Sugarfiend [Kindle Edition]

Caroline Burau (Author)

Book Description

If her life is a box of chocolates, acid-tongued, sugar-obsessed Estelle Brown should learn how to pick them better. Her boyfriend’s left her for a bulimic hand model, her roommate’s skipped town, and her boss is in love with her.
In the middle of her latest of a lifetime of doomed diet attempts – cutting sugar cold turkey – Estelle decides to quit quitting for good, pack her bags, and lose herself on a 7-day Caribbean cruise.
But even on a floating monument to binge eating, the diet industry follows her. Across from every buffet is a studio full of treadmills. Next to every plate of fried calamari is a large diet Coke.
As a ship full of wary passengers ducks for cover, Hurricane Estelle wages her own personal war against moderation. But the consequences land her in the belly of the beast: broke, alone, and forced to take a job as –of all things-- a detox consultant for the ship.
Is Skinny the answer to Happy? Is Sweet ‘n Low the new black? Is that Denise Austin chick … for real? No, no, and yes . . . oddly. But for a Sugarfiend, it’s not the destination that matters, it’s all the cupcakes you get to eat along the way.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Caroline Burau is a freelance writer and author in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Her memoir, Answering 911: Life in the Hot Seat was a Reader’s Digest Editor’s Choice and a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award.

Product Details

• File Size: 364 KB
• Print Length: 286 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0071BFKOW
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #800,879 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read, even for guys! March 7, 2012

By earl lingerfelt

Format:Paperback

From start to finish, I enjoyed Sugarfiend. If you have read Ms. Burau's other book, Answering 911: Life in the Hotseat, then you know that she is a compelling storyteller so I wasn't suprised by the high quality of her writing. What I WAS blown away by is how me, a type A, right wing male could enjoy reading about Estelle Brown so much. I laughed a good way through, and was reminded of Jen Lancaster, Carl Hiaasen with maybe a touch of Fannie Flagg thrown in.

I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!

4.0 out of 5 stars Sugarfiend October 12, 2012

By Jersey Girl Book Reviews / Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews

Format:Kindle Edition

Estelle Brown has an addictive personality ... her latest addiction is anything and everything sugary. Fed up with everything in her life, Estelle embarks on a 7-day Caribbean cruise that is anything but sugar free! The trial and tribulations that Estelle encounters on her journey will ultimately teach her life lessons about self-acceptance, love and happiness.

Sugarfiend is a wickedly humorous story with a lot of laugh-out-moments that will tickle your funny bone. Written in witty style, author Caroline Burau weaves a quirky tale told in the first person narrative by the sassy and sarcastic protagonist Estelle Brown. Estelle engages the reader to follow along on her journey that is full of trials and tribulations, it's not easy to kick a sugar addiction when chocolate, cupcakes, and everything sugary stares you in the face! It is a story about a woman with an addictive personality, self-esteem issues, and a penchant for self-depreciation, who could easily have self-destructed if it wasn't for her realistic and comical attempt to find happiness and self-acceptance.

Estelle Brown is a sassy, sarcastic, straight-forward lady whose comical side shines through as she battles with her Type A personality and addictive behaviors. She's a normal person that the reader can relate to, come on ... tell me you don't have a weakness for sweets ... or any addictions for that matter! I think she has a strong sense of character as she was able to admit that only she is to blame for her addictions, I think that is admirable. Even though she has battled with various addictions: men, alcohol, and food, her strength lies in her humor, it is her saving grace and makes her real in my eyes. There are times when I wanted to slap her and tell her to deal with her issues, but overall I couldn't help but feel for Estelle and stand in her corner cheering for her.

Rich in detail and vivid descriptions of an entertaining 7-day cruise; with a realistic and engaging supporting cast of characters; and some really witty and humorous dialogue and interactions; combined with a storyline that masterfully deals with a difficult issue, makes Sugarfiend an entertaining and compelling read.

Sugarfiend is a story that takes a realistic look at a person who is a work in progress. Told in a humorous style, author Caroline Burau engages the reader to take a look at the imperfect and humanistic side of life, while providing some thought provoking life lessons.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

4.0 out of 5 stars This book has some great laugh out loud moments! October 4, 2012

By The Every Free Chance Reader

Format:Kindle Edition

Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. It had some great laugh out loud moments and lines.

Our leading lady is very sarcastic, straight forward, and downright funny at times. In the beginning, I wasn't sure if I was going to like Estelle. There were times that I did and other times where I really did not. But I think that's what made her such a great character. Estelle is a normal person...as normal as addicts are...you want to help her but you want to wash your hands of her at the same time. I did like the fact that she blamed no one but herself for her addictions. That takes strong character in my opinion.

Estelle's wit and sarcasm comes through in her dialogue and inner thoughts. My favorite line that brought tears from so much laughter was when Estelle was about to start her new detox plan. She says to Lauren, "If I shit anything wild...a Smurf, a foosball table, an I-pod..Jimmy Hoffa...you'll be the first person I call." (I'm even laughing now, typing and remembering this line and the circumstances that surround it.) My favorite inner thought of Estelle's had to be when she was explaining how yoga and meditation help her. "It's a good way to silence all the inner voices in my head that used to say things like 'eat that' or 'drink that' or 'take your ping pong paddle and beat that redhead in the yellow thong to death with it.' Things like that." These are just two examples of Estelle's wit that is throughout Sugarfiend. She is always sarcastic, unabashed, funny, and self-deprecating.

The supporting characters were wonderful. Heni was like a mom and a friend. Tweezer was sad. Lauren was a life saver on the cruise ship. Bill seems genuine and funny. Jack, Estelle's former boss, tries so hard to be "normal" despite the tragedy that paralyzed him. Gloria, like Estelle, was lost and trying to find her way.

The ending was great...I loved it.

Would I recommend it: If you like chick lit, then read it. There were some great laugh out loud lines in this book.

Will I read it again: I will not.

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