NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this irresistible novel, Sarah Addison Allen, author of the bestselling debut, Garden Spells, tells the tale of a young woman whose family secrets—and secret passions—are about to change her life forever. Josey Cirrini is sure of three things: winter is her favorite season, she’s a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her … best eaten in the privacy of her closet. For while Josey has settled into an uneventful life in her mother’s house, her one consolation is the stockpile of sugary treats and paperback romances she escapes to each night. . . . Until she finds her closet harboring Della Lee Baker, a local waitress who is one part nemesis—and two parts fairy godmother. With Della Lee’s tough love, Josey’s narrow existence quickly expands. She even bonds with Chloe Finley, a young woman who is hounded by books that inexplicably appear when she needs them—and who has a close connection to Josey’s longtime crush. Soon Josey is living in a world where the color red has startling powers, and passion can make eggs fry in their cartons. And that’s just for starters.
Brimming with warmth, wit, and a sprinkling of magic, here is a spellbinding tale of friendship, love—and the enchanting possibilities of every new day.
Praise for The Sugar Queen
“Like the most decadently addictive bonbons, once started, Allen’s magically entrancing novel is impossible to put down.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Bewitching . . . Such a pleasurable book.”—Publishers Weekly
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Loved the magical qualities of the book. Very fun to read.
Well written, a page turner.
Loved joining in the journey as the characters break through what had always been!
I liked this book, it was different. The characters were fun. A good read
This was my first read from this author. What a pleasant surprise! Original and unique. Since then, I have read several of the author’s books and each one is a gift to myself. This is not your average book where predictably comes easy. A lot of thought went into The Sugar Queen and it SO worthy of a person’s time to read. Highly recommend!
At first I wasn’t sure if I would like this book or not because the way the author just jumped into the story as if you had all ready met the characters. However as I continued to read it I found myself more and more comfortable with the style of writing and how the characters played out and inter twinged with each other.
This book had a lot of twists and turns, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters. I felt I could really get a picture of them in my mind just from their action/dialog throughout the book.
unusual…
The Sugar Queen is a standalone novel written by author Sarah Addison Allen. It is a mix of chick lit, fantasy, and contemporary romance, with some more serious elements related to family dynamics and self-esteem. Overall, I liked it and it held my interest well. I thought it was funny how a lot of the experiences of the main character, Josey, were described like some kind of sugary sweet. “Like magic, she felt him getting nearer, felt it like a pull in the pit of her stomach. It felt like hunger but deeper, heavier. Like the best kind of expectation. Ice cream expectation. Chocolate expectation.” I have to admit the character development was excellent. If you’re a fan of chick lit with a magical element then you should check it out!
My favorite quote:
“Books can be possessive, can’t they? You’re walking around in a bookstore and a certain one will jump out at you, like it had moved there on its own, just to get your attention. Sometimes what’s inside will change your life, but sometimes you don’t even have to read it. Sometimes it’s a comfort just to have a book around. Many of these books haven’t even had their spines cracked. ‘Why do you buy books you don’t even read?’ our daughter asks us. That’s like asking someone who lives alone why they bought a cat. For company, of course.”
This authors books are always so interesting and whimsical.
An enjoyable feel-good read.
Sugar Queen is not a conventional book. The quirky characters, the magic, the impossible situations make of this book a delightful reading.
This book was not my taste. Others may like it. I did not care for or about the characters.
I love this story and all of Sarah Addison Allen’s books. Magical!
Have read all of her books.
I fell in love with Sarah Addison Allen when I read Garden Spells. The Sugar Queen is magical realism at its best.
Twenty-seven-year-old Josey is sure of three things: winter in her North Carolina hometown is her favorite season; she’s a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her hidden closet. For while Josey has settled into an uneventful life in her mother’s house, her one consolation is the stockpile of sugary treats and paperback romances she escapes to each night …Until she finds her closet harboring none other than local waitress Della Lee Baker, a tough-talking, tenderhearted woman who is one part nemesis – and two parts fairy godmother . With Delta Lee’s tough love Josey’s narrow existence quickly expands. She even bonds with Chloe Finley, a young woman who is hounded by books that inexplicably appear when she needs them – and who has a close connection to Josey’s long-time crush. Soon Josey is living in a world where the color red has startling powers, and passion makes eggs fry in their cartons. And that’s just for starters.
I put this book down twice before it finally got me. What a unique story and cast of characters. Absolutely loved the ending!!!
Loved it!
Loved this book more with every page I read. Great worthwhile read. There is magic in all of us.
This was a quick, fun read…characters were very lovable and relatable and I found myself thrilled to see the connections between them unfold as the story progressed…couldn’t wait for the mostly happy ending.