A review by fantasticallyfabled
Lips Like Sugar by Jess K. Hardy

emotional funny medium-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

4.5

Jess K. Hardy has done something miraculous. She made me love Cole Sanderson more than I already loved Matthew Madigan. I was sure it couldn't be done, but alas, here we are.

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I want to live in Red Falls. It has small-town energy, beautiful scenery, a delicious bakery, a fantastic bar named Jimmy O'Callaghan's Irish Public House (with a jukebox), and insanely hot 50-some-odd-year-old rockstars. What's not to love? 

 

Cole Sanderson is the epitome of the 'golden retriever' MMC, and I'm pretty sure my heart grew three sizes while reading this book. "Fucking drummers." There is something incredibly sexy about an openly emotional middle-aged man who is in touch with his feelings. Then you find out he is wrapped around his infant granddaughter's little finger, communicates like his life depends on it, and can plan THE MOST EPIC first date in the history of first dates—and he likes ponies. "Fake date, real feels." SWOON.

 

Mira Harlow is a strong, independent woman. She successfully runs her family's bakery business while taking care of her queer teenage son and aging mother, who was recently diagnosed with early-stage dementia. Like many women I know, Mira always cares for others before she even thinks about herself. 

 

This series is made for us 90s alternative kids who swore we'd never grow up but had to. People who have piercings and tattoos, along with baggage and therapy bills. Those of us who feel young at heart but need freaking Tiger Balm for every joint in their old ass body. Reading about people with real-life problems, like menopause, aging parents, destructive coping mechanisms, and even addiction, is hard. But it's also strangely comforting. I don't know anyone in their 40s or 50s who hasn't dealt with at least one of these issues or isn't currently struggling with them.

 

Even though Lips Like Sugar can be read as a standalone novel, I decided to read Come As You Are first so I had more insight into the story. I'm glad I did because not only is Ashley and Madigan's story superb, but their wedding is the main plot point of this book. And because of that, I have the image of a gorgeous 53-year-old drummer with silver-blonde hair, sporting a tailored tuxedo and black-rimmed reading glasses, trying desperately to hold it together while delivering an epic toast at his best friend's wedding seared into my brain. Cole and Mira's story resonated with me and will stick with me for a long time. I highly recommend both books to anyone, especially those with a secret heart song that nobody would understand.