Cream and Punishment

Susannah Nix

Jan 2022 · King Family Book 2 · Haver Street Press

About this ebook

I thought this new job would be the fresh start I desperately needed. I didn’t expect the woman who broke my heart to be my new coworker.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

I didn’t. Not until the night I looked up from my book and saw Lucy Dillard sitting in the same noisy bar as me with her nose buried in her own book.

It felt like we were made for each other. When I fell for Lucy, I fell hard. Everything was perfect between us—until she suddenly dumped me.

The worst part was she wouldn’t even tell me why.

Now, not only am I stuck staring at my ex’s face in the office all day long, but she’s also the one assigned to train me. As if there’s not already enough tension between us, she thinks I’m here to steal the promotion she’s been promised.

But the more we’re forced to work together, the better I understand her. And the more I realize how much we kept hidden from each other. Now that I know what Lucy’s had to go through and how different her world is from mine? I’m more in love with her than ever.

I just need to convince the girl who got away that I’m worth a second chance—and pray she doesn’t break my heart all over again.

CREAM AND PUNISHMENT is a swoony, full-length second chance romance packed with small town feels and messy family shenanigans. Featuring an unforgettable menstrual cup mishap, a nerdy book-loving heroine who’s in over her head, and a cinnamon roll hero with a spicy side, it stands alone and promises an HEA ending.

Ratings and reviews

I LOVED THIS BOOK! The sequel/book#2 is a SWEET SUCCESS and a GUILTY PLEASURE. :D Tanner + Lucy 4ever I've read every ARC by Susannah Nix and let me say this "They NEVER disappoint me!" The Chemistry Lessons series was GREAT and so is this series, The King Family. I felt at home and like a part of the Crowder, Texas family. I LOVED THIS BOOK! Tanner and Lucy's second chance romance was heartwarming and inspiring for me. As much as both characters wanted to be over each other, as the quote for The Notebook goes, "...it wasn't over, it still isn't over!” The story has pop culture sprinkled throughout (Scooby-Doo and LOTR...lol... to reference a few) and makes the reader feel young and like they are having fun at the same time as they go through this journey with Tanner and Lucy. Although there are some adult themes I invite them to make their appearances in the multiple chapters so that it can educate the reader and allow them to grow in this relationship along with Tanner and Lucy (one would be nepotism which is all too prevalent but so relatable in today's world as well as chauvinism in the workplace, especially for a female). Additionally, I truly enjoyed the verbal bickering and banter, filled with sexual tension just like a kolache-filled jelly donut. My vote will always be for the sexy Clark Kent, the sassy and intelligent heroine that sticks to her guns, and an unlikely office romance. It was a delightful surprise that the book incorporated cameos from past characters and some tidbits about how their relationships were going. Finally, Sheriff Scoopy made me laugh SO HARD, love ice cream more than I do, and have a newfound respect for ALL individuals who embody a mascot for a living. I'm also a COMPLETE sucker for happy endings and Susannah's books ALWAYS provide those to me without fail (as well as delicious sweet treats like cinnamon rolls which make me hungry for BOTH a snack and to read more of the series...hahaha). Keep writing and I'll keep reading! <3

I consider Cream and Punishment a 5 stars second chance book for readers who don't usually like second chance. I have very little patience for characters who enter into a second chance relationship yet didn't learn anything from the earlier relationship events. This was NOT that kind of book. I felt like this was a second chance storyline done right. I only read second chance when it's part of a larger series, which is how I ended up reading this book. I was impressed with the level of relationship drama between the main characters and actually prefer when the drama is between the main characters and supporting characters. A significant portion of the book relates to both main characters learning to set boundaries, and it takes a long while for them to get there. I received a copy of this book at my request, and the opinions here are my own.

I'm a big fan of Susannah Nix, her stories, and the characters she creates. She has a knack for crafting characters who are imperfect but endearing, and so very human - characters you soon begin to care about. This is a second chance romance, demonstrating that timing matters, that one person may not be in the same place, as certain of how they feel as the other person may be - and that it can be scary to be confronted with a hope for commitment when one is far from ready. This sweet story unfolds with patience and a good deal of insight into how people can entrap themselves with the stories they tell themselves, until someone or something provides illumination and a way to see more clearly. I highly recommend this book.

About the author

SUSANNAH NIX is a RITA® Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of rom-coms and contemporary romances who lives in Texas with her husband. On the rare occasions she's not writing, she can be found reading, knitting, lifting weights, drinking wine, or obsessively watching Ted Lasso on repeat to stave off existential angst.