Sugar & Spite
Sugar & Spite
When food critic Nathan Pierce walks into Sloane Hartley's struggling bakery, she recognizes him instantly—he's the man whose brutal review destroyed her mentor's restaurant years ago. But after a viral argument threatens both their careers, they're forced into a week-long collaboration. Now Sloane must decide: protect her heart, or risk everything for the man who's teaching her that the best things in life require a little vulnerability—and a lot of courage.
When food critic Nathan Pierce walks into Sloane Hartley's struggling bakery, she recognizes him instantly—he's the man whose brutal review destroyed her mentor's restaurant years ago. But after a viral argument threatens both their careers, they're forced into a week-long collaboration. Now Sloane must decide: protect her heart, or risk everything for the man who's teaching her that the best things in life require a little vulnerability—and a lot of courage.
Passages
Passage 1
"The man stood outside my bakery with his phone raised, taking photos like he was documenting a crime..."
THE CHALLENGE
"I'd been at the bakery since four, running on two hours of sleep and spite. Every pastry had to be f..."
THE FIRST SESSION
"Monday morning, I arrived at five-thirty to prep the kitchen. If Nathan wanted to practice, fine, bu..."
Passage 2
"Friday arrived too fast.I'd been at the bakery since four, running on two hours of sleep and spite...."
THE DISASTER
"Wednesday morning, I arrived with a new recipe and a chip on my shoulder.Nathan wanted my A-game? Fi..."
Passage 3
"Monday morning, I beat Nathan to the bakery by twenty minutes just to prove a point.Tessa arrived wi..."
Passage 4
"By Wednesday, our videos had half a million views.Tessa read comments while I prepped for the aftern..."
THE COOK-OFF
"The Bayshore Summer Festival was packed.The town square had been transformed, white tents, string li..."
THE PARTNERSHIP
"Three months later, I stood in my bakery at five AM with flour in my hair and Nathan Pierce making c..."
Passage 5
"THE BREAKING POINTFriday morning tasted like endings.We met at the beach for sunrise, Tessa already..."
Passage 6
"THE RISENathan's apartment was in a converted warehouse, all exposed brick and tall windows. I'd got..."