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 picked up this book for the following reasons: I like stories about baking/cooking and I needed a book released in 2017 for a reading challenge. The cover of the book intrigued me, so I requested a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The story revolves around a pastry chef who moves from NYC to the state of Washington in order to be the one in charge of the pastry menu. Her new boss was an old boyfriend and entices her to join him, at which time she finds out that the restaurant is being filmed for a reality television show. While in Washington, she struggles to find out if she still truly wants what she's always fought to obtain.

I normally do not like romance novels. Most romance novels are written from the third person viewpoint, which allows the author the ability to tell the story from both the male & female perspectives. The problem with this method (for me), is that I learn both people's motives. Because I know what both people are thinking, I get annoyed when I can clearly see why they should be together, but their mutual misunderstandings are preventing them from moving forward. The author did a great job of avoiding this pitfall in this story.

I thoroughly enjoyed the visit into the culinary world and the reality tv addition added a nice twist. I felt like I could identify with the main character and liked her. She was a smart lady who, while she obviously had moments of indecision, didn't seem to abandon her belief systems just for the sake of the romance.

I would recommend this book to others who like romance novels, cooking, or would like an escape novel that is both fun and believable.

this book dragged on a little too much for me to truly enjoy it, even though I appreciate the setting.

A solid and engaging read that makes me want to read more of this author's work.

Charlie Garrett is tired of holding out for a promotion at the Manhattan eatery where she's been slaving away for years as an underappreciated pastry chef. But then her ex-boyfriend and culinary school classmate Avery offers her a position as head pastry chef at his new restaurant in Seattle, and he won't take "no" for an answer.

Initially, this new career change and cross-country move appears to be beyond Charlie's wildest dreams. The staff at Thrill respects her, she makes over the restaurant's pathetic dessert menu, she has a luxurious apartment, she now lives in the same town as her best friend, and she meets an amazing guy. But it's all too good to be true – turns out that Avery's restaurant is the subject of a new reality TV series. He forgot to mention that little detail, and Charlie isn't, well, "thrilled" about it. She eventually finds herself enjoying the spotlight more than she had expected, but at what cost?

I don't often read books like "Sugar." But the cover just looked too delicious (seriously, if I could eat it, I would), and the synopsis sounded equally appealing. I found myself enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would, thanks to some of the laugh-out-loud dialogue between the characters and zany predicaments Charlie gets into.

The romance between Charlie and Kai seemed a bit rushed and underdeveloped, but otherwise I think the two of them balance out well as a couple. Kai, a diner owner and head cook, sees right through Charlie's elitism and calls her on it every time. He's straightforward but not cruel about it – I loved that.

The author did a good job of developing Charlie's character. Her change of heart about being on a reality show comes about in such subtle ways that I was almost as surprised as she was at the way she "sells out."

I feel like this book has all the makings of a great romantic comedy, one I would definitely watch.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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.

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).

Charlie Garrett is a whiz when it comes to butter and sugar. She is a pastry chef extraordinaire. After not seeing exactly eye to eye with her current boss she moves from the restaurant capital of the world, New York to the laid back town of Seattle to become Head Pastry Chef at her former boyfriends new restaurant Thrill. Seattle happens to be where her best friend Manda lives, who is happily married with three kids and a personal worry that Charlie is missing out of a full life because of her dedication to her job. Worried enough to set her up with Kai Malloy, a handsome cook and owner of his own diner that she knows. Cue the sparks of attraction. Then we discover that the former boyfriend has lured Charlie to his restaurant not so much to be his pastry chef but to be his co-star in a reality TV series. Life goes on from there.

Charlie is a great character; not perfect, but prone to making snap decisions and being a little neurotic about food and hygiene. She is annoyingly beautiful but she does have to work hard for the perfect body she has. The attraction between Kai and Charlie feels real. The utter madness of a commercial kitchen rings true. Kai is a cool customer who balances the high strung Charlie out. And the frantic busyness of Manda dealing with three young children is a real treat to read.

