Lips Like Sugar - ARC Review
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FEATURES:
-Adult Contemporary Romance
-Leads in Their 50s
-Fake Dating, Real Feels
-Former Rocker and Small Town Baker
-Single Parent
-Caring For a Parent with Dementia
-Love after toxic Relationships
-Adorable on-page text convos
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WHY 4/5: My favorite thing about this series is having leads in their 50s and seeing them get their happily ever afters. Not all HEAs begin in your 20s.
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Here are some other things Jess K. Hardy does really well:
Character Development: Hardy creates multi-dimensional characters that come to life and never fall into stereotypes. They are so fresh!
Getting Deep: Hardy explores tough topics, such as caring for a parent with dementia or leaving toxic relationships, in thoughtful ways
Swoony, everyday moments: Whether adorable text convos or every time Cole called Mira “Sugar”, there was lots of swoon. But I appreciated the swoon often in ordinary moments, notjust flashy, grand gestures.
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DID I MENTION “SUGAR”? Because Cole Calling Mira made me melt!
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Thank you Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for my copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a cute fake dating romance. Mira's ex walking into her small town Montana bakery. They are both attending the same wedding the following day and she says of course she has a date. In walks Cole who plays the role of her boyfriend . Of course fake dating turns into real feelings. But there's more baggage when you're dating in your 50s and both have kids. I enjoyed this but I'm not sure I was the target demographic for this book. I think there's a group of people who will absolutely love this series and I hope I see more romance novels with older love interests. I'll order this book for the library if the first book in this series (which our library already owns) circulates well enough.

This is the second book in the Bluebird Basin series, following Mira and Cole. Mira is a small town baker trying to keep herself together while caring for her aging mother and teenage son. Enter Cole, a retired rockstar in town for his best friend’s wedding. What starts as a fake wedding date, quickly and easily turns into so much more.
The chemistry between these two is so good! It made the story fly by. Cole is the golden retriever boyfriend of your dreams. It’s nice to read a romance where the main characters are in their early twenties. Watching these two navigate real life while falling head over heels for each other was such a treat. I love a rockstar romance and even though Cole is technically a retired rockstar, I’m counting it.
I love Jess Hardy’s writing style and can’t believe she made me feel these feelings about a blonde MMC! Keeping my fingers crossed for a third book about Davis and Kev!
Thank you to Jess K Hardy, Victory Editing, and Net Galley for the ARC!

I didn't think I would love this as much as the first book, never mind even almost more than Come As You Are. Absolutely awesome.

What I loved:
❤ MCs in their 50s. We are still thinking about sex, love, and dreams in our 50s, as well as being caught in the middle of raising offspring (if you are a parent) and caring for our parents. Still wanting to live our dreams, even if we don't quite know what they are anymore, or if they have been buried so long we need to dig deep to find them.(can you tell I'm thinking about the fact that I'm turning 50 this year?😉)
❤ Cole. Cole Sanderson. The man, the legend. He has taken a top place in the fictional book boyfriend list. What do we want, really? We want a sexy ex-grunge rocker who loves being a grandpa. So simple! Secret desire unlocked, thanks for that, Jess.😄
❤ Mira. Mira Harlow, badass baker, mother and daughter. Raising a teenager while also caring for her aging mother. She doesn't save a lot of time and energy for herself but being with Cole opens her eyes to possibilities. Her inner thoughts and struggles as a 50 year old woman were bang-on.
❤ The texts and phone calls as they got to know each other long distance. The FaceTime spice.🥵
❤ Heart songs. F**cking heart songs, are you kidding me Jess??? The. Best. This has started a whole new conversation with my husband. After 32 years you'd think we'd covered it all but we had not considered heart songs. (Although Mira's heart song was...a choice.🤣🤣)
❤ Getting glimpses of Ashley and Madigan's HEA. I adored them in Come As You Are.

There's a lot more I could list but I don't want to give everything away. But trust me, this book deserves to be on your tbr! Jess is writing romances that us older women didn't even know how to ask for. I felt very seen and respected in the pages of this book. I can't wait to own a physical copy and share it with all my girlfriends.

