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Bella Vista Chronicles #4
Sugar and Salt
The New York Times bestselling author of The Lost and Found Bookshop brings readers a can't-miss tale of friendship, hardship, redemption, and love between a San Francisco baker and a barbecue master from Texas.
Jerome Sugar learned the art of baking in his grandma's bakery, also called Sugar, on historic Perdita Street in San Francisco. He supplies baked goods to the Lost and Found Bookshop across the street.
When the restaurant that shares his commercial kitchen loses its longtime tenant, a newcomer moves in: Margot Salton, a barbecue master from Texas.
Margot isn't exactly on the run, but she needs a fresh start. She's taken care of herself her whole life, pulling herself up by her fingernails to recover from trauma, and her dream has been to open a restaurant somewhere far, far from Texas. The shared kitchen with Jerome's Sugar bakery is the perfect setup: a state-of-the-art kitchen and a vibrant neighborhood popular with tourists and locals.
Margot instantly takes to Jerome's mother, the lively, opinionated Ida. The older woman proves to be a good mentor, and Margot is drawn to Jerome. Despite their different backgrounds their attraction is powerful--even though Jerome worries that Margot will simply move on from him once she's found some peace and stability. But just as she starts to relax into a happy new future, Margot's past in Texas comes back to haunt her...
Jerome Sugar learned the art of baking in his grandma's bakery, also called Sugar, on historic Perdita Street in San Francisco. He supplies baked goods to the Lost and Found Bookshop across the street.
When the restaurant that shares his commercial kitchen loses its longtime tenant, a newcomer moves in: Margot Salton, a barbecue master from Texas.
Margot isn't exactly on the run, but she needs a fresh start. She's taken care of herself her whole life, pulling herself up by her fingernails to recover from trauma, and her dream has been to open a restaurant somewhere far, far from Texas. The shared kitchen with Jerome's Sugar bakery is the perfect setup: a state-of-the-art kitchen and a vibrant neighborhood popular with tourists and locals.
Margot instantly takes to Jerome's mother, the lively, opinionated Ida. The older woman proves to be a good mentor, and Margot is drawn to Jerome. Despite their different backgrounds their attraction is powerful--even though Jerome worries that Margot will simply move on from him once she's found some peace and stability. But just as she starts to relax into a happy new future, Margot's past in Texas comes back to haunt her...
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 23, 2023
1088 people are currently reading
23645 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wiggs
197 books7,297 followersSusan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,155 reviews
August 3, 2022
3.5 rounded down... the trauma in this was heavy-handed & really extreme for what I expected to be a lighter story and I skimmed a lot of it. I did enjoy the part set on Perdita St in San Fran, tho...
August 1, 2022
I am so disappointed in this book. I have always loved Susan's books, her characters and storylines well developed, but not this book. I don't feel that any of the storylines were fleshed out, it feels like someone said to her "write a story packed with as many social issues as you possibly can"! It was virtue-signaling at its worst. Terrible, poorly written book and not worth my time.
July 24, 2022
This is my first Susan Wiggs read. Based on the cover I expected it to be a light summery bakery and romance read. Now I know it's unfair to judge a book by it's cover and that's what I did.
What I got when I read this is a whole lot more.
The book is pretty intense,emotional and dramatic if you were to ask me.
It starts off with what we assume is a well to do woman who has worked towards opening her own restaurant her whole life. She is a master chef who was taught the skills years ago as a child by her mother. She was poor growing up but her mother always did her best by her.
She worked hard and it's opening night at her fancy restaurant, the critics are there and she's nervous but she's got this. Until she doesn't.
It takes us through an emotional back story of the woman. There are many characters and we finally see how they all mesh together.
She has a chance at real love for the first time but she's so afraid to share her past experiences with him. Will he give her a chance if her past is told?
There are some very intense parts that may cause some to stop reading. I am wondering if all her books are like this? Overall in the face of adversity our main character had to make some very hard and life changing decisions. Very much an eye opening book. The characters are very well written and realistic.
Tasty recipes also included.
Expected publication: July 26th 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own
What I got when I read this is a whole lot more.
The book is pretty intense,emotional and dramatic if you were to ask me.
It starts off with what we assume is a well to do woman who has worked towards opening her own restaurant her whole life. She is a master chef who was taught the skills years ago as a child by her mother. She was poor growing up but her mother always did her best by her.
She worked hard and it's opening night at her fancy restaurant, the critics are there and she's nervous but she's got this. Until she doesn't.
It takes us through an emotional back story of the woman. There are many characters and we finally see how they all mesh together.
She has a chance at real love for the first time but she's so afraid to share her past experiences with him. Will he give her a chance if her past is told?
There are some very intense parts that may cause some to stop reading. I am wondering if all her books are like this? Overall in the face of adversity our main character had to make some very hard and life changing decisions. Very much an eye opening book. The characters are very well written and realistic.
Tasty recipes also included.
Expected publication: July 26th 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own
August 9, 2022
For The First Time, With A Disappoints
I am a huge Susan With a book fan.
For the very first time, I intensely disliked her story.
She politicized the entire book with her political opinions, which will undoubtedly offend half of her fan base.
I am a huge Susan With a book fan.
For the very first time, I intensely disliked her story.
She politicized the entire book with her political opinions, which will undoubtedly offend half of her fan base.
July 23, 2022
"Maybe sometimes love deserves a second chance because it wasn't ready the first time around." - unknown
Second chances, good food, romance, and the past all rolled into one!
But first, that cover! How beautiful is that?
Susan Wiggs writes about people, relationships, family and both good and bad life experiences. I thought this would be a delightful, sweet romance book (and it does have that) but it is much more.
Margot Salton is opening a BBQ restaurant (named Salt) right next to a bakery called Sugar. Salt and Sugar will share a kitchen so both proprietors will have a lot of contact with each other. Margot meets Jerome Sugar who is helping at Ida Sugar's bakery.
*So, in the blurb it says Ida is Jerome’s grandmother but, in the book, she is clearly his mother.
Margot, Jerome, and Ida are all interesting and likeable characters, and we get to know all of them through the present and in their backstories. Ida (who I believe steals the show) becomes a mentor to Margot who is feeling drawn to Jerome.
There are some secrets that come to light in this book. We learn the backstories of each character as I mentioned, but Margot's backstory takes the stage (and a good portion of this book).
