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Sugar
Instant chemistry with a self-made billionaire? Sounds delicious. That is, until self-doubt and a traumatic past threatens to take it all away.
Darby Clarke may not have a fulfilling job in finance, a relationship with her mother, or a love life but she has a kick-ass best friend, an amazing father, and humor as a coping mechanism. And Paul Hollywood on her TV screen. That’s all she’s ever needed for the past twenty-five years, and there’s no reason why she wouldn’t for the next twenty-five.
But when Benjamin James - the epitome of salt and pepper Daddy billionaire vibes - knocks into her life with the full force of a pie in the face, Darby must face the issues she's kept buried underneath her addiction to baking shows for so long.
With a voice of doubt following her around like a cloud of flour, Darby struggles to open up fully to the perpetually busy Ben despite their electric chemistry and shared love of sugary treats. Are they on the same page, or are they reading entirely different recipes?
Can Darby ignore the voice in her head and fully embrace the worthy-of-love woman that she is, or will she deflate like a chocolate souffle left in the oven too long?
Darby Clarke may not have a fulfilling job in finance, a relationship with her mother, or a love life but she has a kick-ass best friend, an amazing father, and humor as a coping mechanism. And Paul Hollywood on her TV screen. That’s all she’s ever needed for the past twenty-five years, and there’s no reason why she wouldn’t for the next twenty-five.
But when Benjamin James - the epitome of salt and pepper Daddy billionaire vibes - knocks into her life with the full force of a pie in the face, Darby must face the issues she's kept buried underneath her addiction to baking shows for so long.
With a voice of doubt following her around like a cloud of flour, Darby struggles to open up fully to the perpetually busy Ben despite their electric chemistry and shared love of sugary treats. Are they on the same page, or are they reading entirely different recipes?
Can Darby ignore the voice in her head and fully embrace the worthy-of-love woman that she is, or will she deflate like a chocolate souffle left in the oven too long?
- GenresRomance
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2023
45 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Shae
4 books61 followersZoe Shae has always been fascinated by stories. Whether she was creating them with her father, or reading them, they have always been a constant. Creating them now is a dream come true.
Zoe enjoys writing, singing, reading, info-dumping about her special interests, and spending time with her family.
You can follow Zoe on social media everywhere at @AuthorZoeShae.
Zoe enjoys writing, singing, reading, info-dumping about her special interests, and spending time with her family.
You can follow Zoe on social media everywhere at @AuthorZoeShae.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
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April 5, 2023Lost Interest (Read 6 chapters)
I think I'm giving this book too much/not enough credit. Schrodinger's credit.
The cover! Cute as hell. With that name..This book is diabetes and the way the FMC eats chocolate - she'll get diabetes. (No, she won't. I read the epilogue)
Since i didn't finish the book i don't feel comfortable ranting about it (also because it's not one thing but few little things). Since i can't paint you the complete picture but I'll write down the notes i took.
Chocolate Chip Frappuccino with Extra Whipped Cream
I really like how chapters are named after desserts. It's cute.
On the very first sentence. 2 notes —
I mean the name — not cute. You have such a cute cover with a daddy on there and then the name of the book is cute too and then you go ahead and think you know what'll be the cute name for the cute FMC of this cute book? Darby. I'm calling her Daisy in my head.
Too much cussing for my liking. I might not mean much to other people but since I'm not one to cuss maybe that's why it grated on me. The very first line —
“Jesus, Daisy, how do you look so fucking perfect this fucking early in the morning?”
This tone carries throughout the chapters her bestfriend, speaker of this sentence, LGBTQ+ representative, comic relief, is present in.
The conversations are stilted, they're not flowing smoothly. They're trying too hard. It's like conversations in an old timey sitcom where after every line there'll be a laugh track.
TW - she has an abusive mom. Which has been bad for her self esteem. She thinks she doesn't deserve love and second guesses other people's interest in her.
According to my mother, I’m a waste of space who doesn’t deserve a good man. At this point, I’m certain she’s right. Twenty-five years old and I’m single, in a dead-end job, and watching so much of The Great British Baking Show that I’ve turned into a pastry. Eat your heart out, boys.
