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jolou's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVE the King family - this series is pure delight and I especially enjoyed Tanner and Lucy's second chance at love story! This book had me laughing and crying as the characters work through their vulnerabilities in the most relatable and caring of ways.
Perfect for anyone who loves:
-bookish characters with the most amazing Pride & Prejudice references!
-swoony leads who aren't afraid to help their partners with the messier parts of life
-workplace romances
-slow burn, second chance romances
-lots of family baggage and supportive siblings
-steamy open door scenes
Much thanks to NetGalley and the author for my advance review copy. I devoured this in one day and can't wait for the next story featuring Ryan!
Favorite quote:
"Because I'm pretty sure you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, only apparently I was too broken to realize it until I'd lost you."
⚠️CW: emotionally toxic/abusive parents
Perfect for anyone who loves:
-bookish characters with the most amazing Pride & Prejudice references!
-swoony leads who aren't afraid to help their partners with the messier parts of life
-workplace romances
-slow burn, second chance romances
-lots of family baggage and supportive siblings
-steamy open door scenes
Much thanks to NetGalley and the author for my advance review copy. I devoured this in one day and can't wait for the next story featuring Ryan!
Favorite quote:
"Because I'm pretty sure you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, only apparently I was too broken to realize it until I'd lost you."
⚠️CW: emotionally toxic/abusive parents
dragonstar1974's review against another edition
4.0
Terrificly written, well-paced second chance tale with mounds of angst, scintillating sexy sweet poetry laced love scenes (Oh my heart!), and a cute kitty to cuddle!
While this story wasn't my first flavor of choice, in the end you can't help but cheer for Tanner and Lucy. If only one could lock them in a walk-in freezer to snuggle and talk! Hearts and minds would melt together so much faster and sweeter. Also be warned the level of toxicity and manipulation from both sets of the parents in this book was a lot despite the author's warning. It was hard to read even knowing it would be a major theme. But something tells me there's a secret recipe brewing Mr. King's actions that we just don't know yet.
I can't wait to see what Ms. Nix has planned for the rest of this series!
Thanks to the author for the early sneak peek of this story!
While this story wasn't my first flavor of choice, in the end you can't help but cheer for Tanner and Lucy. If only one could lock them in a walk-in freezer to snuggle and talk! Hearts and minds would melt together so much faster and sweeter. Also be warned the level of toxicity and manipulation from both sets of the parents in this book was a lot despite the author's warning. It was hard to read even knowing it would be a major theme. But something tells me there's a secret recipe brewing Mr. King's actions that we just don't know yet.
I can't wait to see what Ms. Nix has planned for the rest of this series!
Thanks to the author for the early sneak peek of this story!
jen286's review against another edition
4.0
Tanner and Lucy are everything! I loved them both so so much! Lucy is so kind and sweet and caring and just wonderful. And Tanner is just as amazing. I loved the both of them and wanted them to work things out and live happily ever after right from the start. You can see they both still care, but it is also tough.
Tanner and Lucy dated briefly in the past until they broke up. Tanner still cares about her so much, but is trying to be respectful of her choice. It is not her fault she didn't care about him like he cares about her. Oh, I adored Tanner. He is one of the most wonderful human beings. The kindness and how caring he is, how he supports Lucy even when he is hurting, was wonderful to read. I loved how he doesn't resent her, he is hurt yes, but he is still such a great person. He doesn't lash out, he doesn't wish her harm, he would be there for her no matter what. Because he is just a truly wonderful person.
And Lucy? Oh, I loved her as well. She is wonderful. Yes, she has some things to figure out, some things to realize before she can be in a relationship, but it is no wonder. I felt for her I really did, but I wanted all the best things for her as well. She deserves to be happy.
The two of them together gave me all the feels! I loved the pacing of this book, though some things that happened towards the end I would have loved to see a bit sooner so I could see more of what happened after, but gah! It was such a great read. And that epilogue? My heart! Tanner and Lucy forever! And now I can't wait to read the next book in the series!!
