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The Sugar Queen (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.00) - 21,580 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this irresistible follow-up to her New York Times bestselling debut, Garden Spells, author Sarah Addison Allen tells the tale of a young woman whose family secrets—and secret passions—are about to change her life forever. Twenty-seven-year-old Josey Cirrini is sure of three things: winter in her North Carolina hometown is her favorite season, she’s a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her hidden closet. For while Josey has settled into an uneventful life in her mother’s house, her one consolation is the stockpile of sugary treats and paperback romances she escapes to each night…. Until she finds it harboring none other than local waitress Della Lee Baker, a tough-talking, tenderhearted woman who is one part nemesis—and two parts fairy godmother… Fleeing a life of bad luck and big mistakes, Della Lee has decided Josey’s clandestine closet is the safest place to crash. In return she’s going to change Josey’s life—because, clearly, it is not the closet of a happy woman. With Della Lee’s tough love, Josey is soon forgoing pecan rolls and caramels, tapping into her startlingly keen feminine instincts, and finding her narrow existence quickly expanding. Before long, Josey bonds with Chloe Finley, a young woman who makes the best sandwiches in town, is hounded by books that inexplicably appear whenever she needs them, and—most amazing of all—has a close connection to Josey’s longtime crush. As little by little Josey dares to step outside herself, she discovers a world where the color red has astonishing power, passion can make eggs fry in their cartons, and romance can blossom at any time—even for her. It seems that Della Lee’s work is done, and it’s time for her to move on. But the truth about where she’s going, why she showed up in the first place—and what Chloe has to do with it all—is about to add one more unexpected chapter to Josey’s fast-changing life. Brimming with warmth, wit, and a sprinkling of magic, here is a spellbinding tale of friendship, love—and the enchanting possibilities of every new day.
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"I really liked this book, though not as much as The Peach Keeper. A character who hides sugary snacks in her closet and another who has a magical relationship with books... perfect! They deal with some serious man/woman issues, including infidelity, domestic violence, and Josey's idealized picture of her father. Like The Peach Keeper, the strong female friendships were what helped each woman find her way and find happiness, all in the beautiful Blue Ridge setting and written in Allen's magical prose. I love this feeling of discovering a new (to me) author and falling in love with her writing. Discovering Allen has been especially exciting, because I feel like she knows me, my insecurities, my dreams, and the land I love too. Can't wait to read another one!"
— Kristin (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Like a dessert.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“Like the most decadently addictive bonbons, once started, Allen’s magically entrancing novel is impossible to put down.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Bewitching…Such a pleasurable book.”
— Publishers Weekly
The Sugar Queen Listener Reviews
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" {library book-kindle edition} I really enjoyed this book but it was love lite. Nothing deep but it was really fun! "
— Gayle, 1/27/2014 -
" I sat down and read this in one day! I absolutely adored every minute of it! "
— Marisa, 12/18/2013 -
" My dearest Jackie borrowed this book to me and I could NOT put it down. I love this book almost as much as I love her. 'The Sugar Queen' is the sweetest book in Sarah's bunch so far. Actually it's sweeter than that. It's my favorite. Her words are honey, her story magic. This story will electrify you in the most expected and unexpected ways. "
— Nicole, 11/10/2013 -
" I always love Sara Addison Allen's books! I especially liked the part about books following Chloe around... sometimes I feel that way myself. "
— Melissa, 11/6/2013 -
" Light fare! Involves some magic (which I enjoy. Maybe I read more into the story that the writer intended bit I don't think so. I thing she wants it to be multileveled, depending on the intent of the reader. You learn about 3 young women, their male relationships and the main character's mother and father and the small town towns people. Ends happily ever after. "
— Sally, 11/3/2013 -
" I LOVED this book! Not only did it talk about my favorite season but it was also about a girl who eats sweets to console her emotions. I totally related to Josey. This book was so amazing I've read it 5+ times! I would definitely recommend. "
— Alexandra, 10/23/2013 -
" It took me a few chapters to get swept up, but when I did I really enjoyed this quirky little book. "
— Lexi, 10/4/2013 -
" I really liked this book. It was a quick easy read and had a magical quality to it. Kind of like a fairy tale for adults. "
— Natalie, 9/7/2013 -