The MMC is 38 year old CEO of a streaming company called Streemz. He's big and buff and his hair is graying.
The names are giving me so much ickkkkk. Streams is a fine enough name. Streemz is something from late 2000s - early 2010s.
“I’m surprised to hear that. You have to know what a woman you are, Daisy. I’m lucky to be out with you.”
They've but known eachother for less than a week.
They've had one chance encounter, one conversation on the phone, one date and one text conversation.
wut?!
I'm all for older men who make me swoon but it's like middle schoolers saying i love you on the first day.
He misses me. Me. How in the heck have I bamboozled this man into thinking I’m worth missing?
She seems so insecure, doesn't she?
But these are just words. When you'll read it you'll realise this is a device. A pick me technique to highlight how pretty she is and how fat her ass is and her sparkling personality.
“We should see movies regularly,” he whispers, smiling when I snort-laugh.
“I’ve already spoiled you. There’ll be no living with you now.”
This is the fourth chapter. Fuck that's why you don't read obscure books with cute covers, they're like pretty ladies on the side of the road at night.
“Uh, yes. I’m here to see Benjamin James.” I didn’t think this through. I can’t imagine how many people try to see Ben without an appointment.
I'm getting second hand embarassment now. You know how many steps there are in thinking bout going to the guy-you're-casually-seeing's office with lunch, then going to your friend's restaurant to buy the said lunch, then taking it to the office and then approaching the receptionist and saying the line?
A hell of a lot for an overthinker to have thought this through. I imagine 12 different scenarios on the way to someplace and this is a lot of commute w an empty brain.
“You also have to take care of yourself, or you could go sideways. And then down. On the ground. Because you passed out."
I'll be using this.
Ben snaps the cookie in half and waves it in front of me. “One kiss for the road?”
“Ahhh, bribery will get you everywhere.”
See, she could be less down on her luck, not named Darby and a little bit less on the nose about her hotness. She coming across as too cocky for someone who's insecure about her body and personality. Sexual harrasment in workplace depends on one thing — the person harrassing you viewing you as a sexual object and not a peer. As depicted, she's the only young girl there i mean there's no one else there to harass. And the author is using this fact that people are leering at her to highlight the fact that she's super pretty. You can have her bestie say these things. Let the barista compliment her. Wtf.
And i get portraying the old, buff guy as besotted and look — this is a sweet interaction but the instalove-y dovey is killing the book, they could've been, idk getting to know eachother, running into eachother a couple of time before Ben asked her on a date. But nope, instantly. Ugh!
This book doesn't have a dead spouse (it has an ex wife tho), cheating, accidental pregnancy or something else that makes me want to dnf.
It's just not something for me, right now. I'll come back to it tho.
Maybe the booktok girlies will like it because it has the makings of a good romcom like The Spanish Love Deception but it's not quite it.
There's only one difference between a good romcom, The Love Hypothesis and whatever TSLD is — a good FMC. How am I supposed to read someone's pov for 300 pages and she's annoying af?
I got off track but i really don't think badly about Sugar and I'll come back to it. It has given me the ick right now but I'm willing to give it a second chance later.
I think I'm giving this book too much/not enough credit. Schrodinger's credit.
The cover! Cute as hell. With that name..This book is diabetes and the way the FMC eats chocolate - she'll get diabetes. (No, she won't. I read the epilogue)
Since i didn't finish the book i don't feel comfortable ranting about it (also because it's not one thing but few little things). Since i can't paint you the complete picture but I'll write down the notes i took.
Chocolate Chip Frappuccino with Extra Whipped Cream
I really like how chapters are named after desserts. It's cute.
On the very first sentence. 2 notes —
I mean the name — not cute. You have such a cute cover with a daddy on there and then the name of the book is cute too and then you go ahead and think you know what'll be the cute name for the cute FMC of this cute book? Darby. I'm calling her Daisy in my head.
Too much cussing for my liking. I might not mean much to other people but since I'm not one to cuss maybe that's why it grated on me. The very first line —
“Jesus, Daisy, how do you look so fucking perfect this fucking early in the morning?”
This tone carries throughout the chapters her bestfriend, speaker of this sentence, LGBTQ+ representative, comic relief, is present in.
