What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sugar Cube
She's a curvy baker who can’t see past her insecurities.
He's a detective determined to prove his affection.
Will this be a perfect recipe for romance or heartbreak?
Acclaimed baker, Charlotte, owns one of the most famous bakeries in Manhattan, the Sugar Cube. Her baking talents leave both men and women in awe, but secretly, Charlotte struggles with her curvy body, which she believes no man could love.
That is until she meets the delectable detective, Adam, who sees past the façade she presents to the world. Adam admires her talent, her drive, and her love for her bakery; and best of all, Adam thinks Charlotte is beautiful because of her curves, not despite them.
Soon, both Charlotte and Adam embark on a relationship that threatens to grow to more, but when Charlotte’s insecurities drown out the love she’s beginning to feel, will Adam be able to prove to her that he wants her, curves and all?
He's a detective determined to prove his affection.
Will this be a perfect recipe for romance or heartbreak?
Acclaimed baker, Charlotte, owns one of the most famous bakeries in Manhattan, the Sugar Cube. Her baking talents leave both men and women in awe, but secretly, Charlotte struggles with her curvy body, which she believes no man could love.
That is until she meets the delectable detective, Adam, who sees past the façade she presents to the world. Adam admires her talent, her drive, and her love for her bakery; and best of all, Adam thinks Charlotte is beautiful because of her curves, not despite them.
Soon, both Charlotte and Adam embark on a relationship that threatens to grow to more, but when Charlotte’s insecurities drown out the love she’s beginning to feel, will Adam be able to prove to her that he wants her, curves and all?
35 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2019
21 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 3, 2020
Between 2 and 3 stars. It's a short story romance, making for a nice lunchtime sort of read, but so short that's it kinda flat.
The characters could have been interesting if they'd been a little more fleshed out. Charlotte (h) is a successful business woman (baker) and fairly confident in everything except her looks/weight. Apparently her mom was a great beauty, but Charlotte never felt like she measured up (but it never sounded like her mom expected that from her, nor that she was bullied - it sounded like it was all Charlotte doing it to herself). Adam (H) is a detective who comes into her bakery one day and decides he would like more than just a dozen donuts. He's got quite a challenge ahead of him, though, as Charlotte cannot understand why any man would be interested in her, let alone one as handsome as Adam.
Maybe because I just read another book with a heroine with overblown hang-ups (Space Age: Houston, Prepare to Launch) but I was apparently in no mood to take Charlotte being so down on herself. She literally had no idea how the guy who had been talking to her for hours at a time, daily, for weeks might be interested in something more. And she acted snarky to anyone who even suggested she might be attractive - her best friend and Adam both, people she should be caring and supportive of and from whom she should expect the same. On that note, I was kinda turned off by how she treated her friend when we first met Emma - snarky to the point of rude. Hangover makes it OK? (But hey, drinking a bottle and a half of wine all on your own in one evening isn't the healthiest or most productive habit to have, and if you're so concerned about your weight, it's a ton of empty calories!). It all felt very over the top. Disbelief or surprise that someone would ask her out is one thing, but she really took it all the way and then some. Adam must have really seen something in her to keep pursuing her after she yells at him on their date. He hadn't made a single comment about her appearance that wasn't positive, yet she flames on. (I loved his response though - actually bringing in his eye exam results - good way to roll with her moodiness!)
Also, I had some issues with the use of introvert/extrovert classifications. Introverts don't hate people. We just get very tired by them. Social chit-chat and large parties are draining. But if you get us talking about something we're interested in, good luck shutting us up! If you're in our inner circles, yes, we will chatter and be 'more outgoing.' A household with two introverts is not a household devoid of love.
Editing could use some work. Missing words, letters, etc.
Alternating 3rd person POV. Clean. No cheating and no love triangle/OW/OM drama, but it's so short, there's really not a lot of space for drama. Not a particularly likeable heroine, who was either confident and positive, or completely negative and snarky and hating herself. The story as a whole, though, is fast, light, no real drama, but also no real meat. There are better stories, even short stories, about curvy girls gaining confidence and love as they are. HEA, but no epilogue. Like I said, an enjoyable, mindless lunchtime escape, but nothing really memorable.
