Gimme Some Sugar

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review** In Gimme Some Sugar we finally get Larkin's story, the last of the Mancinkus siblings to fine her HEA! Larkin Mancinkus not only owns the local bakery, but she is also part owner of the B&B with her brother Lowe and sister-in-law Mely. Larkin does not have the most confidence where her body image is concerned and she also tends to be more on the shy side than her twin Laken. When Lowe and Mely depart on their honeymoon, it leaves Larkin to look after the B&B, which isn't a problem until a certain someone checks in. Deacon Locke had been through Whynot, NC a few weeks prior when he encountered Larkin for the first time. Now that the motorcycle riding adventurer is back, he is clearly attracted to Larkin and he's doing all he can to flirt and make his feelings known. He's having to work overtime due to her disbelief that this hottie of a man could actually be interested in her. Deacon and Larkin start spending time together and it's clear that there are feelings there on both sides. The question becomes is Deacon capable of giving up his life on the road in order to settle down? This was a really cute story and I enjoyed it a lot. I loved how the Gossip Mill played so heavily into this story, it was hilarious. Oh the perils of small towns and how quickly information travels! This is a great summer read and one that should be added to your to-be-read list!

GIMME SOME SUGAR is the fifth and (final ?) instalment in Juliette Poe’s contemporary, adult SEX AND SWEET TEA sweet romance series focusing on the Mancinkus family of Whynot, North Carolina. This is thirty-three year old, former Marine Deacon Locke, and thirty year old, bakery owner Larkin Mancinkus’ story line. GIMME SOME SUGAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Told from dual first person perspectives (Larkin and Deacon) GIMME SOME SUGAR follows the building relationship between thirty-three year old, former Marine Deacon Locke, and thirty year old bakery owner Larkin Mancinkus. Deacon Locke is a bit of a loner: a motorcycle riding, bad boy who has caught the eye of our story line heroine. A wanderer for most of his life, Deacon sets down temporary roots in Whynot, North Carolina in an effort to get to know Larkin Mancinkus. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Larkin and Deacon, and the potential fall-out as Deacon’s time in Whynot comes to an end. Larkin Mancinkus suffers with issues of self-esteem and meeting Deacon Locke adds to Larkin’s worries that Deacon is completely out of her league. A Deacon starts a slow seduction of our story line heroine, troubles back home, pull our couple on a cross-country journey. The $ex scenes are all implied. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and secondary characters including all of the couples from the previous story lines. We are reintroduced to Larkin’s Pap, owner of Chesty’s bar, as well as Larkin’s mother and father, and Deacon’s father and his family of step-siblings. GIMME SOME SUGAR is a story of family, friendship, romance and love; a story of what-ifs and maybes; of looking at the past and preparing for the future. The premise is engaging and sweet; the romance is passionate; the characters are charming, colorful and energetic. The epilogue fast forwards the series fifteen months wherein we are get a glimpse at the Mancinkus family, as they prepare for their own futures.

This is the final book in the Sex and Sweet Tea series and it definitely did not disappoint, if anything I'm sad to see it come to an end. Larkin is finally giving us her story and talk about one unexpected swoon-worthy man for her. Deacon Locke is a man who loves to travel, see the world until he meets Larkin, she's the game changer and the one who just might be able to change his ways. This was such a sweet, sexy, fun read that I consumed every page with rapt attention because I wanted to savor every moment of this final book!