DNF. I have loved other books that Molly Harper has written but Gimme Some Sugar is an insubstantial read. Worse, it perpetrates southern stereotypes to tell a so-called story. It did not work for me at all and I could not finish it.

While I understand and certainly know Southern Culture and its many charms, I feel it should at least be accurately represented.

It would also help if the humorous scenes/jokes told in Gimme Some Sugar were actually funny.

This book just wasn’t for me. I got about 19% in before I abandoned it. I didn’t realize it was part of a series and having not read the other titles, I just was not invested in the characters enough to keep going.

There are a few authors that I like to reread, and Molly Harper is definitely one of them. I know there will be scenes which make me laugh because of the hilarity of the situation, and all the books in the Southern Eclectic series generated countless chuckles. The first sentence in this story was especially amusing. In GIMME SOME SUGAR, all my favorite characters are back with their distinctive personalities once again charming their way into my heart, and Duffy is at the top of the list. I have adored this particularly likeable man since he was first met, and I really wanted him to find someone worthy of his love. When Lucy returns, he will have to decide if going after the only woman whom he has ever truly wanted is worth the risk, and she will have to do the same.

After the husband of Lucy Bowman Garten has an unfortunate accident and passes away, some changes must be made in order to support herself and their son. The decision to go back to her hometown and open up a bakery sounds like a good idea, and she makes the move. Shortly after arriving in Lake Sackett, she runs into Duffy McCready, the person with whom she was very close while growing up. Though they were best friends for years, their lives took them in different directions upon graduation and they lost touch. What neither Lucy nor Duffy knew is that each of them secretly wanted the other to be more than a friend, and perhaps the circumstances are finally right to speak up.

Molly Harper has a knack for making romantic comedy memorable. I giggled so many times during GIMME SOME SUGAR, as an occurrence is very comical in how it is depicted or a remark is cleverly witty. With Duffy having a whole bunch of playful relatives who hold nothing back, the sarcastic comments are nonstop. But there are also instances where I felt the seriousness of the moment and was deeply touched. Lots of family drama takes place all throughout the book, and some of it involved Lucy and her adorable young son, where she makes clear no one is messing with her child. When it comes to the relationship of Duffy and Lucy, a number of factors are working against it. I really enjoyed seeing how these two responded to what they had to face in order to ever be together, and some events are funny while others are movingly realistic.

I voluntarily reviewed the book from the publisher via NetGalley, and all comments are my honest opinion

Recently widowed Lucy Brewer has returned to her hometown of Lake Sackett, Georgia, with her young son. Hoping to open her own bakery/sweet shop, she’s frustrated that her mother-in-law’s influence is keeping away workers and the health inspector. But she finds solace with her childhood best friend, Duffy, and the entire McCready clan.

First off, Lucy is just awesome. I loved her soul and attitude. She has a lot to deal with moving back home; while she doesn’t have any family, her deceased husband has a meddling, overbearing one, and then she has to contend with Duffy’s ex-wife Lana, who lives to make others miserable. I love that Lucy is a good, kind person, but she won’t let people like her in laws bully her. She’s a tough cookie!

Lucy always had a crush on Duffy, and we learn he has been in love with her for forever, but the timing was never right, until now. Different from previous books, we actually get part of the story from the male’s, in this case Duffy’s, point-of-view. I like knowing how Duffy feels about Lucy, and that he’s equally nervous, scared, excited, etc. I appreciate that they are open and honest with each other, and when someone like Duffy’s ex tries to cause problems, they talk about it rather than believe untruths or let assumptions fester.

When Lucy feels the weight of the world after one too many run-ins with Lana and Evie, she is overwhelmed and things get messy. Their emotions felt genuine, and my heart broke with Lucy’s actions. But, even when life is messy, everyone still deserves a happy ending, and Ms. Harper provides all the right ingredients.

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gimme Some Sugar. I liked the change from previous books - getting the male POV (because he is the McCready in this story). I loved seeing the adjustments for the McCready clan as the older group is aging. And I love the second chance romance for Lucy and Duffy.

