Sugared

Misfit Brides, Book 4

By: Jamie Farrell

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

When Chicago's hottest snack cake heir takes on the misfit princess of the Bridal Capital of the Midwest, they just might find the recipe for love. Cupcakes have never been so terrifying.

Josh Kincaid went from rags to riches when he was adopted by the family who owns the Sweet Dreams Snack Cakes empire. But now the company is floundering, and Josh will do anything to save his parents the way they saved him. Including using his charm on a small-town wedding cake baker.

Kimmie is flighty, she spouts off weird dreams when she's nervous, and her frizzy hair and fashion sense make her the girl least likely to snare a debonair snack cake heir. But Kimmie can bake a cake that'll make a grown man cry, and that's exactly what Josh needs.

Josh's plan should be easy, except Kimmie isn't all cupcake underneath. Her cooperation comes with a price. If Josh wants to save his family's company, he'll have to do something he's never done: be himself.

©2016 Jamie Farrell (P)2016 Jamie Farrell

Whimsical!

This fourth book in the Misfit Brides series is whimsical and truly entertaining. Kimmie is such a lovable character, you can’t help but laugh at her quirkiness. Josh is determined to save his adoptive parent’s business in whatever way it takes, and is still love shy due to the death of his birth mother when he was a boy. I loved the way he accepts Kimmie’s quirky personality right away and really enjoyed how the author builds their relationship. I was rooting all the way through for Kimmie and Josh to end up together even with the interference of her mother at every turn. Josh’s mother on the other hand is a total sweetheart from beginning to end. I just loved this story and most especially how the author brought it all together at the end. The epilogue was truly brilliant...it's the icing on the cake!! I look forward to the next book in the series.
Karen White does a good job of bringing the story to life.

Absolutely delicious in every way!

If you could sum up Sugared in three words, what would they be?

Courageous, because both Kimmie and Josh have to face their fears, heartwarming because they have to open their hearts to each other, and delicious, because the entire book centers around a bakery that specializes in decadent and beautifully decorated wedding cakes.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved Kimmie! She lives to bake cakes in her family's bakery in Bliss, Illinois and she's everyone's friend but nobody's sweetheart. She's an adorably quirky character with a heart of gold and a white thumb and I found her to be absolutely delightful in every way.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Kimmie finally finds her courage and she finally teaches her mother exactly how she feels and how she wants to live her life. It's a truly memorable high point in the story. I really admired her courage and I was so proud of her for going out and getting what she needs to transform her life. Yay, Kimmie!!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The happy ending, of course, but I especially loved the epilogue because it's so rewarding to find out more about the life that she and Josh are able to create together.

Any additional comments?

Jamie Farrell is my favorite comedic romance author and she and her narrator, Karen White, are the perfect compliment to each other. I can't wait to hear more adventures by this talented team!

Sugared by Jamie Farrell

What made the experience of listening to Sugared the most enjoyable?

The story. That Josh really gets Kimmie and how he was so protective of her. Especially from the QG.

What other book might you compare Sugared to and why?

Blissed by Jamie Farrell

Which character – as performed by Karen White – was your favorite?

Kimmie

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I did listen in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I seriously loved SUGARED! I've enjoyed listening to Jamie Farrell's entire Misfit Brides of Bliss series and have loved Kimmie's quirky personality from the beginning. I knew it would take someone special to love and deserve her. Josh Kincaid is a perfect match. Jamie Farrell out did herself with this one. Sugared is definitely my favorite in the series.

The way these two start out as a couple is hilarious and I love the way they just keep at it... granted both for some of the wrong reasons, but not all... and then finally realize they work. They are great together. I especially love how Josh protects Kimmie from the Queen General.

This story is sweet, funny, romantic, and really touching. I was not expecting the tears, but the story is that good. That well-written. It hits all the feels. 4.5 stars

Side-splitting, swoony fun!

If you could sum up Sugared in three words, what would they be?

Hysterical laugh-a-minute

What other book might you compare Sugared to and why?

I would compare Sugared to the other books in Jamie's Misfit Brides series and to books by Jill Shalvis.

I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every book in Jamie's Misfit Brides series, but Sugared, without a doubt, ranks as my bestie so far. It is Kimmie Elias’ and Josh Kincaid’s story and is a hysterical laugh-a-minute. Truthfully, I’ve been excited for Kimmie’s story ever since she was first introduced in the initial book and, happily, Sugared did not disappoint in any way!

In Sugared, Kimmie and Josh enter into a fake relationship each with their own desired outcome. Kimmie is following her mother’s order to woo Josh out of the other half of Heaven’s bakery; Josh needs Kimmie’s cupcake recipes to save his family’s business. Seriously, what could go wrong? Readers can expect utterly enchanting topsy-turvy entertainment!

Which scene was your favorite?