While I can say that I enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as I have her previous books. I feel this is due in part to me going into this book feeling it would be a light romance perfect for summer. There is romance, but also heavy issues. Readers should be aware of that going into this book. The issues are relevant but may be triggers for some.
A good book that I didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would. Others have enjoyed this book more than I did, please read their reviews as well.
I have been a fan of Susan Wiggs for a long time and look forward to reading more of her books in the future!
#SugarandSalt #NetGalley
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Second chances, good food, romance, and the past all rolled into one!
But first, that cover! How beautiful is that?
Susan Wiggs writes about people, relationships, family and both good and bad life experiences. I thought this would be a delightful, sweet romance book (and it does have that) but it is much more.
Margot Salton is opening a BBQ restaurant (named Salt) right next to a bakery called Sugar. Salt and Sugar will share a kitchen so both proprietors will have a lot of contact with each other. Margot meets Jerome Sugar who is helping at Ida Sugar's bakery.
*So, in the blurb it says Ida is Jerome’s grandmother but, in the book, she is clearly his mother.
Margot, Jerome, and Ida are all interesting and likeable characters, and we get to know all of them through the present and in their backstories. Ida (who I believe steals the show) becomes a mentor to Margot who is feeling drawn to Jerome.
There are some secrets that come to light in this book. We learn the backstories of each character as I mentioned, but Margot's backstory takes the stage (and a good portion of this book).
While I can say that I enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as I have her previous books. I feel this is due in part to me going into this book feeling it would be a light romance perfect for summer. There is romance, but also heavy issues. Readers should be aware of that going into this book. The issues are relevant but may be triggers for some.
A good book that I didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would. Others have enjoyed this book more than I did, please read their reviews as well.
I have been a fan of Susan Wiggs for a long time and look forward to reading more of her books in the future!
#SugarandSalt #NetGalley
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 29, 2022
(2.5 stars)
Trigger Warning: mention of SA
When I started this book, I was really enjoying it. The stories of Ida's growing up and Margot's restaurant quest were described with lovely detail and I felt pulled into their worlds. The food that was discussed had my mouth watering. I was excited to read about the whole side-by-side restaurant business and the romances that ensued, but unfortunately, the blurb on the back deceived me. Sure, it mentions that "Margot's past in Texas comes back to haunt her..." but 99% of the blurb is about the restaurant aspect of the story, so that's what I expected. What it failed to mention was that we were going to be pulled into her past at page 130 and wouldn't return to the present until nearly 300. It was written well for what it was, but this was not marketed as a book about court cases, abortion, etc., so I found myself annoyed as I dragged through. The cover was also very misleading— a pink cake? On a story that's mostly about sexual assault? Seriously? Not to mention that the main character, Margot, is a BBQ chef, not the bakery owner. Anyway, the story pulled us into Margot's past much longer than necessary, and it caused me to forget a chunk of what happened at the start of the book. I kept waiting for it to return to the present, or at least switch back and forth, but it didn't return for the longest time. I am very upset at how misleading this book was and I wish more time had been spent on the present— Margot's success with the restaurant, her story with Jerome, etc.. There were a couple typos throughout the book. This is marked as #4 in a series but it worked fine as a stand-alone.
Trigger Warning: mention of SA
When I started this book, I was really enjoying it. The stories of Ida's growing up and Margot's restaurant quest were described with lovely detail and I felt pulled into their worlds. The food that was discussed had my mouth watering. I was excited to read about the whole side-by-side restaurant business and the romances that ensued, but unfortunately, the blurb on the back deceived me. Sure, it mentions that "Margot's past in Texas comes back to haunt her..." but 99% of the blurb is about the restaurant aspect of the story, so that's what I expected. What it failed to mention was that we were going to be pulled into her past at page 130 and wouldn't return to the present until nearly 300. It was written well for what it was, but this was not marketed as a book about court cases, abortion, etc., so I found myself annoyed as I dragged through. The cover was also very misleading— a pink cake? On a story that's mostly about sexual assault? Seriously? Not to mention that the main character, Margot, is a BBQ chef, not the bakery owner. Anyway, the story pulled us into Margot's past much longer than necessary, and it caused me to forget a chunk of what happened at the start of the book. I kept waiting for it to return to the present, or at least switch back and forth, but it didn't return for the longest time. I am very upset at how misleading this book was and I wish more time had been spent on the present— Margot's success with the restaurant, her story with Jerome, etc.. There were a couple typos throughout the book. This is marked as #4 in a series but it worked fine as a stand-alone.
August 11, 2022
Removing this writer from my reading list.
I paid $15 for an escape and got the same lecture I get from the media. In addition the author explained 3 times about Vietnam draft dodgers amnesty, in the span of 40 pages. When the author tossed in hoodies and "white privilege" is when I knew I couldn't finish this book - and I can't get my money back.
Save yourself, skip this one.
I paid $15 for an escape and got the same lecture I get from the media. In addition the author explained 3 times about Vietnam draft dodgers amnesty, in the span of 40 pages. When the author tossed in hoodies and "white privilege" is when I knew I couldn't finish this book - and I can't get my money back.
Save yourself, skip this one.
July 15, 2022
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
I Did Not Finish (DNF) at 26 percent, skimmed to 40 percent mark. I got up to chapter 10 and tossed in the towel.
It just didn't grab me. The writing felt super slow and I felt like after a while the book was going through the motions. There's no heat between Jerome and Margot. And why they would get involved in Ida's business didn't read as believable to me at all. I loved the food descriptions as well as the description of the locations of the area. But the characters had me going meh. Maybe if we just stick with Jerome and Margot I would be for it. But we start off knowing something bad happens and we rewind back several months from 2019. Then the book jumps back and forth between characters an timelines. The 40 percent I read had the timelines going from 1972, 1977, 2007 and 2019. Also I found some stuff wrong in the ARC versus the synopsis which always irks my soul. I also didn't realize this was the 4th book in a series. I wish that NetGalley gave you the heads-up about that. I requested this book eons ago and it's already out and I hate feeling rushed when trying to read/review so that's another reason that since I am not enjoying it, I am going to put a pin in it.
ETA: this is a fourth stand alone in a series but not connected. I was told that so updated my review to reflect that.
"Sugar and Salt" follows Margot Salton, a barbeque master from Texas. She moves to San Francisco and realizes her dream of opening a restaurant. She finds a place, but is told she has to share the kitchen with a bakery called Sugar. Margot thinks this is a sign and agrees and in a few short months opens Salt. She finds herself pulled in by the former bakery owner of Sugar, Ida and her son (now running the place) Jerome. Margot and Jerome find themselves attracted to each other and starting something new. But then something from Margot's past comes back to possibly ruin their future.
