virtually untouched for weeks. And I don't have high standards for my contemporary romance, but this failed to meet even that low bar.
I would almost give it two stars based solely on the fact that I can see other people enjoying it, but it has sat on my nightstand virtually untouched for weeks. And I don't have high standards for my contemporary romance, but this failed to meet even that low bar.
February 28, 2020
Predictable but sweet :)
July 1, 2017
Charlie is an overworked under appreciated pastry chef in New York. When her ex calls her out of the blue to become the head pastry chef of his new restaurant in Seattle, she is shocked.
OMG everything in this book sounded delicious.
This book described so many wonderful desserts and savory dishes. Every new meal was absolutely mouth watering.
I wish the rest of the book was just as great, unfortunately it wasn't. This was a pretty well paced story and well written story. I wasn't a big fan of the characters.
Charlie was extremely dedicated to her job. Her best friend was supportive. The love interest is mostly patient and extremely understanding. And that was pretty much it. This was a fun quick read but didn't offer a lot of depth to their characters.
So while I enjoyed the book, there wasn't anything besides the food that makes this memorable.
I gave it a C.
OMG everything in this book sounded delicious.
This book described so many wonderful desserts and savory dishes. Every new meal was absolutely mouth watering.
I wish the rest of the book was just as great, unfortunately it wasn't. This was a pretty well paced story and well written story. I wasn't a big fan of the characters.
Charlie was extremely dedicated to her job. Her best friend was supportive. The love interest is mostly patient and extremely understanding. And that was pretty much it. This was a fun quick read but didn't offer a lot of depth to their characters.
So while I enjoyed the book, there wasn't anything besides the food that makes this memorable.
I gave it a C.
August 21, 2017
How could I turn down a book about a pastry chef, reality TV, and romance? There's nothing here that is not entirely predictable but I still liked it.
This is 4 stars graded among books of it's type and not all books in the world. For me, this one delivered just what a I want a fluffy romance to deliver. I picked it up on a kindle sale and when none of the books on my more literary shelf were grabbing me, I opened this one and it drew me right in.
Also, I would really love a reality TV show about life in a fancy pastry kitchen.
This is 4 stars graded among books of it's type and not all books in the world. For me, this one delivered just what a I want a fluffy romance to deliver. I picked it up on a kindle sale and when none of the books on my more literary shelf were grabbing me, I opened this one and it drew me right in.
Also, I would really love a reality TV show about life in a fancy pastry kitchen.
July 15, 2019
As children, we dream of what we will be when we grow up. As adults, we dream of finding that career that not only supports our desired lifestyle, but one that we also enjoy. It is never easy to obtain that dream job and, even if one succeeds in acquiring it, it takes a lot of hard work to make one’s way up the corporate ladder. But is working hard truly that important? We only have one life on this planet, yet all we do seem to do is work. Is claiming the top rung of that ladder the most important thing in life or is there something even more important? Author Kimberly Stuart does an amazing job portraying this concept that so many people have struggled with for years in her novel Sugar.
Charlie Garrett has worked hard to prove that she is capable of handling the head executive pastry chef position at the high-profile New York restaurant, L’Ombre. After years of being promised the position once the current head chef retired, it becomes obvious that he is stringing her along and does not intend to retire anytime soon. Unknowing what to do next, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity falls into her lap. Old culinary colleague, ex-boyfriend, and head chef of the happening new restaurant, Thrill, Avery Michaels contacts Charlie to tell her he wants her to move to Seattle and be the head pastry chef of his restaurant. Flipping her world upside down, Charlie makes the move; however, she is unaware of the additional position she would be gaining with her new job. She becomes not only head pastry chef, but also the co-star of a new reality TV show to show the world what it is like to be a woman working in a male-dominant field. The show, her work, and a new love interest cause stress and drama in her life, forcing her to decide what is most important. Work is all she has ever known, but is her career truly the most important thing in her life?
