The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
Publisher: Books on Tape (May 2008)
Source: Narrator- Karen White
Formats Available: Hardcover, Audio, Paperback, Kindle
Format Read: Audio CD (unabridged version)
Narrated by: Karen White
Running Time: 8 hours 2 minutes
Summary from Goodreads: 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.
My thoughts: While not my first, I can see why so many people recommend The Sugar Queen as a good Sarah Addison Allen to start with. I adored both the story and the narration of The Sugar Queen.
This story revolves around the lives of three very different ladies and is full of the magical moments that we’ve come to know and love in Sarah Addison Allen’s novels. One of my favorite things about this novel is that the relationships made sense. Sometimes you can read a story and a character will just appear out of nowhere. These relationships developed throughout the story creating a lasting impression on me. It’s been a couple of weeks since I finished the book and I’m still thinking about them simply because they were so believable.
The second thing that I really enjoyed about The Sugar Queen is that it felt complete without being rushed. The pace used to develop the story was perfect and it wrapped up nicely in the end.
This was the first time I’ve listened to a book narrated by Karen White. She did a spectacular job creating a unique voice for each of the characters. Looking at her website you can see that she is not a novice by any means. After listening to The Sugar Queen, I’m definitely going to be checking out some of the titles on her audiography.
Now that I’ve read The Peach Keeper and listened to The Sugar Queen I’m wondering which title to pick up next. Have you read or listened to either The Girl Who Chased the Moon or Garden Spells? Which one should be my next Sarah Addison Allen? Which format should I go with?
Something to look forward to… according to Sarah Addison Allen’s website she has a new book, Lost Lake scheduled for release sometime in 2013. Can’t wait to learn more about it.
If you are intrigued by this audio, make sure you enter my giveaway for a copy of your very own!
© 2012, Teresa. All rights reserved.
A new SAA? Wahooooo! Great review. I loved this one in print and should totally try the audio.
I listened to this one but didn’t love it as much as you. I started with Garden Spells and loved it. Still need to read the next 2.
I have had this one on the shelf since it came out in paperback – need to get it read! I listened to something read by Karen White recently and thought she did a very nice job.