Days of Sugar and Spice by Loïc Clément, Anne Montel

Days of Sugar and Spice by Loïc Clément, Anne Montel

My Rating: ★★★★

I received a copy from Europe Comics through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rose was raised by her mom after her dad kicked them both out of his life when she as a kid. At the ripe age of 28, she gets a call informing her that her dad has died, and she has to return to her hometown to sign some paperwork. After inheriting her dad’s bakery, she discovers his old journal and finds her love for baking and reconnects with the town she once lived in. However, that journal is missing pages, and she’s shocked to the core when she finally gets her hands on them, changing her life forever.

I picked up this book because it sounded cute and sweet. I can now confirm that it’s exactly that. Rose is a bit unhappy in her current life when she gets the news that her dad has passed away. Inheriting his bakery turns out to change her life for the better as she discovers herself through baking, which bridges the connection she never had with her father. I thought it was a sweet way for her to fill the void and heal the trauma she experienced by getting the boot from her father when she was a kid. While the story is short, it’s clear that it’s affected her life and how she treats relationships through her interactions with her on again off again boss/lover as well as her romantic relationship with Gael, her childhood friend and crush.

I truly enjoyed Rose’s relationship with her aunt, Marronde, who talks through gestures and written notes thanks to the stroke she suffered. I was irritated about the truth about why she doesn’t speak that’s revealed later. I wish it was handled much differently and not attributed to Marronde’s stroke. However, I do love the character. In fact, I think I like Marronde more than I like Rose.

I also love Rose’s friend and co-worker, Mei. She’s such a bright character that I can see why Rose is such good friends with her. I love how she interacts with all the characters and the light she brings to the story. I was excited to see her turn back up after it appeared that she had exited the story.

One thing that I didn’t care for was the panels following the town’s stray cats talking to each other. I kept expecting it to somehow relate to the story other than just putting their two scents in between the panels. I kept expecting for the cats to openly talk to the human characters but that just never happened. I their individual panels is something the story could’ve done without because it comes off as a random addition.

Otherwise, I think it’s a cute story that surprisingly covers some tough topics. I love most of the characters and the artwork is adorable. I look forward to checking out Loïc Clément’s other work.