"Love, betrayal, murder, and witchcraft.
When 35-year-old Satara Stratton discovers her husband Dean’s treacherous affair with her best friend, Lilah, she plunges into familiar deceit and death. Having disposed of men before without a hitch, she finds a new thrill in this betrayal. But with Lilah on a crusade to expose her guilt, Satara must outpace everyone to keep her secrets safe. Her fate intertwines with a Love Witch whose tempting spells seem a perfect solution to Satara’s woes. With newfound power at her fingertips, she gleefully manipulates the affections of those around her. Yet, Satara's lust for love proves her ultimate vulnerability. She soon learns that while it’s easy to bend others to her will, controlling her own heart is a perilous art indeed. Prepare for a darkly compelling journey where the boundaries of desire and devastation blur, and the quest for love becomes Satara's most lethal game."

Sugar was so gripping and thrilling. I absolutely ate it up.
Weird and gory - big tick
Unhinged, unreliable and enraged FMC - also big tick

Mia Ballard has me an in a choke hold, I can't wait to read Shy Girl very soon and watch her craft continue to evolve in future releases.

Thanks NetGalley and Galaxy Press for an eARC of this funky, fun lil book.

Unhinged unreliable female rage wants to find love
Great buzz words. I was hooooooked on this book for real. I need more books like this. I think it was a great debut novel and think this author could go very far. Also as I am writing this I came to the realization on why this is called Sugar and you have to read it to understand. 4 stars

Mia Ballard’s Sugar is like if *Dexter* and a romance novel had a messy, blood-soaked baby—and I mean that in the best way possible. Satara, our charmingly unhinged heroine, kicks things off by murdering her cheating husband (bless her heart) and then keeps the love-murder train rolling with each heartbreak. She’s basically Cupid with a knife. Told from her delightfully deranged perspective, Satara is a high-functioning psychopath who grieves publicly and slays privately, and somehow, you almost root for her. The book is a twisted rollercoaster of crushes, book clubs, and body counts, and just when you think it can’t get crazier—bam! Two wild plot twists explode like emotional landmines. Ballard writes Satara’s desperate thirst for love and revenge so well, you’ll find yourself nervously laughing and then questioning your own morals. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC

Sugar is a wild ride into the mind of a female serial killer who kills for “love.” It starts with Satara murdering her cheating husband, and it only gets crazier from there. As we learn more about her past, a pattern of love, rejection, and violence emerges.

Satara is a high-functioning psychopath, expertly playing the grieving widow while leaving a trail of bodies behind. Her story gets darker as she gets involved with her boss, book club, and a series of bloody encounters.

The ending had me shocked with two huge twists. Ballard does an excellent job showing Satara’s desperate need for affection, making you almost sympathize with her despite everything.

I found myself rooting for Satara at times. Overall, it was a gripping, intense read.

After discovering her husband's affair with her best friend Lilah, Satara Stratton does what she does best: kills and disposes of him. Having murdered a handful of lustful men in the past, it's a quick and easy task until Lilah becomes suspicious and threatens to expose her plan. Satara is introduced to a self-proclaimed "love witch" at just the right time and begins to use the witch's powers to gain the affection of others so they will do what she wants. As more people fall for her, the more vulnerable she becomes, and her perfect plan begins to crumble.

This was an absolute acid trip of a book (literally) and I could absolutely see it being a movie one day. I flew through it during a long flight and it definitely kept me entertained! The ending/final plot twist was a bit much for me though, and it seemed a bit all over the place. There were also quite a few typing errors throughout the ARC copy I received, as well as smaller plot holes. In general, I found the book entertaining and would consider reading more the author puts out.

This story was an unhinged blast! “Love, betrayal, murder, and witchcraft”, what more does one need? This book was easy to get into and was a wild ride. I look forward to seeing how Ballard’s writing matures and what she releases in the future, I will certainly stayed tuned for her next project.

Thank you to NetGalley and Galaxy Press for the e-arc!

This is a story about female empowerment, love, betrayal, witchcraft and murder. So many themes which intertwined and made the story grow through each chapter! Unfortunately I did struggle to like the main female character, and it’s always hard to love a story when you’re not a huge fan of the main character! The storyline was a chaotic rollercoaster, and although I struggled to get into it in the first half I really started to enjoy it in the second half and the ending definitely made me hike my rating up as I did not see that coming!

Definitely recommend if you’re into thrillers with a strong female main character, chaotic twists and fierce feminine energy !

I really enjoyed this, got though it super quick and had some really cool discussions about it! A compelling, immersive read which committed to the darker themes!