Kimberly Stuart is a Christian author writing good fictional work. There are a few expletives in the book but nothing to get too worried about. There is also an absence of preachy test that so often clutters up 'Christian novels" which is actually refreshing. The romance wouldn't be embarrassing if your grandmother picked up the book to see what you were reading.

I really enjoyed this introduction to Kimberly Stuart's writing and eagerly look forward to her next offering. She weaves a delightful, classy romance that will hit the sweet spot for many readers.

This book went on my radar after seeing the cover (oh and that title!). Then I read the description and was even more intrigued,

This book for me at least, sits more in the women's fiction ( sassy, sweet with a side of light (sans the sex) romance) genre. And that's a good thing.

I found Sugar to be very enjoyable. Charlie is a tough, well developed, totally real heroine. I also loved the subject matter - she's a pasty chef and can I say I was hungry more than once while reading the novel.

*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 enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for something as sweet and modernly enchanting as the front cover.

Fabulous book with some mouth watering desserts, likeable characters & a great story

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.

This was a delightful book. I really enjoyed Charlie and Kai's story. Lots of twists and drama. If you are interested in hot, steamy romances, you won't find that here. This was the first read of mine for this author but I wouldn't mind reading other books as well.

Note, I did receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

First off, I love the cover. Kudos to the designer. It is refreshing to see a beautifully designed cover that is not a half naked dude. While I personally love those too, this cover was just really pretty and really fitting to the story. Charlie is a bit OCD, Avery is pretty annoying, and I'd marry Kai. Now don't take that as negative because the three personalities actually work in a really big way for this story. This book was a great read, with a lot of really well thought out sub-characters, even the kids in the story have big personalities. A great read that I'd definitely recommend!

A sweet little romance, with a cool setting in a professional kitchen and all the heat that creates. The characters were well drawn and fleshed out and the story was engaging and moved at a good pace. This would be a perfect beach/ holiday read

A wonderful read about love, career and culinary arts... Hmmm makes me hungry.

3.5 stars

The elements of this book have all the things I like. Restaurants, great location and food/desserts. While the reality show aspect not as much. The scene is familiar one long hours in the kitchen, suffers under a head chef, no time for other pursuits. The need to move on spurs Charlie to move to a better job of her own.

I'm quite glad that this focuses more on an off camera romance budding amidst the hectic work life of Charlie and the reality show in the works. Kai seemed like an honest, down to earth guy with a diner.
Having said that it also comes into play with the reality show with the on camera romance for ratings. Her ex this time who own the restaurant she works for. That part was a bit contrived and meh, the two guys drama as well.

I don't particularly get why Charlie puts up with her lousy friend sorry to say. Plus well it turns out it's hard her demanding job and juggling her new relationship. Making her have to decide. I can understand the job is consuming as most as but kitchen life and being an excellent pastry chef is not easy. But I get it, a change of pace is needed. Charlie was frustrating and being a pushover but yeah rant over.

To be honest the thing I disliked are the characters at times. While they are real they aren't exactly the kind I would gravitate to. The story is pleasant enough. I like the food lingo and nicely done. Sad to say though the writing style didn't gel with me at times. A fairly easy read maybe to pass time. It had potential to be great.

I have tried my hardest to enjoy Sugar, but mid-way through I lost interest in the plot and characters. The author has definitely a way with words when it comes to food and kitchen, but the relationship between the characters especially Charlie and Kai was superficial and only skin-deep. I didn’t feel any connection between those two. Without that connection, Sugar was nothing more than a documentary about a kitchen show.
I didn’t make this decision lightly, but I won’t be able to give this book a better rating, because of that I’m not going to publish this review on my blog or anywhere else.

I loved this book, Sugar by Kimberly Stuart, about pastry chef Charlie Garrett and how dreams and ambitions can change. I was given a chance to read this book in exchange for a review.
Charlie has put in hard time at a top NY restaurant striving to become a top pastry chef. She chases her dream of success at the expense of the rest of her life. When an opportunity that she can't resist comes in the form of an old boyfriend's new restaurant and a cross country move there are hidden catches.
This is a well written story with characters I liked and felt like I knew. The glimpse inside a professional kitchen with all its ego and drama, the struggle to achieve career success and still have a personal life all add up to an engaging read.