Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Sugar

Wow this book is heavy! Set in the South of America in the 1950s, this is a character driven books that really has you empathising. (Trigger warning) it covers themes of abuse, race, prostitution.

It’s based around the unlikely friendship of two women but delves into their backstories and the hardships they’ve been through.

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jordynkw's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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my_a's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Beautiful writing and touching characters. The story and writing has not aged a day. I was shock when i saw its 23 years old! Some chapters were heartbreaking and uncomfortable to read.

But I did often find it hard to follow the quick changes in timelines as they were very sudden and unclear.

I had no expectations when i started reading but wow I loved this book, really beautiful writing. I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd Suga Lacey book.

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shansometimes's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

SUGAR is a novel about what happens when a 20-something sex worker with a rough past decides to move to a small, conservative Arkansas town to start over. I absolutely loved it, as it included so many elements that I'm always drawn to—a historical timeframe, female friendship, tension through controversy, commentary on Christianity, small-town life, and Black southern characters.

I was on edge throughout most of the book because the author kept revealing small, worrisome details and I couldn't imagine how these things were going to come to a head. I enjoyed following along as Sugar, the primary main character, struggled with her identity and formed an unlikely friendship with Pearl, her buttoned-up, church-going neighbor. Their friendship created a strong theme of redemption and healing for both women and forced the small-town minds around them to confront their judgments, sexism, and secrets. Watching Pearl and Sugar's friendship unfold among the twists and turns in this novel and imagining all of this happening in the 1950s was my kind of wild ride.

This book also reminded me of SULA, my favorite novel by Toni Morrison, in some small ways. If you liked SULA, I think there's a good chance you'll enjoy SUGAR as much as I did. Five stars!

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