Tanner and Lucy dated briefly in the past until they broke up. Tanner still cares about her so much, but is trying to be respectful of her choice. It is not her fault she didn't care about him like he cares about her. Oh, I adored Tanner. He is one of the most wonderful human beings. The kindness and how caring he is, how he supports Lucy even when he is hurting, was wonderful to read. I loved how he doesn't resent her, he is hurt yes, but he is still such a great person. He doesn't lash out, he doesn't wish her harm, he would be there for her no matter what. Because he is just a truly wonderful person.
And Lucy? Oh, I loved her as well. She is wonderful. Yes, she has some things to figure out, some things to realize before she can be in a relationship, but it is no wonder. I felt for her I really did, but I wanted all the best things for her as well. She deserves to be happy.
The two of them together gave me all the feels! I loved the pacing of this book, though some things that happened towards the end I would have loved to see a bit sooner so I could see more of what happened after, but gah! It was such a great read. And that epilogue? My heart! Tanner and Lucy forever! And now I can't wait to read the next book in the series!!
jennifermarie119's review against another edition
4.0
Cream and Punishment was a second chance, workplace romance and I fell in love with Tanner and Lucy. These two get a second chance at love when they start working together but still have obstacles to overcome with all of their family drama. I love in the end that Lucy finally sticks up for herself with her family and put her needs first. Amanda Stribling and Chris Brinkley narrate this book and bring the swoon and emotions in this one. I loved both of their performances and have been enjoying this series.
bookishlychar's review against another edition
5.0
I am quickly becoming a King family fan (minus the dad of course)! This is the second book in the King Family series, but it is a companion novel, so not necessary to read the first. Personally, I think you should go check it out though, as it was an excellent book too.
This story follows Tanner and Lucy and is a steamy, slow-burn, second chance romance. Tanner is a pure cinnamon roll in this book and I absolutely adored him. His ability to simultaneously quote Pride and Prejudice while being strong and supportive was swoonworthy. I really liked that this wasn't a second chance romance in the sense that Tanner and Lucy were wrong for each other, just at the wrong time for each other. I loved watching Lucy fall in love with Tanner, while he was already there and just letting her figure it out. He was so supportive of Lucy, even as an ex.
While this is a cute and steamy romance, Cream and Punishment also deals with some serious topics surrounding toxic and narcissistic parents. It was respectfully dealt with and really captured the struggle being the child of these types of parents. I appreciated Nix's writing of this.
This was a great book and I have become a serious Susannah Nix fan in all that she writes. I recommend this book, and cannot wait to get Ryan's story in the next novel! Thank you to the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
This story follows Tanner and Lucy and is a steamy, slow-burn, second chance romance. Tanner is a pure cinnamon roll in this book and I absolutely adored him. His ability to simultaneously quote Pride and Prejudice while being strong and supportive was swoonworthy. I really liked that this wasn't a second chance romance in the sense that Tanner and Lucy were wrong for each other, just at the wrong time for each other. I loved watching Lucy fall in love with Tanner, while he was already there and just letting her figure it out. He was so supportive of Lucy, even as an ex.
While this is a cute and steamy romance, Cream and Punishment also deals with some serious topics surrounding toxic and narcissistic parents. It was respectfully dealt with and really captured the struggle being the child of these types of parents. I appreciated Nix's writing of this.
This was a great book and I have become a serious Susannah Nix fan in all that she writes. I recommend this book, and cannot wait to get Ryan's story in the next novel! Thank you to the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
mt_books_bravo's review against another edition
4.0
Guys I love this series. I wish I could read all of the king siblings books at once. Seriously I want all of them to find happiness and I want to read all of the books NOW!
The second book in the series had a much different vibe than the first one. But I was equally engaged and rooting for our main couple. We were previously introduced to Tanner and Lucy in the first book of the series so as a reader i was already engaged with their relationship. What’s special about this book is these are two mature adults making mature decisions but still dealing with insecurities. I’m really invested in this family and with each book we get to see more and more of the siblings personalities as well.
Susannah Nix is a lovely writer. She does an excellent job of engaging the reader. I would totally recommend this to everybody and I can’t wait to keep reading about the king siblings.
