I was a HUGE fan of the first book in this series, so I was. a little nervous to crack the cover, but Jess Hardy didn’t let me down! Cole and Mira, her beautifully “messy in the middle of life” main characters feel real, complicated in the best way, and positively electric together. One of the BEST things about the romance genre is when people can see themselves in the story, and find the hope and joy in knowing that real love is for everyone. Jess Hardy has done this for Gen X! Lips like Sugar reminds us that self discovery doesn’t end at the age of 25, and that if we keep our hearts open, wishes come true. Thank you to Jess Hardy, NetGalley and Victory editing for gifting me access to this ARC!

I enjoyed this story a lot and thought it was a fun meet cute. It was great to be back in this world!

Where should I start? This book met, no exceeded all my expectations and then some! As an "older" romance reader, it was refreshing to read a romance with characters near to my age. Cole Sanderson is my dream partner. like seriously how can I find a real life Cole? Mira was so relatable and sometimes I got frustrated with her but honestly, that's probably because I related to her too much. This is book 2 in a series but I didn't read book 1 first so it can definitely be read as a standalone. Although now that I've read this one, I can't wait to read book 1. Hardy's writing style is fun and easy to read. It just flows and you will find that after just a short time of reading, you have blown through quite a bit of the book. My only complaint is that I don't have a Glazed and Confused near me to eat some of Mira's yummy confections! I'll definitely be checking out more of Hardy's work and so should you!

Thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #LipsLikeSugar by Jess K. Hardy in exchange for an honest review.

Mira and Cole’s journey was the warm, cozy, heartfelt story that I didn’t know I needed. Lips Like Sugar delivered a funny, soft love story with some of the most realistic subplots and side characters I’ve had the pleasure of reading in a while.

Mira is a bakery owner, mom to a moody teenager, and primary caretaker for her memory impaired mother—basically a superhero covered in sprinkles. Cole is a retired drummer, perpetual dreamer, and a doting father and grandfather—basically a soft and sensitive dreamboat with fantastic hands. After a brief moment of “kiss the stranger and pretend you’re dating” these two launch into a rollercoaster of emotions, battling against family responsibilities and the relatable habit of not putting themselves first.

One thing I think Jess K. Hardy did particularly well was the incorporation of texting as a means of deepening an established connection. The reader gets a front row seat as Mira and Cole slowly open up, graduate to phone calls (and video calls 🔥), and eventually break out of their phones entirely, unable to stay away from each other.

Lips Like Sugar was a delight to read! I laughed, I cried, and I craved cupcakes for two days. In the words of Mira’s mother: “Sometimes it's the mess that makes life beautiful.”

I loved Mira’s character and the responsibility she felt towards her family and how that felt like invisible chains. I loved that the character’s felt mature but still learning and adapting to life and fucking up. Jess K Hardy is a auto-buy for me now.

I did at times feel Cole was too perfect of a character. His tendency to latch onto people who don’t love him back was glossed over without much depth to it. I also felt that the third act conflict with the cupcake was a tad over the top, which is in-line with Cole’s character but needed more building for the payoff, which could’ve been done well if the guy getting lost was actually shown on page so we can feel Cole’s heartbreak at not being there.

4.5

I loved Come As You Are, the first book in the Bluebird Basin series. I requested this one so fast when I saw it on NetGalley. It did not disappoint.
This book is written in third person, so it took me a bit for my brain to adjust and get into it.

Mira and Cole are both single parents in their early fifties. Mira runs her family bakery while raising her teenage son and caring for her mother. Cole is a former drummer for a popular 90s band.

There is a tiny bit of fake dating, and Cole was immediately taken by Mira. He was such a softie. This was a sweet book and I really enjoyed it. They are older than me, so some of the references went over my head. Like when they got horny over tiger balm 🤣 I know my time is coming. But I thought it was refreshing to read about a couple finding love later in life.

Bisexual rep
Small mountain town
Strangers to friends to lovers
Gen X romance
Both single parents
Golden retriever MMC
Elder emo vibes

Thank you so much to Jess K. Hardy and NetGalley for an arc of this book! All opinions are my own.

I read Come As You Are earlier this year and really enjoyed it, but Lips Like Sugar was even more phenomenal! I haven’t read too many Gen X romances besides both books in this series, but I am definitely going to keep an eye out going forward, especially any coming from Jess K. Hardy. The book was the perfect combination of sweet, funny, heartwarming, and heart wrenching, and perfect, sweet, cinnamon roll and bisexual king Cole had me screaming over how precious of a man he is. I mean, the man got a vasectomy after Roe v. Wade was overturned - swooooooon. Would definitely recommend this book!