Would I read more? Sure. It was free on Kindle, it's not bad, and it's the perfect length for a lunch break. It's just not a series I'm super gung-ho about.
The characters could have been interesting if they'd been a little more fleshed out. Charlotte (h) is a successful business woman (baker) and fairly confident in everything except her looks/weight. Apparently her mom was a great beauty, but Charlotte never felt like she measured up (but it never sounded like her mom expected that from her, nor that she was bullied - it sounded like it was all Charlotte doing it to herself). Adam (H) is a detective who comes into her bakery one day and decides he would like more than just a dozen donuts. He's got quite a challenge ahead of him, though, as Charlotte cannot understand why any man would be interested in her, let alone one as handsome as Adam.
Maybe because I just read another book with a heroine with overblown hang-ups (Space Age: Houston, Prepare to Launch) but I was apparently in no mood to take Charlotte being so down on herself. She literally had no idea how the guy who had been talking to her for hours at a time, daily, for weeks might be interested in something more. And she acted snarky to anyone who even suggested she might be attractive - her best friend and Adam both, people she should be caring and supportive of and from whom she should expect the same. On that note, I was kinda turned off by how she treated her friend when we first met Emma - snarky to the point of rude. Hangover makes it OK? (But hey, drinking a bottle and a half of wine all on your own in one evening isn't the healthiest or most productive habit to have, and if you're so concerned about your weight, it's a ton of empty calories!). It all felt very over the top. Disbelief or surprise that someone would ask her out is one thing, but she really took it all the way and then some. Adam must have really seen something in her to keep pursuing her after she yells at him on their date. He hadn't made a single comment about her appearance that wasn't positive, yet she flames on. (I loved his response though - actually bringing in his eye exam results - good way to roll with her moodiness!)
Also, I had some issues with the use of introvert/extrovert classifications. Introverts don't hate people. We just get very tired by them. Social chit-chat and large parties are draining. But if you get us talking about something we're interested in, good luck shutting us up! If you're in our inner circles, yes, we will chatter and be 'more outgoing.' A household with two introverts is not a household devoid of love.
Editing could use some work. Missing words, letters, etc.
Alternating 3rd person POV. Clean. No cheating and no love triangle/OW/OM drama, but it's so short, there's really not a lot of space for drama. Not a particularly likeable heroine, who was either confident and positive, or completely negative and snarky and hating herself. The story as a whole, though, is fast, light, no real drama, but also no real meat. There are better stories, even short stories, about curvy girls gaining confidence and love as they are. HEA, but no epilogue. Like I said, an enjoyable, mindless lunchtime escape, but nothing really memorable.
Would I read more? Sure. It was free on Kindle, it's not bad, and it's the perfect length for a lunch break. It's just not a series I'm super gung-ho about.
Want to read
December 31, 2019🎁 The complete Warm Touch is FREE on Amazon today (12/31/2019)! 🎁
October 25, 2019
NOTE: I got this story free from BookFunnel. It is part of the A Warm Touch: The Complete Boxset. I don't know if this story is expanded in that boxed set or not.
Curvy Charlotte runs a successful bakery in Manhattan. Though apparently successful, she has low self esteem, which seems to stem from her extra weight. Adam is a detective who comes to the bakery because he heard she had the best doughnuts. He is instantly smitten with Charlotte. Will these two get a happily ever after?
I liked the basis of this very short (32 pages) story and rated it 2.5 stars rolled to two because of very sloppy editing -- missing words, grammar errors, typos... It is written in the third person, but I think would have been better if it had been written in dual POV format. As it is, we get to see both points of view anyway, but seeing the character think in "I" instead of having it reported as "she" or "he" would have grabbed me more as a reader.
The glimpse we get of the characters is fine. We don't get to find out a lot about Adam's background, but he seems like a stand-up guy. Charlotte is a bit too gloomy for me. She runs a successful business, but because she's overweight she's not worthy??? We know her mother passed away and she and her father are both introverts who don't really talk to one another. Her only friend appears to be her employee. Maybe there are things in her past readers aren't privy to because the story is so short, but reading her parts kind of depressed me. Then... After Adam gets her number and they talk daily and he spends time with her watching movies and getting to know one another, she throws her weight in his face, figuratively, and questions his motives??? From what I read, there was no reason for this. He never gave her any indication that he noticed her weight. So, because she's curvy he's okay as a buddy but not a boyfriend?? The ending is only okay, hinting at future happiness. I kind of wish there was more.