I don't know if certain things are going to get fixed in the final book or what since I am reading an ARC, but the Goodreads description reads:
Ida is her mother. Not his grandmother. Also the way the synopsis on NetGalley/Goodreads played it, I thought the lead in this was going to be Jerome. So I just felt flattened by that as well.
I didn't feel much for Margot, Jerome, Ida, or Francis/Frank. I just think that the book kept everyone way too thin throughout that you don't get a chance to just revel in the romances. We have a second chance romance with Ida and Frank and I did not feel it at all. Everyone kept talking about how lit up she was and then when we would pivot to her third person point of view I would go okay then. Same issue when the book switches back to Margot being in Texas in 2007.
I skimmed a bit (to the 40 percent point) and at that point I just realized that nothing was grabbing me. Everyone just felt flat. I maybe laughed at a description of Ida having lines on her face. If she was 18 around 1972, in 2019 she would be in her early or mid 60s, also Black women tend to not get lines/wrinkles around their faces. I don't know, it just was something that hit me and made me crack up. But the reveal about [redacted] felt a bit off. Cause I legit went wait, how about [redacted] and realized that at this point I needed to put the book away. I loathe secret pregnancies in romance novels and this one just felt a bit thrown in. Badly. I think I recently read a Wiggs book which did something similar with the narrative and timelines and I think that is why I didn't really like it either. I would like to just focus on one couple per romance book. Of course when you have a series, you are setting up the next couple, so they usually appear, but this just felt crammed with too many people/plots and not enough to grab me.
As I said above though, the food and location descriptions were awesome. I just wish the rest of the book had been.
I Did Not Finish (DNF) at 26 percent, skimmed to 40 percent mark. I got up to chapter 10 and tossed in the towel.
It just didn't grab me. The writing felt super slow and I felt like after a while the book was going through the motions. There's no heat between Jerome and Margot. And why they would get involved in Ida's business didn't read as believable to me at all. I loved the food descriptions as well as the description of the locations of the area. But the characters had me going meh. Maybe if we just stick with Jerome and Margot I would be for it. But we start off knowing something bad happens and we rewind back several months from 2019. Then the book jumps back and forth between characters an timelines. The 40 percent I read had the timelines going from 1972, 1977, 2007 and 2019. Also I found some stuff wrong in the ARC versus the synopsis which always irks my soul. I also didn't realize this was the 4th book in a series. I wish that NetGalley gave you the heads-up about that. I requested this book eons ago and it's already out and I hate feeling rushed when trying to read/review so that's another reason that since I am not enjoying it, I am going to put a pin in it.
ETA: this is a fourth stand alone in a series but not connected. I was told that so updated my review to reflect that.
"Sugar and Salt" follows Margot Salton, a barbeque master from Texas. She moves to San Francisco and realizes her dream of opening a restaurant. She finds a place, but is told she has to share the kitchen with a bakery called Sugar. Margot thinks this is a sign and agrees and in a few short months opens Salt. She finds herself pulled in by the former bakery owner of Sugar, Ida and her son (now running the place) Jerome. Margot and Jerome find themselves attracted to each other and starting something new. But then something from Margot's past comes back to possibly ruin their future.
I don't know if certain things are going to get fixed in the final book or what since I am reading an ARC, but the Goodreads description reads:
Margot instantly takes to Jerome's grandmother, the lively, opinionated Ida, and the older woman proves to be a good mentor.
Ida is her mother. Not his grandmother. Also the way the synopsis on NetGalley/Goodreads played it, I thought the lead in this was going to be Jerome. So I just felt flattened by that as well.
I didn't feel much for Margot, Jerome, Ida, or Francis/Frank. I just think that the book kept everyone way too thin throughout that you don't get a chance to just revel in the romances. We have a second chance romance with Ida and Frank and I did not feel it at all. Everyone kept talking about how lit up she was and then when we would pivot to her third person point of view I would go okay then. Same issue when the book switches back to Margot being in Texas in 2007.
I skimmed a bit (to the 40 percent point) and at that point I just realized that nothing was grabbing me. Everyone just felt flat. I maybe laughed at a description of Ida having lines on her face. If she was 18 around 1972, in 2019 she would be in her early or mid 60s, also Black women tend to not get lines/wrinkles around their faces. I don't know, it just was something that hit me and made me crack up. But the reveal about [redacted] felt a bit off. Cause I legit went wait, how about [redacted] and realized that at this point I needed to put the book away. I loathe secret pregnancies in romance novels and this one just felt a bit thrown in. Badly. I think I recently read a Wiggs book which did something similar with the narrative and timelines and I think that is why I didn't really like it either. I would like to just focus on one couple per romance book. Of course when you have a series, you are setting up the next couple, so they usually appear, but this just felt crammed with too many people/plots and not enough to grab me.
As I said above though, the food and location descriptions were awesome. I just wish the rest of the book had been.
July 4, 2023
Apparently, this is a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone.
Our protagonist Margot wants to open up a BBQ restaurant.
She finds a space that shares a kitchen with a bakery. She meets Ida the owner, and they forge a deal.
Then she meets Jerome, Ida’s son, who runs the bakery. Jerome and Margot instantly connect and develop a friendship. Jerome is a single-dad with 2 sons, who also takes care of his mother, Ida.
Margot also has a past she would rather not talk about and just as soon forget. But, after meeting Jerome, she feels she needs to share it.
Will he accept her anyway?
It started off as such a light-hearted, sweet story, and then, once we got into Margot’s back story, things got tense, sad and hard to read and stay focused.
The title of the book is befitting in that way – sugar… and then salt. (Although that was really the name of the BBQ/Bakery.) If you caught sarcasm on my part you weren't wrong. (Sorry!)
Trigger warnings: sexual assault, abortion, abortion rights, adoption, desertion, lost family, assault, draft dodging, criminal injustice, to name a few.
And…
There are always the recipes in the back. (a l/2 star for that.)
2.5 stars
Our protagonist Margot wants to open up a BBQ restaurant.
She finds a space that shares a kitchen with a bakery. She meets Ida the owner, and they forge a deal.
Then she meets Jerome, Ida’s son, who runs the bakery. Jerome and Margot instantly connect and develop a friendship. Jerome is a single-dad with 2 sons, who also takes care of his mother, Ida.
