**Review of *Sugar***

*Sugar* is a tantalizingly twisted tale that expertly intertwines love, betrayal, murder, and witchcraft, all set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s suburbia. Satara Stratton, our femme fatale protagonist, is thrust into a whirlwind of deception when she discovers her husband Dean's affair with her best friend, Lilah. What follows is a gripping exploration of revenge and desire, skillfully crafted

Satara’s reaction to the betrayal is visceral and familiar—she dives headfirst into the dark arts of deceit, a world she navigates with surprising confidence, given her past. The narrative’s pace is exhilarating as Satara's familiar territory of manipulation turns into a thrilling game of cat and mouse. The introduction of the Love Witch adds a layer of supernatural intrigue, allowing Satara to wield newfound power that she relishes. It’s a dangerous cocktail of ambition and vulnerability, reflecting her struggle to control not only those around her but her own heart.

The novel is reminiscent of *Big Little Lies* and *YOU*, skillfully combining psychological tension with a keen examination of suburban life where everything is not as it seems. The author paints a vivid picture of the era, immersing readers in a psychedelic world filled with colorful characters and moral ambiguity. Satara’s journey is both intoxicating and chilling, as her lust for love reveals her ultimate weaknesses.

What truly sets *Sugar* apart is its exploration of the fine line between desire and destruction. As Satara manipulates the affections of those around her, the consequences of her actions spiral out of control, making for a nail-biting read that keeps you guessing. The narrative is rich with dark humor and biting social commentary, ensuring that each twist feels earned and impactful.

In conclusion, *Sugar* is a compelling, darkly seductive novel that offers a fresh take on the femme fatale archetype. It invites readers into a chaotic world where love can be as lethal as it is sweet, and where the quest for power and connection can lead to devastating outcomes. If you’re looking for a read that blends psychological thrills with a touch of the supernatural, this gripping tale will undoubtedly leave you craving more. Prepare for a rollercoaster ride through love's darkest corners—you won’t want to put it down.

This was an amazingly fun horror ride. I love unhinged female rage and Satara Stratton is definitely going down in the books as one of the greats. Walking alongside her as she navigates her crimes versus her intentions had me feeling as if I fully understood and almost supported what she was doing. Also, this book was just beautifully written. Every sentenced was crafted with such care, I felt Mia Ballard’s love for her story on every page.

There were a few clerical errors - a typo here and there, and at one point the narration names Satara when the speaking character was actually Millicent (I believe this happens the first time Satara visits Millicent’s home, but I could be wrong). But those are easily resolved issues and didn’t detract from the story in any way.

I’m so grateful to have read this ahead of it’s official publishing and I will definitely be buying a physical copy to display on my shelf.

Oof 😅 what a chaotic, messy, and entertaining read. Vibes were like Big Swiss + a certain hunger level weird.
The writing is fast paced and captivating with plenty of dark humor, poetic reflections, and witty one liners.
— The main character is illogical and unhinged, making her amusing yet frustrating as her decisions become increasingly ridiculous.
—The nonlinear timeline, shifting between the present and the '60s/'70s, was a bit awkward at first, but ultimately, flows well.
—Some characters and plot points seemed irrelevant until later, which felt clunky midway through.
—While the ending felt VERY SILLY and left me conflicted, the overall writing and experience were enjoyable.

Strong 4.5 stars

“I wasn’t a murderer — I was just a woman wronged.”

Synopsis: After finding out her husband and best friend are having an affair, Satara Stratton seeks a familiar revenge and thrill. She’s used to disposing of men she comes across and destroying everything in her path. Enter a Love Witch, whose spells may be the solution to Satara’s troubles. Taking place between the 1950s-1970s, Sugar is quite the exhilarating page-turner.

Compelled by the book’s cover, I was intrigued by this one despite there being zero reviews for it when I began reading. The design and synopsis pulled me in, and the writing was *chef’s kiss*. This is a spectacular debut for Mia Ballard, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.

This book is for you if… you liked A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers; love the “weird/unhinged girl book” lists that are popular on TikTok. This will be on a lot of TBR lists come fall.

TW: sexual assault, domestic abuse, grooming, graphic violence

Thank you to #NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of #Sugar. To be published Oct. 29, 2024.