Sugar is a heartwarming and bittersweet story that beautifully balances romance, personal growth, and emotional depth. Mia Ballard’s writing is engaging, and the characters feel authentic, making it easy to connect with their struggles and triumphs. While some moments may feel a bit predictable, the novel’s charm and emotional resonance make up for it. A sweet and satisfying read that lingers after the last page.

A unique novel but it took me forever to get invested. It has a slow start and it’s quite hard to get going. Once you do the story itself is pretty good and I do recommend it.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. It started off slow and never really seemed to pick up to me.

Positive 2.5. I didn't love this book and it definitely wasn't for me, but it piqued my interest in the author.

I honestly don't have nearly as much to say as I expected when I started reading this, but I guess the fact that I got to 30% and then stalled out for four months probably says enough on its own. Although this opens as a strong and well-written female rage novel, I felt that this fell apart really badly in the latter half, especially as far as the plot/"plot twist" goes. I absolutely cannot stand books that try pull the kind of ending this book has--when you don't leave actual hints, it's more just lying to the reader than it is a creative twist.

Overall, there was a point where everything just stopped making sense and the bad plot and underdeveloped characters overwhelmed the good points of the writing and the excellent concept. A weak plot and characters aren't unusual for horror thrillers; the point of the thriller genre is not character development and I totally get that, but I felt like this book really didn't want to be a thriller: I saw a lot of potential and some really beautiful paragraphs and observations threaded through. The prose is at times dense and almost literary, which is where I think the author's poetry background is shining through and where the book is the most readable and enjoyable. However, this contrasts sharply with pages where she falls into a very mass-market thriller style, and the lack of balance threw me off the further I got into the book. I'm very interested to see what Mia Ballard does after this and how her writing style develops with future publications, because there were parts of this that I went so far as to highlight. I got lucky to get an arc of her next release, Shy Girl, and will definitely be giving it a shot soon.

I loved every minute of Sugar! The reading experience was so wild and fun, and Satara was an incredibly compelling, strangely relatable and completely unhinged narrator.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for something unique from their feminist horror experience. Go in expecting the unexpected, and I have no doubt you won’t be disappointed.

Mia Ballard's Sugar is a gripping exploration of betrayal, vengeance, and the dark recesses of the human psyche. Set against the backdrop of 1970s suburbia, the novel introduces readers to Satara Stratton, a 35-year-old housewife whose world unravels upon discovering her husband Dean's affair with her best friend, Lilah. This revelation propels Satara into a tumultuous journey marked by deceit, murder, and an unexpected alliance with a love witch named Millicent Garcelle.

Ballard masterfully crafts a narrative that delves deep into themes of feminine rage and empowerment. Satara's transformation from a betrayed spouse to a formidable force of retribution is both compelling and unsettling, offering readers a protagonist who is as complex as she is unhinged. The inclusion of witchcraft elements, particularly through Millicent's character, adds a mystical dimension that enriches the storyline and challenges conventional perceptions of morality and justice.

The novel's pacing is relentless, with each chapter unveiling new layers of intrigue and suspense. Ballard's vivid descriptions immerse readers in the era, capturing the essence of 1970s suburbia while juxtaposing it with the macabre events that unfold. Her exploration of the duality of human nature—juxtaposing the mundane with the malevolent—elicits both introspection and unease.

While Sugar delves into dark and, at times, graphic themes, these elements serve to underscore the intensity of Satara's emotional turmoil and the lengths to which she will go to reclaim control over her life. Ballard's unflinching portrayal of these aspects may be challenging for some readers, but they are integral to the story's impact and authenticity.

In conclusion, Sugar is a bold and provocative novel that pushes the boundaries of traditional thriller narratives. Mia Ballard's fearless storytelling and intricate character development make this a standout read for those seeking a deep dive into the complexities of revenge, identity, and the supernatural.

Mia Ballard’s *Sugar is an absolute gem—beautifully written, emotionally rich, and utterly captivating. The characters feel deeply real, and their journey is both heartwarming and heartbreaking in the best way. With lyrical prose and an unforgettable story, this book is a must-read that lingers long after the final page—five stars, without hesitation!

“If you love me, you’ll kill for me.” Yeah. Sugar by Mia Ballard had me in a chokehold. This book is dripping in 1970s suburbia, deception, and just the right amount of witchy, femme fatale energy to make you question everything.

Satara Stratton is living the dream—until she finds out her husband, Dean, is cheating on her. And not just with anyone. With her best friend, Lilah. (The audacity??) What starts as heartbreak quickly turns into something much darker, as Satara spirals into revenge, desire, and the kind of sinister plotting that makes you feel equal parts horrified and obsessed. And let’s not forget the witchcraft—because yes, there’s a touch of the occult here, and it fits perfectly.

