Sugar, Baby is a deliciously addictive debut & if it isn’t on your July new releases TBR then I highly recommend you put it on there!

The first thing I must say is that the description of this book does not do it justice.

Delving into the glamourous lives of sugar babies from the POV of a 21-year-old named Agnes, a former cleaner who has just moved out of her extremely religious mother’s house, you find out that although the girls may look perfect, the life of a sugar baby isn’t always as luxurious as it seems. Behind the beautiful appearances & clothes we see the dirty bathrooms, complicated relationships & at times their boring lives.

Agnes isn’t necessarily a likeable character, she’s flawed and, at times, it’s hard to understand/justify her decisions but there’s still a relatable side to her which adds to the intrigue in her new lifestyle.

As she starts to learn that being a sugar baby has it’s darker, seedier side, it’s interesting to see how she weighs this against the more glamourous side of the lifestyle & I couldn’t help but be completely enraptured by the story.

There’s also a lot of topics covered in this story; morality, religion, advocating for women’s right to do as she wants with her body while also highlighting the potential dangers. This is a book that walks a fine line between a gripping story & a reflection on society, which in my opinion, worked brilliantly.

Sugar, Baby was so close to being a 5-star read for me, but 2 reasons affected my overall rating:
1. Emily brought Agnes into being a sugar baby as a test subject for a book she was allegedly working on about getting men to do what you wanted, however, after that one conversation that plotline never really materialised.
2. The ending was a bit abrupt. I would have liked a glimpse into Agnes’ future.

Thank you, NetGalley & Atlantic Books, for approving my request to read this ARC!

A wild ride! Insightfully written characters and much more than pulpy commercial fiction - although I did want more resolution or even development with the mother.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I enjoyed this book, the ending felt quite abrupt although I suppose, fitting.

I loved all the fashion and beauty references. I did not enjoy reading the details of dreams. These are just personal likes and dislikes I have in life anyway.

Sugar, Baby by Celine Saintclare is a raw and thought-provoking contemporary novel that explores the complexities of sex work within the framework of modern society. The story follows a protagonist navigating the world of sugar dating, shedding light on the intersections of power, intimacy, and economic exchange. Saintclare's writing is unflinching and unapologetic, challenging societal stigmas and offering a compassionate glimpse into the lives of sex workers. The novel deftly explores themes of autonomy, desire, and societal expectations, provoking important conversations about sex work and its place in our ever-evolving world. Sugar, Baby is a compelling and insightful read that sheds light on the nuances of this often misunderstood profession.

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Sugar, Baby
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Celine Saintclare
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Contemporary
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 27th July 2023
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 24th June 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3/5

”Because when all is said and done, being beautiful only offers you a temporary haven. A pedestal to fall from.”

Gosh, I’m not quite sure what to make of this! I definitely enjoyed it but also I am left feeling a little bit bizarre; reflective, triggered, and baffled.

My initial take on this book was that it was scandalous, funny, and filthy. However, it also took itself very seriously, so there’s a lot of tension to be had by reading it. The funny parts are typically from the main characters inner monologue using dry observational humour. The scandal and the filth are much stronger components. Which is great. I love to be scandalized. And I love it when a book acts as a reflection to society.

There are some really interesting themes that are explored, the main one being, of course, sex work. The story provides arguments to both morally support and discourage sex work and I love that it provided this balance. Another strong theme was the religious guilt, not only experienced by the main character, but introduced to other characters too. Wherever sex work goes, slut shaming follows, so this topic was also explored and I actually think that the exploration of this topic was my favourite, it provoked strong emotions in me with the main characters trials in school. The last topic I wanted to mention was substance misuse which is a recurrent theme within the story. It felt to me that the higher the main character went, socially and financially, the more drugs she would take and how the environment somebody takes drugs in factors in a lot to how socially acceptable it is—it’s easier to accept someone snorting coke on a ridiculously expensive marbled counter surrounded by powerful friends than it is to accept someone taking it on a street corner. I think the topic of sex work is also congruent of this.

Agnes is a strange main character. There were times when I would enjoy her and times when I didn’t. Ironically—with all the slut shaming in the novel—she is a really easy MC to judge. It genuinely so easy to become judgmental of her. But I felt as though I couldn’t see the driving force behind her intentions and behaviour. It made me feel as though she wasn’t fully realised. She reads as though personality has been thrown away in favour of trauma.

Overall, this book is fresh and original and I’d be interested in reading more by the author as they handle complex multi themed storytelling very well.

—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚‍♀️✨

Agnes green is a cleaner, just like her mother. It wasn’t the start to adulthood she was hoping for, so when her client’s daughter tells her there is a way to make a lot of money, by doing very little, she is all ears.

Saintclaire’s book is the perfect blend of lighthearted romp with some substance to its characters. Agnes’ POV takes us through the awkward beginnings of Sugarbabying, to the glamorous highs and the (somewhat expected) traumatic low points.