Cole and Mira were as sticky sweet as it gets. I really enjoyed this story about two people who are older finding their happiness in unexpected situations. The whole premise was fun and so enjoyable to read. I really loved all of the characters you meet outside of Paul he was just too annoying for the short amount of time he was in the story. I really loved this being dual pov so you could have more understanding between both of our main characters. Each of the main characters brought a realness to the story that most people will connect with on some level. Cole is a self aware king and is emotionally intelligent on top of that. Mira was overall a strong character but had moments where her self doubt became a real downer compared to what Cole was bringing to the moment and it took away from the positive aspects. While she does deal with a heavy situation I wish she could have experienced it in a way were she’s happy for the time she has with her mom in the moment instead of always being to focused on the “what next” of it all. Overall I really enjoyed this story and would recommend to those looking for a pretty lighthearted, super sweet romance with some spice.

Thank you NetGalley, Jess K. Hardy, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

'Lips Like Sugar' offers a delightfully sweet and heartwarmingly beautiful wintery romance featuring two main characters in their early 50s, whose relatable journey brings a fresh perspective to love in later stages of life. As the second installment in the "Bluebird Basin" series, while it can be enjoyed independently, diving into the series from the start with 'Come As You Are' enriches the experience by providing a deeper understanding of character dynamics and background. Having adored the first book, receiving the opportunity to read the second as an ARC was met with sheer jubilation. While 'Lips Like Sugar' was thoroughly enjoyable, the original charm of the first book remains my favorite and holds a special place in my heart. The narrative beautifully captures the essence of second chances in love, transcending age barriers to deliver a compelling tale brimming with tension, humor, and tender moments. The parable chemistry between the characters ignites the pages, infusing the story with sizzling, open-door romance that sets hearts ablaze. Amidst the passion, readers are enchanted by the flutter of butterflies, swept on a journey that celebrates the timeless allure of finding love anew. 🩵🩵🩵🩵

Mira Harlow, juggling her small-town bakery, parenting her 14 year old son, and caring for her mother, reaches a breaking point! Desperate to avoid her ex at a wedding, she impulsively asks a sexy stranger, Cole Sanderson, to be her date. Cole, seeking change from his stagnant life, agrees to play along, sparking unexpected chemistry. As their fake date turns into genuine connection, they face the challenge of returning to their old lives while grappling with newfound feelings. When Cole returns to Red Falls, Mira must choose between stability and embracing love admits chaos.

Mira and Cole were truly remarkable, both individually and as a couple, embodying a rich tapestry of emotions, imperfections, and authenticity. Their portrayal highlights the ongoing journey of growth and learning in older individuals, showcasing their humanity, vulnerability, and capacity for love. Mira's selflessness resonates deeply, while Cole's genuine and caring nature is truly admirable. Together, they navigate the complexities of making room for others in their already full lives, demonstrating that finding the right person is worth the challenges. Their story serves as a poignant reminder that embracing new experiences, fostering personal growth, and welcoming love knows no age boundaries, perpetually enriching and enlightening our lives.

In essence, this romance is a truly enchanting journey that leaves readers feeling wonderfully cozy and fulfilled. Now I eagerly wait for the next installment in the series and I highly recommend!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content Notes: Living with and caring for a parent with mild cognitive impairment, addiction and relapse.

A unique spin on a Rockstar romance. One of my most favorite genres.
I absolutely adore Mira and Coles story. I really enjoyed that it was based on older adults and not the typical age most of these types of books are written about.
I think it brought a fun, sweet insight on the fact that there's still life it be had in you fifties. And you can embrace those years. 
Mira is super busy running her bakery as a single mom, who is also taking care of her aging mother. Whom happens to be in the early stages of memory disorder.
Cole is an amazing man and former rock star drummer living in Seattle. He comes to the small town Mira lives in for a wedding and to help his friend out at his business.
This super fun story is easy to love. I really enjoyed getting to know the amazing and unique characters in this fantastic story.
5 stars. A definite must read.

I went into the book already a fan of Jess’ writing, but lemme tell you she is on fire. Hard work and craft growth drip from every page, as does the chemistry between Mira and Cole. Their romance is goals. Cole is sweet and selfless to a fault, a fixer who’s still bringing the moves at 50+, and now the romance hero I will judge all others by. Meanwhile, Mira’s stalwart surrender to the crush of responsibility is so familiar I had occasional trouble with sudden fuzziness in my vision.

