Sugar

By: Lydia Michaels

Narrated by: Lucinda Gainey

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

A sexy alpha male from the poshest part of Philadelphia gets snowed in with his beautiful neighbor in this modern-day rags-to-riches, enemies-to-lovers romance from best-selling and award-winning author Lydia Michaels.

Avery Johansson is borrowing against her youth and beauty to afford a better future by working as a sugar baby. Gifted at playing the role of a delicate female, she makes a living by stroking men’s egos. But the real Avery prefers leather over lace and spice instead of nice.

Noah Wolfe is used to getting exactly what he wants when he wants, and when he sets his sights on his sexy neighbor, he’s determined to have her. Little does he know, the soft female across the hall doesn’t swoon for roses–she plays with the thorns.

Two dominant hearts collide in an explosion of sin and safewords as boundaries are pressed to the limit in a battle of power and ultimate possession.

©2020 Lydia Michaels (P)2023 Lydia Michaels

Intriguing listen

This is my second time reading this author and I’m a fan. I love audio books so much! Lucinda Gainey did a great job narrating this book. I listened to Sugar while I was taking down all my Christmas decorations. The blurb for this book had me so intrigued.

This was an interesting story that’s for sure. I haven’t read anything like this book before. It kept my attention and had me wanting to know what was going to happen next.

If you are looking for something different than anything you’ve read in a while grab this book.

Great listen!

This was different, and I liked it a lot. it took me a bit to get into, but once I was into it I couldn't stop listening. The whole "Sugar baby" thing had me intrigued. Avery is a sugar baby and I loved how strong she was as a female lead character. Noah was different... I'm not sure how to put him into words lol but once they were together they kind of just worked.

I highly recommend this book!

4 Stars!

Avery and Noah’s story

Avery is a sugar baby who has learned to survive on her own. Meek and mild while on the job, she likes control and domination in her true relationships. Noah is her handsome neighbor that has been watching her revolving door of unlikely suitors and has his interest set on Avery. Both like control and as a toxic relationship is established, limits are pushed. Avery and Noah have to work through issues to find a healthier connection. The audiobook narrator has a voice that is a little too mature for Avery, but her other character voices are great.

Overall Just OK

Overall this story was just ok for me. I never really felt a true connection between Avery and Noah and the chemistry felt extremely forced. The relationship itself was way to toxic to ever be a true connection, who wants to be with someone who constantly calls you a Bi^*h? I also felt some of the terms used, specifically "sugar baby", were used incorrectly as Avery was basically a paid escort for company. To me this whole story felt forced and drug out.

As for the narration, I didn't feel any connection at all from Lucinda Gainey and the characters, as she played both parts, so it was even harder for me to enjoy and get into this story.

I was won over!

I found Lydia Michaels this year and have really enjoyed her books/audiobooks. I almost thought this would be a DNF. I rarely choose not to finish a book. I was so disappointed, but I just can't get into dominant females overcoming dominant males. It creates an anxiety in me that I can't push through. Just as I thought I'd stop the play, it took a turn. I couldn't quit listening. I am actually fascinated how this romance played out. Two dominants did find a way to work. I loved it.

Lucinda Gainey is a great narrator. She does well narrating both male and female voices. This audiobook rolled like a movie in my head.

#ValentinePRaudioreview

Discovering who she is

This was an interesting tale of a girl who came from a bad situation and tried to make her life better than before. I struggled liking the heroine (Avery) at first and didn’t like how she treated the hero (Noah) but once I dug into her I completely understood her and loved that Noah never gave up on his pursuit of her. I didn’t feel the narrators voice fit very well, she sounded too old to be Avery but it didn’t come in the way enough for me to not enjoy the story.

hot and steamy romance

Sugar is a hot and steamy standalone romance about a young woman on the rise from poverty, and paying her way through school working as a sugar baby. Avery Johansson is loving her easy work-nights playing dress-up and boosting men's egos, but her past is something she prefers to hide. Her only concern now is not letting anything get in the way of her dreams and finishing school. After locking eyes with the gorgeous man across the hall, Avery is dealt with a new challenge that upsets her daily rhythm. Because Noah Wolfe is a little too curious about his beautiful new neighbor, and her time spent with a different man every evening.

I recently picked up this audiobook narrated by Lucinda Gainey. I loved the plot of the story, but at times was pulled away from the book while listening. Had this story been written in third person, it may have been fitting, but the first person narrative made me wish this had been performed by someone with a voice that helped me imagine the appearance of a young college girl. I enjoy the easy flow of reading Lydia's work and will continue to read her entire backlist.

This story is angsty and features a dominant female character who butts up against a dominant male. Avery has a no nonsense attitude versus Noah who can be jealous and possessive. One thing in common they both share is that they both know what they want out of life. I liked getting to know these characters and watching their relationship overcome all the obstacles in their way.

3.5 stars

audiobook review

neighbors, forced proximity, contemporary romance, steamy moments, jealous possessive hero, instant attraction, slow burn

I enjoyed the overall idea of the story but by the end, I wasn't as in love with the characters and story as I thought I would be. The main fmc is a sugar baby and she goes on dates to pay off her debts so that she can be financially secure because that is one of her ultimate life goals after the hardships she faced in her childhood. When these neighbors meet they instantly feel attracted to one another and the main mmc will not stop until he wins her over and tries to convince her that what they have is worth exploring.

Extra spicy, pretty woman vibes

This was my first Lydia Michael’s, and I’m now a fan.

Avery was a girl, trying to change her past, and in order to do that, she’s working as a sugar baby. Everything is going well, until she meets her neighbor Noah….

Highly recommend if you’re looking for a super sexy story. I do wish the narration had multiple people doing the voices as it was a bit awkward with one doing all the voices.

Sugar sugar

I love when I get a Lydia Michaels book. I did an audio listen of this one and like all her other books I love it! Avery Johansson is working as a sugar baby which is basically being what her dates want a delicate, desirable arm candy who strokes their ego minus the touching etc.

Noah Wolfe walks his way into Avery's life as her neighbor who seen it all, all while throwing in the cards for a change with Avery.

Avery is strong and feisty but underneath she is running from the ugly past. Noah is used to getting what he wants and really suffers when Avery pushes him away. The push and pull with these two were great! All ending with a happily ever after for now!