Sugar Vol. 1

Matt Hawkins’ Sugar, Vol 1 is like so many adult graphic, graphic novels too short and consequently too shallow. It is sold as one-off (so far) sequel from the author’s more successful Sunstone series. The Sugar of the title is the overworked, capable Julia who meets and becomes lovers with the older, very well off recently divorced John. Their conflict revolves around her desperate need for cash and the fact that her cash needs are trivial to him. Her pride means she cannot have a relationship on a cash and carry-on basis. Need I say? The book contains almost polite nudity and whatever its value as a bed time story the intended audience is not children.The author tells us that one of his goals is to make someone who is on the edges of being a sex worker sympathetic. At no time is Julia a sex worker. That she might be thought of as one, if only to herself is part of why there is any plot. There being so little in this short and pretty book - everyone is pretty and the sex is more decorative than prurient- I found myself thinking about things likely not intended by the author.Why are we as a culture so proud of a system that would have woman of Julia’s ability, work ethic and family values to be such a victim of bad luck? Because she remains loyal to her family and determined to pay her and their debts, it is unlikely that she will be able to finish the degree that would qualify her to work herself out of her pending cycle of poverty. This young lady will either be ground down waiting for the universe to notice that her potential is being wasted or she can find a rich lover. Maybe this is only the false choice that furthers the plot or maybe ours is a system that would waste talent rather than seek it out and promote it. Pay to play is not just a basis in sex work.

As a romcom it works. The drawing is pleasant. The characters are likable. But the story totally misses what could have been an interesting topic: the impact of money over a relationship. The writer makes sure to avoid anything that could be a problem; she’s not interested in money, she’s not interested in having sex for money, he’s just generous, and she will pay back anyway. So, no obstacle, no problem. The only obstacle is that at one moment the ex wife comes back, typical of a romcom but nothing to do with the promised topic. It would have been interesting to have for instance a girl clearly deciding to have sex for money but with time getting attached to the guy, but now money is part of the game and makes everything complicated. But we have nothing of that.To sum up, if you want a typical love story without originality but decently made and with likable characters, it is a cool comic book. If you want an interesting story about sugar baby, about how sex and money can mix well or not, forget it, you won’t find it here. At the end, I’m rather disappointed, as Sunstone was particularly good at not avoiding touchy topics. Too bad.

I have read the other reviews. I will disagree somewhat. This was a pleasure read - it really appealed to the romantic in me. The authors did a great job of creating empathy with the characters - this meant that you cared for them. At the end of the book, you are left hanging as to what will happen to these two people who really deserve each other. You also wonder how the people around them will affect them. Some think that Julie is a gold digger (but you know better); some are worried that she will cause other husbands to dump in favor of newer trophy wives. I know that in my case I wanted to see them succeed - to find that happiness that has been denied them.Worth it.

I was interested in reading this, when I heard it was part of the sunstone universe and I am a big fan of that series. So I thought why not. And I wasn't disappointed by it, the story was a great, the characters with massive personality and human flaws that make them relatable, and interesting. But the realism of how the relationship between the two leads depicted is very nice and sweet, also bitter and heartbreaking when it comes to love. Cause lets face it nobody knows the correct way to a nice heathly relationship. And why people enter bad ones before they find the right one.

Good story, just wish it had been longer or that there was a second volume. Enjoyable and would have been nice to add maybe another 10 pages to *really* wrap it up. Feels incomplete.

The story is, in my opinion, very cliche. The main girl is young and struggling with life and meets a well-off older man who is going through a divorce. Sex and money is involved. It's not a bad read but it's not a great read either. Also, the description says it's a companion story to Sunstone but it's really not.

A great romance flick in a graphic novel format. An awesome pick for down on your luck drama with a hopeful feel.

This was a pleasant and completely undemanding romance that had a few bright moments and bits of snappy dialogue, and the kind of tasteful nudity that you'd probably get if Disney tried to produce an R-rated animated feature.An innocent sweetie meets an older recently divorced nice guy who's still carrying a torch for his ex-wife. She loosens him up and they become an item. But he helps her out so much financially that it feels more like a Sugar Baby contract than a real relationship. He has a crude funny wise pal and she has a feisty free spirit pal and the ex-wife is a manipulative creep, so all of the bases are covered. It couldn't be more formula, but it was a very quick, refreshing break that, by virtue of its upbeat guileless innocence, was a cheerful enough tonic.(Please note that I had a chance to read a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

Absolutely loved it. Storytelling and perspectives were nuanced and enjoyable. Art was a delightful modern blend. Writing was witty, sharp and clipped along. A fantastic read about love in the modern world. In the immortal and ever pertinent words of Hedwig of the Angry Inch "Sugar Daddy bring it home!"

It's less than 100 pages. It's short but it's in full color and comes in A4 size book.When it comes to mature romance, it's better to look elsewhere than read Japanese manga. They seriously suck at adult romance.Having stated that, the plot for this comic is very predictable. I mean, you should be able to predict the outcome of this comic within 20 pages. But it's an enjoyable read at the least. Additionally, the drawing is not too American which is understandable since the artist is a Chinese.