Finished Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas. Warning: there be spoilers ahead.

This is a contemporary about Liberty Jones, a teenager growing up in rural Texas. Liberty is desperately in love with Hardy Cates, an older boy who lives in the same trailer park. Hardy feels the same way, but keeps Liberty at arm’s length because he has no intention of staying in their small town — not even for her. Hardy eventually leaves town, but the real trouble for Liberty begins when her mother is tragically killed in a car accident, and she’s left to take care of her toddler sister, Carrington — alone.

But Liberty’s defining trait is her determination, which she uses to get her cosmotology license and a good job in a trendy salon. Things are looking up for Liberty, especially when a so-called “sugar daddy” named Churchill Travis takes an interest in her — along with his son, Gage. But Liberty has never gotten over Hardy, and he blows back into her life just when she thinks she’s finally moved on with Gage …

I really enjoyed Kleypas’ Wallflower historical romances, and I’ve been wanting to read Sugar Daddy since it came out last year. When I saw a paperback version in the goodie room at RT, I snatched it up. The book did not disappoint.

I don’t know that I’d classify this one as a romance, though. Sure, there’s romance in it, but it’s mostly about Liberty growing up and taking care of her sister after their mother dies. It’s more of a coming-of-age story or women’s fiction than a straight romance. Regardless, it’s a really good read.

Liberty is a great character. She runs the gamut of emotions from tough, selfish, vulnerable, selfless, determined, depressed, and much more. The book is written in first person, and Liberty’s voice really makes the story come alive. She’s also a very relatable character, with her struggles to make ends meet and desire to provide a better life for her sister.

I didn’t like Hardy nearly as much. He’s as selfish as Liberty is selfless, especially at the end. He winds up being rich and successful and what he does to Liberty is petty, to say the least. I won’t spoil who Liberty ends up with, but I think she made the right decision.

Kleypas also has a lot of great descriptions in the book and really gives you a feel for Texas.

However, I did have some quibbles with the book. The story starts out a little slow. The first 200 pages or so are spent on Liberty growing up. I would have liked to have seen more of her as an adult, especially interacting with Churchill and Gage.

Then, there’s the issue of Churchill. Turns out he was in love with Liberty’s mother for years and discreetly helped Liberty get her cosmotology license, among other things. Hardy also tells Liberty that everyone thinks Churchill is Carrington’s father (although it turns out that he’s not). I didn’t think Liberty got nearly angry enough with Churchill for deceiving her all those years, and she forgave him way too easily.

Also, Kleypas never comes right out and says who Carrington’s father is. And after all the buildup in the book, I really wanted to know, since it’s not Churchill. And then, there’s Hardy. After all the buildup of Liberty loving him for years, he doesn’t show up until the last 50 pages or so. Again, I thought the conflict with him was resolved a little too easily, given how much Liberty has always loved him.

But overall, this is a really good read. One of the best books I’ve read this year. I’ll definitely be getting the sequel, Blue-Eyed Devil. Thumbs up.

BTW, does anyone know how to say Kleypas’s name? Is it “Clay-pass”? “Klee-pas?” Or some other variation I haven’t thought of? I’ve always wondered …

Up next: The Red Heart of Jade by Marjorie M. Liu.

Books in my TBR pile: 16.