Actual Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Sugar & Gold is the second book in the Dreamcatcher series. I didn't not read the first book and I did not feel like I was missing out on anything. I did enjoy this book but there was too much sexy time. I think Nik and Fiona were great characters. The ending seemed a little rush to me and lacking.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of Sugar & Gold in exchange of an honest review.

Emma Scott's books always reach deep into your chest and rip your heart out.
This book is no exception.
Beautiful writing, flawed and real characters, amazing story.

I love how Emma Scott can tackle heavy topics with such ease. As usual, the writing was beautiful and I absolutely loved the otherworldly ability Nik had and how Scott was able to detail it. Part of me wished the epilogue had touched on Nate, Griff and Opal, but the book was really amazing and I was not disappointed. Another 5 star book.

Emma Scott's writing and characters are simply magical. She never ceases to amaze me and I am awed by her talent. Sugar and Gold is just one example, but it's one of the best.

Nikolai and Fiona are such special characters who have been through so much. Each has suffered in their own way, but when they come together, they soothe each other's hurts. You can't help but feel for them and root for them the entire way through the story.

There is so much depth and emotion in Sugar and Gold--and it's the kind that 'sticks with you', too. I adored this book and I can't wait to read more from her.

Nikolai is transient – traveling from town to town, across the U.S., earning money at underground poker games. He forms no ties, no relationships, just moving from one town to the next. His ability to sense and feel the emotions of those around him has tormented him for years. In larger cities, and in close proximity, it’s overwhelming, the bombardment of emotion (both good and bad) driving him to the point of madness.

When Nikolai meets Fiona he is stunned. Because her emotions do not overwhelm him. Instead she somehow calms the cacophony of those around him and he finds peace for the first time in his life. But Fiona is not without her own demons. On the run from her past, she is single-minded in her goal to make enough money to escape far away from the threat she fled from. Meeting Nikolai didn’t change her resolve, but it did make her question whether there was a place in her future for someone by her side. A cruel twist of fate changes the path of both their lives and suddenly Nikolai is counting on the ability he has always cursed and despised to save the woman he can’t live without.

I was so pulled into this remarkable story. Both Fiona and Nikolai were so likable. But were hurting, leading almost solitary lives. Fiona making plans to move on – alone. Nikolai seeing no escape from his tortured reality. The connection and acceptance they found with each other felt completely genuine and it was easy to fall for these two special people. When the unthinkable happened, my heart broke for them both. Circumstances were so cruel and the odds were very much against them. But seeing the lengths Nikolai was willing to go to and the way he put everything on the line for Fiona’s future and his own, took my breath away.

Sugar & Gold was the first book I read by Emma Scott and it became an instant favorite. The paranormal aspect blended in seamlessly and added something special to the story. Sugar & Gold may have been my first by Emma Scott but it certainly wasn’t the last.

A beautiful story of love and hope, Nik and Fiona are unique characters. Both different but with similar backgrounds, I loved their journey as individuals and as a couple.

Loved it. Haven't read an Emma Scott book I didn't love. She's amazing.

This author’s writing makes you FEEL above all else and her stories are written beautifully.
Sugar & Gold is a touching romance about two broken individuals that find healing and peace in each other.

Wow. Just wow.

The complexity of this story and its characters is almost too much to put into words. I was lost in the first few chapters, but then Scott collected me in her literary grasp and never let go.

This is such a different storyline with a full spectrum of color and feelings. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to look at pink and gold the same way. To say this book is phenomenal is a severe understatement. Fall in love with Nik and Fiona as they discover and fall in love with each other and life itself.

Beautiful, ragged, pained and yet perfectly composed. 5+ stars!!!

Where this title was slightly cliche and at times, quite predictable (like any fan-favorite Hallmark romance movie), "Sugar & Gold" was a thrilling, memorable, compelling novel fueled by the romance plot (like any fan-favorite Hallmark romance novel). I would recommend this book to any reader who loves classically cheesy but satisfying YA romance novels.