The conversations are stilted, they're not flowing smoothly. They're trying too hard. It's like conversations in an old timey sitcom where after every line there'll be a laugh track.
TW - she has an abusive mom. Which has been bad for her self esteem. She thinks she doesn't deserve love and second guesses other people's interest in her.
According to my mother, I’m a waste of space who doesn’t deserve a good man. At this point, I’m certain she’s right. Twenty-five years old and I’m single, in a dead-end job, and watching so much of The Great British Baking Show that I’ve turned into a pastry. Eat your heart out, boys.
The MMC is 38 year old CEO of a streaming company called Streemz. He's big and buff and his hair is graying.
The names are giving me so much ickkkkk. Streams is a fine enough name. Streemz is something from late 2000s - early 2010s.
“I’m surprised to hear that. You have to know what a woman you are, Daisy. I’m lucky to be out with you.”
They've but known eachother for less than a week.
They've had one chance encounter, one conversation on the phone, one date and one text conversation.
wut?!
I'm all for older men who make me swoon but it's like middle schoolers saying i love you on the first day.
He misses me. Me. How in the heck have I bamboozled this man into thinking I’m worth missing?
She seems so insecure, doesn't she?
But these are just words. When you'll read it you'll realise this is a device. A pick me technique to highlight how pretty she is and how fat her ass is and her sparkling personality.
“We should see movies regularly,” he whispers, smiling when I snort-laugh.
“I’ve already spoiled you. There’ll be no living with you now.”
This is the fourth chapter. Fuck that's why you don't read obscure books with cute covers, they're like pretty ladies on the side of the road at night.
“Uh, yes. I’m here to see Benjamin James.” I didn’t think this through. I can’t imagine how many people try to see Ben without an appointment.
I'm getting second hand embarassment now. You know how many steps there are in thinking bout going to the guy-you're-casually-seeing's office with lunch, then going to your friend's restaurant to buy the said lunch, then taking it to the office and then approaching the receptionist and saying the line?
A hell of a lot for an overthinker to have thought this through. I imagine 12 different scenarios on the way to someplace and this is a lot of commute w an empty brain.
“You also have to take care of yourself, or you could go sideways. And then down. On the ground. Because you passed out."
I'll be using this.
Ben snaps the cookie in half and waves it in front of me. “One kiss for the road?”
“Ahhh, bribery will get you everywhere.”
See, she could be less down on her luck, not named Darby and a little bit less on the nose about her hotness. She coming across as too cocky for someone who's insecure about her body and personality. Sexual harrasment in workplace depends on one thing — the person harrassing you viewing you as a sexual object and not a peer. As depicted, she's the only young girl there i mean there's no one else there to harass. And the author is using this fact that people are leering at her to highlight the fact that she's super pretty. You can have her bestie say these things. Let the barista compliment her. Wtf.
And i get portraying the old, buff guy as besotted and look — this is a sweet interaction but the instalove-y dovey is killing the book, they could've been, idk getting to know eachother, running into eachother a couple of time before Ben asked her on a date. But nope, instantly. Ugh!
This book doesn't have a dead spouse (it has an ex wife tho), cheating, accidental pregnancy or something else that makes me want to dnf.
It's just not something for me, right now. I'll come back to it tho.
Maybe the booktok girlies will like it because it has the makings of a good romcom like The Spanish Love Deception but it's not quite it.
There's only one difference between a good romcom, The Love Hypothesis and whatever TSLD is — a good FMC. How am I supposed to read someone's pov for 300 pages and she's annoying af?
I got off track but i really don't think badly about Sugar and I'll come back to it. It has given me the ick right now but I'm willing to give it a second chance later.
November 28, 2022
Could not love this book more ❤❤❤
If you like these tropes and themes, you're in for a very sweet treat:
Stern Brunch Daddy love interest
Billionaire love interest
MC addicted to chocolate and coffee
MC addicted to baking shows for comfort
Close female friendships
Difficult mother daughter relationship
Character emotional growth and healing
Darby is incredibly easy to relate to, as a 20- something who's just trying to get by after years of emotional abuse and insecurities.
