| Title | : | The Sugar Queen (Emerson Pass Contemporaries #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 278 |
| Publication | : | First published May 13, 2020 |
At the tender age of eighteen, Brandi Vargas watched the love of her life drive out of Emerson Pass, presumably for good. Though she and Trapper Barnes dreamed of attending college and starting their lives together, she was sure she would only get in the way of Trapper's future as a hockey star. Breaking his heart, and her own in the process, was the only way to ensure he pursued his destiny. Her fate was the small town life she'd always known, her own bakery, and an endless stream of regret.
After a decade of playing hockey, a single injury ended Trapper Barnes' career. And while the past he left behind always haunted him, he still returns to Emerson Pass to start the next chapter of his life in the place his ancestors built more than a century before. But when he discovers that the woman who owns the local bakery is the girl who once shattered his dreams, the painful secret she's been harboring all these years threatens to turn Trapper's idyllic small town future into a disaster.
Will it take a forest fire threatening the mountain village to force Trapper and Brandi to confront their history? And in the wake of such a significant loss, will the process of rebuilding their beloved town help them find each other, and true happiness, once again?
The Sugar Queen (Emerson Pass Contemporaries #1) Reviews
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What an enchanting story this turned out to be!! Everything about it captivated me! I do want to say one thing about the pace of the story and I’m only saying to you so that you will be aware of it and be in the right head space to fully appreciate the story when you pick this book up to read. There are times when this book might read slow moving, but that’s because Tess does an exceptional job of incorporating the history of what’s happened to her characters in the past. That’s all you really need to know on that for now, anymore and I would be giving you plot points and I don’t do that. So just know this story is far from superficial. You don’t just get told things; you get to experience them. And experience you will! Every possible emotion you can think of will be drawn out of you with this story. Actually, it isn’t just the story, it’s Tess. I’ve only read a few of her books but I can tell just from those that she’s an author who isn’t satisfied just giving you a quick story. OH NO, there is nothing quick about these!
The depth of emotion that was woven into the plot and in the characters was impressive. The tone of the book was hopeful, but the storyline was tragic. It was amazing to see two opposite characteristics work seamlessly throughout the story. There are a lot of secrets and betrayals and just plain hateful circumstances that are part of Brandi and Tanner’s journey but at its core there was always hope and that made me smile even when I was crying! Well done!! -
‼️⚠️free today on Amazon⚠️‼️
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The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass is a story that's as rich in heart and emotions as the Rocky Mountains are in breathtaking beauty. This story is heartwarming and heartbreaking but one I couldn't get enough of...just like being in the mountains. Turning the pages was like walking a mountain trail and eagerly anticipating what would be around the next bend in the path. The beautiful setting of this series is in the fictional mountain town of Emerson Pass, Colorado. There's a rich, family history here as the story jumps several generations from book one "The School Mistress of Emerson Pass" to the current generation. Ms. Thompson blends pieces of the past generation into the current with old journals and letters from the ancestors of Trapper and Brandi. I really loved the way this knit the story together from the generations before.
The rugged mountains are beautiful and solid just as Trapper and Brandi's relationship seems to be when they are very young and in high school. Trapper's life is Brandi and ice hockey. He loves them both. His believes their love is an epic, happily-ever-after love and nothing can fracture their true love. Brandi loves Trapper with all her heart and soul...but she has to keep a secret from him to prevent him giving up his future in hockey. So she lies to him about loving him. Both are heart broken but in such different ways. They spend ten long years wondering "what would it have been like" if things had turned out differently. Then fate, or destiny, takes a turn and Trapper returns to Emerson Pass.
Tess Thompson has a natural gift of writing stories that bring out the emotions from one extreme to the other through characters I immediately become attached to. Brandi and Trapper are meant to be together and their rocky journey kept me yearning for the love they have to break through the pain and secrets. This is a compassionate novel of two people who were meant to love each other in their forever fairy tale. Like life itself, there are issues that Ms. Thompson brings into the lives of the characters. She brings Brandi and Trapper through these in such a way that she had my heart going from breaking to soaring. From crying extremely emotional tears to joyous happy tears. It's a story that, given a chance, true love can conquer all. "Every generation had lost and persevered......Those whose blood ran through our veins were here in the breeze that smelled of wildflowers and the rustle of the wild grasses that grew just beyond the fence. "Fight for love, they seemed to whisper.""
It was great meeting the new cast of characters in this book and I look forward to reading where Ms. Thompson takes their journeys as the series continues in both the past and present. I am in love with the characters, the setting of Emerson Pass and the unique way Ms. Thompson has of pulling me into the pages where time doesn't exist. I want to thank Ms. Thompson for the honor and privilege of reading this love story that touched my heart. All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own. -
After reading The School Mistress, Book 1 in Tess Thompson’s Emerson Pass Series, I just had to read this book. Book 1 was a turn of the (20th) century read and this book is a contemporary romance featuring the descendants of the first book. I absolutely love this concept and couldn’t wait to see where the author would take us.
Book 2, The Sugar Queen is a second chance romance read. Young and very much in love, high school sweethearts Trapper and Brandi go their separate ways right before starting their first year of college. Unbeknownst to Trapper, Brandi is pregnant and unwilling to ruin his life’s goal of becoming a professional hockey player, so she breaks up with him and refuses to have anything to do with him.
On the inside she is dying and when her parents discover her condition they force her to hide and keep the pregnancy a secret. In the interest of keeping this a spoiler free review I will just say that when, ten years later, Trapper returns home for good, the ex sweethearts are still madly in love with each other and reunite, but Brandi’s secret could tear them apart.
Watching these two navigate their way to a sweet happily ever after makes this a fitting companion read to Book 1. TBR and enjoy, I HIGHLY recommend you read Book 1 before reading this book in order to appreciate the story more. -
More, more. I want more! ;)
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Tess Thompson is a master at small-town romance! This book was just amazing! I love the idea of having the descendants of the earlier residents of Emerson Pass and I absolutely loved the trips back to the Emerson Pass of Alexander and Quinn’s time. But beyond that just looking at Brandi and Trapper’s story, it is the ultimate second chance romance in a small town. Two kids who grew up together and fell in love...one left the town to live his life and fulfill his dreams while the other was left behind with her secrets. I wanted to yell at Brandi’s mom and hug Trapper’s mom. Trapper may be the sweetest man ever! And I also loved seeing some of the characters from Cliffside Bay mentioned. I’m loving this new series and the fact that this was just the second book makes me so excited to see what’s to come!
~Alexis💜 -
2.5 stars rounded down.
We started off so strong — second chance romance between a small town baker and a retired pro hockey player? Yes please.
It quickly devolved into some of my least favorite tropes, though. The hero dates around during their years apart, but the heroine remains untouched by any other man. Keeping a big secret way longer than you should (secret reveal + fight + reconciliation THEN sex please) Hasty wedding immediately after reconciliation. Ugh.
Also, it felt like way less than half of this book was actually talking about our main couple. There were pages-long excerpts from letters and dairies of the characters’ ancestors that I pretty much just skipped over because I didn’t care. These weren’t the characters I wanted to read about! I originally thought the idea of setting a contemporary series in the same town as a historical was cool, but then they just wouldn’t shut up about the historical characters.
There was also way too much focus on the side characters in the present. It was painfully obvious which couples would get future books, and we heard about their issues to no end. You can introduce supporting characters of course, but save the meat of them for their own books please!
Brandi’s mom and Trapper’s friend were both unbelievably cruel, seemingly just to add extra half-resolved conflict, which wasn’t needed.
Overall — promising premise and promising start, but a let-down in the execution.
Steam: 1/5🔥 (closed door)
CW - main plot revolves around miscarriage and stillbirth -
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Brandi's first and only love has come home and royally messed up her routine life. After all, she's held in a huge secret from him all these years, and if she has to face him day after day, she knows she'll end up blurting it out. And then he'll hate her, if he doesn't already.
Dang this is a heartbreaking story. I felt so badly for poor Brandi - her mother did a serious number on Brandi's self esteem. She's one of those women who honestly should not be allowed to procreate. But I like that Brandi and Traper slowly find their way back to each other, and how sweet they are together. The story is a bit heavy at times, and it tended to drag, but all in all, I liked it and found it a substantial, emotional read.
ARC via L. Woods PR for an honest review.
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I'm going to try not to go crazy using adjectives to describe how much I loved this book! This book was perfect. That's the only adjective that seems right. What a wonderful follow up to The School Mistress of Emerson Pass. If you haven't read this treasure yet, not to worry. The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass can be read anyway. Tess Thompson is a master at weaving the storylines. You will definitely want to read the first book anyway so just go ahead and buy it. Emerson Pass is a wonderful town in the mountains of Colorado. It was founded by Lord Barnes at the turn of the century. His dream was to bring "a bit of English civility" to America. The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass is set one hundred years later but Emerson Pass is the same town essentially, with descendants from the original settlers still believing in the American dream and the foundations set by Lord Barnes. With a few new people moving to the area small-town drama happens. A tragic high school romance takes center stage but Tess Thompson sets the stage for more stories to come from Emerson Pass. This book is one of those that you hate to read the last page. The only hope I have is Thompson isn't finished!! And I really want to go to Emerson Pass!! The only comparison I can give you is Debbie Macombers Cedar Cove Series. Take a hint, Tess Thompson. There is so much more we need to know about the wonderful people of Emerson Pass.
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The Sugar Queen is the second book in yet another beyound amazing series. Second chance romance and such a great one! Tess Thompson has a way with her writing that wraps your heart and soul when pulls into story. It's so heart touching and hits home in many ways especially with Brandi's and her angry by choice mother. I relate to it within deepest level of it.
I loved how Brandi and Trapper's love story was developed. All the characters and their relationships are so realistic and complex which is why I'm totally hooked in this series.
I really loved how masterfully author gives us a glimpses here and there of events from the past of Alexander and Quinn's time and weaves the legacy from those first standers to the descendants in present days. There were moments of pleasant surprises when some of the our loved characters from Cliffside Bay were mentioned. Wonderful!
All in all I absolutely loved this book even more than first one but that shouldn't be really a surprise because each new book is somehow better and better! Still in awe!
Pick this series up and get hooked! It's ten stars worth! -
Set a century after the first book this one draws you into Trappers and Brandis life and troubles. Not wanting to hold him back from his dreams she hides the fact that they will have a child. She opens a bakery called The Sugar Queen and is very successful. 10 years later Trapper returns to Emerson Pass hoping to rekindle what was lost. Brandi doesn’t know how to tell him they had a child but she was stillborn. Her parents made her hide the fact and only they and her best friend ever knew. They realize they are still in love but can he get past the fact she hid this from him. This will need a box of tissues with it.
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As teenagers Brandi and Trapper were in love and were planning a future together until Brandi received some news that would change her life. She loved Trapper enough to set him free so that he could achieve his dreams, even if they couldn’t be together.
A decade letter Trapper is back in their hometown after a career ending injury. When they reunite the chemistry and connection between them is stronger ever but is it strong enough to overcome the secret that Brandi has yet to reveal?
This is a heartwarming story about an enduring love that although it was strained it was never broken. strong enough to overcome everything that life has thrown at them. The characters are compelling, and I hope that we will have more stories set in Emerson Pass. -
Tess Thompson’s The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass (Emerson Pass #2) is a sweet read. In this story NHL star, Trapper Barnes returns home after an injury shortens his career. He pursues his childhood sweetheart, Brandi Vargas, who broke his heart, discovering the reason she let him go. This second-chance romance is suitable for adult readers. It takes place in Emerson Pass, Colorado.
Tess Thompson does a nice job with the characters. Brandi owns the town bakery which she named The Sugar Queen. My heart broke for her and the things she endured. Her mom is a piece of work. She has secrets that she needs to reveal to Trapper if she decides to give him a second chance. Trapper is a good guy. I like that he was open-minded and a romantic. I appreciated how the characters found their ancestors past relevant to their own.
Compelling things happen in the story that brought the character’s together. There were times at the beginning of the book that I felt it was a little slow, usually when they were reading the journals or letters. I do feel that the history played an important part in this story and that the journal/letters were necessary for the success of the book. The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass had a wonderful ending that left me wanting to read more of the series. This is the first book that I have read by Tess Thompson. I am interested in the other character’s stories. I recommend this book to people who enjoy second chance romances that include history. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. -
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The Sugar Queen is the second book in the Emerson Pass series and is a second chance and small town romance. Unfortunately, I didn’t read book one first and I really wish I did as there was a fair bit of history of their descendants that I think would have helped me in understanding the character’s back stories.
Trapper and Brandi were high school sweethearts until Brandi falls pregnant and chooses to part ways with Trapper so he could pursue his career in hockey. My heart went out to Brandi and the way her mother projected her own personal feelings onto her daughter which greatly affected her decisions and feelings. Brandi was strong and selfless despite the manipulation and emotional abuse she endures.
I really liked the idea of the plot but I’m not too sure what is was but I couldn’t connect with the characters and their dialogues. Although The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass wasn’t for me, you may really adore it.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review. -
The second book in the Emerson Pass series has succeeded in pulling me in further and wanting to read more about these amazing characters! Author Tess Thompson has the ability to bring each character to life and make the reader feel each emotion within the story. After a successful career in hockey, Trapper Barnes returns to Emerson Pass after a knee injury. But is he ready to see the one woman, who shattered his heart, even though he still loves her? Brandi has a secret of her own that she will never tell anyone about. Seeing Trapper, the only man she will ever love, makes it hard to be in the same town with him and not be able to tell him the truth. After a devastating fire threatens Emerson Pass, things begin to change for Brandi and Trapper. With friends on their side, and one set of parents hoping they work it out, Trapper and Brandi may find their way to back each other through honesty and forgiveness. This is such a heartfelt novel that honestly shows us that "what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger". I am so excited about this new series and look forward to seeing what is next! Thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC. All words and opinions are solely my own.
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I gave the h 2 stars just for surviving her horror of a mother! The story was another solid read with great timing, a storyline that drew you in and characters that you cared about from the beginning. There were no bad guys (with the exception of the dragon lady). This witch set in motion outcomes which would haunt both the main characters throughout the story. Every decision she made towards her daughter was destructive: from her refusal to get her help for dyslexia, to a lack of love, and to her absolute near destruction of her daughter!
That the h and her Dad could survive this excuse for a human being was remarkable though I did question why a man would allow this situation to continue if he really loved his daughter. -
The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass, is the second book of the series. I really enjoyed the first book, but this book ripped my heart out. Brandi and Trapper's love story was gut wrenching and beautiful and the same time. This book touched my heart so deeply, I cried so much reading this book. I woud certainly recommend this book to everyone. I received an ARC from the author and this is my fair and honest review.
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This book read so fast, I can't believe it's over! My heart sighed contentedly as I finished the last sentence. Brandi and Trap were childhood sweethearts and when Trap returns to Emerson Pass after 10 years, these two must face their past and reason their relationship ended. I love how Tess Thompson weaves the legacy of Alexander and Quinn Barnes(from The School Mistress of Emerson Pass) into the present day life of Emerson Pass. Tess writes realistic and complex character relationships. I related to Brandi and her difficult relationship with her mother.
This series is unique in how the books alternate from past to present. I can't wait to learn more about the other fascinating residents, both historical and contemporary, of Emerson Pass. -
From the past to the present, the residents of Emerson Pass prove they have staying power. The women are courageous, the men are determined and the residents are as endearing as they come. Thompson wrapped my heart around her finger and cleansed my soul. Brandi and Trapper are one heartache away from ever after. Will they make their peace with the mistakes in their past and grab the brass ring to their future? Beautiful agony becomes an inspirational welcome home for the heart.
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Wow! This Emerson Pass series is quickly becoming one of my absolute favorite.
The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass is a beautiful story full of emotion, amazing characters and a love story so real it is just meant to be.