Sugar is an incredibly enjoyable read and will speak to many adults struggling to find their place in the workplace. Whether readers have followed her work or are reading her work for the first time, Stuart’s writing style makes for a relaxing experience. While drama and conflict can be found in her story, there is something about her writing that makes for a soothing and calm read. Even with the bad that life can throw at someone, as portrayed by her characters, Stuart has the gift of making her readers feel happy. She also has an excellent use of descriptive detail, especially when it comes to describing the desserts present in the book. Readers should be advised to not read Sugar hungry, for they will either wish to bake Charlie’s creations or raid their pantry to eat something sweet as they continue to read.
Aside from the amazing sounding food within the story, Stuart truly does an amazing job of portraying the struggle of balancing one’s work life and one’s social life through her protagonist. It can be very difficult to find this balance and while some have been able to achieve it, many still struggle in accomplishing it themselves. Charlie has worked hard at an amazing restaurant in New York City. This already sounds like an ace in the hole for her future career; however, she must deal with the constant struggles that come with a job that is within a male-dominant field. She flips her life around moving cross country which is, in itself, very difficult with the added bonus of becoming a character on a reality TV show. While this would most likely sound terrifying to many people reading, there are also times in life when one just needs to throw caution to the wind and take the leap of faith. Who knows where the jump will take them.
There are moments within the story that can be somewhat predictable and cliché and elements that are normally found in stories with romance involved; however, Stuart does an excellent job of throwing many new elements at readers that make this kind of a story fresh and new. Charlie is incredibly work oriented and that is her main focus in life. Hard working readers, especially women, will find themselves relating to Charlie’s work ethic and rooting for her to succeed. Charlie, of course, meets someone new once she moves, but what was nice about Sugar was the fact that the love story was not THE main focal point of the story. There is an excellent balance between Charlie becoming the pastry chef she has longed to be, Charlie acting on a TV show she never wished to be a part of, and Charlie falling for a man she wants to get to know, but does not have as much time to spend with.
Everyone wants to find that perfect career and work hard so they can be recognized for their efforts, yet everyone also needs to remember that work is not the most important thing in life. While it may seem like an obvious answer in choosing what is most important, the struggle is all too real in finding that balance between one’s work life and one’s social life. Stuart successfully focuses on this aspect of life in her novel Sugar. Her protagonist faces many struggles, struggles that many people nowadays face, as well. As readers follow Charlie through her ups and downs, they will be swept along by Stuart’s calming and descriptive writing style that will most likely have readers getting up for a snack from time to time. This deliciously delightful story gives readers more to digest than just food upon completion and makes for an excellent addition to Stuart’s collection of works.
**Originally published on my blog, Roll Out Reviews, on July 14, 2019**
Charlie Garrett has worked hard to prove that she is capable of handling the head executive pastry chef position at the high-profile New York restaurant, L’Ombre. After years of being promised the position once the current head chef retired, it becomes obvious that he is stringing her along and does not intend to retire anytime soon. Unknowing what to do next, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity falls into her lap. Old culinary colleague, ex-boyfriend, and head chef of the happening new restaurant, Thrill, Avery Michaels contacts Charlie to tell her he wants her to move to Seattle and be the head pastry chef of his restaurant. Flipping her world upside down, Charlie makes the move; however, she is unaware of the additional position she would be gaining with her new job. She becomes not only head pastry chef, but also the co-star of a new reality TV show to show the world what it is like to be a woman working in a male-dominant field. The show, her work, and a new love interest cause stress and drama in her life, forcing her to decide what is most important. Work is all she has ever known, but is her career truly the most important thing in her life?
Sugar is an incredibly enjoyable read and will speak to many adults struggling to find their place in the workplace. Whether readers have followed her work or are reading her work for the first time, Stuart’s writing style makes for a relaxing experience. While drama and conflict can be found in her story, there is something about her writing that makes for a soothing and calm read. Even with the bad that life can throw at someone, as portrayed by her characters, Stuart has the gift of making her readers feel happy. She also has an excellent use of descriptive detail, especially when it comes to describing the desserts present in the book. Readers should be advised to not read Sugar hungry, for they will either wish to bake Charlie’s creations or raid their pantry to eat something sweet as they continue to read.