If you’ve seen the movie “The Love Witch”, you can expect similar impeccable vibes here, just make it a 70’s acid trip.

The FMC, Satara is a good old fashioned femme fatale, who is somehow both, incredibly insane, and absolutely iconic. I wouldn’t say this book would really count as a ’good for her’, type of story…but I did find myself thinking it surprisingly often. As you sink your teeth (*chuckle) further into the book, it does have you rooting for her even as she’s well on her way to being a total psycho.

It’s twisty and a fast paced read, and on multiple occasions had me pausing to process, having to reread a section to check that I did, in fact read, what I thought I read. It’s even more impressive when you realise it’s actually a debut book – what!?

If you’re into spooky reads with a side of unhinged feminist rage, this is for you. It’s messy, dark, and deliciously extra. I can't wait to introduce this to my book club and literally anyone who will listen to me.

I would give this 6 stars if I could and am really thankful to be have been able to read it early

Easily one of the best thrillers I've ever read. The writing itself is so beautiful I found myself swept up in all those delicious metaphors and evocative prose. It's a new take on the fem serial killer thriller and addictive to say the least. I will be reading anything Mia Ballard writes, she's moved to auto buy status.

One small thing, I found an issues with the tenses.

HOLY SHIT! I finished this in a day, I could not put it down!

In Sugar, prepare to be captivated by a powerful narrative of a woman's journey toward empowerment. This gripping story intertwines themes of love, loss, betrayal, and the supernatural, all set against the backdrop of the 1970s—a decade rife with systemic sexism and societal challenges for women.

Our heroine, Satara, emerges with fierce determination, challenging the norms that dictate her life. As we follow her from the struggles of her teenage years, revealed through poignant memories, to her current existence as a 35-year-old woman, we gain insight into her innermost thoughts and her yearning for genuine connection, beyond mere appearances.

Reading this book was a mesmerizing experience, pulling me into its intricate and twisted narrative. The 70s setting added an appealing touch, celebrating the era’s music and style while confronting the harsh realities faced by women—an important theme woven throughout the story.

Be aware that some scenes are intensely raw, so sensitive readers may want to approach with caution. Overall, this book was an exhilarating read, perfect for ushering in the spooky season. Mia Ballard’s dark, evocative writing style kept me hooked, eagerly turning pages to uncover what lay ahead.

This book is about to become my entire personality.

“Love, Betrayal, Murder & Witchcraft.” This novel puts a whole new spin on the word: Stalker 🔪🩸

Sugar 🍭 by Mia Ballard
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s

Mia Ballard does a phenomenal job with this enticing story about Satara Stratton and her crazy twisted, psychedelic, murdering tendencies 🔪🔪🔪

I don’t want to give too much away, but as you’re reading this ✨WILD✨ ride with no idea how it’s going to end, Ballard hits you with twist after twist to finish the novel, leaving me with, what In tarnation did I just read?! 🤯😂

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Galaxy Press & author Mia Ballard for a chance to read this twisted story before its release, just in time for Halloween, October 28th!! Add it to your carts & TBR’s cause you won’t want to miss it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Galaxy Press for this ARC!

I saw this book floating around bookstagram from a a few of my friends and I had to check it out. Sugar is everything you want in a serial killer story and so much more!

I read this book in less than 24 hours and I could NOT put it down. Sugar is fast paced and unflinching until the very end! Mark your calendars for this release and be prepared to be obsessed with this book 🥰

After finishing this book, my first thought was WOW! This read was unhinged in the best possible way! I love a good twisty psychological thriller. Love, betrayal, murder, and witchcraft?! What more could you ask for? Sugar by Mia Ballard did not disappoint! I did not expect the twists that kept coming. I highly recommend reading this book of love, lust, betrayal, and revenge. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh My Gosh what a ride this book is! I want this made into a movie or limited series! I will be buying this book because I want to re-read it and display it!

Sugar by Mia Ballard will become a cult classic in the unhinged female rage category. It’s giving Jenifer’s body minus the demon but still all the violence. Was Satara crazy? Or did they have it coming to them 🤭

Thanks to netgalley and the author for an ARC.