My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot

“Nice Southern girls did not make money baking penis cakes”

Some romance novels are just nice times spent with pleasant people you want to see succeed in life.  Gimme Some Sugar fits that bill beautifully.Six months after the death of her husband Wayne, Lucy Bowman Garten is trying to start over by moving from Texas to open a bakery in her dying hometown of Lake Sackett, Georgia.  With her almost-kindergarten-aged son Sam in tow, she’s determined to do well, in spite of her mixed feelings about returning home, and in the face of the opposition of her mother in law, Evie.

Evie – a loud, wounded attention grabber of a woman who is dealing extremely poorly with Wayne’s death – hates that Lucy won’t hand Sam over so she can raise him, and that Lucy is keeping a tight rein on the purse-strings to prevent Evie’s leaching from it.  She also thinks Lucy starting a new job so soon after Wayne’s death doesn’t show proper respect for their marriage or his life – or so she says.  Thus, Evie is doing everything she can to block Lucy’s bakery plan, from petty gossip to employing her younger son to chase away construction crews Evie’s hired to fix up the grim atmosphere of the shop she’s purchased.  Evie doesn’t know that Wayne openly cheated on Lucy; in spite of their Hallmark card picture-perfect façade he was a dilatory father and disrespectful husband and Lucy hadn’t been happy in the marriage for a very long time.

When handsome Duffy McCready spies Lucy trying to cross the street without falling over under the weight of the enormous penis cake that she’s just baked, he springs into action to help.  Lucy and Duffy were childhood friends, and she had a huge crush on him as a teenager – a crush that resurges when she sees how well Duffy’s grown up.  Duffy’s crushing too, but he’s determined to be respectful; one doesn’t put the moves on widows--a lesson learned during his time helping out at the family business, a funeral parlor--and probably the reason why his part of the business – which is also a bait shop (!) - mostly involves boating people out for chartered fishing trips on Lake Sackett. Duffy’s been through his own bad marriage – his ex-wife Lana lied about being pregnant to trick him into a shotgun marriage right out of high school, only to turn out not to be pregnant, then cheat on him relentlessly with his friends.  He may be clear of her legally, but kind hearted Duffy keeps having pity sex with her whenever she’s upset because she’s failed at life.  But Lucy definitely needs a real friend, and Duffy vows he’ll be there for her.  After all, he doesn’t want to lose the friendship he worked so hard to regain.

As Lucy struggles to parent her son over Evie’s objections and build her business, Duffy struggles to finally get free of Lana for once and for all.  And as he and Lucy begin to fall in love - in spite of their best intentions - the whole town seems to have an opinion, and it’ll depend on a little courage and a few leaps of faith for them to get their own happy ending.

What can I say about this book, other than it’s a sweet little delight, and it had me laughing along as I flipped its pages.I loved these characters oh so much.  I loved their relationships – Lucy with Sam, Duffy with his family, Lucy with Duffy, and her friendship with Duffy’s sister, Marianne.  Sam is a hilarious kid, and sounds appropriate to his age, and I loved Duffy’s tough mother, Donna, who loves Lucy but is still aggravated that her son threw away years of his life on Lana. And then there’s Michael ‘Specs’ Foyle, a bullied schoolmate of Lucy’s who turns out to be her secret weapon in the kitchen, and the indomitable matriarch Tootie, Duffy’s grandma - I could go on and on naming minor characters that I loved.  Even the villains are well-rounded; Evie’s got enough spunk and spite and personality in her that she didn’t feel like too much of a stock character.

Duffy and Lucy’s romance is very sweet, scouted out with gentle trepidation and humor and a lot of shared history that rolls out beautifully.   It’s a lovely relationship to get lost in.Harper’s writing is excellent, with amazingly good turns of phrase, and excellent ways of setting a scene and making the characters snap to life.  Gimme Some Sugar is a sweet, indulgent afternoon’s read.

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Very cute Southern romance. This is the third in a series but I didn't read the others and still enjoyed it! The characters are quirky and charming. I need to go back and read the others because I enjoyed this one so much. Definitely recommended!