It serves as an introduction to Rebecca Howard's (also listed here) writing. I'd read other stuff by her because this wasn't awful; it just wasn't that good. As a 32-page, quick-read, freebie, it was okay. (Sadly, knowing what I know, I wouldn't spend money on it. First, because I don't think paying for 32 pages is worth it. Second, because it was only okay. If you can get it free, give it a try.)
Curvy Charlotte runs a successful bakery in Manhattan. Though apparently successful, she has low self esteem, which seems to stem from her extra weight. Adam is a detective who comes to the bakery because he heard she had the best doughnuts. He is instantly smitten with Charlotte. Will these two get a happily ever after?
I liked the basis of this very short (32 pages) story and rated it 2.5 stars rolled to two because of very sloppy editing -- missing words, grammar errors, typos... It is written in the third person, but I think would have been better if it had been written in dual POV format. As it is, we get to see both points of view anyway, but seeing the character think in "I" instead of having it reported as "she" or "he" would have grabbed me more as a reader.
The glimpse we get of the characters is fine. We don't get to find out a lot about Adam's background, but he seems like a stand-up guy. Charlotte is a bit too gloomy for me. She runs a successful business, but because she's overweight she's not worthy??? We know her mother passed away and she and her father are both introverts who don't really talk to one another. Her only friend appears to be her employee. Maybe there are things in her past readers aren't privy to because the story is so short, but reading her parts kind of depressed me. Then... After Adam gets her number and they talk daily and he spends time with her watching movies and getting to know one another, she throws her weight in his face, figuratively, and questions his motives??? From what I read, there was no reason for this. He never gave her any indication that he noticed her weight. So, because she's curvy he's okay as a buddy but not a boyfriend?? The ending is only okay, hinting at future happiness. I kind of wish there was more.
It serves as an introduction to Rebecca Howard's (also listed here) writing. I'd read other stuff by her because this wasn't awful; it just wasn't that good. As a 32-page, quick-read, freebie, it was okay. (Sadly, knowing what I know, I wouldn't spend money on it. First, because I don't think paying for 32 pages is worth it. Second, because it was only okay. If you can get it free, give it a try.)
September 23, 2019
I knew when I downloaded this book it was going to be short and a sweet romance. Those two things when combined usually entail a simple plot. In this case, it was like a very small window into these characters' lives. It felt a bit rushed to me, but I liked the overall tale.
As for the characters, the heroine seemed spot-on. I think most women feel there's room for improvement in the way they look. I know I did for a long time. Some days I still feel extremely average and quite invisible or forgettable. I don't like how awful this woman felt about herself. It made we want to know more about /why/ she just couldn't seem to get past that difficulty in her life. When it came to the hero, he really was too good to be true. I like how he handled the problems the heroine threw at him, though. He was likeable enough but I'm not sure I felt I could relate to him.
Oh, the words! There were so many grammatical errors. I've read worse. Shoot! I've written worse myself. But another run-through would've been nice on the author's part. There were several places the word 'on' was used when 'in' should've been used...an obvious typo that could've been detected by most quality online editing programs that now exist. I hope the author will go back through, edit, and update the book because it's a cute little story.
As for the characters, the heroine seemed spot-on. I think most women feel there's room for improvement in the way they look. I know I did for a long time. Some days I still feel extremely average and quite invisible or forgettable. I don't like how awful this woman felt about herself. It made we want to know more about /why/ she just couldn't seem to get past that difficulty in her life. When it came to the hero, he really was too good to be true. I like how he handled the problems the heroine threw at him, though. He was likeable enough but I'm not sure I felt I could relate to him.
Oh, the words! There were so many grammatical errors. I've read worse. Shoot! I've written worse myself. But another run-through would've been nice on the author's part. There were several places the word 'on' was used when 'in' should've been used...an obvious typo that could've been detected by most quality online editing programs that now exist. I hope the author will go back through, edit, and update the book because it's a cute little story.