You can expect: Gen X romance, baker FMC, drummer MMC, single mom, fake dating, small town, romantic kiss in the rain, he falls first.

CW: addiction recovery, memory loss.

Romance for the young is like amateur hour at the trapeze academy. There they are, a bunch of fresh-faced dingbats, flinging themselves at each other with wild abandon. Worst case scenario? A few scratches - but the net’s right there. They keep climbing back up that tower with their pain-free joints (which they don’t even appreciate) until they connect with their person.

Romance over forty is the same. Except now the tower’s higher, the net’s lower, and the quality partner pool can fit in a Prius. Also, there’s probably a fire somewhere. Several fires.

Opening up to the chance of love again when you aren’t a spring chicken is for rebels and risk-takers. Apparently, so is writing characters over-40 because it’s nearly unheard of in Romance.

Jess K. Hardy is both a rebel and a risk-taker of a Romance writer, as we learned in her first book in the series “Come As You Are” – a story of two GenXers putting their hearts out there one more time.

In “Lips Like Sugar” we return to Red Falls, MT, this time to Mira Harlow; GenX bakery shop owner, single mom of a teen, and caregiver to an aging parent with memory issues. One day Mira is stretched way too far and she flings herself out there…and right onto the lips of drummer legend Cole Sanderson.

Not that he’s complaining. Cole’s been floating around too, his one long term relationship having yielded a loving daughter and grandchild, but a load of heartache. He wasn’t opposed to a fling. But he finds himself falling hard for Mira, who insists they keep it casual, and now he’s not so sure.

“Lips Like Sugar” is a rare reading experience for women over 40 in Romance - one of being seen.

It is impossible not to laugh in empathy as Mira moves from hot flash to frustration with a body suddenly turned traitorous with perimenopause.

I, like Mira, am the sole caregiver for an aging parent with health issues. There’s always a fear of not knowing what to do for this person you love and will, inevitably, lose.

Hardy threads this needle with such a delicate hand, as Mira tries to come to terms with her role as a daughter and mother, along with a potential partner to Cole. It’s deeply affecting and emotional without ever straying into the heavy-handed.

I’ll admit I cried 100% more than usual reading “Lips Like Sugar” (which is because that number is generally 0%), but the emotion felt earned, which is a difficult balance to strike and is a credit to the quality of the writing in general. These are two complex, imperfect, and relatable characters, stumbling their way into a happily ever after.

Also, they are hotter than any hot flash together, which is saying a lot, trust me.

Ultimately, this is what makes “Lips Like Sugar” such a charming, tenderhearted, and beautiful love story. Worth the leap. No net needed.
_______
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. This title will be released on March 28th, 2024.

Woohoo!!!!! Jess K. Hardy has delivered yet again! I love that Lips Like Sugar, as well as the first book in the Bluebird Basin series Come As You Are, features main characters in my age group!!!!! YAY! It is refreshing and exciting, plus this book works perfectly as a stand-alone. But trust me Come As You Are is awesome and I highly recommend it!

Mira Harlow has a lot on her plate. She has a teenage son, and her mother has mild cognitive impairment. She is also a small-town family business owner of the town bakery. It is where her ex walks in with his new wife. They are in town to attend Madigan and Ashley's wedding. Not only is Mira attending the wedding she is also making the wedding cake. Flustered, she tells them she is going to the wedding with her boyfriend and quickly kisses a total stranger who goes along with it.

Cole Sanderson, a punk drummer who saw/experienced fame in the 90's, lives in Seattle and is in town to attend Ashely and Madigan's wedding. He and Madigan were in the same band and have been close ever since. When Mira kisses him, he goes along with it. When not kissing women in bakeries, he is a father and proud grandfather.

This was a terrific book that has Mira and Cole fake dating while dealing with real life issues. Both have things on their plate, both have responsibilities, and both have had unlucky experiences with love. I enjoyed their banter, their texts, their chemistry, their openness, and their vulnerability. Both characters are likeable, and I was rooting for them the entire book. I always say with romance books, it's all about the journey and I loved the journey that Mira and Cole took individually and together.

Hats off to Jess K. Hardy for showing characters in their early 50's being sexy, sensual, sexual, and fun loving. We are still hot and hot to trot! I also applaud her for showing the concern that Mira has for her mother who has mild cognitive impairment. She shows Mira's worry, love, and concern that she feels for her mother. Hardy also shows her mother's frustration, humor, and strength while dealing with her cognitive impairment.

