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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
This was an okay read. Pretty fast pace, but I guess because it was such a short story. I’m not completely in love with the characters, but maybe reading the other stories of the series will show their development.
Just can't gel with writer's style. Nothing malicious but just not giving with it.
4.5 stars!
How have I managed to not read any Rebekah Weatherspoon before this year?!? Never mind, I'm making up for lost time - while missing Rafe and Xeni as I continued to read, I decided that I needed to give this book a try. Everyone I follow has had such good opinions of it, but I wasn't sure because of the whole sugar baby deal, but damn if I wasn't wrong. I loved every bit of this novella - we have a strong AF heroine and an alpha with a mushy center hero who actually TALK. Did I predict the drama? Yup. Do I care that I did? No. Because of the way it was addressed, I thought that it actually enhanced the story, despite pissing me off that it happened. (Toxic people are toxic. Unfortunately.) And yes, I totally bought the next book!
How have I managed to not read any Rebekah Weatherspoon before this year?!? Never mind, I'm making up for lost time - while missing Rafe and Xeni as I continued to read, I decided that I needed to give this book a try. Everyone I follow has had such good opinions of it, but I wasn't sure because of the whole sugar baby deal, but damn if I wasn't wrong. I loved every bit of this novella - we have a strong AF heroine and an alpha with a mushy center hero who actually TALK. Did I predict the drama? Yup. Do I care that I did? No. Because of the way it was addressed, I thought that it actually enhanced the story, despite pissing me off that it happened. (Toxic people are toxic. Unfortunately.) And yes, I totally bought the next book!
fast-paced
This is a 3.5, but I rounded down due personal preference more than anything else. This was a quick, breezy read and I would recommend it, but with a few caveats.
I think the main problem I have with this work is inherent in the novella form. Characterization seems quite rushed, and plot twists that should have been foreshadowed a bit better just HAPPEN. Basically the action/conflict of the end of the story (which this is a character intro to a new series, I think?) was only VAGUELY, not-really hinted at without a lot of assumption on the part of the reader. Again, this is likely a function of word-count limitations, but it does the rest of the narrative a disservice.
Still, I like the challenging nature of the setup of this. I like that Kayla is confronting and dealing with the somewhat rigged game of the idea of a woman being a "golddigger". Challenging herself and her own assumptions about it especially as she's stated as being "fine" with sex work as it applies to others. But in applying the situation of herself, she has to do some digging and challenging of the whole "well, not ME" prejudices. That's a big thing for a character to challenge themselves on.
I also do like what we see of Michael. And I think, my main issue is that there just isn't enough time to REALLY know Kayla and Michael as whole people from this. Michael is pretty awesome (CONSENT!! SO MUCH CLEAR COMMUNICATION!!!), but we and there for Kayla (barring time-jump) don't really get to know him that well? Just what he does. And SPOILER ALERT/PSA: Michael experiences unwanted sexual contact in this (if off-page) and I was so happy with the way it was handled.
Basically, there was a lot of good here and I do recommend this as a novella, but be aware it's not perfect!
I think the main problem I have with this work is inherent in the novella form. Characterization seems quite rushed, and plot twists that should have been foreshadowed a bit better just HAPPEN. Basically the action/conflict of the end of the story (which this is a character intro to a new series, I think?) was only VAGUELY, not-really hinted at without a lot of assumption on the part of the reader. Again, this is likely a function of word-count limitations, but it does the rest of the narrative a disservice.
Still, I like the challenging nature of the setup of this. I like that Kayla is confronting and dealing with the somewhat rigged game of the idea of a woman being a "golddigger". Challenging herself and her own assumptions about it especially as she's stated as being "fine" with sex work as it applies to others. But in applying the situation of herself, she has to do some digging and challenging of the whole "well, not ME" prejudices. That's a big thing for a character to challenge themselves on.