Margot also has a past she would rather not talk about and just as soon forget. But, after meeting Jerome, she feels she needs to share it.
Will he accept her anyway?
It started off as such a light-hearted, sweet story, and then, once we got into Margot’s back story, things got tense, sad and hard to read and stay focused.
The title of the book is befitting in that way – sugar… and then salt. (Although that was really the name of the BBQ/Bakery.) If you caught sarcasm on my part you weren't wrong. (Sorry!)
Trigger warnings: sexual assault, abortion, abortion rights, adoption, desertion, lost family, assault, draft dodging, criminal injustice, to name a few.
And…
There are always the recipes in the back. (a l/2 star for that.)
2.5 stars
May 27, 2022
(free review copy) Okay so yes I read the whole thing and yes I have really liked other books by the author but DAMN this book is a hot mess. I’ll come back and add reasons later but just know there is a MAJOR sexual assault trigger warning + more content warnings re: pregnancy and abortion and adoption.
August 10, 2022
I absolutely loved this book and can't believe this is my first book from Susan Wiggs! Where have I been?
As a foodie, I am always partial to books with food as a theme. Of course throw in some love, my favorite, and I'm sold!
It's important to note that this book is heavy at times. I enjoyed that, but it may leave you surprised if you are expecting lightness.
As a foodie, I am always partial to books with food as a theme. Of course throw in some love, my favorite, and I'm sold!
It's important to note that this book is heavy at times. I enjoyed that, but it may leave you surprised if you are expecting lightness.
August 1, 2022
Do you ever forget your first love? Is it fate that you meet again after many years?
On the other side of the coin, will telling someone you recently met and had grown close to leave you because of what you tell them about your past?
We meet Ida and Frank who were childhood sweethearts, and we meet Jerome and Margot who found each other but one of them has a past she has kept secret.
Will Frank and Ida be able to stay together? Will Margot and Jerome stay together once she tells him about her past?
Margot did have a past, but it wasn't her fault, and she hadn't been at fault. A powerful family made sure she was accused of the crime she didn't commit.
SUGAR AND SALT has the sweetest title, the sweetest characters, and the sweetest storyline along with delicious food that will make your mouth water.
But…there also are sensitive situations, unsavory characters, a glimpse into the legal system, and sad stories of a hard life, but all in all another marvelous read by Ms. Wiggs.
And the book’s sweetness doesn’t end even though I shed some happy tears.
The sweetness continues as the reader is treated to recipes that are shared in the final pages. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher and LibraryThing for an honest review.
On the other side of the coin, will telling someone you recently met and had grown close to leave you because of what you tell them about your past?
We meet Ida and Frank who were childhood sweethearts, and we meet Jerome and Margot who found each other but one of them has a past she has kept secret.
Will Frank and Ida be able to stay together? Will Margot and Jerome stay together once she tells him about her past?
Margot did have a past, but it wasn't her fault, and she hadn't been at fault. A powerful family made sure she was accused of the crime she didn't commit.
SUGAR AND SALT has the sweetest title, the sweetest characters, and the sweetest storyline along with delicious food that will make your mouth water.
But…there also are sensitive situations, unsavory characters, a glimpse into the legal system, and sad stories of a hard life, but all in all another marvelous read by Ms. Wiggs.
And the book’s sweetness doesn’t end even though I shed some happy tears.
The sweetness continues as the reader is treated to recipes that are shared in the final pages. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher and LibraryThing for an honest review.
October 9, 2022
This was an ARC that I won recently and I was pleasantly surprised at how good this book was and how much the story matched up with what is going on in our country today. I have read a few more books by this author but after this one I will read more. The story starts out slow and Sugar and Salt are the names of a adjoining restaurant and bakery in San Francisco. The owner of the restaurant has moved there and started the business to make a big change in her life. We don't learn what happened to her until she falls for the owner of the bakery and she tells him her story and it is sad. She was in jail for shooting the man who raped and attacked her. She fought him and eventually he as shot and killed. He was the son of a very prominent family in the county and they were determined to destroy her. While in jail she found out she was pregnant by the rapist and she tried to get an abortion and the courts, because of the family, drug things out until it was too late for this. She knew she could not have the child of the man who attacked so she gave the baby up for adoption to a wonderful family. While going through all this she became involved with several advocacy groups that really helped her. This is a good story with wonderful characters. definitely recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2022
I wish this book came with trigger warnings. What started as a beautiful, lighthearted story about a restauranteur starting over quickly turned into a well-written, but incredibly triggering backstory that lasted for a large portion of the book. Had I known more about the plot, I would have avoided this one.
August 4, 2022
social and political issues
I was so looking forward to a new Susan Wiggs book. I don’t like politics in my fiction. I turn to fiction as an escape from the social issues of the real world. Rape, abortion, gay male adoptive couple, interracial relationships and a female victim all in one story was not an escape but a ridiculous overload and not believable. If Ms. Wiggs felt her readers needed to know her liberal views, she succeeded.
I was so looking forward to a new Susan Wiggs book. I don’t like politics in my fiction. I turn to fiction as an escape from the social issues of the real world. Rape, abortion, gay male adoptive couple, interracial relationships and a female victim all in one story was not an escape but a ridiculous overload and not believable. If Ms. Wiggs felt her readers needed to know her liberal views, she succeeded.
July 14, 2022
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
Sugar and Salt by Susan Wiggs is the fourth book in her popular Bella Vista Chronicles but can be read as a stand-alone. I saw that pretty pink cover with the beautiful cake, read the blurb, and expected a nice summery romance. I also read the previous book in the series, The Lost and Found Bookshop and I expected a similar story or at least a similar tone. And, I did get a nice romance, BUT, I also got a very emotional, tough, intense, and powerful story as well.
Margot needs a fresh start and has always wanted to open up her own barbeque restaurant. She finds a nice space that shares a kitchen with a bakery. She loves the location, so she goes ahead and takes the space after meeting Ida, the owner of the bakery. Then she meets Jerome, Ida’s son, who runs the bakery. Jerome and Margot instantly connect and develop a friendship. Jerome is a single dad to two young sons, and he continues to worry about and care for his mother, Ida.
Margot also has a past that she wants to forget. But when she meets and gets to know Jerome, she knows she has to tell him about her past in order for them to move on. And she’s always afraid of her past catching up to her. Can Margot escape her past and find happiness with Jerome?