Book Boyfriend:💋💋💋💋
Nikolai Alexei Young has a gift that many consider him a freak for. He wishes he didn’t have it and would do just about anything to get rid of it. He feels everything others are thinking and feeling. He just wants to escape so he travels around trying to stay in smaller cities. He spends his time playing poker in underground games using his “gift” just to win enough money to survive for a little longer. He lives alone with no connections to anyone else, no place to call home.



Strong Female Lead:💋💋💋💋
Fiona Starling is working on rebuilding her life after being in a terrible situation. She dreams of moving to Costa Rica to start over and saving every penny to do so. She has a few friends, but no one who REALLY knows what she went through. Despite her past, she is kind and caring – always willing to help those in need. She is also hesitant to let new people in her life.



Plot:💋💋💋💋
Fiona lets Nikolai stay with her for a few days to get him out of a bad rain storm that seems never ending. When they meet, Nikolai has a response to Fiona that is much different from when he normally runs into people. He feels their connection and sees Fiona as calming rather than someone else he can’t block out. As their relationship blossoms, they face several challenges. Both are so desperate for the peace they have with each other.



Steamy Factor:💋💋💋💋💋
This book is full of passion! These two characters live, act, love with their whole beings. And the s.e.x is h.o.t.



Overall:💋💋💋💋
This book was so Emma Scott if you know what I mean. Her stories have that emotional pull that leave you laughing, crying, longing, etc. with the characters as they experience everything

Beautifully written and unique story that really gets under your skin and forces you ri how literally everything in life in a new light

With an endless literary ocean of romantic reads available, at 33% into this one, I found myself questioning why I was still reading. Mainly because the plot wasn’t progressing and way too much time was spent with both main character’s impromptu inner monologues and flashbacks. Those aspects felt more like interruptions than pivotal to the plot material. I’m also not a fan of one of the main characters still being legally married to someone else.

Fiona fled from an abusive relationship, but she came across weak for letting that low life creep constantly creep into and control her thoughts. She claimed to be over him, but her actions/decisions said otherwise. Her ultimate, idealistic escape plan of hightailing it to Costa Rico and living off the land just didn’t seem overly realistic, either.

Nik may have made his living as a nomad gambler using his psychic abilities to win at poker, but I’m cashing my chips in now and folding because there are simply more engaging romantic reads calling to me.

I’m glad others enjoyed this one. It just wasn’t moving at a fast enough pace to hold my interest.

Title: Sugar & Gold, Series: Dreamcatcher (Book 2), Author: Emma Scott, Pages: 323, stand-alone but part of a series, paranormal, very steamy scenes, psychic abilities hero, in hiding from abusive spouse heroine, sweet heroine everyone loves.

Book 1 - How to Save a Life
Book 2 - Sugar & Gold

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Amazing Emma Scott! Nik and Fiona were memorable characters! Quirky romance that won't let you down.

***5 beautifully "Love and Hope!!!" stars***

“I met a girl… Isn’t that how the best stories begin?”

I have read this book since June, but at that time, it was difficult to me to write a review and then... i think i just forgot it!!!! And I'm so mad about myself because i had so much to tell about this book and now, I don't remember the half of them....
But i will make a try!!!!

I will start by saying that there is not one book by Emma Scott that it doesn't talk into my heart and that it isn't shelved in my most favorite books shelf...
Her stories are heartbreakingly beautiful and she has the ability to suck you in her world....
Her characters are always imperfectly perfect and it is impossible to not fall in love with them.... Women and men!!!!
And this one wasn't an exception...

“Love and hope,” she said. “That’s life to me. Love for all the good that happens to you and the people you care about, and hope that any pain will be bearable or lessen in time.”

