Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned) Paperback – August 26, 2015

Belle Aurora’s Friend-Zoned series is one of my absolute favorites. Nik and Tina’s story and Nat and Asher’s story were both amazing 5 poison apples’ reads for me, but I’ve been anxiously waiting for Max’s story. I wanted the single, loving father to get his happily ever after in a bad way. He’s such a caring and affectionate person who lives to make his daughter happy, and after what he went through with his ex and the trauma that it caused not only himself but his daughter and family, I needed to see him realize that there was love out there for him and the right woman would not break his heart nor his daughter’s like his ex did. Who would have thought, though, that the woman who just might be the one for him is actually closer than he thinks, and she’ll definitely fit right in to his family of friends because she’s just as quirky and fun as the other crazy, affectionate women in his life because she’s Nat’s sister, Helena.I love Helena! Belle really makes Helena’s personality shine through in Sugar Rush. She’s eccentric, swears like a sailor, loves to the depth of her soul, and is an all around amazing woman and person. She knows what hard work is and she’s very focused in helping others. Now, this doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have her flaws; she can be a judgmental bitch sometimes, but she is perfectly aware of that fact and tries her best to let first impressions go until she can truly form accurate opinions about people based on who they are not what they look like or might represent. Guys haven’t really been on her radar for quite some time due to her drive to get her degree and start her career. Being a physical therapist is extremely important to Helena, and she won’t let anyone get in her way of accomplishing that goal. But when she moves to the same town as Max Leokov, she can’t help but feel a pull towards him, even though their last encounter made her dislike him quite a bit.For the past few years, Max has witnessed everyone around him find their “one,” and while he’s extremely happy for them, he can’t help but feel like that’s never going to happen for him. He’s not willing to risk his heart again just to get it ripped apart by another woman who seems to be perfect but then turns out to be anything but. So, despite everything that Max has to offer a woman and the fact that this sexy, successful, caring man could have any woman that he wants, he chooses to keep everyone at arm’s length, flirting with women he encounters but never fully investing because he isn’t willing to put neither his heart nor his daughter’s heart on the line. But it’s actually CeeCee, his precious daughter, who gets him to see that Helena may just be the exception to the rule because the way she cares for CeeCee and puts everyone else’s needs before her own is exactly the type of woman Max needs to help erase his past with his ex and move forward.But it’s easier said than done when the heart and the head feel conflicted, and while there’s a mutual attraction between Helena and Max, they both are afraid to invest completely in each other because they both feel like they have too much to lose. But imagine what they can gain because they both definitely deserve their “sugar rush” – the feeling of absolute bliss and giddiness because you’ve found the one who makes your life overwhelming and full in the most delicious ways.Sugar Rush is another absolutely amazing read from the creative mind of Belle Aurora. It has everything that I adore about romantic comedies. The internal dialogue is extremely entertaining as well as the banter between the characters. Helena and Max’s relationship as well as their relationship with their family and friends is the driving force of the text, which allows readers to get to know the characters on a personal level, almost like reconnecting with close friends after some time apart.With the perfect blend of romance, humor, wit, and a smattering of drama, Helena and Max’s story has all of the necessary ingredients to make it one of my favorite reads of 2014.I can’t wait for more from this series and Belle Aurora.A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.5 poison apples

I so love books told in first person...and I especially loved reading this story from two POV and Ms. Belle Aurora does it so well. The male/female POV. Superb! I SO loved Helena Kovac's character. How can you not?!? She's so genuine....so human! She's kind hearted, honest and selfless; she's "down-to-earth". REAL. The stuff that spews out of her mouth, without forethought, is delightfully delicious...which only makes her more endearing. She's perfectly lovable. She's a free spirited butterfly who is full of love. There is no facade with Helena. No hidden agenda. She's simply and innocently friendly. She has waist length brown hair that shines lusciously and sparkling bright green eyes that capture your attention quickly. Helena Kovac is originally from California and has just landed a physical therapists' job in NYC - - she's surrounded by her sister, new brother-in-law and their close knit family of friends (from book #1 Friend-Zoned (Volume 1) ). Helena is focused on her new job and her career moving forward --- she doesn't date --- she doesn't want to be involved in any type of relationship.Mischievous, flirty, Max Leokov is tall, dark and verrrry handsome with his dimpled smile, golden eyes and olive complexion. He's gorgeous, funny, intelligent and extremely friendly. He's a shameless flirt and very sweet in a "touchy-feely" kind of way. He loves women but he's no manwhore. Max is the single father to a 12 year old, disabled daughter, whom he adores and devotes his whole being to.This sweet and sometimes hilarious story of two attractive people, struggling through damage as the result of prior relationships is a slow moving journey with very little drama. It's a cat/mouse chase ending in a HEA, but it's fun and entertaining. Max and Helena become friends and then sex buddies that don't want to get involved...but of course emotions become confused when their buddy system develops into more. Before they realize what's happened, they've become serious...a secret they don't tell the other. The author capably incorporates the fear, responsibility and serious reality of being a parent as well as the pressure and dedication of caring for a disabled child.This story is told well although the author has an addiction to the verb "utter". Example:...uttered gentlyuttered quicklyuttered smoothlyflirtatious utterutters seriouslyhe utteredshe utteredthey uttered/muttereduttered quietlyuttered slowlyuttered angrilyThis doesn't happen in the first half of the book...but the second half.. Look out. "Uttered" is used in every paragraph, sometimes more than twice. It quickly became silly. This story is by no means as good as Friend-Zoned (Volume 1) and is probably on an even par with Love Thy Neighbor (Friend-Zoned) (Volume 2)

une histoire mignonne. On retrouve avec plaisir les personnages de la série Friend zoned et Max est tout simplement craquant !

I loved Max in the first book... I loved Max in the second book... I just love Max...I'm a Max addict!I'm sooooo happy about this book.Loved, loved, loved it!! Love Ceecee and love Max.If you've read the other two books you need to read this one.I loved Nat in the second book and her sister is even better (I think you know my feelings on Max by now) H is amazing!! Love the humour in these books. Have been randomly laughing looking like a complete idiot.I have heard that there is finally to be a fourth book (can't freaking wait!!!!!)

Belle puts every feeling into her books n this one is no different. Love the ups, the downs n everything inbetween. Even the up dates on all the previous characters. Loved it

I can't believe that Belle is so young and so new to writing! She creates fabulous, fun characters. They gave their dark sides, their light and their super dirty, sexy side too. I have to say, I've read all that Belle has published so far and I've enjoyed each read. My only complaint: it's over. I want more. Sugar-Rush felt so short and I want more of this sassy little sister!

La scrittura divertente, ironica, spigliata mi ha subito catturato e nel giro di due giorni avevo già divorato tutto il libro.Già dalla prima pagina, ci si sente parte di questa enorme famiglia di amici e non appassiona solo per la trama principale ma anche per i personaggi secondari e le tematiche che grazie alla loro presenza possono essere affrontate, sempre senza pesantezza o retorica.Consiglio di leggerlo e di leggere anche i primi due libri della serie. Una lettura sicuramente piacevole!