I didn't care for this book as much as the others that the author wrote. I really thought it would be more about running a restaurant while being romanced. I'm not sure if I particularly cared for any of the characters in the book, except maybe Kevin, the cat. ( )

Susan Wiggs is a prolific writer. My favorite, but maybe least known, are the Bella Vista Chronicles. The Apple Orchard and The Beekeeper’s Ball are directly related, it helps to read them, in sequence. The Lost And Found Bookshop is what I refer to as ‘series adjacent’. It’s a stand alone book but there’s quite a few Easter Eggs and shout outs to the previous two books that readers will recognize and appreciate. This is also the case with the latest in the series, Sugar and Salt. I loved the first three, have featured them here previously feeling they don’t get nearly the love they deserve, so was absolutely thrilled to receive an early digital ARC from @netgalley , an early review copy from @librarything , and an early copy from the publisher @harpercollins .
When I read a book prior to publication I avoid other reviews trying to keep a clean slate and avoid being influenced by other opinions. I’ve read the publishers synopsis but little else. Very rarely this can backfire on me when my expectations don’t match the book I read. I’ve waited to write this review because I wanted some time and space to figure out what the disconnect was. Suffice to say…it’s complicated.
Sugar and Salt is a very good book by an author I deeply admire. I have read and reread her books, recommend and gift them often. I think the marketing, the coverart, the publisher synopsis, skip a major aspect (I’m leaving out here to avoid spoilers) and tone of the book. When I landed on it I was surprised. It seemed way out of context with a book marketed about a bake shop, second chances, starting over. We know the owner has a past she’s running from, but the leap was just too much for me without warning. Had I been looking at this after publication I very likely would have found out about this element from online reviews and chosen to wait to read. When I did I would have been prepared.
I recommend with the strong suggestion of due diligence prior for content. For those that haven’t read Susan Wiggs before I highly recommend starting with The Apple Orchard followed by The Beekeeper’s Ball, two of my personal favorites! The Apple Orchard just debuted last night as a Hallmark movie, The Secrets of Bella Vista!

This book was definitely not what I expected! I thought I was opening a light, romantic novel. It is a romance (or two), but is NOT light. The main storyline of the book is about a strong woman who is opening a bar-b-que restaurant in San Francisco. As the story unfolds, we learn about her early life in Texas. This is where the book turns serious. The author addresses many things that have been (or now are) issues for us – biracial dating/marriage, date rape, abortion, MAJOR problems with our legal/penal system, same-sex marriage, single parenthood (to name some of them). I couldn’t believe how timely this book is – I won it from LibraryThings’ Advanced Reader program several months ago. I shelved it, thinking it would be a great summertime read. Wrong! BUT, saying that – it is an awesome novel. Much of it is based on actual events (for instance – I could relate to the problems the main character has with the legal system. (Our family went through similar troubles with our son. Things that some readers may think are fiction really do happen in our court system and jails.) I would love to give more examples – but I don’t want to give away more of the plot!
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 is the fact that the heroin has to deal with so many issues. It's like she deals with every major issue facing our society today and I would hope that no one person has to do that. I would definitely recommend this book – but, please be ready for a timely, thought-provoking novel – not a typical lighter romance. ( )

Don’t be fooled by the cover, this is not necessary a sweet dessert of a book. While there is certainly a sweetness to the book, it dives in to some very serious (and extremely timely) topics including rape, privilege and women’s rights to make decisions about their own bodies. ( )

In Sugar And Salt the prolific Susan Wiggs takes on a family who controls a Texas town and seeks retaliation against a woman who did nothing more than try to protect herself from a bully. Unfortunately the bully is a favorite son and the woman has no social standing whatsoever. The story moves and turns and there is romance and a new start-up business and a long-shot trying to make her mark but basically it is about perseverance, determination and grit.

Ms. Wiggs doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, sexual assault, the good-old boy southern stereotypes, small minded misogynistic idiots all make an appearance and turn a potential frothy confection of a story into something much darker and disturbing. Thank you LibraryThing and William Morrow / HarperCollins for a copy. ( )