Damn dusty onions.

As a writer, Jess brazenly storms into the reality of not being twenty anymore. She talks openly about the mental and physical challenges of having your mind and body no longer in sync over what you can and cannot do (all the Tiger Balm), and she lays out the reality of the familial struggles many go through, when the parent becomes the child and you’re trying to hold everything together while it feels like the earth beneath your feet is crumbling away.

Following Cole and Mira from insta-chemistry to self-realization to doing the work was a hell of a ride. I loved the opportunity to catch up with the characters from Come As You Are, including a visit with the residents of Little Timber, and a certain sweet slobbery pup, but Cole and Mira (rightly) stole the show, and I can see myself giving this one another read (or ten) once the afterglow wears off.

I really enjoy novels with characters that are over a certain age. 1) Being the emotional maturity, omg there is absolutely the same problems at every age with every relationship. However, when it comes to working out the problems of the relationship the emotional maturity that comes with it. But I think that comes more with the characters knowing what they want and have emotional maturity which can happen at any age. 2) Their ages are not usually represented in a positive light in the media. I love that this author has found a way to realistically portray them in her books and have them falling in love with other people their age. Talking about regular problems in their life that happen to people their age.

Now let's talk about Cole, woah!! I think I had a constant smile on my face whenever it was his POV. Hearing a man dissect his feelings and talk about his feelings so openly was refreshing. Also, when he realized where he messed up and then rectified it immediately was also swoon worthy. I loved it!!

This book like the first one also has the subplot of addiction and substance abuse so be careful with those trigger warnings.

Thank you for Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review as always, all words are my own.

This is a mature romance, full of tender moments, frenetic moments and a good bit of menopausal hot flushing which is always a winner! Cole and Mira are real, believable and have their flaws on display like the rest of us. The worries are real worries, dementia for a parent, worry over a child or grandchild, and just keeping a business going and being true. This is a well written, wryly funny and emotionally charged book that was a joy to read.

Thank you so much to Jess K Hardy and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the eARC to review. This is the second book in this series. I absolutely loved reading about Mira and Cole. The way Jess writes their story is just pure love. It has older Main characters and not normally the main characters I read about. It was a damn good book though!

Amazing sequel to Come as you Are! Lips like Sugar is the beautiful second-chance romance story of Cole and Mira, who are thrown together randomly, and have a blast on their first date at Madigan & Ashley's wedding (from Come as You Are). Their connection on both a physical and emotional level is very strong, but they live far apart and neither hopes for a long term relationship. As they get to know each other, they share confidences and fall deeply in love, though both are afraid to admit that. Their physical connection is super hot. I've never read a description of FaceTime sex before, but Jess K Hardy described every detail perfectly! I loved that the characters were older, mature, flawed but still hopeful about finding love later in life. I also loved how both characters' friends and family really supported and encouraged them to find happiness. Without giving away the end, the story is resolved beautifully and Mira and Cole find their happy ever after.
I really enjoyed this book and am now a dedicated Jess K Hardy fan. Her character development is realistic but not cliched. I find her characters compelling because of their age and the challenges they face.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

4.25/5 stars

Jess K. Hardy strikes again with an absolutely adorable romance set in the Bluebird Basin - and honestly I loved this one even more than the first!

I wasn't sure I would like a male love interest as much as Madigan, but Cole has definitely stolen my heart. And Mira....oh man her "I need to fix everyone and never make myself a burden" hit really hard, super close to home, but she was so well written and so real....I love her. This one also didn't feel as steamy as the first, but honestly that was fine. The plot was great, the banter was ADORABLE and heartwarming, and I really fell in love with the characters. Now, there was spice and it was steamy....but it was more plot heavy which I appreciated.

I can't wait to return to Bluebird Basin - check this series out if you're a contemporary romance reader!

It was so refreshing to read a story about people my age!!! Most books seem to revolve around people in their 20's and 30's. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I enjoy those books too, but this was a breath of fresh air.

I loved the show "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" and the idea of heart songs really touches me. That show, and this book, both featured music in a way that really gets me in my feelings.

