True love requires commitment, and many times unending sacrifice. . . At the tender age of eighteen, Brandi Vargas watched the love of her life drive out of Emerson Pass, presumably for good. Though she and Trapper Barnes dreamed of attending college and starting their lives together, she was sure she would only get in the way of Trapper’s future as a hockey star. Breaking his heart, and her own … and her own in the process, was the only way to ensure he pursued his destiny. Her fate was the small town life she’d always known, her own bakery, and an endless stream of regret.
After a decade of playing hockey, a single injury ended Trapper Barnes’ career. And while the past he left behind always haunted him, he still returns to Emerson Pass to start the next chapter of his life in the place his ancestors built more than a century before. But when he discovers that the woman who owns the local bakery is the girl who once shattered his dreams, the painful secret she’s been harboring all these years threatens to turn Trapper’s idyllic small town future into a disaster. Will it take a forest fire threatening the mountain village to force Trapper and Brandi to confront their history? And in the wake of such a significant loss, will the process of rebuilding their beloved town help them find each other, and true happiness, once again?
Fast forward to the present day and enjoy this contemporary second chance romance set in the small town of Emerson Pass, featuring the descendants of the characters you loved from USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson’s The School Mistress.
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The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass is a story that’s as rich in heart and emotions as the Rocky Mountains are in breathtaking beauty. This story is heartwarming and heartbreaking but one I couldn’t get enough of…just like being in the mountains. Turning the pages was like walking a mountain trail and eagerly anticipating what would be around the next bend in the path. The beautiful setting of this series is in the fictional mountain town of Emerson Pass, Colorado. There’s a rich, family history here as the story jumps several generations from book one “The School Mistress of Emerson Pass” to the current generation. Ms. Thompson blends pieces of the past generation into the current with old journals and letters from the ancestors of Trapper and Brandi. I really loved the way this knit the story together from the generations before.
The rugged mountains are beautiful and solid just as Trapper and Brandi’s relationship seems to be when they are very young and in high school. Trapper’s life is Brandi and ice hockey. He loves them both. His believes their love is an epic, happily-ever-after love and nothing can fracture their true love. Brandi loves Trapper with all her heart and soul…but she has to keep a secret from him to prevent him giving up his future in hockey. So she lies to him about loving him. Both are heart broken but in such different ways. They spend ten long years wondering “what would it have been like” if things had turned out differently. Then fate, or destiny, takes a turn and Trapper returns to Emerson Pass.
Tess Thompson has a natural gift of writing stories that bring out the emotions from one extreme to the other through characters I immediately become attached to. Brandi and Trapper are meant to be together and their rocky journey kept me yearning for the love they have to break through the pain and secrets. This is a compassionate novel of two people who were meant to love each other in their forever fairy tale. Like life itself, there are issues that Ms. Thompson brings into the lives of the characters. She brings Brandi and Trapper through these in such a way that she had my heart going from breaking to soaring. From crying extremely emotional tears to joyous happy tears. It’s a story that, given a chance, true love can conquer all. “Every generation had lost and persevered……Those whose blood ran through our veins were here in the breeze that smelled of wildflowers and the rustle of the wild grasses that grew just beyond the fence. “Fight for love, they seemed to whisper.””
It was great meeting the new cast of characters in this book and I look forward to reading where Ms. Thompson takes their journeys as the series continues in both the past and present. I am in love with the characters, the setting of Emerson Pass and the unique way Ms. Thompson has of pulling me into the pages where time doesn’t exist. I want to thank Ms. Thompson for the honor and privilege of reading this love story that touched my heart. All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own.
Thank you to the Publisher and Author for the Arc. I read the book and am providing my own review of “The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass”.
This story is present day in Emerson Pass. The characters are the ancestors from the first book of Emerson Pass, “The School Mistress of Emerson Pass”.
This is a beautiful and emotional story of high school sweethearts Brandi and Trapper. They made plans to go to college together and then to marry. But things did not work out the way they planned.
Brandi sent Trapper on to college without her and it broke his heart. Brandi had her reasons but it was a secret that she will keep forever.