April 21, 2019
The Sugar Cube
Wow I’m not sure where to start. I don’t know that I read the same book that everyone else did. I did not love this book but I didn’t completely hate it.
I liked the premise of the story but it was so short that it kinda fell flat. It was fairly well written but definitely left me wanting more.
However I did not like that the book made me feel bad about myself for being a bigger girl. This book took the heroines hatred for herself and her body to the extreme and basically left it there. The hero just wanted to date her and didn’t really do anything to help her feel comfortable in her body or help raise her self esteem.
The book could have used a good editor or at the very least a really good alpha reader. There were missing and wrong words, and grammatical errors throughout this entire short story.
However when it’s all said and done I am going to give the author one more chance and read the next book in the series. I’m hoping that this one was just a fluke or maybe a first book and that the author has grown.
Wow I’m not sure where to start. I don’t know that I read the same book that everyone else did. I did not love this book but I didn’t completely hate it.
I liked the premise of the story but it was so short that it kinda fell flat. It was fairly well written but definitely left me wanting more.
However I did not like that the book made me feel bad about myself for being a bigger girl. This book took the heroines hatred for herself and her body to the extreme and basically left it there. The hero just wanted to date her and didn’t really do anything to help her feel comfortable in her body or help raise her self esteem.
The book could have used a good editor or at the very least a really good alpha reader. There were missing and wrong words, and grammatical errors throughout this entire short story.
However when it’s all said and done I am going to give the author one more chance and read the next book in the series. I’m hoping that this one was just a fluke or maybe a first book and that the author has grown.
March 13, 2019
LOVED. THIS. SHORT STORY!
Having been “curvy” my whole life, I love a story with an HEA for a curvy woman. I can totally understand Charlotte and her disbelief that good-looking Adam could truly like her with all her extra poundage. Charlotte owns and operates a most successful little bakery, The Sugar Cube, in Manhattan. Adam is a police detective who comes in to check out the new fave doughnut place. This was a sweet story of Adam trying to convince Charlotte he could really have feelings for her. I wouldn’t mind an epilogue or second story, hint, hint…Is that what THE CHERRY is about??? If so, can't wait...
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book, but also bought it because THE SUGAR CUBE was a well-written, short and satisfying story. It comes highly recommended and it is the perfect length if you don’t have too much time, but need your reading “fix.”
Having been “curvy” my whole life, I love a story with an HEA for a curvy woman. I can totally understand Charlotte and her disbelief that good-looking Adam could truly like her with all her extra poundage. Charlotte owns and operates a most successful little bakery, The Sugar Cube, in Manhattan. Adam is a police detective who comes in to check out the new fave doughnut place. This was a sweet story of Adam trying to convince Charlotte he could really have feelings for her. I wouldn’t mind an epilogue or second story, hint, hint…Is that what THE CHERRY is about??? If so, can't wait...
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book, but also bought it because THE SUGAR CUBE was a well-written, short and satisfying story. It comes highly recommended and it is the perfect length if you don’t have too much time, but need your reading “fix.”
May 18, 2019
Needs a lot more work. Please revise and update. Very disappointing. Inadequate development of characters, story-line and purpose. What can I say, it left me befuddled and undecided if this was a prequel- which was never mentioned- or a sample and the longer version will follow. As it stands, I think it will pale into oblivion amongst all the other great novels about curvy girls lacking self esteem finding confidence, pride and an HEA romance with their gorgeous man. Did Charlotte really find her self-worth after her detective had an eye test ? Is that all it takes? I'm not missing the steam, I miss everything else.
This was a freebie and feel bad not being able to sing my praises about the book but I am trying to be honest and constructive.
This was a freebie and feel bad not being able to sing my praises about the book but I am trying to be honest and constructive.
March 12, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. This is a very short story and a quick read. It didn’t blow me away but I think some readers would probably find it enjoyable. It is a squeaky clean, sweet romance - and contains nothing even remotely sexy or romantic. I found that the story was way too clean and sweet for my taste and it came very close to being boring at times. For me, the heroine’s constant insecurity about herself was a little over the top and her continually pushing away the hero became very annoying very quickly. And the romance - I just didn’t feel it. The idea behind the story was good and had potential, but the story itself just didn’t deliver.