Tonally Sugar, Baby aligns with Candice Carty Williams and a little bit of Marlow Grandos’ debut of New York City good times girls of the 2010’s. It’s playful, straightforward, with well executed dialogue. Fleshed out scenes of grotty morning afters and petty house sharing drama felt juvenile in just the right way.

My friends and I often talk about the second layer of a novel, the part that makes the reader work, asks questions and poses complications to both the characters and the readers’ ideas about the world: moral, ethical and social. That part of the book, the undercurrents, the between the lines, the part that isn’t always seen, it what takes a book from good to great for me.

Sugar baby delivered on that, I thought a lot about the ethics of misandry, pretty privilege and
Sex work.I got one too many flashbacks to London nights out from my own teenagehood and imagined each chapter scene for scene.

I just finished reading Sugar Baby by Celine Saintclare. I found the book a bit slow to start but once I got into the story I flew through the 400 pages. This is a lovely fun summer read.

Firstly thank you to Atlantic Books for providing me with this arc!

I loved this book! I devoured it so quickly and I did not think it would be such a quick read for me! The characters in this story were so exciting and although none of their morals or views ever lined up, their shared camaraderie was something to admire.

Our main character Agnes struggled with her lust for life compared to her religious upbringing. It was so interesting to see the different points where she would feel her religious shame. She just wanted to get through life and doesn't have a plan so falling into the sugar baby world seemed to force her to kind of grow up and figure out what she truly wants. The contrast with Emily grasping onto the sugar baby lifestyle while she is still young and in her prime was so interesting to see because she had her plan to end up 'married and cheating with her tennis instructor' but was not looking forward to it. She judged Agnes for not having a plan but her plan wasn't something she wanted.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and loved the concept as well. I thought I would hate the modern references throughout (including TikTok!) but I feel like it enhanced the story and showed that this could and does happen all the time.

If ever there was a guilty pleasure blockbuster it’s ‘Sugar, Baby’

Extremely readable, sexy and just right for a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand. Enjoyed it immensely.

Many thanks for everyone concerned for allowing me to read and review this terrific book.

3.75 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for accepting my request for an ARC.

With all honesty, I had expectations made when I read the blurb. Yes, it was an amazing and from some perspective, educational to how some people may choose to live. This book was very eye-opening and interesting, but from my personal experience reading this book, I found that I enjoyed less and read this book, just wanting to finish it.
Nonetheless, a very refreshing and unique read and it may have not worked out for me, but it is still an amazing read that deserves attention and hype.

I thoroughly enjoy books that take me into the world of the rich. On one hand, this book was very effective at this. Having read other reviews, prior to requesting, I thought this was going to give an interesting take on the concept of 'Sugaring'. I did descended into an awful lot of sexual interactions which not many other reviews referenced - maybe I should have just assumed that would be the case, given the premise.. I did, however, fly through the book and did find certain aspects of it intriguing, if not rather inconceivable. I think it would appeal to a Gen Z readership.

This wasn't what I was anticipating, however nonetheless interesting. Agnes' story of a modern black in UK society reminded me of a younger Queenie (Candace Carty Williams) but Agnes is definitely less street smart than she thinks, which oddly makes her more likeable. Interesting and diverse cast of secondary characters flesh out this character driven story- the pace is slower in places with less plot driving momentum to allow for Agnes to cast a deeper critical eye over the antics of the girls, so as a reader you never lose the sense that what the sugar babies are doing isn't entirely ethical. As Agnes gets dragged down into some very grey areas, I found myself rooting for her to not lose herself. Thought provoking, spicy and in places v dark.

Wow, what a book! I couldn't stop reading until I had turned the last page even then I wanted more. I love that it had such a wholesome end but also how realistic it is in portraying how easy it is to get swept up in a life you believe is better than yours

This book is so good, I couldn't put it down!

Main character and narrator Agnes Green is 21, living with her strongly religious mother in a poor area she refers to as the Wasteland and working as a cleaner. Agnes feels like her life's going nowhere. Then she meets Emily who introduces her to the Sugar Baby lifestyle of gifts, expensive meals and monthly allowances all paid for by men.

I found this book to be so fun and interesting. I've not read anything about sugar babies before and it seemed like such a glamorous lifestyle on the surface! Designer clothes and gifts, fancy meals and nights out and all you have to do is look pretty and have a flirty lunch with a man for it.

Except it goes a lot deeper than that. This book shows Agnes's struggle to match this life up with her strong religious upbringing, and when the boundaries between "sugaring" and straight up prostitution become blurred, how far is she willing to go!

I loved Agnes, and all the characters in the book. It has such an interesting cast. It is glamorous, sexy and fun and I was totally addicted to it!

Out in July, thank you @atlanticbooks for the eCopy to review 💖

Reading this novel and then learning that it is 400 pages was mind-blowing - I devoured this whole book in one sitting believing it to be around 300 pages.

I ADORED this. Reading this book felt like eating chocolate - delicious. When I say I devoured I'm not joking around. The prose was beautiful and so was the writing flowing so easily I could not put the book down for a second.