Trapper went on to become a hockey superstar and now with an injury he is retired and came back home to Emerson Pass.
Brandi stayed in Emerson Pass and she was forced to grow up quickly and she became a strong woman. She started a Bakery and put her whole heart into it.
Now that Trapper is home will the two reunite or will the secret keep them apart?
The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass is a poignant story about second chances and heartache. Since I love second chance stories, especially when they include an athlete, this story was exactly what I was looking for. The story takes place in Emerson Pass, a small town with a lot of entertaining characters.
This story is about Trapper and Brandi, who were once inseparable, highschool sweethearts, until Brandi broke up withTrapper. Now, ten years later, Trapper has returned to Emerson Pass after his professional hockey career has ended and there is still a strong attraction between them. Trapper and Brandi realize they must deal with their past, before they can move on.
I found it easy to like Trapper and Brandi. They are both good people and it is easy to understand why they made their decisions. They were both young and inexperienced but now, ten years later, they have a chance to be together again. I enjoyed taking this emotional journey with Trapper and Brandi. They have great dynamics and they deserve their HEA.
Tess Thompson describes her books as “Hometowns & Heartstrings”. I think I’ve read every one of them & that’s exactly what you get – always beautifully crafted with thoughtful prose & interesting characters. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this latest installment in her new series involving a fictional town in Colorado, Emerson Pass. The first book in the series is a historical (The School Mistress), which sets the stage for what’s to come. This second book, The Sugar Queen, takes place in modern times, featuring descendants of the original families. My understanding is that the series is going move back & forth between the two eras, a pretty cool concept tied together with letters from the past that are woven throughout the modern book. The Sugar Queen is a second-chance romance involving high school sweethearts Brandi & Trapper. Trapper left Emerson Pass broken-hearted without Brandi, but found fame & fortune as a professional hockey player. Brandi stayed behind & has rebuilt her life as a successful bakery owner, but her heart still belongs to Trapper. Will the secrets between them destroy their second chance when Trapper moves back home after a career ending injury? I think we all know they’ll find their happily ever after, but how they get there makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Tess Thompson has done it again. The second book in her series about Emerson Pass continues to weave family and unconditional love together.
Brandi Vargas and Trapper Barnes are high school sweethearts looking forward to a lifetime of love and happiness. One question changes everything. Ten years later Trapper returns to Emerson Pass. Will the wound of an old secret reunite Trapper and Brandi or forever keep them apart?
Wow! This Emerson Pass series is quickly becoming one of my absolute favorite.
The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass is a beautiful story full of emotion, amazing characters and a love story so real it is just meant to be.
I felt like I could not get enough of this story and I didnt want to put it down. One moment I was at 24% the next time I looked at my location I was at 72%. I highly recommend amazing story.
The second book in the Emerson Pass series has succeeded in pulling me in further and wanting to read more about these amazing characters! Author Tess Thompson has the ability to bring each character to life and make the reader feel each emotion within the story. After a successful career in hockey, Trapper Barnes returns to Emerson Pass after a knee injury. But is he ready to see the one woman, who shattered his heart, even though he still loves her? Brandi has a secret of her own that she will never tell anyone about. Seeing Trapper, the only man she will ever love, makes it hard to be in the same town with him and not be able to tell him the truth. After a devastating fire threatens Emerson Pass, things begin to change for Brandi and Trapper. With friends on their side, and one set of parents hoping they work it out, Trapper and Brandi may find their way to back each other through honesty and forgiveness. This is such a heartfelt novel that honestly shows us that “what doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger”. I am so excited about this new series and look forward to seeing what is next! Thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC. All words and opinions are solely my own.
What an enchanting story this turned out to be!! Everything about it captivated me! I do want to say one thing about the pace of the story and I’m only saying to you so that you will be aware of it and be in the right head space to fully appreciate the story when you pick this book up to read. There are times when this book might read slow moving, but that’s because Tess does an exceptional job of incorporating the history of what’s happened to her characters in the past. That’s all you really need to know on that for now, anymore and I would be giving you plot points and I don’t do that. So just know this story is far from superficial. You don’t just get told things; you get to experience them. And experience you will! Every possible emotion you can think of will be drawn out of you with this story. Actually, it isn’t just the story, it’s Tess. I’ve only read a few of her books but I can tell just from those that she’s an author who isn’t satisfied just giving you a quick story. OH NO, there is nothing quick about these!