" Really great, fun book to read. A great light hearted summer read. Can't wait to read more from this author. "
— Tammy, 8/20/2013 -
" Fun magical realism fiction. Definitely a feel-good book about love and family. Quirky. "
— Suzanne, 8/20/2013 -
" Very enjoyable, easy escapist read. :) "
— Kris, 7/2/2013 -
" She is my go to author for light, enjoyable, quick reads. I loved this book just as much as all of her others. Such a whimsical read. I can't wait for her next book. "
— GG, 5/18/2013 -
" quirky and great "
— Martha, 5/10/2013 -
" Nice read but not as good as her other books "
— Patty, 4/4/2013 -
" Always love her books, though this one not as much as the other 3... "
— Kerinbrasseau, 3/12/2013 -
" My favorite author! This is the first book of hers that I read and was so surprised by the end ... I cried when I was done! I wanted more. Loved the characters, the detail, the story! "
— Tanna, 12/11/2012 -
" Had never heard of this author before, just picked it up on impulse. Great book! "
— Erin, 8/5/2012 -
" I enjoyed the story even though the "twist" was fairly obvious. Still, I loved the characters and story line, and I always love Sarah Addison Allen's writing. Not quite as good as Garden Spells but entertaining nonetheless. "
— Dlnurmi, 7/24/2012 -
" I struggled and struggled with this one, but I found it boring. I also found the whole idea of books magically appearing next to someone to be absurd. Why I can buy into a sentient tree (Garden Spells) and not this is anyone's guess. "
— Kimberly, 6/17/2012 -
" Her books are always so delightfully weird. I love the characters' quirks and the uneasy rhythms she establishes in her stories. They always keep me interested because I never quite know where they are going. If you haven't picked up one of her books ~ you really should. A nice change of pace book. "
— Deb, 5/17/2012 -
" Love this book . . . Love this author!! Sorry I havde read all her books to date . . . waiting for more :) "
— Janie, 5/16/2012 -
" I actually started this book last week, thought I had put it on here. So far, this is my favorite book of this author. Loved this one. "
— Betty, 1/31/2012 -
" Whimsical and entertaining. A fun, quick read. "
— Melanie, 9/19/2011 -
" Loved it!! Absolutely loved the surprise at the end with Della Lee. That was wonderful!! "
— Cheryl, 9/9/2011 -
" Love her books. They're perfect for light, quick reading after a long day. "
— Liz, 7/20/2011 -
" Really enjoyed this one. Read it on vacation, the perfect easy going relaxing book. Little bit of magical realism, little love story, and a happy ending....what is not to love! "
— Lindsey, 5/25/2011 -
" A pleasant read. Nothing earth shattering, in fact it is sweet and obvious. There were some really nice touches displaying the magic of the Universe throughout. A quick read if you need something light with some romance tucked in. "
— Jodie, 5/22/2011 -
" reading this book was much like eating a cupcake. it offers a fleeting sense sweetness, which is what this type of book is good at providing. i adore this author, as the characters seem to be imbued with a faint sense of glittery magic. "
— Melissa, 5/19/2011 -
" I read this for the new book club that I'm in. It was cute. It took a little bit for me to get into. But with all the unanswered questions I eventually couldn't put it down. "
— Amber, 5/17/2011 -
" This book was a fast read. I liked it Noe the best book I've ever read, but entertaining. "
— Kelliperrell, 5/16/2011 -
" I really liked this book! It was a sweet story (no pun intended) and a fast read. "
— Karen, 5/16/2011 -
" Why magical realism doesn't work for white protagonists.<br/><br/>Sarcasm, but seriously, this was baaaaad. Bad. "
— Danielle, 5/14/2011 -
" This is a light read. Cute "
— Paulette, 5/13/2011 -
" I loved that the main character in this book found herself and her voice without becoming overbearing or unkind. I loved the imagery and the romance -- some harsh language on a couple of pages. "
— Kristen, 5/12/2011 -
" It was ok. Not as good as the first. I kinda guessed everything from almost the beginning.. "
— Christine, 5/11/2011 -
" I LOVED this book. It had the right amount of imagination and great story lines to make it one of my favorites this year. "
— Melissa, 5/10/2011 -
" I loved this book. The characters are all very interested and well-written so you feel like you've met them before in person. I also loved the little bits of magic written into the plot. It's so well done that you accept it as part of reality without a second thought. "
— Sara, 5/10/2011
About Sarah Addison Allen
Sarah Addison Allen is the New York Times bestselling author of Garden Spells, The Sugar Queen, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and The Peach Keeper. She was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina.
About Ariadne Meyers
Ariadne Meyers, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1969. She began an acting career at twelve, with her role as Al Pacino’s stepdaughter in Author! Author! Her most famous role to date is that of “Emma Jane McCardle,” which she portrayed on the 1980s sitcom Kate & Allie for six years. In 1991, she graduated from Yale with honors and a double major in philosophy and theater arts.