This is an honest review in exchange for a ARC.
The second book in the series had a much different vibe than the first one. But I was equally engaged and rooting for our main couple. We were previously introduced to Tanner and Lucy in the first book of the series so as a reader i was already engaged with their relationship. What’s special about this book is these are two mature adults making mature decisions but still dealing with insecurities. I’m really invested in this family and with each book we get to see more and more of the siblings personalities as well.
Susannah Nix is a lovely writer. She does an excellent job of engaging the reader. I would totally recommend this to everybody and I can’t wait to keep reading about the king siblings.
This is an honest review in exchange for a ARC.
megreads99's review against another edition
4.0
Cream and Punishment: ★ ★ ★ ★
Susannah Nix (King Family #2)
"I'm pretty sure you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, only apparently I was too broken to realize it until I'd lost you."
When Tanner King ends up working right across his ex Lucy Dillard, it's a little more than awkward and filled with tension–understandable, seeing as six months ago, Lucy couldn't have bolted out the door faster when Tanner confessed his love for her.
Admittedly, I was a little hesitant at the premise of this book because while I do love second chance romance, I have never read one where one partner actively broke up with the other one. I kind of went into this wanting to resent Lucy for dumping Tanner because he is so sweet and I absolutely love the hero-falls-first trope.
Like girl, you gave up what all of us peasants are actively looking for? Ma'am?!?!?! Even when he was supposed to hate her, he was thinking things like it was the cruelest part about all of this–I couldn't even properly dislike Lucy because we were so – perfect for each other oh and also I was still just as in love with her as ever AND HE QUOTED PRIDE & PREJUDICE. MISTER DARCY. I WILL NEVER GET OVER THIS FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE.
But as I kept reading, I genuinely appreciated the connection between the two of them as well as the tension and the banter. There was a lot of pining, of course, which we do love to see and I absolutely loved that this was dual POV, because we got to see both sides of the story and really get into their heads. There's also family drama (I really did not like Lucy's mom because I could relate to the partiality toward men unfortunately I deal with it all the time) that also adds more substance to the story.
Not to mention, this cover has to be one of the cutest ones I have seen in such a long time! I absolutely loved it and it was what grabbed my attention immediately so huge kudos to the author and the designer for pulling this together.
This story was sweet as ice cream and while this was my first Susannah Nix read, it will not be the last!
*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Susannah Nix (King Family #2)
"I'm pretty sure you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, only apparently I was too broken to realize it until I'd lost you."
When Tanner King ends up working right across his ex Lucy Dillard, it's a little more than awkward and filled with tension–understandable, seeing as six months ago, Lucy couldn't have bolted out the door faster when Tanner confessed his love for her.
Admittedly, I was a little hesitant at the premise of this book because while I do love second chance romance, I have never read one where one partner actively broke up with the other one. I kind of went into this wanting to resent Lucy for dumping Tanner because he is so sweet and I absolutely love the hero-falls-first trope.
Like girl, you gave up what all of us peasants are actively looking for? Ma'am?!?!?! Even when he was supposed to hate her, he was thinking things like it was the cruelest part about all of this–I couldn't even properly dislike Lucy because we were so – perfect for each other oh and also I was still just as in love with her as ever AND HE QUOTED PRIDE & PREJUDICE. MISTER DARCY. I WILL NEVER GET OVER THIS FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE.
But as I kept reading, I genuinely appreciated the connection between the two of them as well as the tension and the banter. There was a lot of pining, of course, which we do love to see and I absolutely loved that this was dual POV, because we got to see both sides of the story and really get into their heads. There's also family drama (I really did not like Lucy's mom because I could relate to the partiality toward men unfortunately I deal with it all the time) that also adds more substance to the story.
Not to mention, this cover has to be one of the cutest ones I have seen in such a long time! I absolutely loved it and it was what grabbed my attention immediately so huge kudos to the author and the designer for pulling this together.
This story was sweet as ice cream and while this was my first Susannah Nix read, it will not be the last!
*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0