Reviews

“Sugar ain’t spoiled, she just a little bruised, is all. Bruises can heal and fade away to nothing.”

This is a story that takes place in the 1950’s in small town Bigelow, Arkansas. It is centred around two women who cross paths during a difficult time in their lives and how they build a beautiful friendship. Pearl is a middle aged church going woman who’s teenage daughter was brutally murdered 15 years ago and is still grieving from her loss. Sugar is a carefree and unapologetic prostitute who has moved next door to Pearl. Pearl is drawn to Sugar, partly due to her strong resemblance to her daughter.

Raw and touching! This is a story of love, hate, loss, suffering, forgiveness and everything in between. Although, I felt this book started off quite slow for me it eventually picked up halfway through, where the story began to unfold and I couldn’t put it down!

This was an emotional and thought provoking story. It makes you think about how we judge people without even knowing them. The Christian women of Bigelow did not take a liking to Sugar who they referred to as a ‘Whore’. They felt that Sugar’s presence was not good for their town, for them or for their husbands.

I enjoyed reading about Sugar’s life, as painful as it was. I would have liked to know a little more and dived deeper into her experiences growing up. The friendship between Pearl and Sugar was lovely to read! Two completely different women built such a beautiful bond, regardless of the naysayers.

The plot had many twists and turns which were engaging. The ending was shocking! I am looking forward to the sequel to find out whether Pearl finds out who Sugar really is and if Sugar shares the information about Pearl’s daughters death.

Overall, this was a good story!

I can’t wait to read ‘This bitter earth’ which is out in the UK next month!

giftofgabrielle's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

whatnataliereadss's review against another edition

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2.0

DNF @ 53% started off very dark but tailed off for me around the middle mark unfortunately

janel1994's review against another edition

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4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It opens with a horrible murder of a young black girl named Jude and picks up with her mother 15 years later in a small southern town. A new gal has arrived in the small town named Sugar who is a prostitute wanting to start over. Pearl befriends her and their unlikely friendship is the core story of the book.

The book is beautifully written. I can't wait to read the sequel.

cikureads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

narasbookbunker's review against another edition

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5.0

I was in a terrible slump which made me take so long to finish this but I am so utterly grateful that I took time to read this amazing fictional novel. I’m speechless and i’ve never read anything like this especially because it’s my first classic. this is amazing

theefinalhottie's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed the story of two completely different women becoming friends and learning from one another and actually having growth in their own journey’s. Even though the main character, Sugar, was not like by the town people based on her way of making income her next door neighbor accepted her for who she was and never judge. I mean these women had completely different upbringings and lives and yet they managed to be real and raw with each other as their friendship grew. As the reader secrets were revealed and shocking moments but it made sense when you think about in the end.

I really would’ve love for Joe to find out the connection to Sugar earlier but maybe that’s for the second book.

I’m so glad she didn’t run away with Seth!

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