Sweet Surprise

By: Jenny Frame

Narrated by: Amy Putt

Flora Buchanan doesn’t think a relationship is an option. A variety of mental health issues - anxiety, OCD, and PTSD - make it seem impossible to find love. Instead, she seeks joy in the one thing that is safe and ordered: her sweet shop in Glasgow.

Mac Sharkey is ready to start a new life after being released from jail. As part of the infamous Sharkey family, she took care of business on the edge of the law for the once criminal, and now legitimate, empire. After being sentenced to jail time her cousin should have shared, she’s promised a quiet life running her dream barber shop.

Flora and Mac are bound together by a night that changed their lives two years before and never thought they’d ever see each other again. But when Mac opens up her barber shop right next to Flora’s sweet shop, their connection comes roaring back.

©2021 Jenny Frame (P)2021 Bold Strokes Books Inc

Beautiful romance

I felt this book was specifically written to me. As an autistic and socially anxious queer person myself, I found Flora very relatable, and her struggles were depicted with surprising accuracy. Best of all, the story isn't only about autism, it's just a part of Flora's existence.

The story is a gentle, beautiful romance. The narrator does an excellent job. I do wish the book was a bit longer, as I feel the Sharkie dynasty, and Flora and Mac's stories could have been explored more thoroughly, but I went for this book knowing its length, and for what it was, and how it was described, it was the perfect package.

I Definitely Stan Frame's Work

I think I've read or listened to everything Jenny Frame has published. The Butch-Femme characters she brings to life give me the kinda books I love to read. I wait eagerly for every book and hope to the goddess that each book has a sequel. Sweet Suprise was a great read. It's a slow-burn romance with the right amount of action and intrigue. I hope there will be a sequel. In short, another awesome book.

More more more please

I really did like the whole story! I guess the selfish part of me just thought it ended so fast. Everything was going really well then it started to jump weeks and then it was over. But i really did love it. I loved both main characters and how they were so different but so supportive of each other. I thought they rounded each other out really well.

Really enjoyable

I really enjoyed this work, both the story and the narration. The characters are very distinct and memorable, and I love the polar opposites that are Mac and Flo, but even the other characters are unique and stand solidly on their own. While some of the discussion regarding therapy, trusting a therapist, mental health, OCD behaviors, etc. could sometimes feel over done and repetitive, I still like that the author wove them through as they were, never letting you forget someone’s issues or disabilities. It was a lovely little story, and I adore the steam punk barber and traditional sweet shop owner lovestory.

full of sweetness

i love Jenny Frame. she writes with such heart and the characters are full of kindness and sweetness its addictive. Amy Putt is the perfect narrator to voice her stories. i want more!