I will miss them. ( )

I'm no virgin to the writing of Bernice McFadden. This book was wonderful. The characters and plot were so engaging that I could hardly put it down. There were moments that I laughed and cheered; that's when I enjoy a book most, when I get so tangled up that it becomes a temporary reality. I especially loved the way that she wound superstitions of African Americans into the story line. I really didn't want it to end. I'm so happy for Sugar...that's all I will say without spoilers. If these are your types of books, go for it. ( )

I can't compare this book to Sugar as I haven't read the first book. However, I did love the sequel This Bitter Earth. It's a story of Sugar's survival although the odds are stacked against her. I thought she was a wonderful main character and in the end, showed herself to be strong and caring. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. It was very easy to imagine the characters and how they interacted with one another and their situations. The author did a good job bringing me into the story. ( )

All I can say is that this book had me gasping all the way til the end. I can't describe how much I enjoyed this book. Of course we know that Sugar ended with Sugar Lacey leaving Bigelow, AR wounded mentally and physically. This book picks her up walking back to the home she was raised in with the Lacey sisters.

At the Lacey home Sugar finally gets the answers she have been looking for all her life. When all the Lacey sisters die she retraces her steps back to Mary's house in St. Louis. In Sugar, she found her "smile" in this very home but now she finds tragedy. Sugar buries Mary and rescues Mercy from a downward spiral. Sugar heads to the only place she knows that heals, Bigelow. Upon arrival in Bigelow, Sugar is immediately confronted with the past.

Sugar went backward to move forward and redeemed herself along with a few others. McFadden really grew as a writer from her first novel Sugar to this her third. There was never a dull moment. You would have to read Sugar to really appreciate how McFadden tied every loose end into a knot in This Bitter Earth. I really hated to let this book go. The characters will hold on to me for a while. ( )