Nikolai was running away from his gift and Fiona was running away from a bad choice that she made when she was younger... Their paths collided and the pull was very strong...
Fiona was soothing Nikolai's inner storm and was making the voices to cool off for a while and Nikolai was making her feel safe and wanted...
But there were secrets that were standing between them and life is taking unexpected turns...

"The need for her, the intense want was like a ferocious addiction; she was the drug my body had to have. And the essence or lifeblood or marrow of her -whatever it was that silenced the chaos of emotion that perpetually raged in me- I had it." {Nikolai}

"I was his shield, guarding his peace, and he was my foundation, unwavering beneath me." {Fiona}

God, i love Emma Scott's stories... I never want to stop reading them!!!!

***ARC generously provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***

I have had this on the back-burner too long.
Time to crack it open.
4.5 stars.
This author does beautiful, tender, heartbreaking, thoughtful and imaginative stories like no one else.
I had put this one on hold for far too long mainly because my tolerance for angst and heartbreak isn't what it used to be.
This was an overwhelmingly sweet, slightly paranormal romance that had some pretty angsty moment's but Fiona and Nikolai's story really touched my heart. Great read.

I enjoyed reading this book! It was so well written, the story was beautiful, the characters were developed so very well!

This story was truly a can't put down story. I was up until 2 this morning because I couldn't stop reading it. Nik was a young man that had been tortured (yes it was torture) by doctors using shock treatment and drugs because he was different. He could read people emotions and it was hard to deal with. Big cities were impossible. He played poker for a living as he could "tell" what people had in their hand. He met Fiona and felt calm for the first time in years. Fiona was living under a fake name and was running from an abusive spouse. They each found something in the other that they needed and were drawn to. Nik tried to leave and found he just couldn't live without her. When Fiona finds out his "gift", she freaks out and makes him leave. A tragedy happens and they are forced apart. (no spoilers here). I love the way Fiona stands up to her husband and decides she can be strong and leave him for good. There are a couple epilogues that are wonderful and I'm so glad I found this author. I've already found Evan's story on Amazon and will read it soon.
Sugar and Gold was not an easy book to read but I'm so glad I did. It had many good characters in it that were very well rounded out. Again, this book will keep you in it's grip until you finish it.
I got this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

Another distressing emotional journey towards a wonderful happy ending. Emma Scott has this ability to take the air out of my lungs and leave me in a deplorable state of reading hangover.
This time she brought the love story of two lost and complex souls who meet and try in vain to find solace in each other. But without the proper deep healing they need, that rapprochement ends up having consequences for both of them, and they will need the full force of love to allow themselves to be free.
I loved the plot too much from the prologue to the final two epilogues ... very lovely, sorry that the cover did not help and I ended up postponing reading because I thought it was more fantasy than romance, but the book surprised me with its message of liberation, love and new begginings.

5 stars!!!

***I received a free copy from the Publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.***

Let me start by saying that I have read the previous book of the Dreamcatcher series - How to Save a Life - in 2016, and, to be honest, I liked it but I didn't love it. I felt it lacked a bit more of emotion, to go a bit deeper.

BUT Sugar & Gold was a whole other deal. This book was Beautiful, Perfect, Full of Emotion, Special and SO Beautiful!


So... what is the book About?

Sugar & Gold tells the story of Nikolai Young, a 27 year-old guy who has an ability - the Ken. Nik can see and taste people's emotions and, sometimes, even hear their thoughts or tap into their memories.

“So many people filled with so many emotions. They screamed their lives at me in a riot of colors, and filled my mouth with the bitter taste of their bad memories.”

The ken is a part of Nik, one he can't turn off or control! So, the world is a loud and unconfortable place for Nik, who is constantly on the road, riding from town to town.

Until he meets Fiona Starling...

“Everything about her was pink; her drink, her hair, the bright halo of glimmering dust that surrounded her.
Kindness, compassion, charity. Those were the feelings I associated with pink.
I hadn’t seen it this strong in anyone in a long time.”

Nik feels such a strong pull to Fiona. He feels attracted to her and they quickly form a deep connection.