I found this book to be a gripping and endearing read. This book also touches on many things: friendship, family, responsibility, addiction, menopause, love, aging parents, ex's, etc. As I mentioned, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey the characters went on. It was a joy to go on the journey with them! Plus, the mention of movies and music had me feeling nostalgic and warm and fuzzy inside. This book gave all the feels.

If you have not read a book by Jess K. Hardy, what are you waiting for? I am a HUGE fan of this wonderful series. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!!!!

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am very excited to be reading this book! My full review to follow.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have been waiting to read this book.

I could see so much of myself and my friends in this story. It accurately reflects the pressures of the middle aged. And the challenges of finding love when your love has all kinds of other events happening. It’s realistic to need to work to make love happen. It’s hard to break out of the patterns in your life, and accept the risk that comes with.

I enjoyed the 80s and 90s references so, so much. I literally laughed out loud to the point that my father came to check on me.

Cole. Cole is a ball of emotions and charm and impulsivity. F@$&ing drummers. Mayor of Emotionland. He’s a gilf 100%

Mira is so closed off to herself. She enjoys Cole, they have fun, banter, open up to each other. But she is so quick to close off as a protective mechanism. She doesn’t let him see her as vulnerable, or how much she is obsessed over him. While on the flip side, he’s pretty open with all of that, but he understands she’s not there yet and adjusts accordingly. And girl - I really don’t understand the silent orgasm. Like why???

I’m already looking forward to the next book on the series!

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

I loved this book.

I felt super connected to both Mira & Cole, I was really rooting for them the whole time - they felt real to me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️

💭 overall thoughts:
We need more “older” MCs in romance 🙌🏼
Jess K Hardy does this SO well.
This is my second read of hers and I can’t wait for more in this series.

👩🏻‍🍳🥁MCs:
I love seeing both MCs as single parents, and in their 50s.

Mira has a teenage son, and is caring for her own mother. Cole has his 20-something daughter + baby granddaughter live with him.
They both have a lot of life experience, though they approach it differently.

📖 story:
Cole’s best man speech 🥹 that was probably my favorite moment of the book.

I love how they had amazing chemistry from the moment they met (adored their meet-cute!), yet their relationship developed slowly and realistically over time.

🤍side characters:
Both Mira & Cole’s families/exes added a lot to the story, showing why they are the way they are. I also loved the bits we got of Madigan & Ashley from the first book, and Davis.

tropes + topics:
🥸 fake dating
🫶🏼 single parents
🤍 MCs in their 50s
🥁 famous drummer mmc
🧁 baker fmc
🏳️‍🌈 bisexual mmc
🩵 strangers to friends to lovers
🏔️ small mountain town
💞 dual 3rd person pov

🫶🏼 books with similar vibes:
•Come as You Are by Jess K Hardy
(I really haven’t read many like this one!)

Thank you to NetGalley & author Jess K. Hardy for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This book is one of the most delightful and sweetest I've read this year!
After reading Come As You Are, this became one of my most anticipated books of the year. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read an ARC of it.

The characters are beautiful and complex. Mira's life really resonated with me, and I loved that she found the support and love she deserved in Cole. While the story was sweet and soft, it was also emotional and scary, because that's the way life is.

I felt that this book was a balm to my soul and it's one of my new all times fave <3



Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the eARC

I need more romances of characters in their 50s! OMG this book was everything. I loved that the MMC was a badass drum player in a rock band but also has a gooey, 21st century non toxic personality. He a grandpa and soooo happy about it!

The way these two have to deal with past failed relationships and the MFC almost can't get past hers is ALLLLLL the feelings I love in romance novels.

Shout-out to Mom Linda in this book. Always fun to see my name in a romance even though she's like 25 years older than me and CW: dealing with the onset of dementia.

This series is fabulous and I can't wait for more!

It was great to go back to Bluebird Basin in this one! Mira owns the bakery in town and has been working herself to exhaustion taking care of her mother and son on her own. Cole is one of Madigan's best friends and an important part of his daughter and granddaughter's lives.

While Mira is content taking care of family, when an ex comes to time for Mad and Ashley's wedding with his new wife, she panics and quickly commits to catching up with them at the wedding with her boyfriend....who she doesn't have. When Cole walks into her bakery he ends up being the "boyfriend" with no complaints!

After the wedding they go their separate ways, but neither can stop thinking about the other. They talk more and begin to know one another, and when Cole comes to cover Little Timber for Madigan so he can take Ashley on their honeymoon, he and Mira get to spend time together in person.