What happens when she orders a boatload of chocolate treats at Starbucks to comfort herself after a bad day? Why, a husky voice behind her tells her "that's a lot of chocolate," and when she turns around to snap at him for judging her, she runs muffin first into the sexiest man she's ever laid eyes on. His suit is tailored and fitted to perfection. And she just smeared chocolate all over it 😣
The chemistry between Ben and Darby is instantaneous, electric, and absolutely delicious. He's a workaholic CEO with no time to date, but he cannot resist the hot mess that is Darby. Can they find a way to make things work despite everything going on in their lives?
If you like these tropes and themes, you're in for a very sweet treat:
Stern Brunch Daddy love interest
Billionaire love interest
MC addicted to chocolate and coffee
MC addicted to baking shows for comfort
Close female friendships
Difficult mother daughter relationship
Character emotional growth and healing
Darby is incredibly easy to relate to, as a 20- something who's just trying to get by after years of emotional abuse and insecurities.
What happens when she orders a boatload of chocolate treats at Starbucks to comfort herself after a bad day? Why, a husky voice behind her tells her "that's a lot of chocolate," and when she turns around to snap at him for judging her, she runs muffin first into the sexiest man she's ever laid eyes on. His suit is tailored and fitted to perfection. And she just smeared chocolate all over it 😣
The chemistry between Ben and Darby is instantaneous, electric, and absolutely delicious. He's a workaholic CEO with no time to date, but he cannot resist the hot mess that is Darby. Can they find a way to make things work despite everything going on in their lives?
February 8, 2023
This one tugged on my heartstrings, made me laugh, and made me swoon. What's not to love about a Silver Fox hero who wants to take care of the heroine? And all the mention of yummy treats had me craving more than just the handsome Ben. Not to mention, the friendship between the heroine Darby and her bestie Casey, gave me total #friendship goals! While this book touches on some heavy topics, it's swoony, deliciously spicy, and overall delightful!
May 12, 2023
While I really enjoyed the start of it, by the end I was just not as satisfied as I had hoped to be. Their relationship moved really fast, and it didn’t feel very realistic. I quickly became uncomfy with how many gifts he bought for her, especially when it started to replace actual dates and true apologies. I was so glad when she finally saw it too, but it took her a LONG time. She had very low self esteem, which contributed to her allowing him to treat her more as a sugar baby than a true girlfriend. Nice guy but really, really clueless as to how he was affecting her. I was glad to see some positive mental health rep towards the end of the book, since at the end of the day, she needed a therapist first and a boyfriend second. Her personal journey was well developed, and I actually would have been perfectly fine if this ended with them not together. Hence the three stars. He needed more personal growth himself to bring this to a four star read.
Outside of my issues with the hero, I did like this author’s writing style a lot, and I would definitely consider reading other work by her. She has a great voice and showed powerful female friendships and family bonding.
**I received a free copy from the author and this is my honest review.**
Outside of my issues with the hero, I did like this author’s writing style a lot, and I would definitely consider reading other work by her. She has a great voice and showed powerful female friendships and family bonding.
**I received a free copy from the author and this is my honest review.**
March 22, 2023
This was a much anticipated read for me! When Zoe shared the book cover I immediately commented saying Ben looks like Ryan Reynolds. Zoe replied and we both laughed.
This book is generally everything I avoid age gap relationship, CEO male MC, misunderstanding trope and spicy but for this romance it truly worked. I enjoyed the meet cute between Ben and Darby. I enjoyed how this handled toxic and emotional abuse from a parent. As a parent to a 10 month old I truly wanted to throw a book at her “mom”. I loved the relationship Darby and her dad have. Their father daughter days made my heart swell. I have a complicated relationship with my dad sometimes due to medical condition/ brain injury traits he has. It’s gotten much better throughout the years. I did find Ben to be too much at times with gifting Darby lots of things. I agree with Darby sometimes it can feel like your being bought off when your too busy to make a date and such. I loved Darby’s best friend and roommate. She was a really good friend to Darby. I really admired Darby’s growth throughout the book and the work she did on herself through therapy and such to be the woman she wants to be. ( hope that’s not a spoiler) last but not least the headings on each chapter matched a good they had in that chapter! It was such a fun addition. Well done Zoe!
