Ordinary, typical, conformed, are words never used to describe me. I’ve never been one to play by the rules. It’s my world, my life and I do things my way.I see the way they stare at my body covered in tattoos and my lavender hair, I just don’t give a damn. There is only one thing in this world that can get me fired up, that’s screwing with my daughter. As a single mom, it’s my job to protect … job to protect her, fight for her. She is and will always be my top priority.
So, when I get a call that she’s in trouble at school, with a boy- no less, my claws are out and ready to strike. And the boy’s father, some high society stockbroker, isn’t about to deter me. I don’t care how sexy, smart and rugged he is.
Opposites may attract, and I’ve been down that road before, it’s one I never plan to travel again. A man like that would never be interested in a woman like me. That I know for certain, after all I’m a realist.
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Once again, this wonderful author, Evan Grace, has managed to captivate me with her words within her story! I loved this read so much and I truly enjoyed every moment I spent reading about Mona and Joaquin’s story and journey to their happily ever after, which includes their adorable kids, which were actually the ones who initially made these two meet <3
The ending was amazing as well <3 🙂 and I can't wait for the next story written by this incredible author! 🙂
This was a fantastic story from Evan. I absolutely loved this freaking story from page 1 to the end it had me turning pages to see what was happening next. What starts out as friends with benefits becomes even more than the 2 MC expected it was a inferno catching on fire.
I’d definitely recommend one clicking this lil jewel it was soo good.
This is just my opinion and my review
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. Mona and Joaquin are unlike and characters that I have read. Both are single parents with kids that attended the same kiddie college. I love how Joaquin can be an alpha but still be unsure of himself and make mistakes. I love how much of a free spirit Mona is. Evan Grace knocked this book out of the park.
First off the cover of the book is perfect and it fits the story so well. Mona is very unconventional but she is a sweet person and her daughter Iris is just as sweet but when Iris and her best friend Max get caught kissing in school the principal doesn’t think so. When the parents Mona and Joaquin get called into school, temperatures are rising but it’s not the principle it’s the parents. Mona and Joaquin attraction is instantaneous but the both have been really hurt by their ex relationships so they try for friends with benefits, without the children getting hurt but that’s impossible. This story dealt with all the relationship up and downs that single parents struggle with everyday told in a thoughtful way and I can’t wait to read what the author has in store for us in the next book.
This is my first book by Evan Grace and if you are after a book with sugar, spice and everything nice then Realism is a must read. However, don’t let the nice part fool you because believe me there is enough naughty to keep you captivated from start to finish. A single parent romance that will wrap its way around your heart. A story of love, commitment, strength and fighting for the ones that you love. These characters make it easy to love them, even though at times they will frustrate you. A love story that is all about the light and the dark, the soft and the hard and holding on to what is ultimately nothing short of real love.
I loved this story. Mona and Joaquin were seemingly polar opposites, but realized they had a strong connection through their love for their children and struggles as single parents. Their chemistry was on fire throughout the entire book. I fell in love with them, as well as Iris and Max, and Mona’s siblings. The characters were well developed. This being the first in the series, we get to know to know everyone just enough to understand their personalities, but not enough to give away future story lines. This story kept my attention, and while there wasn’t any suspense or high drama, I never found myself bored. I didn’t want to put it down and never got to a point where I wanted to take a break. I cannot wait for the next in the series.
I absolutely loved this book. Perfect opposites attract love story. Mona and Joaquin are both single parents where their previous relationship left them not wanting another relationship but only focus on their kids.
They meet after being called to the principal’s office. Iris (Mona’s daughter) and Max (Joaquin’s son) were caught kissing. Their kids are best friends and they know they will be around each other but both don’t want a relationship.
Fate has other plans and this story develops so sweet and lovely. I love how Mona and Joaquin build a friendship first that puts their kids above anything else. Iris and Max have a friendship that will also last forever.
I can’t wait for the next book.
4 STARS
What’s not to love when it comes to SUGAR & SPICE? Evan Grace’s newest release is anything but ordinary. It’s as sweet as pie, with a tad bit of heat for the spice. I loved the whole aspect that Grace used when it came to both the main characters being single parents. I loved how Mona and Joaquin were complete opposites, and I mean complete opposites. Sugar & Spice was a sweet light read, that had realistic expectations. These characters, including their children really grabbed my attention from the start. I also enjoyed the side characters, and am hoping for their stories in the future. It was a pleasant surprise to see a woman who was more of a dominant character, than the lead male. It made the story unique and different than the average romance. Overall, this story was well written, with a great story line.