Making the best of their time together, Mira and Cole become very close, but she's convinced it won't work out long term. Cole, however, is sure he can convince her otherwise. When life gets in the way, old habits die hard and Mira is left with the same situation she's been in for most of her adult life. Cole is left in a similar situation, and thank goodness for their families for talking sense into them!

This was so sweet and romantic, and I love that we're seeing older main characters again.

This was my first book by this author and I really liked it! The connection between Mira and Cole, ah I love it! The story is so well written and it really make me happy. When you read the story, you really don't realize that the characters are in their early 50s. The author brings beautiful messages into her story. It was a fun, cute read and I'm so glad and thankfull that I got an arc for this one. I haven't read the first one but I will definitely read it.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

I really loved this book! This is the 2nd book in the Bluebird Basin Romance series and I do think it helps to have read Come As You Are before this one, though it isn't required. You just know the side characters and the situation better.

“A realist with the reluctant heart of a dreamer.” I have never felt more described in a book than in this moment.

Such a great meet cute. The epistolary text elements were so wonderful.

There was a lot in this one that hit close to home as a person the same age as the mc’s. From the talk about sore muscles, menopause, taking care of aging parents, while also still parenting older children or grandparenting, but at the same time still being seen as a woman who is worthy and capable of desire and love who still has dreams and plans for the future.

Thank you to Jess K Hardy for writing a book where I can see myself.

Bluebird Basin has captured my heart once again! I really loved 'Come As You Are', the first book in the BB universe, so I was a little anxious to read this next one because I didn't know that it could live up to the first. I'm happy that I was worried for nothing! Cole's golden retriever bi energy really did it for me, I've got to say. Mira's life stresses and concerns felt real and I just wanted her and Cole to find out a way to be together asap. I appreciated that they both acted like the adults they are and knew that changing your life at that stage is not something that could just be done without time and consideration. Their text relationship felt natural and them seeing each other again in person was so satisfying. I was also a fan that friends and family called them out when they were being ridiculous and any real issues were rectified quickly (just like Book 1).

I am so looking forward to whatever comes next for Bluebird Basin and there are multiple side characters I wasn't to see more from. I'm guessing (hoping) we'll get Davis and Kev next and I really cannot wait.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is my second read by Jess K. Hardy, and just like the first, I loved it from the beginning. This book picks up right where we left off at the end of Come as You Are, and features the same amazing cast of characters, but this time focusing on Mira and Cole.

One thing I immediately loved about both books is that the characters are older. In this case, Mira and Cole are both in their 50’s. Part of the reason I love this so much is because the characters and what they are going through are incredibly relatable. Some of the issues Mira was dealing with included raising a teen boy, perimenopause, juggling running a business while caring for said teen boy plus an aging parent, etc. I find these topics aren’t covered a lot in our standard romance books, and it was so refreshing to be able to relate to Mira on so many levels.

As mentioned in the author’s note “Older people are largely absent from the media we consume outside of the role of parent or grandparent or plucky upstairs neighbor. Those depictions tend to be so surface level they’re practically transparent. I write these stories because I think it’s important to realize that older people are all still learning, still growing, still fucking up and sometimes making terrible choices, still deeply emotional, deeply flawed, outrageously immature at times, still having sex, still falling in love, and still worthy of being main characters. Romance readers age up, so romance stories should age up too.” I cannot agree with this more!

As much as I love the relatability to the main characters, I also loved the romance between the two. What started as a fake dating/wedding date situation very quickly turned into a budding romance (a tad insta-lovey, which isn’t usually my fave). It was sexy, yet sweet and endearing at many times. Cole’s character was incredibly emotional, and I loved seeing that in a main male character. He never shied away from his feelings, and I also loved seeing more of his relationship with his daughter, granddaughter, and BFF Madigan from the first book.

Overall, I loved this one and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a third book in this series.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Sometimes it's the mess that makes life beautiful."
Wow! This book had me in all my feels. I absolutely fell in love with Cole and felt for Mira throughout the entire book...and I loved seeing characters from the last book settling in to their new lives. This is the third book I've read by this author (and my favourite so far!) and she is now definitely an insta-buy for me. I love that the main characters are grown adults and can definitely identify with them as an elder millennial/xennial, myself. Definitely read this series. It will not disappoint! I mean...the mmc's are retired 90s grunge stars. Swoon! I absolutely adore Cole and how soft and cinnamon rolly he is.