Aside from the amazing sounding food within the story, Stuart truly does an amazing job of portraying the struggle of balancing one’s work life and one’s social life through her protagonist. It can be very difficult to find this balance and while some have been able to achieve it, many still struggle in accomplishing it themselves. Charlie has worked hard at an amazing restaurant in New York City. This already sounds like an ace in the hole for her future career; however, she must deal with the constant struggles that come with a job that is within a male-dominant field. She flips her life around moving cross country which is, in itself, very difficult with the added bonus of becoming a character on a reality TV show. While this would most likely sound terrifying to many people reading, there are also times in life when one just needs to throw caution to the wind and take the leap of faith. Who knows where the jump will take them.
There are moments within the story that can be somewhat predictable and cliché and elements that are normally found in stories with romance involved; however, Stuart does an excellent job of throwing many new elements at readers that make this kind of a story fresh and new. Charlie is incredibly work oriented and that is her main focus in life. Hard working readers, especially women, will find themselves relating to Charlie’s work ethic and rooting for her to succeed. Charlie, of course, meets someone new once she moves, but what was nice about Sugar was the fact that the love story was not THE main focal point of the story. There is an excellent balance between Charlie becoming the pastry chef she has longed to be, Charlie acting on a TV show she never wished to be a part of, and Charlie falling for a man she wants to get to know, but does not have as much time to spend with.
Everyone wants to find that perfect career and work hard so they can be recognized for their efforts, yet everyone also needs to remember that work is not the most important thing in life. While it may seem like an obvious answer in choosing what is most important, the struggle is all too real in finding that balance between one’s work life and one’s social life. Stuart successfully focuses on this aspect of life in her novel Sugar. Her protagonist faces many struggles, struggles that many people nowadays face, as well. As readers follow Charlie through her ups and downs, they will be swept along by Stuart’s calming and descriptive writing style that will most likely have readers getting up for a snack from time to time. This deliciously delightful story gives readers more to digest than just food upon completion and makes for an excellent addition to Stuart’s collection of works.
**Originally published on my blog, Roll Out Reviews, on July 14, 2019**
April 5, 2025
I loved the food elements of this story. Charlie's passion as a pastry chef comes through clearly. The restaurant scenes are smooth and enjoyable overall.
I enjoyed the ease of Charlie's friendship with Manda. Manda balances Charlie well.
I did have trouble with the idea of Charlie being free enough in herself to just pick up and move cross country on a whim, because it seemed to go against the routine aspect of her personality. And I struggled to see why Avery felt he needed to schmooze her with such a large fancy apartment. Also, for somewhere she almost never seemed to be, given that she was always at the restaurant, it seemed odd to have spent time detailing it in the beginning of the story.
Kai as a character was nice, typical honest good guy type. But, he seems to change too much and be too distant with Charlie after some of the major plot points, which felt really out of character for him overall.
I struggled a bit toward the end of the story because it felt like this was rushed to be finished, when really it should have been maybe 50 pages or so longer, which is not something I say all that often.
I enjoyed the ease of Charlie's friendship with Manda. Manda balances Charlie well.
I did have trouble with the idea of Charlie being free enough in herself to just pick up and move cross country on a whim, because it seemed to go against the routine aspect of her personality. And I struggled to see why Avery felt he needed to schmooze her with such a large fancy apartment. Also, for somewhere she almost never seemed to be, given that she was always at the restaurant, it seemed odd to have spent time detailing it in the beginning of the story.
Kai as a character was nice, typical honest good guy type. But, he seems to change too much and be too distant with Charlie after some of the major plot points, which felt really out of character for him overall.
I struggled a bit toward the end of the story because it felt like this was rushed to be finished, when really it should have been maybe 50 pages or so longer, which is not something I say all that often.
May 24, 2019
I loved this story! It was fun and witty and completely exceeded my expectations.
Sugar is a sweet romance that follows Charlie, a perfectionist pastry chef and her quandaries navigating the high pressure kitchens of New York and Seattle. The real fun begins when her ex-boyfriend makes her a proposal she can't refuse and lures her in with an offer to be head pastry chef at his new restaurant, Thrill.
Overall, the story was engaging and actually pretty funny. I found myself laughing out loud a few times at Charlie's musings. She was a great heroine. My only qualm —I wanted more development in the character relationships (not enough Kai and Charlie!) Overall, this was a breezy beach read with mouthwatering dessert descriptions and love-able characters.