I said earlier that this book is much more than a light romance. It started out just fine, I liked Margot very much, she’s a tough woman who knows what she wants. I also enjoyed Jerome and his mother Ida. Everything was progressing as I expected, with Margot getting her restaurant up and running, and Jerome and Margot starting to get closer, and then BAM! Up next came the backstory, which took up about half the book. Not only Margot’s backstory, but Ida has a difficult past as well, with some secrets. This is where the book changes from a light romance to an intense, and emotional story.
I would suggest that you look up the trigger warnings for this book if you get triggered. There is sexual assault, abortion, abortion rights, adoption, desertion, lost family, assault, draft dodging, criminal injustice and so much more. I can’t list it all. Margot’s backstory is horrific, sad, and difficult to read. But, it also made the book into so much more than just a nice romance. I wanted to know how she survived such a difficult past and I couldn’t wait to find out. I also enjoyed Ida’s backstory, although it’s not nearly as horrific as Margot’s.
I don’t want anyone to think I didn’t like this book. I loved it! I felt like the author did a great job handling all the issues, and I was enthralled with the story. It’s just that I didn’t EXPECT such tough issues in such a pretty book.
I highly recommend Sugar and Salt to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sugar and Salt by Susan Wiggs is the fourth book in her popular Bella Vista Chronicles but can be read as a stand-alone. I saw that pretty pink cover with the beautiful cake, read the blurb, and expected a nice summery romance. I also read the previous book in the series, The Lost and Found Bookshop and I expected a similar story or at least a similar tone. And, I did get a nice romance, BUT, I also got a very emotional, tough, intense, and powerful story as well.
Margot needs a fresh start and has always wanted to open up her own barbeque restaurant. She finds a nice space that shares a kitchen with a bakery. She loves the location, so she goes ahead and takes the space after meeting Ida, the owner of the bakery. Then she meets Jerome, Ida’s son, who runs the bakery. Jerome and Margot instantly connect and develop a friendship. Jerome is a single dad to two young sons, and he continues to worry about and care for his mother, Ida.
Margot also has a past that she wants to forget. But when she meets and gets to know Jerome, she knows she has to tell him about her past in order for them to move on. And she’s always afraid of her past catching up to her. Can Margot escape her past and find happiness with Jerome?
I said earlier that this book is much more than a light romance. It started out just fine, I liked Margot very much, she’s a tough woman who knows what she wants. I also enjoyed Jerome and his mother Ida. Everything was progressing as I expected, with Margot getting her restaurant up and running, and Jerome and Margot starting to get closer, and then BAM! Up next came the backstory, which took up about half the book. Not only Margot’s backstory, but Ida has a difficult past as well, with some secrets. This is where the book changes from a light romance to an intense, and emotional story.
I would suggest that you look up the trigger warnings for this book if you get triggered. There is sexual assault, abortion, abortion rights, adoption, desertion, lost family, assault, draft dodging, criminal injustice and so much more. I can’t list it all. Margot’s backstory is horrific, sad, and difficult to read. But, it also made the book into so much more than just a nice romance. I wanted to know how she survived such a difficult past and I couldn’t wait to find out. I also enjoyed Ida’s backstory, although it’s not nearly as horrific as Margot’s.
I don’t want anyone to think I didn’t like this book. I loved it! I felt like the author did a great job handling all the issues, and I was enthralled with the story. It’s just that I didn’t EXPECT such tough issues in such a pretty book.
I highly recommend Sugar and Salt to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 22, 2025
TRIGGER WARNING! Sexual Assault and other content warnings. It mentions racism, prison, pregnancy, abortion and adoption.
Thank you Goodreads and the publisher for granting me access to this book ahead of publication date. I give this book 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars. This book took me forever to finish because it is an extremely HEAVY story. I found myself having to take multiple breaks from reading due to frustration and mental exhaustion.
I never judge a book by its cover; however, this one was terribly misleading. A pink cake? Really? This was mainly about sexual assault.
Can we not get a different cover?
Unfortunately, I do not recommend this book.⭐️⭐️
Thank you Goodreads and the publisher for granting me access to this book ahead of publication date. I give this book 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars. This book took me forever to finish because it is an extremely HEAVY story. I found myself having to take multiple breaks from reading due to frustration and mental exhaustion.
I never judge a book by its cover; however, this one was terribly misleading. A pink cake? Really? This was mainly about sexual assault.
Can we not get a different cover?
Unfortunately, I do not recommend this book.⭐️⭐️
July 25, 2022
Emotional, sweet, and heart-wrenching!
Sugar and Salt is a raw, compelling tale that takes you on a journey into the life of Margot Salton as she struggles to juggle a new rewarding endeavour, a handsome, kindhearted man whom she’s wary of loving and a devastating past littered with injustice, violence and heartbreak.
The prose is sensitive and tender. The characters are vulnerable, scarred, and strong. And the plot is a moving tale of life, loss, friendship, family, trust, shame, self-blame, sexual assault, finding love, moving on, and the intricacies of the Texas legal system.
Overall, Sugar and Salt is a timely, affecting, heart-tugging tale by Wiggs that is a little darker than I originally expected, packs a real emotional punch, and ultimately does an exceptional job of highlighting the psychological and emotional devastation caused by rape and the cultural stigmatization that regrettably still surrounds it.
Thank you to Uplit Reads for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sugar and Salt is a raw, compelling tale that takes you on a journey into the life of Margot Salton as she struggles to juggle a new rewarding endeavour, a handsome, kindhearted man whom she’s wary of loving and a devastating past littered with injustice, violence and heartbreak.
The prose is sensitive and tender. The characters are vulnerable, scarred, and strong. And the plot is a moving tale of life, loss, friendship, family, trust, shame, self-blame, sexual assault, finding love, moving on, and the intricacies of the Texas legal system.
Overall, Sugar and Salt is a timely, affecting, heart-tugging tale by Wiggs that is a little darker than I originally expected, packs a real emotional punch, and ultimately does an exceptional job of highlighting the psychological and emotional devastation caused by rape and the cultural stigmatization that regrettably still surrounds it.
Thank you to Uplit Reads for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2022
TITLE: SUGAR AND SALT
AUTHOR: Susan Wiggs
PUB DATE: 07.26.2022 Now Available
Sugar and Salt is such a comfort read that had everything I enjoy - Food, Family and Falling in Love!
