Sugar Kane (nee Charlotte Sugarman) is a 50-something mother of adult children and a TV writer who hasn’t written a hit show for years (she’s sure the next deal is “coming soon”). In the meantime, Sugar is busy managing the secret “octopus” that has been curling itself around her midsection; making sure her research assistant doesn’t flirt and talk Sugar out of any upcoming movie deals; helping out her daughter during her pregnancy, meeting her son’s new girlfriend, and coming to terms with new love interest Alex Carroll and his secret. Along the way, Sugar also introduces us to her unfailing sense of humor and “shtick” as she interacts with other characters. When she is in the hospital with her ‘octopus’ pains and is attended to by a Dr. O’Neil, Sugar says “O’Neil? What sort of cardiologist is that? Get me a Bernstein or a Goldberg.”
Sugar Kane is a tough, witty, generous, woman doing her best to keep her head up and spirits high in spite of the stereotypes against the ‘mature woman,’ let along the stereotypes against a “single woman of a certain age.” She claims to have “moved to New York to further what the Prozac started” - and so she won’t be self-conscious to go out without a man. Her comments and sometimes steamy descriptions about the mature woman’s sexuality and the reappearance of desire for sex and intimacy might raise an eyebrow at times, but the reader will swell with pride as Sugar continues to blossom, grow and transform into an even stronger woman.
Sugar Time is chick lit for the ‘mature woman.’ Evoking smiles and tears, spunky Sugar Kane uses all the wisdom and wiles of 50-plus years of life experience to get through yet another stage of life. This relatively light, fun read is recommended for those looking for a change from the babe and chick lit to the woman lit.