Monday, February 8, 2016

Review: The Truth about Sugar by E.M. Youman


Genre: Short Story/Coming of Age

Description:

She's a banshee screaming, sugar-starved monster, and her zookeeper has left you all alone with her.

That's what's running through twenty-nine-year-old Henry Dalton's mind, when his five-year-old stepdaughter, Rebecca, enters the room and utters these fatal words. 'Where's Mommy?'

After deciding that fixing this problem-child is the key to winning his wife back, Henry comes up with the perfect recipe for turning Rebecca into the world’s little angel. Out goes the Valium and sugar-free snacks. Add a little pizza, ice cream and presto! But he soon discovers there's more than meets the eye with Rebecca. Now he'll have to remember what it's like to be a five-year-old and learn to communicate on her level.

At the center of the chaos is a sweet, little girl, who can charm the pants off him.

Which leaves him wondering if she’s an out of control banshee, or a victim screaming for help?

The child he never wanted to claim is the one who needs a Daddy the most.

A heartwarming coming of age tale about appreciating the gifts you have right in front of you.”

Author:

A freelance writer who has had her short stories published in several magazines, by day E.M. Youman works for an independent music label.

Appraisal:

The description calls this a coming-of-age story. And it is. Not only for Rebecca, the little girl in the story, but more so for her step-father who gets a much needed lesson in being a parent, both the bad and the good. A short, good read.

Buy now from:      Amazon US      Amazon UK

FYI:

Some adult situations.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 9-10,000 words 

1 comment:

Vicki said...

Interesting. A short coming-of-age story is not what I expected when I read the title. (There's a 2015 BBC doco with the same title.)