Lucy's bake shop gimme some sugar is not opened yet.she is baking penis shaped cakes for a bachelorette party.she is married and has a son named Sam.Duffy is her best friend

I really enjoy Molly Harper's books. Gimme some sugar was no exception, I started and finished in one day. The first line in the book is cheeky and grabs your attention. Lucy and Duffy have a history and you see that come through immediately. They both had a crush on each other but due to timing and such never did anything about it. Typical romance right?
She is recently widowed and moved back to her hometown to raise her son, Sam and open up a bakery. Her dead husband doesn't come off like a decent guy at all and his family is even worse. I think his mother is one of the most annoying characters I've come across in a while. I think the dynamics were cute with her and Duffy rekindling their feelings and trying to make it work. Overall I loved the book and give it 4 stars. I did receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Amanda

Lucy, a newly widowed mom, returns to her hometown of Lake Sacket, Georgia, much to the displeasure of her mother-in-law and her friends in Texas. Nobody knows, though, that her life is much less complicated now than when she was married, but her old childhood friend, who still lives in Lake Sackett, can tell that she's hiding something. Knowing that she has to start providing for her young son, Lucy asks Duffy to help transform an old store into a new bakery. As they work together, can they pick up where they left off all those years ago?

This is the third book in the Southern Eclectic series, and eclectic is exactly the right word to describe the recurring characters in these books. While I don't read much in the romance genre, I really enjoy this series because of these characters, and I look forward to their antics with each new book. Only in the US south would you find a business that combines a bait store and a funeral home, but somehow, it works even for this Yankee. Although the story is rather predictable, it's still fun to follow the characters and their escapades to see how they get from plot point A to plot point B. The end of this book could be the end of the series, but in reading reviews from other readers, I know I'm not alone in saying that I hope it continues!

3.5

After the death of her husband, Lucy decides to move herself and her young son back to her hometown of Lake Sackett where she hopes to open a bakery all while dealing with being a newly single parent and her ever present in-laws trying to tell Lucy what she needs to be doing and how she needs to be feeling. But Lucy knows Lake Sackett, she's more comfortable here than in Texas where she and her husband lived for the past ten years. More importantly, her best childhood friend Duffy McCready lives in Lake Sackett.

Duffy is happy to have his friend back, but more importantly are the feelings he's had for Lucy since they were little. Now that she's back Duffy feels like they might actually have a chance to explore them. That is, if he can get out of the cross-hairs of his ex-wife long enough, and if he can keep his family from meddling in his love life.

When all is said and done, I enjoyed Gimme Some Sugar. It was a nice change of pace from what I had just recently finished reading. It was a more upbeat, sweet read and I needed that. I also love Molly Harper. I will, without a doubt, read anything by her. And I've really enjoyed the Southern Eclectic series.

But when I got done reading for all that I loved Duffy and Lucy together, and that I love a friends-to-lovers romance, I just couldn't stop thinking about the things that didn't quite work for me so well. Such as the idea of the "evil" in-laws or the mean ex who just won't let go. Those that are out to sabotage the hero and heroine from being together. In this case, they felt like stock characters. I didn't feel like there was any true rhyme or reason for them to be this way except for the fact that there needed to be some outside conflict that could potentially cause problems for Lucy and Duffy.

I'll admit, when we were first introduced to Duffy in the full-length [book:Sweet Tea and Sympathy|30753667], I figured when he got his book it would be a second chance romance with his ex-wife type story. I was surprised, although not displeased in any way, when Lucy is surreptitiously introduced in the novella [book:A Few Pecans Short of a Pie|41223747], and then could clearly see where Duffy's story would lead. I would have loved if Lucy was introduced in the series earlier (if she's made mention in any previous book I do not recall, so I apologize in advance for any incorrectness here). I would have loved more building up between Duffy and Lucy's relationship. As it stands, there's no denying their connection, I just wanted to see more of it. I wanted to feel the experience of the pull of their feelings for one another, not knowing they each feel the same way about each other, but until moment, never having had the chance.