The premise doesn't do this book the justice it deserves - so many topics covered in this ranging from hypersexualization, religious trauma, morality and sex work, female sexuality, relations formed between sex workers, relations with men and how they can be affected by women's father figure (or lack of), the way sex work affects how sex workers view relationships, and the way that line of work can affect self esteem.
We also get commentary on women and their obsession with beauty and staying youthful.


Truth be told I cannot blame the description of this book for lacking when it came to actually displaying the contents of this book. So many issues covered and so masterfully,it would make for an extremely long synopsis.

The female characters which were keypart of this book were written excellently. All of them displayed different ways sex work had affected them, along with what drove them to it. Each with different backgrounds, personalities and hell even races yet all bound together by sharing an apartment and working as sugar babies.

The dangers of this line of work,the spiraling that led into it along with the suffering it caused to the MC were all so on - point so shocking to see I was simply in awe.

The ending was perfection for this kind of book. I'm not gonna spoiler it but it fitted with the way the rest of the book was written like a perfect puzzle piece.

This book left me raw and contemplating both sexuality and religion at 3 am in the morning. There aren't enough stars I can offer it, it's simply a must read.

Agnes lives in a suburban town with her religious mother and studious sister, but has a lot of secrets.
She meets Emily, a model, who dresses her up and introduces her life as a Sugar Baby. Agnes falls out with her mother and goes to live with Emily and her friends, and has lots of adventures with them and her new acquaintances. There are some interesting characters, lots of sex, and Agnes grows up.

I wanted to give 3.5 stars but could not on the rating system. I read this over the course of 3 days and found that it definitely picked up in the middle to the point that I was walking with my eyes glued to my phone to find out what would happen next with Agnes. It was an enjoyable read, with humour that was slightly dark at times.

Through Agnes' narration, we explore a multitude of themes such as social class (within the UK and abroad), race, religion, morality and sexuality whilst also being given insight into the life of a sugar baby. I felt it was a very relevant read for our times, especially with the rise of sex work essentially being glamorised and easily accessible on social media for young audiences.

I think audiences who enjoyed Luster by Raven Leilani will also be fond of Sugar Baby as they share similar themes and I found myself finding similar traits between the main characters.

Thank you once again for allowing me to read, I will definitely recommend this book to others and will be sharing a review on my Instagram.

Jumping into the world of sugar babies this boo really drew me in as I rooted for the main character because her circumstances were so different than the other girls. Having nothing to fall back on and trying to make her way in the world this has me flipping the pages until late in the evening.

Thank you to Atlantic Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience. Sugar, Baby is not like anything I've ever read before. The ups and downs and various emotions Celine Saintclare manages to take you through are so intense, and yet you cannot bear to put the book down!

Agnes is a character that a lot of people will be able to relate to. She is trapped in her home town, held back by her mother, and embarrassed by past events witnessed and talked about by school 'friends'. However, the lengths to which she goes to remove herself from these trappings are (probably) completely unrelatable for most people! But this is what makes Sugar, Baby so intriguing. Becoming a sugar baby puts such a distance between herself and her past life, and you as a reader get to witness what this does to Agnes. At first, it seems all rosy, but, as is probably expected, it doesn't stay that way for long.

I loved the full-circle experience this book took me on. By the end of the story, I felt I knew Agnes so well, and I'm kind of gutted she isn't a person I know in real life! The only thing I would have wanted a bit more of is perhaps some backstory to some of the male characters in the book, and even some of the other sugar babies who you don't get a lot of backstory from. Although, I think the mystery surrounding the girls does add to Agnes' experience of this new world and all the unknowns that come with it.

Would definitely recommend to lovers of literary fiction that covers darker themes, such as My Dark Vanessa.

*4.5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Atlantic Books, Corvus for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! Sugar, Baby is out on 27 july 2023 and I highly recommend this as a summer read.

This book follows Agnes Green, a twenty-one year old cleaner who gets thrown into the seemingly glamorous world of sugar babying. If you don't know what that is: it's when men pay attractive women to be attractive around them, essentially. Agnes and her new roommates go out for fancy dinners and expense shopping trips, accompanied by men who pay for their every wish. We follow Agnes from London to Paris, to Miami, to Rome, as she developes her Femme Fatale alter ego.

Getting everything you want for free (an endless collection of books, anyone?) in exchange for pretending to be interested in men sounds pretty great to me (just to be clear: I am as of yet not available as a sugar baby in exchange for free books). Sugar, baby succeeds perfectly in combining the whitty and glamorous aspects of Agnes' new job with the darker aspects of being a sugar baby. As the story progresses, more and more cracks start to appear, and I found myself worrying more and more for Agnes and her safety. This book walks a delicate line between advocating for women's rights to do whatever they want with their bodies (including selling them), and highlighting the dangers this can put them in at the same time. My only point of critique is about the ending, which is a bit abrupt. I would have liked to have a little bit more of a glimpse into Agnes' future.