This book is generally everything I avoid age gap relationship, CEO male MC, misunderstanding trope and spicy but for this romance it truly worked. I enjoyed the meet cute between Ben and Darby. I enjoyed how this handled toxic and emotional abuse from a parent. As a parent to a 10 month old I truly wanted to throw a book at her “mom”. I loved the relationship Darby and her dad have. Their father daughter days made my heart swell. I have a complicated relationship with my dad sometimes due to medical condition/ brain injury traits he has. It’s gotten much better throughout the years. I did find Ben to be too much at times with gifting Darby lots of things. I agree with Darby sometimes it can feel like your being bought off when your too busy to make a date and such. I loved Darby’s best friend and roommate. She was a really good friend to Darby. I really admired Darby’s growth throughout the book and the work she did on herself through therapy and such to be the woman she wants to be. ( hope that’s not a spoiler) last but not least the headings on each chapter matched a good they had in that chapter! It was such a fun addition. Well done Zoe!
April 13, 2023
a cute romance that also deals with some serious issues, however i think it could have been balanced a bit better. the flashbacks are quite heavy, covering serious verbal (and sometimes physical) abuse by a parent through the years, including texts from the parent, and although it helps that you can feel for darby, it also feels to heavy for me when i wanted some lightness of the romance.
the romance however was really great, though i wish we got to see more of them bonding, talking, being together before darby's insecurities took center place. of course, it's realistic and important for the plot - however i think then the book is too short. i feel like we needed more moments of them truly coming together to balance out the heaviness of the underlying plot. like this, it felt too insta-lovey (which i didn't completely mind - who doesn't want a handsome older billionaire absolutely whipped for them? but it was disbalanced).
something that bothered me though was that the author sometimes acted like ben was a grandpa. this man isn't in his fifties - he's 38. darby is turning 26. we didn't need him making continuous comments about how young she is. he's about 12 years older than her but saying things like "you wouldn't know what a dvd is" as if he's old enough to be her dad. maybe those were meant to be quippy jokes, but to me they didn't come across like that. and imo the age gap really didn't have to be brought up over and over again. it's literally the most normal gap that it could be. it just felt off to have it emphasized as if he's fifty or something.
the side characters were very wholesome and likeable. it was a joy to read about them as well and see them have their own happy ending. i love that it was a happy lesbian side couple where the biggest issue was how to propose. it really helped balance the heavy story.
the romance however was really great, though i wish we got to see more of them bonding, talking, being together before darby's insecurities took center place. of course, it's realistic and important for the plot - however i think then the book is too short. i feel like we needed more moments of them truly coming together to balance out the heaviness of the underlying plot. like this, it felt too insta-lovey (which i didn't completely mind - who doesn't want a handsome older billionaire absolutely whipped for them? but it was disbalanced).
something that bothered me though was that the author sometimes acted like ben was a grandpa. this man isn't in his fifties - he's 38. darby is turning 26. we didn't need him making continuous comments about how young she is. he's about 12 years older than her but saying things like "you wouldn't know what a dvd is" as if he's old enough to be her dad. maybe those were meant to be quippy jokes, but to me they didn't come across like that. and imo the age gap really didn't have to be brought up over and over again. it's literally the most normal gap that it could be. it just felt off to have it emphasized as if he's fifty or something.
the side characters were very wholesome and likeable. it was a joy to read about them as well and see them have their own happy ending. i love that it was a happy lesbian side couple where the biggest issue was how to propose. it really helped balance the heavy story.
March 29, 2023
This was an absolute delight.
The romance was sweet and swooney.
The friendships were wonderful (I want my own Casey and Hannah!)
But funny enough, my favorite part was the last 25%. I liked how the third act conflict was done because it didn’t come out of nowhere, but it was a built-up from the start, so when it happened, it made sense, and it felt realistic. I also liked how it was fixed. That felt real and very emotional. I loved what Zoe did there.
This was a new author to me, and all I have to say is that I can't wait to read more books from Zoe.
TW: mental and physical abuse, death of love one (off page)
The romance was sweet and swooney.
The friendships were wonderful (I want my own Casey and Hannah!)