Mona. Gotta be honest she kind of scares me. Haha. She is most definitely not your average heroine. She has a strong personality, that shines through her purple hair and beautiful tattoos. She is a very expressive person who enjoys the freedoms of creating beauty in different things such as paintings, even tattoos. She is an amazing sibling and an even better mother.
Joaquin is a definite alpha. He kinda comes off as a stuck up *****. He is this no nonsense broker, who doesn’t have time for pettiness. He is bossy, but educated. He’s not this egotistical person who shows off his money, and or family either. He is a single father, and a dang good one at that. His son is his heart.
When Mona’s daughter Iris and Joaquin’s son Max get into trouble together at the kiddie college, the stars align. But is the outside forces too much for Mona and Joaquin to handle?
*I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
*REVIEWED FOR REVIEWS FROM THE HEART
“Realism” the first in the Sugar and Spice Ink series by Evan Grace.
Mona a single mom to her young daughter Iris, runs a tattoo studio in Atlanta with her three sisters. She is not your typical mom, she is covered in tattoos with long, lilac colored hair. But Mona is strong, resilient, and smart. Joaquin a partner at a investment firm, is a single dad to Max his young son. When Iris and Max best friends, get caught kissing at school, Mona and Joaquin lives will never be the same.
This book is a fun read with characters and life stories that are very relatable. The children are a delightful part of this story. The author tells a juicy story of opposites attract, with a side of realism. Evan has a wonderful writers way to tell a story. This isn’t my first book by this author and it won’t be my last!
Oh. My. Days! I loved this so much! My heart was melted by Iris and Max and their cute, beautiful friendship and then the parents meet!!
Mona and Joaquin!! Fire!! But there is so much to more to this story! Love Mona and the relationship she has with her siblings, they are a strong family unit and the love and support shines through.
The connection between Mona and Joaquin is hot and I just loved them together. This got me right in the feels!
I’ve never heard of Evan Grace and was asked to preview this book for a book box to see if it’s something we readers would like. Yes, yes it is very much something I would like to see in a box subscription! I loved getting to know Mona and Joaquin and their kids so much I could barely put this book down. I’m so glad I chose to read this book, and recommend it to others. Single parents, from different walks of life and a heat between them that is off the charts. The kids are so fun to read as well. Such a great book I can’t wait to read more by Evan, and more in this series!
I love the single parent trope and this gives both a single mom and a single dad. I love that Mona wasn’t really struggling without her child’s father in the picture. She lived in a nice neighborhood and had a successful business with her sisters. I didn’t like how Joaquin immediately dismissed her because of the hair and tats but later said a random “busty waitress” was more his type. That was a little cliche for me. The stroy is good and that epilogue was so sweet. Definitely recommend
Joaquin is a single dad who doesn’t want or need a relationship with a woman, he was burned by his sons mother and it left a nasty taste in his mouth. When he is called to his sons school he meets Mona, his sons cohort’s mom. Mona is stunning and Joaquin wants her but with his son proclaiming her daughter as his best friend, he can’t let it get complicated.
A few more meetings with their children in tow, Joaquin decides he needs to act on his attraction to Mona and they agree to a no strings attached affair. Neither expect the chemistry to be off the charts and that their feelings will get involved, what happens when their no strings attached becomes something more?
Loved this, had a few surprises in the story that really added to the story. I really liked Mona, she is great and I think that a lot of the mom interactions were spot on with her daughter. Excellent.
Well I really loved this happily ever after ending.
This novel takes you through ups and downs of being a single parent. With the ex coming back and wondering if you are being enough.
Mona and her daughter Iris aren’t expecting the Joaquin and his adorable son Max to rock there world but that’s what they do.
Max and Iris are like brother and sister from the first best friend words.
Joaquin is drawn to the gorgeous tattoo artist but holds himself back at first.
I really loved the storyline. The first of the novel is a little hard to get into but then it steam rolls your emotions.
I absolutely loved reading this book. Mona and Joaquin, both are single parents. The duo meets due to an incident at the kids school. They are both drawn to each other either though they are complete opposites.
They have been hurt by past relationships and when their kids other parent comes back into the picture drama ensues.
I loved the secondary characters and I can’t wait to read their stories.
Great romance of two single parents whose children are best friends. Two people from completely different backgrounds but fall in love and make it work, Mona and her daughter Iris along with Joaquin and his son Max. Mona a tattoo artist who owns a studio with her 3 sisters and loves what she does. Mona has a brother Miles, a writer, who has stepped up to help Mona with Iris. Joaquin is a successful stockbroker. Mona & Joaquin have a son, Daniel and a daughter Celia.