May 26, 2019
Sweet and sour sugared up story of a persistent hot detective trying to woo a curvy cute baker who has a wall of insecurities up so high you could probably see it from space.
Insecurities are one thing but Charlotte's are borderline insane, bipolar even. It got to be too much. It was irritating. If I was that guy there would be no way I'd keep up that chase, especially after her major meltdown. You'd never know which personality you would get each day.
It was a good thing this story was short because between Charlotte's personality inconsistencies and the major editing needed I was about to throw this away.
A LOT (& lots & lots) of editing needs to be done.
Insecurities are one thing but Charlotte's are borderline insane, bipolar even. It got to be too much. It was irritating. If I was that guy there would be no way I'd keep up that chase, especially after her major meltdown. You'd never know which personality you would get each day.
It was a good thing this story was short because between Charlotte's personality inconsistencies and the major editing needed I was about to throw this away.
A LOT (& lots & lots) of editing needs to be done.
June 27, 2019
This was a cute short read.
Charlotte is a beautiful curvy woman but growing up as an introvert and someone who has been bullied has left her unable to trust. Even when everyone around her constantly tells her that she is gorgeous and a wonderful person. So when the detective comes in and almost instantly falls for her she can't see the reason why. After woo'ing her and trying to show her that she is just right for him she still has her doubts.
It really hurt my heart that Charlotte was so down on herself, she seemed like she was a very successful woman with a lot to offer. I wished there was more to the story, maybe in the next books there will be more to the story.
Charlotte is a beautiful curvy woman but growing up as an introvert and someone who has been bullied has left her unable to trust. Even when everyone around her constantly tells her that she is gorgeous and a wonderful person. So when the detective comes in and almost instantly falls for her she can't see the reason why. After woo'ing her and trying to show her that she is just right for him she still has her doubts.
It really hurt my heart that Charlotte was so down on herself, she seemed like she was a very successful woman with a lot to offer. I wished there was more to the story, maybe in the next books there will be more to the story.
July 15, 2019
I wasn't crazy about this one. It has potential to be a very good story but misses the mark. Charlotte, the main female, wallows in her perception of herself as fat. Adam likes her, thinks her curves are amazing, and wants to date her. Unfortunately, she can't get past the bullies in her head. The resolution of the story is too pat. For all the angst she had about her weight, could an eye exam really be all she needs to see??
Also, I know my book was free, but it needs too much work to rate much better than this.
Also, I know my book was free, but it needs too much work to rate much better than this.
December 31, 2019
Short sweet read!
Charlotte is the baker/owner of The Sugar Cube. Adam is a police detective who likes what he sees in Charlotte the first time he meets her, even though she doesn't see it herself.
After weeks of him pursuing her, she agrees to go on a date and then walks out when he asks her to go to Paris with him, thinking he is pranking her because of her weight.
Will she realize that he likes her just the way she is and give him a chance?
This was a sweet short read! Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Charlotte is the baker/owner of The Sugar Cube. Adam is a police detective who likes what he sees in Charlotte the first time he meets her, even though she doesn't see it herself.
After weeks of him pursuing her, she agrees to go on a date and then walks out when he asks her to go to Paris with him, thinking he is pranking her because of her weight.
Will she realize that he likes her just the way she is and give him a chance?
This was a sweet short read! Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
March 9, 2019
The biggest gripe I have about this book is that it is in desperate need of a proof reader. I received the book as a freebie through a genre giveaway.
Also, there were some mistakes such as one character saying the heroine had a convict brother and then a couple of paragraphs later we're told she's an only child. Also there were too many extraneous characters or at least they could have been written a bit better.
Also, there were some mistakes such as one character saying the heroine had a convict brother and then a couple of paragraphs later we're told she's an only child. Also there were too many extraneous characters or at least they could have been written a bit better.
March 14, 2019
I was given this book in exchange for a fair and honest review
Charlotte is a lonely baker what loves her work. She is a plus size woman that lacks self-esteem.