Besides the totally epic epilogue, my favorite scene took place in Josh's kitchen while the couple was making gourmet cupcakes. It was swoony and hilarious all rolled up into delicious icing! In the third cabinet under the counter, she hit the good stuff. “Oh! You have a KitchenAid.” “If you’re planning on caressing my mixer, you should know that might make my testicles explode,” he said from behind her. Her cheeks went hot enough to glow. “That would be awkward.”A favorable mention would go to the scenes where the couple play a game with exploding bunnies and blown Trojans. It was side-splitting mayhem and Kimmie was the undisputed champion! Here’s a short snippet about it: “Have you ever played Killer Bunnies?” she asked. “Killer Bunnies?” he repeated, blinking the way people always did when they didn’t follow her brain’s train. “It’s a card game. Not spades and clubs, kings and jacks cards. It’s like a board game, with cards instead of a board. Here. I’ll show you.” She stretched up to the top shelf beside her TV and pulled down a bright blue box. “But I have to warn you, I never hesitate to use the nuclear warheads or the anti-matter raisins. Your bunnies are going down.”

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed until I cried! This is an audio that I would listen to again and again. The story grabbed my heart from the beginning and never let go. I loved these characters and the development of their romance along with all the sexy cupcakes! Yes, you read that right. Cupcakes can indeed be delightfully sexy with salivating names like Edible Undies, Sex on a Peach and Spank me Strawberries. The author skillfully tied a beautiful bow on the story in the most whimsically brilliant epilogue ever. Kimmie’s and Josh’s story left me with a wonderfully warm and snugly happy feeling – one that persists every time I think about this cool couple and their tale.

Any additional comments?

I listened to Sugared. Karen White nailed the narration - even of the cats! Her pacing was perfect. Her voices sounded genuine exuding the appropriate emotions. She differentiated consistently between the characters so I never had an issue knowing who was speaking. Honestly, it could not have been performed any better! I love to read, but if I see that Karen has narrated a book, I will pick up the audio every single time because Karen’s performances consistently enhance the stories she voices.

Kimmie is my favorite

I do love Kimmie. She is such a wonderful character. So I was worried that I would dislike the audiobook if Kimmie wasn't performed just right. Of course, Karen White always does such a fantastic job, so I shouldn't have been surprised that she nailed it. She made me laugh and cry and just love this version.

Dream

I agree with the other review. I love this couple!! They were wonderful to meet. She is hilarious!!!
Super sweet and encouraging read.

Kimmie and Josh are my favorite couple

I loved, loved Kimmie and Josh’s fake relationship romance. Kimmie is my favorite dorky awkward weirdly lovable heroine. Josh is all the swoony put together on the outside bruised on the inside kind of hero. This story will give you all the swoony swoons while also pulling at your heartstrings with all the emotions. It is full of passion, sweetness, acceptance and love all masquerading as a ridiculous romcom. Josh is a rich playboy who is the heir apparent to a snack cake company. Kimmie is a beloved master baker at a bakery in small town Bliss. Josh inherited a half interest in the bakery owned by Kimmie’s mother but he needs recipes from Kimmie to save his company. And Kimmie has been tasked with seducing Josh into giving up his interest in her family’s bakery. A fake relationship seems the perfect solution for both of them but of course things start to feel too real and their HEA is inevitable. This is a heartwarming, hilarious and steamy romance full of sweet moments, steamy scenes, laugh out loud moments, supportive friends, messy families, painful pasts, and all the heart squeezing love. Plus all the Kimmie dreams and Kimmie-isms are the icing on the cupcake. I love this series and the town of Bliss.

Karen White did a fantastic job narrating the story and breathing life into the story and the characters with enough change of inflection, tone and cadence to voice multiple characters quite convincingly.

Love Kimmie and Joshenova

Cute story the Snack cake Heir and the Cupcake Master, against the Queen Mom General, that lady is one you love to hate. Josh is the only man that has gone against the woman to protect the woman he has to figure out that he loves. Fun and witty and the two are alot alike.

DNF: Weak heroine, cringy storyline

Even though I usually only write reviews for books worth re-listening to, I wanted to review this one as a heads up to others. This is an enemy to lovers / fake engagement plot which is not a favorite trope, but it sounded good enough to give it a try. However, the weak heroine who’s afraid of her domineering mother coupled with a cringy storyline of battle-axe mom demanding the wilting heroine seduce the “hero” to regain control of their bakery was just too unappealing to me on so many levels. It’s possible the heroine isn’t as weak as she seems, but the narrator uses a scared, submissive voice for her, even when talking to her friends, not just to her mother. This is not the type of “heroine” I like to listen to.

Love Kimmie & Josh!

I really enjoyed finally getting to read Kimmie and Josh's story. I loved how unconventional Kimmie was and she made me laugh out loud as she was sharing the most random dreams she had. Their relationship started for one reason and I loved watching it develop into something real. This book was both light-hearted and had depth to it. My only complaint is that it was a little on the sweeter side and didn't have as much detail as I normally like about the physical side of their relationship. I don't want to give away anything so I will just say that it was a good book and a wonderful addition to this series. Karen White's narration of this story really added to the humor of this book and she made all of the Bliss residents come to life.