This book is so romantic, steamy and sexy but yet family oriented. This book is sugar and spice and chemistry that is so hot it could burn. It is fast paced and keeps you waiting for more. I love Evan Grace’s books, I have never been disappointed.
I love the name of this tattoo parlor “Sugar and Spice, Ink”, such a cute play on words.
This book has fantastic characters with lots of personalities (and the grown-ups are cute too hehe). The female protagonist is a bad a$$ single mother who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and stand strong with her sisters and brother in making her life to be what she wants it to be. I admired the tenacity in which she lives her life. She is vibrant in personality and hair color. He is an alpha guy who is doing a great job as a single parent.
Both main characters are multi-dimensional and understand each other’s situation so they can empathize with each other instead of being at odds over certain things.
The writing is extremely detailed and at times I found myself skimming a bit to get to the guts of the story. It was an enjoyable read and was a great set up for the future installments in this series.
I have always enjoyed the way this author writes and I was not disappointed by this latest book. I recommend the books and the author.
Do you love single mom romance books? Do you love single dad romance books? If you answered yes to either of those, you are in for a treat with this one! This book has both and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. I loved each and every page and I want more in the worst way!
Mona is a strong woman who has not had the best of luck in the men department. Her daughter’s father fled as soon as she got pregnant and she has raised her on her own since. Luckily she has a wonderful family who is more than willing to help out anytime she needs them. When she gets called to her daughter’s school to address an issue, the last thing she expects is the sexy Joaquin. The more she sees him, the more she wants him, even though she knows it could lead to heartbreak. In the end, will she let go of her past and give into what Joaquin is offering?
Joaquin has been raising his son on his own since his ex-wife decided that she has better things to do with her time. While he is not lacking for female company, he is wondering if there is more out there than what he has been experiencing. When he meets the mom of his son’s best friend, he can’t help but be taken back by her beauty. She does not look like the type of woman he usually goes for, but he can’t help but be drawn to her. Will he give into his desires and claim Mona as his own?
Mona and Joaquin were so perfect for each other. I loved how they interacted with each other’s kids and I loved watching their relationship bloom. Mona was such a strong woman who had her heart broken by a man long before she met Joaquin. While she was hesitant to give into her feelings for him, she also knew that if she didn’t pursue whatever was going on between them, she would regret it. I loved the dynamics of the families and friends. I loved how no matter what, they were always there to support each other. Oh, and lets not forget Iris and Max! I absolutely loved those two and my heart melted each time they were together.
Without a doubt, Evan Grace is one of my favorite authors and one that I automatically 1-click whenever she releases something new. There is no doubt that she has a brilliant mind and I love getting lost in the stories she creates. I can’t recommend this story enough, I promise you will not be disappointed. I can’t wait to read Sierra and Nick’s story and continue to fall for this family even more!
What a fun story for the first story in this new series. Mona and her 3 sisters owns a tattoo shop and they have 1 brother who is a well known writer. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the 3 sister and hopefully the brother.
Mona is a purple hair, tattoo covered single mom who loves her daughter and would do anything for her. She is teaching her daughter to be a strong and independent woman which I think is great. When she has to go to school because her daughter got in trouble, she meets Joaquin, the single father of the boy that is also in trouble along with her daughter. Come to find out that Mona’s daughter kissed Joaquin son at school! What an interesting way for these 2 individuals to meet. Come to find out that their kids are best friends and that’s how they get to know each other.
Joaquin is a hot business man so you know that Mona is not his usual type but he seems attract to her. They are great support for each other being single parents having to deal with stupid exes. This is a fun story about 2 people who are opposites but are attracted to each other. However, Mona feels like she does not fit into Joaquin’s world since it’s the same type of world as her ex and that was a disaster. Joaquin however see’s pasts the outside appearances and really likes Mona for who she is. They both just have to figure out how they can be with each other and not lose the person that they are. It’s so great that the kids are best friends too which makes things much easier. Mona’s siblings are great side characters so that we start to get to know them and I can’t wait for their stories! Great start to a new series!
Mona is independent and a mama bear when it comes to her daughter. Joaquin is bossy and a very involved single dad. These two are thrown together because of 2 adorable 6-year-olds. When sparks turn into emotions, these two must push past their insecurities and hesitations if they want to live happily ever after.
I loved the beginning of this new series by Evan Grace and can’t wait for the next book!