I devoured this delicious romance that had serious themes, sass (Ida Sugar I’m looking at you), and second chance. Margot Salton is such an awesome and strong woman, and I absolutely adored how Wiggs wrote her character and her heart breaking back story. And then there is Jerome and his mother Ida Sugar, who runs their bakery aptly called Sugar, whom Margot shares a kitchen with to run her BBQ restaurant Salt. Though it’s a much darker read, I really enjoyed another awesome Susan Wiggs read!
AUTHOR: Susan Wiggs
PUB DATE: 07.26.2022 Now Available
Sugar and Salt is such a comfort read that had everything I enjoy - Food, Family and Falling in Love!
I devoured this delicious romance that had serious themes, sass (Ida Sugar I’m looking at you), and second chance. Margot Salton is such an awesome and strong woman, and I absolutely adored how Wiggs wrote her character and her heart breaking back story. And then there is Jerome and his mother Ida Sugar, who runs their bakery aptly called Sugar, whom Margot shares a kitchen with to run her BBQ restaurant Salt. Though it’s a much darker read, I really enjoyed another awesome Susan Wiggs read!
July 29, 2022
Big fan of author but not his book. Too much of the story is a political message.
July 27, 2022
Just WOW! I mean WOW! I really do not know how to write a review for this absolutely moving story and give it all the love and credit it deserves.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
Wiggs is a master when it comes to writing characters that you will fall in love with, and I cannot put into words how much I fell in love with Margot’s character. Following her story from a young lady to an adult just blew me away, especially her backstory.
To be honest with you, I was expecting a “fluffy” story and got so so much more. Margot’s story was deep, emotional, and at times traumatic. Her story is one that needs to be told, because it is based on so many truths that women in our society have gone through and are now dealing with more than ever. I’m not going to go into details because I will end up giving the story away, and I want you to experience this book and all the emotions that go with it.
This is book 4 in a series. Can it be read as a standalone?
Yes. I did not read the previous books in this series (you can bet your sweet butt I’m going to now) and I didn’t feel like I missed anything.
Would this make for a good group or buddy read?
Yes! I read this with Lina and we both were messaging each other nonstop once we were about a third of the way through the story. It’s going to be one you want to talk about while reading or afterwards for sure!
How was the pace?
This is a fast-paced book I completely binge read. It just sucks you in and makes you feel like your right there with the characters.
Do you recommend this book?
Yes!! Please, please, please read this truly powerful story, because it really has it all: found family, friends, heartache, romance, strength, and diversity. I guarantee that this story will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
I do have to say that you may want to look up the trigger warnings for this book. The only reason I haven’t listed them is fear of creating a spoiler.
Thank you, William Morrow, and UpLit for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
Wiggs is a master when it comes to writing characters that you will fall in love with, and I cannot put into words how much I fell in love with Margot’s character. Following her story from a young lady to an adult just blew me away, especially her backstory.
To be honest with you, I was expecting a “fluffy” story and got so so much more. Margot’s story was deep, emotional, and at times traumatic. Her story is one that needs to be told, because it is based on so many truths that women in our society have gone through and are now dealing with more than ever. I’m not going to go into details because I will end up giving the story away, and I want you to experience this book and all the emotions that go with it.
This is book 4 in a series. Can it be read as a standalone?
Yes. I did not read the previous books in this series (you can bet your sweet butt I’m going to now) and I didn’t feel like I missed anything.
Would this make for a good group or buddy read?
Yes! I read this with Lina and we both were messaging each other nonstop once we were about a third of the way through the story. It’s going to be one you want to talk about while reading or afterwards for sure!
How was the pace?
This is a fast-paced book I completely binge read. It just sucks you in and makes you feel like your right there with the characters.
Do you recommend this book?
Yes!! Please, please, please read this truly powerful story, because it really has it all: found family, friends, heartache, romance, strength, and diversity. I guarantee that this story will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
I do have to say that you may want to look up the trigger warnings for this book. The only reason I haven’t listed them is fear of creating a spoiler.
Thank you, William Morrow, and UpLit for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 21, 2022
As a long time fan of Susan Wiggs I was a bit disappointed by this book. While I found the storyline engaging and relevant it seemed to be more of a platform for the author to voice her viewpoint on numerous current political agendas. Despite this I liked the characters and the theme of finding the inner strength to find hope in the most hopeless of situations and that love can conquer the deepest of fears.
August 8, 2022
I didn’t realize this was part of a series, but had in fact listened to and enjoyed The Lost and Found Bookshop (book #3).
In this story, we meet a young woman with a big dream of owning her own barbecue restaurant and that dream takes her from a food truck in Texas to a shared kitchen. It’s the perfect setup: a state-of-the-art kitchen and a vibrant neighborhood popular with tourists and locals.
Wiggs writes magic blending character growth with dreams, history and love. I expected a light, feel-good novel with small-town charms, and a side of sweet romance, but Wiggs delivered more. Jerome’s grandmother and her story tugged at my heartstrings, reminding us of the injustices of the world and gave us hope of more. Her characters a real, flawed and those you want to spend time with. I love Ida, and other secondary characters.
The story was heartfelt and genuine, with some added drama from Margot’s past. Both Jerome and Margot had some growing pains along the way. The tale wrapped up nicely, leaving me with fond memories of time well spent.
Christine Lakin narrates and did a wonderful job of capturing the tone and characters of this story. I highly recommend listening and I find myself tempted to grab the first two books in these chronicles.
Fans of women’s fiction, foodie books and character growth will enjoy this and other stories from the Bella Vista Chronicles. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
In this story, we meet a young woman with a big dream of owning her own barbecue restaurant and that dream takes her from a food truck in Texas to a shared kitchen. It’s the perfect setup: a state-of-the-art kitchen and a vibrant neighborhood popular with tourists and locals.
Wiggs writes magic blending character growth with dreams, history and love. I expected a light, feel-good novel with small-town charms, and a side of sweet romance, but Wiggs delivered more. Jerome’s grandmother and her story tugged at my heartstrings, reminding us of the injustices of the world and gave us hope of more. Her characters a real, flawed and those you want to spend time with. I love Ida, and other secondary characters.
The story was heartfelt and genuine, with some added drama from Margot’s past. Both Jerome and Margot had some growing pains along the way. The tale wrapped up nicely, leaving me with fond memories of time well spent.
Christine Lakin narrates and did a wonderful job of capturing the tone and characters of this story. I highly recommend listening and I find myself tempted to grab the first two books in these chronicles.