The characters were mature, flawed and lovely in every way. I appreciated the way both main characters, Mira & Cole, were so fun, honest (for the most part), and hopeful. About life, love, and each other.

I would recommend this book. Please, authors, more stories about people in their 50's and above. And not just as supporting characters. Grandma's & grandpa's have love lives too. They have parents, kids, and even grandkids, and they're still living their lives. Recognizing this age group feels long overdue.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4⭐️

- Gen X romance
- Fake dating
- Small town
- Drummer x baker

First of all, thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cole and Mira have a piece of my heart, honestly. Cole was so fun - he was laid back, quick witted, and completely OBSESSED with Mira from the beginning. Mira was definitely someone who put others before herself, and she did everything she could to make people she loved happy. She was a single parent to a teenage son, and acting as a caregiver for her mom who was in the beginning stages of dementia. Her character arc was one of my favorite parts of this story. I loved every second of this, and I highly recommend checking it out!

I'm in love with this story.

This book is the second in the Bluebird Basin series, and we get a peek at Madigan and Ashley, so much love there. The story begins with their wedding and the arrival of Cole, who's the best man and ex-drummer from the rock band Madigan used to shred with back in the '90s. To help out the bride and groom, he swings by Mira's bakery, Glazed and Confused, to pick up an order. Next thing he knows, Mira kisses him and give him the puppy-dog eyes, begging him to play the part of her boyfriend and wedding date. He totally gets into the act, and from there it's all sorts of delightful chaos.

Jess K. Hardy has my heart and eternal gratitude because she penned one of my all-time favorite romances.
Here's why I loved it:

* Protagonists in their 50s
* Awesome music references (I even made a Spotify playlist)
* The best damn first date ever. I'm talking THE BEST.
* Loads of '80s and '90s throwbacks
* Maximum romance without being cheesy
* Cole, MMC, is bisexual, a drummer ("fucking drummers," I even married one), has a daughter and granddaughter, and is the epitome of a "golden retriever"
* Mira, FMC, is a single mom, town baker, intense but reserved, juggling caring for her mom in the early stages of dementia, a teenage son, and running her bakery—all while going through menopause. Phew!
* And it's hella steamy. Like, seriously. Hot stuff.
* I swooned and fanned myself endlessly
* Cole's eternal crush on Madigan is gold, look at this: "Yo, Mad!" Cole called out, breaking into a grin when Madigan—the man, the myth, the legend—came into view at the top of the stairs. His beard, those piercing, crystal blue eyes, his shoulders stretching the seams of a dark gray Henley, pushed Cole’s pause button too. He looked even bigger than he’d been at Flannelfest four months ago, and he’d been so big then, Cole had fallen into a lumberjack TikTok spiral for a solid week afterward." HOT!

We talk a lot about representation, and I've never felt more seen by characters like these two, especially Mira. This book beautifully shows that us Gen Xers might be more mature, but we still have our insecurities, still make mistakes with ourselves and others. There's a generosity in the author's writing that moved me deeply.

Thank you NetGalley for let me read this ARC.
ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
#LipsLikeSugar #NetGalley

It's so refreshing to read romance that features older, more experienced characters with the experiences and responsibilities you would expect them to have in mid-life. I'll be sure to spread the word that this is a book not to be missed.

I had high hopes for Lips Like Sugar after reading the first book in this series, Come As You Are. Jess K Hardy did not disappoint. Between the loveable main characters, the fun banter, the amazing chemistry, and the satisfying plot, it kept me completely engaged from beginning to end. I can categorically say I'm all in: any book in the Bluebird Basin series will be an automatic read and an automatic recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read a digital version of this book before publication.

It was so refreshing to read a romance with middle-ages characters that were actually cool! As a gen x reader, I really appreciated these characters and their pop culture references. The character growth was realistic and moved the plot along.

We absolutely need more authors writing love stories with main characters in their 40s and 50s! I loved Come As You Are and Lips Like Sugar was a super fun way to return to the Bluebird Basin universe. Mira and Cole have amazing chemistry together, and I loved seeing both of them grow individually and together. There were some elements of the story I wish would have been explored in more detail, but overall this was a very fun and hot read!

I voluntarily read a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.