But funny enough, my favorite part was the last 25%. I liked how the third act conflict was done because it didn’t come out of nowhere, but it was a built-up from the start, so when it happened, it made sense, and it felt realistic. I also liked how it was fixed. That felt real and very emotional. I loved what Zoe did there.
This was a new author to me, and all I have to say is that I can't wait to read more books from Zoe.
TW: mental and physical abuse, death of love one (off page)
August 1, 2024
Darby = doormat (also this is one of the worst fmc names I’ve ever heard)
I went into this thinking I was going to get a quick easy cute romance. Like always I judge a book by its cover. Nothing that happened in the book seemed believable. Ben was just love bombing the poor girl.
Onto the writing, there were too many unnecessary details and the dialogue made me cringe. I couldn’t care less about what happened to the characters and Darby was annoying, and stupid. She really thought it was ok for her to keep being Ben’s “girlfriend” when he would never go out with her and would only send her gift? (Where can I find me a guy like that?) She was a literal sugar baby. (Is that why the book is called sugar??)
It took me days to finish reading, there wasn’t anything happening that strengthens the plot. (Whatever the plot was supposed to be.) The way Darby’s mom would text was so funny to me, she complained the entire time but didn’t block her?? The girl is the definition of “I’m so quirky, but I want to be mysterious.”
I went into this thinking I was going to get a quick easy cute romance. Like always I judge a book by its cover. Nothing that happened in the book seemed believable. Ben was just love bombing the poor girl.
Onto the writing, there were too many unnecessary details and the dialogue made me cringe. I couldn’t care less about what happened to the characters and Darby was annoying, and stupid. She really thought it was ok for her to keep being Ben’s “girlfriend” when he would never go out with her and would only send her gift? (Where can I find me a guy like that?) She was a literal sugar baby. (Is that why the book is called sugar??)
It took me days to finish reading, there wasn’t anything happening that strengthens the plot. (Whatever the plot was supposed to be.) The way Darby’s mom would text was so funny to me, she complained the entire time but didn’t block her?? The girl is the definition of “I’m so quirky, but I want to be mysterious.”
August 19, 2025
such good bones!
3.5 🤩
This story had such good bones and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so, I read it in one go.
What I liked:
I loved the friends and the dad. They were great.
I liked Ben and I liked Darby, generally, they felt like real people even if the dialogue was somewhat stilted sometimes.
I loved the mental health rep and it was so lovely to see Darby in a session working through her feelings.
I wish that we would have seen the breakdown earlier, I wanted to see more of Darby and Ben slowly rebuilding their relationship rather than the big return at the end. I hated that it felt very rushed at the end because I loved the meat and bones of seeing them overcome the challenges together, become better communicators and get their relationship back on track. From the description that’s what I thought I was getting and that felt like the meatier part. I just wanted to see how they would fix it because there could have been a really beautiful story to tell with that. However, overall a sweet nice read.
3.5 🤩
This story had such good bones and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so, I read it in one go.
What I liked:
I loved the friends and the dad. They were great.
I liked Ben and I liked Darby, generally, they felt like real people even if the dialogue was somewhat stilted sometimes.
I loved the mental health rep and it was so lovely to see Darby in a session working through her feelings.
I wish that we would have seen the breakdown earlier, I wanted to see more of Darby and Ben slowly rebuilding their relationship rather than the big return at the end. I hated that it felt very rushed at the end because I loved the meat and bones of seeing them overcome the challenges together, become better communicators and get their relationship back on track. From the description that’s what I thought I was getting and that felt like the meatier part. I just wanted to see how they would fix it because there could have been a really beautiful story to tell with that. However, overall a sweet nice read.
March 21, 2023
Oh my goodness. I chose this book on a whim after seeing it promoted on Instagram and I was not expecting to love it so much!! I read it in less than 24 hours. It consumed my whole mind!!
Cons: it took me a minute to sink into the story. I’m so glad I stay with it because I freakin loved this book. So give it a few pages and you’ll be hooked
Pros: the characters are alive. Every single one of them. How?! Several times I had chills, was close to tears, and was so mad at certain characters!
Some spicy scenes but not too many and not too graphic.
As the name advertises it’s a sweet read.