It's clear, however, that the focus is placed on Lucy learning how to balance her life being a newly single mother with a new business while also wanting love and a relationship. I loved the way that Molly Harper shows Lucy's struggles and her insecurities as she embarks upon this new path in her life, and I equally loved how Molly Harper shows Lucy handling everything. Not always feeling like you're doing the best job and having guilt for taking time out for yourself are things that, I think, everyone experiences.

Gimme Some Sugar acknowledges the moving on, moving forward, aspects of life. That life doesn't just stand still, it keeps going no matter the things that happen. We get glimpses of this for the McCready family. While I can see it as a fitting end to the series, I feel like, if Molly Harper so chooses, there could be more stories to tell in Lake Sackett.

I have been waiting for Duffy to get his happily ever after. When this book landed on my Kindle, I couldn't wait to dive in. I have mostly enjoyed the previous books in this series. The characters are very enjoyable.

This book is a little funny, sweet, and tugged a little on my heart. I enjoyed Duffy and Lucy's reunion and newfound relationship. As always, we get more of the rest of the family to add to the reading experience.

My main issue with this one is the repeating of past things from pervious books over and over. I get that the author is trying to make it so these can be read on their own, but in reality, that isn't possible. I found myself annoyed with so much past information from previous books. It took up too much of the pages for my liking.

Overall, this a cute and enjoyable book. It wasn't as funny as some of the previous books. But still had its funny parts. If you are up to date on this series, you definitely should read this one.

Recently widowed Lucy Brewer moves back to her hometown of Lake Sackett, Georgia to raise her son Sam. Re-connecting with friends and dealing with her husband’s irritating family makes her decision to open a bakery a need rather than a want. Who wouldn’t want a Death by Chocolate cupcake after an altercation with her in laws? When her childhood best friend Duffy McCready offers to make her some shelves for her store she finds out that he’d always been in love with her and her childhood crush develops into a sweetheart of a romance.

Molly Harper really knows how to write great characters. Lucy doesn’t let her unhappy marriage turn her into a doormat. When her irritating in laws step over the line, she gives as good as she gets, but Lucy isn’t all sass. She’s also a loving mother, smart business owner, and soon to be loving girlfriend. I liked all sides of Lucy, her interactions with her son Sam, and with her suitor Duffy.

Duffy is a character that is familiar to readers of this series. He’s Marianne’s brother, and Frankie’s cousin. Down to earth, laid back, and stress free. He also has an ex wife who he lets into his home a little too often. However, once Lucy hits town he knows what he wants and he fights for her. That laid back attitude actually works for him in winning Lucy’s heart.

Lake Sackett and it’s inhabitants reminds me a little bit of Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series. The charming “older” crowd add a little seasoning and humor to these stories. I like multi generational tales, even though the romance is between a younger couple. Molly Harper does a great job of making you care for all of the inhabitants of that town and not just the couple in the main storyline. I want to read the next novel to see how Tootie and Bob’s cruise went just as much as I want to read the main story arc. These are stand alone novels, but I think you’d get more out of it if you had read the previous novels in the series and grew invested in all of the Southern Eclectic characters! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a free copy of this ARC through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest!

First of all, this cover is fantastic!! It’s so precious and beautiful!! The story inside is just as great! I love reading books set in the south because they are their own breed, for sure. This is so snooty and just what I excpected!!

Come on back to Lake Sackett, Georgia for some more small town hospitality. Lucy has moved back to her hometown after her husband died suddenly leaving her a widow with a small son to raise alone. She grew up and was best friends with Duffy McCready. But they both went their own separate ways in life and have come face to face again with unresolved feelings between them.

I have loved this series since the first book! If you are looking for a slice of small town southern hospitality look no further!

I am not a romance reader at all but the Southern Eclectic series is so charming I can't help but return to the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop.

"Most people had nightmares about mortuaries. They didn't spend Christmas in one. But he was proud that the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop was a Lake Sackett institution. Or the McCready's belonged in an institution. It was a thin line." *

In the third installment of the Southern Eclectic series, Lucy Brewer leaves behind city living in Texas after the sudden death of her husband to return to her hometown of Lake Sackett, Georgia with her young son Sam.

