I really enjoyed reading this novel! It was well written and had a great plot. I loved the characters and how the main character was a blogger. The only thing that set me off is the introductory pages seemed to go too much in detail but besides that it was great and worth while!

Plot:
A well-developed story with a compelling core that makes readers want to keep reading. I was easily enthralled by my curiosity to find out what happens at the end of the story with CC and Thorn and especially with the mayor and Sugar Lump. Edgy at one point and sweet at another. Sugar Lump's tempting pull and the brewing romance between CC and Thorn make the novel for an enjoyable fast-paced read.

Setting:
Sugar Lump is a tempting carefree perfect town that people are drawn to and are unwilling to leave but beneath that perfection lies secrets. The conflict surrounding Sugar Lump was the main attraction of the novel. It was what I was focused on and interested in.

Characters:
CC: a travel blogger who always has a witty comment locked and loaded.
Thorn: the love interest who was willing to help CC in her quest to dig up the secrets buried within Sugar Lump. He is another mystery package in the story which I had fun unwrapping.
All the characters, even those not mentioned above, added to the thickening mystery of the plot even further making the reader even more curious to what the characters are hiding.

Writing: Simple and easy to read. It did not contain any over-simplistic or formal language. I did not like it. I prefer books that challenge my diction which this book did not satisfy.

Negative Points: Too many pages were wasted introduction of the setting and characters. The ending was unsatisfactory and vague. If this was some sort of series or if the story was longer with more complexity to it than the ending would have been fine, but since it was such a short story the ending was unsatisfactory.

Overall:
This is no exceptional book but it has the originality to it which is the main. It is simply a good and well-told story with nothing that has not been written before.

This book wasn't right for me so DNF.
The writing was ok and the story line (new town, new friends etc) was ok too but the characters were stereotypically annoying. It turned into a cookie cutter book pretty quickly with the token gay friend, OTT black girl for diversity purposes but completely one dimensional and the obvious love interest who is tall, attractive and of course brooding. I found it to all be quite juvenile and boring so not for me.

I was approved for this and it was immediately archived. Never had the chance to download it for a review.

This had a fun Veronica Mars feel to it. I loved all the characters in this fun ya mystery. I read this book straight through and I loved the twists and the romance. The ending was not what I excepted and I love it when a book can keep me on my toes guessing what is gonna happen next.

CC is a travel blogger, mainly because her dad loves to take them from place to place and she never gets to settle anywhere. That all changes when her dad gets his absolute dream job! He gets a job as a baker in a town called Sugar Lump and it happens to be the wedding capitol so he is sure to be very busy.

CC is nervous and hopeful when they arrive to Sugar Lump. She makes new friends fast and as soon as she sees Thorn she develops a massive crush on him. Then she starts noticing things are a little off. Everything is too perfect and she knows that's not realistic. She starts a journey to figure out what is up with this town when she overhears something condemning that helps direct her and drives her suspicions that everything is not what it seems.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for and honest review.

This was such a fun book, and perfect for a quick and light read. The city of Sugar Lump, and all of it's residents had me intrigued from the very first chapter. The book has a perfect amount of drama, mystery and even YA relationships. I couldn't wait to see what the city was collectively hiding from the main character CC, so I read it cover to cover in one sitting to find out. Quite enjoyable, and I will certainly be recommending to my YA loving friends.

I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Did not finish. Did not love the first few pages and quickly got disinterested.

I loved this book! The mystery behind the town had me at the edge of my seat. I just wanted to know what was going on! The character were also very lovable and interesting. I would definitely recommend this book to everybody!!!

3 stars—
I didn’t want to step away from the story once I started. And, I liked the characters (even if they have gone by different names in many YA books before). The idea of the novel is interesting and has a lot of potential. However, it takes 150 pages to describe the setting and characters before a conflict develops. Start The Story Already. The conflict is a town that is too perfect. And, if it’s too good to be true… The conflict involves money, arranged marriages, and a cult contract. <Squeal!!!> Such an exciting idea! The writing is better in the first 150 pages; As the story continues, I miss the long, drawn out details because they do create a connection that is missing in the second half. The end of the book feels rushed and wedged to fit some convoluted plot outline. If Gaudino would have taken as much time and detail in the conflict and resolution, it would have been a 4 star book for me. I flew through the last 70 pages because I was so interested in how CC and Thorn are going to resolve the conflict! I was beginning to wonder if there would be a sequel because the “happily ever after” seems so far away… Then, it happens.
...Meh…
Even with the letdown of an ending, less critical readers will enjoy Sugar Lump because it is full of witty CC comments and a dream team of friends. And, Sugar Lump makes one ponder exactly what you would be willing to sign away for a carefree life. There’s no denying it sounds like a pretty sweet temptation.

Sugar Lump by Megan Gaudino is a very unique YA book, with a lot of interesting and quirky characters. Once I started reading this book, I could not stop until I was done. CC, who is seventeen-years-old, has been traveling from place to place with her father, as he works bakery jobs. When they land in Sugar Lump, the wedding capital of the world, they start to set down roots. Something is just not quite right with this town, and the people who live in it. I will be reading more books by this author. I strongly recommend this book if you are looking for something different.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a strange but fun rollercoaster experience. I couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars, so I'm giving Sugar Lump 3.5 stars. This doesn't mean I didn't like the story. I found the characters fun to read, I loved the relationship between Thorn and CC, and Megan's writing style is fun and accessible.
I think my only problem was trying to figure out what was going on. First, everything seemed to perfect, but then I realized that was a part of the story which gives begins to build a creepy, mysterious tone. Once I figured out I was supposed to be questioning the perfection of the small town (Sugar Lump), then I became even more curious to see how the conflict would resolve.
It's a short read, and there are fun conversations and one-liners, making Sugar Lump an overall entertaining read.

This was a fun book and I was all about the quirkiness. I like books that fall in the category of different because those books call to me! And that cover is freaking amazing!!! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Sugar Lump
by Megan Gaudino
Evernight Teen


Romance , Teens & YA
Pub Date 17 Jan 2018


I am reviewing a copy of Sugar Lump through Evernight Teen and Netgalley:

C.C is a seventeen year old travel blogger who has been stuck on a never ending road trip with her wanderlust Father. But her Dad lands a job in Sugar Lump Wedding Capital of the world, C.C is finally able to have a place she can call home, complete with two quirky friends and a boy she crushes on. Sugar Lump is more shades of perfect than she could imagine.

But nothing about the town is what it seems. When C.C overhears the mayor threatening to take an employee out for not fulfilling a the terms of the contract, the towns idyllic facade falls apart, C.C is devastated at the possibility of having to move again.


I give Sugar Lump four out of five stars


Happy Reading!

So it was an interesting story. I couldn't stop reading. I loved the chemistry between CC and multiple characters. I just didn't like the ending as much. It felt rushed.

This novel was slow to start, then really picked up at the halfway mark. Our protagonist was real and honest and gave the book some real substance.

This was a fast-paced enjoyable read. Lots of intrigue and mystery.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own.