Cons: it took me a minute to sink into the story. I’m so glad I stay with it because I freakin loved this book. So give it a few pages and you’ll be hooked
Pros: the characters are alive. Every single one of them. How?! Several times I had chills, was close to tears, and was so mad at certain characters!
Some spicy scenes but not too many and not too graphic.
As the name advertises it’s a sweet read.
May 15, 2023
This was such a fun read! From the adorable chapter titles to the meet-cute to the delectable descriptions of yummy baked goods, Sugar will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. But romance and drama were important ingredients in this recipe, too. Main character Darby is the perfect combination of adorkable and ambitious, sweet and tough. And sexy Ben is everything every girl wants in a love interest (and that scene involving The Great British Baking Show, omg). I can’t wait to read more from this author…here’s hoping for a sequel featuring Casey and Hannah!
October 28, 2023
What a brilliant debut by Author Zoe Shae! I've this saved since it's publication and am so glad I got to read it on KU.
I really enjoyed this book, and appreciated that the FMC Darby went on a healing journey as she learnt more about herself and the trauma of her past. This was more than a romance book, the bond between Darby and the important people in her life was so heart warming (I love the found family trope) and although sometimes I wanted to shake MMC Benjamin, there was a purpose to it all!
If you've been contemplating reading, definitely give it a go!
I really enjoyed this book, and appreciated that the FMC Darby went on a healing journey as she learnt more about herself and the trauma of her past. This was more than a romance book, the bond between Darby and the important people in her life was so heart warming (I love the found family trope) and although sometimes I wanted to shake MMC Benjamin, there was a purpose to it all!
If you've been contemplating reading, definitely give it a go!
August 26, 2024
I really thought the names of the chapters being after desserts was such a fun and sweet addition to the book. I think the writing and the story is very strong and I enjoyed it a lot. The only thing I did not like about the story was the age gap but that is all a me thing and nothing to do with the author. I first read Spell Ya Later as an ARC and decided to pick up sugar because I enjoyed the authors writing style so much and I am so glad I did.. I will def be reading everything Zoe Shae puts out from now on.
June 24, 2025
sweetest of books
Sugar was a great read. We meet Darby who is a very lovable and relatable FMC and her love interest Benjamin James (who is the billionaire salt & pepper love interest) when she gets chocolate all over his shirt. This book has all the right ups and downs and not only gives us that steamy love we’ve come to enjoy but also touches on the self doubt and poor self esteem we’ve all faced. It’s more than just a steamy romance it’s a healing journey. If you’re looking for something that will have you laughing, swooning and crying I highly recommend reading this.
Sugar was a great read. We meet Darby who is a very lovable and relatable FMC and her love interest Benjamin James (who is the billionaire salt & pepper love interest) when she gets chocolate all over his shirt. This book has all the right ups and downs and not only gives us that steamy love we’ve come to enjoy but also touches on the self doubt and poor self esteem we’ve all faced. It’s more than just a steamy romance it’s a healing journey. If you’re looking for something that will have you laughing, swooning and crying I highly recommend reading this.
September 16, 2024
Great read, would recommend!
This book lives up to its name!
It is sugary sweet and cheesy in the best most rom-commy way.
There is what I would consider mild spice.
It's not strictly fade to black, BUT the spice to plot ratio is like 1/10. Definitely, more sweet than spicy.
I loved it, 5/5, very cute and enjoyable read.
Well written, descriptive, and gives you that cozy, I wanna eat a hot cinnamon bun and watch my comfort show vibe, and the couple is absolutely lovable.
This book lives up to its name!
It is sugary sweet and cheesy in the best most rom-commy way.
There is what I would consider mild spice.
It's not strictly fade to black, BUT the spice to plot ratio is like 1/10. Definitely, more sweet than spicy.
I loved it, 5/5, very cute and enjoyable read.
Well written, descriptive, and gives you that cozy, I wanna eat a hot cinnamon bun and watch my comfort show vibe, and the couple is absolutely lovable.
August 8, 2025
Do you have mommy issues? Do you love the great British baking show? Have you dealt with insecurity? Do you think Paul Hollywood is hot? If you answered yes to two or more of these then Sugar is your read. This cute little age gap romance was a treat. I had a lot of fun with it and may or may not have a crush on Hannah.
