Wednesday, September 7, 2016

The Sugar Queen

From Goodreads:
Twenty-seven-year-old Josey Cirrini is sure of three things: winter in her North Carolina hometown is her favorite season, she’s a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her hidden closet. For while Josey has settled into an uneventful life in her mother’s house, her one consolation is the stockpile of sugary treats and paperback romances she escapes to each night…. Until she finds it harboring none other than local waitress Della Lee Baker, a tough-talking, tenderhearted woman who is one part nemesis—and two parts fairy godmother…

Fleeing a life of bad luck and big mistakes, Della Lee has decided Josey’s clandestine closet is the safest place to crash. In return she’s going to change Josey’s life—because, clearly, it is not the closet of a happy woman. With Della Lee’s tough love, Josey is soon forgoing pecan rolls and caramels, tapping into her startlingly keen feminine instincts, and finding her narrow existence quickly expanding.

Before long, Josey bonds with Chloe Finley, a young woman who makes the best sandwiches in town, is hounded by books that inexplicably appear whenever she needs them, and—most amazing of all—has a close connection to Josey’s longtime crush.

As little by little Josey dares to step outside herself, she discovers a world where the color red has astonishing power, passion can make eggs fry in their cartons, and romance can blossom at any time—even for her. It seems that Della Lee’s work is done, and it’s time for her to move on. But the truth about where she’s going, why she showed up in the first place—and what Chloe has to do with it all—is about to add one more unexpected chapter to Josey’ s fast-changing life.

Brimming with warmth, wit, and a sprinkling of magic, here is a spellbinding tale of friendship, love—and the enchanting possibilities of every new day.

From Me:
A little bit of magical realism?  Yes, but---just enough.
Heartwarming?  Yes.
Sad?  Yes.
Did it put a smile on my face?  Yes it did!
It was a very fun and fast read, and it made me smile.

   I liked it very much and would recommend it if you like Women's Fiction, quirky characters and ---there just might be a twist somewhere in the book that will blow you away. (or just make you smile, like it did me)

4 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I haven't tried her work but did go to see her. Let me tell you, she has a legion of fans. I'm not huge on magical realism but think I might like her books since that element isn't too heavy.

Susan Lindquist said...

I really liked that book!

Literary Feline said...

I am glad to see you enjoyed this one! I've been wanting to try this author forever, but just haven't managed it yet. Soon, hopefully.

Katherine P said...

I read The Peach Keeper by her and absolutely loved it. I've been meaning to read more but you know how that goes! I loved her use of magical realism. Like you said - it's just enough.

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