Adam is a police detective, handsome; a man who gets what he wants. Charlotte is the one he wants and he doesn't hide it. His partner is a wanker. Period.
The only reason i gave it a four because I wanted more of these two. Easy to read, great Syntax.
Thank you Rebecca for sharing your talent with us.
Penelope.
Charlotte is a lonely baker what loves her work. She is a plus size woman that lacks self-esteem.
Adam is a police detective, handsome; a man who gets what he wants. Charlotte is the one he wants and he doesn't hide it. His partner is a wanker. Period.
The only reason i gave it a four because I wanted more of these two. Easy to read, great Syntax.
Thank you Rebecca for sharing your talent with us.
Penelope.
January 30, 2020
If you like your romance without conflict and completely superficial
Literally the ONLY conflict here is her self esteem. The Hero was a detective. I thought there might be some intrigue or drama...but all we have is a Hero who falls in instalove makes a ridiculously grand gesture and has to battle the heroines self esteem issues. After reading this book the only thing that I know about them is their jobs and her self esteem issues.
Literally the ONLY conflict here is her self esteem. The Hero was a detective. I thought there might be some intrigue or drama...but all we have is a Hero who falls in instalove makes a ridiculously grand gesture and has to battle the heroines self esteem issues. After reading this book the only thing that I know about them is their jobs and her self esteem issues.
March 8, 2019
A bakery themed romance with an over abundance of sweetness. Charlotte and Adams romance constantly battles her insecurities. He sees her like no other. No shortage of drama as they take you on an emotional roller coaster. A cute book that I read as a reader copy and voluntarily chose to review.
March 19, 2019
A must read!
This was a wonderful quick read. Loved that the detective didn't back off when his friend said be could do better. He showed the respect any woman deserves no matter her size. Definitely recommend this book and author.
This was a wonderful quick read. Loved that the detective didn't back off when his friend said be could do better. He showed the respect any woman deserves no matter her size. Definitely recommend this book and author.
July 31, 2019
Such a sweet story, pun intended. Loved how Adam was willing to go to great lengths to win over Charlotte. Would’ve loved a longer story as I really liked both MCs and would’ve liked to see their relationship develop and I would’ve loved to read Char’s reaction to French bakeries!!
January 14, 2020
"Curvy" woman and "sculpted" man
He is instantly attracted to her. She doesn't know whether he means it. Will her insecurity stand in their? A lovely (but short) story. Maybe a prequel?
He is instantly attracted to her. She doesn't know whether he means it. Will her insecurity stand in their? A lovely (but short) story. Maybe a prequel?
August 24, 2020
Opposites
Nice short read where Adam (detective) is attracted to Charlotte (the baker).
Charlotte has never had any confidence in meeting people and does not know how beautiful she is.
Adam keeps trying and trying to break down her walls.
This was a crisp, refreshing read with only a kiss or two.
Nice short read where Adam (detective) is attracted to Charlotte (the baker).
Charlotte has never had any confidence in meeting people and does not know how beautiful she is.
Adam keeps trying and trying to break down her walls.
This was a crisp, refreshing read with only a kiss or two.
May 12, 2019
❤❤❤❤❤
July 1, 2019
This was well written but I was somewhat surprised by the ending.
November 14, 2019
What short and sweet read about Charlotte and Adam.
December 31, 2019
A nice story
It was nice to be an observer of this couple. They complement each other and get to know each other before the first kiss. It was refreshing!
It was nice to be an observer of this couple. They complement each other and get to know each other before the first kiss. It was refreshing!
January 4, 2020
Hopeless Romantic
I wish there were more to this book. Love the Characters. I'm want to know more about what happens next to them .
I wish there were more to this book. Love the Characters. I'm want to know more about what happens next to them .
January 4, 2020
No profanity, just a short, sweet, feel good, love story. This story is probably what a lot of people go through. You have to accept yourself.
January 13, 2020
Received a free copy from author for a review. This is a very sweet romance. Loved the characters and the story.
February 19, 2020
I knew when I downloaded this book it was going to be short and a sweet romance. This book was free. I think if there more pages this book could of been hit but falling flat for me.
March 5, 2020
Loved this book
Read
April 7, 2020Review to come
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews