Sugar and Salt: A Novel

Written by Susan Wiggs

Narrated by Christine Lakin

The New York Times bestselling author of The Lost and Found Bookstore returns to Perdita Street with a can’t-miss tale of friendship, hardship, redemption, and love between a San Francisco baker and a barbecue master from Texas.

Jerome “Sugar” Barnes learned the art of baking in his grandma’s bakery, also called Sugar, on historic Perdita Street in San Francisco. He supplies baked goods to the Lost and Found Bookshop across the street.

When the restaurant that shares his commercial kitchen loses its longtime tenant, a newcomer moves in: Margot Salton, a barbecue master from Texas.

Margot isn’t exactly on the run, but she needs a fresh start. She’s taken care of herself her whole life, pulling herself up by her fingernails to recover from trauma, and her dream has been to open a restaurant somewhere far, far from Texas. The shared kitchen with Jerome Sugar’s bakery is the perfect setup: a state-of-the-art kitchen and a vibrant neighborhood popular with tourists and locals.

Margot instantly takes to Jerome’s grandmother, the lively, opinionated Ida, and the older woman proves to be a good mentor. Margot thinks Jerome is gorgeous, and despite their different backgrounds their attraction is powerful—even though Jerome worries that Margot will simply move on from him once she’s found some peace and stability. But just as she starts to relax into a happy new future, Margot’s past in Texas comes back to haunt her…

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jul 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9780062914262

Susan Wiggs

Susan Wiggs is the author of more than fifty novels, including the beloved Lakeshore Chronicles series and the recent New York Times bestsellers The Lost and Found Bookshop, The Oysterville Sewing Circle, and Family Tree. Her award-winning books have been translated into two dozen languages. She lives with her husband on an island in Washington State’s Puget Sound.

Reviews for Sugar and Salt

[Kimberly Schreiber · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I usually enjoy Susan Wiggs’ books. This book lacked quality.

[ChristineAnitaYelichRoberts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’ve been waiting for more of Bella Vista.
This book is a lot. Sweet romance. Lots of great food and cooking.
And ... more social commentary on very important and current issues of Race, Women’s rights, abortion rights, the effects and stigma of rape and the laws of the State of Texas concerning them all. And a well written and compelling and connected story with very well developed and believable characters. I’ve enjoyed the interplay of histories woven into the other Bella Vista stories. I would have loved more of Peach, the Library and the Apple orchard. But it was sweet to have a bit more of them. So... don’t be expecting this to be your typical fun Romance novel.
Well it is at times And more. I think I’m going to relisten to the entire Bella vista tales. But in order this time. Can’t wait for book 5!!

[peggy.s · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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, 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 would definitely recommend this book – but, please be ready for a timely, thought-provoking novel – not a typical lighter romance.

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[vnesting-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Margot Salton is a young barbeque master from Texas who has moved to San Francisco to start over and open her own restaurant. She ends up sharing space with a bakery owned by Ida Barnes and her son Jerome. All three have suffered many challenges in life, but when Margot’s traumatic past catches up with her she could lose everything. Likable characters and mouth-watering food descriptions will keep readers turning the pages.

[leisjenn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thanks to LibraryThing, Wm Morrow & Company and the author for sending me an ARC of this book. I've loved Susan Wiggs' Bella Vista Chronicles from the first book and this next installment was another amazing and emotional story. Be warned this is not a light hearted love story and trigger warnings for graphic, violent rape scene. It will take you on an emotional journey with rich characters who all have stories of grief and healing. Be warned that this one is problem the most heart wrenching book of the series. Wiggs does a great job at telling a story of tragedy and the long journey to recovering from life altering events. She tells about all too real and horrible circumstances. It is a glimpse into a broken system that failed our main character. Despite this she survives and finds love in both herself and those around her. I would highly recommend the book but would warn anyone to be prepared for a heavy story.

[mpmills · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Margo opens a barbecue restaurant in San Franseco that soon becomes very successful. She starts falling for Jerome who runs the bakery next door to her place. But then a secret from her past, a horrible experience that still haunts her, comes to light and threatens to destroy her future. I have read and loved the last few books by Susan Wiggs, Her characters always feel so real. Of course, I I loved this book too!