And, then, the strangest thing happens...

“The girl exuded a calm that danced along my skin, and when I inhaled, it was like breathing in the scent of something delicious but far away. The thrumming life all around me grew quiet. For the first time, I felt close to peace, and I wanted more.”

They end up spending the night together...

Fiona can somehow make the Ken calm down. When Nik is with her, the ken only senses her and Nik is not overwelmed with all of the crowd's emotions and thoughts.

“Why is everything so quiet around you?”

But, what was to be only a one night stand, quickly turns into a lot more, as feelings between them start growing deeper and deeper.

“I was already too addicted to the inexplicable peace this woman brought me. The last thing I needed was to get close to her, to feel anything more than lust, though part of me wondered if I were too late. I had an almost primal instinct in me to protect her and it had nothing to do with the peace and everything to do with her.”

But, Fiona is running from a dark past that still affects her... and Nik doesn't know if he can make it work between them, with his Ken and all...

“She brings you peace. It means something. Tell her the truth…”

Will Fiona and Nik be able to stay together? Will Nik ever tell Fiona about his Ken? Will Fiona ever get past her dark memories from the past?

Read the book to find out ;)

*************************
I loved this book!!!

I absolutely adored Fiona - she was strong and sweet - and Nik was HOT... and Fiona and Nik have this connection that is so true, strong and just meant to be!

They together were epic! Epic Love here! Their love is Relationship Goals!!

And I loved the way this book was written! I loved that we got to see the MC's of the 1st book and that Evan (MC from the 1st book) had an important role in Nik and Fiona's story.

“Everything happens for a reason."

I even loved Margo's story and the deer (doe) part in the book.

And the 2 epilogues were great!!! I would not have changed a thing! I would not wanted it in any other way :)

So, I absolutely fricking Loved this book... it became a FAVORITE and I RECOMMEND IT to Everyone!

It has such a beautiful message of acceptance, of belonging, of healing each other, of Love... that you are bound to love this book a Lot! So, do give it a try and enjoy! :)

I remember reading How to Save a Life, the first book in the Dreamcatcher series, and really enjoying it. This book was no different in that I really enjoyed reading it and going along for the journey of Fiona and Nik. I had no doubt that I would enjoy this book. It was different from the first book because Nik has a different gift than Evan and I have to say that I liked Nik's gift better. I found his more relatable because I am very in tune with the emotions of those around me and I understand how it can be exhausting after a while especially in crowded places. My heart broke for him and the challenges that he faced due to his gift. He wasn't accepted by anyone that knew and they saw it as a disorder when in reality it was a was to help others. I think that was why he related to Fiona so well. She came from her own version of hell and knew what it was like to be beaten down emotionally by someone close to her. I found that both of the characters were realistic and down to earth making it easy to want to keep reading about their journey together.

I also loved that Evan makes an appearance in this one. It was nice to see him again and I loved how the author chose to tastefully put him in the story. He wasn't the focus nor did he take away focus from the story or the main characters. I found the story to be realistic because someone that came from Fiona's situation would have an easy time trusting someone or forming relationships with others. This was how Emma Scott portrayed her and let the story unfold around her in such a way that included this basic belief. She did the same thing with Nik which made for a good flow to the book as well as good characters arcs/development.

I think that the only things that I didn't really like about the book were how fast a connection was made between the two main characters and the amount of sex that is included in the book. I just didn't feel that there needed to be as much physical intimacy in the book because it made it seem as if it was the focus in their relationship. It was understandable in the beginning because of the circumstances under which they got together but eventually I would have liked to have seen them build more of an emotional connection by having a bit more dialogue. The feelings between the two of them build fairly quickly and it made sense to a point. I understood this choice from the author's point of view because the story may have stalled out rather than having a nice flow if she took too much time building the relationship between the two of them. This is just my personal preference but overall I found the book to be a great continuation of the series.