3½ stars.
Sugar is a sweet romance that follows Charlie, a perfectionist pastry chef and her quandaries navigating the high pressure kitchens of New York and Seattle. The real fun begins when her ex-boyfriend makes her a proposal she can't refuse and lures her in with an offer to be head pastry chef at his new restaurant, Thrill.
Overall, the story was engaging and actually pretty funny. I found myself laughing out loud a few times at Charlie's musings. She was a great heroine. My only qualm —I wanted more development in the character relationships (not enough Kai and Charlie!) Overall, this was a breezy beach read with mouthwatering dessert descriptions and love-able characters.
3½ stars.
May 24, 2017
I won Sugar in the Goodreads giveaway, which I was really excited about as the blurb and good reviews made me eager to check out this new to me author. I enjoyed the read, but didn't love it as much as I hoped. I felt the novel lacked chemistry and spark between the main couple, which was really unfortunate - I really thought there could've been more there. The food and kitchen detail were neat, but I didn't care for reality TV angle. Other than that, it was a quick read, not as fun as some reviews promised but it definitely had its moments.
December 31, 2018
Overall, 3.5 stars. I kept putting this book down and picking it up without getting drawn in, until tonight. I LOATHED Avery and Vic and especially Margot but I had a tough time relating to Charlie too until closer to the end. I used to be her kind of ambitious a long time ago and I never want to be that person again, which is probably why I couldn't connect with her. I felt to my core that she didn't belong in that world, I wanted her with Kai, appreciating all the things to love about Seattle. Does she see the light in the end? Guess you'll have to read the book and find out.
February 3, 2018
If you like those reality tv shows about food prep and cooking, this will be one fun, and romantic, read! I'd guess it would be a good summer read myself. I found it a little lite for my winter reading, but it was enjoyable with fun characters in an interesting setting!
I received a Kindle from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
March 5, 2017
I received this book as a First Reads giveaway from Skyhorse Publishing.
As an avid baker and lover of ambitious female protagonists, I had high hopes for this story about a high-powered pastry chef and what I assumed would be her struggles to balance success in a commercial kitchen and the lure of culinary fame with her personal life. I did not expect something revelatory or intensely surprising, just a romantic story with relatable, likeable characters and wonderful dessert.
Alas, despite what I felt was a solid premise, I found the characters to be thinly drawn and often shoe-horned into plot developments. Characters were often described as though clothing or house decor choices were sufficient to define their personality. Character behavior required for story advancement frequently seemed a mismatch with what we should expect - the purported hyper-organized lead who obsessively plans is constantly under-prepared and in a panic in the restaurant kitchen, is disdainful of empty fame yet instantly seduced by praise, is repulsed by the superficiality of reality TV, yet describes/judges everyone by their outward appearance. It felt as though the characters were forced to follow the plot rather than the action flowing from choices they might reasonably have made, with manufactured crises that made little sense and yet also offered virtually no suspense - an early betrayal by her ex is glossed over in almost no time, an incompetent underling causes chaos but is forgiven fully after a two-day break, and every kitchen emergency is resolved in moments, generally as an unmitigated triumph. Likewise the introduced romance has no build-up or tension and is given very little page-time - a bland, stable, handsome, single and inexplicably patient man is introduced to the protagonist, the two are immediately smitten, he asks her out, they date and are subsequently a couple - it never really develops from there and there are no apparent obstacles. The love story has all the excitement of watching wallpaper or reading catalog-like descriptions of clothing (also copiously present in the text).
I feel the novel concept was strong yet poorly executed - a pastry chef losing her way in a commercial kitchen under the hot lights of reality television and being nudged to remember her original purpose and dreams by a loving best friend and a romantic interest that challenges and pushes her would have made a fantastic story. The novel may work well as a beach read for readers looking for a light story with no danger of complications for the heroine who would also enjoy the admittedly vivid descriptions of clothing, home decor and dessert. Not my cup of tea.