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Susan Wiggs has been a long time favorite author of mine and her new book adds another excellent novel to her list of great reads. It's a story about food, friendship, love and finding a second chance at love. Plus there are several great recipes at the end so that cooks can try their luck at some of the great food mentioned in the book.If you expect this book to be a light, fluffy romance, you're going to be disappointed because it is so much more than that. The characters are well written - flaws and all and their lives have been difficult. The author does a great job of presenting two different time periods for each of the main characters so that the reader understands all of their history. It took hard work and resilience for them to get to where they are at the beginning of the book with Margo opening her barbeque restaurant while Jerome operates the bakery next door. They both have a lot of baggage and are unsure if they want to make the leap to gain a second chance at love.Margo lived in Texas and had a dream to open a barbeque restaurant and had developed a sauce that she sold through a friend's restaurant. However, she ended up in a bad place because of some of the people who were part of her life and she thought that all of her dreams were unreachable. She decides to move from Texas to San Francisco to start a new life and open her dream restaurant. After looking at several sites, she chooses a building that shares a state-of-the-art kitchen with the bakery next door. The bakery was started by Ida and is now run by her grandson Jerome. He has baggage too, in the shape of two young children that he shares with his divorced wife. The spark between Margo and Jerome starts slowly - well she did throw him to the ground the first time she saw him, believing his to be a thief but their times together get better after that. Can they both leave their pasts behind and start a new life with each other? Will love surpass all of the baggage that they both have?Make sure you aren't hungry when you read this because the description of some of the food is so real that you'll want to go to Salt restaurant for barbeque followed by a desert from Sugar. If you're really hungry, Susan gives us recipes at the end of the book for some of the yummy dishes that are part of the story. Love and food make the world go 'round.

[lowelibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great story with characters that draw you in right from the start. I loved Ida right from the start. The characters are more real and flawed than most romantic characters. The book spends a lot of time reliving Ida's and Margie's pasts, but the present time story seems to be rushed and filler material. The romances are rushed and not what you expect from reading the back description. This is why I can only rate it 4 stars.

[mchwest · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really lucked out getting this book as an ARC from LibraryThing! I love all that Susan Wiggs writes and fall behind in reading a few of hers so when I had the chance to review this I jumped at it! My two favorite things, baking and BBQ, whats not to love about a group of likable characters, and a plot that was different and moved along at a nice pace. Don't miss this book when it hits the shelves, it will be worth the wait.

[bearette24 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. Susan Wiggs is a good storyteller. So I'll give it 4 stars. BUT the marketing of this book, especially the cover, is misleading. The cover features a pink cake and implies a light romance. The story starts out with Margot, who makes BBQ sauce, and her new restaurant in San Francisco. She meets a love interest, and the point of view alternates between Margot (present day) and Ida (who has a love story in the past). Then, around page 126, the narrative takes a detour, exploring a traumatic episode from Margot's past. Ida's story is abandoned and the detour becomes the meat of the novel (over 100 pages). It's still a good book, but there's nothing about cake and there's over 100 pages of intense, sometimes violent material.

[dianne47-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Margot moves to Texas to start a barbecue restaurant, and meets and begins to fall for a baker, Jerome. She also helps his mother reconnect with an old flame. This book started out as a gentle romance, then halfway through there is a horrifying event which changes the tone of the book. Multiple issues are brought up and dealt with, including past trauma, racism, adoption. I was a bit jarred by the sudden change in tone but the author handles all the issues well and fairly.

[fernemysteryreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Margot Salton, a barbecue master from Texas has moved to San Francisco, California and has opened the restaurant, "Salt" that she has been dreaming of and planning for years. Before moving to California, Margot changed her name from Margie Salinas as part of her new beginning. Years ago in Texas, Margot named her very first barbecue sauce "Sugar and Salt" selling it in mason jars with labels printed at the county library. After touring several possible locations for the restaurant Margot knew she’d found the location, a former Mexican restaurant that shared a kitchen with a bakery named "Sugar" and across the street from an independent bookstore. Sometimes the present is so wonderful it seems as though the past might actually melt away until someone calls you by your old name on a momentous night of your life. Is happiness that fleeting?I love reading novels by Susan Wiggs. As noted in my review of "Table for Five"… "Susan Wiggs gives a true-to-life portrayal of each character and provides the details that each reader yearns to learn about the characters as they become absorbed in the novel." How extraordinary to make readers pause to feel a story, to be invested in a story, to feel the depth of despair, to feel the horror of violence, to feel the deceit and abuse of power, money, and privilege, to be oblivious to the tears streaming down your face. Intermingled is hopefulness brought by an array of wonderful people that extend their kindness, their friendship, their knowledge, their experience, their love, and their humanity to give Margot a second chance. Can she trust them? Is a new beginning possible? Will she realize her worth? Will she be able to hold onto her dream restaurant and find fulfillment and maybe even love?I always read the "Author’s Note" and if you have not read an "Author’s Note" previously I would ask you to please consider reading the note at the end of this novel. "Although Margie/Margot’s situation seems unlikely, it was informed by real events." In many ways we progress forward each year however small the steps may be but in some of the most important ways that affect the innocent such as our justice system serious attention is needed and serious change is required. Each of us can be a catalyst to help move progress forward with one example being through volunteer hours in various organizations.For those that need help, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), a national organization is listed with contact information as a free, supportive resource for those dealing with sexual violence.For those that love to provide delicious food and drink, recipes from the menu of "Sugar and Salt" that sounded so salivating are included. Family and friends are sure to give you rave reviews and leave the table craving for another taste time and time again.I was lucky to receive an Advance Reader’s Edition of this title as an "Early Reviewer" from Library Thing. The opinions expressed in the review are my own.