I felt like I could not get enough of this story and I didnt want to put it down. One moment I was at 24% the next time I looked at my location I was at 72%. I highly recommend amazing story. -
The Sugar Queen
This was a wonderful story. Strong characters. Some really heart tugging moments. Love that Trapper was tough, yet not ashamed to show his emotions. Brandi was wonderful also. -
This is a ten-star read. Second chances seldom come along, except in romance novels and this one was a beauty of a read. The switching between the past and present was masterful. Tess Thompson gets better with each novel and this one was for me one of her best yet.
The characters were humanly flawed, especially Brandi's mother. Ugh!
Happy she and Trapper worked this out.
So who's next? -
A NICE MIX OF SMALL TOWN LIFE PAST & PRESENT AND SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE. THE H/h ARE SUCH A GOOD MATCH I WAS ROOTING FOR THEM, I WAS GLAD TO SEE THEY TRIED TO TAKE IT SLOW, EVEN THOUGH I NEW THAT WASN’T GONNA LAST. GREAT STORY ABOUT SECOND CHANCE LOVE, NOT SEXUALLY EXPLICIT BUT STILL ROMANTIC. KEEP THE TISSUES CLOSE BY YOU MIGHT NEED’EM. ;D -
A great book. Teenage love. He wanted to be a hockey star and she didn't tell him that she was pregnant. Sad, wonderful happy book.
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I am loving this new series by Tess Thompson! The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass is the second book in the series, and it tells the present-day story of Brandi and Trapper, former high school sweethearts who are reunited after 10 years of separation and heartache. I loved their story, the emotions, the heart, the devotion. I love that this series is alternating between the past in the first installment of the series, and the present in this story. After having read the first book, it was fun to read about the descendants of the original inhabitants of Emerson Pass.
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So grateful to the author and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of the latest book by Tess Thompson. I could not put this book down. No one can write a story as exquisitely as Tess Thompson does. She makes you feel like these characters are your friends and your family and you want to move to Emerson Pass and live and work with them. She makes you care more for her characters than you do for people in your real life. These books are home and love. An escape from a crazy world right now. An escape from reality. An escape from your problems. You will deal with the present characters as well as characters from the past ( see book # 1 ) and a few wonderful surprises along the way. This book is truly wonderful in every possible way.
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THE SUGAR QUEEN OF EMERSON PASS by Tess Thompson
This is the sweetest book I have read in a long time. Tess Thompson does such a great job of bringing out the feelings in her characters. The raw emotion. The laughter and the tears. There are many tears in this book. Finding and keeping your one true love is a feeling that never gets old. Being that one person who someone loves enough to move the world for is something special. That is exactly what this book does. The love between Trapper and Brandi is so strong it can withstand almost anything. Even years of being separated. It’s a pure love that was born when they were just kids. There are some tragic events that will leave you wondering how they did it. But mostly there is a love that can weather anything.
Brandi has love Trapper her whole life. Her mother however didn’t approve so when Brandi found herself facing the future she thought Trapper would be better off without her. Sending him on his way to college and a career as a professional hockey player was the best thing she could do for him. She had no idea how hard it was going to be facing her life alone, without her other half there.
Trapper loved Brandi more than anything. He didn’t want to leave her but she told him she didn’t love him. He had no idea what was happening to their world. He went and did what he had to for ten years. Then her retired from professional hockey and moved back home to Emerson Pass. He wanted his girl back. He wanted a life with her no matter what.
Secrets tend to get in the way of true love sometimes. Can they overcome the secrets Brandi has and have a life together? Can the town survive anymore tragedies? Things have a way of happening in Emerson Pass. Good and bad.
This is one part of a paragraph from this story that touched my heart in such a way.
“In the years to come, remember to cherish each other and celebrate the miracle of your love. What was lost has now been found again. During squabbles or misunderstandings, try to remember what it was like before you made your way back to each other. As you grow older, keep the passionate teenagers you once were alive. Sneak down to the river together. Kiss in your truck. Dance barefoot in the kitchen. Lie in the summer grass and watch a cloud float by while holding hands. Revel in the small, simple moments of life, knowing how blessed you are to have found true love.”
This is a huge 5 star book. A high recommendation.
Thank you Tess Thompson for this ARC. This is my own true review. I loved this book!!