Lucy's working hard to open her own bake shop, Gimme Some Sugar, though her overbearing mother-in-law Evie seems to be working against her.  Evie seems to think Lucy should be lying in bed grieving instead of starting a business.  Not to mention the fact Lucy has put Sam in a preschool instead of letting his grandmother watch him while Lucy works. It's safe to say Lucy and Evie do not see eye to eye on anything, which causes a lot of friction.

It isn't long before Lucy reconnects with Duffy McCready, the boy she fell in love with as a kid.  They were best friends through high school until everything changed.  Duffy never had the guts to ask out Lucy and after getting his prom date pregnant, he did the honorable thing and married her right after graduation.  Lucy decided to marry her high school beau Wayne and follow him to Texas.

No one knows that Lucy's marriage to Wayne essentially ended long before he died unexpectedly and yet she feels guilty at the thought of moving on so quickly.  

Duffy offers to help Lucy out by building cabinetry for her bakery but soon their easy friendship is complicated by their history.  Their budding romance has Duffy's ex-wife and Lucy's mother-in-law determined to ruin their second chance.

Molly Harper has created such a genuine cast of characters; the Southern charm and humor is so entertaining and I fall back into this quirky small town and laugh out loud with every book.  

What I love about this series is that the romance is not lovey dovey and is secondary to the character-driven story that follows the McCready family.  Gimme Some Sugar is lighthearted and fun and another cozy read in the series.  While I enjoy starting a series from the beginning, each book has enough brief back story that you can pick up anywhere without feeling lost.

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.  Gimme Some Sugar is scheduled for release on April 2, 2019.

*Quote included is from a digital advance readers copy and is subject to change upon final publication.

Okay, it's official I love all of the McCready's and can't actually pick a favorite. This has a friends-to-lovers pairing and honestly it was done so well. Also, I really like how Molly Harper has the characters in this series openly talk about therapy and their anxieties. I'm really hoping we get another book in this world.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this early copy.

Another well-done addition to the Southern Eclectic series. I will be checking out more from this author in the future.

Gimme Some Sugar is the third novel in the Southern Eclectic series by Molly Harper. There are a few novellas that come between the novels making Gimme Some Sugar number six in the series.

Lucy was best friends growing up with Duff McCready until high school when the boy girl dynamics changed. Lucy's tormentor Lana weaseled her way into Duff's affections while Duff's nemesis Wayne stole Lucy's heart. Lucy followed Wayne to Texas for college and an unsatisfying married life.

A few years and one three- year-old son later, Lucy is back in town a widow opening a bakery. Duff is still trying to permanently get Lana to realize she divorced him and should leave him alone. Can these two become friends again? Will their families meddling be enough to drive an insurmountable wedge between them?

With a little luck, a lot of love and sweet Prince of a beagle this is a beautiful beginning to a lifetime together.

Funny & wonderfully written. I couldn't put it down! I've read all of the books in this series, and I love them all. I always thought that Frankie would definitely be my favorite of all her wonderful crazy characters, but after reading 'Gimme Some Sugar' Duffy is hands down my absolute favorite McCready :)

I think what I love about this series is that the characters have so much depth. I love that we really get to know them, and see how who they are really dictates the situations they find themselves in.

Okay, so I have been waiting for Duffy's story since his crazy relationship with his ex was mentioned in the first book (Sweet Tea and Sympathy), and I was not disappointed. Even with his mistakes, I just can't help rooting for him! Duffy and Lucy just seem to belong together, and their story was so enthralling. Duffy's CRAZY ex, Lana, is a real piece of work. Lucy handles her really well, considering. She also handles her mother-in-law fairly well, and THAT IS SAYING SOMETHING. I just really appreciate how undramatic Lucy is. Her and her son deserve a happy ending, that's for sure.

And as always, the wacky and wonderful McCready's are just so much fun. I honestly love this family, and really enjoy when each of their very unique personalities pop into the story and kind of take over. I recommend binging this whole series!

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!