The depth of emotion that was woven into the plot and in the characters was impressive. The tone of the book was hopeful, but the storyline was tragic. It was amazing to see two opposite characteristics work seamlessly throughout the story. There are a lot of secrets and betrayals and just plain hateful circumstances that are part of Brandi and Tanner’s journey but at its core there was always hope and that made me smile even when I was crying! Well done!!
Injured after playing hockey for 10 years, Trapper returns to his hometown… and his childhood sweetheart, Brandi. Why did they break up all those years ago, and will they have a second chance at love this time around?
The second in a new series that alternates between historical fiction and contemporary fiction, this story was again a much needed break from reality. As with the first, The School Mistress of Emerson Pass (5 stars), I was totally immersed in the story and couldn’t wait to find out more about the main characters and their friends. I loved that letters from the ancestors (aka the characters featured in the first installment) were included in this story as it allowed me to revisit them.
Overflowing with warmth, emotion, and a little bit of steam (my oh my, there’s amazing chemistry between Trapper and Brandi!), Sugar Queen was dreamy and romantic. After a difficult childhood, Brandi just needs to be loved and kindhearted Trapper seems like the perfect man for the job. Some might call him sappy, but he filled this girl’s heart with JOY. Books that feature high school sweethearts are my jam, and this one did not disappoint, providing all the feels.
As for the new cast of characters, I was intrigued by each and every one of them… but my vote is for Crystal and Garth to be up next (wink wink). Their banter was flirty and fun, and I can’t wait to read a full book about them. Last but not least, I have to add that this series would make an amazing sitcom.
Location: Emerson Pass, Colorado (fictional mountain town)
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This is a sweet second chance romance set in a small town. Trapper and Brandi were high school sweethearts who ended up separated by a series of misunderstandings. Years later they are reunited when Trapper returns home. I love how the characters are written in a way that makes me feel like I know them. I laughed and cried while reading, and some parts were absolutely heartbreaking. One of my favorite things about this book is the maturity with which Trapper and Brandi resolved their issues. There was a LOT of emotional stuff that they had to wade through and so many authors miss the mark on these sort of things. There was no pettiness or snarkiness, just honest adult conversation which makes the story all the more real. I also loved reading the bits of history scattered throughout. Anyone who likes sweet, small town romance should take a chance on this one!
Raw, emotional, tugging at the heartstrings. This is how this story in Emerson Pass felt. A 2nd chance at love. I loved the characters, with the exception of her parents. I mean I get why but still. I loved reading and seeing how these characters are related to the original townsfolk of Emerson Pass.
The story line as deep. I will say I cried pretty much the last half the book. Their love for each other never died. But they needed to be apart to be come again stronger.
This series is going to be emotional and amazing. I love this new series by Tess Thompson.
The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass is such a charming and enchanting story much like it’s predecessor The School Mistress of Emerson Pass… Another delightful and cheerful read… I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this story.. What a pleasure and worth every star…
Brandi’s first and only love has come home and royally messed up her routine life. After all, she’s held in a huge secret from him all these years, and if she has to face him day after day, she knows she’ll end up blurting it out. And then he’ll hate her, if he doesn’t already.
Dang this is a heartbreaking story. I felt so badly for poor Brandi – her mother did a serious number on Brandi’s self esteem. She’s one of those women who honestly should not be allowed to procreate. But I like that Brandi and Traper slowly find their way back to each other, and how sweet they are together. The story is a bit heavy at times, and it tended to drag, but all in all, I liked it and found it a substantial, emotional read.
The Sugar Queen – Emerson Pass Book 2 by Tess Thompson would get 10 STARS, if I could. Such a tender, heartfelt book that was so realistic! Expect to cry….during the sad parts AND the happy, joyful parts. Brandi and Trapper are the perfect couple that endured tons of heartache and happiness throughout their relationship. Tess, don’t stop writing! I LOVE all of your books.