I also do like what we see of Michael. And I think, my main issue is that there just isn't enough time to REALLY know Kayla and Michael as whole people from this. Michael is pretty awesome (CONSENT!! SO MUCH CLEAR COMMUNICATION!!!), but we and there for Kayla (barring time-jump) don't really get to know him that well? Just what he does. And SPOILER ALERT/PSA: Michael experiences unwanted sexual contact in this (if off-page) and I was so happy with the way it was handled.
Basically, there was a lot of good here and I do recommend this as a novella, but be aware it's not perfect!
Book Review
Title: So Sweet (Sugar Baby, #1)
Author: Rebekah Weatherspoon
Genre: Erotic/Romance
Rating: *****
Review: The Sugar Baby series caught my eye on NetGalley a while ago but then I fell out of reading erotic fiction but the Beauty series by Skye Warren has got me back into it. We are introduced to the roommates Kayla and Adler who are both down on their luck right now, with rent due Adler decides to sign up to a site called Arrangements which allows young girls to meet rich, older, sugar daddies and she has used it in the past to pay off her student loans. She manages to convince Kayla to sign up and attend a mixer that weekend, but she is anxious about the sexual side of the relationship. At the mixer, Adler is in her element but this isn’t Kayla’s scene but they drove together so she has to stick around, and there she meets Michael Bradbury, the owner of Arrangements, the pair talk and Michael gives Kayla his phone number and asks her to text if she is interested and I know she definitely will since Michael is charming, handsome and loaded to boot. I really like the fact Kayla is a POC, since the girls in these novels tend to be your standard white, blonde, big busted barbie doll. Kayla is the opposite as she is plus sized and a person of colour so I am really interested to follow this relationship.
The relationship between Michael and Kayla takes off quickly as he invites her on his business trip to New York for three days and she agrees. I have to say I love Michael’s assistant Ruben, he is the most sassy, precious bean I have ever encountered and he pulls out some real laughs. While nothing except a few kisses happen on the trip it gives Michael and Kayla a chance to really get to know one another and when they return home he invites her to his place and she agrees as she is very attracted to him. Despite their arrangement both have said they are looking for something more than a sort term arrangement, Michael even says he wants to settle down as he is almost fifty, which was very nice to see. The first time between this pair was amazing as Michael is aware of Kayla’s needs and makes sure she is absolutely satisfied before she passes out, honestly, Michael is the man every woman is looking for. I also really liked that Kayla didn’t keep Adler in the dark and is always updated her on where she is going, so that if anything went wrong, someone knows where she is and who she is with.
Michael and Kayla’s arrangement is going well and the more time she spends with him the most she likes him, the dynamic of this relationship was interesting as Michael and Kayla are pretty alike, in the fact that they both like to work even though at present neither of them needs to. Their relationship also isn’t based around Michael’s wealth even though that is an added bonus, they genuinely seem to care for one another and I have a feeling that very soon this will cease being an arrangement and turn into something more especially with Michael’s fiftieth birthday coming up. It is also an added bonus that Kayla and Michael’s friends seem to like each other even though they run in different circle, Kayla even told her mother and sister about her new boyfriend although she omitted the details about how they meet and who Michael really is.
Michael’s birthday rolls around and the couple have a nice weekend to themselves before his big birthday party where Kayla gets to meet his brother and sister, but his parents are absent because his mother wasn’t feeling well but they have brunch the next day. Michael’s family likes Kayla but she is worried about introducing him to her parents and sisters. However, something happens at the party, Adler comes onto Michael pretty strongly and he tells Kayla the next morning that Adler isn’t welcomes around him anymore and while Kayla is upset because Adler has been her best friend for years but she agrees with Michael. Adler was under the impression Michael and Kayla were using each other and missed the obvious fact they are in a relationship, all notions of their arrangement are gone, so she isn’t welcome in their lives anymore. Michael meeting Kayla’s parents on video chat was amazingly funny and left the book on quite a high note despite the recent drama and I can’t wait to see where Michael and Kayla go next.
