The Sugar Queen

By: Sarah Addison Allen

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

In this irresistible follow-up to her New York Times best-selling debut, Garden Spells, author Sarah Addison Allen tells the tale of a young woman whose family secrets - and secret passions - are about to change her life forever.

Twenty-seven-year-old Josey Cirrini 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 it harboring none other than local waitress Della Lee Baker, a tough-talking, tenderhearted woman who is one part nemesis and two parts fairy godmother.

Fleeing a life of bad luck and big mistakes, Della Lee has decided Josey's clandestine closet is the safest place to crash. In return she's going to change Josey's life - because, clearly, it is not the closet of a happy woman. With Della Lee's tough love, Josey is soon forgoing pecan rolls and caramels, tapping into her startlingly keen feminine instincts, and finding her narrow existence quickly expanding.

Before long, Josey bonds with Chloe Finley, a young woman who makes the best sandwiches in town, is hounded by books that inexplicably appear whenever she needs them, and - most amazing of all - has a close connection to Josey's longtime crush.

As little by little Josey dares to step outside herself, she discovers a world where the color red has astonishing power, passion can make eggs fry in their cartons, and romance can blossom at any time - even for her. It seems that Della Lee's work is done, and it's time for her to move on. But the truth about where she's going, why she showed up in the first place - and what Chloe has to do with it all - is about to add one more unexpected chapter to Josey's fast-changing life.

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.

©2008 Sarah Addison Allen (P)2008 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

“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)

Not my usual taste, but really liked it

I’m not a big fan of mystical books but this was suggested to me and I fell in love with the story. The characters were entertaining and their stories were engaging.

Love and mystery. Two of my favorite elements!

The Sugar Queen held my interest from beginning to end. I love twists and turns!

wonderful story

I love this story. It's charming, romantic, insightful, magical, touching, and fun. It's definitely one of my favorites by this author and I love all of her books. There's always a little bit of magic that's acknowledged, but doesn't drive the relationships or plot. This one is particularly original and touching. I can't say anymore without giving things away...

Meh.

I chose this as some kind fluff in between some pretty serious Literature for my Literature class, and it was a little too "fluffy" for my taste. I enjoyed her other works. I was definitely disappointed in this one.

Great twist ending

I love the ending and the characters. I definitely recommend this book for anyone look for a good clever story.

Magical Realism!

I loved this book. The characters were interesting and the storyline was nuanced and fun. Magical realism at its best!

Magical Realism Chick-Lit about Relationships

Enjoyable listen. Kinda slow, but I cared about the characters and what happened to them (evidenced by how often I felt the need to yell at them from my treadmill). This is a book about relationships more than romance, though there’s plenty of that too with various couples. Can’t say I enjoyed it as much as Garden Spells (by this author), but the magical realism I loved in that book served here too, adding to the story without overwhelming it. The ending was satisfying. I preferred this narrator, Karen White, to the one in Garden Spells as I could always understand her. She did a great job differentiating the characters and I felt the voices she chose suited them.

Outstanding

I loved this book, it is a fantastic story and it’s read by a great narrator.

wonderful

What did you love best about The Sugar Queen?

The was the last of Sarah Addison Allen's books that I have listened to and I highly recommend each one. They hold my attention fully. There is just a touch of fantasy that adds so much to the stories. If you love a good, easy novel - you'll love these.

Okay book, mostly a drama

Any additional comments?

I'm not sure what I expected, but this story did bore me just a bit. It was mostly one of those "a woman finds meaning in life" affairs, only with just a little dab of the paranormal. Really, it seems as though this author cannot stop trying to rewrite "Practical Magic" with every new book she releases, which is annoying. I found this book to be somewhat formulaic for that reason. I think the writing was well executed and the characters well drawn, which is why I listened to the end, but the plot, though interesting and deeply involved, just wasn't quite my cup of tea.