I am so glad I decided to read this series, 5 sugar coated stars for this one, you will not be disappointed!
Here we are brought into present time, and we meet Brandi & Trapper, two kids who grew up together and were childhood sweethearts. Until one fateful day when Brandi asked Trapper what would he choose hockey or her, and not even thinking he chose hockey. Ten years later, he’s back in Emerson Pass, and when he sees Brandi, his feelings are still there, she is it for him, but a lot has gone on in their separate lives since he left, can they rekindle what was there or will her secret make him leave her for good. Read along and find out, I’m so loving this series make sure you grab your copy asap!
I read this book in one day, which is unusual for me. I usually read a book over a few days. The storyline pulled me in quickly and I wanted to see what would happen to the main characters, Brandi and Trapper, after not seeing each other for several years. It’s set in a small town where everyone knows one another.
I also enjoyed the fact that the people in this book are related back three or four generations to the families in the first book in this series, The School Mistress of Emerson Pass. This is the second book in this series and can be read as a stand alone book, however I recommend reading them in order.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet book and highly recommend it, giving it a big 5 stars rating.
Thanks to the author Tess Thompson and the publisher for granting me an arc at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and are voluntary.
Tess Thompson’s The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass (Emerson Pass #2) is a sweet read. In this story NHL star, Trapper Barnes returns home after an injury shortens his career. He pursues his childhood sweetheart, Brandi Vargas, who broke his heart, discovering the reason she let him go. This second-chance romance is suitable for adult readers. It takes place in Emerson Pass, Colorado.
Tess Thompson does a nice job with the characters. Brandi owns the town bakery which she named The Sugar Queen. My heart broke for her and the things she endured. Her mom is a piece of work. She has secrets that she needs to reveal to Trapper is she decides to give him a second chance. Trapper is a good guy. I like that he was open-minded and a romantic. I appreciated how the characters found their ancestors past relevant to their own.
Compelling things happen in the story that brought the character’s together. There were times at the beginning of the book that I felt it was a little slow, usually when they were reading the journals or letters. I do feel that the history played an important part in this story and that the journal/letters were necessary for the success of the book. The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass had a wonderful ending that left me wanting to read more of the series. This is the first book that I have read by Tess Thompson. I am interested in the other character’s stories. I recommend this book to people who enjoy second chance romances that include history. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
It’s back to Emerson Pass in Book 2, but to the modern-day Emerson Pass where the descendants of Alexander and Quinn Barnes and friends from Book 1 now reside.
Chapter 1 begins with a bang – no slow easing in, scenery descriptions etc – just a plain, honest confrontations of two high-school ex-sweethearts ten years after a messy break-up.
After the confrontation we learn more about Brandi and Trapper – their pasts; their families and the modern day Emerson Pass.
The story moves fast and touches on sensitive topics which are central to the development of the story.
I enjoyed the ‘flashbacks’ to the first book that link with this book. The references to well-loved characters from “Cliffside Bay” are also fun.
Although this is a second book in a series, it can be read on its own as book 1 is not essential to the story, but I would recommend having read book 1 (& the “Cliffside Bay” series) in order that some things make a bit more sense and of course to experience the magic that they portray.
I absolutely loved the Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass. The story has all of the elements including love story, pain, sorrow and join that I like. I highly suggest you read The School Mistress first. The two stories tie together while the first one is historical but the current one is modern times. The characters in the first book are referred to in the current book. I was completely engrossed in both stories and I can’t wait to read the next one. As always great job Tess Thompson.
I love this story so much! It’s only the second book, but what can I say.
I loved it! I love Brandi and Trappers story! It was a very emotional, heart wrenching story. It made you laugh and cry and furious with Brandi’s mother! Through it all their love for each other was strong and stood the test of time. I loved how Brandi and Trapper read from their ancestors writings. I loved hearing from the characters from The School Mistress Book 1. Thank you Tess for another wonderful Emerson Pass Book!
I can’t wait for the next one!