Title: So Sweet (Sugar Baby, #1)
Author: Rebekah Weatherspoon
Genre: Erotic/Romance
Rating: *****
Review: The Sugar Baby series caught my eye on NetGalley a while ago but then I fell out of reading erotic fiction but the Beauty series by Skye Warren has got me back into it. We are introduced to the roommates Kayla and Adler who are both down on their luck right now, with rent due Adler decides to sign up to a site called Arrangements which allows young girls to meet rich, older, sugar daddies and she has used it in the past to pay off her student loans. She manages to convince Kayla to sign up and attend a mixer that weekend, but she is anxious about the sexual side of the relationship. At the mixer, Adler is in her element but this isn’t Kayla’s scene but they drove together so she has to stick around, and there she meets Michael Bradbury, the owner of Arrangements, the pair talk and Michael gives Kayla his phone number and asks her to text if she is interested and I know she definitely will since Michael is charming, handsome and loaded to boot. I really like the fact Kayla is a POC, since the girls in these novels tend to be your standard white, blonde, big busted barbie doll. Kayla is the opposite as she is plus sized and a person of colour so I am really interested to follow this relationship.
The relationship between Michael and Kayla takes off quickly as he invites her on his business trip to New York for three days and she agrees. I have to say I love Michael’s assistant Ruben, he is the most sassy, precious bean I have ever encountered and he pulls out some real laughs. While nothing except a few kisses happen on the trip it gives Michael and Kayla a chance to really get to know one another and when they return home he invites her to his place and she agrees as she is very attracted to him. Despite their arrangement both have said they are looking for something more than a sort term arrangement, Michael even says he wants to settle down as he is almost fifty, which was very nice to see. The first time between this pair was amazing as Michael is aware of Kayla’s needs and makes sure she is absolutely satisfied before she passes out, honestly, Michael is the man every woman is looking for. I also really liked that Kayla didn’t keep Adler in the dark and is always updated her on where she is going, so that if anything went wrong, someone knows where she is and who she is with.
Michael and Kayla’s arrangement is going well and the more time she spends with him the most she likes him, the dynamic of this relationship was interesting as Michael and Kayla are pretty alike, in the fact that they both like to work even though at present neither of them needs to. Their relationship also isn’t based around Michael’s wealth even though that is an added bonus, they genuinely seem to care for one another and I have a feeling that very soon this will cease being an arrangement and turn into something more especially with Michael’s fiftieth birthday coming up. It is also an added bonus that Kayla and Michael’s friends seem to like each other even though they run in different circle, Kayla even told her mother and sister about her new boyfriend although she omitted the details about how they meet and who Michael really is.
Michael’s birthday rolls around and the couple have a nice weekend to themselves before his big birthday party where Kayla gets to meet his brother and sister, but his parents are absent because his mother wasn’t feeling well but they have brunch the next day. Michael’s family likes Kayla but she is worried about introducing him to her parents and sisters. However, something happens at the party, Adler comes onto Michael pretty strongly and he tells Kayla the next morning that Adler isn’t welcomes around him anymore and while Kayla is upset because Adler has been her best friend for years but she agrees with Michael. Adler was under the impression Michael and Kayla were using each other and missed the obvious fact they are in a relationship, all notions of their arrangement are gone, so she isn’t welcome in their lives anymore. Michael meeting Kayla’s parents on video chat was amazingly funny and left the book on quite a high note despite the recent drama and I can’t wait to see where Michael and Kayla go next.
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The main meet cute device is kinda questionable, as in it made me question my own beliefs on the (sex) matter. That said, it's pretty hot, the guy is seriously sweet, the heroine has a mouth of her own, and it's overall enjoyable.
I want some more by this writer, I like her sparkling style
I want some more by this writer, I like her sparkling style
this is not my usual thing AT ALL but I've heard good things about the author and it was free, and it was actually pretty good? like I don't know if I will ever be 100% ok with huge age gaps, but it handled everything well.
2.5 stars, this was enjoyable but so unrealistic - him being rich af and I didn't really understand how he had so much social capital when his job was creating a dating app... I do like the sugar daddy element and the relationship was really sweet but something about him being 50 ish and the sex scenes had me cringing at times. I will probably read the other two stories as they are really short and a nice break from uni reading !!