When Satara finds out her husband is cheating on her with her best friend, she heads down a familiar path…
This book was absolute chaos, I had so many emotions!! So much deceit, lies and danger. Some parts made me really sad and definitely echoed how some women feel unloveable and try so hard to be wanted even when they don’t actually like the other person much at all. This really kept me engaged throughout and the end came as a massive surprise. I don’t know why I wasn’t expecting there to be plot twists but I think that made the experience more enjoyable. There were just so many parts that I loved, the writing was beautiful and I felt so absorbed in the descriptions.
It was definitely a wild ride and I enjoyed every second.

When I tell you I'm going to make this book my entire personality, you're going to be so sick of me recommending it. This was one of my favorite unhinged female rage books I've read yet. Not only did Mia knock it out of this world with the cover, but by page three, I think I had highlighted almost 80% of the sentences. This book is equal parts lethal lust, a woman scorned, and take-no-shit, and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

⚠️
TW: sexual assault, grooming, graphic violence, domestic abuse


Sugar. Sweet. Hard to resist.
Sweet but Psycho ang peg.

"I thought killing him would bring relief, but it only unearthed a ravenous hunger I couldn't seem to quell."

"Love, for me, was an endless cycle of rebirth and death, each man a phoenix rising from the ashes of the last, burning brightly before succumbing to the inevitable. And I, ever the devoted keeper of these flames, continued to mark my life with their passage, a perennial witness to both conflagration and smoldering ruin."

Serial Killer? Love witch?
This was a fun read about one psycho broad (or two? 🤔), with a lust for love and eventually labelled as the LOVESICK KILLER. Scandalous, Twisty, unhinged without being overtly extreme. I find myself having a love/hate relationship with the MC. I find her insufferable most of the time yet I admire her temerity and tenacity. I gobbled this up!

4.5 🍫🍬🍭

Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc 🖤

I thought this was a fantastic concept for a horror novel with witches in this. The overall story worked well with what I was looking for and was engaged with the environment with characters that I was invested in. It had that plot that I was looking for and thought everything was written perfectly. I was engaged with what was written by Mia Ballard and am excited to read more.

An enthralling and gripping tale of a woman’s empowerment, Sugar weaves together themes of love, despair, female empowerment, murder, betrayal, and witchcraft. Set in the 1970s—a time when systemic sexism was rampant and women faced significant challenges—this story unfolds in a world where men were often seen as superior, both professionally and in day-to-day life. This is where Satara, the protagonist, steps in. She rises with fierce feminine energy, defying societal norms to demonstrate her power and autonomy. The book is an exotic and enticing page-turner, as we journey with Satara through the hardships of her teenage years, presented as memories scattered throughout the chapters, to her current life as a 35-year-old woman. We are invited inside her mind, exploring her darkest thoughts and her passionate search for belonging—a deep yearning for a relationship and family, for someone who values her not just for her beauty but for the real connection she seeks.

The experience of reading this book was compelling, immersing me in its twisted, captivating world. I especially enjoyed the setting in the 70s, one of my favorite eras for its music and fashion, though not for the difficulties women endured—an issue the book thoughtfully addresses. Sensitive readers should note the trigger warnings, as some scenes are described with a rawness that grips your heart and mind. Overall, this was a blast to read, especially as I was looking for something to kickstart the spooky season. Mia Ballard’s use of dark, compelling prose, along with her skillful use of figures of speech, kept me glued to my seat, constantly craving more as the story unfolded.

This is definitely a 5-star read for me. I devoured it in just a few hours and can’t wait to dive into more of Mia Ballard’s works, which I’ll be following religiously from now on!

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for trusting me with the ARC for an honest review, I really do appreciate it! Looking forward to more of Mia Ballard’s works, that, as I said, I will be religiously paying attention to, from now on!

LOVESICK. :) 5 stars
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😭⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such a good book!! I really love this thrilling read with the mix of witchiness/spells and thriller/mystery. It is an awesome combination of themes and genres that I love! The main character was great even though she did bad things, I wanted her to succeed, which showed the authors talent for writing the characters. I think the twists were good, and I enjoyed it all!!!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and especially the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of the book!!