Ballard nails the tension. The hazy, intoxicating atmosphere of the ‘70s, the cocktail-fueled betrayals, the slow unraveling of a woman scorned—it’s all so rich, so addictive. The writing is lyrical and almost dreamlike, making you feel like you’re slipping deeper and deeper into Satara’s unraveling mind. And the ending? Let’s just say it left my jaw on the floor.

If you love dark, twisted love stories with a side of murder and magic, Sugar is your next read. This was SO my kind of book. 5 stars!

Mia Ballard's "Sugar" is an absolutely unhinged ride that I couldn't put down. Set against a psychedelic 1970s backdrop, this story follows Satara Stratton, possibly one of the most deliciously unbalanced protagonists I've encountered in recent thrillers. When she discovers her husband's affair with her best friend, Satara doesn't just get mad - she gets even, with a side of witchcraft and acid-fueled revenge that makes for one wild reading experience.

The writing is sharp and propulsive, pulling you through Satara's fractured reality as she spirals deeper into chaos. The ending hits you with a twist that I genuinely didn't see coming, though it does feel a bit rushed in execution. If you enjoy your psychological thrillers with a heavy dose of feminine rage, witchcraft, and protagonists who are gloriously off the rails, you'll want to add this debut to your TBR pile.

Thank you to NetGalley and Galaxy Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When 35 year old Satara finds out about her husband Dean's affair with her best friend Lilah, she returns to a life of deceit and death. Having gotten rid of men before she knows it'll be easy to do again but Lilah is determined to expose her guilt. Mixed with witchcraft that Satara uses to make the people around her fall in love she sets off down a deep dark path of lies, deception and murder.

Oh my god! I loved this! This was a really well written psychological thriller. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down, and I flew through this in a couple of hours. I liked that Mia chose to mix the past and present, and we got to see how Satara became the person she is today. Honestly the way this is written you can't help feeling sorry for Satara all she wanted was for someone to truly love her but she went all the wrong ways about it and she wasn't always dealt the best hand in the men she came across but at the same time she's absolutely terrifying and her callousness was shocking. I had no idea the end twist was coming, and it had me shook. I highly recommend this and will definitely be picking up more of this authors work.

Title/Author: SUGAR by Mia Ballard

Page Count: 261 pages!

Publisher: Galaxy Press

Format: NetGalley digital book

Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: debut, I think?

Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/979833044...

Release Date: October 2024

General Genre: Thriller/Crime/Murder/Witchcraft-Occult

Sub-Genre/Themes: Serial Killers, marriage, infidelity, (historical fiction-I guess), revenge, sex, lust, baking, friendship, witches/witchcraft/spells, murder investigation

Writing Style: Fast pace, thriller vibes

What You Need to Know: "Love, betrayal, murder, and witchcraft. For fans of A Certain Hunger, step into the twisted, psychedelic world of SUGAR, a story about a femme fatale hooked on love and acid in this gripping tale of 1970's suburban chaos where nothing is as it seems."

My Reading Experience: A lighthearted, horny, acid-fueled bloodbath featuring an unhinged, unapologetic female serial killer. This book takes place in 1970s suburbia (although I didn't feel immersed in that kind of setting or vibes at all). The protagonist isn't just unreliable—she's completely untethered, soaring high on psychedelics and rage which feeds her murderous whims. Sometimes her decisions to kill are rooted in selfish motivation or vengeance but other times, she seems to go off looking for opportunities. She's messy and gross so I couldn't relate or empathize with her at all. But that is what makes the story so entertaining. She’s wild, reckless, and feral in her pursuit of indulgence.
The pages fly by in a blur of sex, drugs, and carnage. Ballard writes with an infectious energy, pulling the reader into a world where chaos reigns. And yeah, you’re gonna have to suspend some disbelief here and there as well as overlook some glaring plotholes.
It’s a popcorn thriller, a pulpy, bloody, romp in the sheets.

Final Recommendation: If you love books about messy, rage-fueled women doing terrible things with zero remorse, Sugar will satisfy your craving. Just don’t expect a clean resolution (the author executes a lot of different ideas in the conclusion) or a protagonist who cares about playing by the rules.

Comps: My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, Maeve Fly by C. J. Leede, The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

I really loved this, book. Delusional women, feminine rage, and revenge. What more could a reader ask for?

Many thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Galaxy Press for sharing a digital copy, as always, opinions are my own.