As an avid baker and lover of ambitious female protagonists, I had high hopes for this story about a high-powered pastry chef and what I assumed would be her struggles to balance success in a commercial kitchen and the lure of culinary fame with her personal life. I did not expect something revelatory or intensely surprising, just a romantic story with relatable, likeable characters and wonderful dessert.
Alas, despite what I felt was a solid premise, I found the characters to be thinly drawn and often shoe-horned into plot developments. Characters were often described as though clothing or house decor choices were sufficient to define their personality. Character behavior required for story advancement frequently seemed a mismatch with what we should expect - the purported hyper-organized lead who obsessively plans is constantly under-prepared and in a panic in the restaurant kitchen, is disdainful of empty fame yet instantly seduced by praise, is repulsed by the superficiality of reality TV, yet describes/judges everyone by their outward appearance. It felt as though the characters were forced to follow the plot rather than the action flowing from choices they might reasonably have made, with manufactured crises that made little sense and yet also offered virtually no suspense - an early betrayal by her ex is glossed over in almost no time, an incompetent underling causes chaos but is forgiven fully after a two-day break, and every kitchen emergency is resolved in moments, generally as an unmitigated triumph. Likewise the introduced romance has no build-up or tension and is given very little page-time - a bland, stable, handsome, single and inexplicably patient man is introduced to the protagonist, the two are immediately smitten, he asks her out, they date and are subsequently a couple - it never really develops from there and there are no apparent obstacles. The love story has all the excitement of watching wallpaper or reading catalog-like descriptions of clothing (also copiously present in the text).
I feel the novel concept was strong yet poorly executed - a pastry chef losing her way in a commercial kitchen under the hot lights of reality television and being nudged to remember her original purpose and dreams by a loving best friend and a romantic interest that challenges and pushes her would have made a fantastic story. The novel may work well as a beach read for readers looking for a light story with no danger of complications for the heroine who would also enjoy the admittedly vivid descriptions of clothing, home decor and dessert. Not my cup of tea.
May 19, 2019
predicable but cute? Could be a hallmark movie, if you’re into that sorta thing
September 16, 2019
Honestly delightful and it kept me up way past my bedtime.
January 10, 2024
Super cute read! Kai is my dream man
January 3, 2019
Quick read. I enjoyed this story. Great start and happy ending. A good good book for an in between them deeper books I tend to read.
Read
October 1, 2019I gave this till 40%. Not feeling the romance at all.
September 12, 2017
Short and sweet and just what I needed. I did get a bit homesick for Seattle while reading this and had to put it down, otherwise I probably would have read the entire thing yesterday. This is the first food book I have read from the dessert part of the kitchen.
February 20, 2017
After realizing her coworkers at L’Ombre, a high-profile restaurant in NYC, will never appreciate or respect her, Charlie Garrett allows her ex-boyfriend, Avery Michaels, to convince her to work for him as executive pastry chef at his new Seattle hotspot, Thrill. She’ll have her own kitchen, her own staff—everything she ever wanted professionally.
When she arrives at Thrill, however, she realizes that Avery wanted more than a pastry chef for his restaurant—he wanted a costar for the reality show they’re filming about the restaurant and its staff. Charlie is uncomfortable with the idea at first, but she soon realizes that this is her chance to show the world what women in the kitchen are capable of. She sets some ground rules with the film crew, signs a non-disclosure agreement, and promptly meets the man of her dreams, Kai, off-camera.
The show, and her demanding work schedule as head of the pastry kitchen, makes it nearly impossible for Charlie and Kai to spend time together. Drama on and off the set soon take a toll on Charlie’s well-being, forcing her to choose if life in front of the camera is worth sacrificing life behind the scenes.
I loved Sugar! Pastry Chef Charlie Garrett is a wonderful, vivacious, pretty, helpful woman who helps her friends and loves to bake!! Sounds like the all-around perfect woman? It's her life and she loves to create and watch people enjoy her creation. The place she works at has a real wanker for a head pastry chef (pun intended!!) That's wanker with a capital W!! She's worked hard to get where she's at and yet the creepy man just mistreats her. Her friend from cooking school, Avery wants her to work with him in Seattle as his head Pastry chef and her best friend Manda, who side note - I, so love!! Anyway, she packs up from New York and heads to Seattle thinking she's going to be top Pastry Chef...Well, she is but with a catch. Avery has been planning a TV Reality Show and the main star is to be Charlie and she doesn't have a clue.