Fans of women’s fiction, foodie books and character growth will enjoy this and other stories from the Bella Vista Chronicles. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
August 1, 2022
I picked up Sugar and Salt expecting an uplifting romance based on the cover and the blurb. Well, I did get that, but the trauma mentioned in the synopsis is a huge part of the story. Susan Wiggs wrote a story about people of privilege and how they get away with crimes and despicable behaviour and trauma, as well as new beginnings, relationships, and romance. Margot Salton fled Texas after some serious incidents and opened a small BBQ restaurant in San Francisco on historic Perdita Street and names it Salt. She shared a commercial kitchen with the bakery next door, run by Jerome "Sugar" Barnes, aptly named Sugar. They become friends, then more than friends, which is when she shares her story. There is a second storyline dealing with Jerome's mother, Ida, and a love from her past, but Margot's story is the main one. I don't want to ruin the story for anyone, so will not say much more about it.
I did enjoy this story and loved Margot's character. She was alone in the world, but never gave up, and fought for herself. She was lucky to have some benefactors along the way, which not everyone gets. She went through some extremely difficult situations, ones many people would have trouble coping with on its own, but hers kept multiplying. This was a well-written story that definitely kept me from doing other things, as I had to find out what happened to Margot. I was also invested in Ida's story, even though it was a secondary one. I recommend this book, but be prepared for some heavy content. Themes include rape, unwanted pregnancy, justice, privilege, racism, interracial relationships, regrets, new beginnings, friendship and romance. Sugar and Salt is part of the Bella Vista Chronicles series, but you can read it as a standalone story. I listened to the audiobook provided to me by the publisher upon request. Christine Lakin narrated the story and I was totally pulled in by the story and her performance. She gave the various characters a voice, and used her tone and expression to add emotion to this emotionally charged story. I will not hesitate to listen to other books she narrates.
I did enjoy this story and loved Margot's character. She was alone in the world, but never gave up, and fought for herself. She was lucky to have some benefactors along the way, which not everyone gets. She went through some extremely difficult situations, ones many people would have trouble coping with on its own, but hers kept multiplying. This was a well-written story that definitely kept me from doing other things, as I had to find out what happened to Margot. I was also invested in Ida's story, even though it was a secondary one. I recommend this book, but be prepared for some heavy content. Themes include rape, unwanted pregnancy, justice, privilege, racism, interracial relationships, regrets, new beginnings, friendship and romance. Sugar and Salt is part of the Bella Vista Chronicles series, but you can read it as a standalone story. I listened to the audiobook provided to me by the publisher upon request. Christine Lakin narrated the story and I was totally pulled in by the story and her performance. She gave the various characters a voice, and used her tone and expression to add emotion to this emotionally charged story. I will not hesitate to listen to other books she narrates.
January 12, 2023
THIS BOOK NEEDS A TRIGGER WARNINGS PAGE!!!!
Let me start off by saying that I did enjoy this book. However I have some serious issues with it too. Immediately after reading this book I looked at my husband and told him that I needed to be held and cry, and this is why.
This book focuses on Margot who grew up in Texas and is trying to outrun her past. She moves to San Francisco to open an upscale BBQ restaurant that will feature her homemade sauces. One of which is named Sugar and Salt. The location she picked for her restaurant named Salt is right next to a bakery named Sugar, Margot believes this is fate. She meets Jerome and his mom who run the bakery and starts to uncover about not only Jerome’s past but her own.
These are the things I liked about the book:
- strong character growth
- the book touched on the white privilege we sometimes forget with simple things like hoodies
- the interwoven stories of love
- adoption
These are the things that I need to talk to y’all about / We need warnings:
- In Margot’s past she was the victim of a brutal sexual assault. I was listening to the audiobook without knowing this and as a victim myself became physically ill.
- Not only do you experience the attack from the view point of Margot you are with her as she wakes up after the attack and is having to have the rape kit done.
- Margot ends up in jail being accused of murder for protecting herself and finds out she is pregnant.
Yall this book had so many triggers for me:
- Sexual assault
- victim shaming
- pregnancy and abortion rights
This book is written so well and I wanted to love it. I think if I was given the proper trigger warnings I could have made a better decision about wether to read it when I did.
The author in the notes said she based this book on criminal cases where rape victims where charged with their attackers murder. This is a subject that needs to be talked about but please tell people the triggers up front.
Let me start off by saying that I did enjoy this book. However I have some serious issues with it too. Immediately after reading this book I looked at my husband and told him that I needed to be held and cry, and this is why.
This book focuses on Margot who grew up in Texas and is trying to outrun her past. She moves to San Francisco to open an upscale BBQ restaurant that will feature her homemade sauces. One of which is named Sugar and Salt. The location she picked for her restaurant named Salt is right next to a bakery named Sugar, Margot believes this is fate. She meets Jerome and his mom who run the bakery and starts to uncover about not only Jerome’s past but her own.
These are the things I liked about the book:
- strong character growth
- the book touched on the white privilege we sometimes forget with simple things like hoodies
- the interwoven stories of love
- adoption
These are the things that I need to talk to y’all about / We need warnings:
- In Margot’s past she was the victim of a brutal sexual assault. I was listening to the audiobook without knowing this and as a victim myself became physically ill.
- Not only do you experience the attack from the view point of Margot you are with her as she wakes up after the attack and is having to have the rape kit done.
- Margot ends up in jail being accused of murder for protecting herself and finds out she is pregnant.
Yall this book had so many triggers for me:
- Sexual assault
- victim shaming
- pregnancy and abortion rights
This book is written so well and I wanted to love it. I think if I was given the proper trigger warnings I could have made a better decision about wether to read it when I did.
The author in the notes said she based this book on criminal cases where rape victims where charged with their attackers murder. This is a subject that needs to be talked about but please tell people the triggers up front.
March 29, 2022
Susan Wiggs has been a long time favorite author of mine and her new book adds another excellent novel to her list of great reads. It's a story about food, friendship, love and finding a second chance at love. Plus there are several great recipes at the end so that cooks can try their luck at some of the great food mentioned in the book.
If you expect this book to be a light, fluffy romance, you're going to be disappointed because it is so much more than that. The characters are well written - flaws and all and their lives have been difficult. The author does a great job of presenting two different time periods for each of the main characters so that the reader understands all of their history. It took hard work and resilience for them to get to where they are at the beginning of the book with Margo opening her barbeque restaurant while Jerome operates the bakery next door. They both have a lot of baggage and are unsure if they want to make the leap to gain a second chance at love.