December 18, 2025
I completed it in the morning itself, just forgot to update here. I am NO ONE to be this bothered, but it really really really bothered me how easily she forgave him, and how
QUICKLY
. We needed some more groveling. Without the groveling he seems like a mediocre ass man who honestly was just absolutely chock full of excuses and every single moment was torture
April 20, 2023
Ah I'm picky with romance and unfortunately this one wasn't to my personal taste but would suit someone who likes:
- age gap, older man
- quick mushy romance
- descriptions of sweets / deserts
- rep for mental health
Writing style was easy to read and the characters were likeable!
- age gap, older man
- quick mushy romance
- descriptions of sweets / deserts
- rep for mental health
Writing style was easy to read and the characters were likeable!
August 8, 2025
I truly loved this book, it was a cute read the only thing is I wish it was longer and we got to see more of them. I loved how she grew into herself and became confident and how he loved all the little things about her!
September 21, 2025
Such a cute book!! Loved that the characters were well written, Zoe has a way of writing that I have a clear picture of how they look.
A great cozy read for the cooler days. Grab a hot drink, some snacks and your favourite fluffy blanket and curl up with this amazing book!!
A great cozy read for the cooler days. Grab a hot drink, some snacks and your favourite fluffy blanket and curl up with this amazing book!!
July 21, 2024
Darby was an actual doormat. I can’t believe I even finished this book. It’s only getting 2 stars because I adored the lesbian couple and the dad.
December 1, 2024
“I never thought I’d meet someone who could keep up with me and my sweet tooth, but she puts me to shame. That’s my Darby, she makes no damn sense. And I love every second of it.”
WOW! So this is Zoe Shae’s debut book and this was such a good read. I first found Zoe from signing up to ARC read her newest book ‘Spell Ya Later’ that just came out and when I saw she had another book I HAD to read it. Okay back to Sugar review…lol
So let me start by saying I love an Age Gap romance. I am a sucker for it because my husband and I are 13 years apart.
Darby is an amazingly easy character to relate to as a 20-something who is just trying to get by after years of emotional abuse and insecurities. Which I can very much relate to.
Ben is the swoon-worthy billionaire, every romance girl hopes to run into at a Starbucks.
Darby and Ben have instant chemistry that is electrifying and absolutely delicious. He is a workaholic CEO who has no time to date, but he cannot resist the hot mess that is Darby.
Now I will say there is a miscommunication trope in this and I am not a fan of this trope and YES I screamed “JUST TALK TO HIM” a few times but she wrote so well. And from my personal experiences of emotional abuse and insecurities I understand how hard it is to talk to open up to someone when you have never had someone to truly listen to. Sorry didn’t mean to ramble but I feel the miscommunication trope in this book fits the character and what she went through
Zoe Shae this book was amazing and I absolutely love your writing style. I am one of your BIGGEST fans and I will be one of your FOREVER readers.
WOW! So this is Zoe Shae’s debut book and this was such a good read. I first found Zoe from signing up to ARC read her newest book ‘Spell Ya Later’ that just came out and when I saw she had another book I HAD to read it. Okay back to Sugar review…lol
So let me start by saying I love an Age Gap romance. I am a sucker for it because my husband and I are 13 years apart.
Darby is an amazingly easy character to relate to as a 20-something who is just trying to get by after years of emotional abuse and insecurities. Which I can very much relate to.
Ben is the swoon-worthy billionaire, every romance girl hopes to run into at a Starbucks.
Darby and Ben have instant chemistry that is electrifying and absolutely delicious. He is a workaholic CEO who has no time to date, but he cannot resist the hot mess that is Darby.
Now I will say there is a miscommunication trope in this and I am not a fan of this trope and YES I screamed “JUST TALK TO HIM” a few times but she wrote so well. And from my personal experiences of emotional abuse and insecurities I understand how hard it is to talk to open up to someone when you have never had someone to truly listen to. Sorry didn’t mean to ramble but I feel the miscommunication trope in this book fits the character and what she went through
Zoe Shae this book was amazing and I absolutely love your writing style. I am one of your BIGGEST fans and I will be one of your FOREVER readers.
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