I have to tell you that I fell in love with the side characters of Manda, little girl Zara and let me tell ya....when they all go out to the diner to eat - it is hilarious!! I almost wet my pants laughing so hard - so pick you up some poise girls!! When Zara asks Charlie out of the blue and real loud and proud "Aunt Charlie, do you have to go poopy?" I lost it. You have got to read this book. Every person you love has to read this book! There are so many different people that this book will attract.
I thought Kai, the owner of the diner and chef was sexy and sweet and just just yummy. We need more Kai's in our life...hint hint Kimberly Stuart! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved everything about this book. It was that good for me. It will make you laugh, make you cry, then make you laugh again and then make you feel freaking good reading it. You ever sit there reading a book and you're just smiling ear to ear because it's that freaking awesome...yeah it's this book! I'd give it 10 stars if I could and I'm stingy with my stars and praise because I'm a picky reader...everyone knows that. They know I base books on plot, sexual content and explicit language and if you have too much of the last two and none of the first then it's a no-go. This book had so much plot and no real explicit language or sex and that is true talent! I can't wait to read any other books from this author. Please do yourself a favor and read this book and then read it again!! This is a book I would definitely share with my mom and she is the pickiest of them ALL!!
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
When she arrives at Thrill, however, she realizes that Avery wanted more than a pastry chef for his restaurant—he wanted a costar for the reality show they’re filming about the restaurant and its staff. Charlie is uncomfortable with the idea at first, but she soon realizes that this is her chance to show the world what women in the kitchen are capable of. She sets some ground rules with the film crew, signs a non-disclosure agreement, and promptly meets the man of her dreams, Kai, off-camera.
The show, and her demanding work schedule as head of the pastry kitchen, makes it nearly impossible for Charlie and Kai to spend time together. Drama on and off the set soon take a toll on Charlie’s well-being, forcing her to choose if life in front of the camera is worth sacrificing life behind the scenes.
I loved Sugar! Pastry Chef Charlie Garrett is a wonderful, vivacious, pretty, helpful woman who helps her friends and loves to bake!! Sounds like the all-around perfect woman? It's her life and she loves to create and watch people enjoy her creation. The place she works at has a real wanker for a head pastry chef (pun intended!!) That's wanker with a capital W!! She's worked hard to get where she's at and yet the creepy man just mistreats her. Her friend from cooking school, Avery wants her to work with him in Seattle as his head Pastry chef and her best friend Manda, who side note - I, so love!! Anyway, she packs up from New York and heads to Seattle thinking she's going to be top Pastry Chef...Well, she is but with a catch. Avery has been planning a TV Reality Show and the main star is to be Charlie and she doesn't have a clue.
I have to tell you that I fell in love with the side characters of Manda, little girl Zara and let me tell ya....when they all go out to the diner to eat - it is hilarious!! I almost wet my pants laughing so hard - so pick you up some poise girls!! When Zara asks Charlie out of the blue and real loud and proud "Aunt Charlie, do you have to go poopy?" I lost it. You have got to read this book. Every person you love has to read this book! There are so many different people that this book will attract.
I thought Kai, the owner of the diner and chef was sexy and sweet and just just yummy. We need more Kai's in our life...hint hint Kimberly Stuart! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved everything about this book. It was that good for me. It will make you laugh, make you cry, then make you laugh again and then make you feel freaking good reading it. You ever sit there reading a book and you're just smiling ear to ear because it's that freaking awesome...yeah it's this book! I'd give it 10 stars if I could and I'm stingy with my stars and praise because I'm a picky reader...everyone knows that. They know I base books on plot, sexual content and explicit language and if you have too much of the last two and none of the first then it's a no-go. This book had so much plot and no real explicit language or sex and that is true talent! I can't wait to read any other books from this author. Please do yourself a favor and read this book and then read it again!! This is a book I would definitely share with my mom and she is the pickiest of them ALL!!
I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
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