Margo lived in Texas and had a dream to open a barbeque restaurant and had developed a sauce that she sold through a friend's restaurant. However, she ended up in a bad place because of some of the people who were part of her life and she thought that all of her dreams were unreachable. She decides to move from Texas to San Francisco to start a new life and open her dream restaurant. After looking at several sites, she chooses a building that shares a state-of-the-art kitchen with the bakery next door. The bakery was started by Ida and is now run by her grandson Jerome. He has baggage too, in the shape of two young children that he shares with his divorced wife. The spark between Margo and Jerome starts slowly - well she did throw him to the ground the first time she saw him, believing his to be a thief but their times together get better after that. Can they both leave their pasts behind and start a new life with each other? Will love surpass all of the baggage that they both have?
Make sure you aren't hungry when you read this because the description of some of the food is so real that you'll want to go to Salt restaurant for barbeque followed by a desert from Sugar. If you're really hungry, Susan gives us recipes at the end of the book for some of the yummy dishes that are part of the story. Love and food make the world go 'round.
If you expect this book to be a light, fluffy romance, you're going to be disappointed because it is so much more than that. The characters are well written - flaws and all and their lives have been difficult. The author does a great job of presenting two different time periods for each of the main characters so that the reader understands all of their history. It took hard work and resilience for them to get to where they are at the beginning of the book with Margo opening her barbeque restaurant while Jerome operates the bakery next door. They both have a lot of baggage and are unsure if they want to make the leap to gain a second chance at love.
Margo lived in Texas and had a dream to open a barbeque restaurant and had developed a sauce that she sold through a friend's restaurant. However, she ended up in a bad place because of some of the people who were part of her life and she thought that all of her dreams were unreachable. She decides to move from Texas to San Francisco to start a new life and open her dream restaurant. After looking at several sites, she chooses a building that shares a state-of-the-art kitchen with the bakery next door. The bakery was started by Ida and is now run by her grandson Jerome. He has baggage too, in the shape of two young children that he shares with his divorced wife. The spark between Margo and Jerome starts slowly - well she did throw him to the ground the first time she saw him, believing his to be a thief but their times together get better after that. Can they both leave their pasts behind and start a new life with each other? Will love surpass all of the baggage that they both have?
Make sure you aren't hungry when you read this because the description of some of the food is so real that you'll want to go to Salt restaurant for barbeque followed by a desert from Sugar. If you're really hungry, Susan gives us recipes at the end of the book for some of the yummy dishes that are part of the story. Love and food make the world go 'round.
September 5, 2022
I will begin by stating I’ve read plenty of Susan Wiggs books in the past and loved them - I don’t shy away from the heavier topic-women’s fiction. However, this book has a lot of issues. There needs to be a MASSIVE trigger warning for on the page rape, assault, pregnancy, abortion, adoption…it hit me like a ton of bricks smack dab in the middle of the book. There are a lot of supremely difficult topics here that are mentioned and glossed over. None of them felt like they had much care given to them. I liked Margot, and I liked Jerome, but there was just too much going on overall. The jumping timelines were tough, but even in the span of one chapter the pacing na timing was hard to follow. As an aside, the cover does not match with the interior of the book at all. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 28, 2022
Wow, I wish I had never read this book. I was a huge Susan Wiggs fan, but this is the last of her books I’ll read. It was slow and plodding, and I couldn’t get into any of the characters. For the first half of the book, I wondered why she had bothered to write it if she was so uninspired. The second half of the book, I figured out the point. Susan Wiggs wasn’t trying to tell a story, she’s trying to let the world know how she feels about every. single. social. issue. In the world. Seriously, she doesn’t miss a single one. If it had been an even halfway interesting story, I might overlook the heavy handed moralizing but this book was a waste of my time.
July 10, 2023
A companion title to the charming The Lost and Found Bookshop, the more complex Sugar and Salt features an engaging heroine determined to outrun a horrific past, and the sort of tender love story Wiggs writes so well. Highly recommended.
July 27, 2022
After surviving a life altering experience, Margot fulfills her dream by opening a barbeque restaurant. Will it be a success?
Sugar (baker Jerome) meets Salt (barbeque master Margot) in the latest installment of the Bella Vista Chronicles! After loving The Lost and Found Bookshop (4 stars), I was excited to read about another shop on Perdita Street in San Francisco, California. I haven't read the first two in the series, but both Bookshop and Sugar read just fine as standalones. While reading Sugar, I was excited to get a small update on the characters from Bookshop.
Much to my surprise and despite the lovely, scrumptious cover, Sugar and Salt was deeper, darker, and more serious than I had anticipated. After escaping a tumultuous and complicated past, Margot is determined to start anew. But once she begins to fall for Jerome, the baker next door, she decides it's time to reveal her past to him. Will he still love her once he knows the truth?
"When you're going through hell, keep going."
Even though I was expecting a light-hearted romance, I was soon enthralled (and heartbroken) by everything Margot endured. I also enjoyed the rekindled romance between Jerome's mother, Ida, and Frank. This was a powerful story about so many important and timely issues, but I wish more would have been set in the present so the reader could have felt and experienced the love blossoming between both Margot and Jerome and Ida and Frank.
Trigger Warning:
Location: San Francisco, California
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Sugar (baker Jerome) meets Salt (barbeque master Margot) in the latest installment of the Bella Vista Chronicles! After loving The Lost and Found Bookshop (4 stars), I was excited to read about another shop on Perdita Street in San Francisco, California. I haven't read the first two in the series, but both Bookshop and Sugar read just fine as standalones. While reading Sugar, I was excited to get a small update on the characters from Bookshop.
Much to my surprise and despite the lovely, scrumptious cover, Sugar and Salt was deeper, darker, and more serious than I had anticipated. After escaping a tumultuous and complicated past, Margot is determined to start anew. But once she begins to fall for Jerome, the baker next door, she decides it's time to reveal her past to him. Will he still love her once he knows the truth?
"When you're going through hell, keep going."
Even though I was expecting a light-hearted romance, I was soon enthralled (and heartbroken) by everything Margot endured. I also enjoyed the rekindled romance between Jerome's mother, Ida, and Frank. This was a powerful story about so many important and timely issues, but I wish more would have been set in the present so the reader could have felt and experienced the love blossoming between both Margot and Jerome and Ida and Frank.
Trigger Warning:
Location: San Francisco, California
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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